USA’s Matthew Tkachuk misses most of third period against Canada with injury

During Saturday’s 4 Nations Face-Off game between Team Canada versus Team USA, American forward Matthew Tkachuk missed most of the third period with an undisclosed injury.

USA coach Mike Sullivan says Matthew Tkachuk is out with a lower-body injury and is being evaluated by a doctor.

Tkachuk’s last shift was around the 12:36 second mark of the third. According to reports, Tkachuk had told USA head coach John Tortorella that he couldn’t play. During that shift, he came back to the bench and had a short conversation with coaches Mike Sullivan and Tortorella, shaking his head and moving his way to the end of the bench.

Tkachuk recorded 11:10 of ice time against Canada, recording three shots on goal, and two hits.

The Florida Panthers forward had two goals and an assist in the opening win against Finland. Tkachuk helped spark the crowd and Americans with a fight off the opening face-off draw with Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel.

With the USA defeating Canada 3-1, USA has clinched a spot in Thursday’s 4 Nation’s Face-Off championship game in Boston.

It was Lightning forward Jake Guentzel notching two goals for the USA, knocking off Canada in what can be considered one of the best games of hockey in the last decade.

The USA currently leads the tournament with six points, and Canada, Finland and Sweden all have two points. Canada has the potential to set the championship rematch with a win against Finland on Monday.

The USA will face Sweden on Monday, with a ticket already booked for the championship game, don’t expect the USA to back off.

More information regarding Tkachuk’s injury could come in the post-game press conference.

With Tkachuk missing part of the third, the USA’s line combos had J.T. Miller now sharing a line with Brady Tkachuk and Jack Eichel.