উন্নত স্বচ্ছতা এবং জবাবদিহিতার জন্য আর্থিক লেনদেন পর্যালোচনা করার উদ্যোগ।

 

MONTREAL -- Dylan Larkin netted the decisive goal in the second period as Team USA topped Canada 3-1 in the 4 Nations Face-Off on Saturday night, clinching a place in the tournament's title game. The fierce rivalry clash was highlighted by an explosive start featuring three fights within the opening nine seconds and a relentless pace throughout.

The highly anticipated showdown more than lived up to expectations. The contest began with fists flying off the opening faceoff and saw big hits, including Charlie McAvoy leveling both Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made a series of crucial saves, stopping 24 shots to help the U.S. withstand Canada’s offensive firepower in the first best-on-best international event featuring NHL stars in nearly a decade.

The tension between the neighboring nations was palpable. A sellout crowd of 21,105 at Bell Centre booed loudly during the U.S. national anthem, and that hostility quickly transferred to the ice. Just two seconds in, American forward Matthew Tkachuk challenged Canada’s Brandon Hagel to drop the gloves, setting the tone for a physically charged affair.

Moments later, Brady Tkachuk squared off with Sam Bennett following the ensuing faceoff. U.S. center J.T. Miller then clashed with defenseman Colton Parayko, leading to a trio of fights within the opening moments.

Canada struck first despite the chaos, with McDavid breezing past the U.S. defensive pair of McAvoy and Zach Werenski before lifting a backhander over Hellebuyck. However, goaltending concerns resurfaced for Canada, as Jake Guentzel slipped a shot through Jordan Binnington’s pads midway through the first period to even the score.

The game turned in the second period when a rare mistake by Crosby led to a turnover and a costly line change. Larkin capitalized on the opportunity, finishing a 2-on-1 rush to put the U.S. ahead.

Binnington kept Canada within striking distance with several timely saves, but Hellebuyck remained a wall in net. Canada, missing top defenseman Cale Makar due to illness, generated chances but failed to find the equalizer. Guentzel sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with 1:19 remaining, leaving Canada, led by McDavid, Crosby, and Nathan MacKinnon, in a must-win scenario against Finland on Monday.

"Getting a win here on a Saturday night to reach the finals, that’s a pretty neat feeling," Brady Tkachuk told ESPN's Emily Kaplan postgame. “I think there are a lot of unhappy people here, especially in Montreal, a place that isn’t my favorite.”

While the U.S. has already secured its spot in the final and has little at stake against Sweden on Monday, there is concern over Matthew Tkachuk, who exited the game with an apparent injury. He briefly tested the issue on the ice in the third period but remained on the bench for the remainder of the game.

"He'll be good to go," Brady Tkachuk said, confident his brother will push through any ailment. “He’ll battle through anything.”

The tournament shifts to Boston on Monday, where Canada faces Finland at 1 p.m., followed by the U.S. taking on Sweden at 8 p.m. at TD Garden.