Amid brewing political tensions, Canada, U.S. set for next chapter in heated rivalry at 4 Nations
Sidney Crosby's younger teammates all remember his golden goal against U.S. in 2010
Connor McDavid was hanging out with buddies from his Toronto minor hockey team.
Nathan MacKinnon was trying to get home to Nova Scotia from the prep school he attended in Minnesota. A cancelled flight due to winter weather forced him to stay behind with a friend's family.
It was Feb. 28, 2010, and the teenagers, much like the rest of Canada, were on the edge of their seats as the national team met the United States in the men's Olympic hockey final.
Sidney Crosby — the country's 22-year-old, baby-faced superstar — stitched his name into the country's sporting fabric that memorable Sunday when he scored the overtime goal that clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory and tied a bow on the Vancouver Games.
"We had all got together to watch," McDavid recalled.
"Any hockey fan remembers where they were," MacKinnon added.
The pair have waited a long time to play against the Americans at the highest level. They're set to finally get that chance — with Crosby still leading the charge.
Canada and the U.S. will square off in a mouth-watering, marquee matchup Saturday night at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal.
"A hockey game that you love to be a part of, no matter what experience you've had in the past," said Crosby, the country's 37-year-old captain coming off Wednesday's three-assist performance in a 4-3 overtime victory against Sweden.
"Excited for the challenge."
U.S. anthem booed
The game will be played with a political backdrop ignited by U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of tariffs on Canada.
Fans booed "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the U.S.-Finland game on Thursday, continuing a trend at professional sporting events in Canada following U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats.
"I know what's going on and I understand Canadians' frustration," said defenceman Drew Doughty, who won Olympic gold with Canada in 2010 and 2014. "But I think we should respect the anthems — I don't think anyone should be booing."
"There's no bigger rivalry," Canadian forward Brad Marchand said. "They're the games that everybody dreams about playing growing up.
"Memories that will last a lifetime."
Matthew and Brady Tkachuk — the bash brothers from down south — made their presence felt against Finland, combining for five points as part of a dominant physical effort.
"The biggest game that I've ever played in my career," Brady Tkachuk said of facing Canada after helping thump the Finns. "Bigger than just the guys on the ice."
WATCH | Why are national anthems sung before sporting events — and should they be?
The Canadians are making at least two changes to their lineup, including one out of necessity.
Travis Sanheim will draw in on defence after Shea Theodore (upper-body injury, week-to-week) was hurt against Sweden, which faces Finland in another matchup of regional rivals Saturday afternoon.
Bruising forward Sam Bennett, meanwhile, will take the place of Travis Konecny. He skated alongside Marchand — a fellow agitator with a similar nasty streak — at Friday's practice.
"As big a game as they come," Bennett said. "I can't wait."
WATCH | Canada, U.S. players focused on hockey despite tarrif tensions:
No. 1 blueliner Cale Makar (illness) didn't hit the ice at the Montreal Canadiens' facility, but head coach Jon Cooper said he's "confident" the 2021-22 Norris Trophy winner will be available.
If Makar can't go, the Canadians have the option of bringing in Thomas Harley — a player not currently part of the roster but on standby.
Canada jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage Wednesday inside an electric Bell Centre only to blow a 3-1 lead in the third period before Mitch Marner scored a dramatic winner in extra time off a Crosby setup.
WATCH | Marner's OT marker helps Canada edge Sweden in 4 Nations Face-Off opener:
"Great start," MacKinnon said. "We need to hopefully keep that going a little longer. Think all of us were very, very excited, amped up. Maybe the adrenalin dumped a little bit halfway.
"But it's a huge advantage having that support."
The NHL went to five Olympics between 1998 and 2014, but skipped 2018 for financial reasons. The league then withdrew from the 2022 Games because of COVID-19 worries.
Russia, banned because of its war in Ukraine, and Czechia aren't part of the 4 Nations field that's still the closest men's hockey has come to best-on-best play since the 2016 World Cup. The round-robin event shifts to Boston for two games Monday — Canada against Finland, Sweden against the U.S. — ahead of Thursday's final.
The likes of McDavid, MacKinnon, American captain Auston Matthews and a host of hockey's other stars currently in their prime had never had the chance to face the sport's best in their countries' colours before this week.
Now the next chapter in the Canada-U.S. rivalry is coming quick.
"It's big," McDavid said. "What you dream of."
