For Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski – who led the 4 Nations in scoring and was named the best defenseman at the Worlds – that feeling of familiarity hit him as soon as he arrived in Milan, as much of the roster and a coaching staff led by Mike Sullivan returned from the 4 Nations.
“I think I’ll speak individually,” Werenski told reporters in Italy. “I feel like for me, I understand the systems a lot quicker. It felt like I’m just jumping right back into it. I feel like last year, it was so different than what we were doing in Columbus, it took me a second. I was thinking a lot out there, where I feel like now it’s more similar to our style this year and I’m just familiar with how he wants me to play. All the terms he’s using, I’m familiar with, which I think helps a lot individually.
“There’s a lot less thinking out there. It’s just playing hockey and not thinking about where you have to be. I think that’s great for us. I know for me, it’s individually feeling that way, but I’m sure other guys feel the same way.”
The carryover from the 4 Nations – the U.S. braintrust made very few changes from a group that quickly became close last year in Montreal and Boston – seemed evident in the way the Americans played against a dogged Latvian squad, which tied the game at 1 in the first period and had CBJ goalie Elvis Merzlikins turning in the type of effort in the early going that could steal a game.
But as the second period stretched on, Team USA found a level the Latvians couldn’t match, outshooting the opponent by a 17-2 margin in the second and scoring twice in the final three minutes of the frame to take a 4-1 lead against a gassed Merzlikins.
As the country chases its first Olympic gold since 1980, the Americans showed they'll be a tough out against anyone, with group play continuing this weekend vs. Denmark (Saturday) and Germany (Sunday) before the knockout round begins.
And while much of this squad resembles the 4 Nations roster, Werenski said from there, the Americans who were in Europe last spring for the Worlds can help lead the way. There was no easy road to gold in that tournament, with the U.S. having to beat Finland in the quarterfinals, Sweden in the semifinals and outlast Switzerland in the final. The Swiss matched the U.S. blow for blow, taking the gold medal game to overtime, before Tage Thompson’s goal broke the 92-year winless streak.
“I know the guys that were there, (there’s an) understanding how hard it is to win the whole thing,” Werenski said. “You get down to the quarters, semis, finals, they’re all Game 7s. It’s exciting. It’s a challenge. There’s a certain type of, I don’t want to say pressure in that, but every play matters.”
For Werenski, his game showed no signs of missing a beat Thursday, as it took him just 5:29 to earn his first point with an assist on Brady Tkachuk’s opening goal. The defenseman looked in charge the entire night at both 5-on-5 and while quarterbacking the No. 2 USA power play, skating 17:15 and posting three shots on goal and a plus-1 rating while drawing a penalty.
He did much of it on his off hand, playing the right side with Ottawa youngster Jake Sanderson. That pairing came together at the 4 Nations after an injury to Charlie McAvoy, and keeping with the theme, the U.S. coaching staff put the two back together to start the Olympic tournament.
Considering the U.S. dressed five left-shot defensemen and just two righthanders against Latvia, Werenski had to move to the right side, but don’t expect him to complain with a gold medal on the line.
“I’m familiar with it,” Werenski said. “I played it last year with Sandy at the end of the 4 Nations. I don’t play it too much during the year, so it’ll be a little bit of an adjustment, but it’s just hockey.”
