MONTREAL -- Mitch Marner secured his place as the hero of the night, scoring six minutes and six seconds deep during overtime to propel Canada to a thrilling 4-3 victory against Sweden. This match kicked off the highly anticipated 4 Nations Face-Off at the packed Bell Centre on February 12, 2025.
The fast-paced game featured intense moments filled with action from both teams, with Marner finding space down the middle and firing off a shot from the circle, claiming victory for the Canadians after Sweden had mounted a spirited comeback.
Notably, Sidney Crosby showcased his uncanny ability to create plays, providing three assists throughout the game, including the one on Marner's game-winner, as the crowd erupted with praise for the Canadian captain. Nathan MacKinnon opened the scoring for Canada just 56 seconds after the puck dropped, converting on the power play with finesse.
“Just like the old days, Sid found me to set me up perfectly,” MacKinnon recalled, reflecting on the moment. “We came out hard and set the tone, but I got to say, it wasn’t easy keeping our lead; the Swedes really turned it on.”
While Canada started strong, quickly gaining a 3-1 lead by the second period with goals from Brad Marchand and Mark Stone, Sweden wasn’t ready to fold. Jonas Brodin’s shot snuck by Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington, giving Sweden its first goal and sparking momentum.
“When Brodin scored, it gave us some life,” Sweden’s Adrian Kempe noted after the game. “We knew we had to stay aggressive and take our chances.”
Sweden clawed back in the third period with early goals by Kempe and Joel Eriksson Ek, leveling the game at three and forcing overtime. The Canadians appeared to have it locked down, but as former captain Daniel Alfredsson pointed out during the pre-game ceremony, “Games like these are what our nations live for.”
With the intensity ramping up, both teams fought hard through the overtime period, carving out opportunities. An early shot from Mika Zibanejad tested Binnington, who demonstrated his agility by stopping it just before it could sneak through the five-hole.
“I just reacted, trusted my instincts,” Binnington said after making one of several key saves, finishing the night with 23 stops. “But I could feel the shift. They were coming hard.”
It was Marner who broke the deadlock with just under four minutes left on the clock. Receiving the puck from Crosby, he maneuvered past Swedish defenders to claim the win, cementing Canada’s early lead with two points in the tournament standings.
“He [Crosby] kept guiding me, it was like he had eyes on the back of his head,” Marner expressed, visibly elated post-game. “Winning this first game means everything to us; we hope to keep this streak going.”
With the overtime victory under their belts, Canada extended their record to 26 consecutive wins when Crosby is on the roster for international competition. Meanwhile, Sweden, still competing fiercely, gained one point for their efforts.
“We fought hard, and I believe we can build on this,” Swedish goaltender Filip Gustavsson commented, having faced 24 shots during the match. “Next time, we’ll come out stronger and confident.”
The matchup marked the commencement of the 4 Nations Face-Off, where Canada is determined to defend its international reputation, gearing up for future contests, including Finland against the USA later this week.
“This tournament is about showcasing our talent and bringing the best together,” Canada coach Jon Cooper remarked. “If this game was anything to go by, we’re excited for more.”
With the opening night providing plenty of drama, hockey fans are eager to see how the rest of the tournament will shape up, particularly with the intense rivalry on display between Canada and Sweden. The events of February 12 will undoubtedly linger as both teams aim to secure their places as top competitors.