ST. PAUL, Minn. – Four goals and an assist? Where did that come from?

“I don’t know what happened,” forward Keith Tkachuk said of his Tuesday-night performance, which led Team USA to a 5-3 victory over Russia in the World Cup of Hockey quarterfinals. “I’m usually the first one at the rink, and I slept in. I was late. I don’t know. Maybe that was the reason why.”

Coach Ron Wilson smiled.

“It will be interesting to see if he deliberately tries to sleep in next time,” he said. “I doubt it.”

Tkachuk is expected to arrive at the Xcel Energy Center early this morning to prepare for tonight’s semifinal against Finland. Just because he missed his wake-up call the other day doesn’t mean he missed Wilson’s last week.

You might say the Americans were asleep when this tournament began. They lost their first two games-and looked bad doing it.

But Wilson roused them. He benched five guys-including future Hall of Famer Brett Hull-and put in all his reserve skaters. He changed tactics, calling for a more plodding, positional game.

And another thing: He put the Tkachuk-Mike Modano-Bill Guerin line back together. It had been a big one dating back to when the Americans won the 1996 World Cup, and it had to be again if they had any hope here.

The Americans beat Slovakia in their final round-robin game, and before their quarterfinal, Tkachuk, Modano and Guerin put the onus on themselves.

“We discussed it throughout the day and prior to the game,” Modano said. “Between the three of us, it was pretty important that we come out and play well and consistent and try to create as much as we can offensively.”

The line produced 11 points.

Modano assisted on each of Tkachuk’s goals.

“I think considering the way the last six or seven months have gone for me personally, it’s a great time to come around,” said Modano, who struggled with the Dallas Stars last season. “It is great to come in and be successful, have your hand in on some goals and be consistent. It gives me a little bit of confidence going into later in the tournament.”

Guerin had two assists.

The line is an interesting mix of personalities and playing styles. Modano is a quieter guy from Michigan, a center with speed and skill. Tkachuk and Guerin are bolder guys from Massachusetts, power forwards.

“We want to get the puck to Mike as much as possible,” Tkachuk said. “He’s one of the best players in the NHL and the world, and when he gets his speed going, it’s pretty simple just to go to the net and do the dirty work in the corners. It’s a lot of fun.”

It’s a lot of fun to watch when they’re clicking.

“They’re big and very difficult for the defense from any country to handle,” Wilson said. The Americans need more balance, but Tkachuk, Modano and Guerin have gotten up for the challenge.

“That’s why we play this game,” Modano said. “We want to play at a high level, then raise it up because of the type of tournament and the personnel and the competition that’s out there. When you’re able to do that, that’s what it’s all about.”

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(c) 2004, Detroit Free Press.

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AP-NY-09-09-04 2043EDT