The NHL (National Hockey League) brought back the Four Nations Face-Off this year. It was the greatest tournament the sport has ever seen. The four countries that competed were the United States, Canada, Finland and Sweeden. The final game was a rematch of a great rivalry between USA and Canada, and it did not disappoint.
The games kicked off with a faceoff between Canada and Sweeden. It was a great game that ended up going into overtime where Canada came out on top and won 4-3.
The United States kicked off their games with a contest against Finland. USA dominated from start to finish with a 6-1 victory and a great start to their games.
Finland then played Sweeden where they were able to win 4-3 in overtime and keep their championship hopes alive.
The next game was between the USA vs Canada. A rivalry beyond hockey, and beyond sports in general. Hockey fans knew that this would be a great game. The United States did not think of this game as a big deal because they are not a big hockey country. But by the end of this game there were a lot more Americans who were interested in the game.
Before the game, tensions were high due to the Canadian crowd booing the USA’s national anthem. The game got good quickly because as soon as the puck dropped there was a fight. Then two seconds after that fight there was another fight making it two fights in the first three seconds of the game. And then six seconds after that there was a third fight making there be three fights in the first nine seconds of the game.
“Canada should not have booed the National Anthem,” said junior David Mccrary. “I was also surprised that there were three fights in the first nine seconds.”
But after all this drama there was still a game to play, and America came out on top 3-1. After the game there was a lot of trash talk, and Americans called Canada the “51st state” but this wasn’t the end of this rivalry. This win also clinched the United States a spot in the championship game.
Canada then clinched their spot in the championship game with a 5-3 win over Finland. The United States then lost to Sweeden, but it did not matter as they were the championship game was already set.
The championship game was the rematch the whole world wanted. And it did not disappoint. Canada took an early 1-0 lead, but the United States responded to tie the game at 1. Both teams then scored another goal to make it 2-2. 60 minutes was not enough so the game went to overtime. And then the widely recognized hockey player, Connor McDavid, was left wide open right in front of the net where he buried the game winner for Canada to win The Four Nations Face-Off.
Canada won The Four Nations Face-Off as they prove to still be the best hockey country in the world once again, but this tournament marked a new beginning for hockey in the USA.
