A MONTH TO REMEMBER

LOS ANGELES, CA — I’ve covered the National Hockey League for almost three decades, but the past fortnight has been something I’ve never seen and will never see again.

To watch the 4 Nations Face-Off, capture the imagination of the casual hockey fan, the casual sports fan and the non-sports fan was something no one saw coming when the tournament was announced at the 2024 All-Star weekend in Toronto.

It was nine years since we had international best-on-best and the result is why when I’ve spoken to players about the absence of it, they were unanimous in their yearning to return. The storytelling that came from the nine days split between Montreal and Boston couldn’t have been scripted better, I’ve joked that whoever wrote the script deserves an Oscar, Emmy and Golden Globe.

While some had reservations about the level of play, its quality and intensity, those should have been cancelled listening to the players at the first media availability. Though the setup in the media center was like the All-Star weekend in Fort Lauderdale but the words coming from the players were 180 degrees from those spoken in South Florida.

They weren’t there for a good time – with wind chills routinely below 0 F, a Nor’easter that disrupted travel plans, and the 4 Nations Flu that also hit me – they were the for only one thing, to play and win for country.  And playing for country took on extra meaning for the North Americans in the tourney given the inflamed political rhetoric between the U.S. and Canada. But the most thunderous ovation was rightfully reserved for when Le Magnifique, Mario Lemieux stepped to the ice as an honorary captain.

And THEN they dropped the puck in Montreal.

A great opening act started with Canada’s overtime winner with an actual Maple Leafs player, Mitchell Marner gets a hero’s cheers at Bell Centre for the first and last time. A dominant US victory over Finland renewed their installation as pre-tournament favorites which set the stage for Act II.

The Nine Seconds.

With Bell Centre already at a fever pitch, what ensued was crazy, unexpected and welcomed at the same time. When Matthew, Brady, J.T., Brandon, Sam and Colton dropped their gloves, I doubt they knew their punches would be shots heard around the world. Those blows also pushed aside the anthem controversy and brought the focus to where it should be on the great players of the sport. Despite the presence of many of the most gifted players in the NHL, it was a defensive battle throughout with the U.S. just a tad bit better.

As we moved on to Boston – that 300 miles were treacherous for many with snow and high winds – the Canadians faced a must-win game against Finland, another unexpected the scenario that added to the drama. Canadian fans held their collective breath as a comfortable three-goal lead melted into a one goal margin with 1:14 remaining in regulation but the pesky Finns could not muster a final goal that could have derailed the reprise of the dream matchup for the Championship Game.

The Americans took the night off against Sweden as a reward for its two regulation wins and rendering the match inconsequential in the tournament. But as Thursday approached, the tournament favorite had as big a challenge with its own health as they did with a Canadian team set on revenge as well as their confidence in their elite players delivering when it counted the most.

The 3-2 victory by Canada was an intense, thrilling affair that ended with a Connor McDavid signature moment, finding time and space in a high danger zone to end it with a no-doubter past this season’s assumptive Vezina winner, Connor Hellebuyck.

The group texts, the late scratches due to illness, the unfortunate injury to Charlie McAvoy that put the Bruins season in peril all help to write the final story of 4 Nations.  The post-game celebration was memorable watching Jon Cooper hug Jordan Binnington after winning the second most important game he’s played by reprising the Game 7 performance that won him the 2019 Stanley Cup. The mutual respect showed on the handshake line between combatants looked like one after Game 7 last June in Sunrise, not one that ended a tournament that some called “a made-up tournament.”

In the aftermath, what the 4 Nations achieved exceeded expectations. It heightens expectations for the international calendar that has been set due to the harmony between the NHL and NHL Players Association.

As an aside, the joint press conference led by Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA boss chief Marty Walsh showcased a level of collaboration between the two sides I’ve never seen. I’ve sat through many of joint sessions but when the Commissioner got up and gave Walsh a playful hug my thought was, “Yeah, I don’t think that happened with Donald Fehr.” It’s a great sign for the game’s short time future as the prospects having CBA harmony continues strong.

Juxtaposed from a tournament that showcased the finest on ice, the Skate for LA Strong charity game showcased the quality of character of people that are in this game. In the face of wildfire tragedy, the Los Angeles Kings organized an event in a few weeks that would normally take months to execute. With the assistance from the league spearheaded by Bettman and Steve Mayer, President, Content Events, there were enough participants to field four teams for a fun afternoon with serious goal.

On the pregame red carpet, which featured sports figures and celebrities, I got a chance to chat with one of the first responders, firefighter Jason Northgrave. When he disclosed, he worked on the Palisade Fire, the chat turned personal for me. Our home was located just a few blocks from the Palisade evacuation zone and while we were never evacuated, the billowing smoke just over the horizon made it as close to danger for our residence as we’ve had during fire season. The reality is that through Jason’s bravery and others he fought against a massive fire, likely saved our home. When I conveyed that to him and said that with the presence of many sports heroes in the building, he was the real hero of the day. He thanked me for the kind words but graciously said, “I’m only doing my job.”

A job that spared numerous lives, homes and property from the devastation from the largest natural disaster since the 1994 Northridge earthquake. A job that reminds us that heroes appear in all forms. A job that should make us all grateful there are people brave enough to run towards disaster when most are fleeing from it. And a reminder of how great the hockey community is when they rally around a cause.

After a few days home for well-needed rest, it was off to Columbus for the Stadium Series game at the Horseshoe. In another surprise in this season full of them, the game morphed into a tribute to an underrated NHL market to one of significance in the Eastern Conference playoff race, something unforeseen Opening Night.

Unlike a lot of outdoor games, this one was a thriller with the host Blue Jackets sending home most of the fans (Red Wings fans showed up in big numbers, too) with a late third period goal. While there is still some criticism of this brand of outdoor game, 95,000 came through the gates of a legendary American college football edifice and like the balance of the game, it is a on very steady ground.

Expanding on the steady ground theme, I spoke with Bettman and Walsh during our pregame edition of “The Hot Stove” on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio and both reinforced the standing of the game. Bettman spoke about the inquiries for expansion franchises and while no formal process has begun, it appears the 32 Franchise Club will be expanding and likely by more than one in the short-to-midterm.

It was the first time I’ve spoken with Walsh in an interview setting and came away very impressed with his passion for and knowledge of the game, excused the fact that he was a lifelong Bruin fan and with the resume he brought to the job – including being the Mayor of his hometown – gives the NHLPA a leader capable of taking its to new heights.

My greatest takeaway for being so optimistic on where the game comes from a quote from Walsh about the newly developed harmony between the NHL and NHLPA and when I referenced the good time feel of their 4 Nations presser.

“Sometimes it’s not about the fight, it’s about growth.”

It’s been a month to remember.