Connor McDavid OT Winner Gives Canada the Four Nations Cup

The hype leading into the game did not disappoint. Both found ice hard to come by, but it was Connor McDavid who found that last piece to win the game in overtime. Canada, in the big moment, showed it is still their game, winning the Four Nations Faceoff by a score of 3-2 in overtime.

It has the feel of a Stanley Cup Playoff game. As the players said, leading into the championship game, it was the biggest game they had ever played. Not to mention, the players continuously stated the lead into the game, and the game itself had the feeling of Game 7. The intensity was higher than that and more between Canada and Team USA, especially with what happened in the first game.

It was Connor McDavid who talked about how, after the loss to Team USA on Saturday, this tournament was far from over. And boy, was he right. He delivered in the biggest moments for Canada, along with tournament MVP Nathan MacKinnon. Both players backed up their words, especially when Canada needed them most in the game against Finland and in the championship game.

MacKinnon opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the tournament, giving Canada a 1-0 lead. He has been electric all tournament for Canada. His speed is undeniable, and there was a reason he won the Hart Trophy last season.

After Connor Hellebuyck held Canada at bay, Brady Tkachuk tied the game at 1-1. Jake Sanderson makes it 2-1 for Team USA. Auston Matthews 2 assists. Sanderson was the replacement for Charlie McAvoy, who was out of the tournament after a right shoulder injury suffered in the first game against Finland.

Team USA: Jake Guentzel Was Built for the Big Moments

Four Nations: Mark Stone: “I Had A Great Seat For It” Commenting on 10-minute 3v3 OT Format

Four Nations: Matthew Tkachuk: “It’s Our Time” As Team USA Sends Message They Have Arrived

Teams traded chances, and then the most hated man in Boston, Sam Bennett, tied the game at 2-2. Canada caught Team USA on a bad line change, and Bennett scored on a nice shot over Hellebuyck’s right shoulder.

Team Canada put pressure on the Americans later in the period. Bennett, who loves playing in TD Garden, had another shot to give Team Canada the lead, but it hit the post as Hellebuyck took the angle away.

As expected, it was a fast-paced game that became a defensive struggle. The winner was going to win the neutral zone, just like in the previous game. As we have seen, defense still wins championships no matter what the sport is. And the players knew how important the next goal was.

It was tight checking low event third period from both teams. Team USA and Canada knew how important it was not to make a mistake. The Canadians learned their lesson from the last game. A couple of mistakes led to American goals and a loss. This time, Jon Cooper had his team playing a simple game by getting pucks deep and taking every shot they could instead of passing on opportunities.

While both teams had chances to get the lead, Connor Hellebuyck was there for the Americans, while Jordan Binnington, who loves playing in TD Garden, was solid for Team Canada. Remember, Binnington was in goal for the St. Louis Blues when they won the Stanley Cup in 2019 in Game 7 against the Boston Bruins.

And that was the story for most of the night. Cooper gave him confidence by believing in him and sticking with him. Binnington came up with several key saves, including two saves on Auston Matthews in overtime. Not to mention one on Brady Tkachuk.

This led to the Canadians dumping the puck in and working a cycle game. It was set up by a great play by Brayden Point, who fed Mitch Marner for his second assist of the night. Marner then set it to Connor McDavid in the slot for the game-winning, tournament-winning goal. It was fitting since McDavid was shut out in Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers.

But what a moment for Canada. It was Sidney Crosby who scored the Golden Goal in 2010 at the Olympics and now Connor McDavid in 2025 at the Four Nations Faceoff. Big stars deliver in big moments for Canada.