It all comes down to USA vs. Canada, as the two teams are set to match up in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game Thursday night. This will be the first men’s hockey best-on-best championship between the two countries since the 2010 Olympic gold medal game, which Canada won in overtime.
This rematch comes just five days after the U.S. beat Canada 3-1 in round-robin play in a game that was punctuated by three fights in the first nine seconds of play. En route to the championship game, Canada beat both Sweden and Finland, while the U.S. beat Finland but lost to Sweden on Monday, after their spot in the final was already clinched. The tournament replaced the NHL All-Star Game this year ahead of next year’s Winter Olympics in Milan, which NHL players will participate in for the first time since 2014.
Just how anticipated is this game? Earlier Thursday, tickets were reselling for nearly $800, with the most expensive seats in the lower bowl going for upward of $2,200.
For more on the marquee matchup, read Yahoo Sports’ preview here.
Date: Thursday, February 20
Location: TD Garden, Boston
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN, ESPN+
Follow along for live updates, highlights and more as Team USA faces Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship.
Live14 updates
SCORE: Canada 1, USA 0
Nathan MacKinnon puts Canada on the board, whipping a shot from the top past Connor Hellebuyck for a 1-0 lead.
The TD Garden crowd loved USA honorary captain Mike Eruzione wearing a Johnny Gaudreau jersey:
No fights in the opening 30 seconds, so there’s that. But there was some pushing and shoving between Matthew Tkachuk and Cale Makar during a stoppage.
And the U.S. national anthem:
Some booing audible during the Canadian national anthem, but not overpowering.
Strat-O-Matic picks USA, 4-3:
Defenseman Josh Morrissey is out for Canada due to the flu.
Thomas Harley will replace Morrissey in the Team Canada lineup.
Big Stanley Cup power on Canada’s top line:
Big Canada presence at TD Garden?
There is an uncomfortable amount of red in the lower bowl in Boston. 🇨🇦
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) February 21, 2025
Brady and Matthew Tkachuk expected to play for Team USA. What were the chances either would miss this game?
It’s not equal time, but Canada should be represented as well.
OK, maybe this is overdoing it with the “Miracle” clip. But this version, with ESPN splicing in footage of the current USA and Canada players, is probably even better.
“Great moments are born from great opportunity.” 🗣️ This Miracle mashup could give you chills 🥶
🏒 “Miracle” starring Kurt Russell now streaming on Disney+” pic.twitter.com/Z4ieLXToKj
— ESPN (@espn) February 20, 2025
USA, Canada hockey history goes wayyy back
With another Canada vs. USA ice hockey matchup on the horizon, take a deep dive back through more than 100 years of this historic rivalry on the Olympic stage! 🏒🇺🇸🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/iP4gVAT0II
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) February 20, 2025
How many times has this clip from “Miracle” been played leading up to tonight’s game? Or over the past two days?
“Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world.”
Watching Kurt Russell play Herb Brooks and deliver his legendary locker room speech is a great way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice.” pic.twitter.com/X0d4Uhpnjs
