PJ Stock

Before the Olympics got underway in Vancouver, I had a conversation with Mike Milbury and Jeff Marek regarding the chances of the American hockey squad.

We all agreed that Canada, Russia and Sweden were the pre-tournament favourites, but who would be the probable fourth-place team or a possible dark horse team?

Slovakia and Czech Republic were their choices - and obvious ones with the star powers of Gaborik, Jagr, Hossa - but I liked the red, white and blue because they had none. No big stars like Crosby or Ovechkin. And better yet, the Americans were playing on a small rink, which often comes down to the size of the fight in the dog rather then the size of the dogs in the fight.

We got to see that fight in the Americans’ 5-3 win over Canada on Sunday.

I don't want to compare this U.S. team to the 1980 Miracle on Ice version, but there are a couple of parallels. Their coach is pretty hard nosed. Their best player is their goalie. They have no one to turn to beside themselves, plus they are wearing the same jerseys (well, Sunday night anyway). Oh, and Jim Craig was actually at Sunday’s game.

Their roster is completely filled with NHLers and character players who happen to be teammates with almost every player on the Canada side.

The U.S. happens to be the team that matches up best against Canada. The rest of the tournament, well, let’s see how they do. The comparisons are there (talent aside). They all live in North America. They all grew playing the same brand of hockey. They are playing on a rink, which they all grew up playing on.

It comes down to this: For every star player on Canada, the United States has one who has inside knowledge on their skills, habits, strengths and weaknesses.

And Ryan Miller. What else can be said about him? I don’t even need to add him to my reasons why the Americans have been successful so far in this tournament.

Some other random thoughts from Sunday’s game to throw out there:

Brodeur or Luongo? You have to go to Luongo now.

Brodeur was facing guys that shoot on him everyday – Zach Parise, Jamie Langenbrunner and Brian Rafalski who used to be his teammate.

How about trying a line of Thornton, Getzlaf, Heatley?

Niedermayer and Pronger can be better.

An obvious one – Canada has to stay out of the box.

Shut down D-man Brooks Orpik of the USA goes against Crosby everyday in practice.

Thornton, Heatley, Marleau, Boyle - all their success has been shared with their San Jose team and the Americans have their Sharks teammate Joe Pavelski who knows what makes these guys tick.

Getzlaf and Perry on Canada and Bobby Ryan on USA - Ducks linemates. Go figure.