Heavyweights take centre stage

Mike Richter's form in goal could be a key factor

BBC Sport ice hockey commentator Bob Ballard believes Sunday's USA-Canada final will be a cracking contest

Not only is this the final North America wanted, it's the final the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City deserved.

Since the first drop of the puck over a fortnight ago, the quality of ice hockey in this competition has been beyond anyone's wildest expectations.

The first day gave us Slovakia v Germany, which had just about everything.

The last brings together 44 of the best players in the world for what is a true 'All Star Game'.

On paper, this should be the greatest game in Olympic ice hockey history - even eclipsing the USA's victory over Russia 22 years ago.

Whoever wins, it won't be a big upset like that game in Lake Placid.

But unless the two teams revert to a style of play that is alien to them, this game will not be dull.

It's almost impossible to pick a winner, but let me highlight key areas where the first Olympic encounter between USA and Canada since their 3-3 tie in Lillehammer eight years ago, could be won and lost.

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Goal-tending

Goaltending has won the last two finals, and with the array of talent both sides have in the scoring department, the goalies will have plenty of work to do.

For the USA, 35-year-old Mike Richter knows this is his last shot at Olympic gold.

'Ricky' is a workhorse. In fact, the more he sees of the puck, the more he seems to like it.

Brodeur's size makes the goal look even smaller

On top form, his reflexes are on a par with Dominic Hasek of the Czech Republic - but, he still gives up the occasional soft goal.

That said, he has let in only three goals in three games, so is the hotter of the two netminders going into this final.

Martin Brodeur has won the right to defend the Canadian goal, just as his father Denis did in the 1956 Olympics where he won a bronze medal.

At 6ft 2ins and over 15 stone, Brodeur is a big man in the net, which leaves him vulnerable to the wraparound goal - and the Americans will be well aware of that.

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Back lines

Defensively, the US had looked more sound than the Canadians - until the semi-finals.

Before the 3-2 win over Russia, they had conceded just three goals in three games including a shut-out of Finland.

Olympic veteran Chris Chelios leads from the back.

The captain played his first game in Sarajevo in 1984, and at 40, will hope this is the crowning glory on an NHL season that stretches back almost 20 years.

Housley was on the scoresheet in the semi

Brian Leetch and Brian Rafalski have been solid on their own blue line, and Phil Housley of the Chicago Blackhawks, a surprise choice according to some, has really shone in this competition.

Canada's back line has been unpredictable and at times surprisingly inept, as we saw in the opening game against Sweden.

But they do possess some very strong skaters with shots to match.

Al MacInnis regularly shoots the puck harder than any forward with unerring accuracy, and the same applies to Colorado's Rob Blake, who was was named top defenceman in Nagano four years ago.

Chris Pronger at 6ft 6ins is the tallest player on the ice, and on skates he towers over most of his peers.

But his size can often make him look clumsy on the puck, especially when under pressure.

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Forward lines

There can be no doubt that the USA have won that department hands down so far.

John LeClair has six goals, Bill Guerin and Scott Young four apiece, and six other players have contributed to their tally of 23 in five games.

Le Clair and Brett Hull looked enormously impressive in the first four matches, not quite so much in the semi-final, but have developed a telepathic understanding about each others' position on the ice.

Jeremy Roenick, despite a disappointing return of only one goal in five matches, still has the potential to be their match-winner.

By contrast, it took until the semi-final for Canada to show anything like their true form up front.

Kariya is yet to hit the heights

NHL top scorer Jarome Iginla and the much maligned Eric Lindros both opened their accounts in that game with Belarus after four blank outings.

Captain Mario Lemieux showed them how to do it in the 3-3 draw with the Czech Republic, scoring two goals, and Steve Yzerman is always ready for any sniff in front of goal.

But Paul Kariya needs to raise his game a notch or two.

He missed the last Games with a head injury, and will not want to repeat the misery of the vital penalty shot miss he had against the Swedes in 1994.

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All in all I have just one request of you for Sunday night.

Get a few drinks in, unplug the phone, and make sure you have a comfortable armchair to watch the game live on BBC2 from 1945 GMT.

I can't offer a money back guarantee, but I don't think you'll need one.