Mitch Marner scored the overtime-winning goal at 6:06 of 3-on-3 play, leading Canada to a close 4-3 victory over Sweden in the opening match of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament on February 13, 2025. The Toronto Maple Leafs winger's decisive shot found its way past Swedish goaltender Filip Gustavsson, capping off an intense extra period where both teams created numerous opportunities to clinch the win.
The game was marked by strong performances from several Canadian players, with Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand, and Mark Stone contributing to the scoreboard. Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington played a crucial role, making 23 saves throughout the match. Additionally, NHL superstar Sidney Crosby recorded three assists in a notable return to high-level international competition.
For Sweden, Jonas Brodin, Adrian Kempe, and Joel Eriksson Ek found the net, while Gustavsson managed to stop 24 shots faced during the game. Despite losing, the Swedes earned a point in the standings due to their competitive performance after regulation time.
The tournament continues with the United States facing off against Finland on Thursday, marking the start of both nations' participation in the round-robin event. The 4 Nations tournament symbolizes a return to a best-on-best format in men's hockey, a rarity since the 2016 World Cup. The NHL had participated in the Olympics from 1998 to 2014 but withdrew from the 2018 Games over financial disputes and did not attend the 2022 Games due to COVID-19 concerns.
One major absence in this tournament is Russia, which is excluded because of its ongoing war in Ukraine. Additionally, reigning world champions Czechia are not participating due to a compressed competition schedule. The tournament's structure includes four matches at the Bell Centre in Montreal before it moves to Boston for two upcoming games and culminates in the final on February 20.
The atmosphere at the Bell Centre was electric during the opening match, highlighted by a rousing rendition of "O Canada" and a warm reception for hockey legends including Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux. Canada struck first with a power-play goal just 56 seconds into the game, initiated by Connor McDavid's assist to Crosby, who then delivered a no-look pass to MacKinnon for the opening goal. Marchand doubled the lead to 2-0 at 13:15 of the first period, showcasing the strong offensive power of the Canadian squad.
Sweden made its mark by finally registering a shot on goal after over 15 minutes, with Gustav Forsling testing Binnington. Following that, the Swedish team began to find its footing, scoring their first goal at 9:33 of the second period when Brodin managed to beat Binnington with a well-placed shot. Canada's response was swift, as Crosby assisted Stone, who scored to make it 3-1, igniting cheers from the crowd.
The third period saw an intensification of the contest, with Kempe reducing the gap to 3-2 early on. The urgency continued to build, and Eriksson Ek brought Sweden back to level terms at 8:59, scoring on a setup from Jesper Bratt, proving the game's thrilling nature. Gustavsson's significant saves against Devon Toews and Cale Makar kept the match poised for an intense finish, requiring Canada to fend off a penalty kill to maintain the tie.
In addition to the exciting gameplay, news of the NHL's plans for a World Cup in 2028 was announced by commissioner Gary Bettman, substantiating the league's commitment to staging international competitions every non-Olympic year, ensuring best-on-best matchups every two years from 2026 onwards.
Lastly, U.S. captain Auston Matthews faced a mixed reaction during the pre-game ceremony, indicating the passionate rivalry that exists between international hockey teams. Crosby expressed his admiration for the unique atmosphere at the Bell Centre, emphasizing the rich history of hockey embedded within the venue, which contributes to a special experience for players and fans alike.
