Real Kyper & Bourne - Eddie Olczyk & Luke Fox Live From Boston + Is Fighting Good for Hockey?

Episode Date: February 17, 2025

On the back nine of Real Kyper and Bourne, Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee go live to the 4 Nations Face-Off in Boston alongside TNT's Eddie Olczyk. He gauges the atmosphere during Canada's matchup against Finland this afternoon, before sharing his thoughts on the trio of fights in Saturday's battle with the United States and the fanfare surrounding the Tkachuk brothers. Later, the boys discuss if the physical play is good for the game and how the NHL can bridge the gap between the 4 Nations Face-Off and the playoffs. After the break, Sportsnet's Luke Fox checks in from TD Garden to discuss the rocky end to Canada's clash with the Finns, how Cale Makar's presence changes the lineup's dynamic, as well as Mitch Marner and Sam Bennett's play (28:30). Nick, Justin and Sam wrap up preview of Thursday's rematch with USA, along with thoughts on Sidney Crosby and Jordan Binnington's postgame comments. 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.

We are live as we go national hour on the real Kipper and born show sports at six 50 in Vancouver sports that 960 in Calgary this hour of real Kipper and born brought to you by bet 365 Nick Kipra is Justin born Sammy McKee as we close out for nations with one more game tonight that would involve the USA and Sweden sports net 8pm Eastern. Well, you want an all star game you might get it. Well, you wanted an all-star game. You might get it. Before Thursday night's matchup rematch. Heavyweight. They don't play a third place game? In the U.S.

So, in the first hour, I didn't crap all over Saturday night. I just told you that I didn't think it was the greatest game that I've ever seen. And we agree. And I can't get past the fact that I thought the USA kind of rubbed their noses in crap Saturday night. Yeah, listen, the ass... I didn't like it. The angle as a Canadian of like, I didn't like losing that game. Yes, that's my take. I'm aware of what you're taking.

I don't hate you anymore on that. I hated that. Thank you. Yeah, as a Canadian, that stunk. It stunk that we didn't pull out the victory The tournament is to win the tournament. We got a game on Thursday here. We can't Parachute in Tom Wilson who would have scored a hat trick beat up the coach of the other team. I You know, I'm saying it was an unbelievable spectacle. Yes, good loved it and it's good talk of but the sports world

No, but to that that's it. That's where it ends. That is true. Whatever everything. He just said Yeah, it's 100% accurate. It seems to be that everybody wants to like Sell the game so badly like it's like I get it You want to sell the game you want and that's how he still takes a little a big backseat to everything The NBA baseball the NBA just had their premier all-star weekend And I killed crushed killed by the NHL. That is a huge moment for hot Is there any fans in there in their stadium? I don't know DC they got events where guys are trying to not shoot the ball in the hoop so they can finish faster

But I also I lived in the era where sports Illustrated's favorite Famous cover was why the NHL is hot, why the NBA is not. Remember that one? I don't remember magazine. That was off of our... It's very famous. I know, I know, I'm joking. It's off of our Stanley Cup in 1994. Yeah. And we kind of blew that one. Certainly did. So nice to make inroads the other direction because it's been going the wrong way for a long time. Guys are making 60 million per season in the NBA. Yeah, it peaked with 5.2 million viewers in America. Like that's...

That's huge numbers. Especially when you're talking about... And that's on ESPN too. Half a million people. We weren't involved. And now you go into Thursday night where everybody's been talking about it. You're telling your buddy that's maybe not a fan like that. You get... and then it's kind of it's called growth

I think it would be tough to watch your Canadian team struggle. Oh my god lose that game Oh my god, the eyeballs are there the nightmare is losing twice to them. It's like just lose to Finland instead It was we're tracking down at old Chuck Eddie old Chuck Call him Ed Do not call him. Oh my Ed. Do not call him Ed. Oh my God, I get big trouble. Yes. Every once in a while.

All right, Eddie Olchuk, we built you up. TNT analyst in Boston. How are you buddy? You catching your breath? Yeah, we're trying. Yeah, we got a few hours before before this next game. And obviously, unfortunately, it doesn't mean anything. So it was a fun game.

The last six, seven minutes, just about a couple of 45 minutes ago. So it's nice to be with you guys. In a perfect world, Edzozo if they could go back do you think they would have? given Tonight's game more of a meaning if you would have set up a Semi-final to to meet the team that deserved the by like in this case the US or is that too much? I Think with four teams probably

It's probably a tad much. I mean mean I guess it's always it's always up for debate but look up until this point it's been it's been unbelievable theater obviously the big game between Canada and US a couple of nights ago in Montreal I don't think there was a perfect scenario yeah I don't think there's a perfect scenario anywhere, but when you have four teams I think you gotta let it be. So yeah, I think I'm good with it. At least we had one game on this so-called final day, the prelims, that meant something right because there was a scenario where maybe both games Could have not meant anything right so now would have probably been even even worse But it is what it is in the u.s. Did what they're just you know they did their job by getting you know to max points and

In those two games get the max points of both of those and they assured themselves a spot before we even got the Monday. Edzo, how is the vibe different between Montreal and Boston so far? Well I was not, Borny, I was not in Montreal at all so I mean I was able to watch it on TV but it's been in in in Boston it's been very, a lot of publicity, very excited, obviously coming off the big win on Saturday against Team Canada. So, you know, tonight, again, tonight'll, I mean, it could probably be an exhibition, so to speak. I mean, it's just, the exhibition, so to speak. I mean, it's just the game doesn't mean anything

for either country. And I'm sure for Team USA, it's just get a good sweat, work on a few things, make sure you get nobody banged up and go. But the vibe in the building today was very good. I don't know how it came across on television, but it was pretty loud in there this afternoon. And especially when the game got to four to three,

it was at a different level. And look, there were a lot of people that left, obviously with five minutes left to go, but the vibe has been good. I mean, it's a great building. And for the broadcast, it's a great broadcast location, as you guys I mean, it's a great building. And for the broadcast, it's a great broadcast location, as you guys both know.

It's a great building. So I'm sure come Thursday night, when it's for all the marbles, it'll be great theater, I'm sure. You're watching and listening to Eddie Olchuk, hockey analyst, TNT in Boston calling both games. Eddie, I got to ask you with TNT and Boston calling both games. Uh Eddie, I gotta ask you about Saturday night and

that start and. It's been the talk of the tournament. It's been the talk of sport right now and just. Where where we are with that type of look now moving forward is it? Is it now? Based on what we saw Saturday night, the final nail in the coffin where we don't have to apologize anymore for fighting in our game,

or is this just one of those perfect storms where the stars aligned? Well, I mean, are you asking me, are we going to get rid of fighting? No, well, maybe we should promote it more. It seems like in America they loved it. Yeah, I mean, I would say that the attention that it certainly got was off the charts. And I think the world that we're living in right now with everything going on, both on

and off the ice in the real world, added to the intrigue of Canada versus U.S. Look, I'm an alum of USA Hockey. I was lucky enough to play in the 84 Olympics. I played in the 84, 87, and 91 Canada Cups for Team USA. I have always looked, and I think I could speak for most American-born players, is that our greatest rival has always been Canada. It always has been. I don't think that that has been the case the other way around. I think it's always been the Russians, 14 Canada. Now, in order to have a rivalry, you've got to have some wins on both

sides, right? Now, I understand that Canada has had the upper hand on our country, you know, for many, many years. And then, you know, the tide turned at 96. You know, it's been a little dormant here for Team USA here in the last little while, but we haven't had Olympics, you know, consistently with NHL players. So I think what I'm getting at is I think the way that Team USA looks at it is that the respect and the understanding of Canada being the top hockey country is that our neighbors and bragging rights and friends and all that kind of stuff, I think it just goes to another level for Team USA. Now, over the years, USA hockey has closed the gap to Canada. We've seen it at the World Juniors, but at the highest level, it's been a battle. So I just think in the climate that we've been in,

and then the other night, and then obviously it came out with the way that the, you know, the Kachaks and JT Miller had kind of talked about trying to, you know, get the game level and not allow the crowd and Team Canada to get a jump is that they decided that they were going to take matters in their own hand. And look at that. It's emotional. I wasn't surprised by it. I don't think you guys were surprised by, you know, kind of how quick it came,

but then what happened right after with his brother and then JT Miller and Colton Perico. So for me, long-winded, I just think that the emotion, and obviously a lot has been talked about with the anthems going on and the booming of the American national anthem. I just think that it came to a pitch where it was the perfect storm

is what you said earlier Kipper. And you got something that I would believe and look at, I thought about this and I haven't said this publicly, but I would say is that when I look at at least for USA hockey, I would say is that that game on Saturday night, I would argue, and in my opinion, is the second biggest, you want to throw the word greatest in there. That game behind the miracle on ice in 1980 was the second biggest and greatest game for USA hockey in the history of the game. Bigger than their World Cup in the 90s, late 90s? I believe so. I believe so. In 96, yes, I believe so. I do. I do. Just with, again, just like with what I was saying, the political climate, what was going on prior and... Buying our country, right? What's that? You guys buying our country or, you know, turning us into a state. Yeah, yeah, I don't know anything about that. I'm just, I'm just a citizen down here.

Don't put me in the fire. You're on a Canadian show, my friend. Be careful. No, look at, no, look at, look at, you guys, look, I spent how many years? I spent eight years in Canada, and my two oldest boys were born at Scarborough centenary when I played for the Leafs that I mean look at this is not any thing other than it's just I believe I think some of the players alluded to it the climate and everything that's been going on. But I really believe though is that that

moment in watching is a fan and as an alum. I looked at that was like I mean. Yeah, it wasn't even it was a preliminary round game, but I think if you put a note in a bottle and drop it in Lake Ontario or in Lake Michigan and somebody picks it up 40 or 50 years from now, I guarantee you that that game will be talked about maybe almost as much as the miracle on ice because of the world that we live in when it comes to social media and everything else, right? Because everybody heard about it, everybody's talking about it, everybody will continue to talk about it. That's why I think it will go down in history. USA hockey. I can't speak obviously for Canada, but for me there is no doubt that you cannot talk

now, you cannot talk Miracle on Ice only anymore. I think that you have to add in that game because of the magnitude both on and off the ice. I think we have to let Ed Zogo, do we not? Yeah, I got two minutes. I got two minutes. I got two minutes. Quick follow up just, you know, can the Kachuk brothers become national names in the US based off of this week basically?

I think if they want to start a podcast, I think they probably could go head to head with the Kelsey brothers, right? Yeah. I mean, they got some eyeballs right now. They got the juice. Yeah. I mean, I'm sure their agents or their agent is probably taking phone calls

and you got commercials, you got all kinds of stuff. But I mean, who wouldn't want either one of those guys on your team, right? I mean, they're throwbacks, right? Tipper, Bowie, right? Any era. I love them. I just hate them on the other side, that's all. Hey, one more, Ed. That's okay. One more for you. One more for you.

Can they do that again Thursday? Can the Kachuk brothers pull something off that looks similar to that? I'm not saying they need three fights, but do they need another start to establish what they started Saturday night? Well, you can start a lot of different ways. It doesn't have to be by dropping the gloves and squaring off. the game. Do you think the other start to establish what they started Saturday night? You could start a lot of different ways. It doesn't have to be by dropping the gloves and square off. I mean, I think you can. You can challenge in a

lot of different ways, but the only guy expect that game to be. I mean, I should say I'm hoping but I'm expecting it to be, uh, great game that we'll all talk about for a long, long time. And look at somebody drops the gloves. They dropped the they drop the gloves. But I think it's going to start off the same way as it did the other night. I mean, yeah, I don't think so, but you know, maybe I, I mean, I, I couldn't

tell you that, but I, I would highly doubt it. Eddie, you know, my love for you has no borders. Okay. But let me just get this out there is I want to know, is you guys first ask Craig Simpson. I'm not going to do that. Okay, but let me just get this out there is I want to know. Did you guys first ask Craig Simpson?

I didn't we don't produce a show. I don't produce us. Oh now now you're now you're like the key and peel sketch that cut to you. Is that true? Because you know what I said? I said, Hey, summer, I said, Hey, summer, how's the lighting over here? Cause I'm jumping on with Kipper and Borny. And he goes, Oh, well, they asked me to do the show, but I said, I can't, I'm too busy.

That's bad producing right there. Really bad producing. We love you, buddy. I love you too. Enjoy the game Thursday and tonight as well as you call USA and Sweden. Eddie Olchuk, TNT. Thanks Edno. Magic Television baby.

I mean that's how this works. Quite the statement from him eh? That is yeah but I get it. I get it too. I get it. It's like that's memorable. Buying of the anthem. All of it

Three fights before playing any hockey like that's a clear statement. That's memorable I Don't want to beat a dead horse, but I'm about to that's what breaks My heart is what he just said that we gave them that yes That's why yeah, even when they win and with they win on Thursday, which will be a fantastic moment for us We gave them that regardless of what happens Thursday. Yes, so that's what that's why I'm But the the the argument is not about was it the you know good for Canada. Oh, I'm not a good point I've been me. Oh, it's really really good for the game and I you know can Chuck brothers Are there marketable guys like every clip which I mean

I can't watch the clips because I would never dream of it But I've been sent the clips of them in the locker room a million times all the stuff they have personality They have swag. They are marketable guys. I just dominating for America. I don't know when people say that it's good for the game I don't know if they they just throw it out there like it's just for the game. I don't know if they just throw it out there. Like it's just, nobody understands what that really, like let's just dive a little bit into what that means to you. Is 5.2 million people watching it good for the game, Kipper?

Forget that. No, that's literally what it is. Is it not? It's great. It's really good. Does that mean that ESPN is now gonna get 5 million people for every NHL game? The answer is no. So it

brings me back to what your interpretation is of what is good for the game. Tell me what is good for the game. You're telling me now that we need a fighter to before every game. Is that what we need to be good for the game? Do we need the emotion that they brought us Saturday night into the game? What does it mean to you? The skill level? We need this. Like what? So your point then is that it's negligible. It doesn't move the needle. I don't know if it moves the needle. All I'm saying is we're not getting that past this week. Yeah, but we are. But we're getting it in two years and then two years after that.

And you're gonna have that to look forward to. No, but that's not the game. That's the Olympics. What you want? I want people to be very careful when they say that's good for the game because they don't know what that means. I'm gonna tell you what it means.

Thank you, I'm asking you. What it means is that kids have an anchor moment or fans have an anchor moment to say, that's the moment I became a hockey fan. That's the moment it had me. That's why I've stuck with it for 20 years. We had that in 1980 and we had it in 1997. And how long has it been?

You didn't name one, it started with a two. It's been a long time since this generation has had that moment. This generation of American fans, last time they had it was 96. I'm telling you, we had it, and then up until two months ago we're talking about how crappy the ratings have been and nobody's interested and... This is the start for some people of saying I loved that. I'm in, I'm gonna watch

hockey's cool. Yeah we do not agree. For that to continue though do you just wait for the internationals to get your juice or we can actually send them back to the NHL and try to replicate? No, not the talent. You're never going to replicate it. But then it's not really that great for the game. Buddy, it's not like they're going to watch the ECHL. The NHL is still a good product. It is a good product.

Big games are still fun and still good and the playoffs are coming up and they have those are and some of the playoffs have the emotion Of that game there's fights in the play. There's hitting there's Intensity there's many nights and it's not what my whole point is for this to be really true for the game Hey start showing me more passion To some of these guys that aren't involved in the game this week. Start showing more of that. I want to see more of that. You're charging $200, $300 a ticket. There's some nights I'm watching the game and I'm going, that's unwatchable.

I actually think this is part of what's leading a little bit to the NBA's rating struggle is guys make so much. How do you get up for games all the time? That's the big picture for me. Anyways, is that we've we've pushed for the last five or 10 years rivalries and it's like, I'm not saying that you need to create Saturday night, but we need more passion in our rivalries. We need more guys to step up that get out of their comfort zone. That to me is good for the game. For sure. That we see more motion out of, and maybe it's not the player's fault,

maybe it's the league's fault, too many games, too much travel, too much whatever, squeezing blood out of a stone some nights. You know, to me, to try to create this to be better for our game, like really understand what that means. How can we truly make be better for our game, like really understand what that means. How can we truly make this better for our game? Yeah, there's a lot of reasons why I think it's just,

it's so hard and part of it is there's so many teams and so little team loyalty on both sides now. You know, where it's like guys, guys are switching teams, cut, traded constantly. There's 32 teams, it's tough to follow them all. It is more watered down. There is so many games. I do think that it's a challenge.

You know, we talk about my dad's Islanders teams for all those years that had the same core going through it over and over again. People love them. They bought their jerseys. They didn't have to change the nameplate on it a year later. And people knew and you know, my dad versus Mike bossy They didn't necessarily know what each other made. There's no salary cap

They just you were allowed to like Bob born because he killed penalties and was fast and whatever and instead of saying I like this player Because of the value I get on the contract or whatever So yeah, we have some challenges there, but all pro sports do. This is every sport is running up against this. Are slower than others. Are that's others had way more growth since mid to late 90s. Isn't it healthy to even be having these conversations in the wake of something that was like, holy that it's why I'm bringing it up the needles. It's why I bring it up. It's why I want it to be good for the game. I want it to grow our game

I want five million people in the states watching a game all of it But like let's just not throw it out there as a catchphrase But truly understand what it means problem with the phrase, you know, but I don't think I don't think any of us ever say good For the game. That's not really like in our vernacular I think we would save that for when it's something that actually is good. And what happened Saturday night and having, you know, like non hockey watching things people that like I follow from mom text you during that game. I did listen, you know, like my mom, she text me during every leaf.

She text me every sporting event that has relevance. But it's not a great but like just you know, I see people from Barstool all over it, people from ESPN all over it, people from the ring, like people who don't care about hockey, watching that and having the Americans do that. Like I know you don't like a kipper, but it was good for the game, buddy. It was good for the game. Can you keep them now? That's a great question.

Well, you keep them. I think engage here's what I will say and I what I would be worried about if I'm looking if I'm talking from the kipper perspective is that you're going back in and we've been talking about Saturday nights game for some reason we've mentioned that three times today but the bridging the gap from what the rest of the regular season is gonna look like to the playoffs is going to be hard to keep people's attention in terms of what that was.

But like what the start of the Stanley Cup playoff looks like is similar to that. The first round of the game one of round one is it's a it's an absolute war every time. It's just guys are hammering each other. It's a really, really good product. If I'm going going to your side tell that to the Leaf fans who say what happens 82 games the Leafs guess what I mean we're not talking about the least they don't I don't think anybody's worried about the Leaf fans watching they're gonna watch there's a lot of people that wait for the first round for sure but my point is is that there may be a bit of downtime after this is over

and there's a little bit of a monotony but once the playoffs start I can't help but think people that watch that game on Saturday will be more likely to watch a game on Saturday night in April because of what they saw on Saturday I really do I just don't want them disappointed it grew the game baby it grew the game didn't shrink the game it didn't yeah it didn't shrink the game uh game time time. What do you got? I don't know nothing It's game time is that by bet 365 visit the app for the sods and find out why it's never ordinary a bet 365 must be 19 plus Ontario only please play responsibly So here's what we'll look at for tonight if this is game tonight is a tough one. I'm not sure how you would really go goals

Listen, I don't want to make any jokes, but this has a Willie hat Elias Patterson both to light it up USA is still a heavy favorite minus 210 in this game I'll be surprised with Kachak's playing. I don't think I think that's already announced. He's not playing said no Sweden is plus 175 Anytime goal for your boy William Nylander is plus 240 tonight Borny so wonder if they start they starting Hellebuck I'm not sure on that one I would imagine that they would consider it but you know give him a rest a little bit too long of Wayman come on

yeah yeah maybe this game yeah maybe I have no heart to not play out out and you're like, no So yeah, william neilander anytime goal plus 240. Uh, and then if you look ahead to saturday night Like what was mentioned thursday night there's what I say saturday night thinking about saturday night lives. Okay in my head Uh, yeah, we just had eddie olchek. It was a greatest moment in american It's lives okay in my head. Yeah, we just had Eddie Olchek. It was a greatest moment in American Second called me out for asking simmer first But Canada according to bet 365 is indeed a underdog going into Thursday night 105 On the money line America minus 125. That's 105. Well, it's hot. I bet you it's not there

That's money. I bet you it's not plus money come Cooper call out gambling a little bit there. Yeah, I think yeah It was the jumping-off point for a good conversation But we we we always had that conversation and like a hundred years exactly Yeah, no, you know what they're supposed to win So and I love the idea that when you're the underdog and the game is tied You feel like you're you're doing good, right? That's the idea There's no when you're the favorite and you're tied you like God we're supposed to be pulling away. It changes the pressure He he also was did a really great job of being like they're a fantastic team

I know the I've gone up against him enough in the playoffs I know the Cooper playbook. And that was a classic Cooper playbook move there. What a hockey there. How could any sniffing? How could anyone beat them? They're so good. So yeah.

So Canada underdog plus one Oh five. I don't know how many more times you're going to have a team that has Sydney Crosby, Connor McDavid and Nathan McKinnon and Kale McCarr on it. That's going to be an underdog in a hockey game, so maybe something to look at. Anyways, that was Bet, that was Game Time presented by Bet365. Visit the app, Fledisodds, and find out why it's never ordinary. Bet365, that's for 19+, Ontario only. Please play responsibly.

All right. Sam Reinhardt, what's this today? God, this, God has been a contentious show today. No, no, no, this is good. We're moving it forward. We're having real discussions. We want the game to grow. We all are on the same team. And we want Canada to win. Badly.

Also that part, very much. You want to take a break? Catch your breath. Yeah, we're going to track down Luke. Luke Fox is in Boston. He said he'd hop on with us for a couple minutes. So we'll hop on, see what he had to say say and then play a little Sid Crosby audio too. Sportsnet.ca is Luke Fox after the break when we return to Real Kipper and Bor NFL. The JD Bunkins podcast. Subscribe and download the show on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. ["The Real Kipper & Boren Show"]

Welcome back to the Real Kipper & Boren Show. What do you got for us? Quickly, I just got a DM from a long time listener. My boy Jeremy from Meaford said he's in New Zealand right now and the start of the Canada USA game made the evening news in New Zealand. Growing the game baby. I told you it's growing. Now stay tuned for Columbus San Jose.

Love that. Anyways, go ahead and get Luke. Do they even have ice in their drinks? That's what I wanted to know. I don't know, but it was on the news. All right, from New Zealand to Boston, Mass. Luke Fox from Sportsnet.ca joins us. I don't know where you are.

By the Zamboni? Yeah, right by the Zamboni door. You do know where I am. I know my rigs. Yeah. Is it busy there still? Or is that everybody kind of disappear on you? No, no, it's well, the press conferences take so long that it, no, it's totally busy down where the media are. Cause we still got stories to file and real kipper and born to talk to and all sorts of things. So no, it's, it's very busy. So just take us, take us through the last three minutes when, much like a Toronto Boston playoff series where you've got your story all completed and you just press the send button,

about four minutes left in the period and then it's four, three and you gotta fix your story. Is that what happened? So it was almost there. I mean, it felt a little tense. That's the word Braden Point used. Connor McDavid used the word ugly. I think I like Connor's phrasing a little bit better. the team's confidence and just not, you know, put it away.

Get a shadow for your goalie. Like go into the final with a bit more confidence. So, yeah, it was a little rocky, but they got the result they needed. They had the destiny in their hands. They had to finish it. They had to finish it.

They had to finish it. They had to finish it. They had to finish it. They had to finish it. They had to finish it. They had to finish it. They had to finish it. They had to finish it. They had to finish it. go into the final with a bit more confidence. So yeah, it was a little rocky, but they got the result they needed. They had the destiny in their hands. They had to finish it in regulation

and they got the job done. I just think you're too committed to Jordan Bennington at this point to even contemplate a change. It would have been a full two weeks for starts if they happened to decide Aiden Hill goes in the final. So this is your goalie. You got to play better in front of them and you need some office and guys like Connor McDavid and Nathan McKinnon delivered that. And I do kind of like Sydney Crosby putting the cherry on top. It's like, okay, enough of this. Let

me bury the empty net or make a big hit in the neutral zone. Luke, you know, we all had our preconceived notions of what the tournament may be and how Canada would look in this event. How are they different maybe from what you expected or are they kind of the team you thought they were going to be? Well, they look more like the team they could be when Kale McCarr is healthy. Like I think that's the biggest X factor heading into the final is the fact that McCarr didn't play in that first game against the U S and maybe you just say, Hey, that's what's fair on one

side. It's fair on the other because those guys are missing Quinn Hughes, but he was the most used skater on John Cooper's bench in the Swedenwind and same again today in the win over Finland and I think he's just such a Phenomenal difference maker and he slots all the guys below him a little bit better. I mean, there's no Petrangelo There's no Shay Theodore There's you know, they had to call Thomas Harley who who had a plane ticket booked for Cabo. Like they were kind of, they're kind of leaning on their defensive depth. That's taken a hit. You subtract McCarr and things get scary. So the biggest encouragement, I think for Canada to play to its identity is the fact that McCarr is healthy again.

He's going to be in that U S game. I think it's great that McKinnon and McDavid are taking control of their own lines. I really didn't like, uh, McDavid with Reinhardt and Marner. I think Marner wants to puck on a stick and wants to control, uh, the pace of play of his line. And McDavid's the same way having them together. Once Cooper saw it, he didn't like it. Uh, I think a lot of us didn't like it. So separating McDavid from Marner, I think was really smart. And now

the top six has a little bit of chemistry going. I feel like they're finding their identity a little bit. Yeah, it was maybe a little bit easy because Finland's defense is, is so depleted, but you know, it gets those guys feeling good. They have time to fight out some better line combinations now. In the past when we came to international hockey with Canada especially, we've seen stars come from every team only to pick up their roles rather quickly here throughout many tournaments. Do you feel that's the case now going into Thursday night in a championship game because you mentioned Marner. Marner's now you know with Sorelli and Hagel and I think other than Konekne, he had the least amount of ice time for forward so do you think Marner and everyone else kind of know

where their their their places or their role or can we still see changes coming either before Thursday or during Thursday's championship game? For sure we can see changes during Thursday if things start to go south but I think Cooper was talking after the game about how you write this stuff on bar napkins and you have these great ideas of who you think will work together, but until you actually see it with your own eyes, see how it plays out and talk to them, what do you need in terms of wingers to accelerate your game? It doesn't really click and there's not much time to figure it out, but I think they're getting there and I think this is the lineup you want with today is probably what he'll start with. As for Marner, you know, I think they didn't have the and you felt happy for him like he's gonna remember that forever taking a

Unbelievable drop pass from Sidney Crosby and scoring the winner. That's still an important goal in the tournament, but five on five I think he's become more of a checking guy at a PK guy Looking forward to Thursday night because that's really all we're gonna talk about from now till then Do you have any expectation that the game could start similarly? Or do you think that that was a, hey, you know, they're going to throw down to start this thing off and now it's time to play hockey? I'm on the fence. Kale McCarr just said that he thinks it's possible to happen again. He's like, we're in a different country, different city.

The tone will want to be set right away I think would be why I mean, I don't see three fights in nine seconds that that feels like, you know Some we're never gonna see again But I do think it's gonna be an angry game. I don't think it's like oh, let's let's worry about not taking penalties I think there's gonna be some some angry tone setting right from the beginning penalties. I think there's going to be some, some angry tone setting right from the beginning. You think Matthew could Chuck a little bit banged up. He will have had a bunch of days rest. He's not supposed to play tonight. So he should be fired up again. It, it'll be a fierce game. And I think here's another guy that started off as a healthy scratch

and you can't take out now. And that's them Bennett. He's going to be in that game too. And the line of Marshawn connect me Bennett. That is like an all jerk line. Lovely, lovely guys off the ice. They're great interviews, all of them, but I would hate to play hockey against that line. You're listening to Luke Fox from sportsnet.ca so as far as the the political temperatures going from Montreal to Boston I didn't really pick up too much off the anthem today but was there a feel that you know it's kind of followed it down south of the border or what was your overall assessment of of the atmosphere in the in the TD Garden? Yeah I heard maybe a couple scattered booze

but the cheers when Oh Canada finished were much louder than that. Definitely not the same feeling. Definitely not the same feeling. Now we're talking about 1 p.m. and I know it's a holiday down here, Presidents Day, and Boston the And it was, we're talking about two club teams. There were really loud USA, USA chants. And that's what Austin Matthews as one of the opposing players. So I would not be surprised if the patriotism is a little bit stronger when Canada and US go head to head here.

Great stuff, Luke. Thanks for making time for us. We know you're really busy and we sure appreciate it. Thanks man. Yeah. Anything for you, Nick. Thanks, Luke. I think Luke gave me a parting shot.

I don't mind though. I dish it out. I can take it. At least he wasn't like, Oh yeah. I heard you ask Josh cloak first. Yeah, that's right. I can take it at least he wasn't like oh, yeah, I heard you asked Josh cloak first Yeah, that's right, I'm smarter than that Sammy No, it's good stuff though

Interesting that McCarr mentioned he could see it happening. I could see it happening. In fact, I mean if it doesn't happen then What was the point of Saturday? And Eddie nailed it. And I'm not saying that it needs to be three fights in nine seconds. It could be three and five. But it could also mean, you know, scrums. What about zero? It all depends. Who's dictating? Who's forcing, right? And there's proactive and

there's reactive and Saturday night USA all to their admission on the podium. We planned it. We chatted prior to that. This was our game plan. Come out. We were proactive, Canada through Hagel, right? And then Bennett and- Hagel's in. Were reactive and did a hell of a job, but still reactive. Hagel's interviewed intermission was awesome. He said, you know, he asked me to go.

He said, I'm not backing down from that guy. And I think after the game, he said, I think he was surprised with what he got from me too. It's like, I love that. Out of the way, Hagel. I mean dig in. Yeah Pretty easy guy to pick a fight with the angle. Yeah Yeah, good for Hagel for standing. Absolutely who's willing Thursday night to go right back into that rabbit hole Bennett

That's okay one connect me But he didn't like he doesn't fight though. I'm not sure. He'd throw... He'd throw challenges at him? A lot of these guys likely would. I don't think there's many guys on the team that aren't getting the mittens off. I'd love to see him be in a position like Hegel where it's like, I'm game. Would Marshan do it?

Not really a fighter. I don't know. I don't know. He's not a. Like, he's not a fighter. He's a guy that'll sleuth with ya. Or punch you in the face. Or lick ya. We got Sid. Yeah, you guys wanna listen to what Sidney Crosby had to say after the game?

Let's listen to some Sid, shall we? Okay, let's do it. Right from the get-go, your big guys kinda carried it. That's huge. I mean, they set the tone right away. That's what you need. Big plays from big time players, and they stepped up just to get us to lead, to get a start like that,

get our feet under us. But like I said, that's a tough team to get to that. They might work for every inch, and the lead was important. What's your thoughts of playing US.S. again on Thursday night? Yeah, I mean, obviously, you look at the last game and the intensity, and both teams got to know each other pretty well pretty quickly. Yeah, it'll be a great challenge.

Sid, you mentioned after the U.S. game some of the turnovers you had and some that you kind of lamented that. Was that on your mind coming into this game in terms of just your mindset and your... Yeah, I think so. I mean, we got some great skill, great talent. Guys are committed to play both sides of the puck and we just go to give ourselves a chance just by the decisions we make and being in the right position. We did a better job of that today and it's not something

that's going to sacrifice our offense. I think we're still going to get our chances but I think we did a good job being aware of that. We got some dangerous guys and we did a pretty good job of making sure that we didn't give him a tunnel. Sid, what kind of hookback was having Macar back today? Obviously huge. I mean he plays all situations and he's so good back there so great to

see him back out there on the ice and obviously gave us a big boost. Talking about Connor and Nate, I mean it's their first time representing Canada in an event like this. Obviously your first time was in Vancouver. As that tournament went along, how did you start to feel more comfortable? How do you see them sort of navigating this for the first time? Yeah, I mean, they've been through a lot of experiences prior to this. And they have high expectations of themselves. They understand the pressure that comes with it. And they've been dealing with it for a long time.

So I think, like anybody, regardless of the scenario or the situation you know as it goes along you get a little more comfortable um but i mean you know these guys are used to playing these big games you know under the spotlight and uh and delivering and they did they did again tonight. Sid Crosby. The question about uh Kale McCarr kind of stood out to me just looking about like Colorado in general like their top two D played 24 and 23 minutes tonight in McCarr and Taves

no one else played more than 19 really and McKinnon plays 1530 first star two goals plus three three shots block hits. They're the team. Well it's like they're Colorado Colorado like however you build around those guys, you always have a chance when you have guys that exceptional and they are truly exceptional. I've been really impressed by tapes. Yeah, crazy that this is the first time he's ever played for Canada at any level. I just traded him for two seconds, two seconds.

Oh, they should. I mean, there's been these rumors about Dobson. It's like, is that not the biggest cautionary tale ever the trade you literally made It's in a 70 point season is a D man like 23. Yeah, so I've been really and you're right I must be nice to have you know, Kenan. I guess that's why you can trade Miko Rantin When you like we can get nature's back and we have jury still out on that one Yeah, well, that's I guess that's what they're thinking is they have this core they have these guys

But it's also thinking you know a lot of teams that would teams not loving players play like isn't ranting kind of hurt right now He's not Carolina's got to make a decision before the deadlines you can assign are they gonna trade him again He's out there putting it on the line for Finland. Do you guys want to hear from the goalie? Bennington oh very much. So okay if we could get Jordan Bennington that would be fantastic. Do you have emotions tonight then especially the last few minutes? Yeah calm all the way through you know every see way they great start the game and a great 50 something minutes or so and then it kind of got a little scrambling and you know they're going to push right right? They have a lot of offensive talent, and especially when they get 6'5",

they can move the puck around. So obviously, just a huge goal by Sid there, but I think it's 5'3", and then just close it out for us. What's it going to take to win the game? Just doing our job. Everyone committed to our style of play, the Canadian way. Playing hard and competing and playing with courage. And it's going to be a lot of fun.

I think you guys heard what Chuck said. What is the message? It's hard to stay. I didn't hear him say it, but he's trying to make some noise, which he likes to do. And we're just going to stick to our job here and focus on one game at a time, one period at a time. Jordan, you like that it's here?

You've had the greatest moment in your career here. Is that you like that the game is here and that you're in that kind of situation again? Yeah, two obviously legendary buildings, NFL Center and TD Garden here. I think Marci's the happiest that it's here. But yeah, it's going to be a lot of fun. And the work, the preparation starts now. Enjoy the swing today and then just all in.

What do you think about that game seven every time you walk into this play? Not so much anymore as a while ago, but it's nice to reminisce on things. What does the faith that John's putting into you mean to you? Oh, he's so scared about that guy. Gamer. I like his attitude. He's a gamer.

I think his attitude has helped him a lot. He's given up a bad goal and still it's not playing with him. He's certainly not Samsonov in a postgame. We had a couple years covering the Leafs where we had Jack Campbell and Ilya Samsonov going in and when I give up a goal, they'd be like, I should be shipped out of the country and I don't expect myself. I know. They're like, whoa, whoa, whoa! Things got...

That's not very... No, Bennington, he barely seemed shook by it all, which is a good thing. Yeah, like, you know, he let in a couple stinkers on Saturday We also made a bunch of great saves in that game, right? Like it's it's the give-and-take. He's a classic gamer goalie that you're Not enjoying but like he'll surprise you with one. So so USA Sweden tonight Yeah, are we watching for anything in particular? Is there anything that interests you? I think they have some talk that if it gets a little like hits a dull, they may go to

a skills competition. Get Kucherov involved? They're going to need something. Is there some concern that Charlie McAvoy's not well? Well, hold on, which kind of brings me back to, I know it's just four teams and I don't want them to play it any more than they have to, but... You could say it's four nations facing off It could it sure it could have they could have used a semi-final

Yeah, it's impossible. I mean the number of teams So if this goes to eight teams in two years, that means like more games obviously in a longer break I mean more games for the tournament. Yeah, which means more necessarily have to play more dates, more dates, longer. We've had long, right? Kip, like we, you know, the tonight or yesterday, there's nothing. There's there's been some holes they could fill in. I can't see them taking more than two weeks off the NHL schedule.

Can you? Uh, yeah, yeah, I can. How long in the Olympics? The Olympic break? I think it's all two weeks. Is it two weeks? I could say be longer than oh, I don't know I mean the one that I covered in Vancouver was like I think I did 24 games 24 games 27 you say you did three a day three a day. Oh How did all the last well?

To get the work that hard 12 for and no one kept a lot. They were throwing the money back around back then. Hey, holy. That was just my wardrobe. All right. All right. Thanks to Eddie old Chuck from TNT and Luke Fox from sportsnet.ca. I hope you guys enjoyed the two hours. Housekeeping. Housekeeping.

We are back to an hour tomorrow and back to an hour on Wednesday and then Thursday, Friday, back to two hours to help tee up the game and talk about the game on Friday. So two, two, two hour, two, one hour shows coming up Tuesday, Wednesday. Based on today, I don't know if an hour's gonna be enough. It'll be plenty.

Hope everybody enjoyed it. Few different opinions here, but that's what makes the real Kipper and Blancho. It's hell. Have a great night, everybody. Stay safe. If you're shoveling, start now.