Canada takes on Sweden to open. Photo Credit: Hockey Canada/Facebook
The top-four hockey nations in the world, excluding Russia, will look for bragging rights over the course of eight days in Montreal and Boston beginning Wednesday night at the Bell Centre in La Belle Province.
With teams of National Hockey League (NHL) players from Finland, Sweden, Canada and the United States competing in a round-robin tournament. Each team will consist of 13 forwards, seven defensemen and three goalies. This will be the first best-on-best tournament since the World Cup of Hockey back in 2016 in Toronto.
Both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres have players on different teams.
The Maple Leafs Mitch Marner will play for Canada, William Nylander for Sweden and Auston Matthews for the United States, while the Sabres Rasmus Dahlin will represent Sweden and Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen and Henri Jokiharju Finland.
Marner, who was on a line with Connor McDavid and former Sabre Sam Reinhart during Monday’s practice in Montreal had this say earlier this season when asked about representing Canada at the event.
“It’s gonna be a very cool moment. You always want to wear your colors, and it’s always a great honour when you get to represent your country.”
Former Niagara IceDogs captain, and defenseman, Alex Pietrangelo was selected to play for Team Canada, but was replaced by Drew Doughty due to injury.
Canada definitely has an impressive lineup, but goaltending could come into question with Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill and Sam Montembeault sharing the crease.
The United States on the other hand, has the world’s best goaltender right now, and MVP Hart Trophy favorite in Winnipeg Jet Connor Hellebuyck.
The skillful Swedes could impress, and the Finns work ethic is usually never questioned.
Needless to say, friends and teammates will be facing off against each other with bragging rights on the line, and it all starts Wednesday night in Montreal.
4 NATIONS FACE-OFF FORMAT
All games in the 4 Nations Face-Off will be played in accordance with NHL rules. Each team will play three tournament games in a traditional Round Robin format, under the following points system: 3 points for a win in regulation time; 2 points for a win in overtime/shootout; 1 point for a loss in overtime/shootout; and 0 points for a loss in regulation time. The two teams with the best tournament record will then advance to a one-game Final. For more information, visit https://nhl.com/4nations.
4 NATIONS FACE-OFF SCHEDULE
At Bell Centre, Montreal
Wednesday, Feb. 12
Canada vs. Sweden, 8 p.m. EST
Thursday, Feb. 13
United States vs. Finland, 8 p.m. EST
Saturday, Feb. 15
Finland vs. Sweden, 1 p.m. EST
United States vs. Canada, 8 p.m. EST
At TD Garden, Boston
Monday, Feb. 17
Canada vs. Finland, 1 p.m. EST
Sweden vs. United States, 8 p.m. EST
Thursday, Feb. 20
Championship game, 8 p.m. EST
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
