U.S. defeats Canada in fight-filled game in Montreal to clinch spot in 4 Nations Face-Off final

The rivalry between Canada and the United States on the international hockey stage reached a new level of intensity in a heated matchup at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal. The game began with three fights erupting within nine seconds of the opening faceoff, setting the tone for a physical and aggressive contest.

Dylan Larkin scored the go-ahead goal for the United States in the second period, leading his team to a 3-1 victory over Canada. Jake Guentzel added two goals of his own, including an empty-netter, while Connor Hellebuyck made 25 saves to secure the win. Connor McDavid scored the lone goal for Canada, who were missing top defenseman Cale Makar due to illness. Jordan Binnington made 20 saves in the losing effort.

The United States, coming off a dominant 6-1 win against Finland in their previous game, now have six points through two games and have secured a spot in the final in Boston. Canada, Sweden, and Finland each have two points in the round-robin tournament, setting up a highly anticipated final between the top two teams.

The game was not without controversy, as fans in Montreal continued the trend of booing the American national anthem, a gesture that has become common at Canadian sporting events in recent years. Despite the animosity off the ice, the players on both teams showcased their skill and physicality on the ice, delivering a thrilling and hard-fought contest.

Both teams had their chances throughout the game, with McDavid displaying his speed and skill to open the scoring for Canada. Guentzel and Larkin capitalized on their opportunities for the United States, while Hellebuyck and Binnington put on a goaltending clinic with key saves at crucial moments.

In the end, it was the United States who emerged victorious, with Guentzel sealing the win with an empty-net goal in the final minutes of the game. As the clock ticked down, American fans chanted “U-S-A! U-S-A!” in celebration of their team’s hard-fought victory.

The 4 Nations Face-Off continues with games between Canada and Finland, and Sweden and the United States, before the highly anticipated final between the top two teams. The tournament represents the closest thing to best-on-best hockey since the 2016 World Cup, providing fans with thrilling matchups and intense rivalries on the international stage.