Boston – The first confrontation between the United States and Canada in the confrontation of the 4 nations left on both sides, and most hockey fans, wanting more.
And that is just what they will get.
The Americans played in a rematch in the championship game, even with the United States losing 2-1 against Sweden at the end of Rounds-Robin on Monday. The American team had already secured a place in the title game, and Canada won the way there beating Finland 5-3 Early Monday to finish the group stage.
“It will be a hard battle. That is what he would anticipate, “said American coach Mike Sullivan.” I feel that I have the best seat of the house, be behind the bank and be close to it. To see what these guys do on the ice to the rhythm they can do , sometimes we marvel at what happens there. “
Sweden recovered after being left behind only 35 seconds in the game to deliver to the Americans their first defeat in the tournament that took the best players of the game to the international stage after being left out of the last two Olympic Games.
Canada saw its advantage of four goals cut to one in the last minutes, but won a victory over Finland the earliest Monday to get the other place in the game for the title. Which assured the rematch of Round-robin confrontation full of fight Saturday.
“They will be very hungry. They don’t want to miss two, ”said American forward Dylan Larkin. “I think there will be some nerves, but I hope it is that level that was in Montreal.”
Chris Kreider gave the Americans the lead in the first minute of Monday night, but Gustav Nyquist tied him a dozen minutes later and Jesper Bratt gave Sweden the advantage with less than a remaining minute in the first period. Samuel Ersson made 31 rescues, closing the US for the last 59:25 of the game.
Officially, the Night Cup meant nothing for Americans or Swedes: the United States had already secured a place in the championship game on Thursday night, and Sweden needed the Canadians to fail for an opportunity in the final.
“I don’t think there is too much surprise,” said United States striker Jack Hughes. “They are obviously a great team and I know they are walking at the time to get us again. We are really excited to get them, and that is what we were looking for.”
With some fans with powdered wigs and tricorn hats of the colonial era, the Boston’s crowd shouted “The Star-Spangled Banner” Before the game: an answer to the Canadians who booed the national anthem of the United States before the first clashes in Montreal. Songs of “United States!” It sounded through the TD garden in the final minutes, with goalkeeper Jake Oettinger lying by an additional skater, but Americans could not beat Ersson to force extra time.
Instead, Americans will regroup for the tournament final.
“The first game was a great hockey game. And I think it’s great for hockey that there is an opportunity for these two teams to be again, ”said Sullivan. “Obviously, both teams have to be able to stelle throughout the alignment. It was a very competitive hockey game, the first game. I would anticipate that the next one will be so competitive, if not more. ”
The Americans faced Sweden to a player with Auston Matthews, and then Brady Tkachuk left in the second period after colliding with Ersson in the fold. More disappointing for Boston fans was the defense of the Bruins, Charlie Mcavoy, scratched the alignment.
Sullivan said the team had not moved to bring reinforcements from the list.
“We hope to recover some of these guys,” he said.
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