Crosby and Ovechkin to square off at World Cup

The mighty Canadians and a determined Russia square off in the semifinals of the World Cup of Hockey starting on Tuesday, a closely watched clash of the two most successful nations in the sport’s history.

Sidney Crosby’s Canadian team will look to continue their dominance when they face Russia, led by Alex Ovechkin, for a spot in the best-of-three championship series.

This is also the latest chapter in the Crosby and Ovechkin rivalry, with past bragging rights between the two most dynamic players in hockey going to Crosby based on a pair of Stanley Cup championships and two Olympic gold medals.

The other semi-final features Team Europe against Sweden today.

Canada are on a 13-game winning streak in best-onbest events since losing 5-3 to the Americans in the early rounds of the men’s hockey tournament at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Canada went on to win gold in Vancouver and followed it up with another gold four years later in Sochi, Russia. They won the last two IIHF World Championship titles in Russia and the Czech Republic.