Backes, U.S. rout Slovakia

Associated Press

Minnesota State alum David Backes (42) scored one of Team USA's goals on Thursday as part of a 7-1 victory over Slovakia in the team's first game at the Sochi Olympics. Backes swatted in the puck during a scramble in front of the net, giving the U.S. a 4-1 lead at the time. Backes, the St. Louis Blues' star, was playing on a line with the Minnesota Wild's Zach Parise and the New York Rangers' Ryan Callahan.

Backes isn't the only MSU alum playing in the Winter Games. In women's hockey, Team Finland has Nina Tikkinen (pictured below at left) — she won a bronze medal four years ago —and Team Sweden has Emilia Andersson. Sweden plays another preliminary game today. Finland has advanced to the quarterfinals and will play Saturday.

Associated Press