[Jesse834]

vs 1:00 PM MT CTV

For those that believe the National Hockey League game is the best style of hockey in the world, this is the game for you. This game will be played like a Stanley Cup Playoff game, as both sides are designed to dominate on the small ice. Yes, each side has skill -- Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu for Finland, and Zach Parise and Pat Kane for the Americans -- but this game will be about which side can impose its physical will on the other, especially late in the game if it stays close. "We need to make sure we are outworking them to go along with the talent we have in our lineup," said David Backes, one of Team USA's foot soldiers. "I think if we win the work-ethic battle, we like our chances. If we don't win the work-ethic battle, then it is up in the air and anything can happen."

Actually, even if one team wins the work-ethic battle, the game could still hang in the balance because this game pits the two best goalies left in the tournament -- Team USA's Ryan Miller and Finland's Miikka Kiprusoff -- going head-to-head. "It should be a great game," Team USA defenseman Jack Johnson said.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/preview.htm?id=2009090027

Team Kipper and Finland advance to the gold medal game on Sunday in a low scoring 2-1 game.