Sunday, February 24, 2002
This is the final 'everybody wants'
By BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Sun Media
SALT LAKE CITY -- For Canada or the United States, the final result today will be worth its wait in gold.
After four years of anticipation, the two powerful nations will battle for the much-coveted gold medal on a world stage at the Olympic Games.
"When I was a kid growing up I used to play street hockey and dream about winning the Stanley Cup. (This) morning kids in North America will wake up and dream about winning a gold medal," said Team Canada's Al MacInnis.
While the Americans could do a lot for hockey in the United States by winning, this game will likely have more impact in Canada because of the history involved.
"There won't be a car on the street in Canada unless the car has a satellite dish attached to it," said Canadian forward Brendan Shanahan.
As the big game approached, both teams went through a light workout yesterday at a suburban arena as they attempted to put the pressure on each other in what's going to decide hockey supremacy for the next four years.
WINNING TRADITION
With the largest television audience in hockey history anticipated, the Americans will be trying to continue a winning tradition at Olympics on home soil that stretches back to 1932 and most recently includes gold at Lake Placid in 1980.
"There's going to be a lot of pressure on them," said MacInnis. "This is their home country and people want them to bring home the gold medal, but all we know what's going on in Canada right now. People are excited.
"In the United States, you have the NFL and the NBA. This is going to be Canada's Super Bowl. Everybody up there wants us to win gold and they expect. In Canada, hockey unites the whole country. Everybody will be watching."
Both teams have taken different paths to the game.
The Canadians struggled through the round robin with a 1-1-1 record before beating Finland 2-1 in the quarter-final Wednesday. Canada had an easy 7-1 victory over Belarus in the semifinal to earn the right to be here.
The Americans have been one of the strongest threats since the first day. Not only did they go 2-0-1 during the round-robin portion, but they had an easy 5-0 win over Germany and then bounced the Russians with a 3-2 victory Friday.
That has set up the final everybody wants.
"We know there's more than a hockey game being played here," said Team Canada captain Mario Lemieux. "This is the U.S.A. against Canada. It's the one that everybody has been anticipating and wanting."
WORKS FOR PENGUINS
Oddly enough, Lemieux will be facing U.S. coach Herb Brooks, who just happens to work for the Pittsburgh Penguins as a pro scout and could take over as coach once the Olympics have been completed.
"Mario is a great (boss)," said Brooks.
Still, this game is about pride. The Americans have had the bragging rights in the dressing rooms around the NHL since they won the World Cup in 1996 and the Canadians know they'll never hear the end of it if they lose.
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2002 Games Men's Hockey Coverage
