Olympic Hockey Group Stage Recap - Canada and USA Dominate w/ Chris Chelios and Jason Demers

Summary

Empty Netters Podcast (Almost Friday Media)

Episode: Olympic Hockey Group Stage Recap – Canada and USA Dominate w/ Chris Chelios and Jason Demers

Date: February 17, 2026

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Overview

In this electric Olympic edition, hosts Dan and Chris Powers are joined live in Milan by Jason Demers and, via remote, legendary defenseman Chris Chelios. The crew delivers a deep-dive recap of the men’s Olympic hockey group stage, focusing on the dominant performances from Canada and the USA, surprising disappointments (looking at you, Czechia), and a wild discussion of group dynamics, star performances, and Olympic atmosphere. Special insight from Chelios adds a veteran’s perspective on what it means to be at the Games, while Demers offers up stories as an Olympian himself.

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Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Olympic Atmosphere & Tournament Setup

• Setting: The guys are buzzing in Milan’s YouTube studio, soaking in Olympic energy and loving the setup.
• The Olympics bring a unique bonding experience, camaraderie among NHL enemies now as teammates.
  • Jason Demers: "In that locker room right now, it’s like cruise control…They’re just having fun together. It seemed like everything just fit perfectly..." (02:19)

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2. Group A Recap: Canada Untouchable, Czechs Collapse

• Canada: “Beat the wheels off everybody,” thanks to absurd roster depth, veteran leadership (Crosby, Doughty), and John Cooper’s cool coaching.
  • Jason Demers: "You just have such a great mix…John Cooper…keeps everything really cool, calm, collected." (02:52)
• Chemistry: Post-NHL return to Olympics, Canada feels like a true “team,” not an all-star squad.
• Czechia: Biggest flop; Zacha’s absence exposed lack of depth, Pasta underwhelms.
  • “I thought…we either overvalued and overestimated what Pasta was gonna…Pavel Zacha not being there is way bigger than people thought.” (04:37)
• Switzerland: Upset win vs. Czechia; Ginoni shines in net, Fiala injury devastates both Swiss and the LA Kings.
• France: Fun jerseys banter—worst ever for A, but “beer league practice tarps” for the whites. (05:44)

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3. Massive Injuries: Olympic Risk vs NHL Drama

• At length about Kevin Fiala’s season-ending injury (“massive dagger for Switzerland...and for the LA Kings”), and debate about the inherent risk of sending NHL stars to the Olympics.
• Conversation about whether hockey should be a Summer Olympic sport to reduce these conflicts.
• Jason Demers: "There's a lot of banged up guys...some might play this and then they're done for the season." (12:08)
• Emotional player reactions—Tom Wilson visibly distraught after Fiala’s injury as no one, even physical players, want to see seasons ruined.
• Chelios and Demers reminisce about how competing in the Olympics is more meaningful than many realize (“this means more to me than winning a Stanley Cup.”) (12:24)

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4. Group B & C: Tie-Breaker Chaos and Italian Goalie Heroics

• Group B (Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, Italy):
  • Three-way tie: crazy tie-break rules—goal differentials w/subgroups from Italy games removed decide the group.
  • Slovakia comes out on top; Finland snags a bye.
• Italy: Despite losing all games, their goalie Damien Clara becomes the “cult hero”—"firing squad," "peppered with 50 to 60 shots a game" (16:40).
  • Great backstory about Italian captain inspiring his squad after a close loss: “We were mad at how we played because we lost by one goal."
• Sweden: Chemistry comes alive vs. Slovakia, but inconsistent; questions around roster management (Why isn’t Wallstedt playing?), and whether teams should require NHL coaches.
• USA (Group C): Undefeated but not perfect—minor slip vs Denmark. Swayman’s own goal and colorblindness get laughs.

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5. Interview with Chris Chelios [20:54 - 41:52]

- Olympic Memories:

• Four Olympics as a player—“It would’ve been six had they allowed pros in earlier!”
• Emotional letdown returning to NHL after Olympic “high.”
  • “It just takes a little bit to get back into…the NHL schedule.” (23:11)
• Team Chemistry: Bonding is "immediate…all excited you're on the same team representing your country."
• USA team MVPs: "The Kachuks...get the motor running," "Matthews stepping up," "That back end—most skilled offensively ever for a US team."
• Zach Werenski: "He just does everything perfect...that wrist shot of his is more effective than any slapshot I've ever seen..." (26:18)
• On a USA-Canada final: “No question...it could come down to goaltending—timely saves, and anything can happen.” (28:57)
• On Canada’s legends: "Crosby is still there, doing his thing…McDavid and McKinnon, they're all great players."
• Team Captaincy: “On that Olympic team...there’s so many guys that could easily be captain…you’ve got that support when you’re the captain.” (41:47)
• Olympic House Life: Families in national “houses” adds to the experience; cross-cultural exchange; pins as Olympic currency.

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6. Player Deep Dives & Notable Storylines

Canada

• McDavid: Breaking records for points, but doing it subtlely with his signature—more assists than goals, but immensely dominant.
  • “He is the best player on the ice…You could blink and miss what he’s doing and he is the best.” (55:53)
• Sidney Crosby: Overtakes Iginla as all-time Canadian Olympic scorer.
• Macklin Celebrini: “No moment is too big for this kid.”
  • Team’s joy for his penalty shot (“the bench was electric at 6-1… that’s how much what this kid's done, you root for this…” 64:45)
• Goaltending: Early pre-tournament doubts about Binnington flipped to total confidence after his play.
  • “The scariest thing for Canada is that Binner turned the light switch on." (69:46)

USA

• Defense Depth: USA’s edge over Canada?
  • “Our back end, as far as talent and skill, our defenseman—I think we got the edge there." (30:00, Chelios)
  • Quinn Hughes (quiet domination), Zach Werenski ("moved up—God almighty, he's good"), Sanderson and Faber all get shine.
• Star Forwards:
  • Auston Matthews: Criticism about leadership and faceoffs roasted—“Give the guy a goddamn break…” (78:42)
    • Steps up in big moments, leads by actions not words; team MVP.
  • Jack Hughes: Huge step up; pairing with Brock Nelson (“Nelson is my MVP!”) unlocking line chemistry.
  • Kachuks: Emotional heartbeat, also effective shutdown line vs Germany/Leon Draisaitl.
  • Eichel: Now regarded as jumping Matthews for "best US center" in this group.
• Skepticism: Big test will be vs Sweden in do-or-die quarters—"nightmare draw". (73:13)

Sweden & Finland

• Sweden: Debate about use of Wallstedt, Forsberg’s ice time, and the lack of NHL bench bosses. Rasmus Dahlin and Lucas Raymond highlighted as tournament risers.
• Finland: “No one's talking about Finland…should have gone 3-0—throw out the 11-nothing game [over Italy]” (88:20). Finland as a dark horse pick for bronze or better.

Other Standouts & Moments

• Damien Clara (Italy): Becomes a cult favorite for heroic play despite blowouts; talk of him being a trade chip or future NHL starter.
• Jesper Bratt, Nylander, and other less-heralded Swedes impress fans.

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Memorable Quotes

• Jason Demers (on Canada’s room):
  “In that locker room right now, it’s like cruise control. Like, they’re so relaxed…it’s like a different vibe.” (02:19)
• Chelios (on Olympic chemistry):
  “It’s immediate…You’re so excited you’re on the same team representing your country.” (23:31)
• Dan Powers (on McDavid):
  “Every single time he’s on the ice, it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen.” (56:23)
• Jason Demers (on Canada’s future): "Macklin is seats taken...he's raised in the US, went to a US college—give him to us!" (62:55)
• Chris Chelios (on legacy): “There’s so many leaders on that (Olympic) team…the room runs itself.” (41:47)
• Chelios on Werenski:
  “That wrist shot of his is more effective than any slapshot I’ve ever seen on a defenseman.” (26:18)
• On Matthews haters:
  “Give the guy a goddamn break…he’s leading the team in goals, leading the team in points…” (78:42)

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Segment Timestamps

• [00:00–01:22] | Pod opens, Milan/set talk, Olympic energy
• [01:29–04:26] | Group A breakdown: Canada sweeps, Czech disappointment, Swiss upsets
• [05:49–08:20] | Fiala’s injury & the risk of Olympics for NHLers
• [09:23–12:24] | NHL season vs Olympic dreams, why players risk it
• [14:24–16:49] | Group B chaos: tie-breakers, Italian goalie heroics
• [20:54–41:52] | Extended Chris Chelios interview: Olympic memories, USA/Canada squads, being captain
• [43:48–47:34] | Sweden’s coaching questions, lineup management, danger for USA
• [53:44–57:34] | Deep-dive into Canada: McDavid’s records, Sid’s legacy, Macklin’s emergence
• [71:22–75:28] | USA’s D corps spotlight: Werenski, Hughes, Sanderson
• [78:41–82:39] | Matthews “proving the haters wrong,” leadership, line chemistry
• [86:00–89:23] | Predictions for elimination rounds, wild “Bizarro world” medal scenarios
• [92:04–92:39] | Beer at Italian hockey games: Only tiny Coronas—why?
• [93:11–94:16] | Women’s Olympics: likely Canada vs USA final, Sweden’s improvement
• [94:23–End] | Closing out from Milan (“Until we see you in the elimination rounds, skate hard!”)

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Notable Running Jokes & Banter

• Studio envy: Obsessing over the Milan YouTube studio décor (“I’m genuinely considering redesigning our entire studio…” 00:55)
• Italian beer situation: Only tiny Coronas at games is “an international scandal,” especially for Czech fans. (91:53)
• Tom Wilson “no hit list": Demers reveals he’s lucky enough to be on it, sharing how Wilson secretly warns demers off checks during games (68:59)
• Macklin Celebrini & Lava Cakes: Hosts recount how buying dinner for Celebrini/Smith exposed their order for multiple chocolate lava cakes. (67:00)

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Final Medal Predictions

• All agree: Canada looks like the team to beat for gold, but USA, Sweden, and Finland all touted as having a realistic shot in single-game playoffs.
• Jason Demers: “Canada gold, USA silver, Finland bronze” (89:53)
• Wildcard (“Bizarro world”) scenario: Finland or Sweden could swoop gold, Germany upsets for a medal, or a USA/Canada double-miss on the podium.

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Conclusion

The group stage is over but the real tournament starts now. As the pod wraps, the hosts and guests are fired up for the elimination rounds, eyeing historic showdowns and ready for another round of Olympic magic—driven by best-on-best, the agony of risk, and the pure, unpredictable thrill of international hockey.

Hosts’ Send-Off:
“Until we see you in the elimination rounds, skate hard.”

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Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Empty Netters podcast.

[B]

Can you believe what this has become?

[C]

There's a full 48 hours where I felt like I was like literally Superman.

[A]

Jumbo loves playing Fortnite, so he gets on the sticks. Did TR show you the sauna cycle or was that already.

[D]

No, I invented that.

[C]

Almost a year now that I haven't taken a body check.

[D]

That's kind of nice.

[A]

So we are back. We are horned up and we are going deep. Finished tonight with some chicken fingers and a few Guinnesses. Ran into you guys. And that's where this pod came to life. Ice is ready. And we are back with another episode of the Empty Nerds podcast, brought to you by BetMGM. And we are in the YouTube studio here in Milan.

[B]

It's incredible.

[A]

It's unbelievable. I'm your host, Dan Powers. Chris Powers right here. That doesn't matter at all. As always here back on the show. Jason Debers abroad. We are now officially international.

[C]

We did it.

[A]

I know, right?

[B]

This is.

[A]

It's hot. I'm so set up this thing. How unbelievable is this?

[C]

We're in a little.

[B]

I'm now rethinking our entire studio.

[D]

I.

[A]

We said it before to the team here. I'm genuinely considering redesigning our entire studio because of how awesome this is. We need to come to the ski court.

[B]

This.

[C]

Yeah. And with apres ski. Yeah.

[A]

And those are real logs behind you. I think people might think that, though. Yeah.

[C]

This is real wood.

[A]

It sure is.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

Can you believe that?

[C]

Yeah. Look at us.

[A]

Yeah, look at us. C.P. we're. I mean, obviously we're here in Milan. We're talking about the Olympics. We got the games buzzing. We've got players setting records already. You've got an agenda for us to walk us through.

[B]

We're kind of going to go through everything. Yeah. Yep. And so we got group A going to go to the group results.

[A]

I love it. Okay, let's go.

[B]

A Canada beat the wheels off everybody.

[C]

Yeah. That's pretty. That's a fair assessment. Let me tabulate that math quickly calculate. Pretty good.

[A]

We ever.

[C]

We.

[A]

We did a couple hits in games with you and every time we finished going. No, it's after the game. Canada good at hockey.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I. I don't know what I expected, but this team is so good. And one thing that's been really funny and I feel like I. I don't want to sue her Sweet Alice to her countrymen.

[C]

You can.

[A]

But we watched this Sweden Finland game and then we watched the Canada game and Alice was like, I just Feel it looks like Canada has been playing together for years.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And I. I think USA has an element of that, too. I don't get how Canada. These guys, the chemistry is out of control.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

It's. I and we were talked to. We have the privilege of being kind down in the media zone, the mix zone, so we can interview some guys when they come off the ice. And we just heard rumblings, like in that locker room right now. It's like cruise control. Like, they're so relaxed. It's like a different vibe. They're just having fun together. It seemed like everything just fit perfectly. Maybe that's so much time off from the NHL being back at the Olympics that all the guys are just enjoying it.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

But I think they have a great mix. You know, you got doubts and you got Crosby.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

That have been to two Olympics already. So they know what's going on.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And you. Then you have the young guys. You just have such a great mix of people. And obviously John Cooper, you put him at the helm and he keeps everything really cool, calm, collected. I had him at world championships, and he's one of the great coaches, I think, in the NHL, if not one of the best. If not the best coach in the NHL at just keeping guys.

[A]

Remember when Dum Dums on Twitter were talking about firing him? It was unbelievable, dude.

[B]

Because they lost to Florida. We lose to Florida, and everyone's like, you stink now. And I'm like, they. They won the cup. They've won. They've been to three cups.

[C]

Three cups.

[B]

Everybody loses to four.

[A]

He changed. He also changed everything with that stadium series fit only.

[C]

Oh, my God.

[A]

Only he could pull that off and be down by four goals and then climb back and win in a shootout and look like you planned the whole victory.

[C]

Stogie. Imagine that. Imagine that. That her brook speech for him in the locker room when they're down by four in that outfit.

[B]

JD I said he like, come on.

[C]

Boys with chest hair.

[B]

Sean, come on. We I we can't lose. I'm dressed like this.

[C]

Like, you can't lose. I will kill you if we lose.

[A]

The scene I I It's that scene from Forgetting Sarah Marshall where he goes, I wish I wasn't wearing this shirt.

[C]

It's like, take my eyes, not the shirt. Take my eyes, not the shirt.

[B]

Okay, so we're going to do a deep dive in Canada in a second. But the in to round out Group A, France lost everybody. I would say maybe the Czech team is the biggest. Surprisingly disappointing.

[A]

Tell everyone who's in group A.

[B]

Group A, Canada. Swiss. Check France. Canada beat the wheels. Everybody. France lost everybody. And then Swiss beat the checks. Was that yesterday?

[C]

Yeah. And overtime. Dean Kukin.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

With the overtime winner.

[A]

Unbelievable.

[C]

The Cookie Monster. The Cookie Monster. What a goal.

[B]

What a. What a.

[C]

Just what a moment by Dean. Played in the NHL too, so. But yeah, I. I think Czechi has been the most disappointing. I thought we either overvalued and overestimated what pasta was gonna. I think Pavel Zaka not being there's bigger, way bigger than people thought people have ever made. It just kind of slotted everybody in a wrong position and they just haven't looked fast. No, their back end I thought would. Would be much better. I just think it struggled at times. And I mean, Swiss, I. I love the Swiss team. They. I've watched them now two or three games and they play great hockey, man. They're really good. And Leonardo Ginoni is 38 year old, only played in the Swiss league. This guy's a stud. He has a mechanic on the side.

[B]

Is that true?

[C]

No, I just meant to make that up. I just want to set that up.

[B]

Yeah, he makes watchmen.

[C]

He's a watchmaker. Swiss chocolatier.

[A]

The Swiss team is a finely tuned timepiece. That's what they are. But Canada will again. We'll. We'll do more of a deep dive. France. Worst jerseys I've ever seen in my entire life.

[C]

The blues are nice.

[D]

The whites are so sweet.

[C]

The whites are practice tarps.

[A]

The whites are practice.

[C]

They're together friends.

[A]

They're beer league practice tarps.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

The Swiss Scrappy. We got to talk about Fiala. That is a nightmare.

[B]

Yep. Okay. Well, yeah, let's do that now. Why not?

[A]

It's an absolute nightmare when you think about. I mean, I love teams like Switzerland and Germany.

[C]

Who.

[A]

You know, to the casual hockey fan, when we come here, everyone's like, oh, shit, they have way more NHL 10 guys on Switzerland. Like 10. There are 10 Switzerland. I mean, it's amazing and I mean, I think you can make the argument that Yos is obviously Yos, but like Fiala is, you know, your second third best player. And it is so heartbreaking when anyone gets hurt in the Olympics, but when it's a team like this and it's that bad and it's just like, well, that's a massive dagger for Switzerland and it is also a massive dagger for the LA Kings and copies. Last year you just traded for Panarin and now probably your best forward this season because Kempe hasn't Been off to the hottest start that he. That everyone thought. And Fiala. It's just like, I mean, immediate season over.

[C]

Yeah. You're Ken Holland, and you're like, are you kidding me?

[A]

Are you kidding?

[C]

Like, it's sitting there. Yeah, I. Listen you. This is what. This is the risk.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

And unfortunately, the way of how physical this tournament's been for, like, a fluke injury like that to happen. And I know. I just saw hurdle kind of go down in the last game for Czechia, and it didn't look. It looked okay, but guys are, like, battling so hard, but that just seemed. I saw Tom Wilson, those guys walking off the ice, and Tom was like. He was distraught. Like, he was. He literally was talking with one of the players on. On Swiss and was like. I heard it like, yeah, didn't sound good. He just. And he was like, basically, how's he doing? And because none of us. Listen, we want to play physical as players, and we want to maybe, you know, hurt someone. Not hurt someone in a. In a literal sense, but, like, you want to inflict a little bit of pain, but you don't want this. Like, you don't want guys to lose their. Their season. And this is a similar injury to what he had previously. Correct.

[A]

I know.

[C]

So, yeah, I think it was, like, the same thing, but we got to give credit to. Well, I don't want to give credit, but the only silver lining, kind of funniness of it was the. The med gear that came out on that. That rolling bed and put him on his stomach. Incredible on those wheels. I was like, you're, like, trying not to. They're neon suits. You're like, poor guy. I hope he's all right, but what is going on?

[A]

Why is he on his stomach?

[C]

Why is he on his stomach? And it looks like it was put together. Like, it was like a Lego piece that put together in the bed. Those wheels don't. Didn't fit, but. Yeah, I know. Just trying to levitate the situation because it's sad. I had to lighten it because it's. It really is sad for Kevin. And Kenny Holland back in LA has got to be like, I mean, it's a disaster.

[A]

Kopi, too. Like, your last year. That's, again, your most productive forward at the moment. You're kind of like, are you kidding me?

[B]

So I have two questions. One, nothing on the play. Right. It was completely fine.

[C]

Clean.

[A]

Completely. It was just unlucky.

[C]

It just. There's nothing. He reverse hit him.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, exactly. I saw someone say if. If that's anyone other than Tom Wilson? No one's even asking that question. And I think that that complete. That it's not completely correct. If it was Marshand or Matthew, Jack or Sam, it. They'd be asking the same question. But it's because it's that type of player that anyone.

[B]

It's.

[A]

It was completely clean. There was nothing there.

[B]

And then my second question is, do you think there'll be any fallout or any repercussions to. Like you said, this is the risk. But this. People always ask us that don't know hockey that well. They go, why haven't NHL guys been going? And I go, because is it time over there? And then they get hurt. And it torpedoes the NHL season for an exhibition.

[A]

Is it time to revisit Chris's take that hockey should be in the Summer Olympics?

[B]

Basketball is a winter sport and is in the Summer Olympics. No one cares.

[C]

No, just because this is like, this is the kind of crowd. It's 60 degrees outside, you know, but it's winter. They decided to put in Milan. But we go to Tortillas.

[A]

It's the greatest city I've ever been to.

[C]

Yes. It's amazing. That's a tough one because, like, you're like. You could. You could argue. Yes, but I don't want to say because I don't want to take away from the other athletes here, but, like, men's hockey kind of closes out the tournament.

[A]

It does.

[C]

It's like the crown jewel of the Winter Olympics.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, and now with NHL, you know, when I was. When I played. Yeah, I played in the Olympics. How are you? Yeah, I'm not trying to tell anybody that one. Yeah. But I'm not trying to tell anybody that one. In 2022, there's no NHL guys. I'd taken a year off from injury and when we got there, because I'm going to rag on myself. So we're there and, you know, I'd played, you know, 13 seasons the NHL and, you know, I'd already represented Canada at the world championships. I'd won a silver. And we're there and, you know, we're walking around with the other athletes in the village and they're like, oh, yeah, you play for Team Canada ice hockey. They're like, yeah, and these are like speed skaters and stuff. And they're like, oh, yeah. It really sucks that the NHL guys aren't here. The hockey tournament's, like, fun. And I was like, excuse me.

[A]

You're like, excuse me?

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

You say, I'm on the Team.

[C]

What'd you say?

[A]

Say that to someone else.

[C]

Full well, knowing I'm on the team. And I'm like, oh, yeah, that's great. Yeah. Like, how great speed skating for the other three years anyway. But I, It's.

[B]

I. I'm rooting for you.

[C]

I'm rooting for you. I was mad. I love speed skating. I love short track speed skating and, and all of that, but it is just. You know what I mean by that is, you know, NHL players being here, it's just huge. It's. Look at the fans. Try to get to a game if you can. Like the, the buzz around the city, the village.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You see all the athletes posting pictures with Sidney and Crosby and like the Kachuks and like, looking for him. Because it's like, it's that big, like at these Winter Olympics. So it's like, it's so real to the point of the summer, like, you just can't do it because it is. It's the crown jewel.

[B]

Absolutely.

[C]

Sure.

[A]

And.

[B]

And this. The NHL won't go, God, we got to stop sending guys again.

[C]

Oh, they're. No. Now they're. They're going to get their paws in there somehow create some relationships. But now, you know, you listen to Gary Bettman and every two years now, we're something.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[D]

Right. Yeah.

[A]

Did something for sure. And it did. I mean, listen, it sucks. And you. I hate seeing Kings fans.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Being like, are you kidding me? This. Why does this have to happen? But it's like you said, it's. This is. It's worth it. This is the risk you take. It's. It does stink. But there's a.

[C]

There's a lot of banged up guys.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

That are playing this tournament, dude. Like, they're.

[B]

They're four nations, too.

[A]

You might know.

[C]

This is. This. There is some, like, I, you know, without. There's some guys that I think are like, might their season. They'll play this and then they're done for the season.

[B]

Really?

[A]

It happened at Four Nations. Like, it's. It's definitely happening right now. And I know a lot of NHL fans don't want to hear this, but I promise you, there's a lot of guys out there on that ice year who are going, this means more to me than winning a Stanley Cup. And I. I've said a million times as a player, if I ever got to that level, that's how I would feel.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I mean, it's like watching these dudes who hate each other in their NHL clubs so happy to Be playing with each other is the coolest thing in the world.

[C]

Tom Olsen's the most popular guy here.

[A]

How fun is that? It's unbelievable. So get back into this group. We can get into Canada. I want to just echo what you said. I think.

[B]

Check.

[A]

He has been super disappointing. I don't know what their identity. Because when they won, what was it they won Worlds the year before. Four nations.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And that's when pasta was like, maybe we can get into four Nations. Gary, like, not being an asshole, but he was just being like, we're good, you know, So I was expecting a lot from them. Zaka, obviously, is a tough blow, but I was shocked. They just don't look like they have an identity. I don't know. It's weird.

[C]

Yeah. I mean, their best player by far is Marty Natures.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yes. He's been the best player.

[C]

Kind of the bright spot. Pot. You know, pasta hasn't looked great.

[A]

No. He's like, he's playing too physical. He's like, head hunting out there.

[C]

Yeah. And it's. I. You, you kind of get caught up. I mean, the Czech fans are the first star. It's the best fan base here.

[B]

It's been so great. They're chanting, they're singing.

[C]

They somehow got all the front row seats and they got all flags. And I'm like, how did you do this? Bankrupt the country to buy all the tickets here? Like, every game is just check your flags all along. I. Yeah. So, yeah, I just, you know, it's. It's tough. But I, I, you know, I think that Swiss game's gonna haunt them. But, you know, again, this is the prelims. Everybody has a chance now. And if unfortunately they're. If they win, they're qualifying, which I think they will, they forget Canada.

[B]

Right.

[C]

So, yeah. So, I mean, good luck to you.

[A]

Yeah. These games on Tuesday, it's like, that's what's weird about the. The setup of this tournament is like, I, sure you can do that prelim, but, like, everyone's alive, so let's see what happens.

[B]

Okay. So I'm ripped through the groups quickly. So that was a. Yeah, well, we.

[C]

Didn'T do Canada, but we'll do a deep dive on. Oh, we're just gonna do the group.

[B]

B. Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, Italy. Italy lost everybody. And then those other three did the we all beat each other in a round robin thing.

[A]

I. Yeah.

[B]

Which was actually super confusing because I was trying to figure out, because when. When Slav scored that power play goal and went crazy or I can't remember if he scored the goal, but Slovakia scored that.

[C]

He scored.

[B]

Okay. Yeah, they scored that.

[A]

Slafkovsky was celebrating after the game like he had won just one gold.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

And I was like, why? Amazing looking thing in the world.

[B]

Especially when Finland pummels Italy. Eleven nothing. The shots were 36 to 2 at one point.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I was like, how did they not win the group with the goal diff? Because they're all the same points. But so for the people that don't know, because I had to look this up.

[C]

Charlie. Dad.

[B]

Yeah. That are tied.

[C]

Sunny.

[B]

You create a subgroup. So you take the Italy game when.

[C]

It'S a three way tie.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Three way tie. Create the subgroup. Take the Italy game out that way. Slovakia had the best gold.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

So they win the group. Finland gets second and is the top second place team. So gets a buy into the quarters and then Sweden gets this USA draw. So that's what happened.

[C]

Yeah. It goes head to head gold if.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Like who beat who by more? Yeah. So Finland beat Sweden by three. Sweden beat or no. Yeah. Sweden beat Slovakia by two and Slovakia beat Finland by three. So they get it based off of that.

[B]

Crazy.

[C]

Based off those rules, you win.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

Watching like all the people trying to.

[B]

Decipher it all people were sitting next to us. We were. We were watching that game and they're like, why are they pulling the goalie? And I'm like, I actually have no idea.

[A]

I don't know what's going on right now. You mentioned Italy lose to everyone. Clara, Laura, the goaltender. I. We are a few glasses of vino in last night at the Canada house. Shout out. Canada House. And I was like, if this kid doesn't get an NHL contract, great tweet. But it was like immediately people were like, he's a draft pick. And I was like, I'm get him in the NHL. But I was just like, I was so incessant as I was watching highlights of him and I was like, this kid is getting peppered with 50 to 60 shots a game. Give this kid an NHL shot. It's unbelievable. I think he's playing in Sweden right now. Right.

[C]

Like he's in Sweden. He's in Sweden and he's. Was Anaheim.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So he's drafted by.

[C]

They got Doe Stahl. They got Clara. Good.

[A]

So he got drafted by the Ducks.

[C]

He was a trade piece for Anaheim.

[A]

Yeah. Playing in Finland. Then he came to the Gulls, I think played a couple games. Now he's been like loaned back to Sweden and that's where I'm like, get this kid in NHL, people. Like, he has one. And I'm like, I am wine drunk.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Trying to celebrate this kid. He's not in the NHL. That's what I mean. Some. Some guy came at me and was like, don't pretend like you knew this. And I was like, I didn't.

[B]

What do you mean?

[A]

There's nothing to know. He's not in the NHL. That's all I meant. But I mean, that kid. Talk about a firing squad.

[B]

Oh, dude, the shot totals are crazy.

[A]

It's crazy.

[C]

They battle hard, though.

[A]

They battle hard.

[C]

I'll tell you what, it's amazing. We. Yeah, I battled hard. We. We interviewed Matt Bradley, who scored two goals in the tournament.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

After we interviewed him. So shout out to us at the NHL. But, you know, he texted me after the. They lost three, two. And he said, the captain after the game said, hey, guys. He goes, we came to this tournament not even thinking we'd be close to winning anything. And he's like, we were mad at the way we played because we lost by one goal. So he's like, be happy that, like, listen, like, hey, like, we have a team that can potentially do something.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, now whether they, after that game, get Shellack 11 nothing. I mean, the story's a little bit less endearing that way. But again, you look at the qualifying, you know, we played China in the Olympics after, and they had two breakaways in like the first period. And we were like, holy shit.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

We ended up winning 7, 2. But we were still like, wow. Like, it's. You never know what can happen in these tournaments. Like, somebody gets hurt. Xyz. And so it's. It's interesting. But yeah, they. I listen. Digacinto is my favorite player.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

On that team, he's the best player ever. He's Mark Recce.

[A]

Mark.

[C]

Ricky had a kid in Italy and left possible. Could be. Who knows? I'm not going to start that rumor, but he's literally like a mini mark. He has 70,000 hits right now.

[A]

That's.

[C]

So he's the best. But. Yeah, so. But Damien, Clara, I think just his makeup. It's only a matter of time. It could be a good trade piece too.

[A]

That is the big thing for me is I'm like, you look at Minton. Oh, don't even do it to me.

[C]

Wow.

[A]

Could you imagine if Edmonton swoops in and gets Clara and he the Cup?

[B]

Come on.

[A]

Connor will move to Italy.

[C]

Miyamore.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

So.

[A]

All right. I thought Sweet. The Sweden Slovakia game was huge for Sweden's chemistry.

[B]

Okay, okay.

[A]

Like, that was a big, like.

[B]

Well, I want to get into Sweden. So let me say this. Group C, USA went undefeated. They're the 2 seed.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Not a perfect. I would say Canada was perfect through the group stage. USA was very good, but not perfect.

[A]

Denmark. Denmark was the only hiccup.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

And. And chalk it up to whatever it was. But, like, there's kind of an own goal on the first goal against Sway. And then the blackboard school. Yeah. And then.

[C]

Poor guy's colorblind.

[A]

Give him a break. So it's like. Honestly, you're right. Not perfect. But like, like we said, I think the first. The Latvia game was the goalie interference and the offs.

[C]

Like, I should have won that 9:1.

[A]

Correct. And they know that, too. And again, for me, the Denmark game was not a hiccup. So, yeah, the USA is fine.

[B]

Germany, Lavia. Denmark did the. Did the Pepe. Sylvia.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Thing again. I'm like, okay, whatever, let me know. Yeah, you let me know how. Let me know how that shakes out. The world's greatest hockey players. I'm sitting right next to one. Are set to face off on the global stage. So join the excitement and make your Winter Games moment when you bet with boosted odds. Activate your odds boost token for any Winter Games hockey bet throughout the entire tournament, and you'll receive a bigger payout if your bet wins. Get ready for puck drop with BetMGM. If you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code netters, I.e. n E T T E R S. And you will get up to 1500 bucks and a new player offer on your first wager. If it loses, BetMGM. Make it legendary. All right, welcoming back to the show our good buddy Chris Chelos. And I gotta give you credit, Shelly, because I looked this up, but you played in a US Record four Olympics. I forgot it was four.

[A]

It's insane.

[B]

Nuts. Tied with Big Walt and then played in 22 games, second most all time. 23 to Big Walt. Captained three Olympic teams. You played in Yugoslavia, in Nagano, in Salt Lake City, and the Torino Winter Games. Unbelievable. Dude. Thanks for stopping by.

[D]

Thank you. Yeah, it was incredible Journey playing, you know, representing the country and lucky enough to. To represent it four times. Crazy. It would have been six had they, you know, allowed pros to go to, what was it, Calgary and Alberville. But yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Unreal. Incredible.

[A]

I gotta say, it's. It's a bit of a shame. The tan is bumping right now.

[B]

We're.

[A]

We're pissed that we couldn't have you here showing that off in Milan with us. It would be. It would be crushing.

[D]

Well, I've taken a couple trips since the NHL shut down and the Olympics started, but if it makes you feel any better, I'm in Chicago. It's actually in the 50s, so I'm. I mean, the sun's following me so far.

[B]

Yeah. You got to come out.

[A]

That's more.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

That's amazing. Well, actually, Shelley, randomly. One of the things I wanted to ask you, but you just kind of touched on it. Was it weird going back to the NHL after the long break when you would go to the Olympics? What's. What are they looking forward to when they get back?

[D]

I mean, honestly, it was tough going back. It's different for an All Star Game. Obviously, you're three days break.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[D]

Four days break. And it's a. It's a great time for everybody. But after two weeks with your family, your friends, and a different group of guys, mostly who you're playing against, it's just a great experience. Experience. So depending where you were, like Sarajevo, you know, we were on lockdown that. The whole crazy. You know, it was about a war about to start, so we didn't really get to venture too much on that one. But for the rest of them, you know, Toronto, as you mentioned, you know, Salt Lake was great, and Nagano was fun, too. I never thought I'd like Japan as much as I did, but. Yeah, and. And then it's, you know, reality kicks in, whether you're overseas or, you know, you know, been somewhere for two weeks and going back to camp. It's a bit of a. Kind of a letdown after, quite honestly.

[A]

You know, I could see that.

[D]

Yeah. Because of the hype and, you know, the Olympics and the whole country watching you, but, you know, it just takes a little bit to get back into the role with NHL schedule.

[A]

Yeah. Is there. Is. How would you say the. The vibes are from, like, kind of re. Readjusting to a new group of guys and bonding with these guys. When you're, you know, in the village together, playing together, representing your country together, how long does that take before you really feel like a team, or is it really immediate, and then what's it like leaving that group?

[D]

It's immediate. You know, it's all that old saying, two guys, you know, getting a fight on the ice, and after the game, they're having a beer together. Hockey players have a mentality just about Them and whether it's a guy, you're rivalry, you know, the good thing is a lot of it's American, Canadian or you saw yesterday with Dry Seidel and Matthew Tkachuk, you know, have gone at each other the last two years in the final. Had they been on the same team, I'm sure they would have been really good friends. But it's just, you know, it's just something about hockey players and you get together quick and you're so excited that you're all on the same team representing, you know, your country.

[A]

Yeah, no, it's unbelievable.

[B]

Well, through the group stage, USA and Canada come out undefeated. Only two teams. Canada one seed with the gold. If and everything. Who have you loved so far on our squad? Shelly? Who's, who's, who's, you know, whose game are you been like, man, that guy's going in this tournament.

[D]

I mean, the K Chucks both, Brady, Matthew, they kind of get the, the motor running with their energy and their characters and they play with a lot of characters. So I, I think, you know, those two really, for me, that they motivate that team. And then Matthews stepping up the way he did yesterday, you know, and not that he wasn't playing well, but for him to have that type of game, you know, going into the, the, the playoffs now here, I guess you call them the playoffs, but finals, you know, really happy Matthews had that type of game. Being the captain. I didn't like the highlights they showed on Matthews for the Four Nations. That.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[D]

But maybe that'll get him motivated, you know, and, you know, he's a quiet kid. He does all his talking on the ice and we'll see. But again, Hellenbach, what a way to go into the, you know, the semifinals also, you know, it was a perfect game for them and they actually got better as each game went on is what you want in these short term, you know, Olympics. So, yeah, everything's gone as well as it could for the American team. And I think all guys, you got a lot of scoring, good balance from everybody. It's. It looks good for them and you know, like, everybody's hoping hopefully it's going to be USA Canada final.

[A]

Yeah, it's so true. How I know you're a big. You're. You're always giving love to the defenseman like I am. And everyone talks about Quinn Hughes all the time. How awesome do you think this tournament in these first, first few games have been for Zachary? I know people in Columbus know his game, but like, how good is this.

[D]

Guy, I mean, they don't get to see him in Columbus. They haven't been a playoff team, I think once or twice. And it's unfortunate. You know, I thought he was going to get moved. I was kind of hoping he'd get moved and go to the, the Red Wings, quite honestly would have been a great fit man. Dude, yeah, exactly what they need. But you saw him score that goal and I had a chance to coach him in the world Juniors along with Matthew Kachukin and Austin Matthews. And this kid just does everything perfect. That wrist shot of his is more effective than any slap shot I've ever seen on a defenseman. He's just a smart heads up player. Got good size and just a great kid and it's been fun. They've been calling me before every game, facetiming me before every game and it's great. Makes me feel a little bit good about these kids, how much character they have and respect for the former players and how excited they are. So, yeah, that back end, probably the most skilled offensively ever for a US team. As you mentioned, Hughes also, and Slavin's kind of taking that seat of being just as steady. Stay on it, which he has some offensive ability also. Faber scores the goal. So yeah, they all contributed. And, and when you can get those D involved in the offense, it's that much more, you know, effective to come up winning.

[A]

Everyone keeps talking about that possibly being the edge if USA and Canada find each other. Everyone brings up USA's D and their goaltending possibly being the one that's a level above Canada. Do you see that? And like when you're talking to the boys and then when you're watching them, is that really the side of this team that you're like, yes, that can be a winning recipe for us?

[D]

I do. And you know, we, we say it all the time. I think, you know, I think Charlie McAvoy, another guy, left his name out of there. He was injured during the Four nations along with, you know, Matthew Tkachuk. Not to make excuses, but you put those two guys in the lineup now and if they do end up playing up against Canada, that, you know, that much more experience in the USA's lineup. But at the end of the day, you know, the fact that, you know, US has only beat Canada in the finals, if they get to the finals or match up, you still gotta, you know, you can walk the walk or talk to talk, but you gotta walk the walk. And you know, Canada's got that swagger about him, the experience you know, Crosby still in there and doing his thing. And then you put McDavid and McKinnon, they're just all great players on both teams. So it could come down to goaltending. The way I look at it is in Four Nations. I didn't think there was a loser in that. That was incredible. Hockey could have went either way. Yeah, Canada ends up coming up on top, but there it's going to be a heck of a, you know, playoff here, whether they match up against each other or not. And I hope to God they do because it's going to be incredible game.

[B]

When you list off all those names, Shelley, and obviously in a hockey game, literally anything can happen. But when you list off all those names on Canada, it's hard to sit here as an American fan being like, we can beat that team. But, but do you think, you know, with the right matchup and the right grit, we can. The talent we put on the ice, we can, we could beat Canada in.

[D]

A final, no question. And again, it's when to win these games, it takes everything. The. You get some bounces, but, you know, he just timely saves. Hellbox the guy right now, obviously, it looks like, and you know, it's just timely saves and then anything can happen. And I keep referring back to Four Nations. Matthews had a chance to win it, you know, in the overtime and then, you know, Canada just comes back. So I see a close game. I don't see anything different than, you know, what happened there. And yes, I, I actually, I believe they can win, no question. But, you know, Canada's thinking the same thing and all of Canada's thinking the same thing. And they're right too, for sure.

[B]

God, they look good.

[A]

They sure are. We keep laughing, Shelly. It's like all the guys you mentioned, they got Sid still buzzing. He's like third on the team in points. McDavid, McKinnon, McCarr. And then they've also got celebrity coming in here acting like he's a 26 year old vet. And it's like, can you guys just relax? Can you just calm down and let, let us have some breathing room here. It's crazy. There's such a good group. It's wild.

[D]

Yeah, but I'm with you. Like our back end as far as talent and skill. Our defenseman, I think we got the edge there. Goaltending, I don't know, you know, Bennington, they wanted to, you know, he's had a tough year and you know, they wanted to count him out last time in that Four nations and look, he stood on his head and wanted for him. So I, you know, I said, we're. We're pretty much awash at goaltending, I think. And as far as the forwards, I mean, how much firepower both teams have is crazy.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So cool. It's so.

[A]

God, it would be such a good final. But don't sleep on Sweden. Don't sleep on Sweden. And Finland. And Finland. Like, they're great teams.

[D]

Yeah. I'm a little upset with that tjo sheet saying he doesn't know he's going to cheer for last night after the game because of his buddy Wilson on Canada. But you can let him know better.

[B]

I got to call him because he was. He was doing the Tom Brady, like, I don't have a dog in that fight thing. And I was like, yeah, you do have a dog in this fight.

[D]

He better have a dog in this fight.

[A]

Yeah, exactly. Like, we immediately hit him up. We're like, what the are you talking about? But we need you here. Come on.

[B]

So, Jelly, your. Your best, your most fun run for sure, was the O2. You guys get silver incredible in Salt Lake City. So I kind of. Two questions. One, was it weird being at an Olympics but just at home, like, you know, you're just like, oh, I'm in Utah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And then two, just, you know, tell us what you remember. Some highlights just from that whole experience and that journey with the boys.

[D]

Yeah. Biggest fear, obviously, was letting down, you know, the country while we're in U. S. With their support and the home ice advantage and, you know, that, no question, I felt that we had all that pressure, but we felt very confident going into it, you know, mostly, you know, because a lot of that group of guys had beaten Canada in the World cup in 96. So, yeah, we were still kind of running on that one. And the families and all just, I wouldn't say distractions, but that's what we kind of had to block out. It was. It was great, you know, in that sense that we, you know, our families are there, we're able to relax with them as opposed to maybe being in Europe and you're on your own and. And, you know, straying off and with each other and. But, yeah, so. And then the games themselves were amazing. I. You know, Canada looked like they were going to fall flat in their faces during the preliminary rounds. And all of a sudden, one game turned it around for them and, you know, the rest was history. But again, I don't see a loser in that one.

[B]

We.

[D]

The game was a lot Closer, you know, the final game then, you know, ended up being lopsided at the end, but it was a pretty competitive close game right till that third period.

[B]

Oh, my God. Yeah. And. And what kind of, you know, it's been. This is our first experience at the Olympics, so the group stage is such a flurry, but then you do get a couple days off and, you know, whatever. There's a little time for the guys. What were you guys doing on when the few opportunities you had a day off, you know, was. Was it team bonding stuff? Were you just out exploring the city? What went down?

[D]

Well, I had these house USA houses or Team Canada houses, so everybody could bring their families there. So most of the time we spend going there, I'm sure Italy, it's a little different because they got better food than any place I'd ever been, you know.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Quite honestly. So you might venture out a little bit and hit some restaurants and walk around. The city's beautiful in Milan, so. But quite honestly, we spend most of our time either, you know, on the Olympic, you know, base in the dorms, and the. A lot of time in that cafeteria with the, you know, that's where everybody. The players, I mean, would stay. It was. Would be in the cafeteria most of the day. And if you're with your families, you'd be in the USA House because they had, you know, food from back home, and your families could come there, watch all the other, you know, Olympic sports and kill the day.

[B]

Yeah, that's awesome. We hit. We got a chest to see the Canada House out here the other day, and it's sick. They have, like, a rink you can skate on and like, two bars and a restaurant like it was.

[D]

Yeah, every country had one. And the good thing was the countries are allowing you to go into theirs, you know, some of the other countries, so you get to meet the other people and. And experience that, too. So it's pretty. Olympics is pretty amazing, and it's really unique.

[A]

Yeah, it really is, man. You can feel that, like, the, you know, things as simple as, you know, something we learned, it's the pins kind of being like, currency. Like, people bring pins and you swap pins, and there's just such a cool celebration of cultures and all these different nations and meeting people from everywhere. It's like. Like you just said, it's fun that they let us in the Canada house. We could have been sleepering agents for all they know. And they were like, come on in here, you know. Yeah, it was a blast.

[D]

And early on in the Olympics. Yeah, early on in the Olympics, you know, the preliminary games, it's not elimination, but once, you know, the elimination games start, the quarterfinals, then all of a sudden, you know, guys that play together and in the NHL are not sitting with each other in the cafeteria anymore, and they're just kind of looking across and, you know, don't want to be. You know, it changes quick, that competitiveness, and then, you know, it's every man for himself. So that friendly thing goes away pretty quickly once you get in this elimination games.

[B]

That's right. What I was about to ask of how serious we're about to ramp up here.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because it has been pretty chill. Like, everyone's hanging out and talking, you know, and it. The games are obviously intense, but it's been really fun vibes in the rink. But I, I know now, starting right now, it's. The energy is going to change, both for the players, obviously, but even the fans, too.

[D]

Yeah. And I think back to, you know, Utah or, yeah, Salt Lake, when everybody's hoping, meaning, like myself, Brett hall and Steve Iserman, Shanahan, we're hoping we're going to be in that gold medal game against each other and then, you know, come time that, you know, day before, a couple days before, we won't sit with each other in the cafeteria, we'll just give it this one and, you know, walk by each other. So, yeah, it's. It's strange, but.

[B]

Yeah, that's so cool. And then. And then chill. You did. You had a Northern Italy Olympics yourself when you were up at the Torino Games? Yeah, yeah. So what was that? You know, we're here. You're not too far from where you were. What was your experience like over here in Italy?

[D]

I mean, it was amazing. I think it was just my one daughter and my wife were there, so the rest of the kids, I don't know, for whatever reason, they couldn't make it. But, yeah, I mean, same thing. We. It was a beautiful city. I don't think quite as nice as Milan, more industrial, but the food's incredible. Right. So. And I didn't get into the sightseeing. I, you know, my wife, I knew that'd be their last time there's in Torino, so I wasn't into it too much. I'd already been to Italy before, but again, just being with the, you know, the families, the parents, it was, you know, it was really amazing. And again, you're like, you're lucky enough to, to be on that team and experience that.

[A]

Yeah. Like we said, Shelley, you played in 84, 98, 02 and 06. Like, that's utterly insane to be that elite as long as you were. Do you have any stories that immediately come to mind when you think of all your experience of just like shooting the with the boys or getting into some nonsense with the fellows? Like, what are some of the first stories that come to mind?

[D]

Well, let's start at the top. No secrets. Nagano. We made a name for ourselves at Nagano and not on the ice. Yeah, that was quite an experience. But the one thing I say about Nagano, when we first got there, they love their karaoke there over in Japan, and we had some characters and, you know, including myself. So the first few days, you know, three, four days, you could, you know, go out and let loose and have a few beers, and as you know, the tournament goes on, you, you know, buckle down and get ready. But yeah, that was probably the most fun to highlight other than, you know, what happened in the dorms at the end. But. And then again, I. I think Salt Lake, without a doubt. You know, just being at home and, you know, knowing that everybody's got your back and you feel it a lot more. Even though you can see in Torino, there's a lot of us people made that trip, it's still. You got a whole country rallying behind you and, you know, everywhere you look, it's Olympics and, you know, I mean, Japan, they didn't know who we were. We're walking the streets and, you know, Sochi as it was, Sochi as a coach was amazing. They had by the Baltic Sea there. I don't know if it's a Baltic Sea boat. It was an incredible setup there, and I love Sochi, but. Yeah, but again, just great times with guys, you know, every day was just amazing. And. And then, of course, then you're facing an elimination game or trying to continue to the gold medal game, and it just gets a little bit more stressful and serious. But that's, you know, that's playoff hockey.

[A]

Yeah, it sure is. Do you have, like, as someone who is, you know, a vet of four different Olympics, and I know you're not always playing the same guys, but if we keep it to Canada, was there Anyone on that O2 team on Canada that was just unbelievable that you were frustrated playing against.

[D]

Well, the big game? Joe Sackic showed up, and, you know, him. I believe Ginla was on his line, him. And obviously Mario had the big. The big play to Korea, the goal he scored. I remember Sakic just, you know, he took over that game and again let's scored a big goal. But again, it was a great game. Izzy and Shanny, like I said, it's just hard to play against your own teammates. But, you know, again, like, I don't know who elbowed me first period. Might have been that. I can't remember. It was Flurry or something. I don't know if it was flurry. I was on the team then or not. But anyway, yeah, it was just. The guy that stuck out the most to me was Joe Sackic. The game he had. And I always love Sakic, you know, he's a great player, great person, and, you know, all the respect in the world for Joe.

[B]

It's cool, too, Chili, to have you said, you know, like, you have teammates in the NHL that you then battle with at the Olympics, but it's also kind of fun to have a guy you battle with in the NHL also battle with. You know, you're like, man, we always go at it. Kind of like the dry Seidel, Matthew Tkachuk thing you said last night, you know, seeing each other at every stop, that's cool, too.

[D]

Yeah, my. I guess the rival for me would have been Iginla because we had some playoffs against Calgary, with Detroit and with Chicago.

[C]

Totally.

[D]

He was the one at a tough time. Whether he's tough as nails, he's skilled and.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, that's awesome. Okay, Chili, we'll let you get out of here, but I want one more question. I think it's so incredible, dude, that you were a captain. You're the captain of the Olympic team three times. And it's one thing to be a captain of an NHL team, but when you were on your country's select team and you are chosen, and that honor has been bestowed upon Auston Matthews in this tournament, what is it like looking at all those guys going into a gold medal game, God willing, or some elimination game where you're the guy in the locker room having to give that speech?

[D]

Yeah, I would say that on an NHL team, but on that Olympic team, with that much firepower and leadership, you know, on the players, there's so many guys that are, you know, could easily, you know, been a captain on that team. I'm just, you know, honored by. Especially the last one. I didn't know Herb Brooks. I know when they came to watch me play, you know, pre Olympics, to basically to see if they felt I was good enough, I had some pretty bad games. But for whatever reason, you know, Herb Brooks had faith in me because of my leadership qualities. And I thank God that He did, because, like I said, I had no relationship with him. There's kind of that Wisconsin, Minnesota rivalry that never ended between him and Bob Johnson, so. But again, there's so many players and the room runs itself with the leadership that's in there. And, you know, it's not like the weight is on your shoulders. Yeah. Maybe someone's waiting for you to say something. I don't know how vocal Auston Matthews is. I don't. I think he does his, you know, leadership by, you know, what he does on the ice. But he got a lot of help with the Tkach and the Warrenskis and everybody else on that team. So that's a good feeling when you, you know, you got that support when you are the captain and you might feel like you have that pressure on you, but you don't.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's awesome.

[D]

It's just a great honor. It really is a great.

[A]

It is.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

That fires me up. Well, listen, we've got, obviously, huge game. By the time this comes out, huge games in the first elimination rounds will be going on, so let's hope that. Hope that USA gets a good bid, can maybe handle Sweden, we assume, and then we get this final that we're all looking forward to because both these teams. Holy. This could be fireworks like you can't believe.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Chelli, you're the. You're the best for popping on with us always. Again, we wish you were here with us in Milan, but thanks for taking the time, brother. It's always awesome to have you on. Everyone loves hearing from you.

[D]

Thank you. And good luck to the men's and women's and all the Olympics. USA all the way, guys. Let's go for the gold.

[B]

Come on.

[A]

Let's do it.

[D]

All right.

[A]

We are here at the Olympics with the world's best. And when it comes to the best in hockey, you need Bauer. It is the only option, and it's been that way for almost 100 years. And when we're talking about the best, we need the best stick when we're playing at the highest level. And the Bauer pulse is exactly that. This thing has revolutionized the game in hockey with that mid kick feel and the low kick release. It's got the raised lettering on there that makes it feel like a grip stick without that sticky feel sliding up and down the shaft. This thing is going to make you shoot like David Posternak. It's unbelievable. You are going to elevate your game to the next level like Jason Demers. Honestly, if we're Being honest, it's going to elevate your game to the next level like you have never seen. Whether you're playing high school, beer league, college, it doesn't matter. The Bauer Pulse is the only stick for you. So you're going to go to Bauer.com, check out all of their gear. You know me, I talk about it all the time, right down to their workout clothes. Nothing is better. Check it out. Bauer is the only option for you.

[B]

Huge thanks to Jelly. Love having him on. All timer.

[C]

El Bandino. Good tequila too.

[B]

Incredible.

[C]

Very good.

[A]

Delicious.

[B]

He likes it on the rocks. One time I asked, he does. Do you prefer a Paloma or.

[C]

And he was like, tequila on the rocks. Always. That's the way you do it. One cube.

[B]

That's my bet.

[A]

A big square one.

[C]

Yeah. Love that. Fortaleza or El Bandido?

[B]

Yep. Okay, so Sweden. You were about to talk about this. I want to talk about Sweden. Because we, we were hyping them pretty hard coming into this tournament, being like, oh, Sweden's my pick to get bronze.

[A]

Here's my.

[B]

Anything can happen now. But so far I was like, yo.

[A]

Here'S my first topic. Why is Walstead not playing?

[C]

That one's an interesting. I mean, listen, Billy Garon's the one that decides. But then, you know, obviously, head coach. I. I don't know. There's been a lot of talk with the Swedish coaching staff here that, like, I've heard some people, writers and stuff like that, be like, they should really consider if we're doing NHL at the Olympics, that there should be a requirement of NHL head coaches as well. Like, because you heard Finland.

[A]

I think that, that is a great point.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

I think Finland, they like, tried to go and talk and get Paul Maurice because you get these European coaches. And I, I apologize. I don't. I don't know the head coach of. Of Sweden's name, but I know you're he coaches in Europe.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So you have the short tournament and you have all these NHL players now. They're used to playing North American hockey.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And you're bringing a European coach in.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

It always takes a little bit longer and you could see Sweden kind of.

[A]

Good call, dude.

[C]

So it's like, I mean, I can't. I got to give credit to the writer. I think it was Dan Rosen that told me that was like, I think they should look at it. And I was like, you know what? I'm like, shit. I'm like, imagine, you know, you got Paul Maurice buying the bench for Finland. I was screaming and Swamming the boys.

[A]

I was just about to say Paul Maurice coaching Finland. They would go undefeated. They would win gold, and that would be the funniest thing in the world, watching Paul Maurice with, like, a finish flag.

[C]

I know, but.

[A]

Yeah, but I think it's a great. I mean, it's what international footballs, like, soccer does.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You've got, you know, Thomas Tuchel is the manager of the England squad right now. Like, who gives a shit? Let it be just a good, good coach.

[C]

Yeah. You want something to mesh with your players.

[B]

And.

[C]

Sorry I jumped off from the Wallstead thing. I mean, I think Gustafson was the guy. I think. I think Wal. But I think Wall said struggled near the end of the Olympics and Gustafson kind of took back the net.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So you kind of keep him. And I think, listen. I think roll with him and Markstrom. I listen, the. Sweden. Sweden. I think the thing that people got to think now is, like, this is the most dangerous game for the usa.

[A]

Oh, it's an absolute. It's an absolute.

[C]

They found their game. Like, I watched them against Finland. Like, they lost that Finland game, but, like, they're playing some good hockey. Yep.

[A]

Well, that's why I said the Slovakia game was so good for their chemistry.

[C]

They look really good.

[A]

I thought they looked bad against Finland. I was like, I. I gave up.

[C]

Chances in Finland, but I think Finland's like, people have. We're just all talking Canada, us, like Sweden and Finland. It's kind of the four nations, like, oh, it's huge. If Finland had Barkov, I mean, they'd be probably my. My 1, 2 would be them, and. But now that Barkov's missing. But, yeah, Sweden is. They got a good hockey team, man.

[A]

And imagine if they had Leo.

[C]

Well, they started playing Philip Forsberg.

[B]

Dude, that was gonna go next.

[C]

You're playing Elias Pedersen. I don't understand. I'll never understand that for the life of me. Just be over Philip Forsberg.

[A]

He had a good little game, though.

[C]

He did. No, he played well. I think he.

[A]

But I'm with you.

[C]

He had a moment. He had his moment and kind of played. And he's getting back.

[A]

And when you tweeted, free Philip Forsberg, I was like, I completely agree. It was like. It was a Finland game. I think he played like eight minutes. And I was like, what is happening right now?

[C]

Well, they started playing him like, oh, we need a goal. Let's put him in. I'm like, this guy's just been pasted to your bench. Him and Ekman Larson.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Start was like. They're just sitting there like, why'd you bring these guys? One guy won a cup.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

The other guy, Phil Forsberg, who's perennial 30 goals.

[A]

He's Philip Forsberg. What else do we need to say?

[B]

Mind blowing to me.

[C]

I know.

[A]

But, yeah, it's. It is a. I mean, we're. Well, we'll get into it a little bit at the end, but it's like we got the US And Sweden women playing today, and I'll be at that game. It's a nightmare for me. Like, I. It's a house divided, and I'm. We're on a crash course for USA Sweden again. And I'm like, oh, my God.

[B]

Yeah, it's gonna be tough.

[A]

And yeah, I. I think it's like, Sweden. Let's see how they do against Latvia tomorrow. But that is.

[C]

They're going to crush Latvia.

[A]

Hey, Latvia got their first wind.

[C]

I know, but it was against Germany, and Germany's been anemic in this tournament. I use the word anemic, folks. Thank you. Look it up. Not good.

[A]

It's a great dictionary.

[C]

No bueno.

[A]

Yeah, it's not good to be anemic, but it is a good word to have in your arsenal.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

I think Willie Nylander is awesome. Do you think that? Or are you like, eh.

[C]

Like awesome as a guy and like, over the overall, like, as a player.

[B]

As a player. Like, I watch him play and I'm like, Willie's so good.

[C]

It's so tough with Willie because, like, we have it at the network and, you know, Mike Rob's been on air multiple times just carving and put. We all are like, Willie Nylander could be like a top three player in the NHL.

[B]

I literally think that, like.

[C]

And maybe that's just like. And maybe it's like we're.

[A]

You guys are nuts.

[C]

No, no.

[A]

But like, I love Willie. Willie's nasty, but I don't think he could be a top three player in.

[C]

The league, you know, and maybe that's. You know me. Let me go top five because then they'll clip top three and then I'm going to be in trouble. He doesn't clip me, and then I'm going to have people yelling at me.

[B]

Hey, you get to interview Willie and he'll love you. So.

[C]

But I know, but by saying that, I'm like, I. We just think there's another level there.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Like, I think he's great, but I think there's another level. And maybe that's just. He's capped there. And for him to go to another level, I think it's the whole, you know, Auston Matthews of it all where I think everybody expects him to, you know, score 75 goals a year.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

And be like, well, you're not doing it.

[D]

You stink.

[C]

And it's like, well, Willie's the kind of the same thing in the same vein. I think he's a fantastic hockey player. On some nights he's, most nights he's the best player on the ice.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So it's like you, you just kind of sit there and you're like, come on.

[A]

Yeah, he's also, and maybe that's it. I, I think he's, I, he's without a doubt the most consistent leaf in that group. And he also, he performs in big games in the playoffs. His aura is out of control. He might have the highest aura in the NHL that I'll give you a top one there. Yeah, I think he's the coolest dude in the league.

[C]

Like, yeah, well I think he, yeah, I think he, you know, his, he's got, do you see his no glove warm up? He curates his image. Yes, the best.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

For like he markets himself the best little things.

[A]

He does the no glove warm up was the swaggiest thing.

[B]

He's incredible. And I like remember the, remember, I GUESS it was two years ago that Boston Toronto Game 7 and like the pre game they were like, Willie, what do you think? And he was like, I don't know, whatever. Like, like yeah, he's kind of ghost.

[A]

He's like, they beat us all the time.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, I'm gonna wear a tank top. I mean I don't love the flip off and everything and I think like there's a respect to the game that needs to happen. But listen, I think yeah, he's, he oozes, he oozes sex every guess.

[B]

Every time in that Finley game, which they lost. But every time something good happened for Sweden, a good chance happened. It was coming off his stick.

[A]

Every time you were, I, I, I'm just going to say, you keep saying that and you're not wrong that he had a great game. Rasmus Dahlin was the best player for Sweden in that game.

[C]

He's been the best player for Sweden.

[A]

He's been the best player for Sweden this tournament.

[B]

You know who I think's been awesome.

[C]

Too and I'm really happy erroneous to you?

[B]

Lucas Raymond. I've really enjoyed his tournament.

[A]

He's fiery because sometimes I think his.

[B]

Rookie year I was like, lucas Raymond is a future superstar and he's obviously very good. But there's been stretches where I'm like, I think I overshot that.

[C]

He's you swung out. You did like I did when I said Nylander stopped.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, calm down.

[A]

You guys are too horny. You're getting way too horny.

[C]

Milan, I'm having and yeah, every day. And Jack Decay and I'm whatever the hell you call it.

[B]

I'm just in a good mood, dude. Everything's happy. I'm like, he's the best player I've ever seen. But I've really enjoyed Lucas Raymond's tournament. I think he's been awesome.

[A]

Yeah, I think this has been a good tournament for people realizing how good Jesper Brat is too.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

People are like, whoa, this dude is silky like he feel. Jesper Brat moves like the Hughes brothers moves and people again, Devils fans know this. Most other people do not know this. If you are on the go, super busy grinding out all of your days and you have no time to cook, Factor Meals is the only option for you. This stuff is giving you some of the best food that you could possibly imagine. Prepared meals designed by dietitians and crafted by chefs that are so easy to do. You just pop them in the microwave and then bang, you are eating like you're at a five star restaurant. It's unbelievable. There's quality, functional ingredients including lean proteins, colorful veggies, whole food ingredients and healthy fats. No refined sugars, no artificial sweeteners, no refined seed oils. Meals that fit your goals and your schedule. It's healthy eating. It's whenever you need it. You don't have to go to the grocery store. You don't need all that prep time and cook time. It's on the go for you because you're on the go. You're a go getter. You need a meal that is up to your standards and is in that same schedule for you. So Factor Meals is going to be the option for you every single time you're going to head to FactorMeals.com netters 50 off that's N E T T E R S 50 off and use code netters 50 off to get 50% off. That's insane. And you get free breakfast for a year. So eat like a pro. This month with Factor New subscribers only varies by plan. One free breakfast item per box for one year while subscription is active.

[B]

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[A]

Okay, who's next?

[B]

Canada. I want to go to Canada.

[C]

You want to go to Canada? You're like a. Like a screenwriter.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.

[C]

Yeah. It's like we're in a Guy Ritchie film. We're going to start to the back.

[A]

Middle and next chapter.

[C]

Next chapter. And then. Oh, now we're going to come back.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yep. Hopefully they go to black and white here.

[B]

Yeah, the transitions are gonna be incredible.

[C]

That's. Can't wait. I love it.

[A]

That's YouTube, baby.

[C]

That's YouTube.

[A]

Come on.

[B]

Okay, Connor is gonna break these scoring records already.

[A]

So let's talk about what. So he. He set a record last night as the first player since NHL participants.

[C]

Yeah, that's where. That's where it all gets screwy.

[A]

To have three points in three consecutive games.

[B]

That's never been done.

[A]

That has never been done.

[B]

In one olympics.

[A]

He has nine points. No, I think it's. Jonathan Taves has 11. Okay, is it 11 or is it 10?

[C]

It's. No, it's 11. It's 11, but I'll give. I'll give you a couple of them. So Crosby last night, which went quietly, went all time.

[A]

Canada. Yep.

[B]

Goal score in Olympic career.

[C]

Yeah, in the Olympic career, he pass Jerome McGinla. McDavid's already at nine and it's 15.

[B]

Okay, 15. Oh, yeah. Yeah.

[C]

So McDavid's gonna pass him in tomorrow, this tournament. He's gonna pass him.

[A]

It's 15.

[C]

So Crosby with NHL players.

[A]

Crosby's at 15 now and McDavid already has nine.

[B]

Has not. Yeah.

[C]

And then Macklin's gonna pass Connor.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

In four Olympics.

[A]

Yeah, correct.

[C]

Which is amazing.

[A]

It's amazing.

[C]

Canada's so deep.

[A]

It's. It's unfair. Connor coming. I mean, it's the most Connor stat of all time. 2 goals, 7 assists is the most Connor stat of all time. Him doing this, obviously, in his first Olympic. Somehow quietly, it's like.

[C]

I feel like if you think he's been quiet.

[A]

No, no, no, no.

[C]

He's truck stick.

[A]

He has been hitting.

[B]

So.

[C]

Dude, I want to say most physical I've ever.

[A]

Hold on, let's wait. Wait to that. Because my. I don't want. I don't want to get clipped here and say like, Connor McDavid's been quiet, but I don't think.

[C]

Oh, yeah, they're gonna.

[B]

Too late.

[A]

Yeah, they're gonna clip the. Out of me. Connor McDavid hasn't. I don't think he's been like a bat out of hell scoring a million goals. He has two goals.

[C]

You're hungover.

[A]

But my point is this is exactly what he does. He is the best player on the ice. He has seven assists in three games and two goals on top of that. That is why it's the most Conor McDave performance of all time. Because it's like you could. You could blink and miss what he's doing. And he is the best. And it's also. We talk about this every time I said this last episode, so forgive me, listeners, for saying it again. I'll never get over watching him play hockey. Every single. Every single time he's on the ice, it's like nothing I've ever seen.

[C]

All right. But he's going to go down as, I think the best all time once he can knock a Stanley cup out of there. But yeah, I mean, that poor Antoine Keller, the goaltender gets put into the game. First shot is a breakaway from Connor McDavid. Poor kids. I mean, I just got absolutely. There goes my groins. But yeah, I. What he's done and what he continues to do. And I think, you know, the. The thing we said after, like the second game was even though it's best on best, and I say that knowing that Rush is not in the tournament and it would be complete. It would. It would be a completely different tournament. So. But I get it for best on best right now.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

And what. This is what's available to us. He's still a cut above. It's crazy. Like, he still makes. He's still above all that. And I thought. I thought it kind of. Because I had. At the start of this tournament, I had us ahead because I said, oh, interesting. Yeah. Yeah. Out of this stage because. Can I finish second? Because Swiss. Are checks going to give him a tough run?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And I'm completely wrong. I was like, they look incredible. And because of Large, in part because of him.

[A]

I mean. Well, that's what I was going to say. You're so right. And it's crazy that he is a cut above on this team. Team, too.

[C]

Like, cut above. Like, better than Nate.

[A]

Better than Nate.

[C]

Like, wild.

[A]

Better than Mac, better than Kale. It's like, I'm like, holy, man. Like, this guy's a cut above all of them. It's crazy.

[B]

Do you think. Do you think Nate thinks that?

[C]

Well, Nate. We interviewed Nate, and he said he was, like, very. We talked. We're asking about Macklin, and he was like, Macklin's, like, gonna be one of the best players, if not the best player in the league.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Like, that's from Nate. Nate won't say that if it's not. I think. I think we all know. I think we all see it. I think they're different players. Obviously, Nate's more powerful. It's all different. But his IQ and what he can do with the puck and in tight spaces and his. His speed, like, that's the thing is, you notice, like, his speed comparatively to the other guys.

[B]

Joke.

[A]

It's a joke.

[C]

Crazy.

[A]

Yeah, it's a joke.

[C]

He came, like. He's. He's a mute, that guy. Only he wakes up in the morning and he's eating pucks. He's. You know, the guy doesn't. It's hockey, like, and that's it. And I. We. People always go like, oh. You know, I always tell parents and stuff like that. That'll be like, oh, you know, my kid, like, loves Conor McDavid. I want to be Connor McDavid. I'm like, you won't be.

[B]

No, no, no.

[C]

Because you cannot sacrifice that much and be that disciplined to be that. It's like a one in a million, you know, one in a trillion, whatever you want to call it. Bazillion, gajillion. It's just so. It's so impressive to watch. But I'm like, he's.

[B]

It's.

[A]

It's. He's a maniac.

[C]

I love him.

[A]

It's like, I. I'll reference the Players Tribune article again. It's like, I. I loved the. He's like, I love hockey, and all I want to do is play hockey and win and.

[C]

And he wrote a manifesto when he.

[A]

Was like, if that makes me a robot. I was actually like, I don't get robot vibes from this. I get like, you are a savant and you that you were put on this earth to play hockey and you are doing it better than anyone ever has.

[B]

My favorite part about the article was I thought it was going to go. When I started reading, I thought it was him going, you all call me a hockey robot, but I'm not. Whatever.

[C]

I'm a human. He's like, no, I'm a.

[B]

But it actually was. I am. Yeah, just leave me alone. I stop.

[C]

Literally the Will Smith movie all over again. Yeah, he's sunny. He's sunny. I'm calling him Sonny. Literally.

[A]

Like, just stop asking me questions.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I'm just gonna go back.

[C]

Oh, he's the only player that has said that. He's like, the schedule this year.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Because he likes playing. I'm like, what?

[B]

Everyone's miserable.

[C]

People are like, this is the worst schedule we've ever had. I'm so tired. He's like, I love it. We play more.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[C]

We play 100 games. Yeah. We get these a little tighter.

[A]

So they're nasty.

[B]

So the Mac, when they go Mac, Connor, Nate.

[C]

Nuclear. Nuclear when they go nuclear.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. Nuclear.

[C]

Nuclear.

[A]

It's the fact that Sid is still so good. I think he's like. Like second or third or something on points.

[D]

So smart.

[C]

Well, that line is a well put together line.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

With Marner and Stone.

[B]

So good. It's actually perfect. I was kind of. I had questions about that line.

[C]

That's their second line. They let all five on five. They led everybody in time on ice.

[A]

It's a special group.

[B]

Here's a question for you. Next. If Sid is still playing next Olympics.

[C]

He's not playing next Olympics.

[A]

You don't think so? I think it might.

[C]

4. 4 is just a touch too long for me.

[B]

You think so? I think he's going to do four and he's got to be his last year.

[A]

I think it. It would be miraculous if he were playing the next Olympics. I'm not ruling it out though.

[C]

If he plays the next Olympics, I'm hitting him with my car.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

That means I retired way too, way too early.

[D]

It's.

[A]

That's where we need to intervene. That's where like you're doing is unacceptable.

[C]

Hey, you are.

[B]

Stop it.

[A]

You're making us all look like.

[C]

Go home.

[A]

Please. Just sit on your couch.

[B]

Watch one.

[A]

Watch one from the tv.

[C]

That's it.

[B]

So here's my question. If Sid's still in the NHL and he's a 60 point guy, do you Take him or do you go.

[C]

He's at every Olympics until he retires. But we're saying what we're saying.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You are throwing some hypothetical.

[B]

Because this is my question and because Red asked me this, I was like, wow, that's an interesting thought. And then, would Sid even keep playing in the NHL if he's a 60 point guy? Like, if he ever.

[C]

If he wants to play in one more Olympics, I'm like, why does he should just come out here and play in Bolzano or go play somewhere in Italy or.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

Or go play in France for four years and just like.

[B]

And then.

[C]

But no one hear about it. But he's just playing in like some Division 7 league. That would be Austria. Living on a beach, lighting it up. Coming out, guys.

[A]

Yeah, here's my thing.

[B]

Take the train.

[C]

Bearded. Like cast away.

[A]

I think Sid has the capability of being a success. 60 point guy.

[B]

Right?

[A]

Like, if he plays till he's 42, he will still score 82 points.

[C]

He's. But he's a lot like. He's. He's another Connor of like.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

He's a robot.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Loves.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Loves hockey.

[B]

That's why I think he'll do it.

[C]

He might.

[B]

Okay. Celebrating.

[A]

There's nothing to say.

[C]

Generational.

[A]

He's. Generational. He is.

[B]

I can't believe he's doing.

[A]

He is. I was going to wait for the USA chat to talk about this. It is as good as USA Hockey is and as great as. As many great young players as we have.

[B]

Funny. Yeah.

[A]

We just were never. It's. It's. It's unfair. It's like you've got Macklin Celebrini. I mean, you've already got Connor, Nate Cale on this team. You had Sid on this team. Now you've got Macklin, you've got Connor Bedard sitting there at home waiting. And he'll be in the next one because You've got Gavin McKenna about to be the number one pick. It's like, give us.

[B]

Leave us alone.

[C]

Macklin is seats taken.

[A]

Like, raised in the US Went to a US College. Like, give it him to us.

[B]

We should get Mac.

[A]

It's bullshit. This should be. This should be a hostile takeover situation.

[C]

Listen, it's not so much Macklin, it's Big Dick Rick.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Correct.

[A]

The man after the man has talk about gold, the golden sea.

[C]

That man just pumps him out.

[A]

It's. And the, the, the video of him just. I think we posted on the story before that shootout was just like staring with his. He looked like Jaime Lannister.

[C]

Yeah. That was the silkiest shootout goal to go seven hole. Did you see on the wing, the chicken wing? Dewey gave him shit, but what's that?

[A]

Dewey was like, I told him the move sucked.

[C]

I thought it was. I thought that that was so cheeky.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Because he was going seven hole and not going where typically they go. Low blocker. And he made him bite on the low blocker and open up the wing. That. That was so cheeky. I was. He's change up. He pulled that little low blocker, but it was like a change up. I was like, are you. Like, that was having fun.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Like, that's a move that if it doesn't work, looks awful. It's in the chest. But he literally got the scaly.

[A]

Did you know that in the Olympics, anyone can take.

[B]

Yeah, I heard them. I didn't know that, but I heard the answer.

[A]

Coop saying they were like, looking down the bench like, who's going to take this? And he. Coop said he looked out and just saw Macklin skate in circles in the center. And he was like, all right, he's going.

[C]

He. They pointed to the. You know, for the penalty shot. And that whole bench, all the guys, the smiles. And they all jumped up and they're all looking at Coop like, he's going. Like, he's going. And they were so excited. Every guy was standing up on that bench. And it was 6:1.

[B]

I know.

[C]

That's how much what this kid's done. Like, you root for this.

[A]

Oh, you're watching.

[C]

He's such a good kid.

[A]

Oh, he's. I mean, obviously friend of the program. He's best. He's my son. He's the best in the world.

[C]

Second on the team in points.

[B]

So stupid. People were like, we shouldn't bring him. Leave him home.

[C]

Make the. I called the mini sit at the starting of the season, and people were like, you're crazy. You're.

[A]

I. Quarter way through the season. I was. It's.

[C]

No, not yet. I can't say. Sorry.

[A]

Clipped.

[B]

Clipped.

[A]

But it's.

[D]

We.

[A]

We talk about it all the time. He's. No moment is too big for this kid.

[C]

He's just having fun.

[A]

He scores in every debut of his career. Truly at every level.

[C]

He's a robot, too.

[A]

But he's not. That's the crazy thing is he is. He's so. He's a robot in that he loves hockey. It's all he thinks about. But he is so normal and fun.

[C]

No, like, yeah, like, I mean, his personality is infectious. Like, and I think Will Smith has helped that a lot.

[A]

Agree.

[C]

Because he was very serious in year one, and I think Will Smith has pulled it out of him and he's understanding that, like, oh, it's a game. I can be fun and. But like, he's dialed.

[A]

He's a hybrid.

[B]

When they. They. Those two were in la. I don't think I've told this right in the pod, but they're. They're in LA one night and they were going. They're looking for a dinner. They had like a. You know, they're just early dinner. Like, can't see you guys. We have a curfew. Whatever. So we send them to this spot in Venice that we like.

[C]

Oh. And shout out to Venice.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. So we go to the restaurant and I talk to the manager and I'm like, hey, I have a couple friends coming in. This is their reservation. We'll take care of the bill.

[C]

Wow, what a veteran move by. You never did that with me ever.

[B]

Correct.

[A]

Where do you think we're going after this?

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Oh, I can't tell.

[B]

No, no, no.

[C]

When will this air?

[A]

We'll have burned that place to the ground.

[C]

Come on now.

[B]

I, you know, leave the card or whatever. And I. I didn't realize that they would email me the itemized.

[A]

Yeah, they sent us the receipt.

[B]

Receipt. So.

[A]

Of what they got.

[B]

And dude, I was dying.

[C]

Did they run it up?

[B]

No, because first of all, they're 19.

[C]

It was like aquaponics, dude.

[B]

So I'm looking at their dinner and it's like. It's like two steaks, you know, a couple sides, whatever. And then like a chocolate lava cake for both.

[A]

A couple of them. Couple chocolate lava cakes.

[C]

Isn't that. That's a sick. But that's a sick. Like, I don't know if you did that on purpose, but, like, order it. Like buying somebody's dinner to find out who they are.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

Inside a little bit. Like. So when like gave us a little insight. Pretty. That's. Wow.

[A]

They were rattle killer.

[C]

I thought you were Christian. I thought you were Christian Bale.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Patrick Bateman. But he's Bateman.

[A]

It was my idea, but he was the one analyzing the man.

[C]

Yeah, sick though. I gotta do that one.

[A]

You know what's funny too, is, like, we texted him after. We were like, lava cakes, huh, boys? And they were so rattled. They were like, oh, like, you guys.

[C]

Know, you exposed me and now you expose them again. Lava Kick. I'm gonna get them.

[B]

The fellas.

[C]

Yeah, the nickname. Call him Lava Cake. The Lava Kick.

[B]

Boys lasting on Canada. What, does Wilson get suspended?

[C]

No, he's fine.

[B]

It's already fine.

[C]

He's fine.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Yeah, he's fine.

[B]

I kind of love him.

[C]

I mean. Yeah. What is it? Yeah, you hate to love him. Love to hate him. Yeah, but he's with when he's on your team.

[A]

I, I, I, I've said kissing that man on the forehead, I've said a million times. I'm not a Caps fan. He's one of my favorite players in the league. And I think I, I think, Marshan, about Sam Bennett. I don't care if you were a fan of the rival team. You need to change your mindset on guys like this. Like, appreciate how insanely valuable that type of player is.

[C]

Yeah, I, it's crazy. I tell people he's the only guy in the league. I never cut deals. There's a couple guys I played with, they used to cut deals where they come to the face off. Oh, what's up, buddy?

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And then you turn around, they cross check you in the low back.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

The only guy I ever cut a deal with, I had a chance at, like, going out with him one night, so I went out with him and was like, he's a great guy. He's awesome guy. And, you know, I text him every now and again and just be like, hey, congrats. Keep going. And we get out, we're in a game. It was like, like two months later, we're in a game, and I'm, you know, going back for the puck, and I'm wheeling the net, and all I hear is like, I kind of see him coming, but I'm like, oh, my gosh, he's gonna. Fuck, he's gonna hit me. So, like, I rim it and by hear him just being like, hey, hey, hey, hey. Like, like, heads up, Heads up.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So I like, kind of like, boom. I move and I get to the. I'm like, hey, thanks, man. And he just goes, he goes, goes. He goes over. You're on my no hit list. And I was like, wait, you got to know him who's on it? And I want to know who's on.

[A]

It and how do I stay on.

[C]

I was like, how do I stand? I'm like, oh, guy. I got to the bench, I'm like, thank God I'm on Tom's no hit list.

[B]

Everybody's like, what the hell just happened? Why didn't he kill you?

[C]

Why didn't he kill you? I'm like, I'm on the no hit list, guys. I Don't know what you guys did, but I'm on there.

[A]

I bought him a drink after the game. He gives you a gold card.

[C]

Yeah. He's like, here you go. Redeem for one free pass on it.

[B]

Do not lose this.

[C]

Do not. If you whack me, you're dead.

[A]

Yeah. Before you move on, I. I just think the scariest thing for Canada, for me is, like, everyone's going.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it's like. It's the way they beat up on teams. Like, everyone's on the score sheet. Everyone looks good.

[B]

It feels like they could only lose if the bad Binner game comes. But that doesn't look like it's coming because he's been.

[C]

The scariest thing for Canada is that Biddington turned the light switch on. Yeah. That's the scariest thing for. You're in this tournament. You're like, are you kidding me?

[A]

And there was zero doubt. There was zero doubt about it. It was like the second he was starting.

[C]

We all doubt it.

[B]

I was gonna say I had doubt.

[C]

I was like, we all doub. Like, the team didn't. But, like, I think we all, at one point were like.

[A]

I think we doubted it going in.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But like, the second for me, at least we went to that first game. Just like, seeing him out there, I was like, he's gonna have a shout out.

[B]

Like, it's.

[A]

God, sorry I keep dropping out. We gotta bleep these.

[C]

I love a good bleep, though.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I actually.

[A]

I think bleeps are so funny. No, he is. But, like, I just saw him and I was like, yeah, he's gonna do it. He's just. He. He turns into a different guy and he's done it again. So beware everyone. Who's playing?

[C]

Yeah, them and their decor, I think was the two. Was. Sorry, Benner. And the decor was kind of the question marks. And decor has been good. I mean, Kale, they're playing. Kale and Devon Taves a lot. Like, they're playing big shits. Yeah. Because you have to leave your horse. And we heard Josh Morrissey's potentially back for the quarters.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Might be back in the tournament. There's a big.

[A]

Are we about to go into usa?

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Okay. Because this Finish there, perfect transition into usa. I think the big thing for both of these teams is they.

[B]

No.

[A]

No disrespect to. To Czechia. You just. You haven't played each other. You haven't played a monster team yet. And I. My big questions are, what will Canada's defense look like against A team like USA or against a team like Sweden or Finland. And what will certain guys on the US who have looked fantastic look like against a team like Canada?

[B]

Yep.

[A]

So going into US give us our talking points. But I've thought Quinn Hughes, much like Connor McDavid is like everyone watches Canada and you just can't. I think a lot of US fans who are getting a dose of Quinn Hughes for the first time are blown away with how good this guy is. And I think Jack Hughes credit me has been unbelievable and that I think the big thing about four nations with Jack Hughes last year was you're playing Canada, Sweden, Finland and people are like, oh, he's getting a little bit beat up. So I wonder can he keep this up?

[C]

Okay, so I got two, two for you there. So Jax, why is Jack. Why has Jack been better? Brock Nelson.

[B]

Thank you. He's layer on the team. Nelson is my MVP for years.

[A]

Unbelievable.

[C]

No, right. I think right now, I mean that first line as a whole has been great. It's icon and Austin's been.

[A]

Austin's been great.

[B]

But I want to get to Austin.

[C]

We'll get to Jordy. Barstool. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

I think it's Eichel but.

[C]

But I think they found a good balance. I think the only guy they were kind of. I think Keller has to stay in over. I think they wanted to go with Kyle Conner and I do agree that he does have that kind of perimeter escapability but without top power play time. Kyle Connor is very good on the power play. I think it's. He's had a hard time adjusting those minutes. I think Keller, he's perfect. Just provides more. I just think he's going to provide more on the offense and I think he can create and I think this kind of style. But no Jack with Brock and J.T. that was the best line for first two games like that. That was like the most. Most consistent because I think at times like the factor of. You know, I've been trying to dub them the expresso line, the Brady Tkachuk line because they just shot a life.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

When you need it. But Jack's been good, you know, like. But again I. I do agree. I need to see him against Sweden is going to be that game is.

[B]

That's the game dude.

[C]

That's for them. If they beat Sweden then I'm like, okay. Yeah. Like okay. This team that, that Bill Garon put together and everybody you talk to, everybody's like Sweden.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

For us it's.

[A]

It's the. It is the nightmare quarterfinal game.

[B]

And that's not even sniffing a medal. Then you go home. Then you build that team that. Those specific choices, and you go home not even sniffing a medal, which was a bad break with the ceiling.

[C]

But the pressure goes.

[B]

Yes, dude. Way up.

[C]

Now it goes up. They got the day off and they're gonna watch. And the problem is they're gonna watch Sweden beat the tires.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And now they're like, okay, we got a day. But we saw their game plan last night against a team like Germany who has some NHL players.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

It's Matthew and Brady going to run around and try to knock off the top line. And then those other guys will play. Yeah. Offense. But those guys will try to provide offense. But they're kind of a shutdown line. And Matthew even told this. He's like, we were there to kind of shut down Leon.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And he's like, that's what we're going to do going forward. So they're going to get the top line, but Sweden's deep.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

For sure.

[C]

They're going to have to rely on the Jack Hughes. That Brock Nelson, Jack Hughes line.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You can't do nothing. Like, you guys are important in this game. And no question.

[C]

Sorry. My second point. You mentioned Quinn Hughes. Only thing I've disagreed with you ever. I think he's been great, but this is for people that don't know Zach Orensky and Zach Warrensky.

[A]

Don't disagree with me.

[C]

He's been their best defense.

[A]

We were, we were at a dinner with. With some of the Bauer guys last night, and I'm, I, I, I was like, I. Everyone goes, Kale's the best defenseman in league. Who's next?

[C]

Quinn. Still the best.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

And I, I was like, Zachary is the next best. I think Zach moves. He moves.

[C]

He's moved up.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Rasmus, Darlene and Zach have shot way up.

[A]

Warrenski is good. God almighty.

[C]

Love Haskin in. I think he's better.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So saying. And you look at what he's doing in the NHL with a.

[C]

A team leading their team of points.

[B]

It's insane.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, it's legitimately MVP vote caliber.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm going. Look at this. Look what's happening right here.

[A]

Dude, he's so good. It's crazy. And it's. I, I just love, love. I love the shape of USA's D. Yes.

[B]

We gotta do that one.

[C]

That one. Shape of the D. I love the.

[A]

Shape of USA's D. Yeah. I think Quinn and McAvoy together. Is so perfect. It's unbelievable. I also want to give a shout out to the people on Twitter. There's all the jokes about Quinn just like disassociating and seeing ghosts. There's a clip from last night's game where Mac is doing it too. And someone's like, oh, God, yeah, he's rubbing off. He's infected him. They're both just like staring at thinks.

[C]

Of like candy or puppies.

[B]

I wonder too. I think that all the time. You see, we see him get on the bench like after a shift. He like flops over the boards.

[A]

He goes full body on top of the boards.

[C]

He just. He's like.

[A]

He's the most unique guy in the world.

[C]

I love Blob. They just like whatever aliens inside him running the controls just leaves.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

But no, like, their decor is what's going to be able to skate with Team Canada.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

That is where they. They built the roster to skate with them. The other D that I have to give a shout out to is one I've loved since I played him in 2022 is Jake Sanders.

[B]

Sandy. Yeah.

[C]

He started playing low minutes and it's just going tick, tick, tick, tick. He's going up. He's playing. He was. When he started the tournament, he was like the scratch.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

And now he's playing more and more minutes every night.

[A]

He's got a howlitzer on him.

[C]

Huh?

[A]

He can shoot the puck. Like he's let a couple go shot.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

He's got one of the fat, like, biggest. This is the analytics side. Like one of the biggest speed bursts in the NHL.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Does he really?

[C]

That's cool.

[A]

Three steps he gets going and like he. When he gets the puck at the blue line and he step. Does that couple steps into his shot, he's let a couple of snaps off that. I've been like, holy, it's good.

[D]

Bomb.

[B]

He's been my favorite. So he's been my slave into four nations. Like slaving.

[C]

Everybody slaving something. He's hurt. He's. He's one that might be Y after this.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah, that's. It's not.

[C]

Sorry, Carolina.

[A]

Not great for Carolina.

[B]

But Sanderson's been one where I think. Think a lot of us, a lot of hockey fans, but us fans especially are going to leave this tournament going. Jake Sanders. It's pretty sick.

[A]

Oh, yeah, yeah. I agree.

[B]

At four nations. Yeah.

[A]

I'm glad you said what you said because we. You. We kind of did that in our preview of like, who's.

[B]

Who's coming up.

[A]

I said Keller was one of my guys. I think Keller is. You know, he's playing in Arizona forever now he's playing in Utah. And obviously Utah has a great fan base, but Utah's not yet necessarily one of the. If you're a casual fan, I'm going to tune into a mammoth game. I think last night against Germany was pretty great for people being like, whoa, Clayton Keller is pretty good player.

[C]

He can. He can hang up. He can hang with these guys. And I think I talked to him a little bit after, off camera, just. I love that kid. Like, I was at the start of the league. Like, that kid to me is like.

[A]

He's like, he's. He's amazing.

[C]

Stick my little brother. Like, even if I don't have to talk to him, I just root for him so much. So it's like, when I saw him and he was just. He was like, yeah. I was like, how was it? I'm like, you're not used to playing this low minutes. And he's like. He's like. He's like. The thing was, he's like, I have practiced. Practiced. Oh, with the guys?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So he's like, I'm coming to the game. And I'm like, I haven't seen any of the guys, like, line rushes, nothing. So he's like, I'm sitting here like, he's like. He's like, what's going on? And he's like. But he's like, it felt good as the game went on. And I'm like, he'll. I. I think he did enough to stay in the lineup. I think in Sweden, we'll see what happens.

[A]

Yeah. All right, let's talk Matthews shutting people up.

[C]

Do you like that?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

I had enough. I had a. I had in. Put a bleep in here. I had a Enough. Like, I just. I'm like, give the guy a goddamn break. He just came here like, he has to eat it in Toronto. And like, I'm. Again, I've. I'll be hard on him if I have to be at times. And like, again, it's like kind of the Willy. Like, that is who Austin is.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

Austin is not a guy that's going to go rah, rah. But everybody's going in that game against Denmark. Oh, it's Brady and it's Matthew. No, it's the moment when in front of the net that somebody cross checked Auston Matthews and he turned around, he took a penalty.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And that flipped the game.

[A]

And it was three on one. Yep.

[C]

And it was three on one.

[A]

And I saw, I went, you know what I said?

[C]

All of you?

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Like, I'm like, there's the moment for Team usa.

[A]

I, I, we, as everyone has, like you said, when he needs to be like, we've been hard on him. We've been critical of his playoff performances. And, and I mean, we were even talking about our lineups, like, going into this. And like, with the year he's had, people are like, where should he even play? And then, and he's named captain again. He's put on this a top line, and you're like, okay, let's see what you can do. But that's what you have to do is say, let's see what you can do. And he has done everything he needs to.

[C]

She's leading him in goals, leading the.

[A]

Team in points, leading the team in goals. And he has had those moments that, that three on one moment where he's given it to those guys. I was like, I haven't seen him do that in a leaf sweater in a long time, maybe ever. So for every US Fan, he has done everything and more.

[C]

You could have asked as a captain, and he's not the guy. He's. Why would you. You can't have nine. I mean, we'd love to maybe have 20 Brady's or.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

But that'd just be everybody yelling on the bench, barking like wild animals.

[A]

So many chirps.

[C]

God, so many. Like, Austin, somebody has to kind of, you know, again. And it just. For me, it was funny. Like, of all the things that set me off, because I was, like, scrolling through Twitter, and then the one thing that set me off was this dunce on barstool. Who. I think the 90% of them are dunces. I think, listen, they do. They put out great content. They're dunces. But he's like, austin Matthews can't win a face off. I'm like, the guy's 70%. The first two games. He sucked last game. Yeah, yeah, he was like 20%, but he scored two goals, so Kiss my ass. So I just was like, I was like, he's 65% game one. 72% game too. I was like, go watch curling. You know nothing about hockey. And then the guy brought up some dumb tweet about that Jamie Ben put out about me. I don't know if you've ever heard this story, because people. So I went at him and then he goes, do you bunch mocks? Because Jamie Ben made this post years ago.

[A]

I remember, I remember.

[C]

And I Was like, yeah, you don't.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So I was like, what? And then everybody's in the cons. Like, you're outing yourself for not punching mocks, which people can make your own. I'm like, but you don't.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What's wrong with you?

[C]

What's wrong with you? Yeah. No. So I just, like, had a moment. I was just like. Like, just give him a.

[D]

Enough.

[C]

I'm like, it's the prelims. If in the Sweden game he disappears.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

Come for him.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

But you're playing goddamn Denmark. They're sitting five back in the neutral zone.

[A]

It's also the standby. Your guy, you know, it's. We're at the. We're at the Olympics. You're in. You're a US Fan. Like, cut him.

[B]

They're like, yeah, strip the sea.

[C]

He's playing well, that one. I'm like, doing good.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Because that. Because that's going to happen. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. I'm so pumped for him, man, because of everything you just said.

[A]

He's.

[B]

He takes this all the time. Everyone loves that. I go chuck line, but. So do I. It's amazing. But Auston Matthews, and you said this the other day when he started joining the league, I definitely was drinking the US Kool Aid and was like, we're having a Nate Matthews, Connor conversation. We're not. We're like, he's. He's one step down from that.

[A]

But.

[B]

But he's right. He's there, though.

[C]

Listen, I. That's. That's where it gets tough. I'm like, do I think. Do I put him in? Like, I think Eichel is like, same jumped him.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

Yes. But. But again, I think Austin is a very, very. He's an elite hockey player.

[A]

Yeah. And the beauty of this team is we don't. I don't need him to be Connor. Like, I love that. It's like, yeah, I think Eichel's jumped him too. But I love that they're both awesome. And Quinn's awesome, Zach's awesome. Jack is awesome. Like, it's. This is. It's a great team. And the Tkachuk brothers are. I just love the fact that Brady scored the first goal for the US Assisted by Matthew. They're just right back to doing everything. There's two things that I want to say. I said this to you in the Germany game. I think with a lot of injury, Matthew has been a few years removed from his 100 point season and he's been injured and he's. But he's still way over a point per game. I think people kind of forget how good Matthew is, and I don't think he gets enough credit for how great of a distributor he is. He passes the puck so well. I think he's got five assists right now.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it's.

[B]

He.

[A]

I mean, man, he is. He can. He can dish it with the best of them. And. And I don't think that's necessarily what people immediately think about with his game, but I want to know what you guys thought of the bridesmaid chirp. Did we like that chirp?

[C]

That's tough. Poorly on, man. I'm like, you're. What My thought was, initially, my reaction as a hockey player was like, was, you're chirping me. We have four NHLers and you have 21, and you're sitting here chirping me. And I'm like, get a life, dude. But in the moment, his job was. When we talked to him after the game, which gave me context, it was like, he was there to shut down Leon. So Leon doesn't go full Leonidas.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Because he could still do it. Oh, he sure can. But he just frustrated him, and they did what they had to do. And that's. Those are those two.

[B]

And that's part of it. Yeah.

[C]

And of course, they're mic'd up for it because, you know, it's. It's just incredible.

[D]

But, like, he's.

[C]

He is. No, like, I. It's crazy because, like, as a player, like, I remember, you know, playing against him, and I chase him around the ice and try to kill him. And we had good battles, Arizona, Calgary, and, you know, when Johnny was there, you know, rest in peace and all that. But, like, I just hated him. So it's like, as a player, I'm sitting up there and I'm like, oh, you suck. Like, I'm on that Germany bench. Like, I'm. I'm waiting and taking a run at him in the middle of the ice and taking his head off. But it's like, I'm like, okay, as a media person, like, dial it back. I'm like, that's pretty funny.

[A]

Yeah. There are two things.

[C]

One, poorly on the chirp.

[A]

He gets out the chirp. And the fact that Brady's standing there behind him going like this. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[C]

He's like, what's the key? And Peele sketch. He's the hype guy, but he's like. He does the T. Rex. Yeah.

[A]

He's like the two kids from A Christmas Story. Like, he's like, the Little one behind him, just egging it on. But I need to know what Leon said because he's. He's like smiling and laughing and I'm. I'm so curious what he said to that. But, yeah, he must be like, are you me?

[C]

He's like, dude, he's like, it's me. Stutzla. I mean, paterka and cider.

[B]

I would also love to never see Matthew Chuck again.

[A]

If I was any. If I were any member.

[C]

Poorly. He's gonna deal with Matthew everywhere he goes.

[B]

Like, he saw the groups and he was like, come on.

[C]

I'm surprised he didn't. You know, I was waiting to see if he would maybe.

[A]

Feed him one.

[C]

Yeah, feed him one.

[A]

Yeah. I thought sick. All right, what else we got?

[B]

Okay, I want to take. So this was. This will be people listening to this Tuesday morning.

[A]

Okay, so.

[B]

Oh, these games will be happening. Im.

[C]

And we will have burned the city down.

[B]

Yeah. Correct. Correct. Okay, so Tuesday matchups are in. Who you got? France. Germany.

[A]

Germany.

[C]

Germany's going to.

[B]

Yeah, goes through.

[C]

Germany's got an interesting path too.

[D]

Yeah, I know.

[C]

Which is Slovakia hasn't played a bad game yet. I agree.

[B]

Yep. Italy. Switzerland.

[A]

Swiss.

[B]

Swiss for Kevin.

[C]

Can't miss for Kevin.

[A]

Swiss. Can't miss for Kevin.

[C]

Leonardo Genoni checks.

[B]

Denmark checks. Checks. Sweden lobby.

[A]

I think the Czechs will win that game, but I think that that's going to be a very fun game to watch.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Denmark was good at hockey.

[C]

Every game is tight.

[A]

Yeah. Denmark, they're big, too.

[C]

Yeah, they're very big.

[A]

That Danish team is big.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

We talked to Nikolai Ehlers. They have like a D man on that team. That big D man who looks like he's a Beerlee guy. He's been at like, like 40 Olympics.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And like world championships in multiple events. He's been like, since like 2000. Like, like 10. He's been like, going to like, all the world championships. And like, he's just been around because I was like, how do you, like, lead this team? He's like, I don't lead. He's like, these guys have been here like 30 years.

[B]

Yeah, that's.

[A]

So I'm a newcomer here.

[C]

Exactly.

[B]

Incredible. And then Sweden, Latvia, everyone's got Sweden. Sweden.

[C]

Sweden. Sweden's going to dog walk them.

[B]

Yeah. Before the.

[A]

I'm terrified about that. I think Sweden might win that game, like seven nothing. And we're like, oh, Jesus Christ.

[B]

Yeah. Before the tournament started, I had Canada gold, US Silver, Czechs bronze. You had US Gold, Canada silver, Sweden bronze.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Redo it now. And I want your predictions top three.

[C]

Well, I. I was talking to somebody because, you know, I do the whole Charlie Day thing where I like, I'm look, I'm like, what about this? Like, I. My wild scenario is like, Germany wins. They beat Slovakia. And then they're in the semifinals against. And then it gets receded and they're against. They'll be against Canada.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yep. And then they'll end up playing like a bronze medal game. Germany against us will get Sweden.

[A]

JD's like, Canada beats or Germany beats Canada.

[C]

Imagine that. Like just the. On its head. Leon Connor in the SEM.

[A]

That would be gas.

[B]

That's actually pretty sad.

[C]

I can't put my foot up. No, but I think, you know right now, man, no one's talking about Finland. And I watch them.

[B]

I completely.

[C]

Their game is like in throw out the 11. Nothing like even that.

[D]

That.

[C]

That first game against Slovakia, they outshot him 40 to 20. They just couldn't get a save. And. And Levi was played the game of his life.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Like they should have went 3 and O. Finland.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Fair.

[C]

So I'm like, no one's saying they're.

[B]

The three seed right now, right?

[D]

Or.

[B]

No, they're the four seed.

[C]

The four seeds.

[A]

Because Slovakia is the.

[C]

So they're gonna.

[B]

So if they. If. If it's chalk into the semis, they get Canada.

[A]

Canada.

[C]

Yeah, like that. It's lining up for Canada. Finland, Sweden, U.S. yeah. And that is an interesting development.

[A]

Four nations.

[C]

It's four nations again. Wow. If that happens, you know what everybody's gonna say?

[A]

He's just sitting like this and he's.

[C]

Like, I told you.

[A]

Got it right, folks.

[C]

Got it right. I told you.

[A]

God.

[B]

The guy's wizard is. But US is gonna get Sweden in the quarters, though. Is that right? Like, don't.

[C]

Us gets Sweden in the quarters.

[B]

Yeah. So that's.

[C]

Oh, yeah, that's. Sorry. That's where. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sorry. Sweden or it's Slovakia or Germany that will make it to the semis officially. So it's gonna. Yeah. Slovakia, Germany. Germany. So. So Sweden or us? If you're picking Sweden or us to medal. One's gone.

[A]

One's gone. Yeah. Officially, Sweden or US is not meddling.

[C]

Crazy.

[B]

That is crazy. Dude.

[A]

I think it sucks. I hate to see.

[C]

But I. Yeah.

[A]

The breaks.

[C]

Yeah. I'm going with Sweden. I'm gonna take a flyer. I'm gonna say Canada gold.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

I'm gonna.

[A]

Don't do it.

[B]

He's going to. Dude.

[A]

I don't do it.

[C]

I Can't do it. I'm gonna. I can't. Canada gold, US Silver. And I'm going to say. I think I'm going to go. Just a flyer. I'm going to say Finland, bronze.

[A]

I don't even need to go. It's the same for me.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I think Finland looks. I mean, 11 nothing. I know it was Italy, but.

[C]

So that's my. So that is my. That is my what I think. But my. Like, Bizarro world is My. Bizarro world is. Finland wins gold.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Sweden wins silver.

[A]

Oh, love. And that would honestly be Canada if we had a few.

[C]

Slovakia. Germany wins.

[B]

Yeah. If U.S. and Canada don't matter.

[C]

We're like. We're all sitting here.

[A]

Okay. Okay.

[C]

What just happened? Gary's like, no, I like it.

[E]

My.

[C]

My.

[A]

Bizarro world is Sweden gold. Like that. That Slovakia game gave Sweden all the juice they need. So Sweden goes on and wins gold. Canada gets upset by Finland because Finland.

[B]

They catch them in the semis, Right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So Sweden beats Finland in the gold medal. Yes.

[A]

Rematch. That's why it's hard to beat a team twice.

[B]

Yeah. It's hard to beat you twice. Yeah.

[A]

Looking for a nation. So.

[C]

Yeah. So Finland. Sweden in the final.

[A]

Sweden.

[C]

Then Canada plays Germany.

[A]

Germany in the Bronx. And loses. And loses.

[C]

And loses.

[A]

Connor and Leon. Connor and Leon play against each other.

[D]

For the first time.

[B]

I'm reading.

[A]

Conor and Leon play against each other for the first time ever. And it messes with Conor's programming so bad that he doesn't know what to do.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Germany wins.

[C]

Asks for a trade, hates Leon.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. I can't live with this man.

[C]

Can't live with him. Huge trade. Goes to la.

[D]

La.

[A]

Wins the cup. And because now they have all of the Kevin Fiala money.

[C]

This is perfect.

[A]

Unbelievable.

[C]

This is perfect. We haven't. I mean, Slovakia. Your eye, Sapkowski. What he's doing.

[B]

It's been really fun. Really, really fun.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. Here's my last thing. Explain to me why we are in Italy.

[A]

Yeah. And I.

[B]

And I'm not even a huge beer guy. You know, I just like. I'd rather a cocktail or something else. And I had a beer two nights ago that was one of the most delicious Italian pilsners I've ever had in my life.

[C]

Montabene.

[B]

Explain to me why that's available in this country. And I go to the games and the only thing that you can drink. The only thing that you can drink out of the hockey game.

[C]

Corona.

[A]

Are tiny.

[C]

Corona.

[B]

What happened?

[C]

I.

[A]

No offense. Corona.

[B]

They're not some offense. Corona. What is going on?

[A]

It is the craziest thing in the world to me that Corona is the only drink option there. How can I not get an Italian red at this game?

[C]

Can you imagine? You're a Czechi. A Czech or Eastern European guy. Drink the best beers. You pay all this money to come to hockey. You walk in and you go on swanspia.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And what do you have? We only got Corona and they're tiny.

[B]

This big.

[C]

What?

[A]

And they're seven euros.

[C]

I tell you what. They found a way to get themselves blacked out.

[A]

Yeah, they sure did.

[B]

Oh for sure. Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. They're drinking 20 at a time.

[B]

You can buy four at a time. And I've seen them come by doing the claw. They got. They got a finger in each one. Yeah. That's so good. That has been the most baffling thing to me because we'll go to these games and I'm like oh, you know, USA game. Let's get into one here. And they're like this.

[A]

We have mini Coronas before we wrap up. This. This, this will have happened before while you guys are listening to this but tonight the women's semis we got US Sweden, Canada, Switzerland. Is this just going to be US Canada again?

[B]

Yep. As it should be. It's going to be so fun. That's a great. It's an all time US is us is.

[A]

They are so good. It's insane. Don't even need to gas up our girls again because they are unbelievable. I am no offense Canada. I am a little bummed that it's US Sweden in the semis because the Sweden women have been so good and I. I wanted a Sweden US final.

[B]

Great tournament for them.

[A]

Yeah. Is.

[B]

Are you calling the women's gold or.

[C]

I know you're actually.

[B]

That'd be sick. I really want to go to that game. If we can get there. That'd be so awesome.

[C]

Are you trying to give me tickets for me?

[B]

Yeah. Buy new lunch on air.

[A]

We're getting you lunch, dude. We're not getting you gold tickets too. Jesus.

[C]

No lunch.

[B]

I'm trying to get tickets from him.

[C]

Have. No. I don't get tickets. I have to sit in the media area.

[A]

Your table.

[B]

That'll be really.

[A]

We got some games to go watch so we're going to wrap things up. Huge shout out to the YouTube studio.

[B]

Oh my goodness. Change your whole life is incredible.

[C]

We're.

[A]

We're going to moving to Milan. We're moving to Milan.

[B]

We.

[A]

We're going to eat lunch at this place every day for the next 365.

[B]

This would actually be an incredible life if we just get to pod here and then go to lunch forever.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Well, guys, I'm available.

[D]

I'm available.

[B]

We're here for a while.

[C]

Contracts up, they come, up we go.

[A]

We've been talking about this. All right, we're going to go eat some lunch. We're going to go watch some hockey. Hopefully you all do the same in your own version. And until we see you in the elimination rounds, skate hard.

[E]

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