For hockey enthusiasts, international competitions have consistently delivered the sport’s most memorable and thrilling moments. Be it the Olympics, the IIHF World Championship, or the World Juniors, the idea of watching top athletes represent their countries is unparalleled. This year’s Four Nations Faceoff was no different; it may go down as the best hockey tournament in history–and potentially one of the best in sports. From intense rivalries to spectacular performances, this tournament set the new standard for future league events.
Unlike most international tournaments that featured multiple nations, Four Nations Faceoff focused on the four hockey powerhouses: the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland. The tournament ensured that every game would be filled with talent. With superstars Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Filip Forsberg, and Sebastian Aho all taking the ice, the games were always filled with skill and speed.
One of the greatest advantages of the championship was the absence of one-sided matchups. Each game in FNF was an essential spectacle; the exceptional skill showcased kept fans captivated from the opening puck drop until the final buzzer.
Game one between Canada and Sweden was a nail biter. It was a game of hot potato as the score went back and forth. Nathan MacKinnon and Brad Marchand opened the scoring for Canada in the first period. Adrian Kempe and Joel Eriksson Ek of Sweden responded and forced overtime. In the additional period, Canada’s Mitch Marner scored on a breakaway, winning 4-3.
Going into the next game between the US and Finland, the matchup was anything but close. The States took the game 6-1 in a dominating fashion. In a form of brotherly love, both Matthew and Brady Tkachuk each scored two goals. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stood on his head the entire game, recorded a 0.952 save percentage, saving 21 of 22 shots on net.
After a two day break, all four nations played Saturday evening. Sweden entered their second overtime game of the tournament playing against Finland. Finland, however, entered the period strong and took the game 4-3.
The matchup of the night, Canada vs the US. The game opened with not one, not two, but three fights, setting a league record of most fights in the opening nine seconds of a game. With fans already given an entertaining opener, both teams did not disappoint. Canada opened the scoring but was soon overshadowed by three straight goals from the red, white, and blue. USA took the game 3-1 and clinched the tournament’s first championship finals spot.
Two days later, Canada played against Finland in a thriller. Despite the final score of 5-3 Canada, the game was close all the way through and kept fans glued to their seats. With Sweden eliminated from finals contention, the squad looked to seek revenge on the United States. Revenge they did as Sweden took the game 2-1.
The finals were played in TD Garden in Boston on February 20th. The matchup between Canada and the US was not only a league-wide phenomenon, but sport-wide. With a total of 16.1 million viewers tuning in to the final game, it sets itself as the highest watched non-NFL sporting event in ESPN+ history.
While the game did not open with dropped gloves, it did open up with scoring. Both teams went back and forth as the game went on. The game ended in yet another overtime, an ideal finish for such a close tournament. When it came to who was the best nation, Canada took the game and the championship title as none other than Connor McDavid landed the puck into the net.
The NHL Four Nations has set a new standard for international competition and its success poses the questionL should the league make this a permanent feature? With the hype it generated nationwide, fans and players alike will be eager to see another edition of Four Nations in the future. Its ability to showcase the game’s greatest players in an entertaining competition proved that if done right, can be one of the best events in sports.
In a sport known for its iconic moments, the 2025 edition of the Four Nations Faceoff will be remembered as a true classic. From its intense matchups to the breathtaking ending, it wasn’t just one of the best hockey tournaments ever, it was one of the best in sporting history.
