Team Canada took home the victory in the 4 Nations Face-Off Final, winning 3-2 against Team USA.
The teams battled it out for glory in the nail-biting game, which was played at the TD Garden in Boston on Thursday, February 20.
After ending the three periods at a tie of 2-2, the teams were forced into overtime, with a sudden death goal from Conor McDavid securing the win.
The teams had faced off for the second time in six days, having previously played in Montreal on Saturday, February 15, with the USA winning 3-1 against Canada. Both teams advanced to the final by eliminating Finland and Sweden, respectively.
In the game on Thursday night, Team Canada gained an early lead when Nathan MacKinnon, the NHL’s top scorer, scored the first goal of the night from long range in the first period.
Seth Jarvis from the Canadian side attempted to follow up with a goal of his own, only to be thwarted by USA’s Connor Hellebuyck in goal.
At the same time, Team Canada’s goalie Jordan Binnington had a challenging task, making crucial saves from Brady Tkachuk and Dylan Larkin in the early stages of the game.
But he was no match for another attempt from Tkachuk, who took a shot at goal in the first period, securing Team USA’s first point for the evening to level the score with Canada.
At the end of the first period, Canada and USA were neck and neck, tying at 1-1 with an reenergized crowd watching on. And, in the second period, the game got even more intense when USA’s Jake Sanderson scored and edged out in front of Canada.
But the lead didn’t last long. Also in the second period, Sam Bennett scored following a pass from teammate Mitch Marner in the attacking zone, leveling things up between Team USA and Team Canada once again.
By full time, the teams were still level, culminating in overtime play with a sudden death goal from Conor McDavid breaking the tie and securing the win for Team Canada.
The championship game comes months after Columbus Blue Jackets’ Johnny Gaudreau was killed in August 2024.
Gaudreau and his younger brother, Matthew, were fatally struck by an alleged drunk driver while riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey on the night before their sister Katie’s wedding.
Johnny — who would have likely been on the Team USA roster — has been a constant presence for the Americans during the 4 Nations Face-Off. The team has been handing out a jersey bearing Johnny’s name to their player of the game, and Johnny and Matthew’s father, Guy, practiced with Team USA before the start of the tournament.
In an interview with Us Weekly ahead of the game, Team USA’s Zach Werenski, who was teammates with Johnny for two season in Columbus before his death, shared how the team are honoring his late friend.
“He’s still a huge part of this,” Werenski told Us on Tuesday, February 18. “All the guys on this team and all the guys in Columbus and around the league always think of John and Matt. We try to honor them in whatever way we can. I feel like this week’s been super special — having Guy around, having John’s jersey hung up. I think it’s probably great for the family to see all that, to see that we’re still honoring them and playing for them.”
