NHL

4 Nations Face-Off Fans Respond To Team USA Falling To Sweden In Tune-Up For Tournament Final Vs. Canada

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By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published18 Feb 2025

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TEAM USA 4 nations (1)

In the 4 Nations Face-Off final round-robin matchup Monday night, a depleted Team USA squad played without several key players and faced a determined opponent.

Winless in its opening two outings of the four-team international tournament, Sweden rallied from allowing an early goal to earn a 2-1 victory at TD Garden.

The Americans rested goalie Connor Hellebuyck and with Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy dealing with injuries, the three key skaters didn’t dress. They didn’t need to.

Locked into Thursday’s highly anticipated championship game against Canada, Team USA needed to get through without losing anyone else. It didn’t happen as Brady Tkachuk went down in the first period and didn’t return.

With questions on what the Team USA lineup will look like for the final, Matthew Tkachuk told NHL.com anticipates the rivalry will attract big television ratings. Saturday’s game averaged 4.4 million viewers.

“Stanley Cup, Game 7 aside, this is probably the biggest game we’ve all played up until this point,” Tkachuk said.

X (Twitter) users responded to Sweden edging Team USA …

During a pregame interview with Sportsnet, USA’s J.T. Miller spoke on the importance of US maintaining “intensity” versus winless Sweden on Tuesday. “Nothing changes for us” …

Team USA looked strong early as Chris Kreider connected on his first shift …

Kreider joined list of all-time early scorers …

USA defenseman Zach Werenski, with five assists in three outings, matched Derian Hatcher for the most points by a defenseman in an NHL-sanctioned international tournament. Werenski also can shoot …

Sweden tied the game with 6:24 left in the first period …

With 55 seconds left in the first period, Jesper Bratt scored, giving Sweden a 2-1 lead. With 57 NHL points, Bratt entered the tourney as the nation’s leading scorer this season …

Brock Nelson displays his frustration after missing on a point-black opportunity, shoving goalie Samuel Ersson to the ice. Ersson was a surprise starter with Linus Ullmark out with an illness …

Final score: Sweden 2, Team USA 1 …

After opening the tournament with overtime losses to Canada and Finland, Sweden earned its a win in its finale …

The tournament standings …