In Europe, the IIHF World Championships are the considered the culmination of the long hockey season. In North America, the tournament takes a backseat to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the hearts of players and fans alike. But this year, with the Worlds coming to Canadian home ice -- and Team Canada and Team USA playing in the same preliminary round pool -- the stakes are high.
For Canadians, there is always honor and pride at stake every time Team Canada takes the ice in a major tournament. But each and every move coach Ken Hitchcock and his players make will be even more intensely scrutinized than normal as the team begins its quest to defend last year’s gold medal and take gold for the fourth time in six years.
As far as Team USA is concerned, a medal of any kind would be a nice accomplishment. John Tortorella’s squad is filled with up-and-coming young talent, but on paper, doesn’t measure up to the depth and firepower of Canada or Group D favorite Russia
Phoenix Coyotes - Features: CANADIANS, AMERICANS BATTLE IT OUT IN GROUP B - 05/01/2008
CANADIANS, AMERICANS BATTLE IT OUT IN GROUP B (Coyotes) 
