Guess it wasn’t meant to be three games in a row. The Americans took a 2-1 loss to Sweden last night. Although the team had already booked its place in the 4 Nations final, a loss is still a loss. However, with a two-day break before the finals, Team USA will have enough time to regroup, and more importantly, catch a breather.
With the second leg of the 4 Nations Face-Off taking place at the TD Garden, the Bruins’ home ground, all the teams had to scurry from Montreal, cross the border, get their practice sessions in, and play the games in a packed schedule. Naturally, despite the latest loss, Coach Mike Sullivan couldn’t be prouder about how the team is tackling the 4 Nations’ traveling requirements.
Team USA HC admits to the break-neck ride that has been the 4 Nations Face-Off
The coach’s post-match reaction was shared by the official NHL YouTube channel after the USA vs Sweden 4 Nations Face-Off game ended on Monday night. During the presser, Sullivan noted that having an extra day before the final game is a welcome relief. “I think honestly, it will be it might be good for both clubs. You know, the logistical travel arrangements: coming from Montreal weren’t easy, probably state the obvious when I say that,” Mike said, “this tournament has been an emotional investment with all the teams,” underscoring that the traveling might have taken a toll on the performance of the players.
And yet, all the four participating teams have risen to the challenges with such immense bravado, that even the veteran coach had to hail them for the grit the athletes have shown. “I give the players on all the respective teams so much credit for how hard they played and the pride that each nation has displayed here. But that’s an emotional investment that takes its toll,” he reminded the reporters who caught up with Sullivan after the USA’s first 4 Nations loss.
But as you’d expect from a storied coach like Mike, he expects nothing but the best from the team when they hit the rink. He shared his anticipation about the 4 Nations championship game with a resolute statement on behalf of the team, “We’re gonna reinvest, we’re going to engage and we’re gonna re-engage and try to put our best game on the ice and we look forward to what we would anticipate would be an incredible atmosphere.” But one can’t help but wonder, is Mike Sullivan referring to the livid conditions that the final match is likely to be played in?
An electrifying showdown awaits all fans
The USA’s experience at its neighbor’s home hasn’t been friendly, to put things lightly. In both its matches against Finland and Canada in the first portion of the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Americans and their national anthem were booed loudly by the crowds at the Bell Centre. While that couldn’t halt the team’s winning spree, it also unsurprisingly got under their skin. Several of the team members noted that they weren’t happy with how The Star-Spangled Banner was met with hostility. And when you introduced the high stakes that were on the table for the USA vs Canada clash, the emotions oozed forth.
Nine seconds into last Saturday’s game, three fights had already broken out on the ice. Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk, and J.T. Miller all got sent off, and the hosts got their first power play (which they couldn’t make use of much). By the end of the night, the Canadian captain Connor McDavid was the only scoring name on the board for his country while the USA’s Dylan Larkin and Jake Guentzel nullified his efforts.
But Team Canada also knows it’s their turn to be on the receiving end of things. The Bruins captain Brad Marchand will be part of the enemy camp on Thursday. On Sunday’s game between Canada and Finland, the former got a taste of what’s to come at the championship game, and Marchand might be bracing up already. How do you think the crowd at TD Garden is going to be as Mike Sullivan’s men take on their neighbors in the biggest best-on-best international hockey game in almost a decade? Tell us in the comments.
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