1.   Among them are the Bure brothers, Valery and Pavel, speedy forwards who should thrive on the wider international ice surface.

2.   And in a short tournament, with NHLers adjusting to a bigger ice surface, Dominik Hasek could be enough to carry home a medal.

3.   And forget about going to the bigger ice surface.

4.   And the wide ice surface may favor European players, who learned their profession on similar rinks.

5.   Apparently all the Blackhawks needed was an ice surface bigger than the postage stamp-size rink they had at Chicago Stadium for all those years.

6.   Because players will be so big and skilled, teams will play with either one fewer skater or on a bigger ice surface.

7.   Better, he decided, to have a facsimile of the ice surface, complete with blue lines, faceoff circles and goals, embedded in the carpeting.

8.   Both teams also are adjusting to the wider ice surface and to the new rule that allows long passes from the defensive zone over center ice.

9.   A bigger ice surface means everyone will have a better chance to display their wares.

10.   A bigger problem for Lang was his adjustment to the smaller ice surfaces and the physical nature of NHL games.