Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk speaks after Florida's 5-1 win over Ottawa on Feb. 8. One of the more fun and enjoyable elements of the 4 Nations Face-Off has been watching the Tkachuk Brothers playing together. That’s because, as we’ve seen so far during the six preliminary round games, this is no NHL All-Star Game. When players put on the sweater of their home nation, they know what that represents, and it shines through on the ice. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Those feelings of pride and excitement reverberate throughout the locker rooms, up to the fans in the stands and out through everyone watching across the globe. The physical intensity of Saturday’s game between the United States and Canada embodied so much of what hockey fans love the most about the sport, and at the forefront of that was Matthew and Brady Tkachuk. This comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with how the Tkachuks operate, but it’s still been incredibly enjoyable to see play out, especially on such a grand stage. During the NHL season, Matthew and Brady play on divisional opponents that have matched up in increasingly spiteful matchups over the past few years, and while the two never mix it up physically with one another, neither is shy about getting involved with basically anyone else on the ice. Now that the young American brothers have joined forces under the banner of their home nation, the results have been exactly what any fan of the U.S. would have hoped, and then some. They have been the emotional catalyst for their country both on and off the ice, helping the United States reach the 4 Nations final with resounding wins over Finland and Canada to open the tournament. “They're pure hockey players,” said U.S. forward Chris Kreider. “They bring a lot of joy to the rink every single day. They’re incredibly effective, very self-aware in terms of things that they do well and how they can have an impact on the game. They are fantastic teammates, fantastic players.” Over the past several seasons, both Matthew and Brady have solidified themselves in the best hockey league in the world as players who can do a little bit of everything, and do it quite well. They are throwback players, much like their father Keith and so many great competitors of the pre-2000s era. It must be quite a contrast to go from playing against either of the Tkachuk Brothers to being a teammate of not one, but both of them at the same time. Not that anyone on Team USA is complaining. “It's been fun,” American forward Matt Boldy said of playing with the Tkachuks. “I got a taste of Brady this summer at World Championships, but it’s my first time meeting Matthew. I think, just what they bring to a game, to a team, they suck to play against, but when they're on your team, it's pretty fun. They just drag you into the battle.” Boldy and Kreider’s sentiments about playing with Matthew and Brady have been shared by many of their U.S. teammates. It’s one of the best compliments in hockey to be a player who others hate to play against but love to have on their side. Interestingly, there are some at 4 Nations feeling the flip side of that coin, which must be a little jarring and not very pleasant. “I’ve played with him for a long time, I know what he's all about,” Canadian forward and Panthers teammate Sam Bennett said of Matthew. “He's a heck of a competitor, and he cares, he wants to win. I’ve got nothing but respect for him.” Both Brady and Matthew have been dealing with injuries during 4 Nations. Matthew left America’s win over Canada early and did not play against Sweden while Brady suffered an apparent injury against the Swedes and left that game after playing just 1:55. The expectation is that both will be able to suit up for Thursday’s final. That could prove to be the difference for Team USA, which we saw in their first matchup with the Canadians on Saturday. Those intangibles that the Tkachuks bring to the table could be what finally gives the Americans a substantial, hotly contested victory over Team Canada. They clearly played a part in Saturday’s win, but this time there is a trophy on the line. “That competitiveness, that edge, that desire to win, they certainly left their mark on that game in a big way,” said Kreider. “They've been massive for our team, and will be massive again, I'm sure, in the next game.” LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA 'Never say never': Sam Bennett speaks on rematch with US, experience at 4 Nations [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/never-say-never-sam-bennett-speaks-on-rematch-with-us-experience-at-4-nations] Sam Reinhart, Sasha Barkov earn coaches’ praise at 4 Nations Face-Off [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/sam-reinhart-sasha-barkov-earn-coaches-praise-at-4-nations-face-off] Injured Matthew Tkachuk to miss Team USA game vs. Sweden [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/injured-matthew-tkachuk-to-miss-team-usa-game-vs-sweden] Jesse Puljujarvi has strong debut for Florida Panthers' AHL affiliate [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/jesse-puljujarvi-has-strong-debut-for-florida-panthers-ahl-affiliate] Barkov, Lundell come up big for Finland, creating 4 Nations logjam behind Team USA [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/barkov-lundell-come-up-big-for-finland-creating-4-nations-logjam-behind-team-usa] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
