Sidney Crosby led Team Canada to victory in the 4 Nations Face-Off, defeating Team USA 3-2 in overtime at TD Garden. Connor McDavid scored the winning goal in a game that showcased best-on-best hockey at its highest level.
The tournament’s championship game delivered intense, fast-paced action between North America’s hockey powers. Jordan Binnington made 31 saves for Canada, including several crucial stops in overtime.
“I just hope Canada’s proud because every player in that room is proud to be a Canadian. And yeah, we needed a win. Not only our team, but Canada needed a win,” said Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper. “This wasn’t a win for themselves. This was a win for 40-plus-million people, and the guys knew it, and they delivered.”
The path to the final intensified after Team USA’s 3-1 round-robin victory over Canada, which included three fights in the first nine seconds. The Tkachuk brothers, Matthew and Brady, emerged as key figures in the rivalry.
Mitch Marner assisted on McDavid’s championship-winning goal, adding to his earlier setup of the game-tying score. The performance marked a personal triumph for Marner at TD Garden, where he had previously experienced three Game 7 losses.
Crosby and McDavid shared the team scoring lead with five points each. Nathan MacKinnon earned tournament MVP honors after scoring four goals in four games.
Team USA played without defenseman Charlie McAvoy (shoulder injury), while Matthew Tkachuk was limited to 6:47 of ice time due to a lower-body injury.
“We left absolutely everything out there,” Brady Tkachuk said.
The tournament’s success establishes a high standard for future international competitions. The NHL’s international calendar now includes Olympics (2026, 2030) and World Cups (2028, 2032).
Canadian standouts included Brandon Hagel, Sam Bennett, Thomas Harley, Brayden Point, and Cale Makar. For the U.S., Auston Matthews (two primary assists), Brady Tkachuk (goal, five hits), Jaccob Slavin, and Dylan Larkin delivered strong performances.
The victory extends Canada’s winning streak to four consecutive best-on-best men’s tournaments.
