>Yesterday the Russians threatened to leave the Olympics due to "judging irregularities". Vladimir Putin today said the Russian team will stay. This does not look good for the US hockey team. The Russians will be fired up.

Are you sure? If they would have left, US would have been given a free pass to the final. So, people would have said for 4 years, "Well, they were in final because the Russians left!". So, at least, they won't be able to say that and we'll know who the winner will be.