Olympics: Ice hockey superstars final: Crosby return uncertain

“There won’t be a single television set in the United States and Canada that isn’t showing the game,” said U.S. striker Matthew Tkachuk, an avowed fan of Donald Trump. A few days ago, Italian media reported that the police were preparing for a visit by the US President in the event of the US reaching the final.

It is questionable, however, whether the US President would really subject himself to the whistles of thousands of Canadians in the Santagiulia Hall and watch a possible defeat for the USA. Because of course Canada is the favorite with probably the world’s best player Connor McDavid from the Edmonton Oilers. The 28-year-old Olympic top scorer finally wants to shed the image of the eternal runner-up. At the side of his friend Leon Draisaitl, McDavid has already lost two Stanley Cup final series, most recently last summer against the Florida Panthers.

Will the world’s best player Connor McDavid be crowned?

“To be honest, I haven’t thought about it,” McDavid said after Friday’s 3-2 semifinal thriller against Finland for what could be his first major title with a team. However, this statement was hardly that honest. Because of course this is a big issue, especially in North America.

Sidney Crosby’s injury is also being discussed in the hours before the grand finale. It’s not just the largest ice hockey nation in the world that is excited to see whether their captain and superstar can play again on Sunday. “That would be incredible,” Canada winger Seth Jarvis said. “His influence in the dressing room cannot be underestimated. Having a guy like him there on Sunday would have a massive impact for us.”

Canada hopes for Crosby return

The 38-year-old Olympic champion from 2010 and 2014 went off the ice injured in the quarterfinals against the Czech Republic. Without their captain, the Canadians were on the verge of elimination in the semifinals against both the Czechs and Finland, but still fought their way to victory.

The USA had significantly less trouble in their 6-2 win in the semifinals with Slovakia. Like the top favorite Canada, the world champion is also undefeated at the Winter Games so far. “These are the two really best teams in this tournament. We have a chance to really achieve something big,” said US striker Jack Eichel.

The USA have only been Olympic champions once: 46 years ago at the “miracle on ice,” when a group of college players defeated the Soviets, who were considered unbeatable at the time. At that time there were no NHL professionals taking part in the Olympics. Since the North American professional league sent the world’s best players to the Winter Games, Canada has already triumphed three times. The motherland of ice hockey won the final against the USA twice (2002 and 2010).

“We now have the opportunity to make our sport a better sport for the future generation,” said Matthew Tkachuk’s brother Brady, very pathetically. Statements like these give you an idea of ​​the importance of the final duel between the arch-rivals on Sunday for both nations.