The 4 Nations Face-Off stamped itself as a must-see sporting event with Team USA's 3–1 win over Canada on Saturday. The two sides faced off once again in the tournament final on Thursday night, and it absolutely delivered.
After playing to a 2–2 tie through three periods, Canada won the game in overtime on a goal by Connor McDavid. The team erupted in a celebration worthy of the Stanley Cup Final or an Olympic gold medal game.
The entire event has been an incredible win for hockey, which has experienced middling ratings during the NHL season. In just the first edition of the 4 Nations Face-Off, which replaced the NHL All-Star Game, the league has found a way to draw in a significant number of viewers who don't normally pay attention to hockey until the postseason, if at all.
ESPN analyst Ray Ferraro, who was on the call with Sean McDonough, summed it up perfectly.
Ray Ferraro:
"This far exceeded anything that I thought was possible. This was a remarkable 10 days. The US was fantastic in the tournament. Canada ends up winning it in overtime. Just a wonderful spectacle for this great game." https://t.co/Zrd8wXd2t6 pic.twitter.com/h7UKZDjw6w
Based on the reactions online, it should be locked in as an annual event.
What a great game. What a great tournament.
Hockey won tonight. What a game.
Man.
What a game.
What a tournament.
Thanks for the entertainment fellas.
Scrap the rest of the NHL season.
Let’s play USA-Canada three times a week.
the NHL absolutely nailed it with this tournament
unbelievable vibe from start to finish
credit to the players for giving it their all
Instant classic.
The impact of this tournament will be felt for generations, through the kids — and families — who now consider themselves hockey fans.
Congratulations to all who made it possible, and to those in Montreal and Boston who told the stories.@NHLNetwork
Big picture view. That was fantastic hockey. All four nations brought it to this tournament. This was a big win for hockey fans and the NHL.
NHL regular season play resumes on Saturday, and could have some serious wind at its back based on the success of the 4 Nations Face-Off.
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Dan Lyons is a staff writer and editor on Sports Illustrated's Breaking and Trending News team. He joined SI for his second stint in November 2024 after a stint as a senior college football writer at Athlon Sports, and a previous run with SI spanning multiple years as a writer and editor. Outside of sports, you can find Dan at an indie concert venue or movie theater.
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