How Team USA's Tkachuk brothers combination already delivered 'better than those dreams'

MONTREAL A childhood dream come true.

And as it turns out, the real-life version was even sweeter.

Two goals apiece, their best-on-best debut for Team USA, moving on a line together midway through a 6-1 thrashing of Finland, where to start? Soak it all in, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk.

I dont really think its hit yet, to be honest with you, Brady said afterward.

I can only imagine how proud my parents (are), family and friends that have helped us along the way.

I know from my experience, I was really excited for this tournament.

After a couple days this has been the best experience of my hockey life.

Advertisement I cant really describe the excitement and joy that I was able to play with him, and be together every day.

Its been amazing.

Team USA needed it.

Tied 1-1 midway through the second period against a Finland team frustrating and stifling the Americans, head coach Mike Sullivan swapped Kyle Connor with Brady Tkachuk on a line with Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Eichel.

Instant impact.

I think those two players, not only are they great players, but theyre great teammates, said Sullivan.

And I also think that its pretty cool when you have an opportunity to play with your brother there might be some added motivation or some added inspiration to want to play.

So that was something that we thought about and talked about as a staff before the tournament even started.

Theyre two real good players I felt when we made the switch we put them with Jack Eichel, I think they just have a funny way of just dragging us into the fight, he added.

That's the fourth Tkachuk goal of the night! #4Nations : @espn & @ESPNPlus https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm : @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/dea1ywHIdS NHL (@NHL) February 14, 2025 Brady Tkachuk was a physical force throughout the game.

He was taking no prisoners with a game-high eight hits.

He was a beast, Matthew said of his brother.

It was eight hits but it felt like 28 hits.

He made his presence known especially from the start.

Thats the way we play, thats one of the reasons why were on the team.

You dont come to these and change your game, you play your identity.

Theres a reason why youre here.

Its up to us and the rest of the guys to play to your strengths.

Thats one of them.

I thought he was a beast all night.

It was what Team USA envisioned with both brothers on the roster.

Advertisement They were as advertised, Team USA GM Bill Guerin told The Athletic after the game.

Ive known them since they were born, but it was really nice to have a front-row seat to that effort.

Guerin, of course, played with their father Keith Tkachuk on multiple USA teams including the historical 1996 World Cup of Hockey won by the U.S., their last best-on-best tournament championship won as a country.

Some of which was played right here in this building.

They definitely got better hands than their dad, another 96 Team USA star, Mike Modano, joked to The Athletic via text message Thursday night.

They are all gamers, Modano said of father and sons.

The harder the game gets, it seems like the better and more of an impact they make.

Cant wait until Saturday! Oh right, Saturday.

No doubt Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper was watching Thursday night and I guarantee you his first thought at seeing the Tkachuks wreak havoc on Finland was this: Sam Bennett, youre in.

Saturday night should be a charged-up atmosphere here at the Bell Centre.

I think its going to be the biggest game that Ive ever played in my career, Brady Tkachuk said.

So Im really looking forward to that.

Yeah, theres a big buildup to it.

USA-Canada is bigger than just the guys on the ice.

Its so many people past, present and future down the road.

So excited for it.

Weve been talking about that game especially.

Really excited to experience it.

Its gonna be a long couple of days until it happens but the excitement will be at an all-time high.

Well, its the biggest game of his career because the Ottawa Senators captain hasnt had the chance yet to experience Stanley Cup playoff hockey.

Well, kind of.

Hes watched firsthand as his brother won the Stanley Cup last June.

Well weve always joked, I think I lead the league in most playoff games watched without playing, laughed Brady.

Ive gotten a lot of experience from that.

No, but of course throughout those runs Ive just sat and watched his preparation and just his focus.

Even here its a lot of fun but its an opportunity for me to see all these guys who have won Cups, who have played in those big games, just to see their preparation and focus, the professionalism and just being able to learn from those guys.

Of course, this is the best guy to learn from right here.

Just fortunate to watch him up close.

Advertisement He doesnt have big-game experience but Sullivan didnt doubt Brady Tkachuk would be ready for this stage.

I thought what wed get from him was exactly what we got from him, Sullivan said.

I just think hes a high-stakes player.

Hes yet to play in the high stakes environment at the NHL level but for me, just in the short time that Ive got to know him and have played against him a lot over the last few years, hes always one of those guys that you walk away from the game saying man is he a competitor.

He has an appetite to win.

I just think when we talk about American swagger or attitude he might personify that.

And so I think Im happy for him and his family and Matthew.

I think its a great moment for them, he added.

Both Matthew and Brady theyre terrific players, theyre fierce competitors and they bring a certain attitude thats contagious.

It seemed like a no-brainer to eventually put them on the same line.

Theres brotherly intuition at play.

I think what helps us is just the communication, Matthew Tkachuk said.

Pretty brutally honest with one another.

If we want the puck in a certain spot were gonna tell him right away.

And if he wanted it somewhere, he was gonna let me know.

I think the in-game adjustment was obviously good.

At the end of the day, we dont have that much time to really think about it, midgame, whats going on.

Its a 1-1 game at that time, emotions are high.

So we gotta adjust on the fly.

But it did make it easier getting to play with him, especially with the communication.

A dream come true is what it was.

I think it was better than those dreams that we had, Brady Tkachuk said.

Honestly, I just dont really have words to describe it right now.

When the media walked into their dressing room, hung up in Brady Tkachuks stall was a Johnny Gaudreau Team USA jersey, given to the teams player of the game.

One can just imagine what that felt like for Brady Tkachuk.

He captained the U.S.

team at the IIHF Mens World Championship last spring which sadly would be Gaudreaus last hockey played.

Theres a lot to play for on this Team USA squad, which seems determined to open a new chapter of excellence in best-on-best hockey.

One things for sure, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk will be in the middle of it.

(Photo: Andrea Cardin / 4NFO / World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images).

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