That’s Wild
Sometimes, it just takes the best player in the world to be the best player in the world. During the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off on Thursday night, Canada’s Connor McDavid clinched the 3-2 overtime victory over Brock Faber’s and Matt Boldy’s United States. It was an unfortunate way to go, but it certainly didn’t feel cheap.
The United States were so close to ending the game themselves just moments before McDavid was able to rifle home a near-perfect shot to end the tournament. Canada netminder Jordan Binnington had to stand on his head and make last-ditch saves — sprawling out to just get his glove on a shot from Brady Tkachuk, for example. It was just so close that Faber and Boldy would be walking around Boston with medals around their necks, but now they’re heading back to St. Paul with nothing but memories.
- One of those Wild-related memories of the 4 Nations is unfortunately controversy. The Wild’s medical staff was utilized for Team USA and the Boston Bruins had a severe issue with how they treated defenseman Charlie McAvoy. [Hockey Wilderness]
- Just how did the Wild build a very strong prospect pool without bottoming-out for top draft picks? [Hockey Wilderness]
- Yakov Trenin came back from his break hoping that the interruption did not break the roll he was on. [StarTribune]
Off the trail…
- More on Canada taking home the 4 Nations Thursday night. [TheScore]
- Who are the locks, the stars, the young maybes, and the rising stars for Team USA at the 2026 Olympics? [ESPN]
- The NHL reportedly met with a group that is interested in bringing hockey to New Orleans. [Sportsnet]