Hockey fans, we gotta talk. Imagine grinding through an entire tournament, fighting off the best in the world, only to hit the championship game and realize… your own country isn’t even showing up for you. That’s exactly what happened to Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship at TD Garden in Boston on February 20, 2025. While the game itself was absolute chaos—in the best way possible—something felt off. The energy? The crowd? The national pride? Yeah, Canada had that on lock, while Team USA was basically out there with crickets in the stands.

And let’s be clear: this wasn’t just any game. It was USA vs. Canada, the biggest hockey rivalry in the sport. After taking down Canada 3-1 in the round-robin stage on February 15 in Montreal, Team USA was riding high. But in the final, Connor McDavid scored the overtime game-winner to hand Canada the 3-2 victory and the first-ever 4 Nations Face-Off title. The Bruins’ very own Charlie McAvoy was even in the building, rocking a sling after his injury against Finland, reading the lineup, and hyping up the squad. The stage was set. So where was the energy from home fans?

Where was the hype?

Picture this: over 21,000 screaming fans packed the Bell Centre in Montreal when Canada hosted Team USA last week. It was loud, chaotic, and everything you’d expect from a fan base that actually rides for their team. Now flip it—Boston, home turf for Team USA, and… the vibe just wasn’t the same. It was like showing up to a party that’s supposed to be lit, only to find out half the people didn’t even RSVP.

Even President Donald Trump was locked in for this one. The President called up Coach Mike Sullivan and Team USA before the game, telling them, “You guys are the best of the best. The entire country is behind you, whether they know it or not.” Noah Hanifin confirmed Trump kept it short—just five minutes—but he hyped up the boys, calling the matchup “a true battle between warriors”. And yet, despite this high-profile pep talk, the crowd just did not bring that same energy.

The Internet was hooked, but where was America?

Here’s the wild part—social media was going crazy over this matchup. Every major sports page was hyping up the first USA-Canada championship game in years. Fans were glued to their screens. But when it came to actual fan presence? Canada ran circles around the U.S. in terms of home support. Even after Team USA had beaten them just days before.

And the numbers back it up. The 4 Nations Face-Off Championship sold out in Montreal, with resale prices skyrocketing past $400 for upper-level seats. Meanwhile, in Boston, tickets were still available just hours before puck drop, with some lower-bowl seats going for under $100 on resale sites. Even TV ratings reflected the disparity—Canadian viewership peaked at over 3.5 million, while the U.S. struggled to crack 1.8 million. The energy gap wasn’t just a feeling—it was real, and it showed.

The Stars of the Game?
– Connor McDavid (CAN) – Game-winning goal in OT, certified clutch
– Jordan Binnington (CAN) – 31 saves, .939 SV% (brick wall mode)
– Brady Tkachuk (USA) – 1 goal, left it all on the ice
This wasn’t just about losing a game. It was about missing a moment. Canada was loud, proud, and in full force. Meanwhile, Team USA had to battle not just McDavid, Binnington, and the Canadian squad, but also the weirdly quiet home crowd.

Can USA hockey get the love it deserves?

At the end of the day, Connor McDavid and team took home the first-ever 4 Nations Face-Off Championship, but the bigger L? That’s on the U.S. fanbase. Hockey might not be America’s #1 sport, but this was a championship game. This was a chance to show out for Brady Tkachuk, Trevor Zegras, and the future of USA Hockey. Instead, it felt like just another regular-season matchup.

Team USA will bounce back—no doubt about that. But next time, let’s make sure we actually show up. Because if we’re gonna claim to be the best in the world, maybe we should hep the players keep their energy high.