Top hockey players took the ice for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States battled from February 12 to 20. But only two could make the final. Canada and the United States went head-to-head. After a hard fight, Canada won!
The final game was in Boston, Massachusetts. The American and Canadian athletes went into it with some tension. The leaders of their nations have had issues. U.S. President Donald Trump wanted to tax items from Canada. He also talked about making Canada a U.S. state. Canadian Justin Trudeau responded. He said he would add taxes to American goods. He said his country would never become part of the United States.
The tournament’s first game between Canada and the USA was on February 15. Canadian fans booed during the U.S. national anthem. And when the game began, several fights broke out. At the final on February 20, American fans booed during the Canadian national anthem.
Still, once the puck hit the ice, the athletes focused on the game. Canada was the first to score. Nathan MacKinnon shot through several players to find the net. Then, American Brady Tkachuk evened out the score.
The United States pulled ahead in the second period. But when the clock ran out, Canada had tied it up. The game went into overtime! The players took to the ice to play until one team got a goal.
About eight minutes in, Connor McDavid scored for Canada! Cheers filled the arena. This is Canada’s fourth-straight 4 Nations Face-Off win. “I hope Canada is proud,” said Coach Jon Cooper. “Because every player in that room is proud to be Canadian.”
Prime Minister Trudeau shared his pride online. He wrote, “You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.”
Despite the fierce competition, both teams showed good . The players from each team met once more in the middle of the ice. They shook hands and offered congratulations. The coaches showed to one another too.
Finally, the players got awards. McDavid earned Player of the Game, and MacKinnon got Most Valuable Player. Each athlete got a medal, and the team raised its trophy high.
By Hannah Marcum
Updated February 21, 2025, 5:00 P.M. (ET)
