WinterSports2002.com, Sunday, February 24, 2002

Teammates face off in U.S.-Canada game

By Jody Genessy
Deseret News Olympic specialist

WEST VALLEY CITY — The starting goaltenders almost live in the same area code. Four of the players are in the same National Hockey League club. They all play in the same league. One of the players is the boss of the other country's coach.

This might not be the Civil War — two countries are involved. But it is the Continental Divide.

To say the players and coaches from the United States and Canada know each other well would be like saying you know your next-door neighbors, friends or family well.

But sometimes close ones fight. That will be the case today at 1 p.m. when the Americans and Canadians squabble for the gold medal in the Olympic men's hockey championship game.

"They know us. We know them," said U.S. coach Herb Brooks. "No secrets with these hockey clubs."

While they'll battle for their country today, many of them will reunite tomorrow.

Brendan Shanahan and Steve Yzerman, for instance, are Canadians who play for Detroit of the NHL. The Red Wings are also represented by U.S. players Chris Chelios and Brett Hull.

They can renew their NHL camaraderie later. Today, a gold medal is on the line.

"At this point," Chelios said, "we'll just see their jersey and go out and play."

The goalies are constant rivals, though they live about 10 miles from each other in the New York City suburbs. American Mike Richter plays for the New York Rangers; Canadian Martin Brodeur is a New Jersey Devil.

But that's not the strangest relationship twist.

Herb Brooks will be coaching against his own boss. Canadian superstar Mario Lemieux is the owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and one of his employees is the U.S. coach. Brooks, a former interim coach with the Penguins, is now a pro scout for Lemieux's club.

This is one case in which the employee is hoping to upset his superior.

Mused Brooks: "I told him I've got a Mario bobblehead doll and I'm sticking pins in it."

HOME ICE?: This monumental game is being played in the United States, obviously, but that doesn't necessarily mean all 8,599 spectators in the E Center will be rooting for the home team. Canada has had huge — and very vocal — crowds in its previous games here.

U.S. forward Doug Weight predicts the crowd will be "60-40 for us. We're ready to play in any type of situation. It's going to be an unbelievable experience."

Whatever the loyalty split is, Canada's Jarome Iginla has this prediction: "I expect this building to be rocking."

As for Maple Leaf land, U.S. forward Jeremy Roenick predicted the place will be a ghost town: "I don't think there will be one person on the street anywhere in Canada on Sunday afternoon."

HEAT IS ON: How does Brooks feel about playing Canada following the emotional 3-2 victory over Russia Friday?

Said Brooks: "It's like going from the frying pan to the fireplace. Canada is an excellent hockey club."

E-MAIL: jody@desnews.com

© 2002 Deseret News Publishing Company