(Photo courtesy of NHL) “The Four Nations tournament replaces the NHL All-Star game.”
James Guiry
Connector Staff
The Four Nations Tournament has replaced the NHL All-Star Game for the 2024-2025 season. Bringing about a fresh and more competitive edge to the much-maligned All-Star format. The countries that participated in the tournament this season are the United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden.
In an era where the NBA All-Star Game is dragged for being low effort and the Pro Bowl has morphed into a dull flag football game, this is a refreshing take on the format. Players want to play hard for their countries. There is a sense of national pride when watching these games, even from people who typically wouldn’t watch hockey.
Canada opened the tournament with a dramatic 4-3 overtime victory against Sweden. After a back-and-forth battle in regulation, the game was ultimately decided six minutes into the overtime, when winger Mitch Marner sealed the win for Canada with a clutch goal.
The United States came out flying in their opening game, beating Finland 6-1. Four of the goals the U.S. would score came in the third period, showcasing how Finland was able to make things competitive throughout much of the game.
Their momentum carried into the much-anticipated matchup against Canada on Feb. 15, a game that marked the first meeting between the rival nations since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, when Canada defeated the U.S. 4-2.
Surprisingly, the game started off with three fights in the first nine seconds of play, setting the tone for a physical battle. In total, there were 63 hits dished out throughout the game, which really highlights just how hard everyone was competing on the ice.
Canada opened the scoring in this game with a beautiful pass from defenseman Drew Doughty to superstar center Connor McDavid. The shot beat former River Hawks alumni goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck on his glove side.
The U.S. came back five minutes later and did not step off the gas from that moment on, scoring three unanswered goals and winning the game 3-1 on Canada’s home ice. Center Dylan Larkin, who scored a goal in this game, described the experience as “One of the best experiences of my life.” This would be the U.S.’s first win against Canada since the preliminary round of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
With this victory, the U.S. secured a spot in the championship, and would subsequently rest some of their star players against Sweden. They would go on to lose this “meaningless game” 2-1. Despite the lack of stakes, the intensity and passion were still high for both players and fans alike.
Canada’s next game would carry more weight, as they needed a win against Finland to secure a rematch against the U.S. in the championship. After a back-and-forth contest, Canada would come out on top 5-3. The rematch was then set in stone for Boston.
The rematch was highly anticipated as many were expecting a highly competitive game. By the end of the game, those expectations were exceeded.
Center Nathan Mackinnon started the scoring off in the first period with a great shot from the high slot that beat Hellebuyck. Winger Brady Tkachuk would tie the game with just over three minutes to go in the first period. The period would end knotted up at one goal a piece.
Defenseman Jake Sanderson scored a chaotic goal for the U.S. in the second period to give them the lead. Just as it seemed Canada would be unable to respond, just for center Sam Bennete to score an even-strength goal for Canada with six minutes left in the period. This would end up being the last goal scored in regulation, as the third period would come to an end with the score tied up at two.
Overtime would remain scoreless until McDavid scored the “Golden Goal”, winning the game, as well as the inaugural Four Nations Championship for Canada. A bad feeling of déjà vu washed over any U.S. fan who had also seen the 2010 Winter Olympics, which ended in similar fashion.
The national pride many fans felt throughout this tournament was palpable within the stadium and throughout the country. This is a great step into a new era for the NHL. In comparison to the other leagues, the NHL is redefining the idea of the “All-Star Break”, bringing about a welcome and refreshing change to sports fans all over the world.
