That includes comprehensive coverage of the United States, which will play Canada in the semifinals at Scotiabank Centre on Wednesday (6:30 p.m. ET), with the winner facing Czechia or Sweden on Thursday. The United States defeated Germany 11-1 in the quarterfinal round on Monday. Canada advanced with a 4-3 overtime win against Slovakia the same day.
Longtime NCAA hockey analyst Dave Starman, who will handle the broadcasts along with Stephen Nelson and Jon Rosen, will give his three keys to victory for the United States before each of its games during the 11-day tournament.
"We all wanted U.S. and Canada and we got it," Starman said. "This game, as usual, will have star power throughout the lineup. Canada has had a few obstacles to overcome starting with the Czechia loss opening day (5-2 on Dec. 26) and a good blasting by Dennis Williams, their coach, on not playing selfish. This U.S. team reminds me of the 2010 (tournament-winning) team with how businesslike it's been. No 'Look at me' plays, no highlight-reel-grabbing celebrations. This group has set the bar for future teams on how to be professional, methodical, and efficient. The credit for that goes to a no-nonsense staff that knows how to win, led by coach Rand Pecknold.
"The unpredictable happens in these games, so the mood swings and momentum really swing. Canada will have the crowd. For most, this is the biggest game they've ever played. (U.S. defenseman) Sean Behrens (Colorado Avalanche) has played in a national title game for [the University of] Denver at a sold-out TD Garden in Boston. Canada has players that have played in the Memorial Cup and have won a WJC gold medal. The bright lights can be a little mesmerizing, especially in this game, so who's able to settle in and play it as a hockey game and not an event has a huge advantage."
Here are Starman's 3 keys to victory for the United States against Canada:
1. Managing emotions
"If you are a college football fan, you know that if your team pulls off a big emotional win on a Saturday, the following week it's really hard to get back to that level. Emotional wins can be draining, and we're dealing with kids. Then again, if you have watched this tourney you've seen teams pull off back-to-back gut-wrenchers to win it all. The United States comes in with the challenge of playing its first game against a team that won't be so friendly. Not that their games have been easy, but this game goes up a notch. It's March Madness-level intensity, and exposure, but it's for national pride vs. just playing for your school, so it's another level. Can Canada come down, reenergize and get back to the pitch they need like they were against Slovakia? Can the U.S. get to that pitch? I think yes on both sides, but if Canada has to chase the game, it could be a long night."
2. Fresh legs
"Three of Canada's defensemen played over 21 minutes (against Slovakia), and Olen Zellweger (Anaheim Ducks) played over 29 minutes. Canada's top six forwards all were over 20 minutes. (U.S. defenseman) Luke Hughes (New Jersey Devils) played 22 minutes against Germany, and no one else played over 20. The United States has been able to spread out minutes and the legs seem fresh. The U.S. had to travel to Halifax; Canada stayed put. The recovery time is there for each team, but who is fresher, physically?"
3. Blue-collar approach
"To me, the intangible is this, and I'll preface it by saying I have seen every U.S. game twice and have not seen as much of Canada but will by game time. The U.S.' ability to score on rebounds, control offensive-zone play and be invested at the netfront has been noticeable. [The] blue-collar approach, even by the superstars, has been a huge component to their success. The buy-in is there, they have shared the puck, and they have stayed within the structure that the staff feels they need for success. In football, it's who controls the line of scrimmage. On Wednesday, it's whether the U.S.' control of those greasy hard areas produces as they have over five games. Canada has been good defensively, has size, has some length on the back end. The fight for that patch of land, like the Copse of Trees at Gettysburg, should determine who hits the high-water mark of their tourney and who holds the high ground when it's all over."
