Sidney Crosby of Canada celebrates after scoring a goal against Finland during the third period of the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game on Monday, February 17, 2025, in Boston. The Canadian Press/AP-Charles Krupa.
Canada’s hockey team stormed into the 4 Nations Face-Off final after a thrilling 5-3 victory over Finland on Monday. Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon set the tempo early, scoring 46 seconds apart in the first period. Their electric performance helped Canada build an early lead, but they had to withstand a late surge from Finland to secure the win.
A Fast Start and Fierce Finish
Canada wasted no time taking control. McDavid pounced on a poor clearance by Roope Hintz and fired a shot past Finnish goaltender Kevin Lankinen at 4:13 of the first period. Moments later, MacKinnon stormed into the offensive zone and buried another goal, doubling Canada’s lead within a minute. Brayden Point then added a third, giving Canada a commanding 3-0 advantage after the opening 20 minutes.
MacKinnon struck again five minutes into the second period, making it 4-0 and forcing Finland to swap goalies. Juuse Saros replaced Lankinen, who allowed four goals on 13 shots. With Canada in firm control, they focused on maintaining their lead.
However, Finland refused to back down. They found their spark in the third period when Esa Lindell broke through, followed by two quick goals from Mikael Granlund in the final minutes. With Finland pressing hard, Canada needed one final moment of brilliance—Sidney Crosby delivered. The veteran captain sealed the game with an empty-net goal, ensuring Canada’s place in the final.
A Rivalry Renewed
The win sets up a much-anticipated rematch with the United States. The Americans previously edged out Canada 3-1 in a physical game that featured multiple fights within the first few seconds. Both teams have now secured their spots in Thursday’s final, where tensions are expected to run high.
"Both teams got to know each other pretty well, pretty quickly," said Crosby. "It’s going to be a great challenge."
U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan echoed the excitement, calling it a battle of pride and skill. "This is what international hockey is all about," he said.
Binnington Stands Tall
Jordan Binnington got the nod in goal for Canada and made 23 saves, stepping up when Finland applied pressure late in the game. Head coach Jon Cooper praised the goaltender’s composure, saying, "He’s given us a chance to win every game."
Meanwhile, defenseman Cale Makar returned after missing the previous game due to illness, providing much-needed stability on the blue line.
Looking Ahead
Canada’s victory marks the return of NHL players to high-stakes international competition ahead of next year’s Olympics. With national pride and a championship on the line, the showdown between Canada and the U.S. is set to be an unforgettable clash.
