GDT: Team Canada vs USA Hockey 9/9/16

Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Six of the eight World Cup teams were in action yesterday but the NHL saved the biggie for Friday night. The Canadians and Americans face off in Columbus in the first of two meetings this weekend, the rematch will be in Ottawa tomorrow night.

Hometown coach John Tortorella wants to play a heavy physical game (surprise!) against the more talented Canadian squad in advance of pool play beginning next week. If the first few games are any indication, that’s not going to work. Speed has been a major factor so far with the youngish Finns skating by the older Swedes and the Young Guns terrorizing Team Some of Europe. If that is indeed the case it’s just another example of USA Hockey staying behind the strategy curve as usual and screaming for changes that have been needed from the top down for years.

Team Canada vs Team USA in Columbus
7pm ET/5pm MT on ESPNU/SportsNet/TVA
Dutch and EJ square off as enemies

ESPNU is a real live cable channel that you’ve never heard of, so you’ll need a cable/sat scrip to watch, either online or on TV.

Prelims continue tomorrow with the Russians/Czechs very early in the morning, Swedes/Finns a bit later on then the USA/CAN rematch in the evening.

[Edit] Per Portzline, Erik Johnson will be the healthy scratch tonight. Way to go, Torts!