The United States and Canada face off Saturday night in what players are calling the most anticipated matchup of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
“Somehow, it’s ingrained in you,” Canadian forward Brad Marchand told Sportsnet’s Luke Fox. “I think it’s probably just from growing up watching the different series and different games that have been played. Whether it’s Olympics or World Cups or world championships, world juniors – those games are ones that you remember … the ones you look forward to.”
“You could go 100 years, and everyone will still know the importance and get up for it – just as much they would if there was a day in between games. That rivalry will go on forever. It’ll always be the biggest rivalry in hockey.”
Both teams won their opening games. The U.S. defeated Finland 6-1, while Canada beat Sweden 4-3 in overtime.
The game carries significant tournament implications, with each team having just one match remaining afterward.
Drew Doughty, 35, one of Canada’s most experienced international players, emphasized the rivalry’s intensity.
“Growing up as a young kid, when you go play American teams and stuff like that, you want to beat them so bad,” he said. “And I still have this feeling, at 35 years old, how bad you want to beat the Americans.”
The U.S. team faced a hostile Montreal crowd in their opener Thursday and plans to embrace the villain role before the tournament moves to Boston.
“I think we like it,” J.T. Miller told NHL.com’s Bill Price. “We know we’re in Canada, and I think that fires us up more than anything.”
U.S. defenseman Noah Hanifin added: “We’re kind of the bad guys, it’s a fun role to play. I know the environment tomorrow is going to be probably the most intense I’ve ever been a part of. So it’s these moments you dream of and it’s exciting to be a part of it. It’s stuff that you’ll take with you the rest of your life.”
Brady Tkachuk called it the biggest game of his career following the win against Finland.
The teams could meet again in the final, depending on tournament standings. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
