Used to be the greatest rivalry in hockey was Canada vs. Discount China Jerseys . Russia. When the best players from both countries hooked up for an eight-game series in 1972, a heated rivalry was born. Canada won the famous Summit Series, but the Russians taught them a thing or two about conditioning and team play. Then, in 1980, things changed again when a bunch of school kids did the unimaginable and beat the Russians in the semifinal of the Olympic Games – the Miracle On Ice. Even though that victory wasnt for the gold medal, it is widely regarded as the greatest hockey game ever played and put the American right into the thick of things in terms of world dominance in the sport of hockey. Since then, Canada and Russia has waged a bitter ice war and now, with the Olympic Games being played in Russia, the host country desperate wants to win the gold medal. Thats what makes Saturdays match-up against the United States such an interesting one (7:30 a.m. ET, streaming at cbc.ca/olympics). Team USA lost the gold medal by a goal in 2010 in Vancouver and thoroughly dominated its opening game in Sochi, crushing Slovakia 7-1. Russia, meanwhile, beat Slovenia 5-2, but was not overly impressive. The Americans – pros this time – are influenced by the legend of the Miracle On Ice. Not only that, Team USA star defenceman Ryan Suter is the son of Bob Suter who was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team. Ryan was born five years after the stunning win over the best team in the world. On the other side of the ice, Viktor Tikhonov, 25, is the grandson of legendary Russian coach who goes by the same name. The elder Tikhonov is 83 years old. All guns firing The Russians boast a high-power offence featuring the likes of superstars Alexander Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk and Evgeni Malkin. All three scored goals in the opening victory against Slovenia. Team USA has a few snipers of its own starting with Phil Kessel of the Toronto Maple Leafs. In NHL action this season only Ovechkin, with 40 goals, has scored more often than Kessel who has 30. The speedy right-winger had a goal and three points in Team USAs win over Slovakia. Team USA coach Dan Bylsma has indicated he will stick with Jonathan Quick in goal. Quick, who led the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup two years ago, got the start ahead of Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres. Miller almost singlehandedly led the United States to a gold medal in 2010. He was the tournaments most valuable player despite losing the final to Canada in overtime. Wholesale Jerseys For Sale . Chris Heisey connected for his first grand slam and Devin Mesoraco homered and drove in a career high-tying four runs as Cincinnati took advantage of Tampa Bays depleted pitching staff for a 12-4 victory on Sunday. Wholesale China Jerseys . Both moves were announced Tuesday. The Titans had waived Matthews on Saturday when they promoted wide receiver Michael Preston from the practice squad. https://www.chinajerseysfreeshipping.com/ .com) - Blake Griffin led five Clippers in double figures with 24 points and the LA Clippers got back on track with a 101-97 win over the Utah Jazz.ANAHEIM – Teemu Selanne wanted to do something nice for Sami Vatanen. His fellow Finn, 21 years his junior, had just arrived in Anaheim and was hoping to stick with the Ducks. The way Selanne saw it, if Vatanen was going to make it in southern California, he needed to have his own wheels. So the future Hall of Famer, an avid car collector, decided to lend Vatanen, a smooth-skating defenceman, one of his. A Mercedes CLK to be precise. "I havent seen it in a year-and-a-half," Selanne said with a chuckle. "I dont know if I like that car actually," Vatanen said with a big smile, "but its free." Selanne and Saku Koivu, another Finnish veteran, have mentored Vatanen, Anaheims fourth round pick in 2009, over the last couple of years. Koivu and his wife Hanna, for example, helped Vatanen get his apartment set up. "You can tell that both of them have taken Sami under their wing," said Ducks defenceman Ben Lovejoy. "Hes not even their little brother, hes sort of their son." Told of that statement, the 43-year-old Selanne doesnt miss a beat noting, "He could be." The groundwork laid by Selanne and Koivu paid dividends in the regular season as Vatanen was the third leading scorer among Ducks defencemen picking up 21 points in just 48 games. "Its a big thing," said Vatanen. "Ive been watching those guys for a while. It was fun to get a chance to play with them and its more fun even in the playoffs." Vatanen played in just nine of Anaheims final 32 regular-season games and started the playoffs in the minors with Norfolk in the American Hockey League. He was recalled in time for Game 3 of the series with the Los Angeles Kings making an immediate impact. Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau even went so far as to label the youngster the best player on the ice on either team on Thursday night. Vatanen didnt slow downn in his second career NHL playoff game on Saturday night, picking up his first post-season point, an assist on Ryan Getzlafs power play goal. Stitched Authentic Jerseys. He was also on the ice for Devante Smith-Pellys goal earlier in the period. "Just some confidence on the back end," said Lovejoy when asked what Vatanen brings to the table. "Getting offence against the Kings is difficult and having another smart puck mover back there is only going to put our forwards in better position to create offence." It is the 5-foot-10, 183-pound Vatanens gutsy play, which impresses Selanne the most. "Hes a warrior out there," said Selanne. "Hes not the biggest guy out there, but he doesnt avoid the traffic. Hes putting himself in a situation where hes going to get hit and give hits. Its fun to watch when young guys and small guys can do that. And obviously the way he can see the game and pass. He can make a huge difference." Selanne is nearing the end of his decorated career and takes great pride in being able to help an up-and-coming Finnish player find his way. After all, it was Teppo Numminen who helped a young Selanne navigate some early-career growing pains in Winnipeg. "I remember how much he helped me and thats why I want to do my job as well. And its fun and you see how much they appreciate it and how life is easier when you have help here and there," Selanne said. "Thats what we have done for years. Its so much easier for a young guy when theres a countryman who wants to help and makes things easier and gets you settled down. Thats a very important part of our job." In a way, Selannes career has come full circle as he passes the torch to the next rising Finnish star on the Ducks. So, did Numminen lend Selanne a car back in the day? "Actually, I let him drive my car," Selanne said with a grin. Some things never change. ' ' '