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After 2 nights of thrilling best-on-best hockey motion, Friday is a day without work for all the gamers taking part on the 4 Nations Face-Off event in Montreal and Boston. When you didn’t get an opportunity to look at both of those video games, ensure you try the highlights on YouTube, as a result of thus far this event has exceeded my expectations as a complete. This occasion is only a preview as to what hockey might appear to be on the large stage on the 2026 Olympics, adopted by the return of the World Cup of Hockey (with 8 groups) in 2028.
Earlier than day 3 of the event begins on Saturday with two epic rivalries (Sweden vs. Finland adopted by Canada vs. USA), it’s an excellent time to examine in on how every of the three Jets seemed and carried out of their first sport representing their house nation. Whereas Mark Scheifele didn’t fairly make the lower for Canada, he nonetheless stays the “subsequent possibility” if Canada had been to be down 1 ahead. Josh Morrissey stepped up after Shea Theodore was injured in Canada’s opening sport, whereas Kyle Connor and Connor Hellebuyck made their contributions felt in a giant win by the USA over Finland final evening. Right here’s a better take a look at every of the Jets first sport on the 4 Nations Face-Off event in Montreal.
Josh Morrissey was on Crew Canada’s 2nd pairing with Colton Parayko to open the evening. Morrissey bought the gang cheering early within the 1st interval when he threw a giant hit on Sweden’s Joel Eriksson Ek. Morrissey’s presence was felt on the ice all through the sport. After Shea Theodore suffered a wrist damage that compelled him to go away the sport, Canada was down to five defencemen. Whereas Theodore was on the third pairing with Drew Doughty, every of the remaining defenders needed to be tasked with extra ice time. Morrissey completed the sport with 23:17 time on the ice (third amongst Canada’s defencemen), whereas recording 2 blocked photographs and that huge hit within the 1st.
Followers most likely keep in mind Morrissey taking Canada’s solely penalty of the sport, a high-sticking name in opposition to Eriksson Ek, however fortunately Canada’s PK got here up clutch to cease Sweden’s solely powerplay of the sport. Search for Morrissey to proceed taking part in his function within the high 4 defence for Canada on Saturday evening because the “subsequent man” after Canada’s high pairing of Devon Toews and Cale Makar.
Final evening Kyle Connor and Connor Hellebuyck battled staff Finland in Montreal. After Finland opened the scoring, USA tied it at 1. The sport was 2-1 USA after the 2nd, earlier than the USA opened the sport early within the third, successful this one 6-1. Hellebuyck bought the beginning in purpose for Crew USA, incomes the beginning job because of his unimaginable play with the Jets this season. The one puck that fooled Hellebuyck was a little bit of a “knuckle puck” from Henrik Jokiharju from the precise faceoff dot that slipped by Hellebuyck below his proper arm. After that, Hellebuyck was locked in, making a complete of 20 saves on 21 photographs. It wasn’t that busy of an evening for Hellebuyck, however he was nonetheless strong in internet, exhibiting Crew USA that they made the precise selection in beginning him.
Kyle Connor began the sport for Crew USA on a line with Jack Eichel and Matthew Tkachuk. After some line shuffling all through the sport, Connor completed the sport with JT Miller and Matt Boldy. Connor recorded a secondary help on Matt Boldy’s purpose which gave USA a 2-1 lead late within the 2nd interval. Connor completed the sport with 14:23 time on the ice (close to the center for USA forwards), 1 help, 1 blocked shot, 2 hits and 1/1 on face-offs. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see who Connor’s linemates will probably be subsequent sport, however it seems that he did sufficient to remain within the high 6 on this stacked roster.
Every of the three Jets made impacts in several methods in sport 1 of three for his or her nation. Morrissey was a gradual presence on defence, Connor helped his varied linemates along with his good puck motion, and Hellebuyck was almost good on his semi-quiet 20 save evening. Up subsequent for these 3 Jets is a face to face matchup which may very well be a preview of the championship sport. Kyle Connor and Connor Hellebuyck of Crew USA will tackle Josh Morrissey and Crew Canada on the Bell Centre in Montreal on Saturday evening at 7:00 pm CT. This sport is “should watch TV” and my eyes will probably be watching to see how every of the three Jets play on this huge sport.
Morrissey and Crew Canada conclude spherical robin play on Monday morning in opposition to Finland in Boston, whereas Connor and Hellebuyck will play throughout prime time on Monday evening in Boston in opposition to Sweden. The highest 2 groups within the standings after these video games will head to the 1 sport championship in Boston on Thursday evening at 7:00 pm CT. Keep tuned right here at Jets Nation for a post-game evaluation on the three Jets taking part in in Saturday evening’s USA-Canada matchup.
