Sports · War

Still no luck for USA at winter games in Russia

America’s luck on the ice hasn’t changed in Sochi since the U.S. men’s hockey team came home empty-handed and the women settled for a silver after having the gold practically around their necks.

Today, at the Paralympics, the Russian team defeated the United States 2-1 in sledge hockey. The USA players are defending champions. Two of its members — Paul Schaus and Josh Sweeney — became amputees after injuries received in Afghanistan. Five soldiers on the Russian team were in the military, including Vadim Selyukin, who lost both legs in the war in Chechnya.

The Russian coach saw it as a chance for revenge for the USA men’s defeat of Russia at the Olympics last month.

For the record, there are no Minnesotans on the sledge hockey team.