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This is how it ended.
On repeat for eternity 🚨🇨🇦#4Nations | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/Lk0y164j0W
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And here is how it all unfolded, Canada’s 3-2 overtime win over the United States in the Four Nations Faceoff final, a running count as the game progressed:
The game we’ve all been waiting for is here, Team Canada vs Team USA in the final game of the Four Nations tournament, the first best-on-best final since the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Tonight, I’ll be reporting in a live feed, starting with pre-game comments, highlights of the massive on-line outburst about the big game:
The Cult of Hockey’s Kurt Leavins 🇨🇦 @KurtLeavins
The Four Nations Face-off is not The Stanley Cup Finals. But if you don’t think last season’s Game 7 loss is fuelling Connor McDavid tonight…
Oilers fan Ahmed @NHL_Bouchard
Americans who’ve never watched a game of hockey treating the game tonight like it’s world war 3
David Staples, the Cult of Hockey
Soviet Union in 1972, 1976, 1984, 1987.
Canada specializes in beating up superpower bullies.
We got this.
Sportsnet’s Mark Spector🇨🇦🇺🇦 @SportsnetSpec
This might be the biggest Canada-Russia game since ‘72!
Former Oilers and Team USA player Ryan Whitney @ryanwhitney6
For so long Canada has always won these games but times have changed. We’ve reached another level as a country and tonight is the beginning of a new team dominating the world in hockey. Let’s go 🇺🇸
US senator Ted Cruz @tedcruz
Let’s go Team USA!!! 🇺🇸 🏒
Winner keeps Canada. 😂😂
97 x 87. 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/eB7WbDp1cV
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US sports commentator Jason Whitlock @WhitlockJason
There was more focus on Kevin Hart on NBA All-Star Weekend than the actual game. That’s why it’s dead. Tonight’s NHL All-Star game, USA vs. Canada, is going to be incredible because of the game. Nobody’s going to be forced to care about what’s going on off the rink.
NBA great Charles Barkley
Go USA! We havin’ Canadian bacon tonight, ya’ll! 😂
Montreal hockey writer Eric Engels @EricEngels
Canada’s Mark Stone on impact of 4 Nations on hockey: “There’s always room for growth in everything but it is mindboggling to see it (even) growing in Canada. It makes me happy to see that. Being Canadian, I live and die by playing hockey, watching hockey, representing my country, watching my country play hockey. It’s exciting to see other countries are starting to follow suit and understand how great this game is, so it means a lot what this tournament’s done.”
The Trizzy Train 🚂 💨💨 could be coming through soon👀
Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/NonSbMSuOy
The Athletic’s Michael Russo @RussoHockey
I asked Guerin if President Trump talked to the USA players about making Canada the 51st state: “A little bit, but I would just try to focus on the message that he was giving us. I’ve said it before: We’re here to play hockey. This is not a political forum. This is a hockey tournament. And he’s just trying to be supportive in the best way that he could, and we appreciate it.”
ESPN analyst RachelDoerrie @racheldoerrie
It is disingenuous to say the sitting president mentioned to players that he wants to annex the country they’re playing, but this game isn’t being used as a political forum… Media needs to stop treating Guerin with kid gloves. He was the one on a political show discussing this…Great of Bill Guerin to lead the charge in hijacking the story of the 4 Nations tournament final to a political discourse instead of what the US was originally doing: winning for the Gaudreau family. Well done, Bill. Instead of celebrating that, a bunch of right wing chuds have made it a political pissing contest. Excellent leadership.
NHL writer Dan Rosen @drosennhl
USA d-man Brock Faber on USA-Canada:
“Regardless of what’s going on politically, I think for us USA and Canada have always hated each other on the ice, right. That’s how I look at it. I think that’s how all the guys look at it. It’s nothing more than just the hatred we have for each other
Calgary hockey writer Darren Haynes @DarrenWHaynes
It’s finally here. As a Canadian, I’ve been looking forward to today seemingly forever.
The Journal’s Jim Matheson @jimmathesonnhl
Trump is looney tunes and everything he says has a political agenda
Boston podcaster Pete Blackburn @PeteBlackburn
4 Nations is a made-up tournament with no real stakes, but USA-Canada has created a monster…and now it matters more than we could have imagined… I wish I could bottle up how I feel right now & drink it for the rest of my life. Being this amped for a Thursday night exhibition hockey game in February 🤌🤌🤌
NHL network analyst Mike Kelly @MikeKellyNHL
One thing 🇺🇸USA has done far better than other teams in the tournament – quick passes at the offensive blueline to create off-the-rush. USA with more than double the number of chances off pass entries than anyone else and a far greater percentage leading to scoring chances…
Former NHL star Chris Pronger @chrispronger
My prediction …. 3-2 Canada 🇨🇦
NFL football great JJ Watt @JJWatt
It’s just incredible how much of a home run 4 Nations has been for the NHL and hockey in general. Friends who never watched a hockey game in their lives reaching out asking what the plan is for tonight’s game, what food we’re ordering, etc. Definition of growing the game.
Canadian hockey commentator Paul Bissonnette @BizNasty2point0
THE DOGG STRIKES FIRST 🇨🇦
MacKinnon gets #Canada on the board with the all important first goal. Assists Reinhart & Harley.
The big boys are here!
1-0
pic.twitter.com/o9mooKWx14
David Staples, the Cult of Hockey
I don’t want to make too much of it, but this kind of goal can be back-breaker, a looping outside shot that somehow finds its way in through layers of screens. In this case, a high screen by Canada’s Sam Reinhart blotted out the view for American goalie Connor Hellebuyck. He didn’t see it as it went in the net. Such goals tend to be hugely deflating, as if the Hockey Gods are aligned against you.
The Americans came out hard and fast, but Canada scored with a hard play at the net, a slot screen. In Canada’s first two games, they only had two Grade A shots featuring any kind of hard play at the net. In game three against Finland, 10 out of 11 Grade A shots came on hard plays at the net, such as screens, tips, charges and battles won, and all five goals came that way. It was the formula Canada needed to win, and now they’ve taken the lead that same way.
Oilers fan Captain Jack @OilersJack
Nathan MacKinnon! Great goal!!! You are not selfish or hogging the puck. Shoot all you want we never should have criticized you.
Oilers fan Troy @heavyoilcontry
Long range floater finds twine, one Hellebuyck hasn’t allowed in any game here. Good sign, for Team Canada…This is the best US hockey team I’ve seen in my life & it’ll take everything & more for Canada to beat ’em tonight.
NHL.com writer Dan Rosen @drosennhl
For the first time in this tournament the U.S. is trying to skill its way up the ice, and unsurprisingly it’s not working. If they don’t start dumping it in and grinding away with an aggressive forecheck it could cost them dearly. They’re down 1-0 with 9:24 left in the first.
Detroit hockey writer George Malik @georgemalik
The Canadians are predating upon the Americans’ turnovers in the neutral zone and just inside both bluelines. The U.S. has to clean up its game here. Simpler is better sometimes.
St. Louis hockey writer Andy Strickland @andystrickland
If we get the playoff version of both Binnington and Hellebuyck, USA is in trouble.
Cult of Hockey contributor Ira Cooper @coopsie39
3 below average puck plays by Sanheim on one shift (the 2nd leading to a jail break against). I’ve liked his play but his lack of “puck skill/offensive instincts” is hurting the team.
The Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin @MLarkinHockey
Binnington’s puckhandling is a factor early. He’s stopped a few high velocity dump ins
Oilers fan Tyson Munro @Tys35
Watching Sidney Crosby play hockey will never get old
Brady Tkachuk is back in the lineup and back on the scoresheet! #4Nations | @Senators
pic.twitter.com/jfJzHPWDal
David Staples, the Cult of Hockey
Tough one for Canadian d-man Devon Toews on this one, first turning over the puck in Canada’s end, then failing to contain powerhouse Brady Tkachuk in the slot. Tkachuk is a load, though. On the initial dump-in, the puck first went high, making it tough for Binnington to play it, then shot down quickly low, making it hard for Toews to handle it.
Former NHL goalie Martin Biron @martybiron43
Binnington is really good at playing the puck. For some reason he didn’t go out to play the dump in by the US which allowed that line to create a forecheck and score the 1-1 goal.
Winnipeg hockey writer Murat Ates @WPGMurat
Canada’s goal against was a good argument for the fundamentals. That backhand take off the rimmed puck by Toews isn’t an easy play under pressure. We still expect that play to get made because the greats usually make it.
ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski @wyshynski
And exhale.
Chris Pronger @chrispronger
Tkachuk with a bulldog like goal to tie it late!
US sports commentator Jason Whitlock @WhitlockJason
Is Don Cherry still alive? I miss him.
Hockey scout Dan Tencer @dantencer
Team Canada needs to do away with their fair play ice time strategy. Some of these guys, quality as they are as players, just aren’t moving the needle. Roster construction talk later. For now, run the guys who are creating offence and run them hard.
Denver hockey writer Adrian Dater @adater
Mark Messier with good point between periods: Canada needs to find a way to get the puck more to McDavid, and McDavid has to play harder to get the puck.
Oilers fan JB 🇨🇦 @JackieBee_16
Can we shut that woman up screaming to pump the crowd up?
For the record, we don’t need a hype man in Canada to get the crowd going.
Oilers fan Walton 🇨🇦🇩🇪🏒⚽️ @StevenGWalton
Come on Canada. I have the same beef with you that I have with the Oilers at times. Play to win. Don’t play not to lose. Your game is offence. Push the bloody play. If you lose that way we can forgive. There is zero reason to be let the US effect that style.
Detroit commentator George Malik @georgemalik
Let’s just say that they’re not just playing “Between the whistles” here. Lots of scrums as the 2nd period progresses.
Denver’s Adrian Dater @adater
Canada seems a hair slower than US in this game.
NHL.com’s Dan Rosen @drosennhl
It’s getting chippy in the second period. Tensions rising. Intensity extremely high, as it has been all night.
Jake Sanderson’s first point of the tournament gives the United States the lead! #4Nations | @Senators
pic.twitter.com/LZ2SyWfEsz
David Staples, the Cult of Hockey
Canadian d-men Colton Parayko and Travis Sanheim lose battle behind the net, puck out to the point, Binnington save, but huge rebound kicked out and Jake Sanderson, the Danger Man, comes out of nowhere to pound it home.
The Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin @MLarkinHockey
Sanderson finishes off a scramble — and once again the Americans score as a result of Tkachuk-Matthews-Tkachuk creating havoc. Canada might not have an answer for that line.
Vancouver commentator Thomas Drance @ThomasDrance
Canada going to have to shorten it’s bench on defense here. Sanheim-Parayko pair emerging as a soft underbelly as this game goes along.
Detroit’s George Malik @georgemalik
Larkin stopped again on a shorthanded 2-on-1 from J.T. Miller.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun @PierreVLeBrun
Larkin barking at Binnington after that play. The intensity in this game is through the freakin’ roof
Former NHLer jason demers @jasondemers5
Team 🇨🇦 needs to have way better dump ins otherwise they will not be able to establish anything! Everytime Hellebuyck touches it , it’s a clean breakout.
Montreal commentator Eric Engels @EricEngels
Sidney Crosby crumples Brock Faber on the forecheck before coming oh-so-close to tying the game. Jaccob Slavin bails out Connor Hellebuyck.
Minnesota hockey writer Michael Russo @RussoHockey
Slavin saves a goal by Crosby
Oilers fan Raja Dhami @gretzkytokurri
Hellebucyk is going to be tough to beat. I’m hoping Marchand and Marner show up here. They need a goal.
THIS GAME IS TIED AGAIN 😳
Sam Bennett goes upstairs to make this a 2-2 game! #4Nations
🇺🇸: @espn & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/PCHoru6JVT
David Staples, the Cult of Hockey
Another hard play by Sam Bennett, then the sweet perfume of the highest of skill from both Mitch Marner and Bennett himself. I was glad to see Bennett named to this team for his ferocity and he made a forceful hit in the n-zone to win the puck and start off the goal rush, Marner taking it in, cutting to the middle and back passing to Bennett, who moved in fast and snapped a shot top shelf where Momma keeps the cookies, as legendary Edmonton skill coach Jim Fleming like to say.
Boston commentator Pete Blackburn @PeteBlackburn
Am I allowed to say that Adam Fox has absolutely sucked in this tournament? Will people get mad at me?
Edmonton commentator Connor Halley @ConnorHalley
We’ve always loved Sam Bennett in Edmonton right?!
Minnesota’s Michael Russo @RussoHockey
Marner having himself a strong game… 2-2 after 2. Delightful. What a third period on the horizon.
Oilers fan Paul Almeida @AzorcanGlobal
McDavid literally dragging a Stone on every shift.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun @PierreVLeBrun
Team USA loaded up with Matthews-Eichel-B. Tkachuk on the final shift of the period. Wonder if we see more of that in third period of if that was situational with the offensive zone faceoff late in the period.
Montreal’s Eric Engels @EricEngels
Score after two periods: 2-2, shots 19-19. Drama turned up to 11.
TSN’s Chris Johnston @reporterchris
Tight. Tense. Taut. Tremendous.
Edmonton hockey fan Kristin Raworth 🇨🇦 @KristinRaworth
I think maybe Canadians should stop caring about Wayne Gretzky’s politics . The guy abandoned Canada for the US 40 years ago.
St. Louis commentator Andy Strickland @andystrickland
Team #USA pretty much rolling with 10 forwards…with Matthew Tkachuk hardly able to go, Kreider only played 1:47 in 2nd period. Just 5:28 total. 🇺🇸
Colorado hockey writer Adrian Dater @adater
Scoop: Boston police have just put out an APB for Connor McDavid
Oilers fan Lori @ldubs99
If Marchand needs to start licking dudes again tonight, I’m ok with it.
Oilers fan Emily Hall @Pooks_rutherfor
I don’t like you Binnington, but thank you for that save.
The Hockey News @TheHockeyNews
Every shot is terrifying
The Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin @MLarkinHockey
I feel like Binnington’s Olympic starting job lives and dies with every chance. He stones Guentzel and Werenski to open this period — if Canada wins this game, is he your Milan starter? But if he allows the next goal…
CANADA WAS THIS CLOSE TO TAKING THE LEAD 👀 pic.twitter.com/8GXsFowZUb
US hockey player Jordan Schmaltz @J_Swish24
This game has Cold War vibes… This is the best defensive game I’ve ever seen. Absolute cage match.
The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
Jaccob Slavin 🇺🇸 is the poster child for why a second NHL Award should be created for defensive defensemen.
Chris Pronger @chrispronger (in response)
Why not hand the Norris trophy to him Frank? That is the award for the best defenseman! He clearly can make plays and do more than defend. Please explain to me further please. Thanks
Detroit’s George Malik @georgemalik
Puck’s starting to bounce a lot as the ice and building warm up. Gotta simplify play a bit here.
Montreal’s Eric Engels @EricEngels
Cale Makar’s awe-inspiring plays per 60 is a million.
NHL player Eric Tangradi @ETangradi
This game should be on repeat for young players looking to take the next step. The best players in the world proving that defensive details matter. Tracking, stick detail, wall plays, and puck placement are on display at the highest level. 💯 💪
Oilers fan Petroleros @YEGBurrito
Marner! Shooooooooooooot ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
The Athletic’s Sean McIndoe Down Goes Brown @DownGoesBrown
Shout out to all the fans of other sports tuning into this game and feeling they want to puke for the entire thing. Welcome to hockey, it’s fun, right?
In Goal Magazine’s Paul Campbell @WayToGoPaul
Binnington has travelled 8km tonight. Hellebuyck has yet to cover 5 yards.
NFL great JJ Watt @JJWatt
Not sure how they expect these guys to go play regular season NHL games on Saturday after this.
Much, much respect for how much effort, energy and passion they’ve poured into this tournament.
That’s what’s made it so special. The best in the world going all-out for pure pride.
Oilers fan Shauna @SLShockeyfan
So if we win, we cheer. If we lose, just take me behind the shed and shoot me.
JORDAN BINNINGTON ROBS BRADY TKACHUK 😵🚫 pic.twitter.com/wTetWK5Vdl
David Staples, the Cult of Hockey
Three utterly massive saves on 5-alarm shots by Jordan Binnington of Canada, who no one has ever doubted for a second in Canada, who is the hero of the nation, just as we all predicted he would be, correct? All joking aside, he’s now Canada’s player of the game.
Oilers fan Adhi @OilerAlert
Binnington you were absolutely unreal I’m sorry I doubted you
CONNOR MCDAVID!!!! THE GAME WINNER!!! CANADA WINS THE #4NATIONS FACE-OFF 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/QmPPXdj9wz
The Cult of Hockey’s Kurt Leavins 🇨🇦 @KurtLeavins
Connor!!!!🇨🇦
David Staples, the Cult of Hockey
Canada needed that.
Oilers fan Denny Sawchuk 🇨🇦 @Denny_Sawchuk
Connor McDavid you beautiful Human Being you
The Athletic’s Allan Mitchell @Lowetide
Well that was drop dead gorgeous.
US podcaster Ryan Whitney @ryanwhitney6
Binnington won that. What a performance. Congrats Canada. I’m sick
Calgary hockey writer Darren Haynes @DarrenWHaynes
Credit where credit is due. I was skeptical, but Jordan Binnington with a masterclass OT. Otherwise this game was over long ago. Good for him for battling through the noise.
Boston podcaster Pete Blackburn @PeteBlackburn
Not the result I wanted but what an unbelievable gift this tournament was.
Toronto hockey writer Ken Campbell @Ken_Campbell27
I do not think Jordan Binnington should have been on this team. I also think Jordan Binnington should be named MVP of the tournament.
Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer @Bob_Stauffer
The Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid on ESPN
“I struggled all night”…
But he delivered when it mattered most… Chosen Player of the Game
The Cult of Hockey’s Bruce McCurdy
Gamebreaker breaks game.
Not McDavid’s finest game, but he doesn’t need a whole game, he just needs a second. Terrific pass by Marner, tremendous shot by McD. Reminded me of the series winner in Calgary in ‘22, found a soft spot in the slot, good pass & WHAM! Series over.
Montreal’s Eric Engels @EricEngels
The best player in the world ended one of the best games ever seen. In overtime, no less. We were so spoiled over these two weeks. Hockey is unbeatable.
U.S. hockey writer Stan Fischler @StanFischler
Hollywood could not have scripted it better. Congratulations to Team Canada and coach
Jon Cooper. Kudos to Uncle Sam’s crew for a marvelous tourney and to coach Mike Sullivan.
YAY! NHL’S Gary Bettman and Bill Daly plus crew for a most outstanding idea and A-1
hockey all the way!
American sports commentator Skip Bayless @RealSkipBayless
You just knew it would be Connor McDavid, now the best player in hockey. Congrats, Canada. You won this epic pride battle. Hockey is more your game than ours, and you proved slightly better, in overtime.
Sportsnet’s Luke Fox @lukefoxjukebox
Brad Marchand on Tkachuk brothers: “Sometimes when you shoot your mouth off in the media, it bites you.”
American sports commenator Jim Rome @jimrome
Best player in the world just finished one of the best games ever. Connor McDavid… Nothing ever lives up to the hype. Except this. #4nationsfaceoff
Oilers fan Garry Lee @OilersProud
Who leaves McDavid all alone like that in front? Oh, right, Matthews does!
American sports commentator Clay Travis @ClayTravis
F*cking Canada.
In all seriousness though, great move by hockey to set up this tournament. This is going to be one of the most watched hockey games of all time. Phenomenal game.
Team Canada coach Jon Cooper
I just hope Canada’s proud because every player in that room is proud to be a Canadian. And, yeah, we needed a win. Not only our team, but Canada needed a win. And the players bared that on their shoulders. This one was different. This wasn’t a win for themselves. This was a win for 40-plus million people. And the guys knew it and they delivered.
Canadian sports commentator Paul Bissonnette @BizNasty2point0
Great pump up speech Donald 😂😂😂
So proud of our boys. We needed that Canada. This is the spark we needed. Our game. I love you. Good night. 🇨🇦
St. Louis hockey commentator Andy Strickland @andystrickland
Put a Jordan Binnington statue outside of TD Garden
Edmonton sports writer Terry Jones @byterryjones
Legitimate great moment in sport. Connor McDavid finally able to play-best-on-best wearing Canada uniform. OT winner. Jordan Binnington struggled but fantastic final in goal in the final. Nathan MacKinnon MVP. Sidney Crosby captains club. Best of Canada’s best. Hockey history.
The Athletic’s Chris Johnston @reporterchris
They are blaring Nickelback in the celebratory Team Canada dressing room.
Vancouver sports commentator Iain MacIntyre @imacSportsnet
There will be other best-on-best tournaments. There must be. And there will be other victories for Team Canada. But given this time and these players, and the threats to our sovereignty, there may never be another victory like this one. 🇨🇦
American political commentator Shawn Farash @Shawn_Farash
Canada doesn’t know how we roll.
They THINK they won. Wait until we find more goals at 3am.
The Cult of Hockey’s David Staples
McDavid fought the puck all night, but ended the fight of his life with the winning goal. It’s always been evident that McDavid yearned to play for Team Canada, which was one of the many reasons I was so invested in this tournament. Someone who works that hard for that long and rises to such a level of excellence is worth our attention.
There’s justice that McDavid scored that winner. He earned it.
There’s also justice that he’s now got a significant team championship under his belt, as this was the first best-on-best tournament since 2014, a long time coming, a long wait for all of us, McDavid in particular.
Against the best, he was the best in his first three games, then he scored the biggest goal of his life in the fourth.
Congratulations to Connor McDavid, hockey hero of the Canadian nation.
Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl 
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