The NHL made a truly and remarkably genius decision to have the 4 Nations Tournament instead of the All Star game and it was GLORIOUS! I had an absolute blast watching the tournament and seeing the engagement from the fans and from other sports and sports analysts. The tension and story generated around the USA team was iconic and will go down in history as one of the most memorable hockey fights to happen in a tournament. The first game between the US and Canada was perfect, not only due to the 3 fights that happened during opening puck drop, or the rest of the game with team US being violent and controlling on the ice, but the victory over Canada. The rematch between the two teams in the championship was everything a championship game should be! Went into OT where Canada ended up beating the USA. This decision to make a tournament instead of an all star game not only revolutionized hockey, but will probably invoke other sports to follow suit. My one and only gripe is the many responses I’m seeing from USA fans “It’s Canada’s sport that’s why USA lost” or anything along those lines. Seeing comments like this really just grinds my gears! Just because hockey is deeply ingrained in Canadian culture doesn’t automatically mean Canada must win every time. There are plenty of solid arguments to push back against that reasoning:

1. Talent and Development in the U.S. – The U.S. has dramatically improved its hockey development system over the years, with the National Team Development Program (NTDP) producing elite players like Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, and many others. The NCAA is also a strong pipeline for top-tier hockey talent.

2. Roster Strength – Both Canada and the U.S. fielded incredibly skilled teams, loaded with NHL stars. The U.S. wasn’t some underdog team—many of their players are among the best in the NHL.

3. Game Was Extremely Close – This wasn’t a blowout. The game went to overtime, meaning the teams were evenly matched throughout regulation. A single bounce or mistake could’ve gone the other way.

4. Canada Doesn’t Always Win – Canada may have a storied hockey history, but the U.S. has won major international tournaments before. The U.S. beat Canada in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, won Olympic gold in 1960 and 1980, and has been highly competitive in recent years.

5. Game Dynamics Matter More Than Tradition – Hockey knowledge and culture don’t win games—execution, coaching, teamwork, and skill do. Saying “Canada won because it’s their sport” ignores all the strategy, individual performances, and in-game decisions that led to the win.

6. The NHL is a Global League – The best hockey players in the world, whether from Canada, the U.S., Sweden, Finland, or Russia, all play in the same league. Hockey isn’t just Canada’s sport anymore—it’s global.

So, was the U.S. leading or tying the game for most of regulation just luck? If the sport belonging to Canada meant an automatic win, why did it go to OT instead of being a dominant performance?

If hockey being ‘Canada’s sport’ meant they were destined to win, then how did Japan beat the U.S. in baseball, which is considered ‘America’s pastime’? At the end of the day, it comes down to skill, execution, and game-day performance—not national identity. All in all this tournament should be the way going forward and other sports should take notes on how to ditch their current All Star games