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Night time quantity 4 of the 4 Nations Face-Off got here to an in depth final evening, because the event now shifts from Montreal to Boston. The 12 pm CT sport noticed Finland beat Sweden 4-3. Regardless that the sport didn’t characteristic any Jets, we nonetheless noticed loads of European NHL expertise on show. It was a tough begin for Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson, who allowed 2 targets on 4 photographs. After Linus Ullmark took over in internet, Sweden battled again, taking a 3-2 lead at one level, nevertheless it was Mikael Granlund who was the hero for Finland in time beyond regulation.
The 7:00 pm CT sport was one of the vital anticipated hockey video games of current reminiscence. Josh Morrissey and Workforce Canada in opposition to their no 1 rivals, the Individuals, that includes Connor Hellebuyck and Kyle Connor. For Josh Morrissey, this sport was a chance for him to step up within the absence of Canada’s no 1 defenceman, Cale Makar. For Hellebuyck, it was his 2nd straight begin in objective for USA, seeking to proceed to show his spot because the American’s prime goaltender. Kyle Connor was shuffled round with a number of linemates in his 1st sport, enjoying on any of the highest 3 strains, however final evening’s sport he was on the “4th line” with Brock Nelson and Vincent Trocheck.
Briefly assessing every of the Jets performances final evening, it was Hellebuyck who stood out probably the most on the stat sheet within the 3-1 USA win. That being mentioned, Josh Morrissey is the first participant I used to be targeted on watching this sport, because it was a giant alternative for him to point out his abilities with Makar out of the lineup. Coach Jon Cooper stored Morrissey on the “2nd pairing” with Colton Parayko, however Morrissey was promoted to Canada’s prime powerplay unity. Morrissey led all Canadian defencemen with 22:08 time on the ice, recording 1 shot on objective, 3 blocks and a couple of hits. With all of the star energy Canada has, Morrissey wasn’t the participant with probably the most eyes on him, nonetheless he dealt with his elevated position fairly properly all through his 28 shifts within the sport.
Shifting the eye over to Kyle Connor now, who was positioned on Workforce USA’s 4th line with Brock Nelson and Vincent Trocheck. Merely put, Connor didn’t have nearly as good of a sport as he did in USA’s 6-1 win over Finland. A number of components might have impacted his play, whether or not or not it’s his “diminished” position inside USA’s ahead group, or simply total not getting the identical alternatives on the ice that he did in sport 1. Connor completed final in ice time amongst all American gamers with 8:32, however he nonetheless hit the stat sheet with 4 hits, good for 2nd on Workforce USA behind solely Brady Tkachuk.
As for Hellebuyck, he was as strong as at all times in internet for Workforce USA final evening. Hellebuyck confronted 26 photographs, making 25 saves, whereas solely permitting 1 objective on the evening. That objective was a blinding effort by Connor McDavid to present Canada a 1-0 lead, however identical to within the sport versus Finland, Hellebuyck was excellent after permitting a objective within the 1st interval. His .962 SV% convey his event common to a greatest .957, with a 1.00 GAA. Workforce USA is assured to be within the championship sport on Thursday now, and if he continues to play this properly in these 2 video games, Hellebuyck has a shot at event MVP.
After 2 video games performed for every of the 4 international locations, USA is on the prime of the standings with 6 factors. Canada, Finland and Sweden are all tied in 2nd with 2 factors every, establishing an thrilling remaining day of spherical robin play on Monday. Josh Morrissey and Workforce Canada will play Workforce Finland (in Boston) on Monday at 12:00 pm CT. With a regulation win, Canada will advance to the 4 Nations Face-Off championship sport in opposition to Workforce USA. The “prime time” sport, at 7:00 pm CT, that includes Hellebuyck and Connor, will see Workforce USA battle Workforce Sweden. USA may have an opportunity to go an ideal 3-0 within the spherical robin, whereas Sweden want a win and a few assist from Finland to have an opportunity at a spot within the championship sport. Be sure that to test again right here at Jets Nation on Monday evening for a recap of the Jets performances of their remaining spherical robin sport, whereas additionally establishing the grand finale one sport championship on Thursday evening at 7:00 pm CT in Boston.
