USA Defeats Canada
The United States have defeated Canada 3-1 in the second game of the 4 Nations Face Off Tournament.
Instead of a traditional All-Star game, the NHL decided to implement the 4 Nations Face Off, which has players from USA, Canada, Finland, and Sweden represent their countries in a best on best tournament. This tournament has already exceeded expectations by providing hockey fans with some of the most exciting and passionate games of the year.
Any time a hockey player gets to represent their country in an international tournament, it becomes more than just a game. National pride becomes a huge motivator for players to win for their country no matter what the stake or reward is. For most of these NHL players, they have not yet gotten the opportunity to represent their country or even play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which makes this tournament the most important games of their careers so far.
After a very long 9 year absence of NHL players competing in international competition, the stage was finally set for NHL players to compete in best on best hockey.
USA vs. Canada is one of the most historic and heated rivalries in the hockey world. Canada is known for dominating any sort of international hockey tournament, with a resume of 23 Olympic medals (14 Gold), 2 time World Cup of Hockey Champions, and 28 total World Champion titles. For the United States, this 4 Nations roster is said to be the best assembled roster of American hockey players yet.
There was already bad blood and maximum anticipation for Saturday nights game in Montreal, but when the Canadian fans boo’d the entire U.S. National Anthem, the tensions could not be contained any longer. When asked about the boo’s during the national anthem, American forward Matthew Tkatchuk said “ I didn’t like it”. Within the first 9 seconds of the game, 3 fights broke out between USA and Canadian players, setting the tone for the rest of the game. American brothers Matthew and Brady Tkatchuk were the first two American’s to drop the mitts at the start of the game.
After one of the most electrifying ways to start a sporting event, Team USA’s Jake Guentzel (2 Goals) and Dylan Larkin (GWG) helped propel The United States to a 3-1 victory over Canada. The United States win also secured them a spot in the championship game, which will be a rematch against the Canadians on Thursday in Boston.
Between the anticipation, the victory, and the talent on the ice, this victory will go down as a top 5 moment in USA hockey history. Defeating the Canadians in such a dominating fashion in enemy territory has sparked a large amount of national pride throughout America and is bringing in record viewership. Moments like this and “The Miracle on Ice”, are vital pieces of history that help sustain the future of hockey in the United States.
