A battle between Canada and the United States for a gold medal at the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament Thursday evening is expected to draw large crowds to restaurants in Lethbridge.
“We’re planning on having a full house tonight,” said Jayden Saar, assistant general manager of Brewhouse Lethbridge.
“We have this floor and the basement as well. We’re planning on filling both those up tonight.”
The two countries are set to face off in a best-on-best gold medal match for the first time since the Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2018.
Saar says the lead-up to Thursday’s game has meant a steady stream of business for the restaurant, with each of the preliminary round games drawing major crowds.
“It’s awesome,” Saar said. “Just seeing the community come together, it’s a huge boost to our business and it just expands the things we can do and ways we can give back to the community.”
Canada’s only regulation loss in round-robin action came against the U.S. on Saturday – a 3-1 loss.
The game will feature top NHL players, including Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon and Matthew and Brady Tkachuk.
“It’s exciting because you’re getting the top athletes from their countries coming out, and you’re getting to see the best elite hockey out there right now,” said Sean Gillam, director of hockey operations with Lethbridge Minor Hockey Association.
“It’s been really fun because it’s been really competitive, and it seems like guys are really taking pride in their countries right now.”
Calgary’s Cale Makar will also represent Team Canada in the game.
The former Brooks Bandits defenceman played from 2014 to 2017, tallying 135 points in 111 games before being drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 2017.
“Every kid dreams of playing for Team Canada and representing their country one day, and I think playing in a place where he (Cale Makar) played once, it really shows that it doesn’t matter where you play,” said Keith McInnis, assistant captain of the Brooks Bandits.
“It shows the coaching staff and who you have around you to develop better as a player to move on to the next level and dominate.”
With millions expected to watch, Gillam says the international tournament is likely going to help draw more interest to the sport for local organizations.
“Ridly Grieg is one that comes to mind,” said Gillam.
“He’s been on a few international teams for our country and we’ve had some other guys come out through our association make it there. But it’s a dream for these kids and for them to be able to see it on that stage makes it something for them to aspire to.”
Canada enters the final with a 1-1-0-1 record, while the US has a 2-1-0 record.
The tight standings have hockey fans anticipating a close battle.
“I’ve seen some interviews where guys are treating this as a Stanley Cup Final Game 7, so it’s going to be an intense and highly anticipated with two teams trying to win,” said Ethan Beyer, captain of the Brooks Bandits.
“I think it’s just going to be two teams going at it for the pride of their country.”
Puck drop for the gold medal match is scheduled for 6 p.m. MST.
