Salt Lake City ? First comes the United States against Canada in a tantalizing hockey final. Then it’s Kristi Yamaguchi skating on a frozen stage while KISS bangs out nostalgic heavy metal.

What a way to turn off the torch.

“This is a party for the athletes and the world that could only happen at the Olympics,” closing ceremony producer Don Mischer said.

Is he talking about the sendoff celebration or the hockey game? The Salt Lake City Olympics wrap up in style today, capping 17 days of grand athletic moments and grand judging disputes with an exciting showdown in a showcase sport.

Team USA is out for gold for the first time since 1980. The Canadians are after their first gold in 50 years.

Not only will this matchup draw NHL fans who regularly watch their heroes, it’s likely to attract millions of casual fans and a slice of folks across who don’t normally follow sports.

The border neighbors have a history in hockey, but it really hasn’t been tapped for decades. Most of the Olympic rivalry in the series dates to the early days, when Canada won all four games from 1924-48. Overall, though, the United States is 2-8-3 against Canada.

Hockey is one of two medal events on the last day, along with the women’s 30-kilometer classical race in cross-country skiing. Then they’ll cue up the music at Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium for the closing ceremony.

Organizers promise an extravaganza, and they’ve got enough performers and fireworks to back it up.

The 2,500 athletes will march in with whomever they like, rather than by nations as they do at the opening ceremony. ‘N Sync will sing the national anthem, setting the tone for a glorious going-away party.

“The opening is more ceremonial, more dignified, more stately,” Mischer said. “The closing is more of a celebration. There will be a lot more fun things that we put out on the ice.”

Get ready to see Yamaguchi doing toe loops and salchows to the strains of facepaint-and-fire supergroup KISS. Dorothy Hamill will skate while Harry Connick Jr. sings “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

Other performers include Christina Aguilera, Bon Jovi, Gloria Estefan and broadway dancer Savion Glover. The musical mix includes jazz, Latin, rhythm and blues, rock-and-roll and American standards.

“We want to entertain the athletes,” Mischer said. “We’re directing the show toward them, but it will also be a party to entertain the world.”

And they don’t call it a ceremony for nothing. Flags of Greece (2004 Summer Olympics) and Italy (2006 Winter Olympics) will be presented. The Olympic flag will be passed from Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson to Turin, Italy, mayor Sergio Chaimparino.

Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge and Salt Lake Olympic Committee President Mitt Romney will deliver closing messages.