USA has no superstars. No real shot. So why does this feel like a trap for Canada?
On paper, this isn’t even a contest.
Canada has Sidney Crosby. Canada has the depth, the experience, the pedigree. The USA is the underdog. A heavy one.
And that’s exactly the problem.
Because nothing in hockey is more dangerous than an American team that nobody believes in.
Matthew Tkachuk will be on the ice today. And whatever you think of him — the chirping, the agitating, the borderline stuff that makes opposing fans furious — the man shows up when his back is against the wall. Every single time. That’s not an opinion. That’s a track record.
So yes, Canada has Crosby. The greatest leader of his generation. The guy who has won everything there is to win.
But let’s not forget — at the Olympics in Milan just a few months ago, Canada lost the gold medal game to this exact same USA team. Without Crosby, who was injured. Jack Hughes scored in overtime. Tkachuk was on the ice celebrating.
And last year at the World Championship? Canada got knocked out by Denmark. Denmark.
History has a funny way of repeating itself.
Call the upset if you dare.
