Chris Chelios is one of the best American players ever, period. He is following Team USA’s Olympic adventure closely, and now he’s making a bold statement about their tournament.
Three Stanley Cups. Three Norris Trophies. Twenty-six NHL seasons. 1,651 games, 948 points — and 2,891 penalty minutes. Chris Chelios had one of the most remarkable careers in hockey history. Internationally, he played in four Olympic tournaments: 1984, 1998, 2002, and 2006 — the last three as team captain.
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Team USA against Team Canada
In other words, he knows his Olympics. For this year’s tournament, most fans and analysts believe the gold medal game will be between Team Canada and Team USA. Both teams are filled to the brim with superstars and cruised through the preliminary round with ease. But in a gold medal game, who will come out on top: Canada or the USA? Chelios believes Team USA can do it.
Chris Chelios makes bold statement
Speaking on the Empty Netters podcast, Chelios shares his thoughts when asked if Team USA could beat Team Canada.
“No question. To win these games, it takes everything. You get some bounces, timely saves. Hellebuyck’s the guy right now. And anything can happen. I keep referring back to Four Nations — Matthews had a chance to win it in overtime, and then Canada just comes back. I see a close game; I don’t see anything different than what happened there. They can win, no question. But Canada is thinking the same thing, and they’re right too,” Chelios says on the podcast.
You can watch it below.
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