Montreal — On Sunday, Dylan Larkin boarded a Delta regional plane for a quick trip to Montreal, marking his most recent opportunity to don the sleek, dark blue USA sweater.
The Detroit Red Wings captain couldn’t help but anticipate next Saturday night, even though they still had four days until their game against Finland.
“Canada’s team. Bell Center. Larkin shook his head and replied, “Saturday night.” “I’m eager. gives you chills.
Larkin, who was seated in Seat 2A, related a story about his very first Bell Centre performance against Canada. He shared the tournament lead with five goals on New Year’s Eve 2014 at the 2015 World Junior Championship.
However, Larkin said, “it was just a sea of red when we skated out before the game against Canada.” I will always remember the first time I performed in an NHL arena that was completely packed. At the moment, it was really frightening. However, I believe it won’t be as scary now that I’ve performed in front of a large audience.
It’s true that Larkin, who is ten years older, wasn’t intimidated on Saturday night. After a Sidney Crosby turnover, one of the NHL’s fastest skaters took advantage of Matt Boldy’s quick up to score a game-winning goal in the second period of a 3-1 victory over Canada. This was the United States’ first time playing Canada in a best-on-best tournament since February 21, 2010 — the preliminary round of the Vancouver Olympics — and secured a spot in Thursday night’s 4 Nations Face-Off final at TD Garden in Boston.
With three fights in the first nine seconds, the game got off to a spectacular start. Matthew and Brady Tkachuk challenged Brandon Hagel and Sam Bennett, respectively, before J.T. Miller lost to Colton Parayko.
The theater was amazing.
Larkin, 28, remarked, “That was one of the best experiences of my life.” “What a fantastic hockey match. Well done to Millsy and the Tkachuk brothers for answering the call; what a start. Additionally, the audience made it a fantastic night for both this rivalry and our sport. I’m eager to return to Boston and be on my native land.
Jake Guentzel is a player that never lets any stage scare him. The Woodbury, Minnesota-born scorer for the Tampa Bay Lightning made his debut with Mike Sullivan’s Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2016–17 campaign, setting single-postseason NHL records for goals and points by an American rookie. Playing on a line with Auston Matthews and Jack Hughes, he scored the tying goal and added an empty-netter with Larkin’s help. He has scored 40 goals twice and has scored more than 20 goals eight times. He now leads the tournament with three goals.
Jake is a player with a lot on the line, according to Sullivan, who coaches Team USA. “I don’t believe there is a stage large enough for him, and he gives his best performance when it counts most.” He does well in these kinds of settings.
Guentzel tied the score 26 seconds after Connor McDavid’s goal in the first period. Charlie McAvoy, who had a tremendous game, struck an unwary McDavid with a vicious hit.
According to Larkin, the three bouts in the opening nine seconds had the same impact on the USA bench as that check.
“That sent a message for our team to not back down on the best player in the world,” Larkin stated.
Larkin was quite pleased with his team’s performance. The physicality; the ability to keep up with Canada’s best athletes. People like Jacob Slavin repeatedly force Nathan MacKinnon and McDavid to halt during offensive rushes. The manner that McAvoy, along with his Bruins partner Brad Marchand, made life unpleasant for Canadians by using his terrific stick and huge body. Brock Faber was sent onto the ice while defending a 2-1 lead with an additional attacker because of how well he recovered from a difficult 4 Nations start against Finland.
Larkin remarked, “You could tell they were getting frustrated.”
Larkin told himself that the next time he had a chance, he would shoot the puck and get it in the net after hitting the post earlier in the game. He succeeded in beating Jordan Binnington by letting one rip on a fast transition.
When Larkin celebrated, he looked up into the lower bowl’s corner and saw his whole family, including his father, Kevin. What are the chances?
I saw my father leap to his feet. To be honest. “It’s probably one of my career’s more unique objectives,” Larkin stated.
How did he perceive him?
Larkin remarked, “Well, it was a pretty special moment because he has the whitest hair.”
Larkin admired the way Miller and the Tkachuks pulled the Americans into the conflict.
