The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament ended with Canada’s 3-2 overtime victory against the United States, further cementing their success in international hockey. NHL’s best Connor McDavid’s scored the golden goal at 8:18 of overtime which sealed Canada’s fourth consecutive best-on-best tournament win. 

The championship game was a back-and-forth affair that showcased the clear talent on both sides. Nathan MacKinnon opened the scoring for Canada, and USA quickly answered with goals Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson. Jordan Binnington’s stellar performance in goal, including six crucial saves in overtime, was the sole reason Canada didn’t go back to the locker room feeling as if they let the country down.

Throughout the tournament, fans witnessed exceptional performances from star players. Nathan MacKinnon led the scoring with four goals and was named the tournament’s MVP. The Tkachuk brothers’ aggressive play for Team USA also drew attention, with Brady Tkachuk also scoring a crucial goal in the final despite battling illness.

One of the most memorable moments of the tournament occurred during the round-robin stage when Canada and the USA faced off in an intense match that featured three fights within the first nine seconds of play.. This incident highlighted the fierce rivalry between the two nations that has been cemented for decades. 

The 4 Nations Face-Off received a ton of recognition from people who have never once watched a hockey game. The tournament drew record-breaking ratings, showcasing the growing popularity of international hockey. The intense competition and high level of play showcased was incredible with the best of the best all attending. 

This was a great alternative for the All-Star Game, as people have been getting tired of watching the lack of effort players put into those games and skills competitions. Other major sports leagues such as the NBA and NFL experience similar difficulties, and might look to find a similar event where the best of the best team up and play one another for the glory of the country. 

The patriotism stemming from this event was intense as President Trump called the U.S. team prior to the championship game, adding to an already charged atmosphere. The on ice rivalry between these two teams is far from over and the anticipation has begun for future tournaments and the Olympics.