If last week's game against Russia was any indication, the US faces an uphill battle tonight in their first elimination game. Win and they move on. Lose and they go home with a 1-3 record, a disaster both on and off the ice. 7pm, ESPN2.
The Czech Republic plays Sweden at 1pm today, the potential is there for a great game depending on which Czech team shows up.
NY Post: Opposition speed was one area the Americans struggled against, and one area the Russians will again try to exploit. Russia beat Team USA 3-1 here last week, and it was Alex Kovalev's memorable goal that broke open a tie game.
The NY Times' Joe Lapointe has a few words on The Mouth: When Hull was scoring goals and selling seats - particularly in St. Louis and Dallas - his critiques were accepted as "That's just Brett being Brett."
ESPN has an article on Ron Wilson's lineup decisions for tonight's match: "We're going to go with the warriors who have gotten us here," Wilson said over the weekend. But where is "here"? To this point in this tournament? To this place in American hockey history?
A good question indeed. If Wilson puts undeserving stiffs like Rolston or Hull back into the lineup, he's just asking for problems. Especially considering Smolinski was the best forward on the ice last Friday against Slovakia and Langenbrunner was pretty good as well.
The statistics page of the World Cup website has some interesting bits for you, like Doug Weight and Tony Amonte combining in the tournament for one assist and a -5, or the scoring leaderboard dominated by Swedes, led by Fredrik Modin with 7 points in 3 games.
Report Card after the game.
- Rocha
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