One of the most important players for the United States was forced to leave the ice in the 4 Nations Face-Off final against Canada with an apparent injury.
Forward Matthew Tkachuk missed seven minutes in the second period and did not take the ice in the third period or overtime. USA Hockey did not disclose what the injury is and Tkachuk remained on the U.S. bench cheering his teammates on.
In total, Tkachuk only skated 6:47 of ice time in the game. He limped "badly" out of the arena after the contest, per Michael Russo of The Athletic.
He had previously been injured in the first game between the U.S. and Canada last Saturday and missed Monday's game against Sweden.
When asked about a potential injury, brother Brady Tkachuk referenced Matthew playing through a broken sternum in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.
"Obviously he battles through absolutely everything, and, yeah, I don't think it's too good. I guess we'll have to wait and see what ends up happening, but I know he was really disappointed," Tkachuk said, per Russo.
The Tkachuks were key sparkplugs for the United States. Matthew has two goals and an assist in the tournament.
Before the game, Matthew told Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman that the final against Canada was the biggest game of his career.
Panthers GM Bill Zito was part of the U.S. management staff at the NHL-run international tournament. Zito traded for Tkachuk in a blockbuster deal with Calgary in the summer of 2022, and they won the Stanley Cup together last season.
--with files from The Associated Press
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