Boston’s TD Backyard was the place to be on Thursday night time, and a blast from the previous bought the 4 Nations last crowd much more jacked up than it already was.
The USA and Canadian hockey groups are again on the ice for the 4 Nations Face-Off championship, 5 days after three fights within the first 9 seconds occurred of their first recreation in best-on-best format since 2016.
The 2 groups have been the highest point-getters in round-robin play (Canada owned the tiebreaker over Sweden), and are assembly once more in Boston.
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Former USA hockey participant Mike Eruzione on the ice previous to the beginning of the in the course of the first interval towards Group Canada in the course of the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship recreation at TD Backyard. (Brian Fluharty-Imagn Photos)
Earlier than the sport, two greats of the game have been celebrated. Wayne Gretzky and Mike Eruzione served as honorary captains for his or her respective international locations.
Eruzione’s presence alone will get any American crowd going, as he was the captain of the 1980 Miracle on Ice workforce. However he gave the gang one thing additional to cheer about.
Eruzione got here onto the ice rocking the jersey of Johnny Gaudreau, the late NHL All-Star who, alongside together with his youthful brother, have been killed by an alleged drunk driver in August.
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Gaudreau performed for the USA within the World Juniors in 2013, profitable the gold medal that 12 months. He additionally participated within the Ice Hockey World Championships 5 instances.
Group USA ahead Auston Matthews (34) and former hockey participant Mike Eruzione and former hockey participant Wayne Gretzky and Group Canada ahead Sidney Crosby (87) in the course of the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship recreation at TD Backyard. (Brian Fluharty-Imagn Photos)
Gaudreau’s presence has been felt amongst this 12 months’s 4 Nations membership, as a USA jersey bearing his identify and No. 13 has typically been hung within the locker room.
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) performs the puck towards the Montreal Canadiens in the course of the second interval at Bell Centre. (David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Not like Saturday, there have been no fights on the puck drop. However, equally to that contest, Canada bought out to a 1-0 lead.
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