Two New Jersey Devils were pinned against each other on Saturday afternoon as Jesper Bratt and Team Sweden took on Erik Haula and Team Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off. The game was a back-and-forth affair between the two. Each hockey country held the lead at different times throughout the game before hitting overtime.
In order to stay alive, Finland needed to earn at least one point in this game. They did by going to overtime, but Mikael Granlund scored the overtime winner, so Finland was able to grab that second point despite most coming in thinking that Sweden was the better team. That seconds point would really keep them in the tournament with a chance to make the championship.
Haula's team took down Bratt's team. They are teammates in the NHL, but each of them will certainly have different emotions surrounding the result of this particular game.
Haula played 8:12 on 14 shifts in a checking role, which is on par for him. At this stage of his career, he is more of a defensive-minded faceoff guy than a scorer, but he serves a purpose. As for Bratt, He played 18:04 on 23 shifts. He didn't collect any points in this one, but he managed to create a couple of chances for himself and his line.
He can drive a line no matter what situation he is in and that's why Sweden gives him a fair amount of ice. He was right near the top of the list when it came to forwards and TOI.
Sweden even put Bratt out there to kill a couple of Swedish penalties which is a new skill he has been developing this year. His team lost but you were able to see some of the things that Bratt can bring to the table outside of scoring.
Bratt and Haula even came together at one point during the game. The Devils star winger "laid a hit" on their third-line center, but as you can see, there wasn't too much oomph on that check.
Just two ol’ friends saying hello. pic.twitter.com/rtNQzQaQpn
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 15, 2025
Bratt collected an assist in the first game against Canada and came so close to setting up the game-winner so Sweden is sure to go back to him for a lot of ice in their final game against Team USA on Monday.
Both Sweden and Finland need help if they are going to make it to the championship at this point. Their final results on Monday, in addition to what happens between the United States and Canada, will impact them.