Canada’s victory over the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship did not go unchallenged. Shortly after the final whistle, NHL fans took to social media to voice their frustrations, questioning whether the game had been officiated fairly.
The 4 Nations Face-Off Championship brought together top NHL players from the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland. After the round-robin stage, the U.S. and Canada advanced to the final, setting up a highly anticipated showdown. Their matchup at TD Garden in Boston saw momentum shift multiple times, keeping fans on edge.
Canada secured a 3-2 overtime victory, but not everyone accepted the result. Some fans questioned the officiating, pointing out that multiple referees were Canadian. Others criticized the tournament format, arguing that it unfairly favored Canada. The heated reactions intensified the long-standing hockey rivalry between the two nations.
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A Back-and-Forth Championship Battle
The 4 Nations Face-Off Championship final between Canada and the United States, on Thursday, February 20, 2025, was a hard-fought battle from start to finish. Both teams, stacked with NHL talent, showcased high-speed, physical hockey in front of a packed crowd at Boston’s TD Garden.
Team United States and Team Canada shake hands after the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
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Canada struck first just over five minutes into the game. Defenseman Thomas Harley set up Nathan MacKinnon with a crisp pass, and MacKinnon wasted no time. With a quick wrist shot from the top of the slot, he sent the puck through traffic and past U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, giving Canada a 1-0 lead.
Connor Hellebuyck #37 of Team United States tends goal against Team Canada during the third period in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Team USA responded late in the first period. Captain Auston Matthews drove toward the net and attempted a wraparound shot, but Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington made the stop. However, Brady Tkachuk was in position for the rebound, tapping the puck into the net to even the score at 1-1.
Brady Tkachuk #7 of Team United States checks Drew Doughty #89 of Team Canada into the end boards during the second period on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
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Tkachuk’s presence in the game was notable, as his availability had been uncertain leading up to the final. He had left Monday’s game against Sweden early and missed Wednesday’s practice due to illness. But after the first period, he dismissed any doubts about his readiness.
Sidney Crosby #87 of Team Canada shakes hands with Matthew Tkachuk #19 of Team United States on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Team USA carried that energy into the second period and took the lead with just over 12 minutes remaining. Defenseman Zach Werenski fired a shot from near the blue line, but Binnington made the save.
Jordan Binnington #50 of Team Canada makes a save against Team United States during the third period on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
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Matthews attempted to redirect the rebound to Tkachuk, but the puck deflected off a Canadian stick and landed in front of Jake Sanderson, who wasted no time burying it in the net for a 2-1 U.S. lead.
Nathan MacKinnon #29 of Team Canada controls the puck against Jake Sanderson #85 of Team United States during the first period on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Canada answered back six minutes later. Mitchell Marner carried the puck into the offensive zone and found Sam Bennett in stride. Bennett skated into the left circle and, from close range, sent a pinpoint shot over Hellebuyck’s shoulder to tie the game at 2-2.
Sam Bennett #9 of Team Canada puts a shot over the shoulder of Connor Hellebuyck #37 of Team United States on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
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From that moment, every shift was a battle. The third period saw relentless back-and-forth action, with both teams generating scoring chances. The crowd at TD Garden erupted into chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” as Team USA pressed for a late winner, but Binnington and Hellebuyck stood firm, making key saves to force overtime.
Connor Hellebuyck #37 of Team United States stops the puck with the paddle of his stick on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
The sudden-death overtime period opened with fast, end-to-end play. Team USA nearly won it early when Matthews and Tkachuk each had golden opportunities, but Binnington came up with two critical stops. Canada then had its turn, and when Connor McDavid found open ice, he seized the moment.
Connor Hellebuyck #37 of Team United States gives up the game winning goal to Connor McDavid #97 of Team Canada in overtime on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
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Picking up speed, McDavid took control of the puck, maneuvered past a U.S. defender, and snapped a shot past Hellebuyck, securing the championship for Canada. His teammates rushed onto the ice in celebration as U.S. players looked on in disappointment.
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MacKinnon, who scored in the final and had four goals in the tournament, was named MVP. But while Team Canada celebrated, not everyone was satisfied with how the game played out. Controversy soon erupted, with some fans claiming the tournament format and officiating were unfair.
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NFL Fans React: Accusations of Bias vs. Celebration of the Win
As Team Canada celebrated its championship win, frustration quickly spread among some U.S. fans, who took to social media to voice their anger over the result. Many questioned the fairness of the tournament’s structure, pointing out that Team USA had already beaten Canada 3-1 in the round-robin stage.
Canada’s victory over the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship did not go unchallenged. Shortly after the final whistle, NHL fans took to social media to voice their frustrations, questioning whether the game had been officiated fairly.
The 4 Nations Face-Off Championship brought together top NHL players from the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland. After the round-robin stage, the U.S. and Canada advanced to the final, setting up a highly anticipated showdown. Their matchup at TD Garden in Boston saw momentum shift multiple times, keeping fans on edge.
Canada secured a 3-2 overtime victory, but not everyone accepted the result. Some fans questioned the officiating, pointing out that multiple referees were Canadian. Others criticized the tournament format, arguing that it unfairly favored Canada. The heated reactions intensified the long-standing hockey rivalry between the two nations.
Advertisement
A Back-and-Forth Championship Battle
The 4 Nations Face-Off Championship final between Canada and the United States, on Thursday, February 20, 2025, was a hard-fought battle from start to finish. Both teams, stacked with NHL talent, showcased high-speed, physical hockey in front of a packed crowd at Boston’s TD Garden.
Team United States and Team Canada shake hands after the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
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Canada struck first just over five minutes into the game. Defenseman Thomas Harley set up Nathan MacKinnon with a crisp pass, and MacKinnon wasted no time. With a quick wrist shot from the top of the slot, he sent the puck through traffic and past U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, giving Canada a 1-0 lead.
Connor Hellebuyck #37 of Team United States tends goal against Team Canada during the third period in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Team USA responded late in the first period. Captain Auston Matthews drove toward the net and attempted a wraparound shot, but Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington made the stop. However, Brady Tkachuk was in position for the rebound, tapping the puck into the net to even the score at 1-1.
Brady Tkachuk #7 of Team United States checks Drew Doughty #89 of Team Canada into the end boards during the second period on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
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Tkachuk’s presence in the game was notable, as his availability had been uncertain leading up to the final. He had left Monday’s game against Sweden early and missed Wednesday’s practice due to illness. But after the first period, he dismissed any doubts about his readiness.
Sidney Crosby #87 of Team Canada shakes hands with Matthew Tkachuk #19 of Team United States on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Team USA carried that energy into the second period and took the lead with just over 12 minutes remaining. Defenseman Zach Werenski fired a shot from near the blue line, but Binnington made the save.
Jordan Binnington #50 of Team Canada makes a save against Team United States during the third period on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
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Matthews attempted to redirect the rebound to Tkachuk, but the puck deflected off a Canadian stick and landed in front of Jake Sanderson, who wasted no time burying it in the net for a 2-1 U.S. lead.
Nathan MacKinnon #29 of Team Canada controls the puck against Jake Sanderson #85 of Team United States during the first period on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Canada answered back six minutes later. Mitchell Marner carried the puck into the offensive zone and found Sam Bennett in stride. Bennett skated into the left circle and, from close range, sent a pinpoint shot over Hellebuyck’s shoulder to tie the game at 2-2.
Sam Bennett #9 of Team Canada puts a shot over the shoulder of Connor Hellebuyck #37 of Team United States on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
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From that moment, every shift was a battle. The third period saw relentless back-and-forth action, with both teams generating scoring chances. The crowd at TD Garden erupted into chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” as Team USA pressed for a late winner, but Binnington and Hellebuyck stood firm, making key saves to force overtime.
Connor Hellebuyck #37 of Team United States stops the puck with the paddle of his stick on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
The sudden-death overtime period opened with fast, end-to-end play. Team USA nearly won it early when Matthews and Tkachuk each had golden opportunities, but Binnington came up with two critical stops. Canada then had its turn, and when Connor McDavid found open ice, he seized the moment.
Connor Hellebuyck #37 of Team United States gives up the game winning goal to Connor McDavid #97 of Team Canada in overtime on February 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
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Picking up speed, McDavid took control of the puck, maneuvered past a U.S. defender, and snapped a shot past Hellebuyck, securing the championship for Canada. His teammates rushed onto the ice in celebration as U.S. players looked on in disappointment.
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MacKinnon, who scored in the final and had four goals in the tournament, was named MVP. But while Team Canada celebrated, not everyone was satisfied with how the game played out. Controversy soon erupted, with some fans claiming the tournament format and officiating were unfair.
Advertisement
NFL Fans React: Accusations of Bias vs. Celebration of the Win
As Team Canada celebrated its championship win, frustration quickly spread among some U.S. fans, who took to social media to voice their anger over the result. Many questioned the fairness of the tournament’s structure, pointing out that Team USA had already beaten Canada 3-1 in the round-robin stage.