1996
CANADA-SOVIET DYNASTY BROKEN
defeats
The age of the Canada Cup was now over, but the spirit of the tournament lived on as the Canada Cup evolved into the World Cup of Hockey. More nations were entered into the fray and qualifying games would be played on both sides of the Atlantic - but the finals were still a North American affair.
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GAME ONE
PHILADELPHIA SPECTRUM
PHILADELPHIA, USA
USA 3 - CANADA 4
The USA brought a Canadian coach (Ron Wilson) and two Canadian-born forwards (Brett Hull and Adam Deadmarsh) to the World Cup. Canada came without stars such as Mario Lemieux, Patrick Roy, Paul Kariya, and Ray Bourque. No one seemed to notice. When it took until 9:23 of overtime for Steve Yzerman to finally get the win for Canada, people started to notice.
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GAME TWO
LE CENTRE MOLSON
MONTREAL, CANADA
USA 5 - CANADA 2
Canada out-shot and out-checked the USA, but American goaltender Mike Richter put on a super human display, kicking away 35 shots as the Yankees took the win. A few more eyebrows were now raised on both sides of the border.
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GAME THREE
LE CENTRE MOLSON
MONTREAL, CANADA
USA 5 - CANADA 2
Team Canada took a 2-1 lead late in the third period and figured they would finally get rid of the pesky Americans. But Richter continued his outstanding play and when a questionable goal by Brett Hull was allowed with just minutes left, the writing was on the wall. Just moments later the Americans tapped in another goal, and then another into an empty net - the Montreal curse had risen again!
The USA gained international respect and Canada suffered their biggest defeat since 1981.
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Final Standings
1: USA
2: Canada
3: Russia
4: Sweden
5: Finland
6: Germany
7: Slovakia
8: Czech Republic
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USA Roster
HEAD COACH
Ron Wilson
FORWARDS
Tony Amonte / Adam Deadmarsh / Bill Guerin / Brett Hull / Steve Konowalchuk / Pat Lafontaine / John LeClair / Shawn McEachern / Mike Modano / Joel Otto / Jeremy Roenick / Bryan Smolinski / Keith Tkachuk / Doug Weight / Scott Young
DEFENSEMEN
Shawn Chambers / Chris Chelios / Derian Hatcher / Kevin Hatcher / Phil Housley / Brian Leetch / Mathieu Schneider / Gary Suter
GOALTENDERS
Jim Carey / Mike Richter / John Vanbiesbrouke
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