INSIDE HOCKEY

The absolute best thing for hockey in the United States is about to happen tomorrow. Who the heck would have guessed it? Not a single American, Canadian, or European expected this to happen. Yet here we are, less than 24 hours away from an all-North American gold medal final.

The Sharks add gutsy talent, while shedding exactly the opposite. With the option of Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau on either side of Joe Thornton, the possibilities seem endless.

The past few games have shown an unpleasant recurring theme which mimics the poor play of years past. Is it just a simple slump or is there more behind the teams current issues?

The flu is no longer bothering the Sharks. A healthy squad took control of their game against Edmonton and came away with a decisive 4-2 victory. Even the Sharks' oldest member, 43-year-old Claude Lemieux, got into the mix.

Entering the third period and up by one goal, the Bruins thought they were skating to a hard fought victory. The Sharks however had different plans and opened up their offensive for four consecutive goals. It was another defining moment for the Sharks in beating the Bruins 5-2.

In what might well have been a Western Conference Finals preview, the new-look San Jose Sharks outdueled the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night in a fired up and frenzied game to rise back to the top of the NHL standings.

Team Canada captured their fifth straight gold medal at the World Junior Championships by easily beating Sweden 5-1. David Towers breaks it all down for Inside Hockey...