Angry Russians level their ire at American ref

Russia blasted American referee Brad Meier on Saturday for disallowing a goal that would have given it a lead late in its Olympic Games hockey clash it eventually lost to the US in a shootout.

"The referee made a mistake," said Russian coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov following the Russians 3-2 loss to the Americans in a preliminary-round contest.

"Of course, it would have been more effective to have a different judge."