Ѱո鷡—I’ Canada vs. the United States, the game we’ve been waiting for. National pride on the line. The two biggest hockey countries. Anthems, drama, chaos.
It’ll be loud. It’ll be physical. It might get ugly. And that might just be in the stands at the Bell Centre on Saturday night.
On the ice, the 4 Nations Face-Off could reach another level altogether.
“Growing up as a young kid, when you go play American teams you want to beat them so bad,” said Canadian defenceman Drew Doughty. “I don’t want to say (it’s) a hatred or anything, but you want to beat them so bad. And I still have this feeling, at 35 years old ... It’s going to be a tough battle. But yeah, this is probably the most exciting matchup of the tournament.”
The feeling, of course, is mutual.
“This one’s a big one, the biggest of my career, and I can’t wait,” said American centre Dylan Larkin.
There was no question which side the Bell Centre crowd was backing in Thursday night’s game between the U.S. and Finland.
There was no question which side the Bell Centre crowd was backing in Thursday night’s game between the U.S. and Finland.
“It’s going to be incredible,” said U.S. defenceman Charlie McAvoy. “The atmosphere is going to be amazing. The rivalry speaks for itself. It is certainly where your mind goes when you’re dreaming of this as a kid. You think about playing in an event like this.”
There will be two changes to Canada’s lineup from Wednesday’s 4-3 win over Sweden. Travis Sanheim will be on defence for the injured Shea Theodore, while Sam Bennett takes over checking-line duties from Travis Konecny. Bennett plays a more physical game, in line with what the Americans showed in beating Finland 6-1.
“That’s why I’m here, to play and to help the team ... I’m super thrilled,” said Bennett.
Meanwhile, defenceman Cale Makar missed practice with the flu. To get to six on the blue line, the NHL will let Thomas Harley of the Dallas Stars, who wasn’t on the roster, sub in if Makar can’t play. Canadian coach Jon Cooper was asked if he expected Makar to dress.
“Expect is a big word, but I’m confident,” said Cooper. “I’m confident he’ll be there.”
Josh Morrissey took Makar’s spot on the top power-play unit at Friday’s practice. Cooper didn’t say if Jordan Binnington or Adin Hill would start in net. The Americans took the day off.
Marner may be the man of the moment after his winner against Sweden but Crosby is the man of the tournament, and MacKinnon has learned a lot from him.
Marner may be the man of the moment after his winner against Sweden but Crosby is the man of the tournament, and MacKinnon has learned a lot from him.
Although it will be two hockey titans facing each other, most of the players haven’t done so in an NHL-backed best-on-best event. No Americans from the 2014 Olympics or 2016 World Cup of Hockey made this team. Doughty, Sidney Crosby and Brad Marchand are the only holdovers for Canada.
“Everyone’s been talking about it, but I think we’re looking at it as a game,” said Crosby. “We want to try to improve from the last one (against Sweden). We did some good things and some things we want to clean up. Everybody’s just got to play their game. Obviously it’s going to be an emotional game and intense.”
“This is new for everybody,” said Cooper. “Because it’s new, because it’s fresh and because it’s been so long, the boys will be amped up on both sides.”
In other words, emotions could get the better of any of them. Crowd support for Canada at the Bell Centre has been nothing short of amazing, which will only help get the blood pumping.
“What they did for Sid (in the opener), it was deafening,” said Cooper. “Everybody talked about the chills they had. And I truly believe we scored (Mitch Marner’s winner in overtime) the way we did because of the energy the Montreal crowd gave us, and it just continued. You marvel at that. We can’t thank them enough for standing behind our team.”
Theodore’s injury is also a nightmare for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Theodore’s injury is also a nightmare for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Things might go over the top if the crowd boos “The Star-Spangled Banner” like on Thursday night. The Canadian players hope they don’t.
“Those are moments that show respect for the veterans, and the millions and millions of people who sacrificed their lives so that we can continue to have our freedom and we have the luxury to play a game like this,” said Marchand. “They should not be booing the Americans during that anthem. They have nothing to do with the political things that are going on.”
Regardless, the Americans seem comfortable in the role of villain.
“That’s just what we’ve got to do,” said American Jake Guentzel. “Saturday night in Canada, against Canada. I don’t think there’s much better than this for a hockey player of this level.”
It’s hard to overstate just how important this game is for Canada in this tournament. The top two teams after the round robin advance to Thursday’s final in Boston. With three points for beating Finland in regulation time, the Americans are in the catbird seat.
Canada, with two points for an overtime win, need points against the Americans on Saturday and the Finns in Boston on Monday. The Swedes, with one point, face the Finns on Saturday afternoon and the Americans on Monday.
Said Cooper: “For so many reasons ... it will be what (legendary U.S. coach) Bob Johnson used to call ‘a great day for hockey.’”
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