The Buffalo Sabres went through a second straight long practice at Key Bank Center on Wednesday, with goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen unexpectedly participating after returning from the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off in Boston, but even more unexpected was the news that Sabres leading scorer Tage Thompson is headed to Beantown to be a standby for Team USA for the much-anticipated championship game at TD Garden on Thursday night.
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported that Team USA invited both Thompson and New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce to travel to Boston as insurance against potential injury or illness ahead of the finale. Earlier in the day, Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes was ruled out as a potential replacement because he was not medically cleared by the Canucks, and Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk did not practice on Wednesday due to illness.
Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan indicated that he thinks Tkachuk will play on Thursday, but illness is going through the American locker room and currently, the club only has one extra forward and six healthy defensemen with Boston’s Charlie McAvoy ruled out with an infection.
Tage Thompson was one of the few players that many felt deserved a spot on the Team USA roster for the Four Nations. He told me today at practice that while he wished he were there, he thinks the tournament has been great.
“I thought the U.S.-Canada game was awesome. If you’re… pic.twitter.com/T5gRtcnq82
— Sara Holland (@SaraaHolland) February 18, 2025
Thompson, who leads the Sabres with 26 goals, commented on Tuesday on how he wished he was participating in what has been a better-than-expected event.
“It’s been great, Watching all the games. I thought the US-Canada game was awesome. If you’re not a hockey fan, that’ll instantly get you hooked and sitting there, (I’m) wishing I was there a little bit. It’s probably an unreal atmosphere and I think everyone’s excited for the rematch on Thursday.” Thompson said. “It’s tough. I mean, you want to be there representing your country and playing those types of games, but it’s out of my control.”
Thompson would only be able to get in the game if the US had less than 12 healthy forwards, but at the absolute worst he will have a ringside seat for the highly anticipated contest.
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