The mighty Canadians and a determined Russia square off in the semi-finals of the World Cup of Hockey starting Tuesday, a closely watched clash of the two most successful nations in the sport’s history.
Sidney Crosby’s Canadian team will look to continue their dominance when they face Russia, led by Alex Ovechkin, for a spot in the best-of-three championship series.
This is also the latest chapter in the Crosby and Ovechkin rivalry with past bragging rights, between the two most dynamic players in hockey, going to Crosby based on a pair of Stanley Cup championships and two Olympic gold medals.
The other semi-final features Team Europe against Sweden on Sunday.
The game is also being played on the 44th anniversary of Canada’s dramatic come-from-behind victory in the eight-game 1972 Summit Series against the former Soviet Union.
“I think this is one of the greatest rivalries ever: Canada against Russia,” said Russian forward Vladimir Tarasenko.
“We know how they play. They have a really good team, good players, the best players in the world, so we need to be good.”
Canada is on a 13-game winning streak in best-on-best events since losing 5-3 to the Americans in the early rounds of the men’s hockey tournament at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Canada went on to win gold in Vancouver and followed it up with another gold four years later in Sochi, Russia.
They won the last two IIHF World Championship titles in Russia and the Czech Republic.
They rolled through three preliminary round games of the 2016 World Cup, beating Team Europe, Czech Republic and the USA by a combined score of 14-3.
Russia beat Finland 3-0 in their final preliminary round game to advance, finishing with a 2-1 record after also beating Team North America and losing to Sweden.

‘Our guys are dialled in’  
Canada’s coach Mike Babcock said his charges are chomping at the bit to get the game started.
“We know what they are going to do,” Babcock said. “We know what we have to do. Now we have to get out there and play.”
“Our guys are dialled in. We are preparing a game plan for Russia. We have had lots of time to see them.”
Crosby and Ovechkin met four months ago in the second round of the National Hockey League playoffs with Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins eliminating Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.
While Crosby has won almost every elite team title there is, Ovechkin has numerous individual scoring records but has yet to capture either a Stanley Cup or an Olympic gold medal.
“Saturday is a big one and none of the other games really matter,” said Crosby.
“I think the trust and belief is there, it’s nice to have that, it’s good to have that experience with guys and believe you can play different kind of games and overcome things.”
The biggest question mark for Russia is the status of star centre Pavel Datsyuk.
The 38-year-old did not play in Russia’s win over Finland because of an undisclosed injury.
“We’ll do everything for him to make him healthy, but we do not have any answers as of right now,” Russia assistant coach Harijs Vitolinsh said.