Tonight’s 4 Nations Face-Off matchup between the US and Canada was the exact kind of showdown the fans had anticipated. The intensity and tension were palpable in the air. And yet, despite all the adrenaline flowing through their veins, the American players could hardly forget that they came to the tournament without one of their comrades.

Before J. T. Miller, Matt Boldy, and the others took to the ice at the Bell Centre against the Canadians for tonight’s 4 Nations action, the USA Hockey team made it a point to remember their fallen colleague who would have otherwise been here with the team. 7X NHL All-Star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau left the world behind unexpectedly when a car crash cost them their life last year. On alternate circumstances, the Calgary Flames left wing’s presence in the ongoing tournament could not have been barred.

Johnny’s wife, Meredith Gaudreau, took to X on February 15 to share her heavy emotions as the national team remembered the late star during the 4 Nations Face-Off. “Classy organization & group of people. John wanted to be a part of this so bad. Thank you for honoring him,” she wrote in her post, sharing the OG social media update of ESPN.

“USA Hockey is a family, Johnny was part of that family,” Jack Eichel could be heard saying in the short ESPN upload, while the Ottawa Senators’ Brady Tkachuk reveals that Gaudreau’s jersey still has a place in the locker room with the boys. Johnny, along with his brother Matthew Gaudreau, were gone too soon, but the USA Hockey team seems to have ensured that the family witnesses the 4 Nations action from the dugout.

In the ESPN video, Brady, one of the main personnel to help the country’s victory over Finland on Thursday, revealed why the USA will fight tooth and nail to bag the inaugural 4 Nations trophy. “We definitely want to win it for them, to honor Johnny and Matthew,” Tkachuk said. The short clip also showed how Gaudreau’s dad Guy joined Johnny’s teammates during a training session. Justifiably, the touching tribute couldn’t be missed by Meredith. And the national stars did good on their word-they delivered as promised.

A titular finish to the high-stakes 4 Nations Face-Off match

In Saturday’s high-stakes 4 Nations match between the heavyweight hockey neighbors, Team USA came out with flying colors. Within three seconds of the game, both the Tkachuk brothers got embroiled in a slugfest with Brandon Hagel and Sam Bennett of Canada, and the roof almost blew off. Just seconds later, another brawl broke out between J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko, underlining exactly why this match was the most highly anticipated one of the tournament.

Canada opened scoring for the night thanks to Connor McDavid‘s exquisite move to get past USA’s Connor Hellebuyck. But two goals from Jake Guentzel and one from Dylan Larkin in the second and third periods ensured the Stars and Stripes’ spot in the 4-Nations Finals at Boston on Thursday. A 3-1 victory at a location where fans did their best to break the team’s morale with loud booing. Not a bad day at work at all, huh?

Now, Finland and Canada will have to face each other on Monday to seal their place in the finals by regulation. Whoever may qualify for the 4 Nations Face-Off finale, it’s safe to say that Team USA’s fortunes look up, especially after the grit the team showed tonight. While Johnny Gaudreau remains a name that unites the NHL community, the national team seems to be nonetheless determined to bring the trophy home to honor the late star. So do you think Meredith Gaudreau will have another victory pledged to her late husband’s name from USA hockey in the impending 4-Nations finale?

Who do you think will end up facing Team USA next week at TD Garden? Do tell us in the comments!