What Canada coach Jon Cooper said after devastating loss to USA
Hockey fans were treated to a new unforgettable chapter in the Canada-USA rivalry on Saturday night.
The round-robin matchup between the rival nations carried a little extra weight because of fraught political tensions. The atmosphere to start the game was electric, as Centre Bell fans booed loudly for the American anthem before signing the Canadian version all together.
The game got off to a similarly exciting start, with three fights in the first minute. Both Tkachuk brothers and J.T. Miller landed in the box for the Americans, while Brandon Hagel, Sam Bennett, and Colton Parayko were involved for Canada.
Coach Jon Cooper described it succinctly with one word: “mayhem.”
“It wasn’t planned,” Cooper continued. “It wasn’t two coaches throwing guys over, saying this is happening. None of that happened. It was as organic as it gets. It was probably 10 years of no international hockey exhaled in a minute-and-a-half.”
That gladiator-style start to the game blew the roof off the arena.
“It was pretty electric,” said Bennett. “Not many times you get to suit up and fight for your country. Just a couple of guys that wanted to go to battle, and I think that was an exciting start to a game.”
NOW BRADY TKACHUK AND SAM BENNETT ARE THROWING HAYMAKERS š„
THIS IS USA-CANADA HOCKEY š± pic.twitter.com/TlqEfR0uIL
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 16, 2025
The rest of the game didn’t go as well for the Canadians. They got the opening goal but eventually fell behind 2-1 after a poor change in the second period, which resulted in a two-on-one against.
“You want to make that save, but that’s how the game goes,” said goalie Jordan Binnington. “I competed, and I battled hard.”
The focus for Canada now turns completely to Monday, where they have a do-or-die game against Finland. A regulation win would book a ticket to the finals and a rematch against the Americans.
“This is a short tournament, and this is our Game 7,” said Cooper. “We’ll look after the technical side, but it doesn’t matter who you are…it doesn’t work unless you have a team that cares. That test was passed tonight; we have a team that cares.”
“In this tournament, all we’ve got to do is win another game, and we get [the Americans] again,” said Bennett.
Finland beat Sweden today in overtime, meaning that they can also advance to the final with a regulation win. There’s a lot at stake.
All eyes will be on that game, and then the potential rematch with the Americans beyond that. The 4 Nations Face-Off has captured the hockey world’s attention, and if tonight was any indication, the rest of the games should carry the same level of intensity.