Canada Tops USA 3-2 To Win Four Nations Tournament

History Repeats Itself:

For the second time since 2010, Team Canada has defeated the United States in overtime to win a championship.

In 2010, a young Sidney Crosby cemented his legacy in Canadian hockey history, beating USA goalie Ryan Miller in overtime to secure Olympic gold.

Fifteen years later, the torch was passed to Connor McDavid, who delivered the decisive goal against Connor Hellebuyck to clinch the Four Nations Tournament for Canada. McDavid’s heroics reaffirmed that when it comes to hockey, Canada remains the gold standard.

A Game for the Ages:

The championship showdown between the United States and Canada had everything a hockey fan could ask for—relentless intensity, heavy hits, and world-class skill. Both teams knew what was at stake and left everything on the ice, delivering a game to remember.

Canada Strikes First:

Canada wasted no time setting the tone, striking within the first five minutes. Forward Nathan MacKinnon fired a seeing-eye shot from the blue line that sailed past a screened Hellebuyck, beating him high on the blocker side.

USA Responds with Two Quick Goals:

Team USA answered back with two straight goals. The first came in the opening period when a wraparound attempt by captain Auston Matthews bounced off Jordan Binnington’s pad and landed on Brady Tkachuk’s stick for a rebound goal.

Their second goal came courtesy of defenseman Jake Sanderson, who was filling in for the injured Charlie McAvoy. With 12:30 left in the second period, Zach Werenski fired a shot toward the net that Binnington kicked to his left. Matthews corralled the rebound and sent a pass into the slot, where it deflected off skates before landing perfectly for Sanderson to bury his first goal of the tournament, giving USA a 2-1 lead.

Bennett Ties It Up:

Seven minutes later, Canada capitalized on a neutral-zone turnover, setting up a 3-on-2 rush. Mitch Marner found Sam Bennett streaking down the left wing, and Bennett rifled a shot over Hellebuyck’s left shoulder, tying the game at two heading into the final period.

Defensive Battle Leads to Overtime:

Both teams tightened up defensively in the third, combining for just 12 total shots—eight from the U.S. and four from Canada. With 60 minutes in the books and the score still knotted at two, the championship would be decided in overtime.

Binnington’s Overtime Heroics:

Jordan Binnington was the reason Canada won this game. Time and again, he shut down the Americans' best, including multiple clutch saves on Auston Matthews. Matthews was robbed twice—once on a backdoor feed in front and again on a quick-release shot off a faceoff.

Heading into the tournament, many doubted whether Binnington could handle the challenge of facing elite competition. But whether it was the familiarity of playing in the same building where he won the Stanley Cup in 2019, or simply his ability to shine in big moments, Binnington silenced the critics with a performance for the ages.

McDavid Seals the Deal:

With just under 12 minutes left in overtime, Canada won a faceoff in the U.S. zone, and Cale Makar took possession at the blue line. He worked the puck behind the net to Mitch Marner, who shifted to his right to create space.

As Marner drew two defenders toward the corner, he spotted Connor McDavid wide open in the slot. With a perfect feed, Marner set up McDavid, who wasted no time—ripping a shot over Hellebuyck’s left shoulder for the championship-winning goal.

Pure jubilation erupted on the ice and across Canada as they once again proved why they are the best hockey nation in the world.