Flyers' Raffl lifts Austria; pre-quarterfinals set

Michael Raffl, the Flyers' blossoming rookie winger, scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in Sunday's Olympic action, lifting Austria to a 3-1 win over Norway.

It was the first goal of Raffl's Olympic career. Raffl's teammate, Michael Grabner (Islanders), had a pair of goals and has a tournament-high five tallies.

Flyers defenseman Andrej Meszaros played a strong game for Slovakia _ he logged 20:29 of action _ but his upset-minded team dropped a 1-0 shootout decision to Russia.

Here is how the 12 teams ranked after the preliminary round:

1. Sweden

2. USA

3. Canada

4. Finland (Kimmo Timonen)

5. Russia

6. Switzerland (Mark Streit)

7. Czech Republic (Jake Voracek)

8. Slovenia

9. Austria (Raffl)

10. Slovakia (Meszaros)

11. Latvia

12. Norway

Here are Tuesday's pre-quarterfinals matchups: Slovenia vs. Austria (winner vs. Sweden); Czech Republic vs. Slovakia (winner vs. USA); Switzerland vs. Latvia (winner vs. Canada); Russia vs. Norway (winner vs. Finland).

If the favorites prevail, Team USA would face Canada in the semifinals.

Cousins scratched. Center Nick Cousins, 20, was among the scratches for the AHL Phantoms Sunday in their game against Portland.

A third-round draft pick in 2011 _ the pick was acquired in the Jeff Carter trade with Columbus  _ Cousins has strugggled this season (13 points in 48 games) after recording 101 points in the OHL last year.

Broad Street Bullies busy. A Casino Royale featuring several Broad Street Bullies will aid Abrams Hebrew Academy on March 9 in Yardley.

For info: dsattin@abramsonline.org

Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.