4 Nations played two games that produced an OT and an EN
After Finland was blown out in their first game, they came to play against Sweden a team that lost in overtime to a well-stocked Canadian team in their initial effort.
Sweden scored first but Finland responded with two goals on four shots, with one on the powerplay during the first period for the early 2-1 lead.
Then both teams reversed their scoring with Finland scoring once and Sweden twice in the second period for the 3-3 tie, 13 shots in the third period with one penalty produced no scoring.
Sweden drops their second overtime loss as Finland edged their rivals in most statistics for the game including the all-important 4-3 game winning goal.
Last night’s main attraction from the Montreal Bell Centre featured Canada versus the United States of America and it did not disappoint.
That is if you are a fan of pugilism because as soon as the game started three fights erupted over the game’s initial nine seconds, as well as over 60 hits dished out throughout the 3-1 contest.
Physicality, speed, finesse, excellent goaltending, with no penalties in the second and third periods, produced a tight well-played game that had the empty net goal scored with 1:19 remaining in the game.
The Americans took two more shots on the continued Canadian empty net, one off the post and one by Auston Matthews that was blocked.
Center Matthews as well as his NHL teammate RW Nylander on Sweden were booed each time either one of them touched the puck by the discerning Montreal crowd all day Saturday.
Buffalo Winter 
Another very good summary, thank you!
I did not watch the entire USA Canada game but I did see penalties that I feel could have been called and can only assume that the refs didn’t want to break up the pace of the game.
The red beards are certainly eye-catching! 🙂
Onwards and upwards and hopefully (as a Canadian) the Canada team beats Finland in regulation time on Monday to be able to go to the 4 Nations Finals.
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You are welcome and thank you for the compliment.
Ahhh officiating, I have so much to say about referees and linesmen, but not during this tournament, lol, the officials deserve an article about them and their performances, as a group overall and individually.
The Fins say that the color red is for strength but after that they have no real reason to wear those knitted red beards, I appreciate them and was curious to learn there is no connection to anything cultural in Finland.
I have enjoyed this tournament more than I thought I would, the collection of these players performing at the top of their games is entertaining, Finland is wrought with defensive injuries and even with their success against Sweden, I do not think Finland has enough firepower to keep pace with Canada.
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I can intellectualize that Finland doesn’t have enough firepower to keep pace with Canada as you rightly put it, but I also think anything can happen and am pretty sure that I will be sweating up a storm watching the game this afternoon (starting soon!)! 🙂
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Most of Canada was sweating after Finland scored twice in 23 seconds and three overall tallies in the third period to pull within one.
No one better call Sidney Crosby, Cindy Crosby after that open ice check he dealt that afforded him an opportunity to catch the puck, place it down, and get a shot off that went right into the empty net…whew.
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