Tkachuk Brothers Lead Team USA to Victory Over Finland

MONTREAL — Day two of the 4 Nations Face-Off was another entertaining night of hockey, at least if you were rooting for the United States. 

 

Following a four-goal third period, the Americans made its mark on the tournament, defeating Finland 6-1.

 

The Tkachuk brothers, Matthew and Brady, put on a show, scoring two goals a piece to lead the Americans to victory. Matthew’s three point night  (2G, 1A) earned him player of the game honors.

 

The final score was not indicative of the entire game. After 40 minutes, the Finns were on par with the Americans, trailing just one goal heading into the third.

 

Unfortunately for Finland, team USA didn’t look back, scoring twice 26 seconds into the final period.

 

“We felt good going into the third,” Finland’s captain Aleksander Barkov said. “They got the power-play goal there and then the next goal, next shift. We kind of didn’t push back anymore after that.”

 

Matthew Boldy and Jake Guentzel also scored for the Americans, who sit one point ahead of Canada for first-place in the tournament standings. 

 

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped 20 of 21 shots faced, only conceding once after Finland’s Henri Jokiharju opened the scoring 7:31 into the game.

 

With a chance to clinch its spot, early, in the championship game, the Americans enter Saturday’s rivalry game against Canada high on confidence. 

 

“I think it’s going to be the biggest game that I’ve ever played in my career,” Brady Tkachuk said of the USA’s matchup against Canada. “I’m really looking forward to that. There’s a big buildup to it. US vs Canada, it’s bigger than just the guys on the ice, it’s so many people past, present and future down the road.”

Need a guy? Call a Panther 

Whether it’s the power-play or penalty kill, Aleksander Barkov, Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikkola are regulars for the Florida Panthers special teams. 

 

Knowing those four are trusted by the defending Stanley Cup champions in special teams situations, Finland head coach Antti Pennanen didn’t try to break what works.

 

Barkov manned the point on Finland’s top power-play unit — a group that featured five forwards and no defenseman. 

 

Lundell centered the other Finnish power-play group, playing in the bumper position. 

 

As for the penalty kill, all four of the Panthers’ Finns were involved when the “The Lions” were down a man. 

 

Finland’s PK had a busy night trying to kill off four American power-plays.

 

They were successful on the first two attempts, but 15 seconds into third — after the Americans called a Panther — Matthew Tkachuk roofed a point shot past Juuse Saros to put the United States up 3-1.

 

Matthew rubbed salt in the wound, scoring one more power-play goal 11:13 into the third to put the United States up 6-1.

 

The players are taking the game seriously 

Leading up to the tournament there was plenty of chatter that the players wouldn’t take the games seriously. Unsurprisingly, none of these comments came from the players. 

 

2016 was the last time we’ve seen ‘best-on-best’ international hockey. It’s been over eight years since Canada won the most recent edition of the World Cup of Hockey. 

 

To put the timeline into perspective, Finnish forward Anton Lundell was 14 years old the last time we’ve seen the best NHL players in the world play in an international competition. There wasn’t going to be anyone taking a shift off for this.

Like the Canadians, and Swedes showed in the tournament opener, the Finns and Americans didn’t pull their punches. 

 

The game was chippy from the jump, even more so than the Canada – Sweden contest. 

 

Both sides were mucking it up after the whistle. If you were too close to the goalie, you were leaving with a glover in your face. If you had the puck on your stick too long, you were getting blown up. 

 

The physicality was more similar to a playoff game than an NHL regular season game.

 

Why?

 

Because players take pride in playing for their country.

 

Feed the Tkachuks

If Team USA’s game plan was to “let the Tkachuk brothers run wild”, it was the correct decision. 

 

Brady and Matthew scored two goals each and combined for five points on the night. 

 

The United States did run away with the game in the third, but if it was not for the Tkachuk’s first contributions, Thursday could’ve been a different story.

 

Brady scored the USA’s first of the night, quickly tying the game after Finland jumped out to a one-goal lead. Matthew’s first tally came 15 seconds into the third, doubling the American’s lead after Finland kept it close for the first 40 minutes of the game.

 

“He was a beast,” Matthew said of Brady’s performance. “He made his presence known, especially from the start. That’s the way we play, that’s one of the reasons why we’re on the team.”

 

“You don’t come to these and change your game. You play to your identity — there’s a reason why you’re here… I thought he was a beast all night.

 

The brothers have dreamed of playing together for their country and in their first opportunity doing so, they delivered.

 

“I don’t really think it’s hit yet to be honest with you,” Brady said of playing with Matthew. “I just can only imagine how proud my parents, family and friends that have helped us along the way [are]. I know from my experience I was really excited for the tournament.”

 

“After a couple days this has been the best experience of my hockey life. I can’t really describe the excitement and joy to be able to play with him and be together every day. It’s been amazing.”