Jordan Binnington is taking a whole new approach to the biggest game of the year.
The Team Canada goalie, who’s been known for his intense style, opened up about changing his mindset before Thursday’s 4 Nations Face-Off final against Team USA in Boston.
“This is a tremendous opportunity. I’m very grateful and honored to be in this position,” Binnington told reporters during Wednesday’s news conference.
It’s quite a shift for the usually fiery netminder. After putting tons of pressure on himself during last Saturday’s game against the Americans at the Bell Centre, he’s decided to just let his skills do the talking.
“I’m just going to enjoy the moment,” he said during an interview that aired on Sportsnet.
The change in attitude is pretty striking for anyone who’s followed Binnington’s career. He’s making a conscious choice to dial back the self-imposed pressure that’s been his trademark.
Coach Jon Cooper seems to be all in on Binnington’s new approach. All signs point to him getting the start for Team Canada in Thursday night’s championship showdown.
This calmer, more grateful version of Binnington might be exactly what Team Canada needs as they face their rivals for the title. The question is: will this new mindset help him shine when it matters most?
