HIGHLIGHTS

  • Team USA suffered a crushing overtime loss to Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final at TD Garden
  • Brady Tkachuk scored to tie the game 1-1 before Connor McDavid netted the golden goal in overtime
  • Read below for more on Brady Tkachuks’ reaction to the loss and impact

Brady Tkachuk didn’t mince words after Team USA’s crushing overtime loss to Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final at TD Garden.

“This sucks,” the Ottawa Senators captain told Sportsnet’s Alex Adams, perfectly encapsulating the bitter disappointment of watching the championship slip away on home ice.

The Americans had their chances, especially in overtime, but Canadian netminder Jordan Binnington stood tall when it mattered most. The defining moment came when Connor McDavid, left undetected, converted a crisp Mitchell Marner feed for the golden goal.

Tkachuk, who had tied the game at 1-1 in the first period, nearly played hero himself. But Binnington robbed him with a spectacular save in overtime that left the Boston crowd in stunned silence.

The tournament took its toll on Team USA. Matthew Tkachuk, Brady’s older brother, gutted through a lower-body injury but managed just seven minutes of ice time in the final. The Florida Panthers star’s limited availability proved costly for the American side.

Despite the heartbreaking finish, Team USA’s performance resonated beyond traditional hockey circles. The Tkachuk brothers’ infectious energy and raw intensity helped the sport connect with casual fans – a key objective of this inaugural midseason tournament.

“Once the pain turns to fuel, we’ll be ready for the next opportunity,” Brady Tkachuk said, likely referencing the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Nathan MacKinnon, who opened the scoring and earned tournament MVP honors, led a Canadian squad that displayed championship composure when it mattered most.

For now, though, Team USA carries the weight of what could have been as they return to their NHL clubs for the stretch run.