Evan Lysacek
/ USOC Photo
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA (AP) -- Evan Lysacek has dethroned a champion at the Vancouver Olympics.
With a flawless performance on ice, Lysacek has won the United States' first gold medal in men's figure skating in 22 years.
Lysacek upset defending champion Evgeni Plushenko to become the first U.S. men's Olympic figure skating champion since Brian Boitano in 1988. The Russian came out of retirement with the lure of trying to win a second straight gold medal.
Lyscacek didn't skate with all his usual flair and charisma. But when he landed his last jump, a double axel, Lysacek let loose. Fans were roaring their approval as he finished his final spin.
Daisuke Takahashi won bronze.
More pain for Lindsey Vonn. Admitting that her bruised right shin still hurts, Vonn lost her bid for a second Olympic title when she missed a gate and fell in the slalom leg of the women's super-combined.
Vonn's closest friend and main rival, Maria Riesch of Germany, took the gold. American Julia Mancuso won her second silver medal, with Anja Paerson of Sweden winning the bronze.
Vonn won the women's downhill Wednesday, and was in position for victory after turning in the top time in the morning downhill portion of the combined. She has a day off before her next event, Saturday's super-G, where she is an overwhelming favorite. She also is entered in the giant slalom and slalom next week.
Defenseman Brian Rafalski scored twice in the final three minutes, helping the U.S. men's hockey team beat Norway 6-1, improving to 2-0.
Goalie Ryan Miller stopped 10 shots, and the Americans outshot their opponents 39-11. Norway has been outscored 14-1 in two games.
The United States has a shot at capturing Group A, but they'll have to beat heavily favored host Canada on Sunday. Host Canada had its citizens on edge. The Canadians needed a goal by Sidney Crosby in the shootout to beat upset-minded Switzerland 3-2 to get two of three possible points.
In the final game of the night, Slovakia upset Russia 2-1 in a shooout. The Slovaks were playing their second game in two nights. Pavol Demitra of the hometown Vancouver Canucks ended it with a shootout goal for Slovakia.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
