UPDATE 2-Olympics-Ice hockey-Canada rout Russians, move to semis

* Canada gold medal mission takes focus

* Will play winner of Sweden vs Slovakia game

(Adds quotes)

By Steve Keating

VANCOUVER, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Canada sent a jolt of excitement felt right across the country by reaching the semi-finals of the Olympic men's ice hockey tournament with an electrifying 7-3 win over arch-rivals Russia on Wednesday.

Now safely through to the last four, Canada's ultimate goal has come into sharper focus with only the winner of the Sweden-Slovakia game standing in the way of playing for the gold that means more to them than any other on Feb. 28.

"It's just one (step towards the gold)," Canadian forward Sidney Crosby told reporters. "As good as it feels, it's just the quarter finals.

"We have to turn the page pretty quick."

As Canada celebrated, their stunned rivals, tipped by many to return home with Russia's first gold medal since the break-up of the Soviet Union, were left to wonder how it all went wrong.

While the contest might not be remembered as one of the great classics in a rich rivalry that stretches back decades, it is one Canadians are not likely to soon forget.

"You want to do well because you're proud and because you think hockey is Canada's game," said Team Canada coach Mike Babcock.

"Now it's pretty obvious it's the world's game but we still think it's ours and I'm a bit of a redneck so I like to think it's ours."

Their backs pressed to the wall and facing an elimination game for the second straight day, Canada responded the same way they did 24 hours earlier against Germany with a relentless and ruthless all-out attacking display.

'DIFFERENT WAYS'

If a Russian was moving, he was targeted for punishment particularly Alexander Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals $124 million sniper, who was hammered at every opportunity.

While Canada's 8-2 thrashing of the Germans was expected, the mugging delivered to the world champions was not.

"Unfortunately, our Olympic Games is over for the hockey team and I apologise to our fans," offered subdued Russian coach Vyacheslav Bykov. "It was a very strong team playing against us today.

"We couldn't withstand the pressure they put on us. We tried to play different ways but it was not possible."

The atmosphere inside a seething Canada Hockey Place could not have been more electric but apprehension also hung heavy in the air as the world's two top ranked teams and gold medal favourites prepared to take to the ice.

Plugging into the energy of a frenetic crowd, Canada set the tone for the rout with a furious first period that left the Russians feeling as if they had run into a buzz saw.

Ryan Getzlaf ignited the crowd when he opened the scoring just over two minutes into the first period when he slammed home a puck into a gaping Russian net.

Dan Boyle and Rick Nash then scored 46 seconds apart to shift the party atmosphere in the arena into high gear.

Dmitri Kalinin slowed the mauling when he counted Russia's first but Brenden Morrow answered to send the hosts into the opening intermission with a 4-1 lead.

The Canadians kept their foot on the gas in the second with two quick goals from Corey Perry and Shea Weber to go up 6-1.

Perry added another while Maxim Afinogenov and Sergei Gonchar scored to cut into the Canadian advantage but there would be no way back for the Russians, who will now hope National Hockey League will still be part of the Olympics when the 2014 Winter Games go to Sochi. (Editing by Jon Bramley; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)