Speaking of the World Cup..

[Burr]

We're only days away from World Cup HOCKEY!

Some exhibition matches have already taken place.

USA and Canada have traded 3-1 victories in two exhibition meetings the past couple of days. They actually open the tournament against each other so it could be quite interesting. Tampa Bay Lightning forwards Brad Richards and Vincent Lecavalier had a goal each in Canada's win tonight, and Martin St. Louis joins Brad on a line with the legendary Mario Lemieux.

Meanwhile Sweden shut out Slovakia 2-0 and beat Finland 2-1 in overtime, and Russia tied Germany 3-3 in their contest, with Lightning forward Dmitry Afanasenkov picking up a goal.

Who do you think will win it all?

Team USA is the defending World Cup champion, having defeated Canada in a three game series in 1996 thanks to the heroics of Mike Richter, but are dragging out nearly the same squad now showing signs of age, without their fearless leader between the pipes. They'll have to count on some very young goaltenders (Esche, Conklin, DiPietro) to get the job done.

Meanwhile Team Canada has the deepest roster of any nation as well as the best goaltending in the tournament and are heavily favored to follow up on their Olympic and World Championship golds with another prize.

Sweden is always a threat with some of the most gifted offensive talent around as well as a solid work ethic and understanding of the international game. Russia is a shadow of its former self, many of its best players electing to stay home instead of playing for a team they no longer trust. The Czechs and Slovaks have the offensive talent but may not be able to keep the puck out of their own net, and the Germans simply have no chance. Finland may be the dark horse as they have very capable goaltending and great two way discipline as a whole.

Personally I see Canada taking it all, with Sweden finishing second and an inspired last effort by many of USA's greats to pull off a third place finish, but anything could happen in a quick tournament.

Be sure to catch the games on ESPN and ESPN2. It may be the last elite level hockey you see for a while.

Mon, Aug 30 Hartwall Arena, Helsinki
Czech Republic vs. Finland 1:00 PM EDT ESPN,CBC

Tue, Aug 31 Globe Arena, Stockholm
Germany vs. Sweden 1:00 PM EDT ESPN,CBC

Tue, Aug 31 Bell Centre, Montreal
Canada vs. United States 7:00 PM EDT ESPN2,CBC

Wed, Sep 1 Globe Arena, Stockholm
Czech Republic vs. Sweden 1:00 PM EDT ESPN,CBC

Wed, Sep 1 Bell Centre, Montreal
Canada vs. Slovakia 7:00 PM EDT ESPN2,CBC

Thu, Sep 2 Cologne Arena, Cologne
Germany vs. Finland 1:30 PM EDT ESPN2,CBC

Thu, Sep 2 Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul
United States vs. Russia 7:00 PM EDT ESPN2,CBC

Fri, Sep 3 Sazka Arena, Prague
Czech Republic vs. Germany 1:00 PM EDT ESPN,CBC

Fri, Sep 3 Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul
Slovakia vs. United States 7:00 PM EDT ESPN2,CBC

Sat, Sep 4 Hartwall Arena, Helsinki
Sweden vs. Finland 8:00 PM EDT CBC

Sat, Sep 4 Air Canada Centre, Toronto
Russia vs. Canada 7:00 PM EDT CBC

Sun, Sep 5 Air Canada Centre, Toronto
Slovakia vs. Russia 7:00 PM EDT ESPN2,CBC

Mon., Sep. 6 QUARTERFINAL
Home Arena of E1 E1 vs. E4 1:00 PM EDT CBC

Tues., Sep. 7 QUARTERFINAL
Home Arena of E2 E2 vs. E3 1:00 PM EDT ESPN,CBC

Tues., Sep. 7 QUARTERFINAL
Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul
NA1 vs. NA4 or NA2 vs. NA3 7:00 PM EDT ESPN2,CBC

Wed., Sep. 8 QUARTERFINAL
Air Canada Centre, Toronto
NA1 vs. NA4 or NA2 vs. NA3 7:00 PM EDT ESPN2,CBC

Fri., Sep. 10 SEMIFINAL
Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul 7:00 PM EDT ESPN2,CBC

Sat., Sep. 11 SEMIFINAL
Air Canada Centre, Toronto 6:30 PM EDT ESPN2,CBC

Tues., Sept. 14 CHAMPIONSHIP
Air Canada Centre, Toronto 7:00 PM EDT ESPN2,CBC

[Green]

It would be my luck that they're not televising games until I'll have moved into my apartment where I can't afford cable. Here's hoping for some torrents.

:(

[Burr]

The Czech Republic defeats Sweden 5-3 in another exhibition match, including a goal and an assist by newly reacquired Bolt, Vaclav Prospal. The goal was scored from the red line apparently and was worse than the one Salo allowed against Belarus in the 2002 Olympics.

[Hendrix]

Indeed!! I might go check out the Slovakia vs US game in person. Wheeee!

[Kropotkin]

*Looks at list of nations playing* Yup, thought so, England didn't actually qualify hehehe.

[Burr]

Canada ties Slovakia 2-2 in exhibition play. Bondra injured his wrist and is out for the tournament, so their chances have really gone down the toilet. Vincent Lecavalier with another goal, w00t!

[Burr]

Well the first game of the tournament was in the books today. Finland upended the Czechs, 4-0. It was a real poor showing by the losing side. Their defense committed turnover after turnover and caved in the face of Finland's incessant forechecking. The few times they got into the offensive zone Kipper was there to shut them down. Like I said they are a solid dark horse candidate. Not much flash but they get it done. Much like the Minnesota Wild did two years ago.

[Burr]

Lightning trio a power pack for Canadian attack (http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1094076610946&call_pageid=968867503640&col=970081593064&DPL=JvsODSH7Aw0u%2bwoQO%2bYJDSbkFxAj%2bwoUO%2bYNDS bgFxMn%2bwkVO%2bUODSXhFxMv%2bwkYO%2bQKDSTkFxUn%2bw 8QO%2bMIDSPjFxUi%2bw8XO%2bMMDSPvFxUu%2bw4RO%2bIKDS LlFxQk%2bw4XFw%3d%3d&tacodalogin=yes)

The same force that propelled the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup two months ago is the driving force behind Canada's perfect record at the World Cup of Hockey.

Little Martin St. Louis is indeed proving on the world stage that he earned every bit of the team and individual silver he picked up last season and that he's certainly not about to rest on his accomplishments. Tampa teammate Vincent Lecavalier is as smooth as he is smart and Brad Richards thinks the game on a level that most of us can't hope to comprehend.

St. Louis continued his terrific play with another one-goal, one-assist performance and is tied for the tournament scoring lead with Lightning teammate Fredrik Modin and Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin with four points.

Lecavalier earned two assists on the evening and Richards had one to give Canada's Lightning players a total of five points in the game.

Ryan Smyth was no slouch either, scoring twice for the Canadians and playing a robust physical game. Simon Gagné and Joe Thornton also scored for Canada, while Martin Cibak, also of the Lightning, replied with Slovakia's only goal.

St. Louis' play impressed the captain, Mario Lemieux, who had more chances last night than against the U.S. Tuesday, but remains pointless.

"Am I surprised?" Lemieux asked rhetorically. "He won the scoring title and he's one of the best in the world and he has a great heart. I'm not surprised to see anything he does."

For Canadian coach Pat Quinn, watching the Lightning stars has been an enlightening experience.

"It's a bit of a surprise for me," Quinn said. "I know we see them and we play against them, but I have a better appreciation for their skills watching them on a more regular basis."

Quinn said that one of the main reasons Lecavalier was left off the roster initially was because of his perceived defensive shortcomings, which have not been in evidence so far. In fact, Lecavalier's worst move on the evening might have been wearing a brown pinstripe suit and a striped shirt.

"He has shown me that he must have learned a lot during that playoff run because he has been great in (the defensive) area," Quinn said. "He has been responsible and not as risky a player as I thought."

But Quinn reserved his most hearty praise for St. Louis and Richards. St. Louis stripped Radovan Somik of the puck to set up Gagné's goal, then took a terrific feed from Richards to blast a one-timer from one knee a là Brett Hull.

"(St. Louis and Richards), boy, they're smart and they hustle," Quinn said. "They might have been our most reliable line tonight. They advance the puck and they share it really well. If anybody is ahead, it's going ahead. And their quickness and smarts; I for one didn't realize how good they were."

Man if only you could get all those guys on one NHL team.. Oh wait.. ;) :smt045

Sorry it's just nice to see them FINALLY get some recognition after being vilified/ignored/downplayed by Canada during the Stanley Cup finals.

[Green]

Aparently Brett Hull is going to be a healthy scratch next game because he stormed off the ice and refused to shake hands with the Russian team after USA's 3-1 loss yesterday.

Cheers to Ron Wilson if what I heard is accurate. I've always thought Hull was a bit of a prick and this just goes to prove it.

[Burr]

I thought it was just because he sucked, hah.. Jamie Langenbrunner should be much better. He was lethal in our meeting against New Jersey two postseasons ago.

Vaclav Prospal with a goal and two assists today in a 7-2 win over Germany by the Czech Republic.

[Hendrix]

I thought it was just because he sucked, hah.. Jamie Langenbrunner should be much better. He was lethal in our meeting against New Jersey two postseasons ago.

Vaclav Prospal with a goal and two assists today in a 7-2 win over Germany by the Czech Republic.


Not to mention, that Langenbunner will get the fans into the game even more, since he's a local.

[Burr]

Well the changes worked! 3-1 victory over Slovakia. I wonder what else Ron Wilson has up his sleeve for the quarterfinal must-win.

[Burr]

Brett Hull is pissed (http://www.tsn.ca/world_cup_hockey/news_story.asp?id=97683)

``Got a minute to talk to reporters, Brett?'' Hull was asked in a corridor outside the dressing room.

``What would I have to talk about?'' he replied.

``Fans want to know how you're doing,'' said the reporter.

``I don't give a (deleted) about the fans anymore,'' said Hull.

End of conversation.

A few minutes later, as Hull headed for an arena exit, he again was asked for a minute of his time. He just kept walking.

Ouch.

[Hendrix]

Brett Hull is pissed (http://www.tsn.ca/world_cup_hockey/news_story.asp?id=97683)



Ouch.

Wow, I've heard the guy was a bit of a jerk before. I guess that confirms it.

On a side note, Burr, what do you think of the NHL lockout?? My opinion is that the players are complete jackasses, for fighting a hard salary cap like this. It's better for the entire league that every team has the same spending limit. That eliminates the Yankee syndrome, of teams going out and snatching up all the best players, when they feel like trying to win the cup.

[Burr]

I do put most of the blame on the players. I think the owners dug their own grave in a sense with their overpaying practices, but now we know that it's a mistake it must be FIXED. The players just want to ride the gravy train for all it's worth. That's bullshit. If you really care about the sport you will begin to accept these common sense measures. The salary cap will guarantee solvency for the league for years to come and improve the level of competition, thus attracting more fans and producing more money for EVERYONE to pocket, as it can always be increased later. The players are thinking too short term about this. Swallow your pride and be the bigger men, NHLPA. The owners are far from saints, but they don't deserve to watch their investments go down the toilet (just so Bobby Holik can make $9 million a year for having great agitation abilities but little actual hockey skill) and they certainly won't stand for it much longer.

But back to the World Cup. What about KEITH TKACHUK? HOLY SHIT! 4 goals and an assist, practically singlehandedly beating the Russians 5-3. I knew USA would turn it on once the elimination games came though. If Canada wins we get Finland which should one heck of a test.

[Hendrix]

I do put most of the blame on the players. I think the owners dug their own grave in a sense with their overpaying practices, but now we know that it's a mistake it must be FIXED. The players just want to ride the gravy train for all it's worth. That's bullshit. If you really care about the sport you will begin to accept these common sense measures. The salary cap will guarantee solvency for the league for years to come and improve the level of competition, thus attracting more fans and producing more money for EVERYONE to pocket, as it can always be increased later. The players are thinking too short term about this. Swallow your pride and be the bigger men, NHLPA. The owners are far from saints, but they don't deserve to watch their investments go down the toilet (just so Bobby Holik can make $9 million a year for having great agitation abilities but little actual hockey skill) and they certainly won't stand for it much longer.

But back to the World Cup. What about KEITH TKACHUK? HOLY SHIT! 4 goals and an assist, practically singlehandedly beating the Russians 5-3. I knew USA would turn it on once the elimination games came though. If Canada wins we get Finland which should one heck of a test.


Heck yeah!!! Great game!

[Burr]

Doh. USA got Finn-ished 2-1 last night. Told you they'd be the dark horse. They were incredibly frustrating to play. Managed to take the lead for a while but then they got a lucky bounce and turned the game around on us. Well that's it for this group of fogeys. At least they showed up in the last three games.

[Burr]

How about Lecavalier getting the clutch OT winner the other night? Wow. Man have these kids grown up.

Should be an exciting battle in the final Tuesday night. Will vs. Skill.

[Burr]

Team Canada wins it all 3-2 over Finland. Vincent Lecavalier named tournament MVP as he had a hand in 4 of Canada's gamewinning goals. He and Fredrik Modin named to the all-tournament team as well. As the sig says, congrats guys!