National Hockey League (NHL)

4 Nations Face-Off USA vs. Canada: Live updates, highlights as countries vie for international championship

It all comes down to USA vs. Canada, as the two teams are set to match up in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game Thursday night. This will be the first men’s hockey best-on-best championship between the two countries since the 2010 Olympic gold medal game, which Canada won in overtime.

This rematch comes just five days after the U.S. beat Canada 3-1 in round-robin play in a game that was punctuated by three fights in the first nine seconds of play. En route to the championship game, Canada beat both Sweden and Finland, while the U.S. beat Finland but lost to Sweden on Monday, after their spot in the final was already clinched. The tournament replaced the NHL All-Star Game this year ahead of next year’s Winter Olympics in Milan, which NHL players will participate in for the first time since 2014.

Just how anticipated is this game? Earlier Thursday, tickets were reselling for nearly $800, with the most expensive seats in the lower bowl going for upward of $2,200.

For more on the marquee matchup, read Yahoo Sports’ preview here.

Date: Thursday, February 20

Location: TD Garden, Boston

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Channel: ESPN, ESPN+

Follow along for live updates, highlights and more as Team USA faces Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship.

Live22 updates

  • 1st period: USA 1, Canada 1

    Big check by Brady Tkachuk rouses the TD Garden crowd as the first period ends. USA has a 15-7 hits advantage going into intermission, though the scoreboard and shots on goal (10-10) are even.

  • SCORE: USA 1, Canada 1

    Brady Tkachuk skips it past Jordan Binnington, getting the rebound on a shot from Auston Matthews trying to wrap it around the net.

  • The stats say shots are even at 9-9, but it sure feels like Canada has been in the U.S. zone more often.

  • After giving up that early score, Connor Hellebuyck is standing strong for the U.S. in goal:

  • It’s Jordan Binnington’s turn to make some key saves.

    First, Canada turns it over in its zone, leading to a Jack Eichel shot in close.

    Then he blocks Dylan Larkin on a breakaway set up by an outlet from Matt Boldy.

  • Connor Hellebuyck made two excellent saves on a wrist shot by Drew Doughty and Seth Jarvis trying to poke in a rebound.

  • Canada pursuing the puck more aggressively so far in this one:

  • Connor Hellebuyck probably didn’t have a chance on Nathan MacKinnon’s goal. His wrist shot made it through a bunch of players en route to the net.

  • SCORE: Canada 1, USA 0

    Nathan MacKinnon puts Canada on the board, whipping a shot from the top past Connor Hellebuyck for a 1-0 lead.

  • The TD Garden crowd loved USA honorary captain Mike Eruzione wearing a Johnny Gaudreau jersey:

  • No fights in the opening 30 seconds, so there’s that. But there was some pushing and shoving between Matthew Tkachuk and Cale Makar during a stoppage.

  • And the U.S. national anthem:

  • Some booing audible during the Canadian national anthem, but not overpowering.

  • Strat-O-Matic picks USA, 4-3:

  • Defenseman Josh Morrissey is out for Canada due to the flu.

    Thomas Harley will replace Morrissey in the Team Canada lineup.

  • Big Stanley Cup power on Canada’s top line:

  • Big Canada presence at TD Garden?

  • Brady and Matthew Tkachuk expected to play for Team USA. What were the chances either would miss this game?

  • It’s not equal time, but Canada should be represented as well.

  • OK, maybe this is overdoing it with the “Miracle” clip. But this version, with ESPN splicing in footage of the current USA and Canada players, is probably even better.

This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.

Related
2020 © Zeen World News