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U.S. taking its next foe — Belarus — seriously
By Tim Buckley and Jody Genessy Deseret News Olympic specialists
WEST VALLEY CITY — Something about the E Center has Team USA's men feeling warm and fuzzy.
"It's a dream to be in this building," center Doug Weight said.
American captain Chris Chelios, a 40-year-old veteran who spent nine seasons with the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks, went so far as to compare the 2002 Winter Olympic hockey tournament's atmosphere to old Chicago Stadium's electricity.
"I get chills each time I skate out there," Brian Leetch added.
For Leetch, though, the goosebumps have added meaning.
A New York Rangers defenseman, he is intimately familiar with ground zero in New York City, where the World Trade Towers fell during the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on America.
What happened there, Leetch said, is not forgotten in Salt Lake City.
"We've dealt with it every day since in New York, and New York — the people, and the city — have really dealt with it in a really strong way and have really come together," Leetch said. "And we've been able to see that each and every day.
"Being from New York," added Leetch, who played in America's final-round game against Belarus on Monday morning, "I just feel lucky now to put on a USA jersey and have the focus of not just representing New York City, but the whole U.S."
Accordingly, the American men have a simple aim.
"We'd like to be one of the stories — positive stories — of the Olympics," said Leetch, whose Team USA plays a quarterfinal, single-elimination game Wednesday. "And we know getting to the gold medal-game is what it's gonna take to really be in focus there. . . . That's our goal: To get in that game."
Doing so will require a narrow focus the next few days.
"We're all cognizant," United States coach Herb Brooks said, "of what's happening around in the world — 9-11 and all that. . . . But we don't want (emotion) to get so high it spills over and you don't execute."
Easier said than done.
"We understand there's more focus because of Sept. 11th and what went on," Leetch said. "We understand there's going to be more of an interest not only on the sport and the spectacle, but on everything else that's going on in the world right now."
AMICABLE ADVERSARIES: Get U.S. coach Herb Brooks and Russia coach Slava Fetisov in a room at the same time and one of three things usually happens:
1) The longtime friendly foes, who have formed a relationship since the U.S. stunned the Soviet Union in 1980, compliment one another and their squads.
2) They tease each other like old buddies usually do.
3) Their teams engage in a great hockey game.
All three happened Saturday.
After the exciting showdown ended in a 2-2 tie, they had some fun with each other during a news conference in the E Center.
Brooks first publicly thanked Fetisov for sending him an autographed photo a couple of years ago: "I think so highly of this guy. I bow when I pass by his picture every day."
Fetisov's response: "I'm still waiting for him to send me his picture."
Fetisov then razzed Brooks for the funky suit coats and ties he wore while he coached Team USA back in 1980.
"He's always busting me about those things," Brooks said. "But that was a horrible outfit."
TAKING THE FIFTH: Fetisov, a defenseman on the 1980 silver-medal winning Soviet Union club, has apparently fielded enough questions regarding the "Miracle on Ice."
Russia's coach groaned at one of those questions Saturday: "Back to 1980? I don't remember — too many concussions."
HE SAID IT: Brett Hull, comparing Team USA's talent level to that of the Russians: "We're known as a bunch of plumbers. We were just trying to play to their level."
E-MAIL: tbuckley@desnews.com; jody@desnews.com
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February 18, 2002
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