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If you think even a tiny part of Bob Murphy wishes the Bulldogs hadnt made the grand final while hes out injured, you dont know Bob Murphy at all.Thats the resounding message from his teammates as they prepare for the clubs first grand final since 1961.Murphys season-ending knee injury in round three was a a savage enough blow at the time, but a drought-breaking Dogs flag without their inspirational skipper seems cruel and unusual punishment for him.Its hard not to spare a thought for Murphy as the club basks in the glow of grand final week, but his positive influence on the group hasnt faltered.Theres no doubt it would be bittersweet for him, but hes a club man through and through, Matthew Boyd says.Hes been a Bulldogs person all his life and will be for the rest of his life. I know that hes really proud of this footy club and the fact that weve got to a grand final.Hell want us to go that next step and hell be right there to support us throughout the week.Of course, hed want to be out there with us but thats just not the reality this year.Its never been about Bob Murphy. Its been about this group and this footy club - that will be no different this week.Murphy has described himself as a professional cheerleader during his sides barnstorming run to Saturdays premiership decider against Sydney.But hes bringing much more to the table than that.He participated in a light training session on Tuesday, encouraging his teammates firsthand as he has done since he was cleared to resume running following a knee reconstruction.The 34-year-old also plays an important role on match day.Murphs been amazing throughout the whole season and hes taken that to a new level in the finals series, Dale Morris said.Hes supported the players and has almost been able to shield them a bit too.Hes a calming influence during breaks in the game ... he gets around the guys and he knows exactly what were going through out on the field.So he can calm guys down and speak to them in a way that they understand and can act on straight away.Hes been awesome.J.J. Watt Jersey . 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Williams scored 11 points in 10 minutes, Alan Anderson scored 17 points, and the Brooklyn Nets finished the exhibition season with a 108-87 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night.TORONTO -- One game into the World Cup of Hockey, the United States is on the verge of elimination.The U.S. goes into its showdown against Canada on Tuesday night needing a victory to survive and give itself a chance to advance to the semifinals.A loss in the opener to Team Europe and Europes overtime victory over the Czech Republic on Monday made this a win-or-go-home game for the Americans.U.S. players circled the game against Canada as the biggest game of the tournament as soon as the schedule was released. Based on their precarious position, it has become exactly that.We were looking forward to this game as a great measuring stick, and the result of not winning the first game is its also for our lives now, center David Backes said. We cant hold anything back. This is all the chips on the table for our team, and we need to play desperate.Coach John Tortorella called it the Americans championship game even before it was clear that they had to win to stay alive. He expects a charged atmosphere at Air Canada Centre, where the U.S is the enemy and is facing a must-win game.Playing there, against them, everybody wants us knocked out, Tortorella said Monday. I cant wait and I think our players cant wait for this game to start. Its going to be a blast.The U.S. focus has been on Canada, but the host and tournament favorite is focused on itself. Goaltender Carey Price called facing the U.S. just another game, and Canada is going about its business as usual.The most important game youre playing in these tournaments is the one youre playing tomorrow, coach Mike Babcock said.Canadian players even brushed aside eliminating the U.S. as a source of motivation. Canada just wants to beat everyone.I dont think we really look at their situation, defenseman Jay Bouwmeester said. I think we know the magnitude of the game just because of who were playing -- the rivalry and all that.For us, I dont think we should really be concerned. We know how important it is (for the U.S.), but its important to us to because weve got to win those games to move on.Canada would clinch a spot in the semifinals for itself and EEurope with a win.ddddddddddddSome things to watch when the U.S. faces Canada:KANE AND ABDELKADER: Hart Trophy winner Patrick Kane is expected to play on a line with grinder Justin Abdelkader and center Derek Stepan. Abdelkader isnt a linemate anyone expected to play with Kane, but Tortorella thinks the Detroit Red Wings winger has been strong and needs to play more.I need to get in on the forecheck, use my size, use my physicality to create opportunities, Abdelkader said. Wherever he uses me, wherever he puts me, Ill be ready. Im not going to change anything with my game.CONTAINING CROSBY: If the U.S. is going to have any success, itll have to keep Canadas potent first line of Brad Marchand, Sidney Crosby and Patrice Bergeron from doing too much damage. Checking center Brandon Dubinsky has guarded Crosby many times, but stopping the Canadian captain is a team effort.PRICE PERFECT: Price hasnt allowed a goal in international competition in 224:19, counting the World Cup opener and the semifinal and final at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. U.S. goaltender Jonathan Quick was brilliant against Canada in Sochi, allowing one goal on a deflection by Jamie Benn, whos injured and not playing in this tournament.BACK TO BUFF: All signs point to defenseman Dustin Byfuglien and forward Kyle Palmieri being back in the U.S. lineup after being healthy scratches in the loss to Europe. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Byfuglien is a physical force with a big shot on the power play who can make a difference against Canada, which isnt changing anything.SEEN STAMKOS: Steven Stamkos, motivated by missing Sochi with a broken leg and by playing close to his hometown, looks due to break through after four shots on goal in Canadas opener. To try and keep a goal scorer like that off the sheet is not easy, especially when he has that many looks, center Ryan Getzlaf said. As long as were getting those opportunities, thats the main thing.---Follow Stephen Whyno on Twitter --Follow Stephen Whyno on Twitter