Crew USA misplaced its first recreation within the 4 Nations Face-Off on Monday night time, falling to Sweden, 2-1, on the TD Backyard in Boston.
Nevertheless, regardless of the blemish on the report, they’ll nonetheless be taking part in within the championship recreation on Thursday night time in the identical enviornment in opposition to Canada, who they defeated, 3-1, on Saturday.
Crew USA wasn’t at full power on this matchup, as Matthew Tkachuk was absent from the bench with a lower-body damage. Auston Matthews additionally took the night time off to battle an sickness.
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Crew Sweden ahead Adrian Kempe (10) and Crew USA defenseman Zach Werenski (8) battle for the puck in entrance of goalie Jake Ottinger (30) through the second in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey recreation at TD Backyard. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Pictures)
Additionally, his brother, Brady, was injured early within the first interval throughout an assault in Sweden’s zone, which is value monitoring heading into that title recreation in opposition to Canada.
Nonetheless, it was the U.S. getting on the board first due to Chris Kreider, the New York Rangers star, who scored his first purpose of the event.
Kreider hadn’t performed but within the event, however was wanted with the variety of forwards out. And he wasted no time getting concerned, scoring earlier than one minute ticked off the primary interval clock.
BOSTON CROWD BOOS CANADIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM AFTER TEAM USA HEARD SAME JEERS DURING 4 NATIONS FACE-OFF
Zach Werenski had gotten a go from Jack Eichel and took a shot on web that was saved by Samuel Ersson, however the deflection went proper to Kreider’s stick. Kreider didn’t waste any time, one-timing the deflection to seek out the again of the online.
However Sweden made certain to take the lead into the locker room after the primary interval after Jesper Bratt sniped his first purpose of the event with simply 56 seconds left to play.
That purpose gave Sweden the lead after Gustav Nyquist tied issues up earlier together with his first purpose of the event as nicely.
The second and third intervals each went scoreless, however Crew USA was threatening late within the third when Jake Oettinger was referred to as again to the bench to permit an additional U.S. attacker on the ice.
Crew Sweden ahead Jesper Bratt (63) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a purpose through the first interval in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey recreation in opposition to Crew USA at TD Backyard. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Pictures)
A number of possibilities had been seen with the 6-on-5, however Sweden was capable of thwart any comeback from the U.S. to come back away with its first win of the event.
Previous to this matchup, Sweden had misplaced to each Canada and Finland in additional time, which gave them two factors complete.
It might be a loss, however Crew USA might be pitted in opposition to Crew Canada in what’s anticipated to be one other fiery conflict after what transpired over the weekend.
Three fights broke out in 9 seconds, as United States gamers took exception to the Montreal crowd booing throughout “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Canada obtained on the scoreboard first due to Connor McDavid, however Crew USA responded with three unanswered objectives to win the rivalry recreation.
Crew Sweden ahead Leo Carlsson (91) controls the park whereas Crew USA defenseman Brock Faber (14) defends through the second interval in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey recreation at TD Backyard. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Pictures)
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Now, the scene might be Boston for this championship bout, and Canada, who defeated Finland, 5-3, earlier on Sunday, might be on the lookout for some revenge and the final word bragging rights earlier than the second half of the NHL season kicks off.
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