Olympics Update Includes a Sweep for the United States

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Americans swept the men's slopestyle skiing event at the Winter Olympics. Joss Christensen of Park City, Utah, grabbed the gold with a score of 95.80 to beat teammates Gus Kenworthy and Nick Goepper.

The sweep is just the third for the U.S. in Winter Olympic history, joining men's figure skating in 1956 and men's halfpipe in 2002. All four of Christensen's runs were scored in the 90's.

After achieving the sweep, Christensen, who was the last skier named to the U.S. slopestyle team, told reporters, "America, we did it."

Conditions for the race were so warm that fellow American Bobby Brown, who finished ninth, competed his final run in short sleeves.

— The U.S. men's hockey team has won its first game of the Olympic tournament, blitzing Slovakia 7-1. Paul Stastny of the Colorado Avalanche scored twice in a six goal second period for the Americans. Goalie Jonathan Quick of the L.A. Kings turned back 22 shots in the win.

— The host Russian team scored an easy 5-2 win over Slovenia in its opening game. Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals had a goal and an assist.

— Teemu Selanne of Finland was forced to leave his country's opening game against Austria with an upper-body injury. He is the oldest player in the tournament and plays in the NHL for the Anaheim Ducks. The Finns went on to win the game, 8-4.

— American Noelle Pikus-Pace is in good position to medal in Friday's final of women's skeleton. After today's first two runs she trails Britain's Lizzy Yarnold by just 0.44 seconds. This event marks the last time Pikus-Pace will compete before retirement.

— Olympic officials in Sochi continue to say they are not concerned about the warm weather at the Olympics. The forecast calls for a temperature today in the mid-60's.

— The U.S. now has 12 medals overall, four gold, two silver and six bronze. Norway continues to be the overall leader with 13 medals.