16.02 Obama, US Officials Laud Hockey Win Over Russia in Sochi

WASHINGTON, February 15 (RIA Novosti) – US President Barack Obama and other top American officials took to Twitter on Saturday to congratulate the US men’s hockey team on its thrilling 3-2 shootout win over Russia in group play at the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Obama singled out T.J. Oshie, who plays right wing for the St. Louis Blues in the National Hockey League, for scoring four goals in an eight-round shootout that gave the Americans the victory after the two sides ended regulation and overtime locked in a 2-2 tie.

Congrats to T.J. Oshie and the U.S. men's hockey team on a huge win! Never stop believing in miracles. #GoTeamUSA -bo

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 15, 2014

Obama’s national security adviser, Susan Rice, responded to the victory with a three-letter chant that is a favorite of American fans as an expression of patriotism at sporting events.

U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A! Congrats to Men's Hockey team on thrilling win over Russia. #TeamUSA

— Susan Rice (@AmbassadorRice) February 15, 2014

For Congressman John Boehner, the top Republican in the US House of Representatives, the win was a chance to take a swipe at Russian President Vladimir Putin, who attended Saturday’s game at the Bolshoi Ice Dome in Sochi. Boehner added a hashtag with a phrase from the first line of the US national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Give this a RT to congratulate @usahockey on beating Russia – and Putin, too! #DawnsEarlyLight

— Speaker John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) February 15, 2014

Boehner wasn’t the only US official who took a dig at Russia following the win. Samantha Power, the US ambassador to the United Nations who recently traded barbs with her Russian counterpart after meeting with members of the Russian protest art collective Pussy Riot, suggested she could use Oshie’s cool demeanor during talks with Moscow at the UN.

TJ Oshie has ice in his veins! He's welcome to come join me for UN Security Council negotiations with the Russians! @OSH74 #GoTeamUSA

— Samantha Power (@AmbassadorPower) February 15, 2014

The most active US official tweeting about Saturday’s game, which all but assured the Americans of a quarterfinal spot and may force Russia into an extra playoff round ahead of the quarterfinals, was Obama’s outgoing ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul.

McFaul, who has embraced Twitter as a means of diplomacy since taking his post in 2012, correctly predicted in a Russian-language tweet before the puck dropped that the Americans would notch a 3-2 win.

США 3, Россия 2 РТ@lepsaya @KremlinRussia @McFaul @kremlinrussia Каков Ваш прогноз, г-н посол? )

— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) February 15, 2014

McFaul, who was live-tweeting the game from a bar at the US Embassy compound in central Moscow, fielded ironic posts in both Russian and English about his clairvoyance and expressed hope that the two sides will meet again later on in the tournament.

.@haifla @ed_132 Really hope USA and Russia meet the gold medal match! The hockey tonight played by both teams was incredible.

— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) February 15, 2014