Team USA edged Team Canada 3-1 in a highly charged and physical matchup at the 4Nations Face-Off best-on-best tournament in Montreal. The early fireworks included three fights within nine seconds of the game’s start, which set the tone for a fiercely contested contest.
The US team executed their game plan to perfection, cutting off the middle of the ice and forcing Canada into perimeter hockey for most of the game. Connor Hellebuyck played like one of the best goalies in the world, stopping all but one of 26 shots on net. In contrast, Jordan Binnington allowed two goals despite being under pressure.
US coach Mike Sullivan’s stingy schematic paid off, and his team received credit for their selfless effort. “It was just a group effort,” said center Jack Eichel. Canadian bench boss Jon Cooper tried to find some offense in the second half but came up empty. Binnington has now lost two out of three games.
The crowd’s reaction to the US national anthem, which included booing and protests earlier in the week, seemed to have little impact on Team USA’s performance. Matthew Tkachuk expressed disdain for the booing, while Brady Tkachuk and Sam Bennett had a heated exchange before dropping their gloves.
Canada eventually got on the board with a goal from Connor McDavid, but US forward Jake Guentzel scored the decisive third goal, followed by an empty-netter to seal the win. The victory sends Team USA to the final next Thursday in Boston, where they will face Canada and Sweden in doubleheaders.
Source: https://www.nhl.com/goldenknights/news/lawless-stingy-team-usa-clinches-berth-in-4nations-finale