BOSTON — Vegas Golden Knights star and Chelmsford native Jack Eichel has a Stanley Cup to his name. But he thinks the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off championship game between Team USA and Team Canada might hold more weight.
“You’re representing your country. This is huge,” Eichel said after USA’s 2-1 loss to Team Sweden on Monday. “This is the biggest game I’ve played in quite some time. Maybe ever. I’m really looking forward to it. I think everyone in the room is looking forward to it. It’s what we wanted, right?”
Team USA will get the opportunity to play Canada again in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off in the final game on Thursday night.
“It’s the dream scenario. It’s the biggest game that I’ve ever played in my whole life,” Mass. native and Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy said. “That’s the matchup you want. For us. For them. I’m sure for TV. For everything. It’s the most exciting game.”
USA knew it would face Canada in the final before its game against Sweden. The Canadians defeated Finland hours prior to punch its ticket to the championship game.
The Americans already have a win against Canada in what was a competitive, hard-fought game. And Team USA coach Mike Sullivan believes Thursday’s final will bare the same kind of intensity as Saturday.
“I think it’s great for hockey that there’s an opportunity for these two teams to meet again,” he said after USA’s 2-1 loss to Sweden. “Obviously they’re both teams are have star power all around the lineup. It was a very competitive hockey game — the first game. I would anticipate the next one will be as every bit as competitive, if not more.”
The atmosphere is also something players are excited for. The crowd in Montreal for the first USA-Canada game was electric, and it is likely TD Garden will be buzzing on Thursday for what Brad Marchand called the biggest rivalry in hockey.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, who logged 16:27 of ice time in USA’s loss, is excited about the potential of winning a championship game.
“I was saying to my wife, ‘it’s been a long time since I’ve won something,‘” Larkin said. “I know there’s other guys in here in the same boat. There’s a lot on the line.”
- BETTING: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.
