For two periods, Team USA and Team Finland engaged in a high-paced, close-checking game. Unfortunately, a depleted Finnish defense wilted in the third period as the Americans scored twice within the first 26 seconds of the final frame to double a 2-1 lead before eventually winning their first 4 Nations Face-Off game, 6-1. Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jake Guentzel had a hand in both of those game-altering tallies as he assisted on Matthew Tkachuk’s power play goal and then scored his own just eleven seconds later. They were the first points in a Team USA uniform for the 30-year-old Nebraska native.
A big key for the United States was head coach Mike Sullivan putting Matthew Tkachuk on a line with his brother Brady and Vegas center Jack Eichel. The Sons of Keith would each end up with two goals a piece while Eichel had two assists. That combination was on the attack constantly as that trio had a combined 14 shots on goal and was driving the Finnish defense back on almost every shift.
It was always going to be a struggle for the Finns as they are without Miro Heiskanen, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Jani Hakanpaa on their blueliner. For two periods they were able to contain much of the Americans’ offense, and even had the early lead after Henri Jokiharju, one of the injury replacements, snuck a shot past Connor Hellebuyck at the 7:31 mark of the first period. At the other end, Jusse Saros was doing his job as he stopped twelve shots in the first period. Unfortunately, Matthew Tkachuck was able to poke one past him to tie the game midway through the period.
The teams locked down the neutral zone in the second period, and Hellebuyck was stellar on the few opportunities that Finland was able to pick-up. With three minutes to go in the period, Matt Boldy was able to deflect a point shot from his Minnesota teammate, Brock Faber, to give the USA the lead. It was extremely late in the period when Olli Maatta was charged with hooking Auston Matthews, and that proved to be the difference. Team USA didn’t score on the power play during the final three seconds of the period, but they would capitalize just 15 seconds into the final frame.
Matthews brought the puck into the zone and dropped it for Guentzel. The Lightning forward worked it back to Zach Werenski, who fed it across the ice to Matthew Tkachuck, and the Panthers forward’s shot ticked off a defenseman in front and beat Saros on the glove side. On the ensuing face-off, Matthews picked off a pass in the neutral zone and led a transition rush before dishing the puck off to Guentzel, who beat Saros cleanly to make it 4-1. From there the Tkachuk Boys rout was on as Brady scored at the 3:00 mark, and Matthew finished things off with nine minutes to go to earn the number one star of the game.
Team USA is off until Saturday night when they are set to face Team Canada at 8:00 PM in what should be a highly entertaining game. After a day off, Team Finland will take on the Swedes at 1:00 PM. Both games will be on ABC and ESPN+.
