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Dallas Stars Daily Links: The Passion Of Hockey

Matt Duchene is enjoying the 4 Nations Face-Off as much as everyone else.

Posted on by George Delanjian
Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

If you’ve been plugged into the hockey world this past week, then you’ve been enjoying the fireworks that have been set off by the 4 Nations Face-Off. It’s been an entertaining tournament to say the least and has far exceeded the expectations of many, given how lackluster All-Star weekends have gone recently (and beyond the NHL). Stars’ forward Matt Duchene shares the same sentiments following an interview with The Sweet Spot on Sports Radio:

“I didn’t think I was gonna watch any, and I’ve just been following it. I think the biggest thing was, I’ve just been interested in watching our guys and supporting them. And obviously, when [Thomas Harley] got added to Team Canada, that was really cool for him and crazy. I had a buddy over that was like, “We’re watching that game.” I was like, “Okay, that’s fine. We’ll throw it on,” and then the fireworks at the start of the game happened. I’m like, “Oh, I’m done. I’m watching this now. This is entertaining.” I think it’s been a way better thing for hockey than people anticipated, because obviously they’re not really playing for anything in terms of, it’s a made up tournament, made up trophy. But anytime you are playing for national pride, and I think people are seeing how much that matters to us in the US especially, I know it does to Finland and Sweden as well. But Canada and US get together, it’s always a crazy event, and there’s always stuff going on. So I’ve been a part of some of those games, and I’ve seen it firsthand, and it’s pretty wild.”

When asked about the fights between the U.S. and Canada, Duchene had this to say:

“That’s the passion of hockey. The game was a great game because it was close, the fights just showed to everybody what this meant. I think it was so great, it was nine of the best seconds the NHL has had in years. I think it was outstanding, I think everybody that watched it was hooked right away and I went from not really wanting to watch the game, nor really super interested in it to wanting to watch the entire thing. when players are feeling that way, everyone else is going to feel even more that way, so it was great. I doubt you’ll see that in the next one. I think the next one will be more business-like.”

With all that being said, tonight’s game will be one to watch, fueled by plenty of emotions carrying over from the first game.

You can read the rest of Duchene’s interview here.

Stars Stuff

Class act on and off the ice:

Regular-season hockey is almost back, meaning watch parties are too, if that’s your thing!

The World of Chel

4 Nations Face-Off Unveiled. Worth a watch!

Finally

A winner will be crowned tonight!

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