Russia"s Nikita Kriukov and Alexander Panzhinskiy...

With the only bronze won by Ivan Skobrev in speed-skating last Saturday, Kriukov and Panzhinskiy brought Russia two more medals to match the bronze at the Whistler Olympic Park on Wednesday.

Kriukov, 24, finished the distance in 3 minutes 36.3 seconds, while Panzhinskiy followed him shortly to bring silver for Russia.

Norway"s Petter Northug, 24, came in third, with the result of 3 minutes 45.5 seconds.

Although it was a fifth medal in the overall standings for Norway, which stood in the fifth place, the first two places by Kriukov and Panzhinskiy soared the Russian team from the 19th to 11th place.

MOSCOW, February 18 (RIA Novosti)