A common theme of the first three episodes is the idea of coming from humble beginnings. Today, we at Last Word On Hockey continue our review from the Prime Video television series “Faceoff,” as we take you on a deeper journey with the players that make the show, that make the NHL. Jeremy Swayman grew up in Alaska. We, as fans, can only imagine what it is like to go from such a remote area and then, you’re in the middle of it all. We also get a look at what makes the man, Matthew Tkachuk tick. So, let’s check it out and see how their lives eventually intersect.
The Faceoff Series, Season 1, Episode 3: Learning to Win
Swayman was just a teenager when he journeyed from Alaska to go play AAA hockey in Colorado. Within five years of making that journey, he was in the show, debuting for the NHL’s Boston Bruins.
The theme of this episode quickly shifts. As we have visions of Swayman, going for hikes in the wilderness of Alaska as a boy then, we are sent to the big city lights, the speed, the fury, the Stanley Cup playoffs. We are reminded of how vitally crucial goaltenders are to their teams’ success come playoff time. Next, we are conveniently introduced to a man who is, as an individual personality and star, so important to his team come the postseason. We meet Matthew Tkachuk. He’s simply described as the perfect player when it comes to the chase for the Stanley Cup, the hardest trophy in sports to win.
We are told that during this 2023-24 campaign, that Swayman is actually fighting for a contract. Then, they set up the tandem, that was so successful all regular season, Linus Ullmark and Swayman. But now, there seems to be a little more competitiveness in who gets the net in the playoffs. The Bruins first-round opponent, that was discussed at length in episode one, is the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Swayman was hot coming in, and that’s ultimately why he got the call. It may have also had something to do with the contract, but that’s the type of conversation that happens behind closed doors. In fact, Swayman’s performance, especially in Game 7 versus the Leafs, really raised his level of stardom. He was no longer the young mentor behind the Vezina Trophy-winning Ullmark, it was his show now.
Off to Florida and Meeting up With Tkachuk
A jeep full of partiers pulls up alongside Tkachuk. You know you’re in South Florida, the beaches, the weather. He just throws his hands in air and shouts a ‘hey’ as loud as the tunes the jeep is blaring. PARTY!
But we are here to talk hockey. We are then taken into the chronicles of how Tkachuk’s acquisition by the Panthers was actually a turning point for their current reign of triumph. Success that has reigned supreme, not only in the Eastern Conference, but the entire NHL.
Matthew then brings his father on the show. For the hockey world, a man that needs no introduction, Big Walt himself, Keith Tkachuk. Matthew playfully, but candidly describes him with, “Yes, he is always annoying.” You know it is fun and games. We then see them marinating some steaks for a barbecue, Miami-style.
The Lessons of a (Hockey) Father
It’s now time for something a little more meaningful. They talk about the life lessons that Keith passed down to Matthew, and his bother, Ottawa Senator captain, Brady Tkachuk. The takeaway is to always compete and always be a good teammate. Simple, yet powerful, great words of advice for anybody, whether you play sports or just work a 9-to-5. You can still work hard, you can still help out.
Brady Tkachuk and Matthew talking about what dad Keith Tkachuk taught them. Brady describes it, with a bit of his own reputation thrown in, “Balls to the wall every night.” Anybody who has witnessed a Tkachuk play live, especially come playoff time, knows exactly what we’re talking about. Matthew reminds us about the sacrifice there is to pay. The toll it has played on his body is evident, as even right now in the NHL he finds himself on the shelf until around February 2026. The reason as Matthew exclaims, is with all the post-season success, it means there is less time to rest. For him, it makes the past three years of making the final just feel like one long, continuous season.
The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Panthers entered the postseason hungry. Hungry to show that making the final the year prior, despite losing, was no fluke. In the first round of the playoffs, they handled the Tampa Bay Lightning with ease, downing them four-games-to-one. This was a statement that the Panthers are the class of the East.
Then, the story of the two players intersects. For the clubs’ second-round matchup, the Panthers take on the Bruins. This had been setup, right from episode one of the series, it makes for great watching, to be sure. This series would go down to the wire. In games two and three, the Panthers dominated the Bruins. This included chasing Swayman from the net at one point. The series had turned into a war of words and a ferocious battle on the ice.
David Pastrnak, one of the stars from episode one, checks in with us during this part, when discussing what was truly going on. One quote by Pasta, “I lost a bit of respect for that” epitomizes that feeling of the animosity that grew between the teams throughout that playoff series. He was speaking on Sam Bennett burying Brad Marchand with a punch as they crashed into each other.
The Battles, On and Off the Ice
Ahead of Game 4 of the series, that was our setup. There were plenty of hard hits in front of the net to go around. It is all about the games within the games. Goalie interference calls, not being made. In the end, the Panthers are victorious in Game 4, by a score of 3-2.
We are introduced to another important hockey dad, Swayman’s dad, in fact. The show describes him as being really close to Jeremy. His dad talks to him from a perspective only a father can talk to his son. It is one of being very knowledgeable about who he is. Of course, since his life is so much intertwined with hockey, Jeremy’s dad is also a great source of knowledge about the game, not just Jeremy’s personality. They talk about two goals that Jeremy really wants back from that Game 4. It’s a moment between a father and son that you see even though it is just a game, it is their life.
Swayman goes on to discuss the business side of things. He mentions the difficult process that was his own salary arbitration. There, it is you against the team, not a very comforting thought. They are looking to bring you down, so they don’t pay you what you perceive your value to be at that time. They are there to check the boxes. The one that stands out, is that Swayman wasn’t trustworthy in the playoffs, check. That one stings. It took a while, but on October 6th, 2024, Swayman inked an eight-year, $66 million deal. Was it all worth it?
Back to the playoff series. The Panthers eventually win the series, four-games-to-two, wrapping the series up in Game 6, in Boston. The clips we are shown, are truly a reflection of the emotion. Everything is elevated in the playoffs.
What it Takes to Win in the Playoffs
We feel the intensity that head coach Paul Maurice brings behind the bench. From years of experience, it seems he has figured out something very imperative to winning. The ultimate determination and convincing his guys to do whatever it takes to win, and knowing how to achieve that. It’s no easy task for just anybody to fathom, and how to get the best out of your people.
Maurice pleads with his club, and we are paraphrasing here, but to give up making plays. Don’t be fancy and try to do too much, you just need to work harder and eventually success will follow. His message from a hockey sense, is pound their ‘D.’
Whatever it is, Maurice’s emotion, timing, and sincerity, but it did, and has continued to, work. And that’s what it means, to learn how to win.
Main Photo: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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