TORONTO -- Much of the chatter heading into Saturday nights World Cup of Hockey semifinal (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2 and WatchESPN) is over whether Russia has the goods to upset Canada.The question itself underlines how much the rivalry between the two countries has changed over the years. The mere suggestion that Russia beating Canada would be deemed an upset -- well, 25 years ago that would have been blasphemy.Russia still produces great players, but its day as the top threat to Canada for world supremacy in the sport has long passed. Of course, a win by Alex Ovechkin and his Russian side on Canadian ice Saturday night would go a long way toward reversing that slide.And yes, it would be an upset by any definition of the word. Team Canada went a perfect 3-0-0 in round-robin play, trailing in a game for only 89 seconds, outscoring the opposition 14-3 and running its best-on-best winning streak to 13 games going back to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.It has been one of the most dominant stretches for hockeys birth nation in modern history.Thats all great, but that doesnt matter going into tomorrow, Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby said on Friday. Its all about the next one. I think the trust and belief is there. Its nice to have that; its good to have that experience with guys and the belief you can play different kind of games and overcome things. But its only as good as what you do with it. Tomorrow is a big one, and none of the [previous] games really matter.Russia went 2-1-0 in round-robin play, a closely contested 2-1 loss to Sweden its only blemish, and is playing a much better team game than it did when it crashed and burned in the quarterfinals of the Sochi Olympics.Best playersRussia:?Evgeny Kuznetsov has only one point in the tournament, his electrifying goal against North America, but hes been very noticeable throughout. Put on a line between Ovechkin, his?Washington Capitals teammate, and Vladimir Tarasenko of the St. Louis Blues for the round-robin finale against Finland, Kuznetsov looked very comfortable and creative. KHLer Ivan Telegin, property of the Winnipeg Jets, scored a beauty against Finland on Thursday and, despite being a fourth-liner on this team, has had an impact in his limited role. Ovechkin has been dynamic in every game -- no surprise there. And finally, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has been outstanding in this tournament, which is no doubt encouraging for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who hope to see him return to this Vezina Trophy ways. Hes stopped 91 of 96 shots in the World Cup for a sparkling .948 save percentage.Canada: So spread out are the contributions on his ridiculously deep team that 12 skaters have at least two points through three games for Team Canada. But theres no question that Crosby is leading the way. The best player in the world has been just that in this tournament -- on both sides of the puck. His line, with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, has been both an offensive and defensive juggernaut. John Tavares has three assists and has been a force every game. Fourth-liner Matt Duchene had the big game against Team USA and has been terrific overall, given his role. Reigning Norris Trophy winner Drew Doughty has been all that. Netminder Carey Price is back to being Carey Price after missing most of last season with a knee injury.Matchup to watchSidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin. Well of course, right? Team Canada has last line change, and the two most logical options for coach Mike Babcock when it comes to matching up to Russias top line of Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Tarasenko are either Crosbys unit or the one centered by Jonathan Toews between Logan Couture and Steven Stamkos. Both options are solid. Crosbys line never seems to spend any time in its own zone in this tourney. Thats one way to defend.PredictionIts one game, which means Russia absolutely can win. And it can especially win if two things happen: Bobrovsky steals the game and Canada gets into penalty trouble, just as it did in the pre-tournament finale between both teams. Russia hasnt scored on the power play in three tournament games, but I wouldnt want to test the limits on that given the talent on those units.Yeah, you dont want to get into penalty trouble against them, Crosby said. With their power play and the guys they have out there, we have to make sure we find a way to stay out of the box, try to hold onto the puck as best we can and force them to take penalties.Anything can happen, but logic dictates that Canada has everything going for it. It has four forward lines creating massive puck pressure in the offensive zone, and once the Canadians have the puck, they keep it for long stretches. With Price the last line of defense on top of that, the back-to-back Olympic champions should prevail.?Canada wins 4-2. Clearance Air Max 720 Canada Shoes . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. Cheap Air Max 720 Canada On Sale .ca. Kerry, Just watched the shootout in the Coyotes/Leafs game and I have to ask, why was the James van Riemsdyk goal allowed to count? All of the video replays we were shown on TV were inconclusive about whether the puck had entirely crossed the line or not. http://www.wholesaleairmax720canada.com/ . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. The Flyers have claimed three straight and four of the last five encounters with the Sens overall and Philly has won two in a row and three of its past four tests in Canadas capital city. Air Max 720 Canada Outlet . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. Cheap Air Max 720 Canada . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Teriyon Gipson scored on the first play from scrimmage and New Mexico continued to pile up yards and points against South Dakota in a 48-21 victory on Thursday night.Gipson finished with 181 yards on 10 carries and had touchdown runs of 84 and 75 yards on his first two touches. The second TD tied it at 14-all and started the Lobos (1-0) on a 31-point scoring binge over the next two quarters.South Dakota quarterback Chris Streveler finished with 131 rushing yards including scoring runs of 55 and 42 yards.New Mexico benefited from three takeaways, which led to 17 points.The Lobos, however, had issues controlling the line of scrimmage defensively allowing South Dakota (0-1) to find running room and extend drives -- including a fourth-down conversion deep in its own end.That was particularly evident in the first quarter when the Coyyotes scored two touchdowns, including a 10-play, 90-yard drive to go up 14-7.ddddddddddddTHE TAKEAWAYNew Mexico: Entering the game, Lobos coach Bob Davie insisted quarterbacks Austin Apodaca and Lamar Jordan would both see time, but Apodaca may have cemented his position with a performance that included career highs in yardage (172), completions (12) and touchdowns (2). Jordan did not play.South Dakota: The Coyotes has a reputation as a defensive unit, but it gave up 615 yards of total yardage. Offensively, however, South Dakota displayed a penchant for the big play, scoring three touchdowns of more than 40 yards.UP NEXTNew Mexico plays at New Mexico State on September 10.South Dakota hosts Weber State on September 10. ' ' '