Coming in with uncertainty and plenty of questions, the 4 Nations Tournament has exceeded all expectations, proving to be a massive success for both the NHL and the sport of hockey.
The numbers don’t lie Saturday night’s intense USA vs. Canada showdown drew a staggering 10.1 million viewers across North America, making it the most-watched non-Stanley Cup Final game since 2014.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff admitted he wasn’t sure what to expect, but the tournament left no doubt about the level of competition.
“Somebody asked me what I thought it would be like, and I just wanted to see how competitive it was. I think that question has been answered,” Ruff said on Tuesday.
For defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, the action on the ice was next-level.
“That USA-Canada first period might have been the best period of hockey I’ve ever seen,” Samuelsson said. “And watching Ras (Rasmus Dahlin) and Joki (Henri Jokiharju) play, you can see how much it means to them to wear their country’s sweater. It’s been amazing to watch.”
But while some Sabres are thriving in the tournament, others are feeling its sting. Forward Tage Thompson, left off Team USA’s roster, admitted that being snubbed only fuels his motivation.
“Playing in the 4 Nations and the Olympics are goals of mine,” Thompson said. “Not being selected puts a chip on my shoulder I want to prove I belong. But as long as I focus on helping my team win, I believe those opportunities will come.”
Meanwhile, the Sabres were thrilled to see Jokiharju make an instant impact, scoring the opening goal in Finland’s matchup against the U.S. last Thursday.
“I was pumped for him,” J.J. Peterka said. “Especially since he was a late addition it was awesome to see him step in and contribute right away.”
As the buzz around the 4 Nations continues, Buffalo shifts its focus back to NHL action. Their next test comes Saturday when they take on the New York Rangers at home, with puck drop set for 5:30 p.m.
