AP
Russia's Darius Kasparaitis, left, embraces his goalie, Nikolai Khabibulin, after they defeated Belarus

Russia has claimed the bronze medal in the men's Olympic ice hockey tournament with a 7-2 victory over Belarus in West Valley City, Utah.

Alexei Kovalev had two goals and an assist for Russia in a physical game between two teams representing nations with a long history of dislike. Belarus is a former Soviet republic.

Belarus, which upset Sweden 4-3 Wednesday to earn an improbable berth in medal play, held Russia to a 2-2 tie until early in the second period.

The Russians claimed their 12th medal in Olympic hockey, a record that will be shared with Canada after the gold-medal game on Sunday against the host United States. Russia holds eight hockey gold medals, more than any nation.

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