Maurice stays tuned to hockey

Paul Maurice has spent the last week relaxing, spending time with the family. And, of course, watching hockey.

The Canes coach has been impressed with the two Olympic victories by the U.S., over Switzerland and Norway.

"They looked relaxed on the ice to me, playing the game they're supposed to, not trying to do anything special to win," he said.

As for the Canadians, Maurice watched them blow away Norway and then play a tense, tight game against the Swiss before winning in a shootout.

"I don't think the Swiss get enough credit," he said. "They're different than most of the weaker teams in the tournament. Some weaker teams just sit back. The Swiss don't do that. They skate, they force you to be quick, they try to take away a lot of what you want to do. They can frustrate you.

"I think Canada is still trying to find its identity as a team. It has so many talented players that there have been stretches where it's like they're just playing a talent game. When Canada can get to where the talent is secondary and they're playing a team game, they're going to be even tougher to beat."

Maurice was impressed with how well Swiss goaltender Jonas Hiller played against Team Canada. It's the top fear of all the favored teams: facing an inspired underdog with a goalie standing on his head.

"There's a certain nervousness in every game," he said.

Maurice said he thought the Canes' Eric Staal has played a grinding style, the kind the Canadians need.  He mentioned a couple of hits by Tuomo Ruutu early in Finland's first game, and noted defenseman Tim Gleason has given the U.S. just the kind of play Team USA officials expected when they added him to the team.

Maurice didn't want to predict a winner in Sunday's U.S.-Canada showdown to decide the Group A winner. 

"The U.S. has a little bit of a swagger, in a good sense, and they won't feel the pressure to win, not like Canada," he said. "I still think it's Canada's tournament to lose, that they have the most talented group.

"It should be a fast, exciting game."