NASCAR

4 Nations Face-Off Final Fans Respond To Canada’s Connor McDavid Scoring In OT, Upending Team USA

Author photo
By
Jeff Hawkins
Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

Get to know Jeff Hawkins better
Sports Editor

Published21 Feb 2025

Disclosure
We publish independently audited content meeting strict editorial standards. Ads on our site are served by Google AdSense and are not controlled or influenced by our editorial team.
4 nations connor mcdavid skating (1)

 

Sniper Connor McDavid didn’t think he was very good, suggesting to ESPN he “struggled all night.” 

Well, McDavid’s off night Thursday culminated in the game-winning overtime goal, lifting Canada to a 3-2 victory over Team USA in the highly anticipated 4 Nations Face-Off championship at TD Garden. 

Canada’s much-maligned goalie, Jordan Binnington, who yielded two goals on his opening five shot attempts, turned aside 26 straight shots to seal the inaugural trophy. 

“I know it’s a quick tournament and not an Olympic Gold Medal or anything like that, but it means the world to our group,” said McDavid, who was named the player of the game. “It was special. 

“I was not very good all night . All that was going through my mind was: ‘Keep going.’ I struggled, but we found a way.” 

X (Twitter) users responded to McDavid’s game-winning move …

The championship tone was established in the rivals’ first matchup last Saturday … 

Embracing the moment … 

The international final scene  … 

Canada’s Nathan MacKinnon, the NHL’s leading regular-season scorer, opened the scoring by connecting on his tourney-high fourth goal. Canada scored first in all four outings, including last Saturday against the Americans …

Brady Tkachuk, battling an illness and looked distressed on the beach early in the first period, drove to the net and chipped in Team USA’s opening marker. The goal came on the first shift after coach Mike Sullivan changed up the top-six forwards, placing Austin Matthews between the Tkachuk brothers …

In the lineup because of the injury to Charlie McAvoy, 22-year-old Jake Sanderson scored his first of the tourney, giving Team USA a 2-1 lead at 7:32 of the second period. Sanderson was the second youngest player on the national squad … 

Team USA’s first two goals, scored by Tkachuk and Sanderson, were scored via skaters who play for Ottawa, the NHL franchise located in Canada’s capital … 

Sam Bennett, who engaged in a fight Saturday, displayed his offensive touch, roofing a shot to tie the game at 2-2 with 6 minutes remaining in the second period …  

Defenseman Jacob Slavin, who robbed Canada’s Sidney Crosby, the oldest player in the tourney, of a potential goal from the slot area, displayed defensive prowess …

Matthew Tkachuk (lower body) did not play after the second period Thursday. For him to amass just 6:41 of ice time and miss the end of the tournament finale, Florida Panthers fans must be questioning whether the gritty forward will dress against the visiting Seattle Kraken on Saturday. The Stanley Cup champion is listed as day-to-day. Talk about family pride …

Hockey fans remember …

Final score: Canada 3, Team USA 2 (OT) …

Game MVP …

Tourney MVP …