I've never been an Olympics, All-Star Game, or in-season tournament guy. These things just don't grab me. In fact, I've always felt giving the league a week off instead of the ASG is a better use of time to let guys get a break an heal up.
So, when the 4 Nations tournament came about, I had zero interest - even though there was plenty of Cats on the various rosters.
Then Team USA played Canada and I had to tune in. And then I got sucked in...
Absolutely electric atmosphere for that first game!
And now we get treated to an encore presentation tonight when these two hockey powerhouses faceoff again for the 4 Nations Finale.
As
Yahoo Sports points out about Game 1 between the two countries:
"That game reignited a USA-Canada hockey rivalry that had lied dormant for years. USA and Canada last met in the 2022 Winter Olympics. But that game featured youth players as the NHL had pulled its players from the Olympic competition in 2018 and 2022.
Saturday gave the best players from both nations their first look at each other while representing their countries in years. The result was three fights in the first nine seconds of play.
USA's Matthew Tkachuk and Canada's Brandon Hagel got the party started as soon as the puck dropped.
Tkachuk's brother, Brady Tkachuk and Canada's Sam Bennett kept it going as soon as play resumed.
USA's J.T. Miller and Canada's Colton Parayko then dropped their gloves at the 19:51 mark of the opening period.
Eventually, they got down to playing hockey, and USA prevailed to secure its spot in Thursday's final."
Canada has long been the superior hockey program, with USA playing the part of the "little brother" vying for respect and wanting to prove their legitimacy as a hockey power.
Saturday night seemed to encapsulate these feelings when these two hockey behemoths clashed - and it was awesome.
One of the best parts for me in this whole saga is that resident/heart and soul/troll Florida Panther, Matthew Tkachuk, is one of the guys leading the charge for Team USA (no surprises there).
USA faces a tough task tonight. Beating Canada once is an accomplishment. Beating them a second time? That's going to take a whole lot - especially when you hear MacKinnon, McDavid, Crosby, etc., talk about tonight's game plan...
Where I think Team USA holds the edge is in the physicality department. Sort of similar to the 1970's Flyers, USA played a tough/physical game in contrast to the high flying skill of the Canadians (not that the US doesn't have tons of skill).
Look for Canada to be throwing the body.
I don't know who wins this one. But I do know this:
1. The crowd will be hot. I loved how the MTL masses hung on every pass, shot, save, and goal. Booing Matthews every time he touched the puck, etc...fantastic atmosphere
2. The game will be fast and extremely entertaining
3. Expect some good ol' fashioned bad blood!
4. A lot of pride on the line
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If the US wins tonight, does it begin to tip the scales in this hockey power struggle?
Florida Panthers Blogger • 
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