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4 Nations Face-Off final: Tickets prices experience spike before US vs Canada

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Team USA and Canada will meet on the ice once again when the puck drops at the 4 Nations Face-Off final on Thursday night in Boston. Only four days have passed since the Americans defeated the Canadians in an intense battle.

The round-robin tournament has brought a considerable amount of attention to hockey, as players and fans proudly represent their respective countries. However, anyone who wants to be part of what is expected to be a raucous atmosphere inside Boston’s TD Garden will have to part ways with some considerable cash to secure a last-minute ticket.

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A general view of center ice before the 4 Nations Face-Off between Team Canada and Team Finland at TD Garden on February 17, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Brian Babineau/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images / Getty Images)

As of late Thursday afternoon, the lowest-priced ticket on ticket marketplace Gametime was listed at $720. The price does not include taxes and ticket fees. Premium seating near the ice rink exceeded $5,000 prior to taxes and fees.

While Canada will seek revenge in the final, all eyes will also be on the pregame festivities. Some fans in Montreal began booing as the “The Star-Spangled Banner” played before games. Shortly after the game actually started, three fights broke out over a nine-second span.

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The fans’ boos appeared to stem from their disapproval of President Trump’s comments on Canada potentially becoming the 51st state, in addition to the discontent over tariff threats.

Team USA reacts to their 2-1 loss to Team Sweden in the 4 Nations Face-Off game at TD Garden on February 17, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Once the tournament shifted to the U.S., some fans inside Boston’s TD Garden booed, “O Canada.” Trump wished the American hockey team good luck during a call with the team on Thursday before the high-stakes contest.

“It was so awesome to get his support,” Team USA center J.T. Miller said. “It’s a pretty big deal for him to take time out of his schedule to talk to us for five minutes. It’s just another one of those things where we’re kind of pinching ourselves this tournament.”

Team USA forward J.T. Miller (10) screens Team Sweden goalie Samuel Ersson (30) during the first period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images / IMAGN)

During an appearance on “America’s Newsroom” on Monday, Bill Guerin, general manager of the U.S. men’s team, said he would welcome Trump to watch the final in person. However, Trump is not expected to attend the sporting event due to his scheduled appearance at the Republican Governors Association Meeting in Washington, D.C.

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“We would love it if President Trump was in attendance,” Guerin said. “We have a room full of proud American players and coaches and staff. Listen, we’re just trying to represent our country the best way we can.”

The 4 Nations Face-Off final gets underway at 8 p.m. ET.

February 21, 2025
4 Nations Face-Off: Canada’s Brandon Hagel fought USA star for pride of country

When the puck dropped in Montreal’s Bell Centre on Saturday night, Team Canada’s Brandon Hagel dropped his gloves along with Team USA’s Matthew Tkachuk.

It was the first of three fights that took place between the hockey rivals in nine seconds for their 4 Nations Face-Off matchup.

Because of the aggression and fists flying, not to mention the aggressive checking from both benches throughout the 3-1 win for the United States, many are wondering if we’re going to expect more of the same on Thursday night in Boston for the tournament’s championship game.

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Team Canada forward Brandon Hagel controls the puck during the third period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Hagel said that his decision to fight Tkachuk the moment the game started wasn’t to put on a show for those in the seats and watching at home.

There was pride for country.

“Listen, what happened the other night, I did it for the flag and not for the cameras,” Hagel said.

US, CANADIAN HOCKEY STARS GET INTO NUMEROUS FIGHTS IN OPENING SECONDS OF 4 NATIONS RIVALRY AFTER ANTHEM BOOS

Before that fight occurred, there was a lot of tension from Canadian fans booing the U.S. national anthem. Both teams have a strong sense of pride for the country they wear on their sweaters, so it’s understandable why Tkachuk, his brother, Brady, and J.T. Miller all fought someone in the first nine seconds of the game.

For Hagel’s bout, he was seen egging on the crowd after getting back on his skates, trying to use home ice to Canada’s advantage.

Team Canada forward Brandon Hagel (38) plays the puck and Team United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy defends in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. (Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)

With roles reversed this time, as Team USA will be playing in Boston’s TD Garden against Team Canada, Hagel expects the same sense of pride from both squads.

“I think it’s going to be the same way,” he said.

Whether that means immediate fights remains to be seen.

Matthew Tkachuk admitted that he “didn’t like it” when Canadian fans booed during “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and after hearing a mixture of cheers and boos on Monday night during Team Canada’s matchup with Team Finland in the TD Garden, the U.S. fans could reciprocate on Thursday night.

Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward Brandon Hagel fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. (Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)

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Either way, Team Canada is looking for revenge and bragging rights as winners of this tournament after allowing three unanswered goals, with Connor McDavid’s goal kicking off the scoring, on Saturday night.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 18, 2025
USA-Canada 4 Nations fights were ‘fake,’ says sports anchor

Team USA and Canada dropped the gloves three times in the first nine seconds of their 4 Nations Face Off contest on Saturday night; it was the first time the two teams had played one another in a best-on-best format in nine years.

Two fights occurred within the first three seconds, with Matthew Tkachuk getting in the first one against Brandon Hagel, and his brother, Brady, fighting Matthew’s Florida Panthers teammate, Sam Bennett, in the second.

After a goalie stoppage, J.T. Miller found anybody who was willing, resulting in the third brouhaha. There were no fights for the remainder of the game, but the fisticuffs set the tone for what was a physical bout that ended in a 3-1 win for the Americans.

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The United States’ Brady Tkachuk (top) fights Canada’s Sam Bennett during first-period 4 Nations Face-Off hockey action in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/Canadian Press via AP)

The fights were the preamble to the most-watched NHL event outside a Stanley Cup Final since 2019, resulting in an average of 4.4 million viewers. The fights, without a doubt, grabbed the attention of novice fans everywhere, but not everyone was a fan of it.

Chris “Mad Dog” Russo called out the fights for being “fake”.

“I don’t like things that are pre-orchestrated. I don’t like things that have a fakeness or WWE feel to them. They had three fights in nine seconds, they all texted each other before the game … to have three fights in nine seconds,” Russo said on his radio show, via Awful Announcing. “I know the fans in the arena loved it, I know the fans at home got emotionally into the game right away.

“That to me was a joke. That was fake. ‘Let’s all drop the gloves and kill each other in the first nine seconds of the game.’ It wasn’t organic. It was pre-arranged. It was not something that came through a rugged hit, a dirty play, physicality in the course of 60 minutes … they set that up before the game. That’s fake. I didn’t like that.”

Canada’s Brandon Hagel, left, fights with United States’ Matthew Tkachuk during the first period of a 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Graham Hughes//The Canadian Press via AP)

EXCITEMENT BUILDS FOR US-CANADA 4 NATIONS FINAL AFTER RAUCOUS 1ST GAME

Hagel shut down Russo’s claim recently, saying that he “didn’t fight for the cameras” but rather “for the [Canadian] flag.” Brady Tkachuk also said his brother’s fight “happened pretty organically.”

“Matthew said that he wanted to go first, it just happened, and now it’s over and done with,” he said. “It’s right when Matthew found out the starting lineup, he said that he wanted a piece of him (Hagel).”

The fights came shortly after the Canadian crowd booed “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which has been a theme recently up north against teams from the United States amid President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada. The tariffs have since been paused. The president has also teased Canadians with the idea of Canada becoming the “51st state.”

Team Canada forward Sam Bennett, left, and Team United States forward Brady Tkachuk fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. (Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)

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While the USA and Canada have been on-ice rivals for decades, the political tension has certainly brought a new flavor to the crowds and perhaps the players as well.

The two teams face off again on Thursday, this time in Boston, for the 4 Nations title.

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February 18, 2025
4 Nations Face-Off title game: Charlie McAvoy to sit out of high stakes match between US and Canada

Team USA will go head-to-head with Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final this week, creating a rematch of the recent intense game between the two North American nations.

During the last matchup, multiple fights broke out in a span of seconds.

The round-robin part of the tournament resulted in some injury setbacks for the Americans, with Brady Tkachuk exiting in the second period following a collision with Sweden’s Samuel Ersson in the crease.

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Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy skates after the puck against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on Dec. 10, 2024, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (Terrence Lee-Imagn Images)

Meanwhile, Auston Matthews and Charlie McAvoy were lineup scratches. McAvoy was taken to a hospital with what was described as an “upper-body injury,” the Boston Bruins, the defenseman’s NHL club, announced Tuesday.

EXCITEMENT BUILDS FOR US-CANADA 4 NATIONS FINAL AFTER RAUCOUS 1ST GAME

McAvoy is dealing with a possible infection that could have been caused by the injury, per a report from the Daily Faceoff. He is under the supervision of one of the Bruins’ doctors, the team said.

Connor Hellebuyck, left, of Team United States celebrates with Charlie McAvoy after their 3-1 win in the 4 Nations Face-Off game against Canada at Bell Centre on Feb. 15, 2025, in Montreal, Quebec. (Andre Ringuette/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

He was not on the ice on Monday. Team USA coach Mike Sullivan noted at the time that the defenseman was battling an “upper-body injury.”

Team United States members during pre-game ceremonies before the 4 Nations Face-Off game against Finland at Bell Centre on Feb. 13, 2025, in Montreal, Quebec. (Andre Ringuette/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

McAvoy had been an active part of the Americans’ game plan leading up to the injury. He was on the ice for just under 20 minutes during Team USA’s victory over Finland on Feb. 13. He also registered 19:27 of playing time during the matchup with Canada this past weekend.

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An “upper-body injury” appeared to prevent McAvoy from taking the ice in some games leading up to the tournament. He did, however, play in a Bruin’s game on Jan. 30. The 27-year-old underwent shoulder arthroscopic stabilization surgery in 2022, NBC reported.

Team USA is set to take on Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final on Feb. 20.

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 18, 2025
US-Canada to meet in 4 Nations final after raucous 1st game

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Canada will take on the U.S. in the 4 Nations Face-Off final later this week in what will be a rematch of their intense matchup from over the weekend, when three fights broke out in nine seconds.

Brad Marchand and Nathan MacKinnon both expressed excitement about getting to play the U.S. again following Canada’s 5-3 win over Finland on Monday afternoon.

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Canada’s Seth Jarvis, #24, reacts to a goal by teammate Brad Marchand, not shown, against Sweden during the first period of 4 Nations Face-Off hockey action in Montreal on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

“We’re obviously really excited about (having) another crack at these guys. It’s going to be an intense game, for sure,” Marchand said.

“There’s no bigger rivalry in hockey than Canada-U.S., and I think it’s the matchup that everybody wanted. So it’s going to be an extremely intense game, one we’re all going to be looking forward to.”

MacKinnon said he thinks Canada can get the win in Boston.

BOSTON CROWD BOOS CANADIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM AFTER TEAM USA HEARD SAME JEERS DURING 4 NATIONS FACE-OFF

Canada forward Nathan MacKinnon, #29, celebrates his goal over Sweden with teammates during the first period of 4 Nations Face-Off hockey action in Montreal on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

“We feel like we can beat those guys and we plan on playing a little better Thursday,” he said, via The Athletic.

The Americans took a hit in their loss against Sweden to end the round-robin portion of the tournament. Brady Tkachuk left in the second period after a collision with Sweden’s Samuel Ersson in the crease. Auston Matthews and Charlie McAvoy were scratched from the lineup.

U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan said the team was looking forward to the matchup.

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United States’ Brady Tkachuk, #7, slams into the post while chasing the puck towards Sweden goaltender Samuel Ersson during the first period of a 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025 in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

“The first game was such a great hockey game. And I think it’s great for hockey that there’s an opportunity for these two teams to meet again,” Sullivan said. “Obviously, both teams have star power all around the lineup. It was a very competitive hockey game, the first game. I would anticipate the next one will be every bit as competitive, if not more.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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February 18, 2025
4 Nations Face-Off: Team USA falls to Sweden; set to face Canada in title game

Team USA lost its first game in the 4 Nations Face-Off on Monday night, falling to Sweden, 2-1, at the TD Garden in Boston.

However, despite the blemish on the record, they will still be playing in the championship game on Thursday night in the same arena against Canada, who they defeated, 3-1, on Saturday.

Team USA wasn’t at full strength in this matchup, as Matthew Tkachuk was absent from the bench with a lower-body injury. Auston Matthews also took the night off to battle an illness.

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Team Sweden forward Adrian Kempe (10) and Team USA defenseman Zach Werenski (8) battle for the puck in front of goalie Jake Ottinger (30) during the second in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)

Also, his brother, Brady, was injured early in the first period during an attack in Sweden’s zone, which is worth monitoring heading into that title game against Canada.

Still, it was the U.S. getting on the board first thanks to Chris Kreider, the New York Rangers star, who scored his first goal of the tournament.

Kreider hadn’t played yet in the tournament, but was needed with the number of forwards out. And he wasted no time getting involved, scoring before one minute ticked off the first period clock.

BOSTON CROWD BOOS CANADIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM AFTER TEAM USA HEARD SAME JEERS DURING 4 NATIONS FACE-OFF

Zach Werenski had gotten a pass from Jack Eichel and took a shot on net that was saved by Samuel Ersson, but the deflection went right to Kreider’s stick. Kreider didn’t waste any time, one-timing the deflection to find the back of the net.

But Sweden made sure to take the lead into the locker room after the first period after Jesper Bratt sniped his first goal of the tournament with just 56 seconds left to play.

That goal gave Sweden the lead after Gustav Nyquist tied things up earlier with his first goal of the tournament as well.

The second and third periods both went scoreless, but Team USA was threatening late in the third when Jake Oettinger was called back to the bench to allow an extra U.S. attacker on the ice.

Team Sweden forward Jesper Bratt (63) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal during the first period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team USA at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)

Multiple chances were seen with the 6-on-5, but Sweden was able to thwart any comeback from the U.S. to come away with its first win of the tournament.

Prior to this matchup, Sweden had lost to both Canada and Finland in overtime, which gave them two points total.

It may be a loss, but Team USA will be pitted against Team Canada in what’s expected to be another fiery clash after what transpired over the weekend.

Three fights broke out in nine seconds, as United States players took exception to the Montreal crowd booing during “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Canada got on the scoreboard first thanks to Connor McDavid, but Team USA responded with three unanswered goals to win the rivalry game.

Team Sweden forward Leo Carlsson (91) controls the park while Team USA defenseman Brock Faber (14) defends during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)

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Now, the scene will be Boston for this championship bout, and Canada, who defeated Finland, 5-3, earlier on Sunday, will be looking for some revenge and the ultimate bragging rights before the second half of the NHL season kicks off.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 18, 2025
4 Nations Face-Off: Canadian anthem booed by Boston crowd

The game may not have involved Team USA, but the Boston crowd for Canada-Finland remembered what their neighbors to the north did during the U.S. national anthem and returned the favor.

Canadians in Montreal were heard booing the U.S. national anthem during the 4 Nations Face-Off game between the two countries. What transpired was three fights in the first nine seconds of the game, followed by a U.S. 3-1 victory.

During the playing of Canada’s national anthem on Sunday afternoon at the TD Garden in Boston, some fans were heard booing.

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Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) looks on against Team Sweden in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)

Hostility was felt both on the ice and off it between these two countries, especially with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying he was “damn proud of this country” after hearing boos during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Jeers have also been heard during NHL games since President Donald Trump announced tariffs on Canada, which have since been paused. The president also teased Canada becoming the “51st state.”

While some Canadian players, like Drew Doughty, doesn’t want to hear boos from fans during anthems, U.S. defenseman Zach Werenski voiced his displeasure with it.

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“We knew it was going to happen,” Werenski admitted. “It happened the last game, it’s been happening in the NHL before this, and we knew tonight was going to be the same way. We obviously don’t like it.”

The U.S. also faced boos from the crowd before demolishing Finland, 6-1, in their game before facing Canada.

“It is what it is,” Werenski added. “We kind of had an idea. We used it as motivation the best we could and found a way to get a win. But we had an idea going into it, so it wasn’t a surprise. Definitely don’t like it, though.”

Canada’s Brandon Hagel, left, fights with United States’ Matthew Tkachuk during the first period of a 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Graham Hughes//The Canadian Press via AP)

The hostility picked up even more when gloves were dropped immediately with the puck when Canada and USA were on the ice together.

It was Matthew Tkachuk going toe to toe with Brandon Hagel. Then, just two seconds later, Matthew’s brother, Brady, squared up with Sam Bennett, who is NHL teammates with Matthew on the Florida Panthers.

Finally, a scrap in the Canadian zone led J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko to drop their gloves.

Team Canada would score the first goal, as perennial NHL star Connor McDavid got his country on the board first. But the U.S. would score three unanswered to finish off the victory and automatically earn themselves a spot in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game.

Team Canada forward Connor McDavid prepares for a face off in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team United States at the Bell Centre. (Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)

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Canada’s win over Finland on Sunday guarantees the rematch everyone wanted to see for the title, which will see the puck drop on Thursday night.

Whether more boos, and more fights, will be had at the TD Garden for that matchup remains to be seen.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 18, 2025
2025 4 Nations Face-Off: Canada to face USA in championship game

Canada was back on the ice on Monday in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off following the loss to USA, and they took care of business against Finland in a 5-3 victory.

While USA’s six points already puts them in the championship game on Feb. 20, making Monday night’s matchup against Sweden a formality, Canada and Finland both came into this game with two points (both 1-1 for the tournament).

Sweden, despite being 0-2, lost both of their matchups in overtime, giving them two points as well.

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Team Canada forward Mark Stone celebrates after a goal during the 4 Nations Face-Off game against Team Finland at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)

So, Canada knew a revenge championship game against USA would require a win over Finland, and the stars showed up to make sure that was the case.

Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid both scored two goals for Canada to lead the way to victory.

Brayden Point also scored in Canada’s three-goals-to-none first period performance, while Sidney Crosby buried an empty net goal after Finland’s desperation charge was thwarted.

TEAM USA’S 4 NATIONS GM TALKS ‘POLITICAL FLARE’ TO FIGHT IN GAME VS CANADA, SENDS MESSAGE TO TRUMP

It was McDavid who got Canada on the board first, which is what he did against the U.S. on Saturday night.

Team Canada forward Sidney Crosby celebrates a goal by forward Nathan MacKinnon during the game against Team Finland at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)

The goal was unassisted, as McDavid surveyed the ice before turning toward goal and sniping a low wrist shot past Finland’s Juuse Saros, who was taken out of the game early in the second period in favor of Kevin Lankinen after MacKinnon’s third goal of the tournament, and second of the night, made it 4-0.

The third period, though, saw some fight out of Finland, as Esa Lindell’s first goal of the tournament finally got them on the board. It seemed too little, too late for them, however, as the goal came with 6:41 left in the game.

But Mikael Granlund scored two goals in 23 seconds with an extra man on the ice for Finland due to an empty net. That made it 4-3, and despite dominating the entire game, Canada found themselves needing to bunker down.

Team Canada forward Connor McDavid celebrates his goal against Finland with his line mates at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)

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Just seconds after Granlund’s second goal, Crosby, the stalwart Canadian winger, buried an empty net wrister to seal victory and allow the team their potential revenge game against USA on Thursday night.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 17, 2025
4 Nations Face-Off: Team USA’s GM talks fight vs Canada, has message for Trump

Bill Guerin, a former hockey star and the general manager for the U.S. men’s team at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, rehashed the fight that jump-started the Americans’ win over Canada in their game over the weekend and had a message for President Donald Trump.

The game started with Canadian fans in Montreal booing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Then, three American and three Canadian players threw down their gloves and began to fight. There were three fights in the first nine seconds. The U.S. got the last laugh as they topped Canada, 3-1, and secured a spot in the championship game later this week.

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The United States’ Brady Tkachuk, #7, fights Canada’s Sam Bennett, #9, during first period 4 Nations Face-Off hockey action in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Guerin appeared on “America’s Newsroom” on Monday and was asked whether the brawl was ignited because of the booing, previous heat between players or the political strife between the U.S. and Canada. Guerin said he thought it was all of the above.

“I think a little bit of everything. Canada-U.S. is a huge rivalry in hockey,” he said. “I think there was a little bit of a political flare to it. It’s just the time that we’re in. I think our guys used that as inspiration. If you let it get the better of you, then you’re in trouble. But I really do think the players used it as inspiration.”

Guerin touted the intensity of play between the two teams, calling it the “highest level of hockey ever played.”

US HOCKEY STAR CHARLIE MCAVOY RECEIVES PRAISE FOR BIG HIT ON CANADA’S CONNOR MCDAVID IN INTENSE 4 NATIONS GAME

Canada’s Brandon Hagel, #38, and United States’ Matthew Tkachuk, #19, fight during first period 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

The U.S. will play Thursday night in the final. Canada will play Finland on Monday, and a regulation win for either team would get them to play the Americans for the title.

If the Canada-Finland game goes into overtime, Sweden could advance to the final with a regulation win over the U.S.

The final will be played in Boston, and Guerin said Trump should attend.

“We would love it if President Trump was in attendance. We have a room full of proud American players and coaches and staff,” he said. “And listen, we’re just trying to represent our country the best way we can.”

Former NHL player and Olympic team member Bill Guerin speaks with NHL Network host Kathryn Tappen during a ceremony unveiling the 2014 USA Olympic hockey jersey as part of the 2013 U.S. men’s national team camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia, on Aug. 27, 2013. (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)

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Trump was at Super Bowl LIX and the Daytona 500 already this month.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 17, 2025
US hockey star Charlie McAvoy receives praise for big hit on Canada’s Connor McDavid in intense 4 Nations game

The 4 Nations Face-Off matchup between the U.S. and Canada had sports fans everywhere talking about the anthem booing and the three subsequent fights in the first 9 seconds of the game.

Lost in that is what the U.S. had to overcome to win the matchup and advance to the final.

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Connor Hellebuyck, #37 of Team United States, celebrates with Charlie McAvoy, #25, as Brock Faber, #14, looks on after their 3-1 win in the 4 Nations Face-Off game between the United States and Canada at Bell Centre on Feb. 15, 2025 in Montreal. (Andre Ringuette/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

Canada’s Connor McDavid opened the scoring soon after when the electricity was at its highest. Canada hoped to steal one and send their fans home happy, but the U.S. looked to reset the tone immediately after, and the Americans believed Charlie McAvoy did just that.

McAvoy put a big hit on McDavid in the first period, and 19 seconds later, Jake Guentzel got the equalizer past Jordan Binnington. Matthew Tkachuk said it was McAvoy’s hit that revitalized the team.

“That also is a message-sending moment — probably one of the plays of the game,” the Florida Panthers star said. “They just scored a goal, the building was rocking and Charlie comes there and pops McDavid, like one of the hardest hits I’ve seen.”

Canada’s Connor McDavid, #97, and Sidney Crosby, #87, talk during the third period of a 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game against the United States in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Graham Hughes//The Canadian Press via AP)

JUSTIN TRUDEAU SAYS HE’S ‘DAMN PROUD’ OF CANADA AS FANS BOO US NATIONAL ANTHEM, FACES ONLINE RIDICULE

Tkachuk added that McAvoy’s teammates “followed” McAvoy’s aggressiveness afterward.

“That hit Charlie threw on (McDavid) was kind of a game-changer,” U.S. defenseman Zach Werenski said. “He’s been known to do that. He’s great with his size, he’s really good defensively and I thought that was a perfectly timed hit to get our team going in the right direction.”

Dylan Larkin put the U.S. up 2-1 in the second period, and Guentzel later put one in an empty net and the U.S. won the game.

McDavid still held out hope Canada can bounce back and get to the final for a rematch.

“It was fast, tight-checking, competitive, emotional,” he said, via The Athletic. “It had everything you would want in a hockey game. It sucks it didn’t go our way, but this thing’s far from over.”

Canada’s Sidney Crosby, #87, is checked by United States’ Charlie McAvoy, #25, as Vincent Trocheck, #16, looks on during first period 4 Nations Face-Off hockey action in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

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The U.S. will play Sweden and Canada will play Finland in the final games before the championship.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 17, 2025