Tuesday, September 7, 2004 - Page S3

ST. PAUL, MINN. -- A well-rested U.S. team is eager for a rematch against Russia.

It'll get it tonight in a World Cup of Hockey quarter-final game.

The United States hasn't played since last Friday, which has enabled the oldest team in the eight-country tournament to recharge its batteries. The Russians had to play on Saturday and Sunday in Toronto after beating the Americans 3-1 here last Thursday.

"The players are really looking forward to this game with a sense of redemption," coach Ron Wilson said after practice yesterday.

Wholesale lineup changes, including the deletion of Brett Hull, have created a better mix of finesse and toughness than Wilson had at the start.

"We've made our adjustments and we're pretty confident right now," right winger Bill Guerin said. "We're just going to have to execute well.

"One thing about the Russian team is that they're four lines deep with size and talent. They all can skate like the wind. That makes them a tough opponent. But we've made our adjustments and we're ready to go."

The U.S.-Russian rivalry began in earnest with the 1980 Olympics and the Americans' stunning Miracle On Ice.

"It's always special," centre Doug Weight said of U.S.-Russian showdowns. "We've had some great battles.

"We always seem to match up well against them. We've had unbelievable hockey games with them at the Olympics that rank way up there in games on the big sheet. This will be no different. Both teams will be juiced. It's going to be a bit of a chess match early, but we're going to try and come out aggressively and take it to them."

Wilson and 11 players are holdovers from the squad that won this tournament the last time it was played, eight years ago, and this will be their final fling.

"They still have that fire burning or they wouldn't be here," Wilson said.

"Now the real tournament starts," centre Mike Modano said. "You lose, you go home."