from Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News,

There is only one thing to say from this view after having more fun than anyone should have for getting paid to go watch a hockey game.

Let's go, Fin-land. Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap.

Let's go, Fin-land. Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap.

What's that, you say? Journalists aren't supposed to root? You're right. But in this case, I think you'll agree I'm within bounds to pull for the greater good of the sport.

If the hockey gods have any sense of history and justice -- and any semblance of brains -- Finland will beat Russia in regulation Thursday in its final game of group play and let Team North America go through to the semifinals of the World Cup.

We love this sport so much even when it infuriates us to no end (hello, toenail challenges). So it's not fair that we might have seen the last of the 23-and-under phenoms playing together in their orange and black gear that folks in and around the Air Canada Centre are struggling to keep on the shelves.

continued