ken_valyi
08-25-2004, 02:21 PM
Canoe article (http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/WorldCup/2004/08/25/601684.html)
At one time, the hot rivalry was Canada and the Soviet Union. Now, a border, not an ocean separates the combatants.
Veteran American hockey man Art Berglund says Russia is no longer Team Canada's biggest threat, Team USA is.
It's good to see some instensity from the American NHL players now in International play. I think it really started in '96 when the US finally won the World Cup (formerly the Canada Cup) and has developed from there. The Russians are no longer the devastating force that they once were since they lost the discipline of Drill Sargent Tikanov and their play on the International scene hasn't been as dominating.
Still a hot goaltender will be the difference in this tourney as Hasek proved when he propelled a mediocre Czech team in the 1998 Olympics in Nagano.
At one time, the hot rivalry was Canada and the Soviet Union. Now, a border, not an ocean separates the combatants.
Veteran American hockey man Art Berglund says Russia is no longer Team Canada's biggest threat, Team USA is.
It's good to see some instensity from the American NHL players now in International play. I think it really started in '96 when the US finally won the World Cup (formerly the Canada Cup) and has developed from there. The Russians are no longer the devastating force that they once were since they lost the discipline of Drill Sargent Tikanov and their play on the International scene hasn't been as dominating.
Still a hot goaltender will be the difference in this tourney as Hasek proved when he propelled a mediocre Czech team in the 1998 Olympics in Nagano.