The stage is set and the countdown is on! The upcoming clash in the 4 Nations Face-Off final is one of the most anticipated hockey games as the rivals face each other. Only a few days ago, Team USA entered the enemy territory and made a statement, defeating the Canadians in front of their home crowd. In front of 21,105 loud spectators at Bell Centre, Jake Guentzel scored two goals for a 3-1 win and sent the U.S. team to the finals. As the other goal-scorer on the game, Dylan Larkin called the feeling ‘one of the best’ moments of his life—because let’s be real, there’s nothing like taking down Canada on their home ice.

But that was just the appetizer—the real showdown is coming fast! As the final match is scheduled for Thursday, February 20, it will be the USA against Canada for the ultimate showdown. The Americans finally broke a long drought against Canada in a best-on-best tournament, their first win since the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, and now they want more. As the preparations are been made and the crowd gears up for what will undeniably be another electrifying match between the two sides, watch this space as we look back on some of the most memorable encounters between the USA and Canada prior to this match!

Top games of 4 Nations 2025 finalists! 1. Canada 8, USA 3 (1981 Canada Cup round-robin)

Back in 1981, Team USA thought they had a shot at shaking up the hockey world, but Canada had other plans—and they saved their best for last. For 50 minutes, the Americans stood their ground and fought to the best of their abilities in a Canada Cup match at Edmonton Coliseum. It was 3-3 in the third and the match was really close and the atmosphere was tense. However, like flipping a switch, Canada went on an explosion of goals that left the U.S. team in disarray. The score could have been much closer, but five goals in a matter of minutes made the game an 8-3 blowout, proving why Canada was the powerhouse of the tournament.

Wayne Gretzky, Bryan Trottier, and Gil Perreault made it to the score sheet with two goals each, while Mike Bossy and Marcel Dionne each put one into the net. However, it was Bossy’s goal, after Mike O’Connell’s send-off, that gave Canada the lead 10 minutes and 55 seconds into the third period. Bossy received a pass just a few feet away from Tony Esposito’s goal and absolutely buried it with a short shot. After that, Team USA did not stand a chance, making Canada the only team that has not lost or tied a single game in a tournament full of strong opponents.

2. Canada 4, USA 2 (2016 World Cup round-robin)

Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby playing on two different teams in an international best-on-best tournament? Maybe not the best idea. But oh boy did the 24-and-over Team Canada roll over everyone that stood in their way! And no points for guessing they didn’t make any exceptions for Team USA either. Fighting to stay alive in the tournament following their 2-0 loss against Team Europe, Team USA took the lead early in the game thanks to Ryan McDonagh making the most out of a rebound. Canada, however, came back in a jiffy with Matt Duchene’s equalizer followed 14 seconds later by Corey Perry’s goal. To make things even worse for Team USA, a bad turnover exposed goalie Jonathan Quick to a one-on-one with Duchene, and the latter didn’t miss.

The play of the game, however, came in the second period with John Tavares turning Matti Niskanen inside-out and ultimately sending the puck into the net off the skates of both Bergeron and McDonagh. The damage was done. And Team USA’s second goal credited to T.J. Oshie was nothing more than consolation. Team Canada ultimately went on to lift the trophy while Team USA ended their campaign with another round-robin loss against the Czech Republic.

3. USA 5, Canada 2 (1996 World Cup final, Game 3)

Let’s throw it back to an even older edition of the World Cup of Hockey when Team USA flipped the hockey world upside down and stunned Canada in the World finals. With the USA losing to Canada 4-3 in Game 1 and winning 5-2 in Game 2, the best-of-three series was tied. All eyes were on the final game in Montreal. Brett Hull, the man with a foot in both camps, fired first, but Canada was not going to take that lying down. Eric Lindros replied and for some time it appeared that Canada was going to pull away, until Mike Richter decided otherwise. The U.S. netminder stood on his head, stopping what felt like a thousand shots to keep his team in the fight. When Adam Foote scored to put Canada ahead in the third period, it appeared that the Canadians were coming back in another classic fashion, but the United States had other ideas.

Hull answered right back with a deflection that had Canada calling for a high-stick review, but the goal stood. And just like that, the floodgates burst open. A goal by forward Tony Amonte just 43 seconds later, followed by strikes from Derian Hatcher and Adam Deadmarsh in the closing minute clinched another 5-2 victory. It was not just a celebration of a trophy, but the triumph which showed that the success of 1980 was not a fluke. This was a new era and the team USA had emerged as the mighty force in the hockey world.

4. Canada 5, USA 2 (2002 Olympics gold medal game)

Salt Lake City, 2002—where Canada snapped a 50-year gold medal drought and did it in style. The Americans had home ice advantage, Herb Brooks behind the bench, and a hot start with a goal by Tony Amonte, but Team Canada was not going to let history repeat itself. Paul Kariya tied the game up with a little assistance from Mario Lemieux, who pulled off the smoothest dummy move in hockey history, and Mike Richter fell for it, giving Kariya an open net to shoot at. Jarome Iginla scored for Canada before the first break, but the USA team was not ready to surrender.

Brian Rafalski equalized it with a goal in the final moments of the second period, thus maintaining the atmosphere tense and the goal difference high. But then, Joe Sakic happened. His late-second-period dagger gave Canada the lead, and from there, the floodgates burst wide open. Iginla and Sakic made the final in the third period to make the final score 5-2 and an entire nation was celebrating on the streets. It was not just about a medal; it was about bringing back the lost pride of the hockey team and overcoming the years of “what-ifs” and “almosts.” Canadian cities erupted into joy, flags as if it was the Stanley Cup victory of a lifetime.

The drought was over. So, now, this upcoming 4 Nations showdown is already shaping up to be one for the ages! Fans are counting down the days, ready to see history in the making. Who knows? Maybe this one will be the next legendary clash added to the all-time rivalry list!