Matthew Tkachuk‘s night started hot but ended prematurely.
The American was sidelined for most of the third period of Saturday’s 4 Nations Face-Off game against Canada with an apparent lower-body injury.
He played just three shifts in the final frame, his last coming less than halfway through.
After that, Tkachuk was seen sitting at the end of the U.S. bench, shaking his head as he appeared to tell the coaching staff he wasn’t good to go.
According to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, Tkachuk tested his injury during a television timeout but again shook his head.
The Florida Panthers forward finished the night with 11:10 of ice time, three shots, two hits, and, most notably, a game-opening fight against Canada’s Brandon Hagel.
He recorded two goals and an assist in Thursday’s game against Finland.
