It’s been a while since the Blackhawks played in emotionally charged, meaningful hockey. It had been a decade since the US and Canada faced each other in an international best-on-best tournament. The good people at Disney opted to put the 4 Nations Face-Off on ABC in prime time last night, and lemme tell you the viewing audience got their money’s worthy.
With all due respect to the hot garbage the NBA had on TNT last night for their All-Star Skills Challenge, based on what I saw on Twitter most people were locked in on the hockey. There were athletes from other sports like (maybe future Cub?) Justin Turner tweeting about it. You know why it captivated the audience? It was awesome! 59 minutes and 50 seconds of electric, incredibly good, physical hockey. The first ten seconds of the game?
THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA OPEN UP THEIR FOUR NATIONS GAME WITH THREE FIGHTS IN THE FIRST NINE SECONDS! pic.twitter.com/Y7fLhccJ5K
— The Sports Place (@offsportsplace) February 16, 2025 And why do we love hockey? Brandon Hagel was out of his weight class throwing hands with Matthew Tkachuk last night. Brady Tkachuk told Sam Bennett it was go time and he wasn’t even on the ice — but he jumped the boards to make sure it happened. And JT Miller dropped his gloves and just wanted for a Canadian to turn the dance music on — and he was way out of his weight class and got his lunch fed to him pretty good. And their teammates loved it. The fans loved it. Montreal was totally up for grabs and the game was nine seconds old."I'm not backing down from him." ?Brandon Hagel speaks with @sportsnetkyle about his fight with Matthew Tkachuk and how he thought the first period went. #4Nations pic.twitter.com/0Q3FmjSrWu
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 16, 2025 Brady Tkachuk kept blowing people up. This was the hit of the night.Brady Tkachuk smashes Drew Doughty into the boards!?: Sportsnet | NHL#Canada #USA pic.twitter.com/pqQVYYf6v6
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) February 16, 2025 Unfortunately, Matthew Tkachuk got dinged up and tapped out of the third period. It’s okay, though. The US still beat Canada in regulation and clinched a spot in the championship game no matter what happens on Monday.Matthew Tkachuk tells the coaching staff he isn't good to go. pic.twitter.com/u0r4OXaZry
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 16, 2025 The first game on Saturday was also spectacular. Finland beat Sweden in overtime, which means the three teams other than the USA are all tied with two points as they head to Boston for the penultimate day of the tournament. The US will play Sweden and Canada gets Finland. One of those three teams will face the Americans for the championship. Before we jump into some highlights, the Big Ten Network produced a nice featured on Blackhawks prospects and Minnesota teammates Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel.Minnesota natives Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel are living out their childhood dreams together skating for @GopherHockey. As two first round draft picks to the @NHLBlackhawks, the Gopher duo looks forward to the possibility of being teammates for years to come.This is Oliver… pic.twitter.com/wHHbmZWkzL
— Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) February 15, 2025 You know what’s just lovely for the folks who worked hard to produce that piece? When Moore scores a big goal in the game that night! Minnesota and Michigan tied 2-2. Moore won 13 of 24 faceoffs with this goal in the game. Rinzel blocked two shots and put three on net.Saturday night ? from #Blackhawks prospect Oliver Moore for @GopherHockey pic.twitter.com/5Cs07ntwdD
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) February 16, 2025 Minnesota-Duluth tied Arizona State last night, too. Dominic James won 13 of 21 faceoffs and put four shots on net in the game. The first of the two games featuring Blackhawks prospects on both sides last night saw Boston University beat Providence 3-0. None of the Blackhawks’ prospects had a point in the game. Ryan Greene won 7 of 20 faceoffs. John Mustard was credited with five shots on goal for Providence. The other college game with Blackhawks prospects on both teams saw Aidan Thompson pick up an assist for Denver but North Dakota won the game. Sacha Boisvert did not dress for UND, however. In the OHL, Alex Pharand had an assist for Sudbury but they got buried by Saginaw 8-3. If you read my new mock draft this week, the new name I had going to the Blackhawks at No. 2 overall, Michael Misa, had a had trick for the Spirit in the game. He now has 50 goals — joining Nick Lardis as the only OHL skaters to reach 50 — and is still the only OHL skater to have 100 points. Misa has 106 points in 50 games. Since I brought up Lardis, he was part of history on Friday night when three Brantford Bulldogs had a hat trick in the same game. That hadn’t happened in the OHL in more than 30 years! Here are the postgame comments from the other Blackhawks prospect who had a hat trick in that game, Marek Vanacker.?️ Tonight's post game availability brought to you by @TheDawgcastpod #BFD | #OHL | #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/xyRKIAgP8C
— Brantford Bulldogs (@BulldogsOHL) February 15, 2025 Finally, Bryan Bickell was inducted into the IceHogs Ring of Honor last night. Congrats to a wonderful man who played a role in some of the great moments in the history of the Chicago Blackhawks. Here’s hoping he continues to fight hard.An emotional Bryan Bickell takes the mic on the ice after messages from teammates Andrew Shaw and Corey Crawford on the video board.Don’t worry he got some quick chirps in too ? pic.twitter.com/7PM6ZD7VOy
— Dana Grey (@DanaGrey0) February 16, 2025MORE FROM BLEACHER NATION: Check Out BN Fantasy | Subscribe to The BN Newsletter
At the NBA’s all-star events last night, their “generational talent” — Victor Wembanyama — and Chris Paul were disqualified from the Skills Competition for cheating. Again, this is why NHL Hockey >>> NBA Basketball. Hey we got some good news on Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw’s oblique issue! The Jaguars are bringing in Ian Cunningham for a second interview for their GM position. Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Incredible 4 Nations Action, Fights! USA! Tkachuks, Prospect Highlights, and Other Blackhawks Bullets )
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