Team USA Concedes Early Goal to Team Canada in Four Nations Face-Off, Igniting Heated Reactions – Video

A video capturing Team USA conceding an early lead to Team Canada's hockey team sparked strong reactions online.

Canadian center Nathan MacKinnon scored just 4:48 into the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off in Boston on February 20, firing a wrist shot through traffic past U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. His goal gave Canada an early lead and shifted the momentum, sparking strong reactions from viewers.

Despite winning the Hart Trophy last season, MacKinnon remains somewhat underappreciated beyond core hockey circles — a reputation he seemed determined to challenge in this high-stakes match.

The U.S. didn't stay down for long. Winger Brady Tkachuk tied the game at 9:01 p.m. ET, finishing a sharp pass from Auston Matthews right in the slot.

The goal reignited the crowd, with them chanting "USA, USA," echoing through the arena as Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" blasted over the speakers.

The energy only grew as classic rock anthems like Van Halen's "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" and "Quiet Riot" kept fans on their feet. Adding to the night's quirky moments, a lucky fan won 10 pounds of lobster during a break.

Social media was quick to react to the game's twists. "Life, liberty and the U.S. underperforming in a gold medal style game smh[sic]," one fan posted, capturing the frustration of American supporters.

One user criticized Tkachuk, "BBBBBBBRRRRRAAAADDDYYYYY!!!!! Brrrrraaaaadddddyyyyyyyy!!!!!! It's ALL YOUR FAULT [sic]." Canadian fans responded with pride and humor, with one writing, "Lmao. A man jinxed USA. KARMA. LOL. Let's go Canada [sic]."

Someone else focused on the gameplay itself, "A really great shot. Nothing you could do there defensively. Helle couldn't even see the puck with all the traffic." Another criticized the play, calling it a "soft goal," while another praised Canada's speed on the ice.

The game's intensity and the strong reactions highlighted the enduring rivalry between the two nations, a rivalry that reached its peak in a nail-biting overtime finish.

Canada secured a 3-2 victory against Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off, with McDavid scoring the game-winner 11:42 into overtime, sending the Boston crowd into pandemonium.

The win solidified Canada's status as the top hockey nation, a title it will hold until the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

Canada's victory followed tense moments earlier in the tournament when a viral video showed fans booing the U.S. national anthem on February 15.

The crowd at Montreal's Bell Centre sparked controversy that night, jeering throughout "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the game between both teams. Warrant Officer David Grenon of the Royal Canadian Air Force Band continued the performance despite the loud boos.

However, reports described a "good deal of booing for the U.S. anthem" as Grenon performed. The incident added to a growing trend of Canadian fans voicing discontent during American national anthems at sporting events.

Despite the tense pre-game atmosphere, Team USA secured a 3-1 victory over Team Canada. The match saw Team USA score in each period, while Canada was limited to a single goal in the first.

The final stats reflected a dominant performance by the American team, improving their record to 2-0 in the tournament, while Canada dropped to 1-1. As discussions around the viral moment continued, the focus shifted to the tournament's upcoming matchups.

However, the loud reaction to the U.S. anthem added another layer to the competitive and sometimes heated history between these two hockey powerhouses.

The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, an international tournament featuring NHL players from the U.S., Canada, Finland, and Sweden, is being played from February 12-20, with games hosted in Montreal and Boston.

Each of the four teams consists of 23 NHL players selected by their respective national associations, with eligibility based on active NHL contracts for the 2024-25 season.

The tournament follows a "round-robin" format, with the top two teams advancing to a one-game final. On the ice, the game lived up to its billing as a high-stakes, physical showdown. From the opening face-off, the intensity was palpable, as three fights erupted within the first nine seconds of play.

The U.S. team was unfazed by the hostile environment, made a statement, and responded with a performance that cemented their dominance in the tournament. Jake Guentzel played a key role in the victory, scoring twice as Team USA defeated Canada 3-1, securing their place in the championship game.

Dylan Larkin added a goal and an assist, while goaltender Connor Hellebuyck delivered a stellar performance with 25 saves.

The victory marked the first time the U.S. had beaten Canada in a best-on-best international tournament since the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. "That was one of the best experiences of my life," Larkin said after the game. "Just an unbelievable hockey game."

Canada initially took the lead in the first period when Connor McDavid capitalized on a pass from Drew Doughty, slicing through the U.S. defense before lifting a backhanded shot past Hellebuyck.

However, Team USA responded swiftly, as Guentzel tied the game minutes later with a precise low shot that slipped under goaltender Jordan Binnington's pad.

The physicality of the game remained a defining factor, with U.S. defenseman Charlie McAvoy delivering a thunderous hit on McDavid, shifting momentum in favor of his team.

"That also is a message-sending moment; probably one of the plays of the game," Matthew Tkachuk said of McAvoy's hit. "They just scored a goal, the building was rocking, and Charlie comes there and pops McDavid. It was one of the hardest hits I've seen."

Larkin's second-period goal gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead, a moment made even more special by the presence of his family in the stands.

"I got to see my dad jump up," Larkin recalled. "Honestly, just probably one of the more special goals of my career."

Canada controlled much of the puck possession in the third period, but the U.S. defensive unit remained disciplined, clogging passing lanes and blocking crucial shots. As the final minutes ticked away, Guentzel sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, securing Team USA's spot in the final.

Hellebuyck's composure under pressure proved vital in the closing moments, as he turned away several last-ditch efforts from Canada's offense.

"It felt like playoff hockey in the third period," he said. "You get a lead and try to kill the clock, but you know the team is going to be pressing, so you've got to play perfect hockey, perfect details."

At the time, the result left Canada in a must-win situation for their final round-robin game against Finland. With the U.S. already guaranteed a place in the championship, Canada needed to secure a regulation victory over Finland to earn their spot in the final.

Canada coach Jon Cooper acknowledged the challenge ahead but remained optimistic. "We've got to learn from this," he noted. "We had the puck for about 180 feet; we couldn't get it past that extra 20 feet, and that's something we've got to look at."

With emotions running high and national pride on the line, the 4 Nations Face-Off is delivering the kind of drama that hockey fans crave.