OverDrive - OverDrive - February 18, 2026 - Hour 1 - Cheryl Pounder

Episode Date: February 18, 2026

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O’Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 1 on OverDrive! The guys discuss Canada's overtime win against Czechia, Mitch Marner's game winner and his impact to the roster, Jordan Binnington's clutch mentality in the crease, Sidney Crosby's injury status and Macklin Celebrini's position in the lineup. TSN Hockey Analyst Cheryl Pounder joins to discuss Canada's QF win, the team playing through Crosby's injury and Canada and USA playing in the women's gold medal game and McDavid leading the tournament MVP run.

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All right, here we go, overdrive, off and running. TSN 1050 on the TSN app, your home smart speaker, up on TSN. 5 up on YouTube live Brian Haseo, Doug Jeff O'Neill, Jamie Noodles, McClellan. What's going on today? What's going on? How are we doing?

How are we feeling? Hasey, you need to explain something to me because I'm concerned that people have lost their damn minds, and I need you to break down something with me. Today was a great day for hockey. A great day for overdrive. A great day.

for Mitch Marner. And all I saw on Twitter was idiots and morons, some reputable people who should be ashamed of themselves, and all it turned into was a gong show where it was like, Toronto, you're idiots, look what you have and Mitch Marner, and then this guy was arguing this. I'm like, can't we enjoy anything anymore? Can it be nice that Mitch Marner had a great moment and won a game for Canada?

Why did Twitter turn into a Woburn? W.E cage match where, can you explain that to me? Well, you can't possibly be surprised. I mean, you can't possibly be surprised. So that couldn't have just been a nice moment, which it was. Of course, it was a great moment. I mean, it was electric, man. It was 1 p.m. Eastern time on a Wednesday.

My kids are at school. My wife's at work. I'm in my house going nuts. I got guys dropping deliveries off. It's snowing like crazy. I'm thinking, how am I going to shovel? With five minutes left, I get a time. text from the grappler saying, are we rolling out hello darkness, my old friend at 4 p.m.

I'm thinking that is going to be played at 4 p.m. today. And the whole show is going to be about how awful everything is and how could it possibly happen. But the reality is the Leafs are a driving force of the hockey world and whether it's pumping tires, not pumping tires. and the history of Lee fans, unfortunately, is a history of living in a hypothetical world, a what-if world. What if Kary Fraser called the high stick? You know, what if they beat the Sabres in 99?

What if they beat your hurricanes in 2002? What if they didn't trade Cadre? What if they kept Lou instead of Dubas? And probably the ultimate one will now be what if with Mitch Marner. That's probably what's going to happen for the rest of time. what have he stayed what have they traded someone else what have they had and it has nothing to do with the leaps he's playing for canada scoring raw i can't it i know but i tried to explain to somebody that was at my house my contractor was putting a railing in and i said to him two things can be true

he didn't get the job done come playoff time for the maple leaves and he also had great moments at the four nations and then this tournament winning in an overtime like just because that he had these couple moments with the Canada team at the Four Nations and here doesn't mean that he was awful and we were totally misunderstood and are analyzing of his play for the Maple Leafs. Like two things are true there. I just don't know why it turned into an absolute gong show. Man, the guy must be polarized.

It was just a, it was a cage match on Twitter, a cage match. You're right, though. But, Brian, you're right. It's because it's the Leafs and because it's the way, like he left, Keep that in mind. He had an opportunity to re-sign, and he didn't. He decided to leave. But this is a different team.

I don't see, you know, Morgan Riley's not on the defensive end playing with him today. You don't have Stolar's in net. It's different. So he's playing for Canada. He has tremendous success. I think you're allowed to be happy for him and for Canadians today. I was scared. I was texting in the group text.

I was nervous. Hayes, you said next goal wins, and then check scores it. You're like, oh, my God. And it wasn't like it was, they scored with 18 minutes left in the third. That was, what, seven and a half or something? Not even, yeah. Yeah, I was nervous. And I'm thinking, okay, it's going to be goalie gate.

What's wrong with Bennett? You know, what's going on here? What's going on there? McDavid can't get it. It's legacy stuff. But they found a way to get it done. It's one step. They found a way.

It's one step. It's one step. They still got two more, right? They still got to win two more games. I mean, the play Marner made was a phenomenal Mitch Marner play. And that's what I think everyone should appreciate it because Leaf fans know it better than everyone because we got to see it for so long. Yes, we didn't see it in game seven against Florida or against Tampa or against Boston, and that's a completely separate story.

We're going to have those chats for the rest of time. That's just the reality of it. That's the way it works with sports and Leaf fans and he is a polarizing figure. but he that was a Mitch Marner he got the line he basically pressed pause and said I can go to Celebrini or I can find a gap

everyone thought he was going Celebrini far aside I thought so I think the three checks thought so he found a gap it was not a rifle like Matt Sundeen back in it was just perfectly placed it was beautiful and it was the biggest goal of his life and obviously that's because he hasn't had

bigger goals in his NHL career. It's only the quarterfinals. I hope he has a bigger one. I hope he's got two more in them. I hope he has a huge one in the semis and a huge one in the goals because this isn't about, I don't care about the Leafs right now. They're practicing. I couldn't care less about what's going on.

I love that Chris Tannows out there. I should say that. That's amazing. But I'm on the Canadian train like everyone else. There should be 35 million Canadians who are saying, Thank God Mitch Marner's over there. That's all I could think of Brian. It was amazing.

It was like, yeah, what an amazing moment for the country for Mitch and the comeback story and the bizarre eight guys on the ice for the checks. And it was just awesome entertainment. And for it to turn into like, Jesus, there are some people. They're losing their damn minds. But that's the thing, though. Let's put the Leafs to bed because, again, they're not playing in Milan. The Leafs are not over there.

But this is where, yes, Leaf fans and Leaf media are guilty of hammering away at Leaf storylines, of course, the rest of the country is obsessed with the Leafs. They always have been, and they always will be. And that's a bigger driving force here. It's not the Leafs. It's Montreal and Vancouver saying, can you believe this? Look what Mitch did, and he's in Vegas now. Dude, even the players have to care more about others.

Even the players, Brian, after the game were like, oh, I thought Mitch couldn't get it done in key moments must be a Toronto thing. I'm like, what is going on here? But they're being asked the question noodles. That's what's happening. Exactly. Exactly. They're being asked the question, and what they're doing is taking subtle shots.

Mark Stone is happy to have Mitch Marner as a teammate. Just as Austin Matthews was happy to have Mitch Marner as a teammate last year, I keep reminding people, this was a transaction. He moved on. He put nine years in, and he played pretty damn well for nine years for the Toronto Maple League. Yes, they didn't have team success. But we talk about it. You know, Connor McDavid's been to the finals two years in a row.

He hasn't had team success yet, but he's still the best player in the world. Two things can be right, what you're saying, oh. But at the end of the day, people just want to complain to complain. There's people going, oh, Jordan Bennington. Hey, you know what he does? He wins. He wins. And regardless of what you like or what you disliked, I didn't, it's a weird, and I'm nitpicking as a goal.

I didn't love the pass-to-knock power play goal. I'll be honest. I thought it was a bullet, man. It was a bullet. And sometimes the player, you give a tip of the cap and say, what a bomb of a shot. But I guarantee you, Bennington will watch the replay and feel like he could have played it a little bit differently. That's just a nitpicking goal-tending thing. But I thought Bennington made some really good saves.

Again, he doesn't look overwhelmed by the moment. He's not, you know, he's got ice in his veins. And that doesn't mean he's going to deliver a goal just because he wants. won this game, but he is the guy. You know, he's proving it time and time again that they're comfortable with them. They're not, John Cooper's not worried about it. Throws him out there and Four Nations Stanley Cup. And this was a big game and they needed a few big saves.

And I thought he played very, very well. He gave it to them. Like, Natchez had the breakaway late. He made two great saves there. There was a post-to-post on three-on-three in overtime. He made a great save. Like there was, I don't, I don't, it was a left shot. I don't know who it was on the check.

team kind of came down Broadway and he made a great save and yeah i mean that's the reality of of binnington is it's he is obviously polarizing because of his statistics we understand it we get it i think it's going to be unfair if they get to the semis and they lose two one people are going to say i knew it and that's unfair now in the semis he gives up four goals on six shots then you can say I knew it. You can. But you've got to be fair with this analysis. And, you know, what he's done so far is he shows up in the biggest moments.

And it's very clear. I understand what you're saying with that, Brian, with the comments. But it's almost like the idea, like even the comments during the game with these idiot people that are watching it, they're like, you know, some stuff's not going on. And it's like, you know, there's only the one line going. And then it starts. It's like, why is Nick Suzuki on this team? Anybody's seeing Mark? Like, it's just, like, they don't understand.

It's the best of the best, and not everybody is Eric Lindross on every shift, where they get the part. Like, it's just, sometimes you have a bad night. So it's like you're obviously going to say, I told you so, if he doesn't have a great game in the next one. But sometimes in a one game elimination game, Matt, it's like you don't have your A game, and that's just the way it goes. And that's what's concerning, guys. That's, honestly, a goalie can do it. good or bad. Your own goalie doesn't have a good game.

The other goalie steals one. You have a great performance. I thought you've got to give the Czech Republic a lot of credit. They played yesterday. They played hard. And they've got, for the most part, their team are NHL players. Like that's, you know, they know how to play. And they were really, they played well today.

They deserved a lot of credit. I saw their coach, I mean, chirping about the refs and stuff like that. I mean, honestly. Well, the problem with that is the Palat goal, they had six guys on the ice. the whole break. Like six guys in the hug. Broke up the ice with six guys on the ice, and all six were in the huddle after the goal.

So that-stop. Whoever stops showing these still pictures. It's embarrassing. I know. We've got to stop with the still-tops. Stop it. It's embarrassing. Why?

Please. I don't mind it. It's stupid. Either show the goal or I'm not looking at those still-picts. We can. We don't have the rights to. That's why we're not. Stop showing the still pictures.

It's embarrassed. Drive. It's not Joe from the... Why are you so bent out of shape today? Canada won. This is what I don't understand. You're yelling and screaming and mad at everybody. Canada won.

Honestly, God, do you win? They lost today. Did they lose? I would get the reaction if they lost. They won the game. I'm mad at... I thought it would be more... I'm happier than anybody.

I don't like this. Still stay up. No. No. It looks terrible. Either show us the goal or... We're not allowed to. We don't have the rights.

Okay. No more still pictures. All right. Everyone was just attacking players, and it's like, it's not a game of perfect man. That was my only point about dinner. And I agree with you. And the flip side of it all, if they lost, because you're right, noodles, like, Chekiy showed up to play.

They were aggressive. They did, dude. They were better than Canada in the first, like better than Canada. And then Canada started to come alive, obviously. And I think Canada over the course of the game outperformed them, but that doesn't matter. It's about the scoreboard. And they were, you know, four or five minutes away from winning or a show. shot in overtime from winning.

And if that happened, it wouldn't mean Bennington's a stiff. It wouldn't mean, see, Marner should have left. I knew I was right. You know, like none of these narratives ended today or would have ended either way. They all continue. But the reality is Canada survived. I mean, that's what happened today. They found a way to survive.

And, you know, I think we're possibly burying the lead because the biggest story is probably Sidney Crosby. And that was really tough. off to watch him leave. It looked bad. I mean, it looked very troubling in terms of what could be the... Who knows what he injured? It's a lower body injury.

I think that's pretty clear. But, you know, it's a scenario where that's your captain. This is his last Olympic Games. You know, the idea that he's going to be here in four years, I think, is asking too much. It's not happening, dude. It's a lot. It's not happening. And, you know, he was out.

And that could have killed the bench. Like, that could have been... very deflating. You're down 2-1 and SIDS out. That could have been very deflating. Well, as good as those players are, Hayes, it seemed like the balance kind of disappeared a little bit when he left the ice because it was like McDavid-McKinnon and Sellebrini,

and then they were buzzing with McCar on the ice, and when they got off, not a whole lot going on. Not a whole lot going on. And it sounds like what I like about it, and again, you're just hearing stuff, but that Sid addressed the team after the second period, too. Like a little leadership type of stuff. I love that.

And you know what? These guys know how to play. And this is why I'm coming back to the Bennington. We'll move on. But everyone's about, what is Logan Thompson's history in international hockey and deep into the playoffs and stuff? Like, at least with Jordan Bennington, we know there's a history. And coming back to Sid, I love the fact that he addressed the team, but I am concerned moving forward because he's a big pillar. And I think a lot of guys in the room, they look to him.

They look to him to lead the group. to stabilize the group. And they could have wilted in the third period. You know, that's a coin flip third period. Big time. Where, you know, that breakout, regardless of six guys on the ice, they score there with seven and a half minutes. He don't have Sid.

You know, maybe a quiet bench. Very deflating. And like the guy who basically took his spot with Suzuki, and he scores the time goal. You know, on a beautiful tip, man. Like, that was going three feet wide. And he tipped that puck. and he was at the end of his shift

and he could have quit on that play too. He could have dumped it in and said, check please, get McDavid over the boards. And he chased it down. He had a great forecheck. He kept the play alive and he went to the net. And that's what you need

because, you know, these are debt players that showed up for you. Like that's what Marner is. That's what Suzuki is. They're great players. And you need that on a cup run, on a gold medal pursuit, you need it.

But it's McDavid, McKinnon, McCarr, not be available to you. How about Salabrini at three points today? A goal and two assists. It's just amazing that obviously they start three on three in overtime.

McKinnon and McDavid, the second two out, Marner and Salabrini. And he's out there and he should be out there and he performed incredibly well again today. And I think if Sid is going to be out, like that's a kid, I wonder what they're going to do with him. I don't think they'll move him to the middle of the ice.

Maybe you have to, Brian. It's an interesting thought. It's an interesting. It's an interesting thought. If you load up a line or spread it out. Put McDavid and then put Sellebrini and try to stack a second line. But are you not, were you not happy with, like to me, were you not happy with Suzuki sliding in there? Like I thought Suzuki's fine. I thought he was fine.

He's not overwhelmed. Yeah, I mean, he scored a goal, clearly. But I'm just saying they clearly put an emphasis on three guys up the middle of the ice. And if that third guy is not available, the next guy up would be Sellebrini, I would think. I don't think you touch him from that top line. There's too much mojo going on there, and I think whoever you believe can center that third line can go with Stone and Marner. Like it's been proven.

Marner drives a line. He can drive a line, regardless of what people think, he can drive a line. Everyone knows that. It's just a matter of the biggest moments. I mean, everyone knows who he is. But, you know, I get it, and I understand the word, you know, biggest moments, Brian, but you only get a few in your career. So far, he's had a couple big ones in the last calendar year for him.

And yes, it wasn't for the Toronto Maple Leafs the way that people wanted or expected. But, you know, best on best, he doesn't look out of place. He looks comfortable and he's playing with great players and he's making them better as well. So good on him. People can go back to bagging on him or, you know, being pissed off at him or hating him a week from now. But right now, you need all those players in that dress room. And I thought he's, you know, I said it before, I was bullish on it. I said, I thought he was an X factor because I thought he's, you know, if you have him on matchups on the third line, you're looking pretty good.

Because you're going to get different matchups, right? Big time. No, he's been, he's been very good. Stone, playing with Stone has been hugely beneficial for him. Yeah. And, you know, by the end of the game, they kind of loaded up two lines. And it felt like McCar didn't come off the ice. and that's something that sticks out to me is like the and we knew that coming in but like mccar to

whoever is next is a massive gap and it's it's a it's a testament to his greatness he's so good but you know and it's not that it's a problem i still i think they're going to win goal i believe that and i think going to peraco is still a good player and doubt he's a good player and it's just he is so good dude he is disgusting like i think i i think there is a separation, and you guys could probably tell me to the degree, like Eric Carlson at his best, McCar is still like, like in his prime Eric Carlson, like McCar is another notch above that. Like I just think he's that good. And that's a pretty scary proposition.

It is. There were a time where we were talking on this show if Carlson was at, what, three, McDavid, you know, Crosby, Carlson type of thing. there's times where we've had this whether we like we've had the conversation is there anybody who's ever going to challenge mac david and we say maybe mckinan but i think mccar different position how dominant they are that's how good he is and did you guys see those shifts where it was mcdiv mckinin and mccar out there was celibini and tase it was like and they jacked it up a couple notches and it was like that was incredible survival like the checks to their credit they were like just Check, check, check, clock up everything you can and survive. Exactly. The checks did a great, like I can't give them enough credit. Big time.

They were desperate. They played hard. I thought Dostel made a couple good saves. You know, it was, that's as good at hockey. And again, I don't know, Brian, if it's a good thing or a bad thing that you say it's a one o'clock on a Wednesday, you know? You know, like, it just, it felt different. The reality, exactly.

It would be great if it was 7 p.m. And everyone could get together. Like I had I picked up my oldest from school and she was like yeah our class was going nuts the school was going crazy Which is great because I asked her. I'm like do you know what happened? She goes yeah we won an overtime And I would have to believe schools and businesses around the country that that's kind of cool too I find you know Sometimes it's kind of it's more memorable in a way if it's that unique yeah I remember doing that in school when I was growing up like the teacher would fire the game on it was awesome Yeah I think it's mandatory on Friday, we don't know when they're going to play, but if it's the 1040 or 110 Eastern,

that game's got to be on throughout the country. It's got to be. You have to have that game on for every classroom across the country. And, you know, it's cool, like walking into a dentist office and you're like, can we get the game on? Absolutely. You know, let's go. Let's fire up this root canal. No drugs, because I've got to watch.

You know, let's do it raw. We're raw dogging this root canal so I can watch a game. You know, you got to do it. You got a sacrifice for your country to watch these games. But Sunday, if they get there, and they're going to play for a medal, but hopefully it's gold, that game will be at 8-10. What is their traffic now, Brian, the winner of what? Like, is it this?

Well, if Sweden beats the U.S., they'll play Sweden. And then I believe if the Americans win, they'll play Finland, I believe it is. What time is that U.S. game on? Is that on tonight? It's on right now. Now, it's zero, zero, halfway through the second period. Both goalies have made unreal, like, unreal saves. Yeah.

Like, this Halebuss. Sweden's had some great, great looks, and Halebuck's made some big saves, and Marksram has just robbed Eichl in tight. I mean, there's some good hockey going on, so it's good. And I'm nervous for the U.S. too. Just like I was nervous for Canada. You know, you get these teams, you're down into the good teams, Not the ones that would lose to the Vancouver Canucks, these ones?

What's the Czechia of Vancouver best of seven? What happens? Chequieu wins, though. They win? Because Chequia has all NHL players. Not all. The captain's a guy that doesn't play in the NHL. What I'm saying is that my line was Switzerland and France,

and all of these teams that have one or two NHL players would get dummied. You get the higher-end teams like that, that's when you're looking at it. And U.S. just scored. So, okay, one-nothing Americans. I feel like they're going to sweat it out and they'll squeak through. And I feel like semis, both teams, I don't know what's going to happen on Friday, but as we've been saying for the last couple of months. Yeah, let's get Canada-U.S. cooking and see where the chips fall.

Speaking of which, tomorrow, by this time, we're going to have crowned a gold medalist in the women's side of the bracket, Canada versus the United States. We're going to tee that up. We'll continue to look back on the big win in overtime today. Canada getting past Czechia, 4-3. U.S. Sweden currently plans will have updates on that all day. So full breakdown of what happened today. What's going to happen tomorrow?

Canada versus U.S. in the women's goal. We'll catch up with Cheryl Pounder who's over there. We're going to catch up with Struddy. Jason Strudwick is coming on here to pump the tires of Mitch Marner. That is what is going to happen today. He is going to pump the tires of Mitch Marner. We've got picks for the Genesis. We're back at Riviera.

We'll get to that. We've got role play coming up. We're off and running over. Overdrive continues. TSN app and up on YouTube live. All right, overdrive continues. Brought to you by Fandu, bringing you more ways to play your game, your way. Get to our best bets on the Genesis in just over an hour.

Roll play in about an hour. Jason Strudwick coming up, Canada with a 4-3 win in overtime over Chequia. And if you did not see the game, it was a sweat. The whole game. The whole game. It was. It was in the lead, basically the whole game. outside of Celebrini early

and obviously McKinnon tied it up and Suzuki tied it up and Marner wins it in overtime. Did you guys not get the yick early where you're like something's not right here? Like I totally had a bad vibe where I'm like I just don't have, I got a bad feeling about this. Dude, I had a World Junior vibe.

That's what it felt like. Yeah. World Juniors, check you. I'm like it's two one. It's like the air came out of this. Yeah, and it's like the air is out and I don't know if they're doing it. And I had the same vibe because

I kept thinking, are we looking ahead? We're looking past this going, I can't wait for America, Canada, you know, and you're going, these other countries are going, putting their hand up going, we're pretty damn good too. Czechia is one of them, Sweden's one of them, Finland's one of them, like you're looking at it. The longer that game went, the more nervous I was because I felt, because it might not have been the goaltender's fault.

You throw a puck towards a net and you get a double deflection off of two shin pads and the game's over. it. You know, that's what I kept envisioning. This is what's going to happen here. And they found a way to get it done, Mitch Marner with him. Beauty in overtime, man. Unbelievable individual.

Watch three guys, like, Bates, one on three, really? One on three. He picked that up before his own blue line. And, like, it was just a brilliant goal. It was a brilliant play. And they needed that. They needed someone to play hero because it wasn't going to be a blowout. You knew that early.

Right? You knew it. By the end of the first, they weren't winning six-two. You knew it was going to be a sweat. Jackie played very well. You know, and listen, we get to the Olympics every four years when the NHLers are there, or even when they're not, and people realize, oh, wait a minute, it's three-on-three-in-overtime. Yeah, it's three-on-three-in-overtime.

And that's how it's going to be in the semis if it gets there and in the gold medal game. By the way, if the 10-minute ended in three-on-three, is that when it goes to a shoot-out? Shootout. Oh, my God. That's terrible. It should be a 20-minute three-on-three. That's 98, man. That's 98.

I don't know. All over again. This three-on-three, I don't love it. It's entertaining, though, noodles. It is entertaining, man. I get it. I hear you. It's not the purity of the sport.

Would you feel the same way if pasta scored that today? You know what I mean? I'd obviously feel burned, but my thought on that is I think three-on-three actually benefits Canada because there's so much more talented in the high-end. talent is just better. McDavid, McKinnon, McCar, three-on-three. I'll take my chances. All right, so Canada has survived, and they're off to the semis on Friday.

So the next 48 hours, we got some big games. We've got some big games coming up on the women's side, Canada, USA, gold medal tomorrow. High demand. Absolutely. It's going to be the biggest game in the country tomorrow, right? Like, everyone's going to be jacked for it. And Cheryl Pounder's been over there calling all these games. Her and Kenzie have done a phenomenal.

job. Cheryl's the busiest woman in Milan. It's either the women's side, the men's side. She was calling the Finland game today. Here she is from Milan. Probably doing some curling. Yes, I'm probably doing everything. Cheryl Pounder joining us. Are you doing Bob Slet over there? What else are you doing? Boys, I'm doing it all. And you know what I had a day off and I did a lot of apparel sprits. That's what I'll tell you. On a patio, on the canal, ran into everyone. So, yeah, no, it was busy. It was my first day off. I think 18 days. So I enjoyed myself, but I was ready to go today. That's what we love to hear, as you should.

And I know you were preoccupied at times today, but I know you watched the Canada game. You had your eye on everything, and you've been covering the men's side. We'll get to the women's in a moment. But, you know, the word survival comes to mind today, but do you think this could possibly benefit Canada, the fact that they've got to scare here,

could this catapult them into the semis with maybe a different mentality that, in a way, they needed? Yeah, I think anytime, I mean, hey, when we're all sitting there with five minutes left and it's two one or the, sorry, the checks are up, you're sitting there going, okay, enough is enough here, boys. And I was on the call with Kenzie on the Finland quarterfinal. So, you know, we had it kind of in the background and we're kind of watching and break to see what was going on. And incredible stuff, really, and sometimes when you face adversity in these types of tournaments and, yeah, very well could have gone the other way and we're all sitting, you haven't post-mortem. talking about how the best team potentially ever iced, you know, isn't even making it to the semis. But for whatever reason, they found a way.

And whether it's Nick Suzuki, who didn't get off to the start he might have wanted, finding the back of the net for the equalizer and then Marner. You know, those things are certainly types of goals that get guys going. And they feel like, okay, now we've faced some adversity. The lineup got changed with Sidney Crosby out. And they found a way. And I think at the end of the day, if you find a way, regardless of how it happens, it pushes through. And this is a Canadian team we all know.

We've all been talking about the Macklin Celebranis of the world, or if you load up that top line, what it looks like, or if you get Morrissey back into the lineup. But, yeah, I turned to Kenzie in the booth and I said, okay, that's it. You know, this is the team that's going to show itself now, right, true. But, yeah, for a moment, you're all sitting there going, I'm sending text to my family that are in the stands at the game going, and oh my God, is this really happening? That's believe me, what everyone was thinking here throughout the country. I can't believe this is how it's going to end.

You know, the buildup, we've been waiting 12 years, and they just beat up on Chequia a week ago. Yeah. And, you know, it obviously did not end up playing out that way because Canada survives. You mentioned Sidney injury. You know, you've been in so many rooms with captains and big players. And, you know, if, we're knocking on wood, but if he's out for, for the final two games, how much of an impact do you think that will have on Canada?

And who do you look at that you think has to step up the most? Well, first of all, Hayes, I mean, it's Sydney Crosby. So, of course, it has an impact, right? It's like on the other side of it, in the women's game, when they lose Poulin, you know, clutch players that just have the gene. You know, even at the end of the game, how many people are thinking themselves with five minutes left, oh, my God, we don't have Sidney Crosby out there. Or we can't turn to a guy like that.

And so to me, it's irreplaceable. You're not going to replace this type of player with the experience and that gene, that none of us, you know, we look at those generational talents and we say they've got the gene, they've got the, you know, that certain something that just knows how to bring it to elevate their game when it matters the most. So if it's out, I think it's by committee. This is a roster that can win, you know, without Sidney Crosby, but it's about stepping up. And the one line that had stayed intact was his. So it's interesting to see, you know, what will happen.

You saw Suzuki move to the middle. You saw McKinnon elevate to the top line. So what's going to happen with the fourth line with, you know, is Boravut going to have to do more? Like there's all of those things, but I think it's by committee because it doesn't just affect one line. It does have a trickle-down effect. But these are the top guys in the country. And so they can find a way. They are good enough.

I think Morrissey likely comes back into the lineup. I think you need his mobility on the blue line. So, yeah, can they do it absolutely? But does it affect you? Of course it does. It's Sidney Crosby, and we've all been saying his name for so many years. But it always goes hand in hand with the Canadian flag and what he's been able to do for his country on the biggest stage.

So, Cheryl, I'll talk about both sides, the men's and the women's. You know, Canada saw some adversity today for the men's side. and the women's, you just talked about the injury to Poulin. Do you think some of this adversity will help galvanize the group moving forward? Because the men's side hadn't had much adversity in their first couple games. They were just kind of rolling through everything seemed to fall into place. The women's went through some adversity earlier on with the Poulin injury. Do you think that this adversity could help them maybe, you know,

band together and get to that next level? I think adversity can go out like it can go two ways right and you guys all know having played like it's yeah sometimes you know fial is out I thought Switzerland was going to pull off you know pull off the game today until the end of the game you know sending the video message and you see the chemistry and you feel it and sometimes it doesn't work out but to me when you get through it regardless of whether you got a lucky break or it was a call or whatever when you get through it and you get to the other side you get the W you're advancing you're advancing yeah, you feel like you can do it. There's that feeling. And so for me, when you face it, and then the puck drops the next game, when you're behind late in the game, you know, you have the muscle memory of, yeah, okay,

we came back from this, we found a way. And so it's more a muscle memory, and you've got so many on the men's team, I mean, you've got veterans who've played in Stanley Cup finals, you've got, you know, you've got that experience. So I think they had it anyway, and which is likely why they found a way to get it done, but I do think it can galvanize.

I think that with the Poulin injury, it's a little different because she's been the one over the course of, you know, since 2010 that has been the key player to be the difference maker when it mattered the most. And much like against Switzerland in the semifinal, she did the exact same thing. And we're like, are you kidding me right now? So to me it's less about having the adversity they faced,

especially for the women, because they've faced it this whole year. Like they're 0-win-7 against the United States. So to me it's about more, okay, it's one game. Everyone's got February 19 circled on their calendar. And when puck drops, in that moment, for that one moment of time, it's even. And so having played in a similar situation in 2002, having lost eight straight games to the Americans, were they better?

Damn right, they were better. I mean, we lost eight-stray games. If we played a series of seven, we were losing. But in one game, you can get. yourself up to the point where, yeah, we're the underdog or whatever, and we can find a way. So I think it's going to be interesting tomorrow, guys, especially with the women's team. I think the men's team is expected to win because, I mean, look at the roster. But yeah, there's 60 minutes of hockey, and there's that certain something called belief.

And when other teams have it, and they're playing against you, and they think you can beat you once, as we saw today gave with the checks. And we heard the commentary right before. Well, we weren't going to beat them twice, so today's the day. and that's how Canada has to feel on the women's side going in tomorrow. Cheryl, what's the one area? I know you talked about the winning streak the U.S. has, and be quite honestly, they've kind of outclassed them in the performances where there have been some lopsided victories.

Other than going out and giving it the old Canadian effort and stuff like that, like what has to happen? Is there American players that are just shredding them or like what's got to go down to flip the switch tomorrow? So I think there's two things, oh, and you know, me from my technical side, I actually think it's less about technical, and it is about they have to win face-offs, and they have to be first to the puck. So if they can get in on the hunt on the forecheck, to me they have a chance. If the Americans are able to get into their zone, I think they're in major trouble.

And so, you know, because the Americans are able, they've just got pace, they've got finesse, they've got all of that. But one thing that anyone finds difficult, especially on small ice, is when you have to go back for a puck and you've got a relentless forecheck. The difference being is you have to have possession to be able to establish that. So, like, you've got to get it in deep. You have to have the puck in the neutral zone. You have to.

So to me, the Americans are better. So Canada has to find a way to either get the first goal, stay close, and get their sticks tight because they are expecting. to win. And so I think that's the advantage Canada has and sort of the mentality of the game. But yeah, I think it's all on the forecheck and where their high player is in zone. Because if the Americans are able to get that puck on layer and play rush hockey, the Canadians are in trouble because they chase. They chase the neutral zone and then they chase in their own zone. And they can't close quick enough to be able to get them. So to me it starts, they've got to be on the

foretrack. And two words for them tomorrow. Be first. That's the perfect way to go about it. Find a way to win the game. Marie Flute Palin. She looked healthy a couple days ago. I mean, both goals against Switzerland,

so she'll be ready to rock. And, you know, this is what we've been waiting for, like you said, Cheryl. Canada, U.S. 1.10 p.m. Eastern Time tomorrow, puck drop. And you and Kenzie will be in the booth. It's going to be a lot of fun. So enjoy it. I'm sure it'll be nerve-wracking in there.

And we're all pulling for Canada, as always. So have a blast. Austin, thank you for doing this. Awesome, boys. Ciao. Ciao. Ciao, Cheryl. There is Cheryl Pounder, live from Milan.

Yeah, I mean, the Americans, like she said, and Cheryl can speak from experience in 2002, leading up to those Olympic games in Salt Lake. Like, the Americans were big favorites, and that was the Haley Wickenhizer show and her sandwich she said afterwards. No, that was 10. That was 10 in Vancouver? She said that. About the flag and all that?

Yeah. So in 2002, it was, I don't know. I'm sure Haley factored in significantly in that, I'm sure too. But, you know, that's the reality going into this is the Americans are favored. You know, they're heavily favored, but it is a one-game playoff, man. It's a good goal-tending. You get some clutch offense, find a way to shut things down. You know, like it can play out many different ways.

Yeah, Canada's looking for a miracle, man, from what I've watched of those games, because, like I said, DeSharel, lopsided victories. Like, they're being out class, so they're going to have to dig down. and find something that hasn't been there, whether it be a goaltender, whether it be Poulin going absolutely nuts, Sarah Filier. I don't know what it's going to be, but they have to do something special. Yes. Now, they got a lot of experience, right?

Like, Canada's got a lot of the older guard over there that have been through the ringer before. So maybe you can lean on that, but that'll be a great game tomorrow at 110. So Cheryl and Kensil will have that call on CBC. And Canada, of course, waiting to see on the men's side who they're going to play. in the semisone Friday. So we'll catch up with Struddy. Jason Strudwick in about 20 minutes. Roll play coming up as well.

We'll continue to break down what happened this afternoon or this morning. Canada beating Cheki of 4-3 in overtime. Mitch Marner with the OT winner. Mitch Marner with the O.T. winner. We're waiting on news from Sidney Crosby as well. He left the game in the second period with an injury. He's going to have an MRI and they're going to make a call. I can't imagine we're going to get an update unless it's fully he's out of the tournament.

Right? Like I think they'd give us that. He's done. not playing, but if he's 50-50, they'll give us the lower body. We'll see what happens. And we'll figure out as a Friday. Game-time decision. Game-time decision.

I think that's kind of what you're hoping for, right? I take a game-time decision. Yeah. Dude, I think he's going to play, man. Remember when it was unlikely it was like he was going to the Four Nations and then he just had a big shoulder pat on and he was wheeling around out there? I think he finds a way. I love this.

Although I will say it didn't really look good. It didn't look good when he got hit and then he started skating again and he was a little bit surprised and his kind of leg gave out, I was like, oh, boy. Trouble. And he was walking gingerly down the pathway. Yeah. But it's Sid the Kid. It's Sid the Kid.

It is. It is Sid the Kid. This is not Hazy Bee getting off the couch from a session watching golf and blowing his knee out. It's Sid the kid. Absolutely. Polar opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of athleticism and health. Yeah. Isn't that what you did? You were watching TV and you got up.

I was laying on the floor. and I got up and I lost my balance and I blew out my meniscus tore my meniscus bucket terror so I couldn't even bend my knee it was insane dude there was a camera on that were you creamed or something

no it was it was on a Saturday morning I was watching Everly my oldest my wife was at work she came home for a break and I was just laying around I was like all right you you guys go do your thing I was probably sitting on my phone just being a moron.

I don't know. It was eight years ago. And I got up and I lost my balance and boom, gone. Blew out my knee. It's the dumbest injury of all time. It's embarrassing. The dumbest, most embarrassing injury. And that's a true story.

That's what happened. To make it worse, I think I was in a robe. I think I was wearing a robe. I think you could have gone totally hero on that where you could have said, like, there was an older lady at a grocery store and someone tried to take her purse. and I saved her down.

A guy took a bat to my leg. Right. I saved her and I was down. I can't. I got to be honest. And there was witnesses. I had two witnesses that were like, my wife came up and was like, what the hell is?

Like I was, it's excruciating pain. Like you can imagine. You guys have blown out knees and shoulders and stuff. And I knew I was in big trouble. Immediately I knew I was in big trouble. And I was. That's tough. It's horrible.

It's so embarrassing. It's even more embarrassing now. For some reason, as I get older, it's like that you were actually younger and kind of like healthy and in shape. It's almost like you, like there's, there's myths out there in the National Hockey League that guys have skated out for practice in a first kind of contract drill. Like they told somebody, make sure you kind of give me a big hit because, you know what I mean?

They did something real stupid and blew their knee out. So they had to get out of the ice. Yeah. And they're like, make sure you take my knee out and I go down on the corner because I got to make this look like something happened on the ice. But for you, you were just lying down. Yeah, nothing, nothing. Like totally sober, 100% fine.

Saturday morning, done. All right, strutty roleplay coming up. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and up on YouTube Live. All right, so Canada found a way to win today. Probably the best way to describe it. found a way to win. They got past Czechia, 4-3 in overtime,

and they're off to the semis. We wait to see who they're going to play. The Americans are up 1-0 on Sweden going into the third period. If Sweden wins that game, Canada will play Sweden. If the Americans win, Canada will play Finland. So, again, it's going to be tough. Whoever you're going to play, it's going to be tough. Slovakia is a great story.

They keep winning, and they keep moving on and advancing. They're going to play for a medal. But, you know, again, today there are so many storylines that came out. of it so many but i think i keep coming back to celebrini three points in the biggest game of his life three points in the biggest game of his life 19 years old dude 19 scores the first one got an assist on the mckinin goal and got a primary assist on the winner in overtime incredible like well just incredible but he's done a good job of playing with mc david like that play that McDavid got him that puck and that puck and fire it right away.

Like you've got to do something. And that's, he's talented enough to do that. McDavid, when he plays with players, he makes them better, obviously. How many times if you've watched Zach Hyman go to the net, McDavid will give him a wide open backdoor. Jamie, there is sometimes where you put a kid, however amount of talent they have, and they just get jittery and it doesn't work out and they end up on the fourth line. And with this kid, it's like he's thriving off it.

He's like, that's where I'm supposed to be playing. I deserve that spot, and I'm going to make it work, which is that much more impressive at 19 years old. Big time. Right now, isn't he the MVP of the tournament almost? Him and McDavid? I think it's still McDavid won. But I think he's two on this team.

I think through the quarter-files, it's McDavid. It's McDavid one, Celebrini, too. And I think you're right, Noodles. Like you said earlier, you don't mess with that line. You don't. You don't mess with Celebrini and McDavid. they play. Like if Cid's not available, you put Bennett into the lineup, you work stuff around.

Dude, I would elevate Bennett too. Like, you want to talk about a guy that plays behind Barcoff and he's perfectly slotted. And I know the stats nerds will be like, boo. But. Yeah. Well, he didn't play today. I was a bit surprised by that. Put it this way.

I think you find a place for Sam Bennett as the games get deeper and more physical. And space is at a premium out there. he creates space, right? Like, that's where I could find a spot for Sam Bennett in the lineup. Again, I'm looking at hand. I want Sam Bennett in the two-hole. That's like the two-hole. I'd have him in farther down, a little three-hole for me, but still, right in there.

Yes. Again, he may be banged up. Oh, he's in the lineup. Put it that way for me. He has to be a... What hole was he in? What hole was he in when he won the Kahn-Smith and two Stanley Cups? Yeah, listen, the two-hound.

But it's the Olympics, man. You're not knocking McKinnon out of the second. McKinnon's on the top line, you just said. Don't break up the line. I'm not breaking up Celebrini and McDavid. I think you can keep Wilson there for part of the game and flip things around a little bit. You're just like the other turkeys on Twitter. You don't have your facts.

There was a guy saying put Thompson in that. Like, there's all kinds of turkeys up. Who cares about people on Twitter, though? It's completely irrelevant what people are saying on there. We're always arguing with some guy on Twitter. It doesn't matter. Exactly. There's no conversation about any of that stuff that's in reality. So, all right, we'll continue this chat into the next hour.

You know, the realities of possibly missing out on Sid and what could happen and how much more difficult that's going to get moving forward. I think we've got to flush that out a little bit. Like the MVP's might not have to do that on the fly. Like if we got McDavid 1, I think we got Celebrity 2, 3, 4, 5. I think we can figure that out with Strut and roleplay level of concern coming up as well. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and up on TSN5.

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