Connor McDavid scored the decisive goal at 8:18 of overtime, leading Canada to a thrilling 3-2 victory over the United States in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off on Thursday. This highly anticipated matchup captured the attention of the North American sporting world, as it unfolded against a backdrop of increasing political tensions between the two neighboring countries.
The captain of the Edmonton Oilers, McDavid, received a pass from Mitch Marner and unleashed a shot that went past U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, sparking wild celebrations among Canadian fans. Nathan MacKinnon and Sam Bennett contributed goals in regulation for Canada, while Marner registered two assists throughout the game. Goaltender Jordan Binnington made a significant impact, making 31 saves to secure the win for Canada.
McDavid's performance earned him the title of game MVP, while MacKinnon was honored as the tournament MVP. For the United States, Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson found the back of the net, with Connor Hellebuyck making 24 saves. Auston Matthews also provided two assists, contributing to his team's efforts in a tightly contested match.
The game took place amid heightened political rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has previously threatened sanctions against Canada and has mused about the possibility of making Canada the "51st state." In anticipation of the game, Trump posted on Truth Social that he would be watching, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed hope for the U.S. victory over what she referred to as “our soon-to-be 51st state.”
Both teams faced challenges with player availability; the U.S. was without injured defenseman Charlie McAvoy, replaced by Jake Sanderson, while Canadian defenseman Josh Morrissey was a late scratch due to illness. Canada did see the return of Cale Makar after he missed the preliminary round loss to the U.S. earlier in the tournament.
The Canadian team boasted a rich history in international competitions, with a 15-year streak of success in events involving NHL players, including Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2014, and the 2016 World Cup. They had previously defeated the U.S. 3-2 in overtime during the 2010 Vancouver Games, where Sidney Crosby scored the iconic golden goal.
The 4 Nations tournament featured not only Canada and the U.S. but also Sweden and Finland, while Russia was excluded from participation due to its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As fans gathered in the streets and bars around TD Garden in Boston, the atmosphere grew electric, with both U.S. and Canadian supporters showcasing their pride, including a sign from a Canadian fan humorously proclaiming, “Welcome to the U.S.A. – Canada’s 11th province.”
Inside the arena, the crowd erupted with chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!" during warm-ups, and "O Canada" was met with boos, reflecting the charged sentiments surrounding recent political developments. Honorary captains Wayne Gretzky and Mike Eruzione, captain of the 1980 U.S. men's Olympic team, added significance to the matchup.
The game saw MacKinnon open the scoring at 4:48 of the first period, followed by Tkachuk leveling the score later in the first. The second period was characterized by tense moments, with both teams having early chances, including near misses from Mark Stone and Jack Hughes. Sanderson secured the U.S. lead before Bennett equalized for Canada, setting the stage for an exhilarating third period where multiple scoring opportunities were both created and denied.
As the action continued into overtime, Binnington's performance stood out, with crucial saves against Matthews, Tkachuk, and others. In a special moment, President Trump communicated with the American team via the manager Bill Guerin’s cellphone, motivating the players further.
On a lighter note, Canadian forward Seth Jarvis had the support of friends from Winnipeg who undertook a 30-hour drive to Boston, showcasing the dedication and passion of Canadian hockey fans.
