Before the intense 4 Nations Face-Off championship game, star player Matthew Tkachuk made an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. They found themselves deep in conversation about the impending match between Team USA and Canada, but the American forward was ready to make a bold statement in response to the sports analyst’s verdict.

On X, McAfee shared a clip featuring Tkachuk, stating, “The only thing that I didn’t like with the opening is you said Canada’s game, which we’re trying to not make that Canada’s game anymore. We’re trying to make it America’s game.”

The hockey forward expressed satisfaction in spending time with the sports analyst prior to the game, though he seemed less enthusiastic about the analyst’s opening comments. It seemed like the Florida Panthers star wanted to get it across that even though Canada may have hockey history on their side, times have changed and the U.S. is on the rise. And guess what? Pat McAfee absolutely loved the confidence.

“TONIGHT… We take it @TKACHUKycheese_ 🗣🗣 LET’S GOOOOO USA,” wrote the analyst as he shared the video of the exchange on X.

In less than an hour, Team USA and Canada are set to clash at the TD Garden in Boston. The excitement among the fans is at an all-time high, as they eagerly anticipate the arrival of these hockey players at the rink to reignite this storied rivalry. However, remarks from an individual like Tkachuk only serve to intensify the situation, and in a positive manner.

The American forward consistently speaks his mind, and this isn’t the first occasion he has defended his team. A few days ago, Brandon Hagel remarked, “I think we’re out there playing for the flag, not the cameras. That’s a part of Canada that we have in there. We don’t need to initiate anything. We don’t have any group chats going on,” and it clearly got into Tkachuk’s head.

Tkachuk replied, saying, “Well, I mean, maybe their team doesn’t like each other then if they don’t have group chats. But I think that that’s just a player enjoying this opportunity. So I think that our team does not care about anything that they say. And there’s been a lot of chatter and talk from individuals. We care about one thing in this room, and we have millions of people that are watching us and supporting us around this country, and we’re very prideful in playing for them and the guys in the room. So it’s an opportunity of a lifetime for us.” His statements were clear.

Everything he accomplishes on the ice is dedicated to the fans and his team, a source of pride for him. This is precisely what positions him, along with his brother Brady, among the most eagerly awaited players ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game.

NHL legends’ honest take on Matthew Tkachuk and his brother

The most recent episode of Spittin Chiclets featured a conversation between Canadian NHL veteran Paul Bissonnette and American NHL icon Ryan Whitney. Their presentation combined wit with sharp insights as they explored the intricate relationship between the Tkachuk brothers. Bissonnette offered his perspective following a review of the latest games, remarking, “Brady, Matthew, the most marketable players in the NHL right now. With the Mighty Ducks and the Bash Brothers being brought up, the father at some point is going to be a Hall of Famer. That’s undeniable. He scored 500 goals.”

As the anticipation builds around their father, Keith Tkachuk’s potential induction into the NHL Hall of Fame in the coming years, the future appears exceptionally promising for these two hockey stars, especially considering how the brothers have contributed (conventionally and otherwise) to Team USA’s success in the competition. No wonder Witney also resonated with the sentiment.

“‘I don’t know what to tell you. They’re lunatics,’” said Whitney, recalling what the senior Tkachuk had said about his sons. Whitney seemed to be impressed by how Matthew Tkachuk and his brother Brady were seen comparing notes and high-fiving each other in the penalty box after their respective fights with Canada’s Brandon Hagel and Sam Bennet. “You’re right, Biz. They might have made millions of dollars with those two fights for the rest of their life,” he concluded.

Now, as the game approaches, it remains to be seen what the Tkachuk brothers will accomplish on the ice during the final match against Team Canada.