Montreal, QC (My Sportsbook) - The United States and Canada kick off North American bracket action in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey tonight when they tangle at the Bell Centre.
The matchup pits the defending World Cup-champion Americans, who won the last edition played in 1996, and the reigning Olympic-champion Canadians, who took gold in 2002 at the Salt Lake City Games.
On each of those occasions the teams defeated the other for top billing. In the 1996 World Cup, the U.S. defeated Canada, 5-2, in the three- game championship series finale in Montreal. In 2002, Canada took back its pride with a win by the same score in the gold medal match.
Of course, while their history with each other lends to the rivalry, what is most important is how the current teams measure up to one another.
The United States enters the World Cup with a veteran squad, as there are 11 players who were members of the team in '96. This includes American captain Chris Chelios, 42, and 40-year-old Brett Hull, as well as the likes of Mike Modano, Bill Guerin and Keith Tkachuk.
The team also has its share of new blood, most notably in net. Robert Esche (26), Ty Conklin (28) and Rick DiPietro (22) are the goaltenders at coach Ron Wilson's disposal, with Esche, of the Philadelphia Flyers, receiving the nod tonight.
Opposing Esche will be two-time defending Vezina Trophy winner Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils. After yielding the starting job to Curtis Joseph at the outset of the '02 Olympics, Brodeur came on to help the Canadians to the gold.
Like the U.S., Canada has a veteran core, led by Mario Lemieux and Joe Sakic, but it is the influx of young starpower that should have folks north of the border excited. The next generation of the NHL will truly be on display, with the likes of Jay Bouwmeester, Dany Heatley, Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Simon Gagne, Patrick Marleau, Roberto Luongo and Joe Thornton on the roster. These players are not just stars, but many are on the cusp of superstardom -- and they're all 25 or younger.
In pre-tournament exhibition action against each other, the U.S. and Canada split a pair of games last week.
