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Ice Hockey: Golden rematches set for Super Sunday
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Feb 19, 2010
Vancouver (AFP) - National Hockey League stars will be pitted against their arch rivals Sunday in Olympic rematches of the past three finals, concluding preliminary-round play with pivotal games in the hunt for 2010 gold.
"Super Sunday" will open with Russia and the Czech Republic followed by the United States against host Canada and Sweden facing Finland with the outcomes to decide which four teams will earn byes into the playoff quarter-finals.
Sweden beat Scandinavian neighbor Finland for Torino 2006 gold while Canada snapped a 50-year Olympic gold drought in 2002 by denying a US title on home ice and the Czechs beat Russia in 1998's debut of NHL talent in the Games.
"These games are red hot," Swedish forward Daniel Alfredsson said. "The matchups are going to be great."
Canadians have 10 wins and three draws with only two losses against the Americans at the Olympic Games. They are riding a six-game Olympic win streak since last stumbling to their southern neighbors 2-1 at Squaw Valley in 1960.
"Every TV set in Canada is going to be tuned in to this game," US coach Ron Wilson said. "This is going to be unbelievable."
Jarome Iginla and Joe Sakic each scored twice for Canada in a 5-2 victory over the Americans for 2002 gold. Iginla and Martin Brodeur, the winning goalie in that final, return for Canada to seek gold on home ice.
"I don't think this is a friendly rivalry. This is something we take seriously," US forward Patrick Kane said. "It's a big test for us."
Teammates from 10 different NHL squads will take opposite sides in the US-Canada affair, including Kane against fellow Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook of Canada.
"It's a little weird," Kane said. "I've watched them a lot the past few years. Hopefully I've learned something from it."
In matching Canada's 2-0 start, the Americans have earned respect from the hosts for their speed and hustle.
"They are a good, young and fast team and we have to play our best," said Canadian forward Patrick Marleau.
The Americans know if they can beat Canada on home ice, they can handle anyone.
"It's a game where you want to make a statement. We'll see what we're made of," US defenceman David Backes said.
"We have to work hard or the score could get lopsided in a hurry. Turnovers will result in Grade-A scoring chances. Give them too many and they will bury them and it's going to get ugly in a hurry."
Sweden, which has five wins and three draws in 10 Olympic meetings with the Finns, expects the rivalry to spark emotions on both sides.
"They are a great team. They give everything they have," Alfredsson said. "We respect them. We know it's going to be a close game."
Swedish captain Nicklas Lidstrom takes special inspiration facing the Finns.
"It's one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports," he said. "It goes way back. We have had some great battles. I'm looking forward to that game."
Russian-Czech history fuels the fire of their game. Czech star Jaromir Jagr wears number 68 to recall the 1968 Soviet Union invasion of Czechoslovakia.
"It's going to have a special meaning against Russia," Jagr said.
Slovakia beat Russia 2-1 in a shootout, adding to the pressure on a Russian team trying to avoid a qualifying game to reach the final eight.
"It was a good (wake-up) call for us," Russian goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov said. "Right now maybe we think we are too good. We have to get our heads on a swivel."
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