Team USA suffered its first defeat in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament Monday night, falling 2-1 to Sweden in Boston. Despite the loss, both the Americans and Canada secured spots in Thursday’s championship game, reigniting their fierce rivalry. Samuel Ersson’s 31-save performance anchored Sweden’s comeback after Chris Kreider’s opening-minute goal.
Gustav Nyquist and Jesper Bratt scored unanswered goals to silence the Boston crowd. They’re champing at the bit to get us again, said Team USA’s Jack Hughes. Coach Mike Sullivan echoed the anticipation, stating,
Both teams have star power... It’ll be every bit as competitive as the first game—if not more.
Key takeaways from Monday’s action:
- Canada edged Finland 5-3 earlier to qualify for the final
- Team USA played without Auston Matthews and lost Brady Tkachuk mid-game
- Boston Bruins fans were disappointed by Charlie McAvoy’s absence
With chants of U-S-A! echoing through TD Garden, the Americans pulled goalie Jake Oettinger late but couldn’t equalize. The result sets up a rematch of Saturday’s heated Canada-USA clash, which saw 58 penalty minutes. Sweden, needing a Canadian loss to advance, was eliminated despite their victory.
The 4 Nations Face-Off marks elite hockey’s return to international play after a two-Olympic hiatus. Fans can expect Thursday’s final to feature:
- Speed-driven gameplay showcased by NHL superstars
- Strategic adjustments from both coaching staff
- Potential lineup changes due to injuries
