New stars and stripes: U.S. may bench vets to keep Cup

By Steve Conroy
Tuesday, September 7, 2004

The single-elimination quarterfinals of the World Cup of Hockey's North American pool start tonight in St. Paul, Minn.
          And the biggest question remains just which Team USA will show up for this evening's do-or-die matchup with the Russians (7, ESPN2). Will it be the red, white and blue squad that sleepwalked its way through much of the first two round-robin games, both lopsided losses to Canada and Russia? Or will it be the team that ground Slovakia into submission with a relentless attack?
          If the former shows up, the defending champion Americans are in trouble. If the latter arrives, it should be an interesting matchup tonight.
          The Russians finished 2-1 in round-robin play, and some of their top stars like Alexei Kovalev and Alexei Yashin appear to be well motivated, something that's been a question mark during their NHL careers.
          Just who will be on the ice for the United States is still something of a mystery, but if the lineups for yesterday's practice remain the same tonight, then the presumed fifth line - the one that won't suit up - is Brett Hull, Craig Conroy and Brian Rolston.
          U.S. coach Ron Wilson wasn't divulging who'll play and who won't, but he said winning is his only priority.
          ``This isn't a rock and roll revival where you're bringing back a guy who can't sing anymore. What you see (tonight) is the best lineup we have,'' said Wilson, who's been fielding questions about whether or not this team is too old since the tourney began. ``There's five or six guys - NHL stars - who will not be in the lineup (tonight). There will be some surprises.''
          Wilson said he can't afford to play anyone who isn't helping the team win.
          ``If Bruce Springsteen goes on tour and one of the guys playing the guitar isn't very good, he's not in the band the next day. That's how this is,'' Wilson said.
          This could mean that Hull's distinguished international career, which includes a World Cup championship in 1996 and a silver medal at the 2002 Olympics, is over. The future Hall of Famer can't be thrilled about how his tournament has worked out, but he hasn't complained.
          Rolston didn't sound too happy about the moves, though the former Bruin tried to keep his emotions in check. He had started the tournament playing regularly, with prime duty on the power-play point. He said not playing felt ``a little strange. I felt I played pretty well in the exhibitions, but I'm not a guy to be stirring it up at this point.''
          Rolston, who signed a lucrative (in these financial times) contract with the Wild in July, is disappointed that he's not able to show his new fans what he can do.
          ``That's one of the toughest things,'' Rolston said. ``Being in Minnesota makes it harder. Fans are probably thinking `What's wrong with this guy?' ''
          That's not to say that all the old warhorses, who raised the level of USA Hockey over the past decade, have been ineffective. The Yanks' top line of Mike Modano between Bill Guerin and Keith Tkachuk is still as formidable as any trio in the tournament, and 42-year-old Chris Chelios has been his usual gritty self.
          Tonight, the U.S. will need them all.