'A Lot Of Pride At Stake': How Could The Canada And USA 4 Nations Face-Off Final Get Any Better?

The United States and Canada captivated the hockey world in their first 4 Nations Face-Off meeting. The fans will get more in a final that should've been longer.

BOSTON – There's only one way to make the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off better than what everyone expects between the United States and Canada on Thursday at TD Garden.

Saturday's game, a 3-1 win by the United States at Bell Centre in Montreal captivated the entire hockey world. Fans wanted more, and now, they're going to get it. 

However, this should be a best-of-three format. If Canada wins Thursday, the teams will be even in this best-on-best tournament. Each country will leave here without bragging rights when they return to their respective NHL teams.

The conversation between the Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand of Canada and Charlie McAvoy of the U.S. would go something like this: "We beat you one game," Marchand would chirp his Bruins teammate. Which McAvoy would respond: "Well, we beat you one game." It's kind of comical to think about it like that. It'll be too bad if that's the case.

Obviously, the United States wants to make that a moot point by winning the final. But the idea of these teams possibly playing a third game to decide the champion is incredible. With the way this format is currently constituted, if such a scenario plays out like this and the two teams are both 1-1 against each other after the final, then add a third game. Sure, it could be a logistical challenge, but the end result would be well worth it.

"It's a great celebration for hockey." - Mike Sullivan

During the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, the eight-nation tournament – Canada, Russia, Slovakia, United States, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany and Sweden – came down to an all-North American best-of-three final. After Steve Yzerman helped Canada to a 1-0 overtime win over the United States in Philadelphia, the Americans staged an incredible comeback, winning the next two games in Montreal to win the inaugural World Cup of Hockey championship.

Some believe that series was one of the greatest international events in hockey. Both teams were stacked with talent, grit and passion. It sounds awfully familiar to the current teams battling for 4 Nations supremacy.

In '96, players talked about how the pace was off the charts at the highest level. The current players in this tournament admit as much. That was on display Saturday in Montreal. Unless you've been living under a Zamboni, everyone in the hockey world knows three fights broke out in the first nine seconds of the game. It certainly was a come-out-of-your-seat moment for every fan in the building or watching on television.

The entire game was a display of physicality and passion at the highest level. In fact, after the loss, Canada coach Jon Cooper said it best. 

"The game's in a better place because (Saturday's) game existed," Cooper said. "It's disappointing we weren't on the right end of it, but the characters, the personality, on both teams, really came to the forefront. It's why we love this game."

After the United States lost to Sweden, 2-1, Monday night in a meaningless game for this tournament since the final was already set before puck drop, U.S. coach Mike Sullivan understands the importance of what lies ahead.

"That first game was such a great hockey game; it's great for hockey that there's an opportunity for these two teams to meet again," he said. "Both teams have star power. All around the lineup, it was a very competitive hockey game, the first game. I would anticipate the next one will be as every bit competitive, if not more. The way that game was played, with the emotional invested on both sides, it's an indication how much these guys care and what this means to them. There's a lot of pride at stake, and it will be a hard-fought battle.

"It's a great celebration for hockey," added Sullivan. "Some of the generational talent on both sides, it's so awesome from my standpoint. I feel like I get the best seat in the house being behind the bench and up close to it. To see what these guys do on the ice, at the pace they're able to do it, sometimes we just marvel at what goes on out there. It will be an incredible atmosphere. Our guys are excited about the opportunity to play in the championship; that was the objective when we got here, and we're going to have to earn it again.

Fans would love it even more if this was a best-of-three series. Hell, make it a best-of-seven. It's understandable why the NHL and the Players' Association would never allow that to happen in the middle of the season, but fans can enjoy the thought of it and discuss it at their favorite local watering hole.

"It's going to be intense," said Canada's Brad Marchand. "They showed what type of game they can play... they're going to be ready to compete hard on Thursday. We're the same, we're really excited to have another crack at these guys."

"There's a lot of pride at stake, and it will be a hard-fought battle." - Jon Cooper

It's crazy to think that the powerhouse Canadians will be the underdog on Thursday, as Team USA is favored to win. But this is hockey, and the players don't care what the odds are in this one.

"Who's favored, who's not? We come in here to win this," Cooper said. "We're really looking forward to the game, that's why we came here... it should be a pretty good made-for-TV event."

The United States is playing with a certain swagger in this tournament. The entire USA Hockey organization is proud of the product and team it has assembled on and off the ice. The chemistry is evident, and it would like to finish with a win against Canada on Thursday. Canada has more experience, but the Americans are no doubt playing with a chip on their shoulder.

Since Finland played and lost to both the United States and Canada, Finnish coach Antti Pennanen was asked who he thinks will win the final.

"Maybe it's USA," he said.

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