BOSTON – It is not usually that I get goosebumps at the start of a sporting occasion, and so they final till the ultimate buzzer. However that was the sensation I had whereas watching Staff USA lose to Staff Canada on the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship at TD Backyard in Boston.
The great thing about American patriotism was on show, from all the crowd singing the nationwide anthem, throughout the ultimate whistle. It served as a treasured reminder that this sport was greater than only a sport. It was the American individuals coming collectively for a standard objective: to defeat our enemies.
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I’ve coated quite a lot of sporting occasions in my profession, however nothing in comparison with this. Having an opportunity to look at my nation tackle its largest rival in hockey with a championship on the road? I am getting goosebumps, once more, simply fascinated about it.
United States’ Jake Sanderson (85) is congratulated after his objective in opposition to Canada throughout the second interval of the 4 Nations Face-Off championship hockey sport, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Boston. (AP Picture/Charles Krupa)
Earlier than the sport started, there was drama about what would possibly occur when the 2 nations had their nationwide anthems sung in entrance of the largely-American contingent available.
Would Individuals boo the Canadian Nationwide Anthem, just like the Canadians did on Saturday in Montreal?
The reply was… kind of.
Finally, although, this was by no means about Canada. This was about america of America. That was on full-display when Mike Eruzione, the honorary captain of Staff USA for the championship sport, got here onto the ice.
However it acquired even higher. Whereas the Individuals largely revered the Canadian Nationwide Anthem, which got here first, the gang sang the “Star-Spangled Banner” in unison, resulting in one of many biggest sports activities moments I’ve witnessed in my life.
AMERICANS BARELY BOO CANADIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, THEN BELT OUT ‘THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER’ IN PATRIOTIC DISPLAY
It was straightforward to overlook that there was nonetheless a hockey sport to be performed, and an enormous one at that. Staff USA appeared to really feel the identical means, struggling early and finally giving up a objective lower than 5 minutes into the competition.
If the Canadians thought the Individuals would lay down on their dwelling soil, they have been sorely mistaken. Whereas Staff USA struggled to realize its footing early, the Individuals saved pushing – and saved hitting. Finally, the soiled work paid off with the tying objective late within the first interval from, who else, Brady Tkachuk.
I do know journalists are alleged to be neutral, however c’mon? You assume I wasn’t rooting for america? Get actual.
Tkachuk’s objective tied the sport at one, and it remained that means into the primary intermission.
Canada goalie Jordan Binnington, left, seems again on the puck on a objective by United States’ Jake Sanderson throughout the second interval of the 4 Nations Face-Off championship hockey sport, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Boston. (AP Picture/Charles Krupa)
The second interval continued a lot the identical means. Whereas Canada was the quicker and more-skilled staff, it had a tricky time matching the physicality of the Individuals. That physicality, led by Brady Tkachuk, paid off with Staff USA’s second objective halfway via the body.
Jake Sanderson scored the goal-ahead tally, however it was Tkachuk’s ferocious forecheck and net-front presence that freed up the ice for Sanderson to rifle one previous Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington.
Following the objective, the American followers chanted “JOR-DAN, JOR-DAN” at Binnington, in an try and additional rattle the embattled Canadian netminder.
Just like the Individuals within the first interval, although, Canada got here again with a late marker to tie the rating at two.
That objective despatched the sport into the third interval tied.
The Individuals carried play via a lot of the third interval, out-shooting and out-hitting Canada, and dominating the puck possession. However they could not get the go-ahead objective.
As time began ticking down on regulation, rigidity was constructing all through TD Backyard. You can actually really feel it. However what else did anybody anticipate? There was just one means this sport was ever going to finish, and that was extra time.
Tied at two following a scoreless third, the groups headed into sudden-death OT.
The U.S. had possibilities in extra time, together with a point-blank shot from arguably the staff’s finest participant, Auston Matthews.
However the failure to capitalize finally price the Individuals. Canada’s finest participant, actually the very best hockey participant on the planet, Connor McDavid, did not miss with the sport on his stick.
The outcome stunk. There is not any approach to sugarcoat it. However seeing Individuals come collectively to cheer for his or her staff, and extra importantly, their nation, was extra essential than profitable a hockey event.
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And Staff USA despatched Canada a message – you are not the one nation that produces elite hockey gamers. America is again, in each sense of the phrase.
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