USA, Canada face-off in hockey tournament amid political tensions
The USA and Canada will compete in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship during a time of rising political tensions.
Is the USA’s Matthew Tkachuk hurting again?
The Florida Panthers star winger sat on the U.S. bench toward the end of the second period Thursday night in the 4 Nations Face-Off final, skating one brief shift before returning to the bench. He was on the bench at the start of the third.
He was hurt at the end of the first USA-Canada game on Saturday, staying on the bench near the end of the third period.
Tkachuk missed Monday’s game against Sweden but was in the starting lineup on Thursday on a line with brother Brady.
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan said USA assistant coach John Hynes told her that Tkachuk was battling through an injury but said, “I can push through this.” He’s expected to play a limited role in the third period.
The Tkachuk brothers have been dominant in the tournament. Both Matthew and Brady Tkachuk scored two goals in the opener against Finland.
Then both brothers started fights in the opening seconds of Saturday’s game against Canada.
Brady Tkachuk left Monday’s game with an injury and was reportedly dealing with an illness on Thursday.
But he scored the USA’s opening goal and had four hits through two periods.
This story has been updated with new information.
