The world’s top hockey players came together for the Four Nations Face-off, a highly anticipated international tournament, where the long-standing rivalries between Canada and the United States, as well as Sweden and Finland, were on full display.
Announced at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, the event featured the best talent from each country and was hosted at Montreal’s Bell Centre and Boston’s TD Garden from Feb. 12–20, 2025.
The Four Nations Face-off provided a stark contrast to the NHL All-Star Game, which had drawn criticism for its lack of competitiveness. While the All-Star format showcased individual talent through skills competitions and exhibition games, it was often dismissed as lacking intensity.
In contrast, the Four Nations Face-off certainly delivered high-stakes hockey, featuring real national pride, international rivalries and the game’s biggest stars competing for the win.
The tournament also expanded opportunities for players beyond the usual Canada vs. U.S. matchups, allowing a broader range of NHL stars to represent their countries. One of those stars was Sidney Crosby.
Crosby, Canada’s golden goal winner and captain of the Canadian team, led his team to victory and served as an idol for Maple Leafs player Mitchell Marner.
“It was really cool to be his teammate,” Marner said in an interview with TSN.
The festivities
The tournament kicked off with Canada vs. Sweden on Feb. 12, a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory for Canada. Mario Lemieux walked out to a deafening Bell Centre ovation with a Canadian banner in hand. Marner sealed the win six seconds into the sixth minute of overtime.
The following night, on Feb. 13, the United States dominated Finland in the third period, securing a 6-1 victory. The Tkachuk brothers, Matthew and Brady, led in points, each scoring two goals.
The tournament continued on Feb. 15, when Finland beat Sweden 4-3 in overtime. Mikael Granlund scored the game-winner — an almost impossible 22-foot wrist shot from the right faceoff circle.
“I’m glad it went in,” Granlund said in an interview with the NHL. “Obviously, it was a tight game all around. Great job for us.”
The most anticipated game of the round-robin stage was the United States vs. Canada in Montreal. Tensions were high even before puck drop, as Canadian fans loudly booed the American national anthem.
The animosity was fueled by ongoing political tensions between the two nations, led by U.S. President Donald Trump, whose tariffs on Canadian goods and remarks about making Canada the 51st state had angered Canadians and caused these feelings to spill onto the ice.
Within the first minute of play, three fights broke out, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was spotted cheering from the stands, further intensifying the atmosphere.
Despite the passionate crowd, the United States prevailed with a 3-1 victory.
On Feb. 17, Canada defeated Finland 5-3, with Canadian Captain Sidney Crosby sealing the win with an empty-net goal.
Due to the points system of the tournament, the final consisted of a Canada vs. the United States rematch in the championship, a showdown that had fans worldwide on the edge of their seats.
Canada vs the United States for the gold medal
The championship game, held at TD Garden in Boston, saw American fans return the favour by booing the Canadian anthem.
The game itself was a back-and-forth battle, with Canada tying the score in the second period with a goal by Sam Bennett, assisted by Marner.
This type of game couldn’t end in regulation — it went to overtime. The period started slowly, but both teams started gaining chances.
Then, just eight minutes and eighteen seconds into the extra period, Marner found Connor McDavid open in front of the net. The Oilers captain quickly took notice, received the pass and shot a snapshot past the goalie to secure the championship for Canada.
In response to Trump’s comments on Canada becoming the 51st state, Prime Minister Trudeau said in a post on X, “You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.”
Canada head coach Jon Cooper summed up the moment in a post-game interview with CTV News by saying, “I hope Canada’s proud.”
While the political drama added another layer to the rivalry, the tournament’s true impact was on the future of international hockey. It gave fans what they had been craving — the best players in the world, competing for their countries.
Recent Comments