Russian: “doping” has been more of the Russian/U.S Cold War problem than a Canadian thing. One thing I want to mention is that on average the Canadians play less elegant and less skilled hockey than the Russians. So the Canadian players often compensate lack of speed and foreword attack style of the Russians with physical contacts and grinding style. At any case, Canada and Russia are the two top Hockey nations. Russia can now increase its game by bring young players into the fold- with Putin being a Hockey President , great things will happen in Russia including the reemergence of the truly the Red Machine.

I meant to say "NOT talking about doping". I am sure that most teams experiment with different magic pills tool, but this is not what make them great....

@ NWO
It's not enough to be motivated to win consistently at this level. It takes super skills, courage, tenacity, peak physical condition, a strategically thinking coach, and then some... magic (and I'm talking about doping). I'm sure that most Team Russia players are motivated enough. or look at the Canucks: they are very motivated and usually give their 100%. Yet they are equally inconsistent. Call me what you wish, but I will say that there is not a single national team today that can match the legendary "Red Machine" of the late USSR. 

Great match with the best referees money can buy. 

To Russian: I agree with you 100% the problem of Post-Soviet Russia Hockey is a "The problem is they lack consistency" as you correctly noted. Russian players have Diva/Drama queen complex and they are selish in that sense-- they need to learn to respect themselves enough and the country and the people to show 100% "effort" not winning but 100% effot each time they play in the name of their country. Canadian Hockey players play with passion for most of the time-- because to country will stand for it if they do not show their 120% effort for the country-- Russia should demand the same from its players- whether they are big stars or not--

Team Russia beat Canada on a number of ocassions. Only to lose the next game to the Sweeds, Finns, or Czechs.....The problem is they lack consistency.

OK. I will accept the Red Machine is back if Russia beats Canada in the final. Norway is not a Hockey power house! So the title is overkill of the little guy!