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Michael Babcock made a strategic error last night by essentially bumping the Thornton/Marleau/Heatley combo to top line status. That should never have been the plan. The San Jose Shark combo can excel and provide scoring punch from the third line (in fact, they’ll thrive). But when the onus was put on the unit to win last night’s game, the trio returned to form; they were ineffective. This is a threesome with a long established tendency to play poorly in pressure situations. The Canadian coaching staff must respect and be informed by the Thornton/Marleau/Heatley predisposition and penchant for soft play at critical junctures (the line will have the chance to change peoples opinions later this year in the NHL playoffs). I object to Babcock using the Olympics, a matter of vital importance, to determine if the Sharks have some gumption.

Sidney Crosby, the best player in the world, must be the “go to” competitor in any close contest. Ryan Getzlaf must be the pivot on the second unit. They are Canada’s top two centres, with impeccable credentials earned while leading their teams to Stanley Cups in 2007 (Getzlaf was the Ducks leading scorer with 17 points in 21 games) and 2009, respectively. Joe Thornton is a luxury, a wild card that can play most effectively when the pressure lies elsewhere. Babcock must not forget this.

Other random thoughts; they key to any tournament is advancing to the next round. Period. At the last World Cup of Soccer, in 2006, eventual winner Italy did not fall apart after a draw with the United States. Why would they? A tough match early in the tournament encourages the meshing process critical for a successful national squad. Both Canada and Russia will move forward emphatically after last night’s wonderful dramatics. They are still the two best squads in the world and I still expect them to prove it.

Martin Brodeur was flawless in net. His puck handling abilities were exceptional and his poise in the shootout simply other worldly. Sorry Roberto. After a porous NHL campaign, the stature of the tournament allowed Brodeur to find his very best and virtually assure his presence in the remaining games.

MEDIA…how come I never noticed that S I “Inside Bobsledding” column before? Kidding aside, it’s actually a very interesting column, detailing how seven bobsleds crashed yesterday in the first day of two-man training. Athletes are finding the course at Vancouver treacherous…I would have expected the folks at Calgary to have juiced their track in an effort to get world record times; the dudes in Vancouver? Not so much…bobsledders have named one turn the “50-50 curve”, a tribute, apparently, to a sliders chance of getting through it…

PONIES…the drums are beating; Rachel Alexandra took a sharp step forward in her fourth work of the year, stopping the timer in 1.00.1 after a five furlong work. Her previous five furlong work had been in 1.03.4 and, though of course numerous factors come into play, we can certainly conclude the Horse of the Year is rounding into form. Rachel is pointing to a March 13^th return, and then an April 9^th showdown with Zenyatta. Trainer Steve Asmussen noted Rachel is regaining her aggressive personality, after an extended vacation, and appears anxious for more work…speaking of the Zenyatta, she is flaunting her abilities, reeling off a 6 furlong work in 1.14 at Hollywood yesterday…Steve Haskins suggests a play on Aikenite in tomorrow’s Fountain of Youth Stakes. The odds should be juicy after the horse completely botched his last start in the Holy Bull…I’ve emphasized the vulnerability of this crop to late developing runners. And, as Haskins notes, here they come! Odysseus, a colt I’ve never heard of before, demolished an allowance field at Tampa yesterday by fifteen lengths. He is a grandson of AP Indy and is highly regarded by his connections. Trust me; he is the first of many runners that are going to turn this year’s Derby trail upside down. The current contenders just don’t have the ability to commandeer the Road to the Roses…my sentimental choice, Dublin, kicks off his three year old campaign Saturday in the Southwest Stakes from Oaklawn. Dublin was a terror during the summer before tailing off in his fall campaign. He regroups for D Wayne Lukas and is probably not worth a short price tomorrow…

PUG LIFE…Dan Rafael is reporting a Paul Williams - Kermit Cintron fight looks like a go for May 8^th. That scrap is a keeper, an explosive match-up between two fighters still looking for career defining wins… also on tap is a May 15^thfight between Amir Khan and Paulie Malignaggi. It’s a comfortable step for the “chinny” Khan. The NASDAQ was at 5,000 the last time Paulie knocked someone down…

TIGER..William Hill is offering the following odds on Mr Woods; 2-1 that he will win his first tournament back - 9-1 that he will miss the cut in his first tournament back - 5-2 that he will win the Masters - 4-1that he will win two Majors. ***Just finished listening to his statement today. How pathetic. Despite all the wealth and all the achievement, he is a simpering, gutless moron and a failed human being. I began having physical discomfort as he incorporated the classic touchstones ie his need to inspire and educate kids, his need for you to forgive him, his need to have you believe in him again and his defence of his wife - into the speech. He gave the best speech money could buy - all that’s left is the crying appearance on Oprah. Why would I care who he sleeps with, or how he spends his money, or what performance enhancing drugs he depends on? Tiger should have marched onto the stage dripping in whores and diamonds and told onlookers to back the F up before they got smacked the F up. Then ask his wife for a damn refund. Then announce the sale of a sex tape he had made with Jessica Alba. And finally depart after gratuitously shooting a reporter in the knee…