Nova Scotia hockey stars dominating at World Cup of Hockey

Nova Scotia hockey players have owned the World Cup of Hockey, and if Sidney Crosby and Brad Marchand have their way that won't change tonight.

The Cole Harbour and Hammonds Plains hockey stars have been leading the way for Team Canada as they get ready to play Team Europe in Game 1 of the best-of-three series final.

The eight-team tournament has the best players in the world taking part and Nova Scotia's boys have been the best of the best.

Crosby is leading the tournament with seven points, while Marchand is in second with five.

Add in the outstanding tournament Cole Harbour's Nathan MacKinnon had for Team North America — which featured U.S. and Canadian players 23 and under — and Nova Scotia players have been a cut above the rest.

"They are three very special individuals who have worked very hard, but I think they would be the first ones to say there are a lot of people who have put in a lot of time to help them get there," said Darren Cossar, the executive director at Hockey Nova Scotia.

"That's really exciting to see and now local kids from here can see that they can go on and achieve their dreams."

Crosby and Marchand have been playing on the same line and have had great chemistry.

'A real positive for the game'

For Cossar, seeing a hat trick of Bluenose stars shine at the game's highest level is great promotion for hockey in the province.

"To see those three excelling at the level they are, it speaks volumes for our province and what we've done," he said. "When you hear them speak, they are proud of where they are from and what they've achieved and it's a real positive for the game and a small province like ours."