U.S. wants run to last longer

Veterans know World Cup might be final time together

BY BRIAN MURPHY

Pioneer Press

With a rematch against Russia and its World Cup of Hockey title on the line, this hardly is the time for Team USA to get nostalgic.

But hovering over talk about lessons learned and momentum turned is a degree of retrospection that comes from a core group that likely is playing its last international tournament together.

There are no guarantees for Team USA beyond tonight's elimination-round game at the Xcel Energy Center, not with the labor uncertainty surrounding the NHL and its participation in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

Inspiration takes several forms, finality being one of them.

"We've been thinking about this all summer, so it's a motivating factor," said center Doug Weight, 33, one of 11 players who won the inaugural World Cup in 1996. "You don't know who's going to be back, with injuries or with what's happening in the league, the talent coming up. I doubt there'll be 11 guys back from the '96 team in Italy.

"It's been fun. It's been a second team for us. We love each other."

And they would love nothing better than to stay unpacked in St. Paul for the rest of the week. A victory would ensure a semifinal on home ice against Finland on Friday night.

To get there, Team USA cannot drift into tonight's rematch expecting to skate through Russia as it failed, miserably, to do last week in an uninspired 3-1 loss.

The United States anticipated Russia would engage in a track meet similar to the teams' high-octane clashes during the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. Instead, Russia patiently laid an NHL-style trap, forcing the Americans into trying high-risk passes and seizing on the turnovers to quickly counterattack.

"We didn't play very smart. We were running around, out of position. Everybody was trying to do too much on the ice," said U.S. forward Mike Modano. "If you give those guys time one on one, they're dangerous and they're scary. They can beat guys, so you just have to be more patient and not force things like we did."

That means dumping in the puck and grinding it out on the forecheck, which might make for intensity along the boards if not grace in open ice.

"It's sad to say, but if you have to get it in deep, you have to," winger Tony Amonte said. "That's not the way you want to play in this tournament. But if that's what they're giving you, you have to take it."

Pardon the Russians for not getting misty about playing the spoilers. Technically, they should be enjoying home ice. After dominating the United States, they traveled to Toronto, losing 3-1 to Canada before pounding Slovakia 5-2.

For a team that was supposedly in disarray because of a series of high-profile defections, Russia is feeling more comfortable with its game and not necessarily concerned about changes the United States is making to its plan.

"We're not worried about what they're trying to do," said Alex Kovalev, whose highlight-reel goal against Robert Esche last week was the game-winner. "We played a great game, and they just couldn't adjust to it. I think (tonight) will be a much different game."

With the preliminary games finished and the stakes clear, the United States vowed to be more emotionally involved from the start of this game. Its flat-footed start in earlier losses to Canada and Russia spawned serious hand wringing and triggered a lineup overhaul.

But the tournament begins tonight, and records perfect or blemished carry no currency.

"We're disappointed we didn't go 3-0 or 2-1, but we're in the same position that we hoped we would be. Now, we have to produce," said U.S. coach Ron Wilson. "Canada's 3-0, and they're facing the same pressure we have. We came in to defend the last World Cup title. We've got to win tomorrow if we want to defend our title."

Brett Hull's recent scratch notwithstanding, Team USA will turn to the usual suspects for must-win leadership — Modano, Weight, Amonte, Chris Chelios, Brian Leetch and Keith Tkachuk.

All formed the nucleus of the veteran team that made Team USA a bona fide contender internationally during the last decade. But an era is nearing its end.

Chelios is 42. Hull 40. Leetch 36. Younger players elbow their way onto national team rosters each year. A lockout is pending …

"We try not to think of that," Tkachuk said. "Yeah, there's going to be a big turnover. We're just trying to go out and win right now and not worry about what's going to happen down the road."