The first 4 Nations tournament has officially concluded. This was a jam-packed week full of fights, comebacks, nailbiters, and even politics. Despite all of that, Team Canada was able to rise to the occasion, beating Team USA in the finals, winning in overtime with a score of 3-2.
One of Team USA’s biggest strengths this tournament was their defensive play. When they were able to get the lead, the defense would step up and lock down the opposing team. While the USA never led in the finals, they did a great job of keeping Canada’s elite scorers as quiet as they could. Team Canada with the help of newly added member Thomas Harley shut down USA for a large majority of the game. The real MVP of the finals, however, was Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington.
Jordan Binnington, for how cocky he is as a player, backed up all his trash talk once again. He stepped up big in one of the most important games in his career. He stopped 31 of 33 shots, including six in overtime. Binnington made some unbelievable saves to keep Canada in the game. The St. Louis Blues goaltender can now add this win to an ever-growing list of accomplishments.
Both Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinon had a goal in the championship game. MacKinon’s came in the first period to give Team Canada a 1-0 lead. McDavid potted the game-winner off of a great pass via Mitch Marner. McDavid showed once again why he is this generation’s best player, and had a great tournament overall. McDavid came up big when it mattered, and along with the rest of the Canadian roster, can add a 4 Nations championship to their accomplishments.
Team USA fell just short of the 4 Nations championship. They had plenty of opportunities to steal a win but struggled to get their offense going tonight. It was a heartbreaking loss, but the players should take solace in a hard-fought second place. Odds are this won’t be the last time we see the USA in a 4 Nations finals.
This was an amazing game from a viewer’s perspective. A nailbiter down to the bitter end. 4 Nations as a whole was an enormous success for the NHL, and should hopefully pioneer other leagues into innovating more competitive all-star games. Flowers to Team Canada, as they had a great tournament and endured a lot en route to a championship game. What a week for hockey!
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