No fiction writer could have scripted a better lead-up to the highly anticipated Team USA vs. Canada showdown at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Tensions have been brewing ever since Canadian fans began booing during NHL games in response to President Trump’s “51st state” remarks, reaching a boiling point during Saturday’s U.S.-Canada battle. While J.T. Miller’s Team USA claimed victory in that matchup, the real bragging rights will be on the line in Thursday’s rematch.
With the stage set for the U.S.-Canada final on February 20, the stakes are even higher than they were in the round-robin clash. The impending showdown has also placed some NHL players in a unique situation, especially those with ties to both countries. One of them is 22-year-old Matt Rempe—but when it comes to choosing a side, his allegiance is clear.
Matt Rempe’s Loyalty Lies with Canada
Known for his fearless approach on the ice, Rempe reveled in the chaos of the opening nine seconds of Saturday’s game, which featured three fights. “That was the coolest thing… I wanted to run through a wall,” he said. However, despite his New York Rangers teammate J.T. Miller squaring off against Canada’s Colton Parayko, Rempe never wavered in his support—he was firmly behind Team Canada.
His teammate Sam Carrick, on the other hand, took a different approach. Rather than rooting for one side, Carrick cheered for individual players, including Miller. He was particularly entertained by the three consecutive fights that saw Miller, along with Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, face off against Canada’s Parayko, Brandon Hagel, and Sam Bennett. In fact, Carrick had nothing but praise for Miller.
“That’s why we brought him here, I believe. We love that stuff, and that’s a guy you want on your team,” the 33-year-old NHL veteran said of his Rangers teammate. However, since Saturday, Team USA has been hit with several setbacks.
Trouble for J.T. Miller and Team USA
After their hard-fought win over Canada, Team USA has had to navigate a series of injuries. Coach Mike Sullivan made key lineup changes for the final round-robin game against Sweden, resting stars like Matthew Tkachuk, Auston Matthews, and Charlie McAvoy. Tkachuk, nursing a lower-body injury, was benched as a precaution.
Despite these precautions, things didn’t go as planned. Not only did Team USA lose to Sweden, but Brady Tkachuk suffered a thigh injury after crashing into the goal post, joining his brother on the bench. Meanwhile, McAvoy, who was supposed to be resting, was hospitalized and ruled out for the final. Quinn Hughes will step in, but with little time to practice, his impact remains uncertain.
Despite these challenges, Team USA remains optimistic. “I mean, I’m not a doctor. But I’m sure a lot of those guys will be playing on Thursday,” Jack Hughes said about his teammates.
Can J.T. Miller and Team USA overcome their adversity and claim victory? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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