Status uncertain

Team USA could rest Tkachuk against Germany

Keith Tkachuk (right) has two goals in two games in the 2002 Olympics. AP

SALT LAKE CITY (Reuters) -- St Louis Blues forward Keith Tkachuk is listed day-to-day after suffering a deep thigh bruise during the United States' 2-2 tie against Russia, a team spokesman said Sunday.

The spokesman added that the rugged left winger, who was hit cleanly by Russian defenseman Vladimir Malakhov in the open ice, did not practice on Sunday. Malakhov, who plays for the New York Rangers, was not injured on the play.

Since the tie Saturday night put the U.S. in the driver's seat to win Group D, coach Herb Brooks will likely keep Tkachuk on the sidelines for the Americans' final round-robin game against Belarus on Monday to give him extra time to recover ahead of Wednesday's quarterfinal match.

Under the Olympic format, the current round-robin format only determines seedings among the eight teams squaring off. No team can be eliminated from the tournament at this stage.

The U.S. leads the group with three points from two games. Russia also has three points, but is second due to its poorer goal differential.

Russia closes out the round with a game against Finland on Monday.

 

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