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BOSTON — The atmosphere was electric when “O Canada” played for the second time, with no American fans left in the arena to express their disapproval.
This time, the Canadian team, along with their coach, stood united at the blue line, wearing their championship hats, as the maple leaf flag was lowered behind the Four Nations Face-Off trophy. The national anthem rang out across the ice, and those remaining in the stands, many dressed in Canadian jerseys, joined in singing.
Connor McDavid secured a thrilling victory for Canada by scoring at 8:18 of overtime, leading his team to a 3-2 win over the United States on Thursday night. The match turned from a prelude for the 2026 Olympics into a heated confrontation that resonated politically, touching on themes of nationalism and international sportsmanship.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted a message on social media, reminding everyone, “You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game,” alluding to former President Donald Trump’s remarks about the U.S. potentially annexing Canada.
Nathan MacKinnon, who received the tournament’s MVP title after scoring four goals, remarked on the surprising level of interest the games garnered. “It was much more popular than we would have imagined… It was getting so much attention from our whole continent,” he noted.
Jordan Binnington showcased an impressive performance, saving 31 shots—including the last 20 of the match—on the same ice where he helped the St. Louis Blues triumph in the Stanley Cup as a rookie five years prior. Besides MacKinnon, Sam Bennett also contributed to Canada’s score, equalizing in the second period, which led to a scoreless third.
During the overtime period, after Binnington’s remarkable saves, Canada earned a faceoff in the U.S. zone. Mitch Marner assisted McDavid, who scored the winning goal. Following the goal, Canadian players joyfully leapt onto the ice in celebration, exchanged handshakes with their American counterparts, and proudly skated with the newly awarded trophy.
“Just to see the reaction and know what this means to us… it really means the world to our group,” McDavid expressed afterward. He continued to emphasize the growth of the sport, saying, “I hope (the new fans) love it.”
For the U.S., Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson found the net, while Connor Hellebuyck recorded 22 saves in regulation play and further three in overtime. The American team has historically struggled against Canada in elite international competitions since the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, managing just one victory in a round-robin format, which heightened anticipation for this latest clash.
Dylan Larkin, a forward for the U.S. team, expressed hope that this rivalry would inspire others watching from home. “This grew the game really well,” he stated, hoping to stimulate desire among players to compete at this level, particularly with the Olympics on the horizon.
Political tensions added intensity to the longstanding rivalry, further fueled by Trump’s comments. On the morning of the match, Trump reached out to the American players, then took to social media to poke fun at Trudeau.
The exceptional caliber of the game, combined with the backdrop of political tension, transformed TD Garden into an exhilarating venue that felt like a Stanley Cup Final or Olympic gold medal matchup.
As fans donned their team colors, waved flags, and cheered passionately for their countries, the rivalry was palpable. There was a familiar ritual of booing the opponent’s national anthem that served as a reminder of the tournament’s significance.
During the pre-game events, there was a tribute to the famous “Miracle on Ice” from 1980, when the underdog U.S. team defeated the formidable Soviet Union, a symbolic nod to the ongoing rivalry amidst a backdrop of historical context.
The American crowd rallied behind their team, shouting chants in honor of Johnny Gaudreau, a beloved player who tragically passed away the previous summer.
However, in this thrilling matchup, it was the red-clad Canadians who ultimately claimed victory.
“We really wanted this one,” Canada’s Mark Stone reflected. “You’ve got 40 million Canadians cheering us on from home, and it’s a special feeling to play for our country and our flag. It brings us together, and I’m just glad we secured this win.”
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Connor McDavid nets OT goal, securing Canada a 3-2 victory against the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship.
