Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

If you're in one of the many provinces taking today off, happy Family/Islander/Louis Riel/Nova Scotia Heritage Day!

If you're not, or are a federal/retail/hospitality/unlucky worker like me, happy Monday!

If you like snow and ice and shovelling and that stuff. I do not. I'm also at work as you read this so grumpy Adam, hooray!

What a weekend we had, with the fighting and hockey and storming out there.

Now we have a brand new week, and lots coming up. Like the Canada / Finland game tonight that will determine which faces the Americans in the Four Nations Face Off Finale.

Both Canada and Finland have an overtime win and a regulation loss, that makes two points in the standings. Sweden also has two points but they come from two overtime losses, so they have no wins.

2025 4 Nations Face-off: Standings and Schedule | TSN
A look at the format and schedule for the tournament.
TSN

Canada and Finland play at 1PM eastern today, and Sweden takes on the Americans at 8PM.

If either Canada or Finland win in regulation, they get a shot at the States. However if they fail to do so and Sweden gets a regulation win, they'll end up with the five points needed to move on.

The question is, will the Americans bother to try too hard against Sweden?

2025 4 Nations Face-off: Standings and Schedule | TSN
A look at the format and schedule for the tournament.
TSN
4 Nations Face-Off clinching scenarios for Feb. 17 | NHL.com
Canada will clinch a berth in the 4 Nations Face-Off final: If it defeats Finland in regulation OR If it defeats Finland in overtime or shootout AND any result of United States-Sweden other than a regulation win by Sweden
NHL logoNHLdotcom

I hope they go so easy Matthews is benched and there's no chance for injury.

So, was Saturday's game popular? Absolutely.

Heated U.S.-Canada face-off delivers red hot 4.4 million on ABC
A heated matchup between the United States and Canada delivered a massive audience in the NHL Four Nations Face-Off.
Sports Media WatchJon Lewis

Elsewhere in hockey, Ottawa has a long history with the game, and the women's side is no different.

An Introspective On the City of Ottawa and the Success of The Ottawa Charge — Offside News
How public transport, infrastructure, accessibility, public perception and history plays a role in keeping hockey in Ottawa
Offside NewsAlessia Fai

The Boston Pride Cup was held yesterday at the Bruins practice facility, to coincide with the Four Nations Face Off.

Boston Pride Hockey thrilled to hit ice in 2nd NHL Pride Cup at 4 Nations | NHL.com
League-hosted event continues to promote welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ players, allies
NHL logoDerek Van Diest

The Toronto Sceptres were in Edmonton yesterday afternoon where 17,518 people saw them defeat the Ottawa Charge 3-2 in overtime.

Watts scores OT winner to propel surging Sceptres past Charge
Daryl Watts scored 51 seconds into overtime, propelling the Toronto Sceptres to a 3-2 Professional Women’s Hockey League victory over the Ottawa Charge Sunday at Rogers Place.
Sportsnet.caCanadian Press

The Sceptres are now second in the league, just getting past the Minnesota Freeze [editor's note: I'm leaving this and calling them that from now on]. The Montréal Victoire are seated high on top of the standings as they keep winning in regulation.

Stats
Stats
Professional Women's Hockey League

Finally, we're getting a new Hockey Night in Canada! Ron will still be there in English, but not in Inuktitut!

Itiqtitsijut: Hockey Night in Canada in Inuktitut to debut on APTN this spring
‘Hockey Night in Canada in Inuktitut’ builds on APTN’s efforts to provide programming in Indigenous languages. The national broadcaster debuted ‘Hockey Night in Canada in Cree’ in 2019. Inuktitut will be the second Indigenous language to get the full play-by-play treatment.
CTVNewsThe Canadian Press

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches