For someone from New England, Thursday night promises to be incredibly exciting. Jamison Coyle, a native of Nashua, New Hampshire, will feature in the NHL Network’s coverage of the 4 Nations Face-Off championship. The much-anticipated clash between the United States and Canada is set to take place at TD Garden in Boston, just 40 miles from Coyle’s hometown. The U.S. aims to secure a victory over Canada for the second time, having won 3-1 on Saturday in Montreal. To delve deeper into what is sure to be a thrilling hockey showdown, we caught up with Coyle.
Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Awful Announcing: What are you looking forward to Thursday night?
Jamison Coyle: “The anticipation of the atmosphere based on what we saw at the Bell Centre on Saturday. Many attendees reported they had never experienced anything like that. Some claimed it was the best sporting event they had ever attended. If that was Round One, it’s hard to predict what’s in store for Thursday. I’m most excited about the national anthems, the buildup to the opening face-off, and maybe even the first ten seconds. Given Round One, who knows what will happen in Round Two.”
How much has the political climate contributed to the atmosphere?
“The Canada vs. U.S. hockey rivalry is always special, regardless of geopolitics. However, the current political climate has certainly added fuel to the fire, as seen in recent events. National pride also plays a significant role for these players; the logo on their jerseys intensifies the rivalry and the passion we can expect on Thursday. That’s what makes sports so compelling.”
. @JamisonCoyle, @mike_p_johnson, and @BriBrows22 weigh in on Team USA’s injury status heading into Thursday night’s Championship game vs. Canada. #4Nations | #NHLTonight pic.twitter.com/IrmsCtr5a0
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) February 18, 2025
How healthy is the U.S.? “I wouldn’t say they’re fully healthy, based on what we’ve gathered from the coaches. It seems the Tkachuk brothers (Brady and Matthew) are set for Thursday, which is great news for the U.S. Auston Matthews looks good to go, but Charlie McAvoy has been ruled out, which is unfortunate considering his physical impact on Saturday—he had some significant hits on players like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby. The U.S. would definitely prefer to have him available, but it appears he’s dealing with a serious issue and has been hospitalized.”
If the U.S. wins, what will be the reason? “The outcome will hinge on how well the team sticks to their brand of hockey. With talents like J.T. Miller and the Tkachuk brothers, they possess both skill and a gritty style required for playoff-type plays—simplified, north-south hockey, effective forechecking, and physical hits. This gritty style has proven successful for recent Stanley Cup champions.”
If Canada wins, what will be the reason? “On paper, their lineup is arguably the strongest, so if Canada triumphs, it will be due to learning from their previous mistakes against the U.S. They need to play a more rugged game and avoid getting swept up in the emotional intensity of the first matchup—Team USA thrived on that.”
How significant can Connor McDavid’s speed be for Canada? “His speed is unparalleled in the NHL. Everything about his game moves at breakneck speed—his feet, his hands, and the puck. He’s always an X-factor. We witnessed this during the first goal against Team USA when he outpaced the U.S. defense and scored over Connor Hellebuyck. The U.S. learned from this; they attempted to lay hits on him to mitigate his impact, but it’s challenging to stop a player of his caliber.”
THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA OPEN UP THEIR FOUR NATIONS GAME WITH THREE FIGHTS IN THE FIRST NINE SECONDS! pic.twitter.com/Y7fLhccJ5K
— The Sports Place (@offsportsplace) February 16, 2025
Who has more pressure on them: the U.S. or Canada? “The pressure is definitely on the United States. They won the first match in an unfriendly environment filled with hostility and enjoyed the role of the underdog. It’s tough to defeat the same team twice in such a short time frame, and Canada will likely make necessary adjustments.”
How satisfied is the NHL with the ratings and attention? “It couldn’t have gone better, and I don’t think anyone foresaw such a positive outcome. With the tournament format revealed, excitement soared. We haven’t witnessed best-on-best matchups with NHL players in quite some time, especially not with stars like Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid. Overall, it’s far exceeded expectations, capturing attention even beyond the typical hockey audience; this is a significant moment for the sport.”
As someone from New England, what does this moment mean for you? “As a hockey fan, I’m thrilled. While I am supposed to remain unbiased, I can’t help but root for my home country. I’ve covered significant games in this arena, including the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, which featured my hometown Bruins in Game 7 against the St. Louis Blues. Despite the Blues winning, it was an unforgettable event, and I am grateful to attend this upcoming game.”
Do you have a prediction? “Predicting is tough, especially considering the significance of the anthems and the first few seconds. I anticipate a low-scoring match, similar to the first. Both teams will adopt an approach reminiscent of a Game 7 Stanley Cup Final situation—leading to tight, cautious play. Mistakes will be detrimental, leading to potential scoring chances, so expect a very physical and emotional game.”
What was Canada coach Jon Cooper’s reaction to three fights in the first nine seconds of the 4 Nations Face-Off game vs. USA?
“Two passionate teams…This is not an All-Star Game. This is a battle of the best of the best.” pic.twitter.com/WvK5Xa5ec8
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 16, 2025
