The Olympic ice is getting hotter for Brock Nelson, the renowned Penguins killer and Team USA hockey legacy. But here's where it gets controversial: While many Pittsburgh Penguins fans have long grit their teeth at the thought of Nelson, Thursday's performance had some celebrating his success for Team USA at the Olympics, especially those who are rooting for the USA instead of Canada.
Nelson, a 34-year-old forward for the Colorado Avalanche, has a well-earned reputation as a Penguins killer. In 46 games against Pittsburgh, he has 40 points, the most of any team he faced over his 13-year NHL career. He also has nine points (six goals) against them in 11 playoff games as a former member of the New York Islanders.
But Nelson's Olympic journey is not just about his on-ice prowess. His family has a rich Olympic history, with his grandfather, Bill Christian, and great uncle, Roger Christian, both on the 1960 team that won a gold medal at Squaw Valley. Another great uncle, Gordon Christian, played for the United States at the 1956 Winter Olympics, capturing a silver medal. Nelson's uncle, Dave Christian, was on the 1980 United States Miracle on Ice gold medal team at Lake Placid, N.Y.
Despite some controversy over his inclusion on the Team USA roster, Nelson is off to a great start in this tournament. He scored twice as the American team won its preliminary-round opener 5-1 over Latvia. However, Nelson was also involved in two goals that were eventually disallowed in the first period, keeping the game closer than it felt after 20 minutes. It was tied 1-1 even though the American club could’ve had a two-goal advantage.
Other Pittsburgh-related notes from Team USA’s first game in Italy include Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs coming on in relief of Latvian goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, who allowed four goals on 32 shots. Silovs stopped five of the six shots he saw. Former Penguin Jake Guentzel generated two shots but was held without a point. He was a minus-1. Upper St. Clair’s Vincent Trocheck had an assist on Nelson’s first goal. Former Coraopolis resident and Pittsburgh Hornets alum J.T. Miller didn’t have a point but was involved in both of the overturned goals in the first period, including having an assist to Quinn Hughes that came off the board.
So, while Nelson's performance on the ice is impressive, it's his family's Olympic legacy that truly makes his Olympic journey unique. And as he continues to shine on the Olympic stage, he's not only making history for himself but also for his family. Now, that's a story worth watching.
