Empty Netters Podcast - Olympic Hockey Group Stage Recap - Canada and USA Dominate w/ Chris Chelios and Jason Demers

Episode Date: February 17, 2026

At the unreal YouTube Studio in Milan, the guys catch up with old pal Jason Demers to break down all the action from the group stage. Plus, Chris Chelios, USA Olympic Legend, joins the show to share stories from his Olympic runs and weigh in on if the boys can get it done in Milan. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 01:25 - Group Stage Recap 20:45 - Chris Chelios Interview 43:30 - Sweden Thoughts 53:44 - Canada Thoughts 01:10:54 - USA Thoughts 01:26:05 - Medal Round Predictions PRESENTED by BetMGM. Download the BETMGM app and use code “NETTERS” and enjoy up to $1500 in bonus bets if you lose your first wager!Thanks to our Sponsors!BetMGM: Use bonus code NETTERS when signing up to receive up to $1500 in bonus bets if your first bet loses.Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US)877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY)1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR)21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only. Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. Build a Pulse as unique as your game, in as little as 5 days! Bauer Hockey's MyBauer Quick Turn platform is designed to offer hockey players a highly customizable stick-building experience, with a remarkably fast turnaround. Players can choose from Bauer's most popular colors and patterns to create a stick that gets to your door in record time. Design your Pulse stick now at Bauer.com. Head to factormeals/com/netters50off and use code netters50 off to get 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. Eat like a pro this month with Factor. New subscribers only, varies by plan. 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year while subscription is active. Get ready to cheer on USA Hockey with officially licensed apparel from Lowsport. From replica jersey hoodies to performance gear, vintage looks, hats & more. Lowsport has you covered for the Gold Medal run!Use code EMPTYNETTERS at checkout for 10% off your purchase at Lowsportgear.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Empty Netters podcast. Can you believe what this has become? There was a full 48 hours where I felt like I was like literally Superman. Jumbo loves playing Fortnite, so he gets on the sticks. Did TR show you the sauna cycle, or was that all year? No, no, I invented that. Almost a year now that I haven't taken a body check. That's kind of nice.

So we are back. We are horned up, and we are going deep. Finish tonight with some chicken fingers and a few guineasas and ran into you guys. That's where this pod came to life. Ice is ready and we are back with another episode of the empty netters podcast brought to you by BenMGM. And we're in the YouTube studio here in Milan. It's incredible. It's unbelievable.

I'm your host, Dan Powers. Chris Powers right here. That doesn't matter at all. As always. Back on the show, Jason DeMers. Abroad. We are now officially international. We did it.

I know, right? It's hot. This is a setup. This thing. How unbelievable is this? I'm now rethinking our entire studio. I, we said it before to the team here. I'm genuinely considering redesigning our entire studio because of how awesome.

awesome this is. We need to transport this. Yeah, and with appra ski. Yeah, and those are real logs behind you. I think people might think that though, yeah. This is real wood? It sure is. Wow. Can you part of that? Yeah, look at us. Look at us. CP, we're, I mean, obviously, we're here in Milan. We're talking

about the Olympics. We've got the games buzz in. We've got player setting records already. You've got an agenda for us to walk us through. We're kind of going to go through everything. Nice. Yep. And so we got group A. We're going to go to the group results. I love it. Okay. Let's go. A, Canada beat the wheels off everybody.

Yeah, that's a fair assessment. Let me tabulate that math. Do that. Quickly calculate. Pretty good. We, we did a couple hits in games with you, and every time we finished going, no, it's after

the game, Canada, good at hockey. Yeah. Yeah. I don't know what I expected, but this team is so good. And one thing that's been really funny, and I feel like I don't want to at sewer sweet Alice to her countrymen.

You can. But we watched this Sweet and Finland game and then we watched the Canada game. And Alice was like, I just feel it looks like Canada has been playing together for years. And I think USA has an element of that too. I don't get how Canada, these guys, the chemistry is out of control. Yeah, and we were talking to, we have the privilege of being kind down in the media zone, the mix zone. So we can interview some guys when they come off the ice. And we just heard rumblings like in that locker.

room right now it's like cruise control yeah like they're so relaxed it's like a different vibe they're just having fun together it seemed like everything just fit perfectly maybe that's so much time off from the n-h-l being back at the olympics that all the guys are just enjoying it yeah but i think they have a great mix you know you got doubts and you got crosbie yeah that have been to two olympics already so they know what's going on yeah and you then you have the young guys since you just have such a great mix of people. And obviously John Cooper, you put him at the helm, and he keeps everything really cool, calm, collected. I had him at World Championships, and he's one of the great coaches, I think, in the NHL, if not one of the best, if not the best, coach in the NHL, just keeping guys

level. Remember when Dum-Dums on Twitter, we're talking about firing him? Yeah. Oh. It was unbelievable. It's crazy. They lost to Florida. We lose to Florida. And everyone's like, you stink now. And I'm like, they won the cup. They've been to three cups. Everybody loses the four. He changed. He also changed everything with that stadium series fit. Only he could pull that off and be down by four goals and then climb back and win in a shootout and look like you planned the whole thing.

Victory Stoge. Imagine that her brook speech from him in the locker room when they're down by four in that outfit. J.D. I said he being like, come on boys, his chest hair showing. He must said to the boys, we can't lose. I'm dressed like this. Yeah, he's like, I will kill you. Yeah.

We lose this. I, I, it's that scene from forgetting Sarah Marshall where he goes, I wish I wasn't wearing this fucking shirt. Yeah. It's like, take my eyes. Yeah. Take my eyes. Not the shirt.

Okay. So we're going to do a deep dive in Canada a second. But the, in, to round out group A, France lost everybody. I would say maybe the Czech team is the biggest surprising, disappointing, disappoint. Tell everyone who's in Group A. Group A. Canada, Swiss, Czech, France. Canada beat the wheels, everybody.

France lost everybody. and then Swiss beat the Czechs. Was that yesterday? Yeah, an overtime. Dean Kukin. Yeah. With the overtime winner. The Kooky Monster.

What a goal. What a goal. What a name? Just what a moment by Dean. Played in the NHL too. But I think Czechia's been the most disappointing. I thought we either overvalued and overestimated what pasta was going to. I think Pavel Zocca, not being there's way bigger than people have ever made.

It's just kind of slotted. everybody in a wrong position. And they just haven't looked fast. No. Their back end, I thought would be much better. I just think it's struggled at times. And I mean, Swiss, I love the Swiss team. I've watched them now two or three games and they play great hockey, man.

They're really good. And Leonardo Giannone is 38-year-old. Only played in the Swiss League. This guy's a stud. You guys a mechanic on the side. Is that true? No. I just meant to make that up.

He's a watchmaker. He makes watch. He's a watchman. He's a watchman. The Swiss team is a finely tuned timepiece. That's what they are.

But Canada, again, we'll do more of a deep dive. France, worst jerseys I've ever seen in my entire life. The blues are nice, but the whites are so tough.

The whites are practiced. The whites are practiced. They're beer league practice tarps. The Swiss, scrappy, we've got to talk about Fial. That is a,

nightmare. Yep. Okay. Well, yeah, let's do that now. Why not? It's an absolute nightmare.

When you think about, I mean, I love teams like Switzerland and Germany who, you know, to the casual hockey fan when we come here, everyone's like, oh shit, they have way more NHL or something I thought.

10 guys on Switzerland. Like 10, there are 10 Switzerland. I mean, it's amazing. Yeah. And, I mean,

I think you can make the argument that Yos is obviously Yos, but like Fiala is, you know, your second, third best player. Yeah. And it is so heartbreaking when anyone gets

hurt in the Olympics, but when it's a team like this and it's that bad, and it's just like, well, that's a massive dagger for Switzerland. And it is also a massive dagger for the L.A. Kings and Copies last year, you just traded for Panarin. And now probably your best forward this season, because Kempi hasn't been off to the hottest start that everyone thought. And Fiala, it's just like, I mean, immediate season over. Yeah, you're Ken Holland and you're like, are you kidding me?

Are you kidding? shit like just sitting there uh yeah i listen you this is what this is the risk yep and unfortunately the way of how physical this tournament's been for like a fluke injury like that to happen and i know i just saw hurdle kind of go down in the last game for checkia and um it didn't look it looked okay but guys are like battling so hard but that just seemed i saw tom wilson those guys walking out the ice and tom was like he was distraught like he literally was talking with one of the players on um on swiss and was like i heard it like yeah it didn't sound good he just and he was like basically how's he doing and because none of us listen we want to play physical as players and we want

to maybe you know hurt someone not hurt someone in a in a literal sense but like you want to grind it down a little bit of pain yeah but you don't want this like you don't want guys to lose their their season and this is a similar injury to what he had previously correct i know i think so yeah i think it was like the same thing but we got to give credit to I don't want to give credit, but the only silver lining kind of funniness of it was the med gear that came out on that rolling bed and put him on his stomach. Incredible. On those wheels? I was like, you're like trying not to.

They're in neon suits. You're like, poor guy, I hope he's all right. But what is going on? Why is he on his stomach? Why is he on his stomach? And it looks like it was put together like a Lego piece that put together in the bed. Those wheels didn't fit. But yeah, I know.

just trying to levitate the situation because it's sad. I had to lighten it because it's sad. It really is sad for Kevin and Kenny Holland back in LA's got to be like. I mean, it's a disaster. Copey too. Like your last year, that's, again, your most productive for it at the moment. You're kind of like, are you kidding me? So I have two questions.

One, nothing on the play, right? It was completely fun. Clean. Completely. It was just unlucky. It was just, there's nothing. He reverse hit him. Yeah, yeah, exactly.

I saw someone say, if that's any. anyone other than Tom Wilson, no one's even asked that question. And I think that that is completely correct. It's not completely correct if it was Marshand or Matthew Kajak or Sam Bennett, they'd be asking the same question. But it's because it's that type of player that anyone, it was completely clean. There was nothing there. And then my second question is, do you think there'll be any fallout or any repercussions to, like you said, this is the risk? But this, people always ask us that don't know hockey that well, they go, why haven't NHL guy's been going?

And I go, because... Is it time? And then they get hurt and it torpedoes the end up. NHL season for an exhibition. Is it time to revisit Chris's take that hockey should be in the summer Olympics? Basketball is a winter sport and is in the summer Olympics. No one can't. No, just because this is like, this is the kind of, I don't want to.

It's 60 degrees outside. You know, but I know, but they decided to put in Milan, but we go to Cortina on top. This is the greatest city I've ever been to. Yeah, it's amazing. That's a tough one because, like, you're like, you could, you could argue yes, but I don't want to say, because I don't want to take away from the other athletes here, but like men's hockey kind of closes out the tournament. It does. It's like the crown jewel of the winter Olympics. Yeah. And now with NHL, you know, when I was, when I played, yeah, I played in the Olympics.

How are you? I'm not trying to tell anybody that one. Yeah. I'm not trying to tell anybody that one. In 2022, there's no NHL guys. I'd taken a year off from injury. And when we got there, because I'm going to rag on myself, so we're there. And, you know, I'd played, you know, 13 seasons in the NHL and, you know, I'd already represented Canada at the world championships. I'd won a silver and we're there and, you know, we're walking around with the other athletes in the village and they're like, oh yeah, you play for Team Canada ice hockey. They're like, yeah, and these are like speed skaters and stuff and they're like, oh yeah, it really sucks that the NHL guys aren't here. The hockey tournament's like fun and I was like, excuse me?

You're like, excuse me, bitch? Yeah, what did you say? I'm on the team. What'd you say? Say that to someone else. They're like, full well knowing I'm on the team. Yeah. And I'm like, oh, yeah, that's great. Yeah. Like how great speed skating for the other three years. Anyway, but it's, I'm rooting for you. I was mad. I love speed skating. I love short track speed skating and all of that.

But it is just, you know, what I mean by that is, you know, NHL players being here, it's just huge. It's look at the fans, try to get to a game if you can. Like the buzz around the city, the village. Yeah, yeah. You see all the athletes posting pictures with Sydney and, and. Crosby and like the Kichucks and like looking for them because it's like it's like it's like it's to the point of the summer like you just can't do it because it is it's the crown jewel absolutely and and this the NHL won't go god we got to stop sending guys again oh they're no now they're gonna

get their pause in there somehow now we create some relationships but now you know you listen to Gary Beckman and every two years now we're going to have something yeah yeah right yeah I mean It sounds cool. Four nations did something for sure. It did. I mean, listen, it sucks.

And I hate seeing Kings fans being like, are you kidding me? Why does this have to happen? But it's like you said, it's, it's worth it. This is the risk you take. It does stink,

but there's a, there's a lot of banged up guys. Oh, yeah. That are playing in this tournament. I have, like, there are,

four nations too. You might know, this is, this, there is some like, I, you know, without,

there's some guys that I think are like, might their season, they'll play this and then they're done for the season. It happened at Four Nations. Like it's definitely happening right now. And I know a lot of NHL fans don't want to hear this, but I promise you there's a lot of guys out there on that ice here who are going, this means more to me than winning a Stanley Cup.

And I've said a million times as a player, if I ever got to that level, that's how I would feel. Yeah. I mean, it's like watching these dudes who hate each other in their NHL clubs so happy to be playing with each other is the coolest thing in the world. Tom Wilson's the most popular guy here. It's like, how fun is that?

It's unbelievable. So get back into this group, we can get into Canada. I want to just echo what you say. I think Cheki has been super disappointing. I don't know what their identity. Because when they won, what was it? They won Worlds the year before Four Nations. And that's when pasta was like, maybe we can get into Four Nations, Gary.

Like, not being an asshole, but he was just being like, we're good, you know? So I was expecting a lot from them. Zaka, obviously, is a tough blow. but I was shocked they just don't look like they have an identity I don't know it's weird I mean their best player by far is Marty Natchez

yeah he's been he's been the best player kind of the bright spot Pa you know Pasa hasn't looked great no he's like he's playing too physical he's like head hunting out there yeah and it's you kind of get caught up I mean the Czech fans are the first star it's the best fan base here it's been so great they're chanting they're so funny

it's amazing they got all the they somehow got all the front row seat and they got all the flags and I'm like, how did you do this? They bankrupt the country to buy all the tickets here? Like every game is just checking flags all along. So yeah, I just, you know, it's tough. But I, you know, I think that Swiss game's going to haunt them.

But, you know, again, this is the prelims. Everybody's the chance now. Yeah. And if they win, they're qualifying, which I think they will. They get Canada. Right. So, yeah. Good luck to you.

Yeah. These games on Tuesday, it's like, that's what's weird. about the setup of this tournament is like, sure, you could add a bad prelim, but like everyone's alive, so let's see what happened. Everyone's alive. Okay, so I'm ripped through the groups quickly, so that was a. Yeah. Well, we didn't do Canada, we'll do a deep dive on that. Oh, look at you.

Okay, I love that, yeah. I love that idea. Group B, Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, Italy, Italy lost everybody, and then those other three did the, we all beat each other in a round robin thing. Yeah. Which was actually super confusing because I was trying to figure out, because when

Slough scored that power our play goal and went crazy. I can't remember if he scored the goal, but Slovakia scored that way. Talbordivorski scored. Okay, yeah, they scored that late. Slavkowski was celebrating after the game like he had just won gold. Yeah. And I was like, how, why did they win?

Especially when Finland pummels Italy 11-0, the shots were 36 to 2 at one point. And I was like, how do they not win the group with the gold if? Because they're all the same points. But so for the people that don't know, because I had to look this up. Charlie Day. Yeah. Let's go Charlie Day. It's always sunny.

You create a subgroup. So you take the Italy game When it's a three-way tie Yeah, three-way tie Create the subgroup Take the Italy game out That way Slovakia had the best goal

Diff So they win the group Finland gets second And is the top Second place team So gets a buy Into the quarters And then Sweden

gets this USA draw So that's what happened Yeah it goes head-to-head Gold Diff Yeah Like who beat who by more Yeah So Finland

beat Sweden by three Sweden beat Or no Yeah Sweden beat Slovakia by two and Slovakia beat Finland by three so they

get it based off of that based off those rules you win it's been watching like all the everybody people trying to decipher it because people were sitting next to us we were watching that game and they're like why are they pulling the goalie and I'm like I actually have no idea I don't know what's going on right now

you mentioned Italy lose to everyone Clara the goaltender we are a few glasses of Vino in last night at the Canada House shout out Canada the house and I was like if this kid doesn't get an NHL contract, great tweet, but it was like, immediately people were like, he's a draft pick and I was like,

I get him in the NHL, but I was just like, I was so incess. I was watching highlights of him and I was like, this kid is getting peppered with 50 to 60 shots a game. Give this kid an NHL shot. I think he's playing in Sweden right now, right? He's in Sweden

and he's, was Anaheim? Yeah, so he's drafted by... They got Dostal, they got Clara. And Clara. They got good. So he got drafted by the Ducks. He was a trade piece for Anaheim. Yeah, playing in Finland.

Then he came to the gulls, I think played a couple of games. Now he's been like loaned back to Sweden. And that's where I'm like, get this kid in the NFL. People are like, he has one. And I'm like, I am wine drunk trying to celebrate this kid. He's not in the NHL. That's what I mean. Some guy came at me and was like, don't pretend like you knew this.

And I was like, I didn't pretend. What do you mean? There's nothing to know. Yeah. He's not in the NHL. That's all I meant. But, I mean, that kid, talk about a firing squad. Oh, dude, the shot totals are crazy.

It's crazy. Poor Italy. They battle hard, though. They battle hard. I tell you what. It's amazing. Yeah, I battled hard. We interviewed Matt Bradley, who scored two goals in the tournament. After we interviewed him, so shout out to us in the NHL.

But, you know, he texted me after the, they lost 3-2. And he said, the captain, after the game, said, hey, guys, he goes, we came to this tournament not even thinking we'd be close to winning anything. And he's like we were mad at the way we played because we lost by one goal. So he's like, be happy that like listen like, hey, like we have a team that can potentially do something. Yeah. You know, now whether they after that game get shellac 11-0. I mean, the story's a little bit less endearing that way. But again, you look at the qualifying. You know, we played China in the Olympics after and they had two breakways in like the first period. And we were like, holy shit.

We ended up winning 7-2. But we were still like, wow, like it's, you never know what can happen in these tournaments. For sure. Somebody gets hurt, X, Y, Z. And so it's interesting. But yeah, they, listen, D. Jacinto is my favorite player on that team. He's the best player ever. He's Mark Recky.

Mark Recky had a kid in Italy and left. Possible. Could be. Who knows? I'm not going to start that rumor. But he literally is like a mini Mark Greeney. He has 70,000 hits right now. That's so awesome.

the best. But yeah. But Damien Clara, I think just his makeup, it's only a matter of time. I agree. It could be a good trade piece too. That is the big thing for me is I'm like, you look at... Edmonton? Don't even do it to me. Wow. Could you imagine if Edmonton

swoops in and gets Clara and he looks up? Come on. Conno will move to Italy. Niamore. So, all right. I thought the Sweden Slovakia game was huge for Sweden's chemistry. Okay. Okay. Like that was a big, like...

Well, I want to get into Sweden, so let me say this. Group C, USA went unfeeed. They're the two seed. Not a perfect... I would say Canada was perfect through the group stage. USA was very good, but not perfect. Denmark was the only Hick-up. Yeah, yeah. And

chalk it up to whatever it was, but like there's kind of an own goal on the first goal against Sway and then the blackboard's goal. Yeah. And then... Poor guy's colorblind. Give him a break, dude. Give him a goddamn break. So it's like, honestly, you're right, not perfect.

But like we said, I think the first, the Latvia game was the goalie interference and the offs. Like, I was a one. Correct. And they know that too. And again, for me, the Denmark game was not a heck up. So the USA is fine. Germany, Latvia, Denmark did the Pepe Sylvia thing again. And I'm like, okay, whatever.

Let me know. Yeah, you let me know how that shakes out. Let me know how that shakes out. The world's greatest. hockey players. I'm sitting right next to one, are set to face off on the global stage. So join the excitement and make your winter games moment when you bet with boosted odds. Activate your odds boost token for any winter games hockey bet throughout the entire tournament and you'll receive a bigger payout. If your bet wins, get ready for puck drop with betmGM. If you haven't signed up for

betmgm yet, use bonus code netters. That is N-E-T-T-E-R-S and you will get up to 1500 bucks and a new player offer on your first wager if it loses. BetMGM. Make it legendary. All right, welcoming back to the show. good buddy Chris Chelyos, and I got to give you credit, Shelly, because I looked this up, but you played in a U.S. record for Olympics. I forgot it was four. It's insane. Nuts. Tied with Big Walt, and then played in 22 games, second most all-time, 23 to Big Walt, captained three Olympic teams. You played in Yugoslavia, in Nagano, in Salt Lake City, and the Torino winter games. Unbelievable, dude, thanks for stopping by. Thank you. Yeah, it was an incredible journey, playing, you know, representing the country and lucky enough to

represent it four times. Crazy it would have been six. They allowed pros to go to what was it, Calgary and Alburyville. But yeah. Yeah. Unreal. Incredible.

And I got to say it's a bit of a shame. The tan is bumping right now. We're pissed that we couldn't have you here showing that off in Milan with us. It would be crushing. Well, I've taken a couple trips since the NHL shut down and the Olympics started. But if it makes you feel me better, I'm in Chicago.

It's actually in the 50s. So, I mean, the sun's following me so far. Thanks. Yeah. Yeah, you've got to come out. That's more than more reason we need you out here, dude. Yeah. That's amazing.

Well, actually, Chely, randomly, one of the things I wanted to ask you, but you just kind of touched on it. Was it weird going back to the NHL after the long break when you would go to the Olympics? What are they looking forward to when they get back? I mean, honestly, it was tough going back. It's different for an All-Star game, obviously. Your three days of break. Yeah, yeah.

Four days break, and it's a great time for everybody. But after two weeks with your family, your friends, and a different group of guys, mostly who you're playing against, it's just a great experience. So depending where you were, like Sarajevo, you know, we were on lockdown. The whole crazy, you know, there was about a war about to start. So we didn't really get to venture too much on that one. But for the rest of them, you know, Toronto, as you mentioned,

you know, Salt Lake was great. And Nagano was fun, too. I never thought I'd like Japan as much as I did. But yeah. And then it's, you know, reality kicks in, whether you're overseas or, you know, you'll bend somewhere for two weeks and going back to camp. It's a bit of a kind of a letdown after, quite honestly. Yeah. You know, we have to.

I could see that. Yeah, because of the hype and, you know, the Olympics and the whole country watching you. But, you know, it just takes a little bit to get back into the role with the NHL schedule. Yeah. How would you say the vibes are from, like, kind of readjusting to a new group of guys and bonding with these guys when you're, you know, in the village together, playing together, representing your country together. How long does that take before you really feel like a team or is it really immediate?

And then what's it like leaving that group? It's immediate. You know, it's all that old saying, two guys, you know, getting a fight on the ice and then after the game, they're having a beer together. Hockey players have their mentality just about them. whether it's the guy you're rivalering, you know, the good thing is a lot of it's American-Canadian or you saw yesterday with Dry Seidel and Matthew Kachuk,

you know, have gone at each other the last two years in the finals. Had they been on the same team, I'm sure they would have been really good friends, but it's just, you know, it's just something about hockey players. And you get together quick, and you're so excited that you're all in the same team representing, you know, your country. Yeah, that's awesome, too. Well, through the group stage,

USA and Canada come out undefeated, only two teams, Canada, the one seed with the gold if and everything. Who have you loved so far on our squad, Chelly? Who's who's, you know, whose game are you been like, man, that guy's going in this tournament? I mean, the chucks, both Brady and Matthew, they kind of get the motor running with their energy and their characters and they play with a lot of characters. So I think, you know, those two really, for me, that they motivate that team. and then Matthews stepping up the way he did yesterday, you know, and not that he wasn't playing well, but for him to have that type of game, you know,

going into the playoffs now here. I guess you're calling the playoffs, but the finals. You know, really happy Matthews had that type of game, being the captain. I didn't like the highlights they showed on Matthews for the four nations. Yeah, yeah. But maybe that'll get him motivated, you know.

And, you know, he's a quiet kid. He does all his talking on the ice. and we'll see. But again, Helenbach, what a way to go into the semifinals also. You know, it was a perfect game for them, and they actually got better as each game went on as what you want in these short-term Olympics. So, yeah, everything's gone as well as it could for the American team.

And I think all guys, you got a lot of scoring, good balance from everybody. It looks good for them. And, you know, like everybody's hoping, hopefully it's going to be USA Canada final. Yeah, it's so true. How, I know you're a big, you're always given love to the defenseman like I am. And everyone talks about Quinn Hughes all the time. How awesome do you think this tournament and these first few games have been for Zach Wrenski? I know people in Columbus know his game. But like, how good is this guy? I mean, they don't get to see him in Columbus. They haven't been a playoff team. I think once or twice. And it's unfortunate. I thought he was going to get moved. I was kind of hoping to get moved and go to the Red Wings, quite honestly. would have been a great fit. Yeah, man, dude, yeah.

Exactly what they need. But you saw him score that goal, and I had a chance to coach him in the world juniors, along with Matthew Kachuk and Austin Matthews. And this kid just does everything perfect. That wrist shot of his is more effective than any slap shot I've ever seen on a defenseman. He's just a smart heads-up player, got good size, and just a great kid. And it's been fun.

They've been calling me before every game, FaceTiming me before every game. and it's great. It makes me feel a little bit good about these kids, how much character they have and respect for the former players and how excited they are. So, yeah, that back end, probably the most skilled offensively ever for a U.S. team. As you mentioned, Hughes also.

And Slavin's kind of taken that seat of, you know, being just a steady, stay on, which he has some offensive ability. Also, Weber scores a goal. So, yeah, they all contributed. and when you can get those D involved in the offense, it's that much more effective to come up winning. Everyone keeps talking about that possibly being the edge if USA and Canada find each other.

Everyone brings up USA's D and their goaltending possibly being the one that's a level above Canada. Do you see that? And like when you're talking to the boys and then when you're watching them, is that really the side of this team's game that you're like, yes, that can be a winning recipe for us? I do.

And we say it all the time. I think, you know, I think Charlie McAvoy, another guy left his name out of there. He was injured during the Four Nations along with, you know, Matthew Kuchuk, not to make excuses, but you put those two guys in the lineup now. And if they do end up playing up against Canada, that, you know, that much more experience in the USA's lineup. But at the end of the day, you know, the fact that, you know, U.S. has only beat Canada in the finals, if they get to the finals or match up, you still got to, you know, you can walk to walk or talk to talk. You've got to walk a walk.

And, you know, Canada's got that swagger about on the experience, you know, Crosby's still in there and doing this thing. And then you put McDavid and McKinnon. They're just all great players on both teams. So it could come down to goaltending. The way I look at it is in Four Nations. I didn't think there was a loser in that. That was incredible hockey. Agreed.

Could it went either way. Yeah, Canada ends up coming up on top. But it's going to be a heck of a, you know, playoff here, whether. they match up against each other or not. And I hope to God they do because it's going to be incredible game. Yeah. When you list off all those names, Chelly, and obviously in a hockey game, literally anything can happen.

But when you list off all those names on Canada, it's hard to sit here as an American fan being like, we can beat that team. But do you think, you know, with the right matchup and the right grit, we can, the talent we put on the ice, we can, we could beat Canada in a final? No question. And again, it's when to win these games, it takes everything. You get some bounces. but, you know, he just timely saves.

Hallowbox the guy right now, obviously, it looks like. And, you know, it's just timely saves. And then anything can happen. And I keep referring back to Four Nations. Matthews had a chance to win it, you know, in overtime. And then, you know, Canada just comes back. So I see a close game. I don't see anything different than, you know, what happened there.

And yes, I actually, I believe they can win, no question. but Canada's thinking the same thing and all Canada's thinking the same thing and they're right too. For sure. God, they look good. They sure are. We keep laughing, Chely, it's like, all the guys you mentioned,

they got Sid still buzzing. He's like third on the team in points. McDavid, McKinnon, McCarr. And then they've also got Sellebrini coming in here acting like he's a 26-year-old vet. And it's like, can you guys just fucking relax? Can you just calm down and let us have some breathing room here? It's crazy.

There's such a good group. It's wild. Yeah. But I'm with you. Like, our back-end. As far as talent and skill our defensemen, I think we got the edge there. Goaltending, I don't know. You know, Bennington, they wanted to, you know, he's had a tough year.

And, you know, they wanted to count him out last time in that Four Nations. And look, he stood on his head and wanted for him. So I, you know, I said, we're pretty much awash at goaltending, I think. And as far as the forwards, I mean, how much firepower both teams have is crazy. Yeah. It's so cool. It's so good. It would be such a good final.

But don't sleep on Sweden. Don't sleep on Sweden. And Finland. And Finland. Like, I'm a little upset. Yeah, I'm a little upset with that T.J.

O'Shee saying he doesn't know he's going to cheer for last night after the game because of his buddy Wilson on Canada. But you can let him know that. I got to call him because he was doing the Tom Brady. Like, I don't have a dog in that fight thing. And I was like, yeah, you do have a dog in this fight. He better have a dog in this fight. Yeah, exactly.

We immediately hit him up. We're like, what the fuck are you talking about? But I need you here. Come on. So, Jelly, your best, your most fun run for sure was the O2, you guys get silver, incredible in Salt Lake City. So kind of two questions. One, was it weird being at an Olympics, but just at home? Like, you know, you're just like, oh, I'm in Utah.

Yeah. And then two, just, you know, tell us what you remember, some highlights just from that whole experience and that journey with the boys. Yeah, the biggest fear, obviously, was letting down, you know, the country while we're in U.S. with her support and the home ice advantage. And, you know, that, no question, I felt that we had all that pressure. But we felt very confident going into it, you know, mostly, you know, because a lot of that group of guys had beaten Canada in the World Cup at 96. So, yeah, we were still kind of running on that one.

And the families and all just, I wouldn't say distractions, but that's what we kind of had to block out. It was great, you know, in that sense that we, you know, our family. are there and we're able to relax with them as opposed to maybe being in Europe and you're on your own and, you know, strain off with each other. But, yeah, so, and then the games themselves were amazing. You know, Canada looked like they were going to fall flat in their faces during the preliminary rounds and all of a sudden one game turned it around for them and, you know, the rest was history.

But again, I don't see a loser in that one. The game was a lot closer, you know, the final game, the goal game that, you know, ended up being lobsided at the end, but it was a pretty competitive close game, Rachel, that third period. Oh, my God, yeah. And what kind of, you know, it's been, this is our first experience at the Olympics. So the group stage is such a flurry, but then you do get a couple days off and, you know, whatever, there's a little time for the guys. What were you guys doing on when the few opportunities you had a day off? You know, was it team bonding stuff? Or you just out exploring the city? What went down? Well, they had these USA houses or Team Canada houses. So everybody could

bring their families there. So most of the, you know, it was. the time we spent going there. I'm sure Italy it's a little different because they got better food than any place I'd ever been. Yeah. Quite honestly, so you might venture out a little bit and hit some restaurants and walk around the city's beautiful in Milan. So, but quite honestly, we spent most of our time either, you know, on the Olympic, you

know, base in the dorms and a lot of time in that cafeteria with the, you know, that's where everybody, the players, I mean, would stay, it was, would be in the cafeteria most of the day. And if you're with your families, you'd be in the USA house because it's, you're, you'd be in the USA house because they had, you know, food from back home and your families could come there and watch all the other, you know, Olympic sports and kill the day. Yeah, that's awesome. We hit, um, we got to just see the Canada house out here, um, the other day and it's sick.

They have like a rink. You can skate on and like two bars and a restaurant. Yeah. Yeah. Every country had one. And the good thing was the countries are allowing you to go into theirs, uh, you know, some of the other countries. So you get to meet the other people and it experienced that too.

So it's pretty, Olympics is pretty amazing and it's, it's really unique. Yeah, it really is, man, you can feel that like the, you know,

things as simple as, you know, something we learned, it's the pins, kind of being like currency. Like people bring pins and you swap pins. And there's just such a cool celebration of cultures and all these different nations

and meeting people from everywhere. It's like, like you just said, it's fun that they let us in the Canada house. We could have been sleeper agents for all they know. And they were like, come on in here. You know,

it was a blast. And early on in the Olympics. Yeah, early on in the Olympics, you know, the preliminary games, it's not elimination. But once, you know, the elimination games start the quarterfinals, then all of a sudden, you know, guys that play together and the NHL are not sitting with each other in the cafeteria anymore. They're just kind of looking across and, you know, don't want to be, you know, it changes quick, that competitiveness. And then, you know, it's every man for himself. So that friendly thing goes away pretty quickly when she gets in his elimination games. That's right what I was about to ask of how serious we're about to ramp up here.

Because it has been pretty chill. Like, everyone's hanging out and talking, you know, and the games are obviously intense, but it's been really fun vibes in the rink. But I know now, starting right now, the energy is going to change, both for the players, obviously, but even the fans too. Yeah, and I think back to, you know, Utah or, yeah, Salt Lake, when everybody's hoping, meaning like myself, Brett Hall and Steve Eisenman and Shanahan, we're hoping we're going to be in that gold medal game against each other.

and then, you know, come time that, you know, day before, a couple days before, we won't sit with each other in the cafeteria. We'll just get at this one and, you know, walk by. So, yeah, it's strange, but yeah. That's so cool. And then, and then, Chelle, you had a Northern Italy Olympics yourself when you were up at the Torino games. Yeah, yeah. So what was that? You know, we're here.

You're not too far from where you were. What was your experience like over here in Italy? I mean, it was amazing. I think it was just my one daughter and my wife were there. the rest of the kids, I don't know, for whatever reason, they couldn't make it. But yeah, I mean, same thing. It was a beautiful city. I don't think quite as nice as Milan, more industrial.

But the food's incredible, right? And I didn't get into the sightseeing. You know, my wife and father, I knew that'd be their last time there in Torino. So I wasn't into it too much. I'd already been Italy before. But again, just being with the families, the parents. parents. It was, you know, it was really amazing. And again, like, you're lucky enough to, to be on that team and experience that. Yeah. Like we said, Chelle, you played in 84, 98, 02, and

06. Like, that's utterly insane to be that elite as long as you were. Do you have any stories that immediately come to mind when you think of all your Olympic experience of just, like, shooting the shit with the boys or getting into some nonsense with the fellows, like, what are some of the first stories that come to mind? Well, let's start at the top. No, secrets Nagano. We made a name for ourselves at Nagano and not on the ice. Yeah, that was quite an experience. But the one thing I say about Nagano when we first got there, they love their karaoke there over in Japan, and we had some characters, including myself. So the first few days, you know, three, four days, you could, you know, go out and let loose and have a few beers. And as,

you know, the tournament goes on, you, you know, buckle down and get ready. But yeah, that was probably the most fun the highlight other than what happened in the dorms at the end. And then again, I think Salt Lake, without a doubt, you know, just being at home and knowing that everybody's

got your back and you feel it a lot more. Even though you can see in Torino, there's a lot of U.S. people have made that trip. It's still, you've got a whole country rallying behind you and, you know, everywhere you look at Olympics and, you know, I mean, Japan, they didn't know who we were.

walking the streets and, you know, Sochi as it was, Sochi as a coach was amazing. They had, by the Baltic Sea there, I don't know if it's a Baltic Sea vote. It was an incredible set up there. And I love Sochi, but, yeah, but again, they're just great times with guys. You know, every day was just amazing. And then, of course, then you're facing an elimination game or trying to continue to the gold medal game and it just gets a little bit more stressful.

and in serious, but that's, you know, that's playoff hockey. Yeah, it sure is. Do you have, like, as someone who is, you know, a vet of four different Olympics, and I know you're not always playing the same guys, but if we keep it to Canada, was there anyone on that O2 team on Canada that was just unbelievable that you were frustrated playing against? Well, the big game, Joe Sackett showed up, and, you know, him, I believe it, Gindler was on his line, and he'd be him.

And obviously, Mario had the big, uh, the big play to Korea, the goal he scored. Yeah. I remember Sackick, just, you know, he took over that game, and again, let's score to a big goal. But again, it was a great game. Izi and Shani, like I said, it's just hard to play against your own teammates. But, you know, again, like, I don't know who elbowed me first period.

It might have been that, I can't remember it was Flurry or something. I don't know if it was on the team then or not. But anyway, yeah. It was just, the guy that stuck out the most of me was Joe Sackick, the game he had. I always love Sackick, you know, he's a great player, great person, and all the respect in the world for Joe. It's cool, too, Chely, to have, you said, you know, like, you have teammates in the NHL that you then battle with at the Olympics, but it's also kind of fun to have a guy you battle with in the NHL also battle with. You know, you're like, man, we always go at it. Kind of like the dry-sidal Matthew Kuchuk thing, you said last night, you know, seeing each other at every stop.

That's cool, too. Yeah, I guess the rival for me would have been a Ginnla, because we had some playoffs against Calgary with Detroit and with Chicago. Totally. He was the one at a tough time whether he's tough as nails. He's skilled. And, yeah. Yeah, that's awesome.

Okay, Chely, we'll let you get out here. But I want one more question. I think it's so incredible, dude, that you were a captain. You're the captain of the Olympic team three times. And it's one thing to be a captain of an NHL team. But when you were on your country's select team and you are chosen, the, you're And that honor has been just sewed upon Austin Matthews in this tournament. What is it like looking at all those guys going into a gold medal game, God willing,

or some elimination game where you're the guy in the locker, I'm having to give that speech? Yeah, I would say that on an NHL team, but on that Olympic team with that much firepower and leadership, you know, on the players, there's so many guys that are, you know, could easily, you know, been a captain on that team. I'm just, you know, honored. Especially the last one. I didn't know her, Brooks. I know when they came to watch me play, you know,

pre-Olympics to basically to see if they felt that was good enough. I had some pretty bad games, but for whatever reason, you know, Hurd Brooks had faith in me because of my leadership qualities. And I thank God that he did, because, like I said, I had no relationship with him. There's kind of that Wisconsin-Minnesota rivalry that, you know, never ended between him and Bob Johnson. But again, there's so many players.

And the room runs itself with the leaderships. that's in there. And, you know, it's not like the weight is on your shoulders. Yeah, maybe someone's waiting for you to say something. I don't know how vocal Austin Matthews is. I think he does his, you know, leadership by, you know, what he does on the ice. But he got a lot of help with the Kachucks and the Werenzki's and everybody else on that. So that's a good feeling when you, you know, you got that support when you are the captain.

And you might feel like you have that pressure on you, but you don't. Yeah. Yeah, that's awesome. It's just a great honor. It really is a great. It is. Yeah. That fires me up.

Well, listen, we've got obviously huge game. By the time this comes out, huge games in the first elimination rounds will be going on. So let's hope that USA gets a good bid can maybe handle Sweden, we assume, and then we get this final that we're all looking forward to because both these teams. Holy shit, this could be fireworks. Like, you can't believe. Chelly, you're the best for popping on with us always. Again, we wish you were here with us in Milan. But thanks for taking the time, brother.

It's always awesome to have you on. everyone loves hearing from you. Thank you, and good luck to the men's and women's and all the Olympians, the USA all the way, guys. Let's go for the gold. Come on. Let's do it. All right. We are here at the Olympics with the world's best, and when it comes to the best in hockey, you need Bauer.

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Fortaleza or El-Bandito. Yep. So Sweden, you were about to talk about this. I want to talk about Sweden because we were hyping them pretty hard coming into this tournament, being like, oh, Sweden's my pick to get bronze. Here's my... Anything can happen now, but so far, I was like, yo... See, my first topic.

Why is Walshed not playing? Oof. That one's an interesting... I mean, listen, Billy Garon's the one that decides, but then, you know, obviously the head coach. I don't know. There's been a lot of talk with the Swedish coaching staff here that, like, I've heard some people, writers and stuff like that, be like they should really consider, if we're doing NHL at the Olympics, that there should be a requirement of NHL head coaches as well. Because you heard Finland.

I think that that is a great point. Yeah, I think Finland, they like tried to go and talk and get Paul Maurice because you get these European coaches. And I apologize. I don't know the head coach of Sweden's name, but I know your coaches in Europe. Yeah. So you have the short tournament and you have all these NHL players now,

they're used to playing North American hockey and you're bringing an European coach in. Yeah. It always takes a little bit longer and you could see Sweden kind of...

Such a good call, dude. So it's like, I mean, I can't. I got to give credit to the writer. I think it was Dan Rosen that told me that. It was like, I think they should look at it. And I was like, you know what?

I'm like, shit. I'm like, imagine, you know, you got Paul Maurice Maris behind the bench for Finland. I was screaming and... Just give up to say Paul Maurice, coaching Finland, they would go undefeated.

They would win gold. And that would be the funniest thing in the world watching Paul Maurice with like a finish back around the short. But I think it's a great... I mean, it's what international football is like soccer does. You've got, you know, Thomas Tuchel is the manager of the

England squad right now. Like, who gives a shit? Let it be just a good coach. Yeah, you want something to mesh with your players and sorry, I jumped off from the Walsstead thing. I mean, I think Gustafs was the guy. I think Walsett... That's where I'm confused. I think Walsed had struggled near the end of the Olympics, and Gustafin kind of took back the net. Yeah.

So you kind of keep him. And I think, listen, I think roll with him and Markstrom. Listen, the Sweden, I think the thing that people got to think now is like, this is the most dangerous game for the USA. Oh, it's an absolute nightmare. Because they found their game. Like, I watched them against Finland. Yep. They lost that Finland game, but like, they're playing some good hockey.

Well, that's why I said the Slovakia game. was so good for their chemistry. They look really good. I thought they looked bad against Finland. I was like, I gave up chances in Finland, but I think Finland's like, people were just all talking Canada, US. Like Sweden and Finland, it's kind of the four nations. Oh, it's huge.

If Finland had Barkoff, I mean, they'd be probably my one two would be them. But now that Barkov's missing. But yeah, Sweden is, they got a good hockey team, man. And imagine if they had Leo? Well, they started playing Philip Forsberg. Dude, that was going on. to go next. You're playing Elias Pedersen.

I'll never understand that for the life of me. Just be over Philip Forsberg. He did. He did. No, he played well. I think he...

But I'm with you. He had a moment. He had his moment and he kind of played and he's getting back. When you tweeted free Philip Forsberg, I was like, I completely agree.

It was like... In a Finland game, I think he played like eight minutes and I was like, what is happening right now? Well, they started playing. I'm like, oh, we need a goal. Let's put him in. I'm like, this guy's just been pasted to your bench.

It's crazy. Him and Ekman Larson. At the start, they're just sitting there. I'm like, why'd you bring these guys? One guy I won a cop. The other guy is Philip Forsberg who's perennial 30 goals. He's Philip Forsberg. What else do we need to say?

Mind growing to me. I know. But yeah, it is a, I mean, we'll get into it a little bit at the end, but it's like, we got the U.S. and Sweden women playing today. And it's a nightmare for me. It's a house divided. And I'm, we're on a crash course for USA Sweden again. And I'm like, oh, my God.

Yeah, it's going to be tough. And yeah, I think it's like Sweden, let's see how they do against Latvia tomorrow, but that is... They're going to crush Latvia. Hey, Latvia got their first wind. I know, but it was against Germany, and Germany's been anemic in this tournament.

I used the word anemic folks, thank you. Look it up. Not good. It's a great dictionary. They've been no point. Yeah, it's not good to be anemic, but it is a good word to have in your arsenal. Yes.

I think Willie Nealander is awesome. Do you think that, or are you like, eh? Like, awesome is a, guy and like over the overall like as a player as a player like I watch him play and I'm like willie's so good it's so tough with Willie because like we have it at the network and you know my crops been on air multiple times just carving and put we all are like Willie Nealander could be like a top three player in the NFL dude I literally think that and maybe that's just like and maybe it's like we're guys are nuts no no but like I love Willie Willie Willie's nasty but

I don't think he could be a top three player in the league. You know, and maybe that's, you know, me, let me go top five, because then they'll clip top three, and then I'm going to be in trouble. He goes to clip me, and then I'm going to have people yelling at me. Hey, Lee, Lee, Lee. Now you get to be Willie, and he'll love you. But I, no, but by saying that, I'm like,

we just think there's another level there. Yeah. Like, I think he's great, but I think there's another level. And maybe that's just, he's capped there. And for him to go to another level, I think it's the whole, you know, Austin Matthews of all, where I think everybody expects him to, you know, score 75 goals a year.

Yeah. And be like, well, you're not doing it. You stink. And it's like, well, Willie's kind of the same in the same band. I think he's a fantastic hockey player. On some nights, most nights, he's the best player in the ice. Yeah. So it's like, you just kind of sit there and you're like, come on.

Yeah. He's also. And maybe that's it. He's without a doubt the most consistent leaf in that group. And he also, he performs in big games in the playoffs. His aura is out of control. Yeah. Tank top.

He might have the high. aura in the NHL. I'll give you a top one there. ORA? Yeah. I think he's the coolest dude in the league. Yeah, well, I think he, yeah. I think he, you know, his, he's got...

Do you see his no glove warm? He curates his image. Yes. The best. Yes. For like, he markets himself the best. The little thing he does. The no glove warm up was the swaggiest thing.

It was incredible. And I like, remember the, remember, I guess it was two years ago that Boston, Toronto Game 7 and like the pregame, they were like, Willie, like, what do you think? And he was like, I don't know, whatever. Like, he's kind of go. He was like they beat us all the time. Yeah, yeah.

I'm gonna wear a tank top. I mean, I don't love the flip off and everything, and I think like there's a respect to the game that needs to happen, but listen, I think yeah, he oozes, he oozes sex. Every time in that film of the game, which they lost, but every time something good

happened for Sweden, a good chance happened, it was coming off his stick. Every time. You were, I'm just going to say, you keep saying that, and you're not wrong, that he had a great game. Rasmus Dahlian was the best player for Sweden in that game. He's been the best player for Sweden this turn.

You know who I think's been awesome too? And I'm really- erroneous to you. Lucas Raymond. I've really enjoyed his tournament. He's fiery. Because sometimes I think... He's fiery.

His rookie year, I was like, Lucas Raymond is a future superstar. And he's obviously very good, but there's been stretches around. I'm like, I think I overshot that. He's... You swung out. Like I did when I said Neil Lander's up three.

Yeah, yeah, calm down. You guys are too horny. You're getting way too horny. I'm in Milan. I'm having, yeah. I'm having Fokache every day. Yeah, exactly. decay and I'm just whatever the hell you call it.

I'm just in a good mood, dude. I know. I'm happy. I'm like, he's the best player I've ever seen. But I've really enjoyed Lucas Raven's tournament. I think he's been awesome. Yeah, I think this has been a good tournament for people realizing how good Jesper Brat is too.

Okay. People are like, whoa. This dude is silky. Like, he feels like, uh, the Hughes Brothers moves. Yeah, he's, yeah. Again, Devil's fans know this. Most other people do not know this. If you are on the go, super busy, grinding out all of your days and you have no time

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You're like a screenwriter. Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly. It's like we're in a guy Richie film. We're going to start to the back, middle and back. Next chapter. Next chapter. And then, oh, now we're going to come back. Yep. Hopefully they go to black and white here. Yeah.

The transitions are going to be incredible. That's, can't wait. I love it. That's YouTube, baby. That's YouTube. Come on. Okay. Connor is going to break these scoring records already.

So let's talk about what's, so he set a record last night as the first player since NHL participants. Yeah. That's where it all gets screwed. To have three points. in three consecutive. That's never been done. That was never been done.

But 10 points in one Olympics? He has nine points. No, I think it's Jonathan Taves has 11. Okay. Is it 11 or is it 10? No, it's 11. It's 11. But I'll give you a couple of them.

So Crosby last night, which went quietly, went all-time Team Canada. Goal score. In Olympic career. Yeah, in the Olympic career, he passed Jerome McGinla. McDavid's already at 9. It was 15. He was 15. Oh, yeah, yeah.

So McDavid is going to pass him in tomorrow. This tournament, this tournament he's going to pass them. Wait, it's 15, so Crosby what has? With NHL players. Crosby's at 15 now. And McDavid already has not. Has not, yeah. And then Maclin's going to pass Connor in four Olympics.

Yeah, correct. Which is amazing. It's amazing. Canada's so deep. It's unfair. Connor coming, I mean, it's the most Connor stat of all time. Yep. Two goals, seven assists is the most Connor stat of all time,

him doing this obviously in his first a limit somehow quietly it's like I feel like if you think he's been quiet no no no he's truck stick like three people he has been hitting people so dude I want to say most physical I've ever seen wait to that because my I don't want I don't want to get clipped here and say like Connor McDavid's been quiet but I don't think they're gonna clip the shit out of me Connor McDavid hasn't

I don't think he's been like a bad out of hell scoring a million goals he has two goals you're hungover but my point is this is exactly what he does He is the best player on the ice. He has seven assists in three games and two goals on top of that. That is why it's the most Conner MacDadee performance of all time because it's like you could blink and miss what he's doing and he is the best. And it's also we talk about this every time. I said this last episode, so forgive me listeners for saying it again, I'll never get over watching and play hockey.

Every single time he's on the ice, it's like nothing I've ever seen. He's going to go down as I think the best all time Once he can knock a Stanley Cup out of there But yeah I mean that poor Antoine Keller The goaltender gets put into the game First shot is a breakaway from Connor McDavid Poor kids I'm like I just got absolutely

Yeah There goes my groins But yeah I What he's done And what he continues to do And I think you know The thing we said after like the second game was Even though it's best on best

and I say that knowing that Russia's not in the tournament, and it would be a completely different tournament. But I get it for best on best right now. Yeah. And what this is, what's available to us. He's still a cut above. It's crazy. Like he still makes,

he's still above all that. And I thought it kind of, because I had at the start of this tournament, I had U.S. ahead because I said, Oh, interesting. Yeah, yeah. Out of this stage, because Candle finished second because Swiss are Czech's going to give him a tough run.

Yeah. And I'm completely wrong. I was like they look incredible. And because of large in part because of him. Well, that's what I was going to say. You're so right. And it's crazy that he's a cut above on this team too. Cut above.

Like better than Nate. Better than Nate. Like wild. Better than Matt. Better than Kale. It's like, I'm like, holy shit, man. Like this guy's a cut above all of them. It's crazy.

Do you think Nate thinks that? Well, Nate, we interviewed Nate and he said, he was like, we talk, we're asking about Macklin. and he was like, Macklin's like going to be one of the best players, if not the best player in the league. Yeah. Like that's from Nate. Nate won't say that if it's not.

I think we all know. I think we all see it. I think they're different players. Obviously, Nate's more powerful. It's all different. But his IQ and what he can do with the puck and in tight spaces and his speed, like that's the thing as you notice, like his speed comparatively to the other guys. It's a joke.

It's a joke. He's crazy. Yeah, it's a joke. He came like he's he's a mute. That guy only, he wakes up in the morning and he's eaten poxies. The guy doesn't, it's hockey. Like, and that's it. And I, people always go like, oh, you know, I always tell parents and stuff like that that'll be like, oh, you know, my kid like loves Conradict Dave and I want to be kind of Rick David.

I want to be kind of Rick Taylor. I'm like, you won't be. No, no, no. Because you cannot sacrifice that much and be that discipline to be that. It's like a one in a million, you know, one in a trillion, whatever you want to call it, bazillion, gazillion, gajillion. it's just so, it's so impressive to watch, but I'm like, he's, he's a maniac. He's a maniac.

I love him. It's like, I'll reference the Players Tribune article again. It's like, I, I love the, he's like, I love hockey and all I want to do is play hockey and win. And, and he wrote a manifesto. When he was like, if that makes me a robot, I'm a robot. I was actually like, I don't get robot vibe from this. I get, like, you are a savant. Well, and you, they were put on this earth to play hockey.

and you are doing it better than anyone ever has. My favorite part about the article was I thought it was going to go. When I started reading, I thought it was him going, you all call me a hockey robot, but I'm not, whatever. I'm a human. He's like, no, I'm a, but it actually was, I am. Yeah, just leave me alone. I am a robot.

The Will Smith movie all over again. He's sunny. He's sunny. I'm calling him sunny from there. Literally like, just stop asking me questions. I'm just going to go back. I'm just going to go back. He's the only player that has said, that he's like the schedule this year.

Yeah. Because he likes playing. I'm like, what? Everyone's miserable. People are like, this is the worst schedule we've ever had.

I'm so tired. He's like, I love it. Can we play more? Yeah, yeah. You play a hundred games? Yeah, can we get these a little bit tight?

So they're nasty. So, the Mac, when they go Mac, Connor, Nate. Oh, it's so fun. And they go nuclear? Yeah.

Yeah. They go nuclear. The fact that Sid is still so good. Yep. I think he's like second or third or something on team points. So smart. So smart. Well,

that line. is a well put together line. Yeah. With Marner and Stone. So good. It's actually perfect. I was kind of, I had questions about that line.

Yeah. Yeah. That's their second line. They led all, five on five, they led everybody in time on ice. It's a special group. Special group.

Here's a question for you. No, let's, next, if Sid is still playing next Olympics. He's not playing next Olympics. You don't think so? I think it might.

Four is just a touch too long for me. You think so? I think he's going to do four. And you've got to be his last year. I think it would be, miraculous if he were playing the next Olympics. I'm not ruling it out though. If he plays the next Olympics,

I'm hitting him with my car. That means I retired way too, way too early. That's where we need to intervene. That's where like... What you're doing is unacceptable. Hey, no. Stop it. You're making us all look like asses. Go home.

Please. Just sit on your couch. Watch one. Watch one from the TV, pal. So here's my question. If Sid's still in the NHL and he's, a 60 point guy. Do you take him or do you go? He's at every Olympics until he retires,

but we're saying what we're saying, you are throwing some hypotheticals out there. Because this is my question. Because Red Ashman sounds like, wow, that's an interesting thought. And then would Sid even keep playing in the NHL if he's a 60 point guy?

Like, if he ever... If he wants to play in one more Olympics, I'm like, why does it, you should just come out here and play playing Bolzano or go play somewhere in Italy or... Yeah, yeah. Or go play in France for four years and just like... And then...

But no one hear about it, but he's just playing in like some Division 7 league. That would be so good. Austria living on a beach. Lighting it up. I'm coming out, guys. Yeah. Here's my thing. Takes the trade.

Bearded, like castaway. I don't think Sid has the capability of being a 60 point guy. Right. Like if he plays till he's 42, he will still score 82 points. But he's a lot, like he's, he's another Connor of like, he's a robot. He just wants to go. Yeah. Loves hockey.

That's what I think he'll do it. He might. Okay, Celebrini There's nothing to say Generational He's generational He is I can't believe he's doing

He is I was gonna wait for the USA chat To talk about this It is as good as USA hockey is And as great As many great young players As we have We just were never

It's unfair It's like You've got Maclin Celebrini You've already got Connor, Nate, Kale on this team You had Sid on this team

now you've got Maclin you've got Connor Bedard sitting there at home waiting and he'll be in the next one because you've got Gavin McKenna about to be the number one pick it's like give us one Mclyn is sorry seats taken like raised in the

US went to a US college like give it him to us we should get it's bullshit this should be this should be a hostile takeover situation listen it's not so

much Macklin, it's Big Dick Rick. Yeah, correct. The man... Did you see him after the man has... You want to talk about aura. You want to talk about gold. The golden scene. That man just pumps him out.

And the video of him just, I think we posted it on the story before that shootout was just like staring with his... He looked like Jamie Lannister. That was a silkiest shootout goal to go seven hole. To go on the wing, the chicken wing.

Did you see... Dewey gave him shit? What's that? Doey was like, I told him the move sucked. I thought it. I thought that was so cheeky. Because he was going seven hole and not going where typically they go low blocker. And he made him bite on the low blocker and open up the wing.

That was so cheeky. He changed up. He pulled that little low blocker, but it was like a change of him. I was like, are you? Like that was having fun. Yeah. Like that's a move that if it doesn't work looks awful. It's in the chest.

But he literally got the scullied of chicken wing. that in the Olympics, anyone can take that shot. Yeah, I heard them. I didn't know that, but I heard the answer. And Coop saying, they were like looking down the bench, like, who's going to take this? And Coop said he looked out and just saw Macklin skate in circles in the center. And he was like, all right, he's going. They pointed to the, you know, for the penalty shot. And that whole bench, all the guys, the smiles, and they all jumped up.

And they're all looking at Coop like, he's going. Like, he's going. Yeah. And they were so excited. Every guy was standing up on that bench. And it was 6-1. I know. That's how much

what this kid's done, like you root for this kid. Oh, you're watching on the bench. He's such a good kid. Oh, I mean, obviously,

friend of the program. He's the best kid. He's my son. He's the best in the world. Second on the team and point is so stupid. People were like, we shouldn't bring them. Leave him home.

I called the, I called the mini sit at the starting of the season. And people were like, you're crazy. Oh, no, we did the same thing. I said, I said,

I was like, better than Sydney. Yeah. No, not yet. I can't say it. Calm down. Sorry.

Clipped. Clipped. Clipped. But it's, we talk about it all the time. He's, no moment is too big for this kid. He just having fun. He scores in every debut of his career, truly at every level. He's a robot too.

Yeah. But he's not, that's the crazy thing. Oh, he is. He's so, he's a robot in that he loves hockey. It's all he thinks about. But he is so normal and fun. No, like, yeah. Like, I mean, his personality is infectious.

Yeah, he's hilarious. And I think Will Smith has helped that a lot. I agree. Because he was very serious in year one. and I think Will Smith has pulled it out of him and he's under saying that like, oh, this is a game, I can be fun. But like he's dialed.

He's a hybrid, dude. When they, those two were in L.A., I don't think I've told us right on the pod, but they're in L.A. one night and they were looking for a dinner. They had like, you know, they were just early dinner. Like, can't see you guys.

We have a curfew, whatever. So we send them to this spot in Venice that we like. Oh, shout out to Venice. Yeah, yeah. Shout out to Venice. Yeah. So we go to the restaurant and I talk to the manager I'm like, hey, I have a couple friends coming in.

This is their reservation. We'll take care of the bill. Wow, what a veteran move by. You never did that with me ever. Correct. Where do you think we're going after this? Well, I can't tell them. When will those air?

We'll have burned that place to the government. Okay, I'll salome and demont to Napoleon. Come on now. I leave the card or whatever, and I didn't realize that they would email me the item Yeah, they sent us the receipt receipt. So of what they got. And dude, I was dying. Does they run it up?

No, because first of all, they're 19. It's like Aquaponas. Dude, so I'm looking at their dinner. It's like two steaks, you know, a couple sides, whatever. And then like a chocolate lava cake for bowl. A couple of them. A couple chocolate lava cakes. Isn't that a, that's a sick, but that's a sick, like, I don't know if you did that

on purpose, but like ordering, like buying somebody's dinner to find out who they are inside a little bit. Like, so when like, gave us a little insight into it. That's pretty, that's wow. They were a serial killer. I thought you were Christian, I thought you were Christian Bailey, Patrick Bateman, but he's Batman.

It was my idea, but he was the one analyzing the man. Yeah. That is sick, though. I got to do that one. Dude, you know what was funny too is like, we text them after when we were like lava cakes, huh boys? And they were so rattled. They were like, oh shit.

Like you guys. You exposed me. And now you expose them again, lava cakes. Oh, I'm going to get them. The fellas. Yeah. The nickname called them lava cakes. A lava kick, boys.

Last thing on Canada, does Wilson get suspended? No, he's fine. No, he's fine. No, he's fine. Okay, yeah. He's fine. I kind of love that. I mean, what is it?

Yeah, you hate to love him, love to hate him. Yeah. But he's, when he's on your team, I've said, you are kissing that man on the forehead. I've said a million times. I'm not a Capps fan. He's one of my favorite players in the league. And I think, I think, I say the same thing about Marshan, about Sam Bennett.

I don't care if you were a fan of the rival team. You need to change your mindset on guys like this. Like appreciate how insanely valuable that type of player is. Yeah. It's crazy. I tell people he's the only guy in the league. I never cut deals. There's a couple guys I played with.

They used to cut deals where they come to the face off. Oh, what's that, buddy? And then you turn around, they cross-shicking the low back. Yeah. It's the only guy ever cut a deal with. I had a chance at like going out with him one night. So I went out with him and was like, he was a great guy. He's an awesome guy.

Oh, yeah. He's the best. I text him every now and again and just be like, hey, congratulations. guys keep going and we get out we're we're in a game it's like like two months later we're in a game and i'm you know going back for the puck and i'm wheeling the net and all i hear is like i kind of see him coming but i'm like oh my oh shit he's gonna fuck he's gonna hit me so like i rim it and by i hear him just being like hey hey hey hey hey hey like heads up yeah so i like kind of like boom i move and i get to the i'm like hey thanks man he just goes he goes he goes it goes nowhere you're

on my no hit list and i was like wait you got a no hit list that's huge who's on it and i want to know who's on it and how do i stay on it i was like how How do I stand on? I'm like, oh, God, I got to the bench. I'm like, thank God. I'm on Tom's no hitless. Dude, the rest of this. Everybody's like, what the hell just happened?

Why didn't he kill you? What did? I'm on the no hitless guys. I don't know what you guys did, but I bought him a drink. After the game, he gives you a gold card. Yeah, he's like, here you go. Redeem for one free pass on a hit. Do not lose this.

Do not. Yeah. If you whack me, you're dead. Before you move on, I just think the scariest thing for Canada for me is like everyone's going. everyone looks good. It feels like they could only lose if the bad Binner game comes,

but that doesn't look like it's coming because he's been incredible. The scariest thing for Canada is that Bittington turn the light switch on. Yeah. That's the scariest thing. If you're in this tournament,

you're like, are you kidding me? And there was zero doubt. There was zero doubt about it. It was like the second he was starting. We all doubt it. I was going to say I had doubt. I was like, we all doubt.

But like the team didn't. But like, I think we all at one point I think we doubted it going in. Yeah. But like the second, for me at least we went to that first game. Just like seeing him out there. I was like, he's going to have a fucking shout out.

Like, it's, God, sorry, I keep dropping that box. We've got to bleep these. I love a good bleep, though. Actually, I think bleeps are so funny. They're funny. They're funny. No. He is, but, like, I just saw him, and I was like, yeah, he's going to do it.

He just, he turns into a different guy, and he's done it again. So beware everyone who's playing. Yeah, them and their decor, I think, was the two. Yeah. Yeah. It was, sorry, Binner and the decor was kind of the question marks. And decor has been good. I mean, Kale, they're playing kale and Devon Taves a lot.

Yeah. They're playing big minutes. Yeah, because you have to lay down. Because they think. And we heard Josh Morrissey's potentially back for the quarters. Yeah. Might be back in the tournament. There's a big, are we about to go into USA?

Yep. Okay, because this is a perfect transition into USA. I think the big thing for both of these teams is they, no disrespect to check yet, you just, you haven't played each other. You haven't played a monster team yet. And my big questions are, what will Canada's defense look like against a team like USA or against a team like Sweden or Finland? And what will certain guys on the U.S. who have looked fantastic look like against a team like Canada? Yep.

So going into U.S., give us our talking points. But I've thought Quinn Hughes, much like Connor McDavid, is like everyone watches Canada and you just can't. I think a lot of U.S. fans who are getting a dose of Quinn Hughes for the first time are, blown away with how good this guy is. And I think Jack Hughes, credit me, has been unbelievable. And that, I think the big thing about Four Nations with Jack Hughes last year was you're playing Canada, sweet and Finland. And people are like, oh, he's getting a little bit beat up.

So I wonder, can he keep this up? Okay, so I get two for you there. So Jack's, why is Jack, why has Jack been better? Brock Nelson. Thank you. He's the best player on the team. She is. Nelson is my MVP for you to say.

No, I think right now, I mean, that first line as a whole has been great. It's Ikel. And Austin's been. Austin's been great. I want to get to Austin. We'll get to Jordy Barstall. Yeah, yeah. I think it's Ikel.

But I think they've found a good balance. I think the only guy they were kind of, I think Killer has to stay in over Connor. I think they wanted to go with Kyle Connor. And I do agree that he does have that kind of perimeter escapeability. But without top power play time, Kyle Conner is very good on the power play. I think it's, he's had a hard time adjusting those minutes. I think Keller just provides more. I just think he's going to provide more on the offense.

And I think he can create and I think this kind of style. But no, Jack, with Brock and J.T., that was the best line for first two games. Like that was like the most consistent. Because I think at times, like the factor of, you know, I've been trying to dub them the expresso line, the Brady Kachuk line. Because they just shot a life when you need it. But Jack's been good. You know, like, but again, I do agree.

I need to see him against Sweden is going to be. That game is. That's the game, dude. That's for them. If they beat Sweden, then I'm like, okay. Yeah. Like, okay, this team that Bill Guerin put together. And everybody you talk to is, everybody's like, Sweden.

Yeah. Yeah. For U.S. Oh, I'm telling you. It's the nightmare, uh, quarterfinal game. And that's no, not even sniffing a medal. Then you go home, then you build that. team, those specific choices, and you go home not even sniffing the metal, which was a bad

break with the scene, but the pressure goes. Yes, dude. Way up. Now it goes up. They got the day off. And the problem is they're going to watch Sweden beat the tires. Yeah. And now they're like, okay, we got a day.

But we saw their game plan last night against a team like Germany who has some NHL players. Oh, yeah. It's Matthew and Brady going to run around and try to knock off the top line. Yep. And then those other guys will play offense. but those guys will try to provide offense, but they're kind of a shutdown line. Matthew even told us, he's like,

we were there to kind of shut down Leon. And he's like, that's what we're going to do going forward. So they're going to get the top line, but Sweden's deep. Yeah, oh yeah, for sure. Very deep.

They're going to have to rely on the Jack Hughes. That Brock Nelson, Jack Hughes line. Yeah, you can't do nothing. Like you guys are important in this game. No question. Sorry, my second point, you mentioned Quinn Hughes. Only thing I've disagreed with you ever, I think he's been great,

but this is for people that don't know Zach Werensky. And Zach Werensky has been... He's been their best defenseman. We were at a dinner with some of the Bauer guys last night. And I was like, everyone goes, Kail's the best defenseman in league, who's next, Quinn. Still the best. Yeah, and I was like, Zach Wrenski is the next best.

I think Zach moves... He moved up. Rasmus, Dahlene, and Zach have... Shot way up. Way up. Werensky is... Good God, Almighty. Love Hayskinnan.

I think he's better than Hayskinnan. So, same. And you look at what he's doing in the NHL with a team. Leading their team of points. It's insane. Like, it's legitimately MVP vote caliber. Yeah. I'm going, look at this, look what's happening right here.

Dude, he's so good. It's crazy. And it's, I just love, I love the shape of USA's D. We got a pretty cow one. Flip that one. Shape of the D. I love the shape of USA's D. They're big and fast.

I think Quinn and McAvoy together is so perfect. It's unbelievable. I also want to give a shout out to the people on Twitter. There's all the jokes about Quinn just like disassociating and seeing ghosts. There's a clip from last night's game where McVoy's doing it too. And someone's like, oh, God. He's rubbing off. He's infected him.

They're both just like staring. I wonder what you think of like candy or puppies. I heard you. I think that all the time. We seem to get on the bench. Like after shift, he like, flops over the boards. He goes full body on top of the boards.

He just, he's like, oh. He's the most unique guy in the world. I love Quinter so much. He's a blob. He's just like, whatever aliens inside him running the controls just leaves. Yeah. But no, like their decor is what's going to be able to skate with Team Canada. Yeah. That is where

they built the roster to skate with them. The other D that I have to give a shout out to is one I've loved since I played him in 2020. Jake Sanders. Sandy, yeah. He started playing low minutes. and it's just going, tick, tick, tick, he's going up. When he started the tournament, he was like the scratch. Yeah, yeah.

And now he's playing more and more minutes every night. He's got a howlitzer on him, huh? He can shoot the puck. Like, he's let a couple go. He's got one of the fat, like biggest, this is the analytics side, like one of the biggest speed bursts in the NHL. Yeah, yeah. That's really?

That's cool. First three steps. He gets going and like when he gets the puck at the blue line and he does that couple steps into his shot, he's let a couple of snaps. off that I've been like, holy shit. He's been my favorite. So he's been my slave in of four nations.

Like, Slavin, everybody's like, oh, he's so good. Slavins, he's, he's hurt. For sure.

He's one that might be after this. Yeah. It's not great. Not great for Carolina. But Sanderson's been one where I think a lot of U.S., a lot of hockey fans,

but U.S. fans, especially are going to leave his tournament going, Jake Sanderson's pretty sick. Oh, yeah. That happened to Sanchez and Four Nations, yeah. I'm glad to you saw what you say,

because we kind of, kind of did that in our preview of like who's coming up. I said Keller was one of my guys. I think Keller is, you know, he's playing in Arizona forever. Now he's playing in Utah. And obviously Utah is a great fan base. But Utah's not yet necessarily one of the, if you're a casual fan, I'm going to tune into a mammoth game.

I think last night against Germany was pretty great for people being like, whoa, Clayton Keller is a pretty good player. He can hang out. He can hang with these guys. I think I talked to him a little bit after, off camera. Just I love that kid. like I was at start of the league like that kid to me is like he's like he's amazing take my little brother like even if I don't have to talk to me I just root for him so much so it's like when I saw him

and he was just he was like yeah he's I was like how was it I'm like you're not used to play in this low minutes hey and he's like he's like he's like the thing was he's like I haven't practiced with the guys yeah so he's like I'm coming to the game and I'm like I haven't seen any of the guys like line rushes nothing so he's like I'm sitting here like what the guy he's like he's like what's going on and he's like but he's like he's like he's like he felt good as the game went on and I'm like you I think you did enough to stay in the lineup I think in Sweden we'll see what happens yeah um all right let's talk matthews yep shutting people up do you like that yeah I had enough I had a I had a put a bleep in here I had a

I had a fucking enough like I just I'm like give the guy a goddamn break I agree man he just came here like he has to eat it in Toronto and like I'm again I've I'll be hard on him if I have to be at times. And like, again, it's like kind of the willy, like, that is who Austin is. Austin is not a guy that's going to go rah-rah, but everybody's going in that game against Denmark, oh, it's Brady, it's Matthew. No, it's the moment

when in front of the net, somebody cross-checked Austin Matthews, and he turned around and he took a penalty. Yeah. And that flipped the game. And it was three on one. And it was three on one. And I saw something saying. And I went, you know what? I said, I said, all of you. Like, I'm like, there's the moment for Team USA.

I, I, we, as everyone has, like you said, when he needs to be like, we've been hard on him, we've been critical of his. All have. Playoff performances. And, and I mean, we were even talking about our lineups, like, going into this. And, like, with the year he's had, people are like, well, where should he even play? And then he's named captain again. He's put on this top line. And you're like, okay, let's see what you can do.

But that's what you have to do is say, let's see what you can do. And he has done everything he needs to. He's leading him in goals. Leading the team in points. leading the team in goals, and he has had those moments. That three-on-one moment where he's given it to those guys, I was like, I haven't seen him do that in a leaf sweater in a long time, maybe ever.

So for every U.S. fan, he has done everything and more you could have asked. As a captain, and he's not the guy. Why would you, you can't have nine, I mean, we'd love to maybe have 20 Brady's or checks, but that'd just be able to yelling on the bench barking, like wild animals. You get a word in. So many chirps. God. So many.

Like, Austin, somebody has to kind of, you know, again. And it just, for me, it was funny, like, of all the things to set me off, because I was, like, scrolling through Twitter. And then the one thing that set me off is this dunce on Barstool, who I think, the 90% of them are dunces. I think, listen, they do, they put out great contact with their dunces. But he's like, Austin, man, he just can't want a face off.

I'm like, the guy's 70% the first two games. He sucked last game. Yeah, yeah. He was like 20%, but he scored two goals. So I just was like, I was like, he's 65% game won 72% he was like, go watch curling, you know nothing about hockey. And then the guy brought up some tweet about that Jamie Ben put out about me. I don't know if you ever heard this story because people, so I went at him and then he goes,

do you bunch moks? Yeah, because Jamie Ben made this post years ago to me. I remember. I remember. And I was like, yeah, you don't? Yeah. So I was like, what? And then everybody's. in the cons like you're outing yourself for not punching mocks.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Decipher. It's like, you don't. Yeah. Come on. What's wrong with you? It's wrong with you. Yeah. No. So I just like had a moment. I was just like, like, just give him a. Enough. I'm like, it's the prelips. If in the Sweden game, he disappears, yep, come for him. Yes. Yeah. You're playing goddamn Denmark. It's also. They're sitting five back in the neutral zone. It's also the standby your guy. You know, it's a, we're at the, we're a US two fan. Like, cut him. There's a We're like, yeah, he's playing well. Strip the sea. Strip the sea. He's playing well. I'm like, doing you.

Because that's going to happen. Yeah. I'm so pumped for him, man, because of everything you just said. He takes this all the time. Everyone loves that. I go chuck line, but so do I. It's amazing. But Austin Matthews, and you said this other day, when he started joining the league,

I definitely was drinking the U.S. Kool-Aid and was like, we're having an innate Matthews-Connor conversation. Yeah. We're not. We're not. He's one step down from that. But he's right, he's there, though. Listen, I, that's where it's tough. I'm like, do I think, do I put him in like, I think Eichol is like,

same jumped him. Yep, he has. But again, I think Austin is a very, very, he's an elite hockey player. Yeah, and the beauty of this team is we don't, I don't need him to be, yonner. Like, I love that it's like, yeah, I think Eichel's jumped him too, but I love that they're both awesome. And Quinn's awesome.

Zach's awesome. Jack is awesome. Like, it's, this is, this is. It's a great team. And the Kachuk brothers are, I just love the fact that Brady scored the first goal for the U.S. assisted by Matthew, they're just right back to doing everything. Barking like, dude, lose. Havilinas.

There's two things that I want to say. I said this to you in the Germany game. I think with a lot of injury, Matthew has been a few years removed from his 100-point season. Yeah. And he's been injured, but he's still way over point per game. I think people kind of forget how good Matthew is. and I don't think he gets enough credit for how great of a distributor he is.

He passes the puck so well. I think he's got five assists right now. And it's, I mean, man, he is, he can dish it with the best of them. And I don't think that's necessarily what people immediately think about with his game. But I want to know what you guys thought of the bridesmaid chirp.

Did we like that chirp? That's tough. Poor Leon, man. I'm like, what my thought was, initially my reaction as a hockey player It was like, was you're chirping me. We have four NHLers and you have 21 and you're sitting, you're chirping me. And I'm like, like, get a life dude.

But in the moment, his job was when we talked to him after the game, which gave me context. He was there to shut down Leon. So Leon doesn't go fully onitis. Yeah, which is possible. Because he could still do it because he has the capabilities. But he just frustrated him and they did what they had to do. And that's, those are those two guys. And that's part of it.

And of course, they're miced up for it. you know, it's, it's just incredible. Like he's, he has no, like, it's crazy because, like, as a player, like, I remember, you know, playing against him and I'd chase him around the ice and try to kill him, and we had good battles, Arizona, Calgary, and, you know, when Johnny was there, you know, rest in peace and all that, but, like, I just hated him.

So it's like, as a player, I'm sitting up there, and I'm like, oh, you saw, like, I'm on that Germany bench. Like, I'm waiting and taking a run at him in the middle of the ice and taking his head off. Yeah. But it's like, I'm like, okay, as a, media person like dial it back I'm like that's pretty funny.

Yeah. Yeah. Like what a dude. There are two things. One. Poor Leon. The he gets out the chirp. He gets out the chirp and the fact that Brady

standing there behind him going like this. Yeah. Yeah. What's the key in peel sketch? He's the hype guy. But he's like he does the T-Rex. Yeah. That's literally.

He's like the two kids from a Christmas story. Like he's like the little one behind him just egging it on. But I need to know what Leon said. Because he's he's like smiling and laughing And I'm so curious what he said to that But yeah, he must be like You're shitting me He's like, dude

He's like it's like it's a break It's me Stutzla I mean Puterca and cider I would also love to never see Matthew Could Chuck again if I was Leonjazzar If I were any members That's what I said

Poor Leonie He's gonna deal with Matthew everywhere he goes Like he saw the groups And he was like Come on I'm surprised you didn't You know I was waiting to see if you would maybe

Feed him one Yeah I I thought that'd be sick. All right, what else we got? Okay. I want to take, so this is, this will be people who are listening to this Tuesday morning. Okay. So, who shit.

These games will be happening imminent. And we will have burned the city down. Yeah, yeah, correct, correct. Okay, so Tuesday matchups are in. Who you got, France, Germany. Germany. Germany's going to, yeah. Goes through.

Germany's got an interesting path, too. Yeah, I know. Because Slovakia hasn't played a bad game yet. I agree. Yep. Italy, Switzerland. Switzerland. Swiss. Swiss. Can't miss. For Kevin.

Swiss can't miss for Kevin. Leonardo Giannone. Checks. Denmark. Checks. Checks. Sweden Lop. I think the Czechs will win that game, but I think that that's going to be a very fun game to watch.

Yeah. Denmark was playing good hockey. Every game is tight. Yeah. They're big, too. Yeah, they're very big. That Danish team is big. We talked to Nikola Eilers.

They have like a D-Man on that team, that big D-Man, who looks like he's a beerly guy. he's been at like like 40 Olympics and like world championships in multiple events he's been like since like 2010 he's been like going to like

all the world championships and like he's just been around because I was like how do you like lead this team he's like I don't lead he's like these guys have been here like 30 years yeah that's so awesome I'm a newcomer here

yeah exactly incredible and then Sweden Latvia everyone's got Sweden Sweden's going to dog walk him yeah before the I'm terrified about that I think Sweden might win that game like 7-0 and we're like oh Jesus Christ.

Yeah. Before the tournament started, I had Canada gold, U.S. silver, Czechs, bronze. You had U.S. gold, Canada silver, Sweden, bronze. Redo it now and I want your predictions top three. Well, I was talking to somebody because, you know, I do the whole Charlie Day thing where I'm like, I'm like, what about this? My wild scenario is like Germany wins. They beat Slovakia.

and then they're in the semi-finals against, and then it gets receded. They'll be against Canada. Yep. And then they'll end up playing like a bronze medal game. Germany. That would be sweet.

Against U.S. will get Sweden. He's like Canada beats or Germany beats Canada. Imagine that. Like just the, Leon Connor. Leon Connor in the semi.

That would be gas. That's actually pretty sad. I can't put my foot up. No, but I think, you know, right now, man, no one's talking about Finland. And I watch them.

I completely. Their game is like, and throw out the 11-0-0, like even that first game against Slovakia, they outshot them. Big time. Yeah, big-time. They just couldn't get a save.

Yeah. And Halevi was, played the game of his life. Yeah. Like they should have went 3 in 0 Finland. Yeah. Fair, actually. I'm like,

ooh, no one's saying the words. They're the three-seed right now, right? Or no, they're the four seed. The four seed. The four seed. Yeah, yeah. It's, because Slovakia is the third.

So they're going to. So if they, if it's chalk into the semis, They get Canada. Yeah. Like that, it's lining up for Canada, Finland, Sweden, U.S. Yeah. And that is an interesting development. Four nations.

It's Four nations again. Wow. If that happens. You know what everybody's going to say. Gary is just sitting like this and he's like, I told you. Got it right, folks. Got it right. I told you.

God, the guy is a wizard. But U.S. is going to get Sweden in the quarters, though. Is that right? Like don't. U.S. gets Sweden in the quarters. That's correct. Yeah.

So that's tough. Oh, yeah. Sorry, that's where, sorry. That's where, yeah. Sorry, Sweden or it's Slovakia or Germany that will make it to the Sennies. Officially, is that right? So it's going to be. Yeah, Slovakia, Germany.

So Sweden or U.S. If you're picking Sweden or U.S. to meddle, one's gone. Yeah, officially Sweden or U.S. is not meddling. Crazy. That is crazy, dude. I think it sucks. I hate to see. I have the brakes.

I'm going with Sweden. I'm going to take a flyer. I'm going to say Canada gold. Yep. I'm going to see. Don't do it. He's going to, dude. I don't do it.

I can't do it. Canada gold, U.S. silver, and I'm going to say, I think I'm going to go just a flyer. I'm going to say Finland bronze. I don't even need to go. It's the same for me.

Okay. I think Finland looks, I mean, 11, nothing. I know it was Italy, but. So that's my, so that is my, that is what I think. But my, like, bizarre world is,

my bizarre world is, Finland wins gold. Sweden wins silver And That would honestly be Canada If we had a Finland Sweden gold medal Yeah, it's in the US and Canada Don't matter

They don't matter That's your bizarre world It's like we're all sitting here like Watch and Gary's like No I like it my bizarre world is Sweden gold Like that Slovakia game gave Sweden all the juice they need So Sweden goes on and wins gold

Canada gets upset by... Finland. They catch them in the semis, right? Yeah. So Sweden beats Finland in the gold battle. Yes. Rematch. That's what... It's hard to beat a team twice. Yeah. Hard to be two nations.

Hard to be two times. Yeah. Looking for our nations. So Finland, Sweden. And then Canada plays Germany. Germany in the bronze medal. And loses and Leon. Connor and Leon play against each other for the first time ever. I like Pizarro world. Yeah, yeah. I'm reading for this now.

Connor and Leon play against each other for the first time ever. And it messes with Connor's programming so bad that he doesn't know what to do. Yeah. Germany wins. Ask for a trade. He hates Leon. Yeah. Yeah.

I can't live with this man. Can't live with him. Huge trade. Goes to L.A. L.A. wins the Cup. L.A. wins the Cup. L.A. wins the Cup.

L.A. because now they have all of the Kevin Fiala money. Oh, this is perfect. Unbelievable. This is perfect. This is perfect. We haven't, I mean, Slovakia, you're right. Sapkowski.

Yeah. It's been really fun. Really fantastic. Yeah. Okay. Here's my last thing. explain to me why we are in Italy. And I'm not even a huge beer guy.

I'd rather a cocktail or something else. And I had a beer two nights ago that was one of the most delicious Italian pilsners I've ever had in my life. Monta bene. Explain to me why that's available in this country. And I go to the game. And the only thing that you can drink,

the only thing that you can drink at the hockey game. Corona. Our tiny corona. My corona. I every What happened? No offense, Corona. They're not a sponsor.

What is going on? It is the craziest thing in the world to me that Corona is the only drink option there. How can I not get an Italian red at this game? Can you imagine you're a Czechie, a Czech or Eastern European guy, drink the best beers? You pay all this money to come to hockey and you walk in and you go,

On Swad's beer. Yeah. And what do you have? We only got Corona. And they're tiny. It's big. What? And they're seven.

I tell you what, they've found a way to get themselves blacked out. Yeah, they sure do. Oh, for sure. Yeah. Yeah. They're doing 20 at a time. You can buy four at a time and I've seen them come by doing the claw. They got a finger in each one. Yeah. That's so good. That has been the most baffling things because we'll go to these games and I'm like, oh, you know, USA game. Let's get into one here. Yeah. And they're like this. We have mini coronas. Before we wrap up, this will have happened while you guys are listening to this.

But tonight, the women semis, we got U.S. Sweden, Canada, Switzerland. Is this just going to be U.S. Canada again? Yeah. But as it should be, it's going to be so fun. That's a great. It's an all-time hour. U.S. is, U.S. is wet. They are so good.

It's insane. Don't even need to gas up our girls again because they are unbelievable. I am, no offense, Canada. I am a little bummed that it's U.S. Sweden in the semis. Because the Sweden women have been so good. And I wanted a Sweden-U.S. Great tournament for them. Yeah.

Is, are you calling the women's gold? Potentially. That'd be sick. I really want to go to that game if we can get there. That'd be so awesome. Is he trying to give me tickets for me? Yeah, yeah. Give me a buying you lunch.

On air. We're getting you lunch, dude. We're not getting you gold tickets, too. Jesus. No, I'm trying to get tickets from him. No, I don't get tickets. I have to sit in the media area. You see your table.

That'll be really good. We got some games to go watch, so we're going to wrap things up. Huge shout out to the YouTube studio. Oh, my goodness. change our whole last. Incredible. We're going to... We're moving to Milan.

We're moving to Milan. We're going to eat lunch at this place every day for the next 360. This would actually be an incredible life if we just get to pod here and then go to lunch forever. Yeah. Well, guys, I'm available. We're here for a while. The contract's up here. Come on.

Here we go. We've been talking about this. All right, we're going to go eat some lunch. We're going to go watch some hockey. Hopefully you all do the same in your own version. And until we see you in the elimination rounds. skate hard skate hard