4 Nations Face Off - Feb 12-20

[StevenToddIves]

Yeah I don’t get the takes about him “playing scared” or getting exposed or whatever. It was a very tight checking low event game after the US had the lead.

Being on PP2 (which got 0 time last game) is going to cut down on how many dangerous looks he’ll get with the way these game are being played. Notice how you didn’t hear MacKinnon’s name much either? Slavin was absolutely neutralizing guys, he’s so good.

Faber was just as good as Slavin. That pairing really locked it down. Hanifin played well after a rough outing vs. Finland, but I'd still rather see Sanderson out there, he's better than Hanifin right now.

Overall the USA blue line has been terrific, and of course Hellebuyck has been outstanding in net. I expect to see Oettinger against Sweden, however.

 

[Satans Hockey]

Would have to look - I watched post game comments on ESPN.com and also read a summary there. My only source so it had to be there.

Well it wasn't Brady and I can't find anything online about what Matthew said so far, still browsing...

 

[HersheyBob27]

Brady has played zero (0) playoff games in his career and is getting outscored on a team that is in playoff position.

Bratt is better at the game of hockey.

Just say bratt looks better on my spreadsheet

 

[Satans Hockey]

Would have to look - I watched post game comments on ESPN.com and also read a summary there. My only source so it had to be there.

Found it and I don't actually disagree with him, I've been there a few times and I think Montreal is one of the most overrated cities to visit in North America, I've said that a few times before on this forum...

Fight night: U.S., Canada open tilt with 3 brawls

Not long after the United States national anthem was booed again in Montreal, Team USA and Canada engaged in three fights in the first period of their 4 Nations Face-Off game, including the first feud between Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel.

www.espn.com

'Getting a win here on a Saturday night, that puts us in the finals, that's a pretty neat feeling," Brady Tkachuk told ESPN's Emily Kaplan in his postgame, on-ice interview. "I feel like there are a lot of unhappy people here, especially in Montreal, a place that isn't my favorite."

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Just say bratt looks better on my spreadsheet

He looks better on my TV screen and his measurable impact is better.

I like having one of the best skaters in the league on my team, in an era where skating is more important than ever. Why anyone would possibly complain about this player, who has been nothing but excellent and is on one of the best value deals in the league, is beyond me.

 

[HersheyBob27]

He looks better on my TV screen and his measurable impact is better.

I like having one of the best skaters in the league on my team, in an era where skating is more important than ever. Why anyone would possibly complain about this player, who has been nothing but excellent and is on one of the best value deals in the league, is beyond me.

Nobody is complaining about bratt. Given the choice I take the player with the intangibles

 

[Guttersniped]

Found it and I don't actually disagree with him, I've been there a few times and I think Montreal is one of the most overrated cities to visit in North America, I've said that a few times before on this forum...

Fight night: U.S., Canada open tilt with 3 brawls

Not long after the United States national anthem was booed again in Montreal, Team USA and Canada engaged in three fights in the first period of their 4 Nations Face-Off game, including the first feud between Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel.

www.espn.com

'Getting a win here on a Saturday night, that puts us in the finals, that's a pretty neat feeling," Brady Tkachuk told ESPN's Emily Kaplan in his postgame, on-ice interview. "I feel like there are a lot of unhappy people here, especially in Montreal, a place that isn't my favorite."

You realize he’s played for the Ottawa Senators, the Hab’s division rival, for 7 years, right?

I assume he’s referring to that.

Also I found Montreal a blast and a fun visit, unlike Toronto, which basically sucks.

 

[Satans Hockey]

You realize he’s played for the Ottawa Senators, the Hab’s division rival, for 7 years, right?

I assume he’s referring to that.

Also I found Montreal a blast and a fun visit, unlike Toronto, which basically sucks.

I wasn't the one who brought up having an issue with the comment, I was just trying to find what he said but yeah that tracks cause he later said he likes the city too lol

 

[Guttersniped]

Oh goody another round of debates over imaginary Brady trades that involve Bratt for some reason.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Nobody is complaining about bratt. Given the choice I take the player with the intangibles

I’ll take the tangibles. Why haven’t his intangibles led to any winning? Fraud?

 

[Bcap88]

Man, holy f*** what a start and what a game

I would give my left nut for a tkachuk brother

 

[JimEIV]

You realize he’s played for the Ottawa Senators, the Hab’s division rival, for 7 years, right?

I assume he’s referring to that.

Also I found Montreal a blast and a fun visit, unlike Toronto, which basically sucks.

Ive been to a half dozen games in Montreal and it's always been a fantastic experience.

 

[Bcap88]

Am I the only one who liked the fights?

That gets the crowd going, the team going and it says we are here for a game and we aren’t backing down. It also says I’ll run through a wall in a meaningless tournament.

Great love it, that’s what rivalries are

 

[JimEIV]

Am I the only one who liked the fights?

That gets the crowd going, the team going and it says we are here for a game and we aren’t backing down. It also says I’ll run through a wall in a meaningless tournament.

Great love it, that’s what rivalries are

Loved it.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Am I the only one who liked the fights?

That gets the crowd going, the team going and it says we are here for a game and we aren’t backing down. It also says I’ll run through a wall in a meaningless tournament.

Great love it, that’s what rivalries are

I loved the Tkachuk fights. The Miller one just felt like overkill though. This was really funny:

 

[HoliksGhost]

Am I the only one who liked the fights?

It was great, who didn’t like it ?

 

[HBK27]

I absolutely LOVED the start to the game last night, as did my two teenage sons. I was lukewarm about this tournament coming into it, but it's been awesome to see the emotion and intensity from the players. The booing added an extra layer to it, which is great as well. My older son cranked up Free Bird as we were making breakfast this morning - been a really fun tournament to watch. Hopefully we see a USA-Canada rematch on Thursday night.

I like the fact that fighting is rarer in the NHL that it was in the past, especially knowing some of the long-term damage it did to the enforcers, but I still like that it's part of the game. Props to all 6 guys dropping the mitts last night. What a hell of a start to a game. Good job by the refs as well to restore some order by awarding Canada a PP - after the 3rd fight. Says for a cross-check from Miller, though ESPN didn't do a great job of showing the penalty from what I can recall. Was thinking it was for instigator, but I guess not.

It was great, who didn’t like it ?

There were a few in this thread at the time of the fights that said they didn't like it.

 

[Satans Hockey]

I absolutely LOVED the start to the game last night, as did my two teenage sons. I was lukewarm about this tournament coming into it, but it's been awesome to see the emotion and intensity from the players. The booing added an extra layer to it, which is great as well. My older son cranked up Free Bird as we were making breakfast this morning - been a really fun tournament to watch. Hopefully we see a USA-Canada rematch on Thursday night.

I like the fact that fighting is rarer in the NHL that it was in the past, especially knowing some of the long-term damage it did to the enforcers, but I still like that it's part of the game. Props to all 6 guys dropping the mitts last night. What a hell of a start to a game. Good job by the refs as well to restore some order by awarding Canada a PP - after the 3rd fight. Says for a cross-check from Miller, though ESPN didn't do a great job of showing the penalty from what I can recall. Was thinking it was for instigator, but I guess not.



There were a few in this thread at the time of the fights that said they didn't like it.

I have no issues with fighting but for me I didn't like two of the players who scored the most in the 1st game sitting out for 5 mins each to start the game plus it buzzed up the home crowd which was filled with Canada fans and Canada did score 1st and the US didn't really settle down until after that.

I just would have rather seen them come out and score as many goals as they could in the 1st and blow em outtta the building but I'll take a win against Canada anyway we can get it lol

 

[devilsblood]

Am I the only one who liked the fights?

That gets the crowd going, the team going and it says we are here for a game and we aren’t backing down. It also says I’ll run through a wall in a meaningless tournament.

Great love it, that’s what rivalries are

Most everyone loved them.

But this is clearly not a meaningless tourney. And I think the level of play, including those fights, is showing how important international play is to these players.

Interested to see how it plays out, but I'm sure the NHL is well aware at how well received this has been and is looking at ways to own these events going fwd.

 

[HBK27]

Most everyone loved them.

But this is clearly not a meaningless tourney. And I think the level of play, including those fights, is showing how important international play is to these players.

Interested to see how it plays out, but I'm sure the NHL is well aware at how well received this has been and is looking at ways to own these events going fwd.

Thought I heard the plan was to do a best-on-best tournament every 2 years. So, Olympics next year and then two years later another 4 Nations type tournament, though probably with 6-8 nations.

 

[BostonDevil]

That was about the most riveting 3 minutes of hockey I can remember seeing. Now ESPN is owned by Disney, you really think they’re going show those 3 minute highlights. I highly doubt it. Also want to send out kudos too Miller for fighting that monster of a man. Takes guts.

Don't they show UFC?

 

[Maine Fan]

In a fun way! For as exciting a game as that was, your post was quite easy going.

Patrik26, the game wasn't over when I post i was enjoying the game.

 

[Comparison Ford]

the real question is how the hell do they ever go back to the all star game?

 

[Bcap88]

 

[Satans Hockey]

the real question is how the hell do they ever go back to the all star game?

It's already happening next year at the Islanders new arena. I think in the future after next year they'll just host it in years that there isn't a world/olympics tournament. It also keeps the international games fresh by having them every 2 years instead of every year.

So in the future it would look like this to me...

2026 - all star game at UBS & Olympics in Italy
2027 - all star game
2028 - world cup
2029 - all star game
2030 - Olympics in France
2031 - all star game
2032 - world cup
2033 - all star game
2034 - Olympics in Utah