Team Canada will face Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off Final Thursday, with star center Nathan MacKinnon expressing confidence after their semifinal victory.
“The last thing we wanted to do was go home,” MacKinnon told reporters following Canada’s 5-3 win over Finland on Monday. “We’d love to play (USA) again. We feel like we can beat those guys. We plan on playing a little better Thursday.”
The matchup comes after USA defeated Canada 3-1 in Montreal on Saturday in a game that saw three fights within the first nine seconds.
MacKinnon leads the tournament with three goals, including two in Monday’s victory over Finland.
“It’s gonna be intense,” Canada winger Brad Marchand said. “They showed what type of game they can play. They don’t give up much. They’re gonna be ready to compete hard on Thursday. We’re the same. We’re really excited about it, to have another crack at these guys.”
Marchand added: “There’s no bigger rivalry in hockey than Canada-U.S. It’s the matchup that everyone wanted.”
Canada head coach Jon Cooper dismissed concerns about being the underdog.
“Everybody in (our) room thinks we have a really good chance to win,” Cooper said.
The final will be played at TD Garden in Boston.
“The city of Boston will be treated to something special Thursday night,” Cooper said.
Canada has won three consecutive best-on-best international tournaments, including the 2016 World Cup and the 2014 and 2010 Olympics. Team USA’s last victory in a best-on-best competition was at the 1996 World Cup.
