USA vs. Canada Championship

For the first time since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, we saw international best-on-best play in the 4 Nations Face-Off, and it did not disappoint.

We saw the four best countries in hockey square off in a two week tournament, that blew the typical all star game out of the water and made it seem like the all star game should never return to the game.

With USA and Canada both in the tournament, we saw a renewal of one of, if not the biggest rivalry in hockey. There was speculation that players wouldn’t take it seriously with the thinking it was a glorified all star game and the masses could not be more wrong.

The first game between the U.S. and Canada set the bar high with the Canadian fans booing the U.S. national anthem which led to three fights in the first nine seconds of the game and two huge hits from Charlie McAvoy on Connor McDavid, among other huge hits.

That one ended as a close game that went down to the wire which resulted in a 3-1 win in favor of the Americans. That win put USA directly into the championship.

Canada got a chance to redeem themselves in the TD Garden in Boston after handling Finland in regulation and set themselves up for a heavyweight rematch.

This championship game built up so much hype that it may have overtaken the hype the first game had. Although there was no medal or no Stanley Cup being handed out, each team wanted to compete and win as representatives of their country.

Matthew Tkachuk stated how even after playing in a game seven in the Stanley Cup Finals, he still believed this game was the most important he ever played.

Canada did exactly what they needed to do by putting every single one of their goals, including in the first matchup, in a corner where even the best goalie in the world couldn’t get it, Connor Hellebuyck.

Canada’s first goal came from a seemingly seeing-eye shot from Nathan MacKinnon through about six guys in front which found its way over Hellebuyck’s blocker.

Meanwhile, USA took the technique of doing the dirty work down low and just winning scrums in front of the net.

The first goal came off a failed wrap-around from Auston Matthews and it landed on Brady Tkachuk’s stick who picked up the garbage in front to tie it at one.

Their second goal was some of the same with a shot from the point bouncing off Jordan Binnington’s pad and landing on Jason Sanderson’s stick who took no time putting the puck away to take a 2-1 lead.

Their second goal again was a picked corner as Mitch Marner fed Sam Bennett who was in all alone and chipped the puck up over Hellebuyck’s blocker which would bring the game even at two.

After a back and forth third period neither team could beat the goalie and the game went to a sudden death overtime period.

What better scenario for fans to watch?

USA seemingly dominated the overtime frame with scoring chance after scoring chance and made it look like the game would end in mere minutes, but Binnington came up big in multiple scenarios.

Binnington robbed Brady Tkachuk of the game-winning goal from the goal line at one moment and on the ensuing faceoff continued to snare the puck out of the air off a shot from Matthews.

This would lead to Canada taking the puck into their offensive zone and after a bad chase from three U.S. defenders, arguably the best player in the world in McDavid found himself alone in the slot to pot the game winner and crown Canada as the 4 Nations champions.

At the end of the day, whether your country won or lost the championship or even made it, the NHL did exactly what they set out to do, grow the game.

This tournament was one of the most exciting tournaments we’ve seen and proven it made a place for it to stay, not only because of the national pride of the players to play for their country, but also because of the willingness to play.

McAvoy took a shoulder injury that may keep him down the rest of the Bruins season, Matthews was playing through injury, Makar was working through injury among others who just wanted to win for their country.

Many players in the tournament took a higher toll on their bodies while their teammates got a two week break to recover. Many of the players have stated they may not be available to play for their drafted teams come the return of the season because of the tournament.

The NHL has struck gold. With the Olympics coming in 2026, along with the confirmation of more international play from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, and potential growth of countries involved, we are in for a treat.

There will be a ton of good hockey to be played for years to come, and fans should be excited.

Tristan Kunec is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email him at tqk5432@psu.edu.