Red Wings' Dylan Larkin Makes Big Statement
Dylan Larkin vs. Brandon Hagel (Winslow Townson-Imagn Images)You can't win them all.
That's what Team USA and Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin learned last night. Although the team lost to Team Canada in an exciting overtime game, it doesn't make the defeat any less heartbreaking.
After the defeat, the Red Wings captain spoke to the media about the game and the experience of playing in the 4 Nations Face-off. In his comments, he shared his hope that this tournament will ignite interest in the World Championships. He hopes that players who haven't considered it before will reconsider.
"I think we've had a tough time with USA hockey getting guys to play in the World Championships," Larkin revealed. "I think guys are at home watching this and I hope they are wanting a piece of this."
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"They gotta go to the World Championships and prove themselves and play for their country."
Larkin mentioned that he believes Canada has a leg up on USA hockey in this area: participation and passion while playing in the World Championships.
"Those guys go and they play. That's where it starts," Larkin stated. "Pride for your country. Pride for your flag. Putting that crest on and going out for games is an unbelievable feeling."
Larkin believes that Team USA deserved a better outcome, and he is looking forward to the Olympics in about one year.
"This grew the game really well," Larkin said. "But I hope this pushes guys to want a piece of this and then the next generation that got to watch this."
"They're going to watch the Olympics next year, and hopefully, there is a different outcome for our country that I feel we deserve."
Team USA finished the round-robin portion of the tournament with the best record of the four teams. They just ran into a big game and a few players (like Jordan Binnington) who performed at the highest level when it mattered the most.
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