Canada and the United States will compete in the title game of the 4 Nations Face-Off later tonight, in what is a highly anticipated rematch from the tournament’s earlier cinematic scuffle. Two Flyers will be raring to go, hoping to exact revenge on a disappointing 3-1 loss suffered the first time around.
4 Nations Face-off: How we got here
On Monday, Canada defeated Finland 5-3 to advance to the title game. Canada nearly saw their lead slip away in the third period as Finland scored three straight goals to nearly mount a comeback. The United States advanced to the title game on Saturday when they defeated Canada, 3-1.
Relating this upcoming matchup to the Philadelphia Flyers, Travis Sanheim and Travis Konecny will be up against their head coach, John Tortorella, an assistant coach for the United States, in a winner-takes-all tilt.
Sanheim and Konecny have both suited up twice for Canada during the tournament. Everything will be on the line heading into Thursday’s final, and maybe some bragging rights are also on the line for when all three of Sanheim, Konecny, and Tortorella return to Philadelphia.
An eye on the Flyers
Travis Sanheim
Sanheim has played in two games of the 4 Nations. He was a scratch against Sweden last Wednesday but made his debut against the United States on Saturday. Sanheim partnered Devon Toews on the first pair during the loss to the United States. He played 15:14 and was a -1.
Against Finland on Monday, Sanheim assisted Brayden Point for Canada’s third goal of the game. Sanheim received a pass from Connor McDavid after jumping into the play, put the puck on net, and Point grabbed the rebound. Sanheim was paired with Drew Doughty and played 18:23.
Travis Konecny
Konecny played 10:20 in the first game against Sweden and was a -2. He was then scratched against the United States. He drew back into the lineup against Finland on the fourth line alongside Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand. He played 12:11 and was a -1.
John Tortorella
The United States put on a defensive clinic in their win over Canada, which can be credited to Tortorella. Canada outshot the United States, 26-23, but goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and defenseman Charlie McAvoy were dominant in the defensive zone.
A Must-Watch Final
The sports world has taken notice of the 4 Nations Face-Off. The game between the United States and Canada drew in 4.4M viewers on ABC and peaked at 5.2M. The game was +473% vs. ESPN’s World Cup of Hockey USA-Canada game in 2016, was +369% vs. NHL on ABC’s average this season, and it was the most-viewed non-Stanley Cup Final game since 2019. The NHL found a way to draw in more than the regular hockey fan with the addition of the 4 Nations.
Fireworks kicked off right at the start of the last game, and Thursday will be a must-watch. Which country will take home the title? Will Canada get revenge, or will Free Bird continue to fly high?
Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-Imagn Images
