Nathan MacKinnon dominates, Canada will get rematch with USA
Feb 17, 2025, 1:50 PM | Updated: 2:05 pm
Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon made sure Team Canada will get a rematch with Team USA.
MacKinnon had two goals for his home country on Monday afternoon, as Canada skated past Team Finland for a 5-3 win. Based on the regulation victory, Canada has now clinched a spot in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off, where the Americans will be waiting.
The two teams had an epic showdown on Saturday night in Montreal, with three fights in the first nine seconds followed by an impressive 3-1 win for the United States. But that was just the warmup, as Thursday night in Boston is now for the 4 Nations championship.
And MacKinnon wasn’t messing around on Monday, giving Canada a 2-0 lead in the first period and 4-0 lead in the second, putting the game out of reach fairly early on. Finland made it interesting late with three goals in the final seven minutes, but a Sidney Crosby empty-netter iced it.
Here are both of MacKinnon’s tallies on the day, and he was also named Player of the Game for his efforts.
NATHAN MACKINNON DOUBLES THE LEAD FOR CANADA 🚨
WHAT A START 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/t8Sw6FRA3U
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 17, 2025
NATHAN MACKINNON IS ON HATTY WATCH 🎩🇨🇦 #4Nations pic.twitter.com/0kTKJfZESC
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 17, 2025
Elsewhere, it was good to see Colorado stud defenseman Cale Makar back on the ice for Canada. He missed the game over the weekend against the United States because of an illness. Makar logged more than 23 minutes of ice time on Monday. He should be good to go for the title game.
His linemate, fellow Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews, also played more than 22 minutes. Avs forward Artturi Lehkonen tallied an assist for Finland, as they finished the tournament at 1-2 with two points.
Canada now has five points, but holds the tiebreaker over Team Sweden thanks to their OT win earlier in the tournament. Even if Sweden beats America on Monday night, the championship is set. It’s Team Canada against Team USA.
And you know Nathan MacKinnon will be flying around on Thursday evening, as will Makar and Toews. Team USA won’t care about that, though, looking to sweep their rival and capture the 4 Nations Face-Off crown.
