MONTREAL — Team USA scored three times in three minutes to open the third and turned a battle into a blowout as the Americans bulldozed Finland, 6-1, in their first NHL 4 Nations Face-Off game on Thursday at the Bell Centre.
Holding a 2-1 lead entering the period, the Americans came out of intermission on a power play and they took advantage of it right away.
Fifteen seconds into the period, Matthew Tkachuk collected the puck at the right point with his back to the net, but nobody pressured him. So he turned and laser-beamed a wrist shot over Saros’ shoulder.
Eleven seconds later, Jake Guentzel scored again to make it 4-1. The Finns looked shell-shocked by the flurry that rivaled the day’s snowstorm in Montreal.
Brady Tkachuk added his second of the game, 3 minutes into the third and Matthew addedhis second with 8:43 left and the rout was on.
Canadian fans booed the Star-Spangled Banner for political reasons before the game, but after the sixth goal, the American fans in the building were chanting “U-S-A” with minimal pushback.
The win put the Americans atop the standings in the event. The regulation win gave them three points. Canada, who needed overtime to beat Sweden, 4-3 on Wednesday has two. The Swedes have one point after their OT loss, while the Finns are in last with none.
USA can clinch a spot in Thursday’s final with a win over Canada on Saturday.
After what felt like a sellout to see Canada beat Sweden on Wednesday, the lack of locals combined with a significant snowstorm depressed attendance for the game. The Canada fans in attendance, many of whom wore national team sweaters, were heavily supportive of Finland.
The Americans will face Canada on Saturday at 8 p.m., while Finland faces Sweden at 1 p.m. before the event moves to Boston next week.
The Finns got on the board first when Henri Jokiharju snapped a shot under Connor Hellebuyck, 7:31 into the game to put Finland up 1-0.
Brady Tkachuk tied the game a little under four minutes later when he tapped the rebound of his own shot through Saros’ legs to make it 1-1 with 8:39 left in the first.
Massachusetts native Matt Boldy, who had an assist on Tkachuk’s goal, parked himself in front of Saros and redirected Brock Faber’s shot past the goalie to give Team USA a 2-1 lead with 2:56 left in the second period before the dam broke in the third.
Hellebuyck finished with 20 saves to earn the win.
- 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.
