3 Things I Know: World Cup of Hockey

1. The US just is not that good. Yes I know I'm writing this after the US was eliminated last night by Canada so before you say hey Kix no duh just read my expert analysis. If you look at the rosters, the US straight up just isn't that talented compared to some of these other teams, especially Canada. Canada is legit stupid, every player is an all star and their top players are the best of the best. Besides Patty Kane, the US is literally a bunch of grinders. That may work in the NHL, when you need a few of them on every team but in international play where there's no hitting and no fighting it's all about skill, and the US just straight up doesn't have enough skill. I mean going down the roster comparing US to Canada was a joke. We got guys like Justin Abdelkader and BLAKE FREAKING WHEELER who are supposed to lead us to victory, They wouldn't even sniff the try out for Team Canada. Like i said decent third line players for their teams, but you'll never win the skill battle with this group of Americans. Also, what on Earth were they thinking hiring Torterella as the coach, he stinks. No one in the league likes him and no one respects him especially when you have a guy like Bylsma on the table. Huge mistake. Also, also I don't know who's more overrated Zach Parise or Joe Pavelski. Pavelski is a nobody without Jumbo Joe and Parise is a joke, guy scores like 25 goals a year and is treated like a superstar. Also, also, also where on earth is Phil the Thrill?

2. Team North America: Fast. Electric. Fun. Just as most predicted the highlight of the tournament so far has been TNA. Just a bunch of kids living the dream in Toronto. A bunch of absolute studs who are holding their own in a tournament full of wiley vets. A big win over Finland, a close loss to mighty Russia where the only reason they lost is cause of tendy Matt Murray, and they're currently up on Sweden. Just so much skill on this team and they're so fun to watch. McDavid is LEGIT, gunna be a top 5 scorer this year, and it looks lik Matthews is gunna live up to the hype as well. They spread the ice beautifully and they're hands are stupid. They also all look like they belong, they're big and mature. They've exceeded my expectations and with the US being so horrible they've given me a new team to root for. Go TNA go!!!

3. NBC needs to bring on Steve Levy. Steve Levy has been another highlight of this tournament. Boy have I missed hearing him call play by play for ESPN hockey. Him and the intro music have been a great blast from the past to remember the glory days when the world wide leader is sports actually showed one of the 4 major sports. But honestly my man Steve has been great, he's got a great play by play voice and wonderful chemistry with Melrose. Bucci hasn't been too bad but sometimes he can get a little too animated for me. Between him and my man Weekesy (the best analyst in all of sports IMO) it can turn into a circus in the booth sometimes. But for the most part the broadcasting has been great. Hull and Chelios have also been LOL in between periods just absolutely ripping on the US for not being nearly as good as their 96 squad. Adnan Virk has held his own too, especially being the biggest wild card of all time hosting the intermission show, never woulda thought he was a hockey guy, and thats cause he hosts Baseball Tonight, nothing to do with him being Indian.