Canada beats USA in politically charged 4 Nations Face-Off final ...

21 hour ago

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Canada beats USA in politically charged 4 Nations FaceOff final

Canada has beaten the USA in a politically charged Four Nations Face-Off final in Boston, after Donald Trump reiterated his desire for Canada to become the 51st state in the build-up.

Canada has won a thrilling contest in overtime 3-2 against the USA amidst a politically charged atmosphere in Boston.

Conor McDavid's sudden death overtime strike gave Canada a thrilling 3-2 victory in the 4 Nations Face-Off final in what was a thrilling spectacle at a packed TD Garden, where resale tickets were going for as much as $2,300.

Much of the added interest came as a result of the tense geopolitical stand-off between the two North American nations following President Donald Trump's incendiary remarks.

Earlier in the day, Mr Trump reiterated that he intended to make Canada the 51st state of America, leading Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to post a pointed response on X, in English and French, following the game.

"You can't take our country — and you can't take our game."

The scoreline reverses the 3-1 defeat the USA handed Canada last week during a poisonous contest in Montreal.

"Just to see the reaction. Just to know what it means to us," Canadian hero McDavid said.

"I know it's just a quick tournament, and it's not an Olympic gold medal or anything like that, but it means the world to our group, as you can see."

Mr Trump had called the USA team in the lead-up to lend them his support, saying he wished to "spur them on towards victory".

"I just want to wish you a lot of luck. You really are a skilled group of people. It's an honour to talk to you," he said in the call.

"We love you guys. We'll be watching tonight. Bring it home."

He added in a social media post that Canada would "some day, maybe soon, become our cherished, and very important, Fifty First State."

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Mr Trump was not at the game, but his absence did little to soften what was a febrile atmosphere inside Boston's TD Garden.

Canada's national anthem and players were roundly booed, a retaliation for how Canadian sports fans have booed the Star Spangled Banner since Trump took office.

But where the pool-phase game in Montreal between the two nations was sparked by three brawls inside the opening 9 seconds, there was no such violent aggression this time as both teams played out a thrilling contest that whet the appetite for the return of NHL players to the Olympic Games tournament in Milan in 12 months' time.

"I hope [the new fans] love it," McDavid said.

"It's a great game, it's a great sport and I hope we put on a good show these last couple days and gained some fans.

"Ultimately, you can't ask for a better show than that."

Look back on how all the action unfolded in our live blog.

Key Events

4h ago4 hours agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 4:51am
4h ago4 hours agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 4:27am
4h ago4 hours agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 4:15am

Show all key events

6h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 2:23am

Final/OT: USA 2-3 Canada

By Simon Smale

4h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 5:04am

O, Canada

By Simon Smale

4h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 5:04am

Overall, a tremendous hockey game

By Simon Smale

An unreal spectacle on ice. Player of the game was Connor McDavid, player of the tournament was Nathan MacKinnon. It had all the energy of a Stanley Cup playoff game. If you need to introduce ice hockey to someone, this might be a great place to start.

- Justin

Aside from all the political noise around this match, there is no doubt that we witnessed a tremendous game of hockey tonight.

And I think that's what we should all take away from this.

That and these players are likely to be involved to a similar degree when NHL players return to Olympic ice hockey for the first time in 16 years next year in Milan.

And I for one can't wait.

Thanks for being with me today for what was a tremendous spectacle.

I look forward to you joining me next time.

4h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 4:51am

Justin Trudeu has been on Twitter...

By Simon Smale

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4h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 4:44am

USA players are heartbroken

By Simon Smale

It was a stunning effort from the USA.

But their players look utterly crestfallen.

They've been brilliant all tournament - but Canada stepped up when it mattered.

4h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 4:37am

This is the best I can do for now...

By Simon Smale

Can we please have some shots of the US crowds reaction to the Canadian win? Pleeaaasee!!!

- Sum_one

4h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 4:33am

Canada triumphs

By Simon Smale

4h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 4:27am

CANADA WINS!

By Simon Smale

AND IT'S CONOR McDAVID!

He's not been as influential as he might have liked in this match - but he's stood up when it counted!

Conor McDavid has his moment, a brilliant shot!

He had so much space in the centre of the goal - you just cannot give one of the all time greats that much space!

The USA did!

And it's game over.

4h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 4:27am

12:00' This has been brilliant

By Simon Smale

The USA are dominating overtime, but Canada is still a threat.

It's been a tremendous period.

4h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 4:23am

15:30' INSANE GOALKEEPING!

By Simon Smale

Oh my goodness, Jordan Binnington!

What an insane save with the pads off Auston Matthews, and then Brady Tkachuk's follow up is saved with the arm!

Incredible! Absolutely incredible.

4h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 4:21am

17:06' Brilliant save Canada!

By Simon Smale

Superb from Jordan Binnington.

Auston Matthew had the chance from barely a metre away and Binnington was equal to it! Incredible stop!

This is end to end stuff as well, amazing action!

4h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 4:19am

17:58' Team USA arch up in anger

By Simon Smale

Canada get away with having too many men on the ice on a change - the changes have been poor all night and that time the Americans really wanted a penalty.

There's only been one power play this match - another one could be crucial.

4h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 4:18am

18:53' Great save Canada

By Simon Smale

That's brilliant from Jordan Binnington.

He had to get his hands up and saved Jack Eichel's shot from an acute angle.

4h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 4:15am

Overtime

By Simon Smale

Ok, here we go - overtime in the 4 Nations Face Off final.

"U-S-A" is echoing around the arena again.

4h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 4:14am

Back to the metric system

By Simon Smale

A game of 4 halves :)

- Mike

Finally, we play quarters in hockey...

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4h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 4:13am

Matthew Tkachuk is out

By Simon Smale

One half of the Tkachuk brothers is MIA (Getty Images)

We've not seen much of the Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, who seems to be carrying a groin injury.

He's a big loss for the USA.

It has to be said, it's been the USA's defence that has really stood out for me.

JT Miller made an amazing stop in that third period, and Jaccob Slavin has been a rock.

5h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 3:59am

Full time: USA 2-2 Canada, we go to overtime

By Simon Smale

The last time Canada and the USA met each other in a final was in 2010 at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Canada won that game, in overtime, thanks to a winning sudden death goal from Sidney Crosby.

Crosby won Olympic gold for Canada against the USA in overtime in 2010. (Getty Images)

Crosby is playing tonight...

Oh, it was to make it 3-2 as well.

5h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 3:59am

0:05' Canada force the glove save

By Simon Smale

Canada had the chances in the final 20 seconds, but could not force the score, with Connor Hellebuyck making two really good saves - the last of which came with a deflected shot.

5h agoFri 21 Feb 2025 at 3:57am