02/22/26 10:08:00
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02/22 10:06 CST The climb toward the Olympic gold medal showdown began month
ago and the US came out on top
The climb toward the Olympic gold medal showdown began month ago and the US
came out on top
By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Hockey Writer
MILAN (AP) --- When organizers designed the 4 Nations Face-Off to be played in
February 2025, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the intent was for it to
serve as an appetizer for hockey at the Olympics.
What it turned out to be, beyond a smashing success that put the sport firmly
in the limelight, was a blueprint for the U.S. and Canada to build their
rosters. The tournament was the first in international play to feature the best
in the world in nearly a decade. The lessons learned informed what USA Hockey
and Hockey Canada did over the past year.
It worked, with the U.S. and Canada advancing to Sunday's gold medal game, a
rematch of the final of the 4 Nations. Canada won that in overtime and put the
two teams on a crash course for a rematch that the Americans won 2-1 in an
overtime thriller. It was not a two-team tournament and there was no guarantee
they'd play each other, but they did and it tested a lot of big decisions on
both sides.
"We didn't build our team just to play Canada," U.S. general manager Bill
Guerin said. "We built the best team possible. We feel that we built the best
team possible. We did that with us in mind. We're worried about us, not anybody
else."
Guerin and his group opted to bring back forwards like Vincent Trocheck and
J.T. Miller who could kill penalties and defend. Left at home were four of the
top 10 American scorers in the league: Jason Robertson, Lane Hutson, Cole
Caufield and Alex DeBrincat.
The U.S. wanted players who could do specific jobs and also be versatile to
move around the lineup, with coach Mike Sullivan making changes along the way.
"One of the things that we've tried to do is cast these guys in roles where
they know what the expectations are and the contribution that they can make to
help us have success," Sullivan said.
Canada brought six new players who were not at 4 Nations, and injuries to
Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli cleared the way for Sam Bennett and Seth
Jarvis. One of the newcomers is 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini, who has turned
heads since he was an NHL rookie in the fall of 2024.
"I didn't even know I was on the radar or even in the conversation," Celebrini
said. "When (GM Doug Armstrong) brought that to my attention, it was a little
bit of a push and excitement ---- just a little bit more of something that I
can look forward to and work to."
Celebrini was one of Canada's best players with 10 points heading into the gold
medal game, behind only tournament leader and teammate Connor McDavid.
"He's got a lot of skill and a lot of confidence," winger Mitch Marner said.
"He's not afraid of the big moments."
Another new addition, Nick Suzuki, scored the tying goal when Canada trailed
with under four minutes left in the quarterfinals. Tom Wilson started on right
wing with Celebrini and McDavid and has brought size, physicality --- and even
fisticuffs --- to the Olympics.
Canada changed out two goaltenders, picking Logan Thompson and Darcy Kuemper
this time, but Cooper always had Jordan Binnington written in as the starter.
Cooper made up his mind immediately after Binnington backstopped Canada to the
win at 4 Nations, and the 32-year-old netminder's play over his first four
starts validated that decision.
"You don't have to be a scout to see what he did in the Stanley Cup (Final),
what he did in the 4 Nations, and there's a massive belief," Armstrong said.
"When players see that time and time again, that's just a foundation that they
know that, ?OK, when push comes to shove, we have faith in this guy,' and I
think that's where they are with Binner."
The U.S. relied primarily on Connor Hellebuyck, who starred at the 4 Nations
and is the reigning NHL MVP and Vezina Trophy winner as the league's best
goalie. Just as Binnington knows the Americans he faced, Hellebuyck knew the
star-studded roster of Team Canada well.
"He's won a lot of trophies," winger Jake Guentzel said. "We feel good with him
back there."
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AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
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