In the four-country matchup between the US and Canada, there were sports fans everywhere talking about the national anthem boo in the first nine seconds of the game and the three fights that followed.
What was lost among them was something the United States had to overcome to win the match and advance to the final.
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Conor Helebuick of the United States team celebrates Charlie McAvoy (#25). Brock Faber, #14, is aiming for a 3-1 victory in the 4 Nations face-off game between the US and Canada at Bell Center. In Montreal on February 15th, 2025. (Hockey World Cup via Andre Ringuette/4NFO/Getty Images)
Canada's Conor McDavid opened up the score shortly after electricity hit its peak. Canada wanted to steal one and send fans home, but the US quickly tried to reset its tone. Americans believed that Charlie McAvoy had done just that.
McAvoy was a huge hit with McDavid in the first period, and 19 seconds later, Jake Guentzel passed Jordan Binnington to score an equalizer. Matthew Tokachuk said it was McAvoy's hit that energized the team.
“It's also a moment of message placement, perhaps one of the games playing,” the Florida Panthers star said. “They just scored the goal, the buildings shaking, Charlie comes over there and pops McDavid like one of the hardest hits I've seen.”
Canada's Conor McDavid #97 and Sydney Crosby (#87) spoke to the third season of the four-country face-off hockey game, which will be playing against the US in Montreal on Saturday, February 15th, 2025. (Graham Hughes // Canadian media via the AP)
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Tkachuk added that McAvoy's teammates “followed” to “McAvoy's aggression.”
“The way Charlie throws (McDavid) is kind of a game-changer,” US defender Zach Welensky said. “He's known to do that. He's good at his size. He's really good defensively and is a perfect timing hit to get our team in the right direction. That's what I thought.”
Dylan Larkin moved the US to 2-1 in the second term, Gunter later put one in the empty net, and the US won the game.
McDavid hopes Canada can bounce back and reach the final for a rematch.
“It was fast, close checks, competition, emotional,” he said. Athletic. “We had everything you wanted in a hockey game. It wasn't our path, but this is far from the end.”
Canada's Sydney Crosby #87 is being checked by US Charlie McAvoy #25 in Vincent Trocheck (#16) in first-period face-off hockey action in Montreal on Saturday, February 15th, 2025. (Canadian media via Christinne Muschi/AP)
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The US will play Sweden, and Canada will play Finland in the final match before the championship.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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