Written by The Staff | 16 February 2010

We won't mince words. As Lenoceur sees it, no one stands a chance against Team USA. "There is no other nation on Earth with as catchy a chant as U-S-A! U-S-A!" But Team USA (U-S-A!) has other weapons besides the incessant chants of the flag wavers in the rafters. Like Sweden, they're coasting under the radar, aiming for a Group A showdown with their hosts. US hockey established a reputation as a poor guest a dozen years ago at Nagano, and they'd like nothing more than to reinvent that reputation. Beating your hosts at their own game, that's their goal.

GM Brian Burke has put together a talented team but when compared to the effusive skill in their north of the border hosts, they're a lunch-pail gang. Players who skate well, are fearless and willing to scrap and claw and fight. But unlike their hosts, they cannot win it on talent alone. They have to push and execute, fore check and take chances. They are not favorites, nor are they completely hopeless. They are lovable underdogs in the mold of the Miracle on Ice team from 30 years ago.

But will USA Hockey find their way to the top of the podium for the first time in a foreign country, or will they add to their collection of silver with an eighth second place finish? Or was 2006's team of transition really a sign of regression for the US' Hockey program. Click read more to continue reading about the challenges facing the American squad in the Olympic men's ice hockey tournament that begins later this afternoon in Vancouver. America's ice hockey hopes rest with their number one netminder, Ryan Miller. The threesome of Miller, Jonathan Quick and Tim Thomas give them solid play in net. Cole Jones regards that plus their defensemen as the key to the US chances. "The strength of Team USA is the young and mobile defense corps. They selected blueliners that have the size and the skating ability to keep up with the world's forwards, without sacrificing all of the physical play that so many American defensemen posses. Scoring depth is a legitimate concern for this team, so they're going to have to win games by keeping it close. They have the right goaltenders and defensemen to make that an attainable goal."

Physical play tops the list of American attributes that have the potential to befuddle their opponents. Jenna calls it "the competitive nature of the US as a whole. We are a nation that wants and needs to be the best. To be number one." The team's reliance on tough play typified in bruising forwards David Backes and Ryan Malone to slow down competitors may come into play more at these games than it would have during previous ones.

The ice surface for the Vancouver games conforms to NHL standards, rather than International standards, meaning the rink will be four meters (or 13.5 feet) thinner than is typical of international competition. For NHL players it likely is meaningless, but for the high flying Russian squad, the smaller surface may slow them down enough for the USA to keep them in check.

Besides Malone and Backes, team USA tapped a number of talented forwards to play. One of the more controversial selections was the player Cole Jones figures will play the biggest part in helping the US play deep into the tourney. "Chris Drury needs to elevate his game to help the Americans medal. He's shown clutch ability in the past, even if it does seem to be years ago since he showed us. Many people questioned his selection on the roster, so it's up to him to prove his critics wrong and show up in a big way for his country. If he can regain his old magic, he could be a difference maker in this tournament."

But Vancity sees a different player bearing the US' hockey burden. "Before the end of last year when he got a Selke nomination, Ryan Kesler was nowhere on Team USA's radar. But his two-way defensive play and gritty game got him a spot on the team. He will need to also bring some offense to the team that will lack scoring ability. Although their forwards are good, when compared to teams like Russia and Canada who are all icing NHL top line players, Team USA's forwards are the second and third line guys. They bring a lot of grit and physicality to the team with the players selected. Team USA also need their forward Joe Pavelski to play up to the level of other top line guys. He will be given every opportunity to shine as Ron Wilson has said that he will most likely play with Phil Kessel and Ryan Malone. He is amazing with faceoffs, is defensively responsible and can play in almost every situation but he's going to have to raise that game to an even higher level if Team USA wants to win."

Two-way play seems to be the theme of the American roster. How the team does may come down to how they play in their final round robin game in Group A. In their matchup with Canada, the defensive contributions from all five skaters will be the key to slowing down the relentless Canadian attack. Jenna calls it best, "They need to have the spirit and the belief that they can beat this team. The goaltenders and defense will have to be on their game to keep the Canadians from racking up the points. Also, it wouldn't hurt for the d to get in on the scoring." If the US can play with conviction, squeeze every drop of talent from their team, they can ascend tot he top of the podium. It's the same recipe that would make them charmless guests, upsetting the goals of their host, before their very eyes.

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