The USA will play the final of the NHL's four-nation tournament in Boston on Friday. They beat Canada 3:1 in Montreal in an electrifying atmosphere with boos and brawls.
16.02.2025, 08:30
16.02.2025, 08:49
SDA
The start of the prestigious duel was chaotic. With the resigned Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the stands, the local fans booed and whistled during the American national anthem. A phenomenon that has become common at NHL and NBA games in Canada since US President Donald Trump threatened punitive tariffs on imported Canadian goods.
Then three brawls broke out within nine seconds. "That was probably, I guess, ten years of international field hockey exhaled in a minute and a half," said Canada coach Jon Cooper, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with Tampa Bay and future coach of Canada's 2026 Olympic team. NHL players have been absent from the last two Olympics, so it's been a long time since there's been a cross-country matchup with the top stars.
After the referees had restored order, field hockey was also played. Canada took the lead through its star forward Connor McDavid, but the USA turned the tide thanks in part to two goals from Tampa Bay forward Jake Guentzel, the second into an empty net.
The Americans are therefore already confirmed as finalists before the last game of the preliminary round against Sweden. The Canadians need a win against Finland on Monday.
