Real Kyper & Bourne - Counting Down to Canada vs. USA Puck Drop

Episode Date: February 20, 2025

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee start the second hour with their expectations for the physicality and animosity between Canada and USA in the 4 Nations final. Olympic gold medalist Eric Lindros (10:08) shares his impressions of the inaugural running of the tournament, the intensity going into the final game and what style of play he expects from Team Canada tonight. Later, Hockey Hall of Famer Jeremy Roenick (29:16) shares a USA POV of the game and discusses the politics around the tournament, emotional stakes for both sides of the matchup and the game's x-factors. Finally, Nick and Justin regroup with Sam to listen to some of Team Canada's game-day availability and make final predictions for the game.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Three hours till puck drop and what will be a matchup between Canada and the US who meet in the final of a best on best tournament for the first time since 2010 Olympics. Nick Kiprios, Justin Morin, Sammy McKee, Derek Brandeo and Jake the Snake. Schultz with you for the next hour. So we are live on Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver and Sportsnet 960 in Calgary. This hour of real kipper and born is brought to you by Bet 365. Sammy, in with the good air, bad with the out.

Bad with the out. Bad with the bad air. I think what we decided to do is to open the show with you guys get to watch three fights in nine seconds. Kip, me, Sammy, we're all gonna just have a brawl. You know how I felt in yesterday's show on... We started something. Let's finish it. But do you really expect a physical start?

You know what I do expect? I think a lot of Americans who heard about the three fights in nine seconds and are now tuning in tonight, you gotta give them one. I think they want one. I don't know if it's gonna happen, I don't know if it helps the game, I don't know if it's anyone's purpose,

but I bet there's some American boys who think we gotta give them one. As Cooper Sullivan work on their game sheets on starting, I don't know if it's anyone's purpose, but I bet there's some American boys who think we got to give him one as Cooper Sullivan work on their game sheets on starting like it's It sets the tone it does. Yeah, you know what? This is not your typical Coaches office. That's true. And who's the visiting team tonight? I think it's Canada So they'll have to submit their lineup first which will Bennett Bennett Bennett

Bennett Hagel Marchand, this is not a hockey boy. That's why I start in Boston Make the fans feel a little weird about it put him out there. He's not gonna play a ton tonight I would imagine but sort of it get him out there. Let him rat it up like have a start in a few minutes We'll throw in we'll throw to an interview We just conducted just a little while ago with Eric Lindross Olympic gold medalist in 2002 Hockey Hall of Famer He'll help us tee up the game as well. If you didn't catch Scott Niedemeier in our first hour Go to your podcast. It'll be up soon YouTube who said and I quote I was open on the golden goal city Crosby coming down the slot

No, no one's even looked take a look at the highlights. He was How could you look a minimal minimal changes to the lineup Seth Jarvis is in connect me is out Do you want to go to Cooper on that? We played it in the first hour. We can play it again Yeah, you want to play it again for the national audience we can play it again clip one one from Cooper I was gonna replace connect me tonight and the same reason there's a lot of you know why it was reversed the last game and just needs and wants and it's you know we we built this team to win, and everybody's gonna have to chip in in their own ways.

Some chip in in some games, some chip in in others, and some chip in in all of them. And they've all been a big part of why we're sitting here, and it was ultimately it. I do want to say, for everyone who, you know, we threw, we mentioned Niedermeyer in the first hour, we did a half an hour on the political side of this stuff and so to check out that first hour if if you're into That flair of it

Because that is a piece of this for some people. It's a big piece. I think it's I think it's a lot of it. Yeah a lot of it let me ask you and I don't want to take away from the great hockey that we've seen and some of the the best players in the world are at it. But this is this thing's gone completely to another level. Can I ask you guys that in his wildest dreams, and we had Gary Bettman on before the, you know, I don't know when that was, but we had him on. And we talked a little bit about this and he was

excited for it. But boys, in his wildest dreams, he could not have pictured this. Like, he could, like, his best case scenario for this is like six levels below what has happened with this tournament. And listen, you may not love it with the Trump stuff and the team and all the things that's going on with the Canadian team,

but this has been beyond arousing success for the NHL. I mean, I don't know what an ad it is for this event when Trump tweets about it, but it doesn't hurt public awareness that it's going on. So I'm sure the, yes, the higher ups at the NHL are pretty cool with it and they're like, oh no, Charlie Maddison. The only thing is, what can you truly take, what can you drag out of this series and take it to the NHL? Is said just these two teams best of five, right?

Like are our Americans now gonna be expecting three fights in nine seconds to start most NHL games? Do we have to start focusing on more passion out of the players more fighting out of the players to? Continue to draw the interest down there. Well, I do think that there was a concerted effort to clean the game up in terms of some of the physical stuff, right? Some of the blind side hits and some of the other elements having guys on the bench who only fought, right? There's no more pure enforcers. There's no more blind side. So maybe, okay, go

ahead. They're not even calling penalties in this thing. No, there it is. Have at it, boys. Which is nothing like what we've seen in the regular season. It's amazing. But they're not going to love that if no one scores tonight because everyone's running interference.

You know, like you might have to blow a couple whips. But you're saying you love the way the game is called. I'm saying it's been great, but I'm saying if the players know it's going to be called like that all the time, it probably changes how they act wait till they get back To the ticky-tacky calls and then everybody's screaming like that's not like four nations. We want to like four nations Yeah, yeah, I mean maybe maybe maybe that's the case. Can I be honest? I don't want to do the four nations anymore This is too much stress We flip a coin tonight and I could just go on with my life after this like this has been so much stress. Can we flip a coin tonight and I can just go on with my life after this?

Like this has been so much stress. I think a lot of people feel it. It's a tough day to be online if you care. Connor, I think he mentioned I don't want a four nations. I want more teams. I want to maybe it's more teams add to less stress? I don't know, you wanna bring Russia in? See, there's less stress, less geopolitical drama then. Jesus. You know, like, I'm not sure that helps.

Cause that's who you're talking about when you say more countries. To me, it's either eight teams or these two teams five times. And that's it. Like you don't need to do four, you don't need to do six. You need to do a big thing or just have these two teams play. Whether we have four, six or eight teams the next time around.

Can we just figure out who gets to play, who's on the team? This Quinn Hughes thing was like ridiculous. And you know, this is where I give Jimmy Rutherford a ton of credit here because he said to the press what three weeks ago, four weeks ago, whatever it was that the call is on Quinn Hughes. Yep.

Right? Yep. He'll tell us if he's good enough to go and not go. He ends up doing the right thing, saying, I'm not going. And then they draw him back into it. The USA hockey draws back into it, to the point where Mike Sullivan's saying he's coming. And then Jimmy puts the hammer down.

See, I don't think that's what happened. Oh, I know it. I know that's how it's happened. I think the NHL didn't wanna make the choice of allowing him to step in or not allowing him to step in. So they said to the Canucks, do us a favor, make him ineligible. Whatever the case is, Jimmy said, yeah, you're not going.

Yeah, I think the Vancouver Canucks shut him down. Sure. I think it was a courtesy to the was it was it was I am no longer leaving it in your hands. Quinn, for sure. You can be Canucks made that call. It was, I am no longer leaving it in your hands, Quinn. For sure. The Canucks made that call. How they got to that conclusion the same day he put on a full contact jersey. Chicanery and foot?

They're not doing him a favor because then they just turned around and invited Tage Thompson and somebody else. Yeah, but those guys definitely can't play. They definitely can't play. Yeah, Brett Pesci. But they could play if somebody got sick. Yes, but Quinn could have played without that because he was on the original roster. He had a loophole.

Could that? Is that true? He was on the first roster they made. He was one of the four guys they named. They named him to the team. He could have played. Had the NHL. So why would they not have wanted him down there then?

The NHL? Because once they replaced him when he said he was injured and not coming, is he on the roster or is he not on the roster anymore? That's where it got vague. And it would have upset people to say they changed the rules. They just let this guy come in. It saved a whole circus. To your point, Kippur, you know, I'm sure there's some Vancouver fans

that the way things have gone this year with speaking of circuses, the way things have gone, I'm sure there's some Vancouver fans that the way Quinn the things have gone this year with speaking of circuses The way things have gone. I'm sure there's a lot of them that are like Maybe just let him go so he likes us and he wants to stay here Yeah, maybe just let him go or they could have said but we don't want the same thing to happen with Charlie McAvoy But if he's not even though, it's the best thing but he's not for sure But he's not even going to play like they said he was just wanted to go and like It's the best thing but he's gonna for sure but he's not even going to play like they said he was just wanted to Go and like be be there to like support or whatever I don't know and again Jimmy wants to fly him all the way to Boston to cheerlead and then go all the way back

Where where are they out West to start? Vegas Vegas, I ain't a chance Jimmy's gonna like it. I like what he did I like that they said no if that's the case I'm a fan of it, but I'm sure there's a couple Canucks fans that are like Yeah, you can maybe let him do a little bit of what he wants, you know Anyways, maybe I'll leave famine thought I should be you know what some people are calling Potentially one of the best games of all time. You have two completely loaded rosters trying their hearts off trying the hardest. Okay We told you earlier we caught up with the Eric Lindraus Olympic gold medalist in 2002

Let's throw to the big E on his thoughts going into tonight's contest Now let's welcome into the show Eric Lindros Olympic gold medalist in 2002 hockey Hall of Famer and somebody that may know something about a Canada USA matchup biggie. Thanks for joining us, man How are you? I'm good. How are you? I'm good. Kipper. How are you? We're good. We're good. So listen, I mean, you're your thoughts just quickly your thoughts before we

get into more specifics your overall thoughts on expectations out of this four nations before it started and where we are going into tonight's contest. Expectations. I thought it would be good. I mean, if you don't have these things for a long time, the, it builds, um, that's, that's the special part of it. Uh, I thought Montreal did a great job opening night. I thought it was, I thought it was electric. Um, it's been exciting hockey.

It's been everything you've seen at all. It's it's had absolutely everything and, uh, and it's capping off tonight with the two best teams and, uh, that should be, I mean, I'm looking forward to that as well. You guys must be. Oh yeah, absolutely. But as far as the, uh, the physicality that we saw in the first game, Saturday night to

To the patriotism that we feel going into this game again Something that you thought that that could snowball or is this thing gone way over the top for you? I Always expected this I didn't I don't know why everyone's shocked I don't know why anyone's shocked when you ask a hockey player to come and represent their country and they think that it's going to be an NBA all-star approach to things. Not a chance when it comes to representing your country and especially if you're Canadian. So no, I'm not shocked at all. I think they've played well and they got a shot at it. It's one game and they've done everything so far, you know, fairly well.

And they've given themselves a chance to win. Eric, how does it feel different playing in these games wearing the Canada sweater playing these sort of single game eliminations than being a part of a team being in a playoff series? Maybe. Yeah, they're quick, right? Adjustments are really quick. I think that a lot of credit

needs to go to the video guys and finding, you know, they're putting things together before little bits here and there on what to expect. And the teams are changing constantly. I mean, that's why you've got such great coaching there is they're, you know, they're seeing things are reacting. They're not waiting till midway through, you know, the end of a period, there's no time they're making changes within the 20 minutes of the period and switching things up right away. And, you know, they're everything from from the style and then maybe, you know, obviously the line changes here and there as well. So, no, it happens quick. It's over in a blanket. And boy, is it ever exciting. You know, off of that comparing maybe a game like tonight or in general, just representing your country or representing Philadelphia Flyers in a Stanley Cup final, can you compare the type of pressure is on one and the other?

Is there any way that you could, you know, put into words what that what that feels like when you're dealing with those different type of pressure? I don't think you differentiate. I think they're all massive games. They're just great big games. And you know, you just kind of go back to your routine and I don't know. I always thought, you know, that scene in Hoosiers where I think it was Gene Hackman comes out and you know, he takes the measuring tape and he goes underneath the rim and you

know, the rim's the same height as back home. You remember that? I love that. I absolutely love that scene. That's where you kind of ground yourself and yeah, it's a big game, but you got to go out and play and you got to go out and do what you're, you know, what you're, you know, your responsibilities, you know, every little thing you've, you've mentally prepared yourself for, for anything that can go on. And every, every situation you've, you've done your homework

with what the coaches have asked of you. Now it's just time to go out and perform. And yeah, it's a big game, but it's, it's still a game and it's, it to go out and perform. And yeah, it's a big game, but it's still a game and it's going to be exciting. Does having played for Canada make you more attached to these results? Like how invested are you now? Or do you feel like someone who's like, I've already gone to war and fought my battle? Where do you, where's your emotional state? For everybody. I don't care if it's World Juniors, U16 or I don't know.

I mean, if they have anything at U16, but anytime Canada goes to play at any level, I think we're all cheering for Canada. And there's no question that the higher up the total pool things go, the more invested we all are in hopes of success. Did Saturday night's contest remind you of maybe 1996 between the two respective countries playing against each other? I just remember a very vicious series back then, Eric, that you were a part of. It was, it was a heavy series. It didn't have the opening three minutes or three fights, three fights rather, but no, it was heavy.

Uh, um, yeah, it was, uh, we were in the last one, I think was in Montreal. Uh, and we were, geez, we were right up. We were, I think we were leading and going into the, into the third. I didn't think that we were in, we were in good shape. Um, we're close. I mean, again, these things happen so fast. Things change quickly and in the in the case of you know one period of hockey we went from being up and uh and and then heading home as

second place finisher so it was uh you know it was disappointing but it was as I recall it was extremely uh it was physical the whole thing was physical they had the U. physical. The US had Johnny LeClair and Garen and they had a pretty big lineup. The Hotcher and they were big. They were heavy and they played that way. As you did, but when you look down your roster and you see some guys that aren't really built to play that type of game or their comfort zone isn't really in that environment. Is that something that you notice as a teammate? Is that possibly a scenario tonight where you look down Canada's lineup or the U.S. looks down

their lineup and goes, okay, this guy can play this way, but this guy can't. Well, I think everyone can play to a certain extent, anything that your coach is asking you to do. Everyone can get in the way of somebody, everyone can explode through their legs and give somebody a pop. I mean, Bennett pushes back so hard and so well, and he's a huge force out there.

You know, the Tampa line has been great. I mean, listen, everyone's capable of doing it from time to time. And actually all the time, it's just a matter of what you're being asked and going out and doing what's being asked. We're not sure what's being asked, right? We're not in the room, Kipper, as you know, and Jason. So it's, yeah, you can be asked and you're all capable of doing it. It's lining somebody up is not that tricky. Eric, how do you feel about the evolution of American hockey? They like to say that

they've caught us. Most of us here don't think they're there yet, but they've certainly made strides, haven't they? They certainly have. And, you know, I think we talk about academies and the way that they're going in that direction. It's something that we should possibly be looking at. You know, who knows? Who knows?

I'm just getting started here in minor hockey with my kids, and it's been extremely eye-opening, I'll say that, with what goes on and how this all works and where the emphasis are. And I think if there's one thing that we can all agree on is that everyone in this tournament, every player in this tournament that's that's that's there. They all skate extremely well. They are all powerful, powerful skaters and without the skating I don't think anyone's got a chance to even be considered for a roster spot. So I think that's one thing we all can agree to. Whether it's your your kids, their friends, fair weathered fans, do you think this this week has a real chance to add

some growth to our game to take it to another level? I think so. I think they've done a great job with it. I think it's exciting. Certainly the holding back for what, nine, 10 years, and now we've got something that hopefully doesn't have to happen again. Well, if we do it every two years, does it change things? I don't, it might, it might dilute it somewhat in terms of excitement, but, you know, let's just look at this for what it is today

and the excitement that it brings today and what it does for Canada and how it's, you know, I think it's brought our country together in a sense and not a special time, too. So, yeah, I love it. I just love it. And I hope we hope we pull it out. Yeah, it's been very exciting. I think it's very likely that we get a close game tonight.

A lot of these games tend to be low scoring. Do you feel that the net front game, it makes a big difference in these? Like a lot of parking at the net rebounds banging at goalies like it or do you think that the skill still wins and we'll see some some great passing and skating out there? I think you see both but the you know when it gets right down to it what they're doing I think with with certainly McDavid and McKinnon is you know they're they're wedge and they're keeping them wide so entries are wide that's old school. You know I don't know, they're they're wedge and they're keeping them wide so entries are wide. That's old school you know, I don't know if you're gonna see a whole lot through the middle and and you know

Everything seems to have kipper scored. How many goals you how many goals you score in front of the net? Right, so there's not many if you look back in terms of highlight goals and things like that, apart from, you know, maybe Mario, letting the, letting the pass go, go through his legs. I don't think you see too many highlight goals that, that, that are, you know, that occur in these, these types of games. They're, they're mostly, they're, they're not, they're not always pretty, but they're effective and they count nonetheless. So it's kind of goes back to the old school and the meat and potatoes where things happen is usually in front of the net

and lots of action and chaos. Could that be frustrating for a guy like Connor McDavid or McKinnon who are just used to maybe going a thousand miles an hour through the neutral zone and not having it closed off as quickly. Is there is there a sense that the Americans can do what they did Saturday night in the third period and just completely close it off? Is that tough for a star player?

Ah, I mean, I'm I don't know what's going through. I would assume it is. Yeah, I think you would assume it is as well but it's right but you gotta you find a way right? Like if Plan A is not working what are we gonna do? And because there's no way we're gonna look at this and just give up. I mean we gotta come up with another solution and I'm sure that they've talked about it. Going back to the video guys and, and, and, and all the, all the planning that goes into it. It's coaches set up the game plan and, um, you know, they, they're gonna, they're gonna have something organized, but that's gonna, uh, you know, they'll look at their bench and they're gonna

put them in the best possible position and give the best situation or, or, or system for them to, to go and achieve looking at what they have. Where do you feel like Canada's, uh's advantages lie here tonight? Do we have the leg up anywhere? Do you see this being a coin toss? It's, I think it's going to be tight for sure. I think it's going to be tight. But I just feel in my heart that there's something special that, that our, our group is going to pull out. I just, I just have this, this feeling that it's, uh, it's going to be a great night. Nice. One more for me, and that's just, uh,

the room, the room tonight led by Sydney Crosby. He's the guy that's, uh, I gotta think people are teammates are going to be leaning on towards tonight. I, I, I recall, I, I'm not even sure you were 18 at the time when you first experienced team Canada in 91, if I'm not even sure you were 18 at the time when you first experienced Team Canada in 91, if I'm not mistaken. And maybe who in the dressing room you kind of looked at or leaned towards to get your feel around international hockey at the NHL level. You know, it's interesting because it's and a lot of these, it's very quiet. They're all, you know, you've, when I was going through it, uh, you know, dirt

Graham was a big voice in our room. And, uh, and when you, with, with anytime there was a, it wasn't always roses with Mike Keenan in there. So it was, Dirk, Dirk Graham was, uh, was in there was a big influence. Uh, Steve Larmer was a huge influence in 91. I mean, there's always like everywhere. You look around that room, they're all captains, assistant captains of their respective teams, right?

Many of them. They're professionals. They know what to do. They know how to go about it. And you know, you look within, you look beside you, and you feel confident with the group that you've got to go to war with. And you know, the game is tonight. It's only one game and let's just give it our all and do what we can and no regrets. Maybe John Cooper pulls out a measuring tape and measures the boards and the rink and the net behind the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, behind the the the the all my sex baby who's your moment

who's your moment nothing changes let's go play enjoy your enjoy your night the big game and we'll all be cheering thanks for doing this man thanks so much bye bye a couple things that stood out for me Number one is what you probably dreaded hearing Doesn't expect any highlight goals. Yeah the middle taken away a Bounce in front of the net buddy. It's mark stone and Chris Crider time out there. I'm telling you I mean was but that speaks to me. Like Saturday night had half the game had Tortorella's fingerprints all over it. Just everything on the outside, nothing in the middle.

I mean, the US is probably the slightly less offensively talented team. You would expect them to pack it in, try to keep the Canadians to the outside. Yeah. The other thing that stood out for me with Eric is the fact that everybody is capable of coming out of their comfort zone. And he says, everybody can get in the way of somebody. And it's true.

That's where I think Canada kind of let themselves down a little bit in the back half of Saturday night. And everybody's got to be all in. Yeah, no kidding. You know, and that goes for the USA team too. I watched Jack Hughes and Jack Hughes didn't get to act like Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils Saturday night. Yeah.

Yeah. I mean, it's going to be a different brand of hockey where there's not room. There's not room to have the puck for long And just to your point about the ugly goals. I think back to the 2010 gold medal game You just all the goals were you know Perry scored one where it just bounced on a stick in the slot Hey, I'll have to do didn't he know drum had none. It was caves What which was your story 2010? Oh 2010 Oh 2002 2002 I'm talking about Sorry, and I mean he had a rather big assist in overtime. Yep

But the the goals were just caves bangs went in along the end board on the the goal line Perry hammers went in from the slot no hot and then you know the one in overtime theirs were both tricklers Not gonna be a pretty one tonight in terms of the goal. Maybe Connor is out there. So it's pretty pretty. Sorry. I know you want to game time. But before that, have you heard Nathan McKinnon repeatedly referring to Connor McDavid as

the best player in the world? Yeah, because he is. Yeah, I agree. Yeah. But like, and someone even asked him, why do you keep saying that he's McKinnon won the MVP trophy last year? He's favored to win it this year. Why do you keep calling McDavid the MVP or the best player in the world? And he was like,

watch him. Watch him. You need to ask. Yeah. He honestly was like, I can't believe you need to ask that. Watch him. What are we talking about? Yeah. Anyways, it's game time. Presented by bet 365. Visit the app latest odds and find out what's ever ordinary at bet 365 must be 19 plus Ontario only please play responsibly. So Borny wanted me to Bring this number up. I don't know why he wants this for my mental health. He's a really bad friend, but I

Guess a tie in this game aka it goes to overtime and Borny was wanting to know what that number was when I checked this Morning that number was plus 300. Yeah, so if you think this game is has a chance Win 40 if it goes to overtime you could make a worse bet than that. I don't know if I can say nobody needs overtime You know say good hand over time is not the play the players don't need it. They've got home There's 28 games About the Saturday games no one cares about the rest of the games. Guys care. Guys care. Not as much as they care about this game.

Teams care for sure. And by the way, go ahead, you finish. And the other thing that I'll bring up is I didn't do it on Saturday night. And this is something that I've always been a fan of in really big games. You know, a lot of money on the Leafs in these games. Cutting against the Leafs.

Happiness hedge for anyone listening, you put a big bet on the American Moneyline, you're at least compensated for extreme heartbreak. I can't recommend it enough. You're like a passenger on Delta. They'll give you a bunch of money for your hardship. Exactly. So if you're feeling really worried about this game, if you want a little bit of compensation Just put a little money line that in America boggles my mind that you have to give your money away to feel good It's just the question is could be the dumbest thing I've ever heard

How much would I pay for Canada win this game? And that's the question I have to ask myself And that's the question. I'm not gonna tell my wife. I hope she's not listening Anyways, that was game time presented by bet three six five Is it the app for list Oz find out why it's ever ordinary at bet Three six five is for 19 plus on terror only please pay responsibly Jeremy Ronick just text me back. So we're gonna hit the break Okay, we're gonna hit the break and we return we'll give it. We've had Scott Niedemeier Hall of Famer We've had Eric Lindros Hall of Famer Canadian flavor and we'll go to the US flavor with Jeremy Ronick flavorful from Boston

You're not gonna want to miss this one. We're back after these words. Hey, it's Ben Ennis. And I'm Brent Cunning. We got you covered on all things Leafs, Raptors and Blue Jays every weekday morning, six to nine. It's the fan morning show sportsnet 590 the fan and wherever you get your podcasts. All right, no accident.

We left the fireworks for the last part of our show. Let's welcome in Hockey Hall of Famer, USA hockey legend, Jeremy Roenick. JR, how are you, pal? You ready? I'm great, Kipper. Great to be with you, man. Great to be with you.

I love it. What a great night it's gonna be. It is. So listen, I mean you throw your amazing career You you're an Olympian you've participated in Canada Cups World Cups. How does something like tonight compare? Well seeing as we haven't had this level of hockey in almost ten years which in our in almost 10 years, which in our nation's colors,

I think this is as exciting and as excited as I've been to watch a hockey game in a long time. We know what this means to each country, Kipper. We talk about the powerful nations. Obviously hockey is Canada's game and us in the United States have been trying to chase down that That mantra for a long time and what's what's happening in USA hockey what we've done in the world juniors You know, it's it's another chapter of Great hockey and this great rivalry that we know is going to be exciting. Look what happened Saturday

Who would have thought that would have happened, but we did, and now with everything that's going on in our countries, with the political landscape, with Donald Trump talking about 51st State, with the booing of the national anthem and the Kachucks and the Sam Benets, this is a great matchup. This is what we want in hockey. I'm just shocked that it's in February,

in the middle of an NHL season. So let me ask you, with the call from the President of the United States, first of all, as you represented the USA, did you ever talk to the President during a tournament? And if so, what, as far as his call today, I'm going to give you three choices. You tell me what comes to the top of your head here. Extra motivation for the USA team, extra pressure on the USA team, or billboard material for Canada? Definitely the first two, there's no question.

But would it surprise you if I said, it doesn't surprise me that Donald Trump gets a word in on something, on anything, especially something of this magnitude. Yes, he's going to have his say. He's going to be involved in some way. I mean, we all see how he feels about America. He's going to boast.

He's going to do whatever he can to get things going. I think no question in that locker room, just hearing his voice. Like, that's the President, I'd say. I don't care if you like him or you don't like him. If anything, if I was in that locker room, just hearing his voice. Like, that's the President, I'd say. I don't care if you like him or you don't like him. If anything, if I was in that locker room and President Obama called, I wasn't a big Obama fan, but I would have been pumped up.

I would have been just so excited. And I would think anybody should be the same. That's the President that's rooting on your country. So there's no question that's a motivation factor. I don't think the pressure is anymore because they know what U. Canada is and they know that it is the only game in North America tonight that is the main game Maybe in the decade of hockey there'd be more people watching this game than watch any other game in

Decades and that's exciting for me and will say, if USA wins or Canada wins, it's great for their countries, but you know who wins in this? It's hockey. Hockey wins in this situation because it's on the top minds of everybody. And that's what I love. Jair, maybe no hockey player would have maybe better built

for the first time these two teams played than you. That would have been right up your alley. I feel like you would have loved it. So tonight, they go at it a second time. Is there, you know, if you were in this game, would you want to start the game physically similarly to last time or would there be more of a focus on the puck and actually trying to shoot it in the net?

Oh, man, I think this game has been so hyped. It would be really hard not to start with a physical bang. But it is the last game. It is the final. You should be putting the game to winning the game. There's no question about that. But again, the pride is on the line. You can see some of the jabs being set forth and back and forth. Hagel saying, you know that Matthew Kachuck only fights for the camera. He doesn't fight for his colors for his country. You know, those are fighting words and it's not going to be surprising to me if they start the same way.

However, they do have to play a game and winning this game is very important and I will say the US is banged up a little bit. There's no question. They have some injuries more so than Canada. They lost McEvoy, which is a huge loss in the backside. And they're looking at probably one of the best teams ever put on paper since the 87 Canada Cup, right? So, I mean, I would be nervous, but it's gonna be great.

So the Kachuks, they set the tone. They put Canada on the heels. Canada stood up, but they were the ones that were reactive, not proactive. What do you expect in the first seconds of puck drop? Who takes on the message early here? Yeah, well there's no question I think you're going to see the same actors, because there's no way that the Kachaks aren't going to be involved in stirring the pot.

That's what they do best. They do it better than anybody else. There's no question that Sam Bennett is going to be in there. Not many players do it like he does. I would be very surprised if those guys weren't on the ice for the first faceoff and they are going to jaw each other right before that puck is going to be dropped. But you know, I, I hope a couple things. I hope that the national anthems go with tremendous amount of respect.

I hope they play a real good hard hitting hockey game that is fair. Get a couple good fights in there. That's usually the case between USA and Canada. And God, there's so much writing. There's so much writing on Canada. I mean, listen, USA has taken a big leap in their development programs. We're doing better. There's more NHL players that come from the US than ever before in the National Hockey

League. And Canada, if you think about it, they've taken a little bit of a step down in terms of their dominance and you can disagree with me or not but I think this will be a good way to keep Canada Canada's game and not give USA the opportunity to say you guys were has been since us now that would be a crazy thing but it's still Canada's game but we need to win tonight to to get some a little bit more dominance in this sport. Jair, how do you weigh your international hockey memories compared to your NHL memories? It was much different. Obviously you're playing for 300 million people rather than just a city of 10 or 15 million. You have more eyes on you, you have more expectations. You're a smaller phenomenon in the big scheme

of things, right? You have millions of kids, millions of people that can be playing in a team and you're one of 20. There's a lot of pride that goes into that. So, and you know, you want to do your best for your country. It's a different mind frame. And this is why you're seeing this physical brand of hockey in a short four game tournament in the middle of an NHL season that you could get five games and not see as many fights as we saw on Saturday. I mean that's what it means to them that they're physical, they're hitting, they're engaged, they're they're jawing at each other. We've seen more intensity in four games of this tournament or six games or however many games in this tournament.

Even the Spins in Swedes play the same way than we've seen in most games in the National Hockey League. And I just think it's a great representation of what the National Hockey League can bring. And I think this whole tournament has been a huge success. I love watching some players that may need to come out of their comfort zone on a game like tonight, right?

And sometimes you watch games and it's not as passionate or as physical and guys can get their points and then you watch a game like Saturday night or possibly tonight when things are awfully tight. Give me a couple of names that you think have been rather quiet but could step up tonight. Well, for me, Austin Matthews pops off the chart on me right now pops right off the page for the Americans Obviously he's bought into the kind of patient defensive style of game that Mike Sullivan thinks that his team needs to play in order to be successful

He has to have a big night there's no question about it So I'm gonna look at Austin Matthews on the USA side. On the other side, with the exception of the goal, I think Brad Marchand has been very quiet. He's one of those guys that can really instigate, get underneath people's skin, plays physical, is a big game, big goal scorer type mentality that he can be. I think look for him to be more engaged in the game like tonight.

I think McKinnon, he's had brilliant, you know, flashes of brilliance, but I don't think he's been the great McKinnon that we've watched this year who's leading the league in points. So I'm going to see how the big stage is accepted by some of these guys that there's so much pressure on that makes so much money in the National Hockey League. But none more important for the US than Austin Matthews. He's got to find a way to put the puck in the net, whether it's on the power play or find some open ice. But the team, I don't think wins unless Austin Matthews has a, has his footprint into this game.

Well, we're looking to a lot of fun tonight, Jr. And we really appreciate you making time for us, man. I know I came to a nice quiet spot in the hotel to make sure I had time for you, Kipper and you Borty. I said, no way I'm going to not have the opportunity to talk to my great fans in Canada. And by the way, can I just say, listen, I don't like that the USA anthem got booed. I don't like it. I understand it. I totally get it. I think, you know, you Canadians up there are proud people, man. You love your sport, you're proud Canadians. I wouldn't think you want to be the 51st state either. So I don't, I totally, I totally understand it, but I still want USA to win.

That's fair enough. Thanks for your time. Really spread that word around down there. Right? Let them know, let them know that we don't like it. I'm going to be the guy. I'm going to be in the garden tonight said no Great stuff JR. Have fun tonight pal

Okay, bye. See you later. Yeah, thanks so much Hockey Hall of Famer and US hockey legend Jeremy Roenick. Yeah, Canadian anthem. Definitely getting booed tonight, eh? Oh, yeah. But I mean, totally fine. Whatever. See, can't a few players, current players, say what he just said? Is that so hard? Yeah, no, I don't think it is. It would have been nice to hear from someone instead of, you know, No comment. Trump fuel tonight. We're super powered now. I mean, Hanifin was saying that like they're doing it for Trump like there's got like JT

Miller's horned up about Trump they're all really there's a few guys that they want to win for Trump and I guess hey they voted from this third prerogative yeah you know 70 million people there didn't vote for him too so there's there's a little bit of both I I'm glad you know I love JR, but just That was great. That was great You never know you never know you were worried well listen when he when he said you know one more thing it started on Canada those No, no, no, no what a sweet guy. Yeah, he's no dummy like he knows

Where we are yeah, and who our audience are. I got the feeling from that that JR has gone through a lot and we know the stories and we know everything that he's gone through with hockey and some of it very bad and all the stuff that he's been in the spotlight for. That to me just seemed like a genuinely happy, excited guy who finally got into the Hall of Fame,

going to this hockey game tonight, USA. It's kind of just super. But like. Just because you're stressed doesn't mean he's not gonna rule. No, like he seemed really, and like having him there. Perspective.

Bingo, bingo, you know? That was awesome, that was awesome. And I, that guy. I get all of that. I just, like it could just be a bounce here. And it is sport. Yeah. So, you know.

Oh, and hockey's the student best of them in that regard. Hopefully it bounces off their body. It would really help us. Yeah. I don't know what sacrifice we need to make to the hockey gods, but hey, if you're up there this time. We need you Please baby, I had to believe there's a drop me would just win. Yeah, just win. Just win, please win

Any clips you want to squeeze in or have some Cooper so I cut this clip and You know you were talking about the in I cut this clip and you know you were talking about the in tournament perspective and I'd be interested to get your opinion I'm hesitant to even play it but can we get the clip five Cooper on the fans in Boston there's probably gonna be more Canadians here than there were Americans in Montreal, if that made any sense. And so, I think in that regard, there might be, you know, hotly contested on the ice and there could be chants going on in the stands.

And, but, you know, we're here to celebrate the sport. And we, listen, we can sit here and talk politics all we want. This is a different avenue and for me, we're here to celebrate a game. And if after this game, all the little girls out there and boys out there that are inspired by the players that play this game and how they compete, and if they, after watching tonight,

and how they compete. And if they, after watching tonight, go and become hockey players, that's the real win, not the big wins on the ice. Tell you what, the real winner here is the city of Portland. Every time I come here, it gets harder to leave. I'll do something in the water. What are you? That's just, it's the biggest game.

It's a blood feud. It's a big win here, as if little boys and girls love hockey. No, it's not the big win. Zoom out, Sam. Zoom out. It is not the big win. We need them to grow up more like Tom. Yeah, I was thinking like, you know, if they watch this game, get inspired to play.

And I was like, my daughter's feisty. I bet that I don't know how many people are going to love the way the last game started for their five year old daughters. Hey, if there's a little boy or girl that watches the start of that game and they get like you said get inspired to play like Tom Wilson or the Kachucks and they're Canadian bring it on I would really love a goalie to get inspired tonight I'd really love I was playing shitty the other morning and there was a kid there's a goal I'm usually a goalie. I'm usually going like any good. He's like, yeah, I played triple. I played triple a I'm like Well, you can play for Canada soon cuz boy we need you Yeah, we we need a Bennington good like two pad stack gloves save or something to inspire a couple of kids

Yeah, a couple of French kids ideally Cute not to call it come back to be our goalie. He's made a couple He has a couple. Yeah, he's actually made some really big saves Unfortunately a couple squeakers, but specifically if you go back to the Sweden game where he let in the stinker against Kempe they tie the game late you go into that overtime and Mitch Marder ends up scoring the winner in three on three one of the big reasons are in the finals and we can talk about other parts of the tournament with him one of the big reasons are in the final too is Bennington was unbelievable in that three on three overtime the amount

of cross cross crease saves he made he is a squirrely gamer. He'll let in a bad one, but he'll make a big save. It's just not the most comfortable experience. Don't tell me the odds. I don't want percentages. I don't want your numbers. Give me the vibes. This is uncomfortable.

Cooper must have some feeling that there's going to be a lot of Canadians in the building. I just I do feel like we won't be able to rival Montreal because not everyone's pulling in the same direction. I feel like it'll be a little but you should have a more consistent sort of roar. Yeah. As someone's always cheering for something. I think Jair mentioned it. McAvoy does take away a presence back there for Yeah, I think you said that his hit on McDavid and then subsequently hit on McDavid and then subsequent hit on Crosby kind of started to turn the tone. Yeah, you even saw that clip. I don't know. I mean, I watched

it barely. But there's a clip of Brady Kachuk being like, that was all Charlie. He set the tone. He set the tone. I mean, I almost barfed the second I finished watching it But that there is a point of that Brady seems the other one Oh, I find myself kind of missing now for team Canada is a Shay Weber Yeah, he's good. I'll take kiln McCarty We used to have both different players though. Yeah, we used to have both not kind of guys, but it's not yeah I'm not I'm saying that you have Kayle McCar but you're missing a shade that physical

Presence like they don't have Shay Weber either There isn't close McAvoy looked like Shay Weber to me Saturday night Shay Weber's younger brother at that later younger brother Can I say that if there's I don't want to be I don't want to be negative going into this game because Brother can I say that if there's and I don't want to be I don't want to be negative going into this game because Positive positivity positivity, but if there's one part of team Canada's identity That from years past to now, I think what's misses we have an unbelievable skilled defensive core We do but like having the just big mean mutant guy Pronger pronger a Weber the foots of the world scott stevens at times rob blake

like they scored once in the last game who can't know i'm just saying like as a bigger picture thing we used to have the meanest get your head it's a get your head off skill and get it in canadian get it in the gutter it's about a Canadian conclusion to be like you know we missed in that game we We lost to one more a hit We're going bloodbath tonight dummies. Come on couple of dummies identity Barney Exactly identity can't beat him on the score sheet beat him in the streets We cannot have a loser's attitude Please have that middle shutting down completely tonight. Yeah

So I'm not gonna what do we think it tonight boys? We got to need some detailed predictions. I'm not I'm not going against Canada. I I think there's gonna be a few more special teams There hasn't been much. I think you think the word is a couple power plays early to settle them down I do I think the refs are aware that the last time these two played it was a little squirrely and I think there'll be some, hey, we're not doing that early sort of stuff. Or they can just get the hell out of the way. Sounds pretty good too.

I think the general managers around the league would be like, no, call it tight. I don't think you should get out of the way refs. Go ahead and call the roll book. There's gotta be some teams freaking out right now. How's, how's, how's Stan Bowman watching this game tonight? How's, how's Joe Sackett watching? I mean, he's played for Canada. He's probably pretty excited, but like watching that, like it's, it's gonna be, so. We know how Boston's watching tonight.

Score prediction. 3-2 Canada. Yeah, listen, that's the safest answer I'm taking it to ah yeah okay. All aboard? Because I picked them to win last time and they lost I'll say the States win. Now you're hed go. All right, just like that. Two hours gone. Fastest. What a show, boys.

Showing hockey. I can't believe we've got to wait two more hours to puck drop. Two hours before puck drop, our thanks to Eric Lindros, Scott Niedemeier, and Jeremy Roenick for their thoughts on tonight's big game. Wherever you're watching, have a good time with your family, friends. And remember it's just a sport.

Oh, come on. No, Sammy. Oh, baby. When