Canada’s victory over the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off final was more than just another hockey win it was a display of the country’s enduring soft power. The intense 3-2 overtime thriller, sealed by Connor McDavid’s goal, showcased not just elite skill but the deep-rooted passion that defines the sport. Hockey, unlike other North American leagues, demands an all-in mentality. As former NHL player PK Subban pointed out recently, you can’t go through the motions in this game. You have to fight. You have to care. And that level of commitment is what keeps fans invested.
The Canada-US rivalry has always been fierce, but this tournament added another layer of tension. Just days before the final, their round-robin matchup had already set the tone three fights broke out within the first nine seconds. It was a reminder that in these games, the stakes are never just about a trophy. The history, the national pride, and the cultural divide all play a role. On Thursday night in Boston, it was Canada that had the final say. The US made the mistake of leaving McDavid open in the slot in sudden-death overtime, and the best player in the world made them pay.
The intensity of the tournament caught some American sports fans off guard, especially those more accustomed to the spectacle of the NBA’s All-Star weekend, where effort often takes a backseat to entertainment. The contrast was glaring. In hockey, there’s no option to coast. Every shift is a battle, and that’s part of what makes it uniquely compelling.
Adding to the geopolitical backdrop, there was even talk of a certain high-profile figure making an appearance at the game. USA Hockey’s general manager had expressed a desire for presidential support, and though it didn’t materialize in person, the sentiment still found its way into the public sphere. A message posted just hours before the final hinted at an even more audacious idea the suggestion that Canada, with its lower taxes and supposed security vulnerabilities, might one day become America’s “fifty-first state.”
But this rivalry has never needed political theatrics to make it interesting. The battles between Canada and the US on the ice have always been defined by something deeper centuries of history, an unbalanced relationship, and Canada’s constant effort to assert itself. Time and again, hockey has been a proving ground for that resilience, a reminder that no matter how outsized its neighbor’s influence may be, there are some things Canada still does better. “We’re playing for the flag, not the cameras,” one Team Canada forward remarked before the final.
Beyond national pride, hockey serves as one of Canada’s greatest tools of soft power. The tenacity and grit it embodies are inseparable from the country’s identity. Other leagues in North America may have Canadian teams, but there’s something uniquely “Canadian” about the culture of hockey itself an ingrained toughness, a willingness to fight against the odds.
Trump may try to co-opt hockey into his vision of America, but the reality is undeniable: when you step onto the ice, no matter where you’re from, something about you will always be Canadian.
