For Golden Knights' Olympians, weirdness gives way to rivalry in gold medal matchup

LAS VEGAS — Before the Winter Olympics began, I wrote of the weirdness that would come from members of the Vegas Golden Knights having to go against each other in Italy.

But with one game left in the men’s hockey tournament, weirdness has stepped aside, replaced by pride and, to a certain extent, bragging rights in the locker room at T-Mobile Arena.

It’s Mitch Marner, Mark Stone and Shea Theodore along with coach Bruce Cassidy pitted against Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin on Sunday morning. It’s USA vs. Canada. It’s the gold medal game and only one team will leave the ice at Milano Santagiulia Arena happy.

All five players have made contributions to their team’s success thus far in these Olympics. Marner was the hero with the big goal in Canada’s overtime win over Czechia which meant VGK teammate Tomas Hertl was heading back to Vegas. Stone has been brilliant as we’ve been accustomed to watching with his smart play, skating with Marner and first, Sidney Crosby, then former Golden Knight Nick Suzuki. Theodore scored the game tying goal Friday against Finland, setting the stage for Nathan MacKinnon’s last-minute heroics which sent Canada into the gold medal game.

Eichel has been centering for the Tkachuk brothers from the opening faceoff of the tournament and he has been one of the leaders for Mike Sullivan. Friday against Slovakia, Eichel had a goal and an assist, the helper a no-look pass to Tage Thompson who one-timed it home to give the USA a 2-0 lead late in the first period. Going into Sunday’s gold medal game, Eichel has two goals and four assists. His six points trails only defenseman Quinn Hughes, who leads the Americans with seven points, the biggest being his OT  game-winner against Sweden to help Team USA avoid elimination.

Hanifin? He has found himself as the swing defenseman in the lineup. Yet, he’s been able to contribute when out there. He has a goal and a couple of assists despite not logging heavy minutes.

So the Vegas guys have earned their spots in these Olympics. And general manager Kelly McCrimmon has to sweat out one more game and hope no one gets seriously hurt. To date, all eight of his Golden Knights Olympic participants have managed to avoid the infirmary or worse — as was the case with the Kings’ Kevin Fiala, whose season ended when he broke his leg playing for Switzerland.

But it has been a wonderful experience for all of them. Tomas Hertl played well for Czechia though he was held goal-less and had just one assist in five games. Akira Schmid saw action in one game for the Swiss. Unfortunately for him, it was vs. Canada and he allowed five goals and lost in his Olympic debut.

They got to meet athletes from their own country as well as other competitors. They got to take in other events. They got to experience Milan — the Canadian guys got to take the Metro in town which must’ve been something they hadn’t planned on doing.

But ultimately, it’s about business. And Sunday, it’s all about being the last team standing. The Canadians want to repeat the feeling of last year when they won the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Americans, who last won Olympic gold back in 1980 — you all know that story — are looking to complete the mission and avenge the loss to Canada of  a year ago.

In a couple of days, everyone will be back in Las Vegas preparing for the final push to the NHL season. In case you’ve forgotten, the Golden Knights have a four-point lead in the Pacific Division with 25 games left to play. Those not competing in Italy are back on the ice at City National Arena getting ready for Thursday’s restart to the season in Los Angeles against the Kings.

But for now, the focus is on the five players who are still competing in Italy. You’ll have to get up early Sunday to see how it unfolds. Puck drop is at 5 a.m. Or if you’re just rolling in from a long night out, just grab a cup of coffee and stay up a couple more hours. It figures to be worth it.