Russian Olympic ice hockey goalkeeper refuses to wear silver medal

The joy of winning an Olympic goal medal can often overshadow the pain of those who have to lose, particularly in team sports.

Finland won its first ever Olympic gold medal in ice hockey after defeating defending champions ROC 2-1 in the final.

But while Finland made history, the men on the other side of the result were far less than happy.

Russia, who competed in this Olympics as ROC and the previous Games as Olympic Athletes from Russia due a ban from using its anthem, flag and name until December 2022 as a result of the nation’s state sanctioned doping program, believed they were destined to win gold again

So it was no surprise the Russian side was reluctant to take their medals.

Due to Covid protocols, athletes needed to pick their own medals up on the podium.

While most relented and hung the medals around their necks, Russian goalkeeper Ivan Fedotov refused to wear his medal on the podium.

The 25-year-old Finnish born netminder held the medal in his hand during the ceremony.

“It’s hard to accept that it isn’t gold,” he said.

“I’m an all-or-nothing person, and it’s hard to accept a defeat.

“I’ll definitely put it on and enjoy that, but later on.”

Fedotov did eventually wear the medal, sharing a photo to Instagram which translates to: ““Thank you! To all fans for support, faith and good luck. Goalkeeping team, players, coaches and staff, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Fedotov was excellent for ROC throughout the tournament, saving 94.25 per cent of shots or 164 of 174 shots during the Olympics.

Former Buffalo Sabres forward Mikhail Grigorenko said Fedotov was the key for Russia’s run to the final but that they let him down.

“He carried our team the whole tournament,” Grigorenko said.

“He’s probably the one player that deserved gold the most on this team.

“But it’s a team sport. And we probably didn’t play well enough in front of him.”

Fedotov (right) refused to wear the medal. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

It was a frustrating night for Russia, who hit the lead first through Grigorenko.

But the more cohesive Finnish attack controlled the puck for much of the match and continually created chances.

The Finns tied it in the second period when a shot by Ville Pokka squirted between the legs of a Russian defender and Fedotov.

Finland went ahead 30 seconds into the final period when Bjorninen scored, and nearly added more down the stretch.

The Finnish men have now won medals in seven of the past 10 Winter Olympics going back to 1988, including two silver and four bronze.

“It is hard to put in words what this means. Hockey is a big thing in Finland,” said captain Valtteri Filppula.

“We have come close a couple of times and it is finally nice to get the first one (gold).”

Finland and the Russians came into Beijing as joint favourites after perennial contenders Canada and the United States were weakened by the NHL’s decision to keep its stars home over pandemic concerns.

Finalnd players check out their new bling. Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The US and Canada, making do with second-choice rosters, fell in the quarterfinals.

Even without the NHL present, Finland and Russia would have been formidable contenders.

Both are stocked with top talent from Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), widely considered the world’s second-best after the NHL, and a wealth of championship experience.

Finland had several key players from their 2019 world championship team and last year’s second-place squad.

It was the second straight time that NHL superstars were absent from the Winter Olympics, which clashes with the North American league’s schedule.

Luc Tardif, president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), said in Beijing on Thursday that the NHL absences were “frustrating”.

Tardif said the sport’s governing body would hold talks with the NHL and he was “optimistic” an arrangement could be worked out to ensure the participation of NHL stars in future Games.