Canada Edges United States 3-2 in OT to Win 4 Nations Face-Off/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Connor McDavid scored in overtime to lead Canada to a thrilling 3-2 win over the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off final. The game, marked by high tensions and political undertones, drew intense fan engagement and showcased North American hockey’s fierce rivalry. Canada celebrated its victory on U.S. ice as McDavid’s goal sealed the tournament’s championship.
Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off Win Quick Looks:
- Connor McDavid scores at 8:18 of overtime to give Canada a 3-2 victory over the U.S.
- The win crowns Canada as champions in the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
- Nathan MacKinnon named tournament MVP with four goals in four games.
- Jordan Binnington stops 31 shots, including 20 consecutive saves to hold the U.S. at bay.
- Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson scored for the U.S., while Sam Bennett and MacKinnon netted goals for Canada.
- Political tensions added intensity, with Trudeau and Trump exchanging barbs ahead of the game.
- Fans packed TD Garden with chants of “U-S-A!” countered by Canadian anthem singalongs.
- The U.S. defeated Canada 3-1 in the round-robin but fell short in the final.
- Canadian players celebrated by skating with the newly awarded 4 Nations trophy.
- The tournament serves as a prelude to the 2026 Olympics, fueling the North American hockey rivalry.
Canada Edges United States 3-2 in OT to Win 4 Nations Face-Off
Deep Look:
Connor McDavid delivered a moment to remember Thursday night, scoring at 8:18 in overtime to give Canada a 3-2 victory over the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off final. The dramatic finish capped off a highly charged game in Boston that not only showcased elite hockey talent but also underscored the intensity of the Canada-U.S. rivalry, heightened by recent political tensions.
As “O Canada” echoed through TD Garden following the win, Canadian players stood arm in arm, their championship hats gleaming beneath the descending maple leaf flag. Red-clad fans joined in singing their national anthem, while most American supporters had already filed out of the arena.
McDavid’s game-winner came after a defensive battle in overtime. Following a flurry of U.S. attempts turned away by Jordan Binnington, Canada secured a faceoff in the American zone. Mitch Marner retrieved the puck along the boards and set up McDavid in the slot, where he fired it past U.S. goalie Connor Hellebuyck to seal the victory.
“It might not be the Olympics, but it means the world to our group,” McDavid said postgame. “We wanted to show what Canadian hockey is all about, and I think we did.”
Nathan MacKinnon, who was named tournament MVP after tallying four goals in as many games, added to Canada’s scoring with a pivotal second-period goal that tied the game 2-2. Sam Bennett also contributed a goal, while Binnington’s 31-save performance—stopping the final 20 American shots—proved critical.
For the United States, Brady Tkachuk opened the scoring in the first period, and Jake Sanderson’s goal midway through the second restored the U.S. lead. Despite outshooting Canada, the Americans couldn’t solve Binnington late in regulation or overtime.
“We had chances, but you have to give their goalie credit,” said U.S. forward Dylan Larkin.
Beyond the ice, the game was steeped in geopolitical drama. President Donald Trump, fueling an already charged atmosphere, wished the U.S. team luck before the game and took a jab at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on social media.
Trudeau responded after Canada’s win with a pointed post: “You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.”
The political backdrop only intensified an already fierce hockey rivalry. Fans in the packed arena waved flags and traded chants, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of an Olympic final. Pregame festivities included a tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau, with American fans chanting “Johnny Hockey!” in his honor.
The United States had beaten Canada 3-1 in the round-robin stage, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch. Thursday’s final exceeded expectations, with both teams playing at playoff intensity and delivering a game that had fans on both sides of the border glued to their screens.
“This was bigger than we thought it would be,” said MacKinnon. “You could feel the energy from the fans, from the stakes—it just felt huge.”
Mark Stone, a key leader for Team Canada, summed up the sentiment: “Forty million Canadians back home were with us tonight. When you pull on that jersey, you’re not just playing for yourself—you’re playing for a country. And winning this one, especially here, is something special.”
The 4 Nations Face-Off, designed as a tune-up for the 2026 Winter Olympics, ended up delivering a spectacle that rivaled Olympic showdowns of the past. If Thursday’s final was a preview of what’s to come in Milan-Cortina, hockey fans worldwide are in for a treat.
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