Canada tops Team USA in overtime to win inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off

The GIST: Political tension? Check. Glove dropping? Check. Moments that made you cry? Check. The NHL’s innovative 4 Nations Face-Off tournament had it all, with Canada defeating Team USA to win the inaugural trophy in dramatic fashion last night. Here’s how it went down.

Connor McDavid scored the golden goal to clinch a Red and White victory: A sudden death, 5-on-5 overtime (OT) was the only way to settle this one after 60 minutes of tit-for-tat regulation play ended in a 2–2 stalemate.

• It was only fitting that the best player in the world and face of the NHL, Edmonton Oiler McDavid, scored the OT goal to secure the Canadian win and silence the Boston crowd.

• McDavid was awarded Player of the Game honors, while the Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon won the tournament MVP.

• And though the Ottawa Senators’ Brady Tkachuk (pronounced kuh-CHUCK) didn’t win any official awards, he stood out as the best American all tourney long.

Zooming out: Sure, Canada was crowned the winner, but the true victor of the 4 Nations Face-Off? The NHL. The league revamped a tired All-Star format and found undeniable success, evidenced by the competition’s record-setting viewership, new fandom, and last night’s Super Bowl–esque ticket prices.

• But best of all, the 4 Nations revitalized one of the oldest, most storied rivalries in international sport — perfect timing with NHL players returning to Olympic hockey for the first time since 2014 next February. NBA, take notes.