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Canada Triumphs in Overtime Against the U.S. in 4 Nations Face-Off Final
In a thrilling conclusion to the 4 Nations Face-Off championship, Connor McDavid netted the winning goal at 8:18 of overtime, leading Canada to a 3-2 victory over the United States on Thursday night. What began as a preparatory match for the 2026 Olympics transformed into a heated confrontation, marked by national pride and political tensions between the two countries.
Supporting McDavid’s effort, Canadian players Nathan MacKinnon and Sam Bennett also found the back of the net. In goal for Canada, Jordan Binnington delivered a strong performance, making 25 saves during regulation time and six additional saves in the overtime period. Binnington showcased his skills on the same ice where he previously celebrated a Stanley Cup victory with the St. Louis Blues.
The American side saw contributions from Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson, with Connor Hellebuyck stopping 22 shots in regulation and an additional three in the extra session.
This matchup was underscored by heightened rivalry, fueled by political rhetoric from the U.S. government. Recently, President Donald Trump had expressed intentions to impose tariffs and even joked about the potential of making Canada the 51st state. On the day of the game, he reached out to the American team, wishing them success while taking to social media to taunt Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding annexation.
The political tension added a significant edge to the already fierce rivalry, particularly in light of the United States’ preceding victory against Canada in the round-robin stage, where they won 3-1. This heightened atmosphere transformed the TD Garden into a scene rivaling that of a Stanley Cup final or an Olympic gold medal match.
Fans clad in their national jerseys passionately waved flags and vocally supported their teams, creating an electric atmosphere. The customary booing of the opposing national anthem continued, serving as a prelude to the on-ice action that many have hailed as one of the finest international hockey showcases in recent memory.
Proud American supporters rallied behind their team with chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” Meanwhile, in a poignant moment during the third period, fans celebrated the legacy of Johnny Gaudreau, a former Boston College and Calgary Flames star remembered after tragically dying in an accident last summer. The chant of “Johnny Hockey! Johnny Hockey!” echoed in honor of his memory.
Adding to the emotional weight of the evening, hockey legend and honorary U.S. captain Mike Eruzione donned a Gaudreau jersey for the ceremonial puck drop, joined by Canadian icon Wayne Gretzky, illustrating the deep-rooted connections and respect shared within the hockey community.
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