Within the first sport of the 4 Nations Face-Off event, Crew Canada defeated Team Sweden 4-3 in extra time in what was one of the vital entertaining hockey video games that followers have seen in a really very long time. From phenomenal saves from Jordan Binnington to Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon making magic, and every part in between, listed below are the three prime takeaways from the sport.
Nova Scotia’s Star-Energy on Show
With MacKinnon, Brad Marchand, and naturally, captain Sidney Crosby all representing Nova Scotia for Crew Canada, they actually confirmed as much as play within the first sport of the event. With the primary objective of the sport being simply 56 seconds into the sport from MacKinnon, it was Crosby setting him up together with his first help of the night time. It took simply 13:15 for Marchand to attain to provide Canada a 2-0 lead after which to have all three Nova Scotians on the scoreboard.
Associated: Information to the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off
There was little question that MacKinnon and Crosby have been going to have a giant sport. They haven’t had an opportunity to play collectively but of their profitable careers, and the long-time pals have been wanting ahead to it.
Crosby added one other help within the second interval, which was simply as fairly as the primary one. To prime all of it off, Crosby additionally obtained an help on Mitch Marner’s game-winning extra time objective.
Crosby was named the primary star as the most effective participant of the sport, and listening to the gang erupt with “Crosby” chants gave followers everywhere in the nation goosebumps.
Binnington’s Saving Grace
Whereas it’ll be practically unimaginable for a goaltender to come back out of this event with nice numbers contemplating the expertise taking pictures on them, Binnington made some unimaginable game-saving saves. There have been a number of cases throughout regulation the place he didn’t look as sharp as Canada wanted him to be, however he actually made up for it in extra time with some outstanding saves.
Jordan Binnington doing Jordan Binnington issues on the worldwide stage. #4Nations #stlblues pic.twitter.com/ydaAsxFXau
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) February 13, 2025
There was little question concerning the talent that the skaters had for Canada heading into the event. The place the issues, that are very legitimate, got here from, was within the web. Binnington, together with Adin Hill and Sam Montembeault, should not on the similar stage as the opposite three nations. With that being stated, every goalie is able to successful video games for Canada, particularly contemplating the protection and forwards in entrance of them.
Canada held Sweden to zero pictures for the primary 16 minutes of the sport, so it took some further time for Binnington to get into the motion. In any case was stated and completed, Binnington obtained the win. He made the large saves when he wanted to, and when going through 26 pictures in opposition to the most effective Swedish gamers within the NHL, permitting simply three isn’t the top of the world.
Crew Canada Dealing With Accidents Already
Through the second interval of the sport, Shea Theodore went to the Canadian locker room after suffering an injury to what seemed to be his hand, wrist, or arm. After taking a success from Swedish ahead Adrian Kempe, Theodore braced for the hit and when he lifted his arm, it was a wierd bend alongside the boards. Canada introduced that he wouldn’t return to the sport, and Jackie Redmond confirmed that Theodore had x-rays completed. There isn’t any replace on the extent of the damage presently, but when he is because of miss time, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim is ready to take his spot.
Theodore performed simply seven minutes for Canada, however seemed superb in that point. He can be an enormous loss for the crew, but when they do certainly must name upon Sanheim, he’s actually reduce out for the job.
Sanheim has good offensive instincts, which truthfully, isn’t one thing Crew Canada wants extra of, however he’s additionally a powerful defensive presence. He is aware of the best way to play large minutes, he’s a accountable participant, and there’s no doubt that he can be prepared for a job on the crew.
Facet Observe – 4 Nations Extra time Is So A lot Enjoyable
How enjoyable was that 10-minute 3-on-3 extra time? A lot open ice, three of the league’s finest gamers on the ice collectively each shift, and a lot back-and-forth. After all, Marner’s nice objective is what sealed the deal, however having MacKinnon, McDavid and both Cale Makar or Crosby on the ice with them is simply unfair. They have been dominant with the puck, they have been transferring at such a quick pace you can be satisfied it was the pace of sunshine, and making nice performs.
To suppose that if the 4 Nations guidelines adopted precisely what the NHL does, that sport would have resulted in extra time makes many followers grateful for the rule change for this. Over six minutes of a number of the finest back-and-forth play, unbelievable saves at each ends of the ice, and simply pure enjoyable. That’s what hockey is all about.
