The Four Nations face-off final is what we all wanted, Canada vs the United States for the championship. After that electrifying round-robin game and the history the two countries have with each other, it seems so fitting that this is the final. Also, given everything that’s happening in the world right now, it seems bigger than just a hockey game. The Canadians and the Americans have met 20 times in a best-on-best tournament, with Canada holding a 14-5-1 edge. With the big game happening on Thursday, I thought it would be a great idea to look back at five of the best Canada vs. USA hockey games.
1. 2010 Olympics Gold Medal: Canada 3, USA 2 (Overtime)
Do I even have to say anything? This game is an iconic moment in Canadian hockey history. The game was in Vancouver, and the U.S. had beaten Canada in the Round Robin. Canada was up 2-0 in the game, but the U.S. fought back. Zach Parise tied it with 24 seconds left in the third period, sending the game to overtime. That set the stage for Sidney Crosby, making a call for a pass heard around the country: “IGGY, IGGY!” You could see every person in the country jump off their couch after the puck was in the back of the net. This is a moment I’ll never forget, even though I was only six years old. I hope it’s something in your core memory as well.
2.2002 Olympics Gold Medal: Canada 5, USA 2
The same stakes as the game in 2010, but without the overtime magic. Instead, it was Joe Sakic magic. Sakic led Canada in scoring and showed up when it mattered most. He scored a power-play goal in the second period to give Canada a 3-2 lead. Then, late in the third period, he iced the game for Canada on a breakaway, proving to be one of the most clutch players in NHL history and helping his country win a gold medal.
3.2014 Olympics Semi-Final: Canada 1, USA 0
The rematch of the 2010 gold medal game. The winner would go to the gold medal game to play Sweden. Jamie Benn scored the lone goal for Canada in the second period, and Carey Price made 31 saves in the win. He became the first Canadian goaltender to record a shutout in the Olympics since 1992. It wasn’t as eventful as the game in 2010, but the common denominator was that the Canadians came out victorious.
4.2016 World Cup of Hockey: Canada 4, USA 2
This was the first best-on-best game between the two countries in six years, and it lived up to the hype. The U.S. got on the board first, but Canada scored four unanswered goals, including two by Matt Duchene. Canada won 4-2 and went on to the semi-finals. The big story out of this game was that the hero wasn’t Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, or Carey Price. It was Matt Duchene who helped Canada defeat their biggest rival.
5.1987 Canada Cup: Canada 3, USA 2
The 1987 Canada Cup is often regarded as the best hockey ever played. With Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux on the same team, I don’t doubt it. Add in the fact it’s Canada playing the U.S.—instant classic. Canada beat the U.S. 3-2, led by a Mario Lemieux hat-trick. Wayne Gretzky also had two assists in the win.