The Four Nations Faceoff was unlike anything that has ever been witnessed in NHL history and for very good reason. 

 

For starters, the tournament gave hockey fans — including myself — a breath of fresh air from the annual NHL All-Star Games that have become a regular tradition during the regular season ever since its debut in 1947. 

 

In recent years, viewership for the NHL’s annual All-Star Games have plummeted significantly. Last year’s game drew just shy of 1.5 million viewers on ABC; a decrease of around 7% or 1.5 million viewers from the 2023 All-Star Game. 

 

The numbers for this year say it all. According to NHL statistics, roughly 16.1 million viewers across North America tuned into the Four Nations championship on February 20, making it the most watched non-Stanley Cup playoffs game in over ten years. 

 

The fact that All-Star players were replaced by four country teams meant that not only were NHL fans tuning in to watch, but you also had ordinary people — who don’t typically watch hockey — tune in to watch the tournament to show some nationalism for their country. 

 

It was also an awesome event getting to see NHL teammates square off against one another as they represented each of their respective countries in the tournament. 

 

Three of four players that make up the Leafs Core Four had an opportunity to each square off against one another, with Leafs right winger, William Nylander, playing for Team Sweden, Leafs centre, Auston Mathews, becoming captain for Team USA, and Leafs right winger, Mitch Marner, playing for Team Canada.

 

“Like I spoke about before the tournament, it’s always fun competing against him. He’s such a competitor. I’m very fortunate to be on his line and play with him a lot,” Marner said after being asked about his friendship with Mathews during the Four Nations.

 

The Four Nations Faceoff was more than just a hockey game. In the backdrop of the tournament stood the contentious political tensions between Canada and the United States in recent months, following President Donald Trump’s threats of annexing Canada and making it the 51st state. 

Even prior to the tournament, Canadian hockey fans had already shown their true patriotism for their red maple leaf by booing the Star Spangled Banner in several regular season games. 

 

The jeering of the anthem did not stop during the tournament. During the first faceoff between Canada and the US on February 15 in Montreal, Canadian fans booed the Star Spangled Banner while cheering during O Canada. 

 

The game also started incredibly hectic with three fights breaking out in the first nine seconds of the first period. 

 

Canadian Brandon Hagel and American Mathew Tkachuk squared off against each other just two seconds after the opening faceoff. Just seconds later, Mathew’s brother, Brady Tkachuk, then squared off with Sam Bennett. 

 

Moments after the game had resumed, another fight between Canadian Colton Parayko and American J.T. Miller ensued. 

 

“I did it for the flag, not for the cameras,” said Brandon Hagel after being asked about his fight with Mathew Tkachuk following their 3-1 loss against Team USA on February 15. 

 

During the Four Nations Championship, which saw Canada faceoff against the US, Canadian Grammy Award-winning singer, Chantal Kreviazuk, altered some of the lyrics of O Canada from “in all of us command” to “that only us command.” 

 

Several Canadian politicians did not remain silent throughout the tournament, demonstrating their unwavering well wishes to their team. 

 

“Cheering on Team Canada in Montreal tonight! Let’s bring it home,” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said in a post on X prior to the first faceoff between Canada and the US on January 15. 

 

“The entire country is cheering you on Canada. Let’s show the world what Canadian hockey is all about!” NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said in a post he tweeted on X prior to the championship. 

 

The tournament culminated in one final showdown that saw Team Canada and Team USA reunited once more, this time, battling it out for the Four Nations championship. 

 

With both teams tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, the game culminated in a highly electric and apprehensive overtime that saw Canadian goaltender, Jordan Binnington, save several high-danger shots, including his save on a shot taken by Auston Mathews.After nearly eleven minutes into overtime, Connor McDavid scores the OT winning goal, putting Team Canada on top and officially cementing the team as the official Four Nations champions. 

 

Following Canada’s 3-2 overtime win against the US, Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a direct jab at President Donald Trump on social media. 

 

“You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game,” he tweeted on X. 

 

“I just hope Canada is proud because every player in that room is proud to be a Canadian, and ya did we need a win? Not only our team but Canada needed a win, and the players beared that on their shoulders and they took it seriously. This [game] was different. It wasn’t [just] a win for themselves. This was a win for 40 plus million people. The guys knew it and they delivered,” said Team Canada coach Jon Cooper following their win over Team USA. 

 

With NHL players set to return to the Olympic Games at Milano Cortina 2026, hockey fans won’t have to wait very long for yet another opportunity to watch some of their favourite players represent their countries on the world stage. And hopefully, Canada will be able to cement the reputation for being the greatest at hockey once and for all.