Is this really it for NHL in Olympics?

The owners don't want it, the GMs hate it, and the coaches cross their fingers no one gets hurt.

But as hockey showcases go, there is nothing better than NHL players in the Olympics.

They have proven once again their genuine love for the game, and that they play just as hard when there are no dollars on the line.

And that's why even commonly clueless Commissioner Gary Bettman won't commit to ending the NHL's Olympic participation.

Speaking on MSNBC late Sunday, Bettman said the league is still discussing 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Admittedly, the time difference in Russia is a mess, when matches will be played from 3 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chicago time, and it's hard to argue with those who say the return on the investment would be small.

The players very much want to continue - especially Russians like Alex Ovechkin - which is why Bettman hasn't entirely ruled out Sochi.

It's also likely to be a topic when the NHL's current labor agreement expires at the end of the 2010-11 season.

The time difference is a serious issue, and the owners might be right when they say it won't be worth shutting down the NHL again in four years.

But with no Olympics possible in North America until at least 2022, once the pros leave the Winter Games they might never return.

Purely from a hockey standpoint, you'll never see better contests than this, and it's a staggering reminder of how good a showcase it is.

Here's one vote for doing it again, time zones be darned.

USA vs. CanadaNot enough superlatives to describe Sunday night's game.Up and down the ice, ferocious hitting, heart-pounding action, and at least some of it due to the NHL-size rink that produces more scoring chances and more physical play.Ryan Miller, not surprisingly, has been the best goaltender in the Olympics and won that game nearly on his own Sunday.Team Canada is taking a beating at home for losing the game, but the Canadians weren't bad.They did look to be squeezing their sticks and feeling the pressure, which is understandable as they carry the weight of a nation on their shoulders, while the Americans with nothing to lose were poised and stuck to their game plan, playing a brilliant road game.In net Canada was outplayed by a large margin, and outcoached by even more.The U.S. was conservative and took advantage of the Canadian mistakes, while relying heavily on Miller, which was their only chance to beat a team with so much more talent.If they run into each other again, the U.S. will have to be better.In the meantime, and while in no way comparable to the "Miracle on Ice," it was still a thriller Sunday.Net gainThe NHL trapezoid rule has always lacked logic, and the Olympics have shown that it does nothing to limit scoring chances or slow the game.The goalies good enough to play the puck can start the transition and save their defensemen from getting run, and the ones unable to do it only create more opposition chances when they misplay the puck.The NHL always talks about protecting the players, so if the GMs really care about their safety, they'll dump the trapezoid the next chance they get.It's officialHow much better are the games when the refs aren't calling every tiny little infraction?They're letting them play in Vancouver, and it's a breath of fresh air.Ivan Boldirev-ingWhile appearing on the Score on Sunday and discussing the inevitable letdown, emotionally and physically, for players after the Olympic tourney, Blackhawks analyst Steve Konroyd mentioned a great idea he heard from former coach Denis Savard.With the Hawks opening on Long Island next Tuesday night and the gold-medal game Sunday afternoon, why not have a player or two involved in that game skip Tuesday's game in New York?They can take their time getting back to Chicago and await the Wednesday night contest at home vs. Edmonton.Excellent idea from Savard.Friend or foe?Canada's Ryan Getzlaf thought nothing of hammering Anaheim linemate Bobby Ryan of the U.S., and Ryan did the same to Ducks linemate Corey Perry.At the same time, Brent Seabrook had a chance to line up Patrick Kane on Sunday night and passed on the opportunity.You may exhale now.Best headlineSportspickle.com: "Martin Brodeur deported to New Jersey."And finally -One of David Letterman's Top Ten Signs You're Not Going To Win An Olympic Gold Medal: Southwest Airlines kicked you off a flight to Vancouver because you're too fat.brozner@dailyherald.com