4 Nations Faceoff

[Jim at Gentex]

I was skeptical at the beginning, but this turned out to be a great idea.
I could easily see replacing the All-Star game with this tournament from now on.

All-Star games do feature the best-of-the-best talent in Baseball, Basketball, Football, and Hockey, but they are usually more of a scrimmage than a real game.

This 4 Nations Faceoff format blows that idea right out of the water.
These guys are playing for keeps, every shift, every period, every game, for national pride and love of the game.
This has much more of an Olympics vibe than any All-Star game could ever hope to achieve.

And of course, Team USA beating Team Canada in their own house was YUGE!! 

The best part is that was probably just the first meeting of those two teams in this tournament.
Assuming Team Canada takes care of business against Team Finland today, they will get a rematch with Team USA in the Championship Game in Boston on Thursday night. 

USA! 
USA! 
USA! 
 

[Jeff]

Team USA for Hockey would crush everyone else!

[Jim at Gentex]

I just saw that Canada is leading Finland 4-0 at the 2nd intermission, so there is a good chance we will see the Canada vs. USA rematch on Thursday.

USA plays Sweden tonight, but the game doesn't really mean anything as Sweden is already mathematically eliminated, and USA is already guaranteed the Championship game whether they beat Sweden or not. 
Team Sweden will definitely play for pride, so Team USA better show up with their A-game if they want another win.

[Jim at Gentex]

As expected, Team Canada beat Finland to earn their spot in the championship game vs. Team USA on Thursday.
Should be another good one! 

USA lost 2-1 to Sweden in the last round-robin game, but they had a few key players dinged up from the previous game so those guys sat out this game.

Sweden has a great team, so it was hard to imagine they could lose all three games in a round-robin format.
I'm sure salvaging one W was huge for them, so I'm glad they did.

Hopefully everyone on both Team USA and Team Canada will be able to play in the rematch game, and may the best team win!!     

[ghuns]

Our boy kid took to playing hockey over the last few years. Now that he's back home, we have to watch hockey.

That game Saturday night was the first one I have really enjoyed watching.

[Jim at Gentex]

Yeah that was an exciting game with top talent, and better than any all-star game because it meant something. 

Is your boy a forward, defenseman, or goalie?

[ghuns]

Yeah that was an exciting game with top talent, and better than any all-star game because it meant something. 

Is your boy a forward, defenseman, or goalie?

Mostly forward. Occasionally defenseman. Never a goalie.

His college roommate was a great high school player. Could have played in college, maybe not D1, but somewhere. But he liked to party more than play hockey.

After college they both ended up in KC and moved in together. He got my kid, who had never skated, onto a beginners team. The kid, no idea where he got it from, is just an athlete. He took to it in no time. By the end of the first season he'd moved up to his buddy's team. He can skate like he's done it his whole life. His puck handling skills need improvement.

[Jim at Gentex]

That's cool. 
It's amazing how easy the talented players make it look, but in reality it is anything but.

I love the game but strictly as a spectator.

I haven't been on skates since I was maybe 11-12 years old, and I have no desire to find out if I can even stand up on them, nevermind actually skate. 

I did try rollerblading once when I was in my 40's and that didn't go well. 

So I will stick to sitting in the seats, drinking the beer, cheering for my team, and yelling at the refs. 
   
 

[Del.]

I can never follow the puck. 😆

[RobertELee]

The ultimate 4 Nations Faceoff

[ghuns]

Eh, well... Fuck Kanardia.

[Jim at Gentex]

Great tournament, great championship game. 
Congrats to Team Canada for getting the job done with a huge OT goal in the end.   

Team USA didn't make too many mistakes, but leaving a stone-cold sniper like McDavid wide open in the slot was the one that did them in.