Boos Are Sweet Music to U.S. Team’s Ears

The ascendance of the United States as a world hockey power became official even before the end of its 5-2 victory over Russia on Sunday in the semifinals of the World Cup of Hockey.

The moment arrived early in the game, when many fans in the sellout crowd of 18,500 at the Corel Centre chanted, “Let’s go Russia,” and showered U.S. winger Brett Hull with boos and cries of “Traitor!” For it was then that fans recognized the U.S. as enough of a threat to care about, a team that’s deep, fast and muscular enough to challenge Canada when the best-of-three World Cup finals begin Tuesday at Philadelphia’s CoreStates Center.

“When you have 18, 19,000 people booing you,” said Team USA General Manager Lou Lamoriello, “I guess that means you’ve come of age.”

The U.S. (4-0) reached maturity Sunday with its second victory over Russia (2-3) in a week. Hull scored twice, including a deft short-handed goal at 14:48 of the second period that gave the U.S. a 4-1 lead, and goaltender Mike Richter helped blunt eight Russian power plays with 23 saves.

The fans made no secret of their sentiments from the outset, booing the U.S. anthem and jumping on Hull when the dynamic winger converted a rebound for a power-play goal that gave the U.S. a 2-0 lead at 19:45 of the first period.

“I was very surprised,” said Hull, who was born in Canada but was never invited to play for his homeland as a youngster. He was asked to join the U.S. national team in 1986 while at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, “and how can you do anything but pledge your loyalty to them?”

Said U.S. Coach Ron Wilson, another native Canadian who has made his hockey fortunes south of the border: “When he heard those boos, our whole team was surprised and it provided a lot of motivation, especially to Brett. He did all the little things well, as he has all through this tournament. You say, ‘Gee, Brett, if you want to stake your claim to being one of the best players in the world, this is your chance,’ and he certainly is.”

The entire U.S. team has seized its chance on the world stage. From veterans such as Pat LaFontaine, who converted a pass from Joel Otto off a two-on-one 26 seconds into the game, to younger players such as defenseman Mathieu Schneider, whose rush up the right side produced the final goal at 13:57 of the third period, the U.S. has displayed unparalleled poise and commitment.

“We can’t play four lines,” said winger Vyacheslav Kozlov of Russia and the Detroit Red Wings. “They had everyone playing on the power play and playing everywhere.”

Wilson fervently wanted to face Canada, which on Saturday defeated Sweden, 3-2, in double overtime to advance to the finals. The series will shift to Montreal’s Molson Centre for Game 2 Thursday and, if necessary, Game 3 on Saturday.

“We’re confident but we also realize how Canada rises to the occasion,” Wilson said. “I’m talking about Wayne Gretzky being the best player in overtime [Saturday] night, that’s a 35-year-old player.”

Hull, who played with Gretzky last season in St. Louis, couldn’t resist chipping in again--this time with a jab at St. Louis GM Mike Keenan, who didn’t re-sign Gretzky. “[Gretzky] can’t play for St. Louis because he’s no good,” Hull said, just loudly enough to be heard.

There’s no silencing Hull, as Ottawa fans discovered Sunday and opponents have learned throughout this tournament.