The outcome was the culmination of a midseason tournament that included prominent players from the United States, Finland, Sweden, and Canada, as well as an unexpectedly political atmosphere.
Canada emerged victorious in the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament on Thursday, concluding a contentious and politically fraught event.
In the days preceding the highly anticipated finale, ticket prices surged at the TD Garden Arena in Boston, where Canada secured a 3-2 victory with an overtime goal from Connor McDavid.
The outcome was the culmination of a midseason tournament that showcased the talents of athletes from the United States, Finland, Canada, and Sweden. Thursday’s matchup, which is acknowledged as one of the most significant international hockey games in recent years, may serve as a prelude of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, which will feature NHL players for the first time since 2014.
“I am aware that it is a brief tournament and does not equate to an Olympic gold medal or anything of the sort, but it is of the utmost importance to our team,” McDavid stated on ESPN following the victory. “We exerted ourselves throughout the week.” It is unique.
The first goal was scored by Canada at 4:48 into the first period. Nathan MacKinnon skated towards the centre of the ice and unleashed a wrist shot that pierced through a dense field of players and outpaced American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck high.
With 3:08 remaining in the period, the United States achieved parity. Auston Matthews attempted to circle the puck around the goal in order to take a shot, but he was unable to control it. Brady Tkachuk, on the other hand, intercepted it and deflected it into the net.
At 7:31 in the second period, the United States established its initial advantage. Matthews was awarded the opportunity to shoot after Zach Werenski’s slapshot was denied. He attempted to send the puck across the goal, but it was deflected to Jake Sanderson, who scored on a snapshot. It was his initial goal of the tournament.
THERE IT IS! THE GAME WINNER! THE TOURNAMENT WINNER! 😱😱😱
CONNOR MCDAVID HAS WON IT FOR CANADA!!! #4Nations pic.twitter.com/nDneA2e26K
— NHL (@NHL) February 21, 2025
With six minutes remaining in the second period, Canada secured a tie. Mitch Marner located Sam Bennett on the left flank, and Bennett fired a wrist shot that eluded Hellebuyck.
McDavid secured the victory in overtime at 8:18, scoring a one-timer off an assist from Marner.
McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers’ sensation and the most highly regarded player in the NHL, described his performance up until that point in the game as “not very good.”
“After the game, my sole thought was to continue,” he stated. “I was unable to perform well throughout the evening; however, these players performed exceptionally, and we were able to overcome our difficulties.”
The championship contest concluded the first best-on-best men’s hockey tournament in nearly a decade, the most recent being the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. NHL players were prohibited from participating in the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics; however, they will be permitted to participate in the 2026 Games.
This fact increased the importance of the 4 Nations tournament, which the NHL established this season as a substitute for the more conventional All-Star Game.
Players who have been deprived of the opportunity to play meaningful games on behalf of their country for years will now have the opportunity to compete for international bragging rights. The intensity and quality of the events have been praised by fans, players, and executives thus far.
The stakes were further elevated by the ongoing political tensions between the United States and Canada. In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has advocated for the U.S. to incorporate Canada as the “51st state” and has urged hockey legend Wayne Gretzky to serve as the Canadian premier. In an effort to seize control of the United States’ northern neighbour, Trump has announced that he will apply “economic force” and threaten to impose a broad range of tariffs on the country.
In recent weeks, the American national anthem has been booed at sporting events across Canada, including the most recent match between the United States and Canada in Montreal on Saturday. This backdrop has been the cause of the booing.
The booing of the anthem was condemned by players on both teams, including those on the Canadian team who play for NHL teams situated in the United States and those on the American squad who play for the league’s Canadian franchises. Nevertheless, the U.S. claimed a 3-1 victory in Saturday’s game, which was preceded by three distinct altercations between Canadian and American players immediately following the puck drop.
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