4 Nations Face-Off Tournament Recap: Canada Wins Championship Game in Overtime

Image credits: AP Photo/Charles Krupa

The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament came to a close with Canada winning the championship game in overtime against the USA. The tournament was marked by intense games, fights, and big hits, with Canada emerging as the undisputed leader in best-on-best tournaments. The championship game was played in front of a lively crowd in Boston, with Chantal Kreviazuk singing the Canadian national anthem, O Canada, with a modified lyric to push back against US President Donald Trump's comments on Canada becoming the 51st state.

Kreviazuk changed the line "True patriot love in all of us command" to "True patriot love that only us command" to express her support for Canadian sovereignty. The move was seen as a bold statement, with many Canadians praising Kreviazuk for her courage and patriotism. The performance was booed by the mostly American audience, but Kreviazuk said she was singing for Canadian pride, honor, and sovereignty. The NHL declined to comment on the situation, but the incident sparked a wider conversation about the relationship between the US and Canada.

The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament was designed as an appetizer for the NHL's return to the Olympics in Italy in 2026, and it showed what level of play can be expected there. The tournament featured tight games, with three games going to overtime, and playoff-level intensity. The USA brothers, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, dominated the headlines, with Matthew scoring twice against Finland and Brady scoring a goal and throwing big hits in the final. The tournament also saw the emergence of new stars, with Canada's Nathan MacKinnon being named the tournament MVP.

Here are the winners and losers from the 4 Nations Face-Off:

• Winners: Canada, Nathan MacKinnon, Jordan Binnington
• Losers: USA, Charlie McAvoy, Elias Pettersson, Finland

The tournament's injury-replacement rule was complicated, and it led to strange optics, with Canada's Shea Theodore being hurt in the opening game and Thomas Harley being brought in as a replacement. The league and players' association will likely make some tweaks to the rule for future tournaments. The injury to McAvoy was a significant blow to the Bruins, who are one point out of a playoff spot.

The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament was a success, with high-intensity games and a competitive field. The tournament showed what level of play can be expected at the Olympics in 2026, and it provided a much-needed boost to the NHL's international competitions. The league is bringing back the World Cup of Hockey in 2028, with the goal of having the Olympics and World Cup cycle two years apart. This means fewer All-Star Games, which have struggled to match the intensity and competitiveness of the 4 Nations Face-Off.

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