4 Nations Face-Off final: Canada beat USA in sudden-death overtime – as it happened

That’s all for tonight. Thanks as always for following along with us and be sure to check out the full report here with follow-up coverage to come in the next few hours.

The anthem singer who performed the Canadian anthem before tonight’s game changed a lyric in O Canada in protest of US president Donald Trump’s repeated remarks about making the country the 51st state.

Publicist Adam Gonshor in an email to the Associated Press confirmed Chantal Kreviazuk changed the lyric from “in all of us command” to “that only us command” and confirmed Trump’s 51st state comments were the reason why. During Canada’s 3-2 overtime victory, Kreviazuk told the AP she did it “because I believe in democracy, and a sovereign nation should not have to be defending itself against tyranny and fascism”.

“I’m somebody who grew up on music that spoke to the heart and the moment, and it shaped me as a songwriter and really as a human being,” she added. “I don’t think it would be authentic to me to be given a world stage and not express myself and be true to myself.”

“I’m somebody who grew up on music that spoke to the heart and the moment, and it shaped me as a songwriter and really as a human being,” she added. “I don’t think it would be authentic to me to be given a world stage and not express myself and be true to myself.”

“It’s just special,” says Canada star Sidney Crosby, who is no stranger to sudden-death heroics on the international stage. “I mean, every opportunity you get to wear the Canadian jersey and compete in this event … it’s something new, but I think you saw the hockey that was on display. It was pretty incredible and happy for this group. We came together in a short period of time and found a way to get it done.”

The Pittsburgh Penguins star missed two NHL games leading into the tournament, leading many to question his status for the competition. He’s asked why playing in the 4 Nations Face-Off was so important to him.

“Just to get the opportunity to play for Canada,” he says. “It’s been a long time and any chance you get to do that, it’s huge. Obviously [to be] part of this group, too. It’s a special group and like I said, [I’m] glad we could find a way to win it.”

Asked what motiviates him to stay on top of his game at 37 years old, Crosby says: “I think just my passion for it and getting an opportunity to play with these guys. How can you not be motivated by that? It’s a pretty special group and [I’m] happy for Connor to get that goal. He is an incredible player and stepped up big when we need it.”

Once the medals have been doled out, Canada round off a tournament where national anthems were thrust into the center of attention with a rousing rendition of O Canada at TD Garden.

Connor McDavid, considered by many to be the world’s best player, is asked to opine on the most gratifying part of tonight’s win.

“Just to see the reaction, just to know what it means to us, you know?” the Edmonton Oilers star says. “I know it’s just a quick tournament, you know, and it’s not an Olympic gold medal or anything like that, but it means the world to our group. As you can see, everybody battled so hard all week, so yeah, it was special.”

Why does it mean so much?

“Because it’s best on best,” McDavid says. You know, it’s four great countries going at it, obviously here in Boston, going against an amazing American team and just finding a way. It wasn’t necessarily the prettiest, but [we] just found a way.”

McDavid is then pressed on what was going through his mind during that nerve-shredding overtime period.

“I was not very good all night,” he says. “All that was going through my mind is just keep going. You know? I struggled all night, but these guys played great and we just found a way.”

Asked what he hoped the many casual fans who tuned into this tournament learned about hockey, McDavid is to the point.

“Well, I hope they love it,” he says. “You know, it’s a great game. It’s a great sport. And I hope we put on a good show these last couple days and gained some fans. Ultimately you can’t ask for a better show than that.”

Nathan MacKinnon is named Most Valuable Player of the tournament after scoring four goals in four games including the first one tonight.

Justin Trudeau: ‘You can’t take our country – and you can’t take our game’

This win will be special for Canada for so many reasons. They had to win it away from home in Boston. And they had to beat a very good US team, full of star power and grit.

And this event is clearly a huge hit. Already looking forward to the Olympics next year and surely another iteration of this tournament at some point down the road.

We’ll pass it along to Bryan Graham now to capture some of the live reaction from tonight’s classic.

Jordan Binnington has broken down into tears. The two biggest moments of his hockey career have happened in this building – a Stanley Cup win with the Blues, and now this. He was solid throughout and truly exceptional in overtime.

Marner is another Canadian hero on the evening, with two assists, including the game-winner.

Canada win the 4 Nations Face-Off championship

11:50 left, 1st OT: It’s messy stuff here – which, again, probably favors the USA.

13:29 left, 1st OT: Finally a shot from Crosby, but it’s harmless.

15:29 left, 1st OT: HUGE STOP for Binnington! A giveaway puts Matthews through. Binnington stops that one, then scrambles back to rob Brady Tkachuk.

And ANOTHER off the faceoff, also from Matthews.

16:15 left, 1st OT: Marchand streaks through with a chance for a huge moment in his home arena, but he can’t get a clean shot away.

17:09 left, 1st OT: Replay shows Canada accidentally sent two guys out for one space, but one realized it and scrambled back before anyone could get called for having too many men on the ice.

McDavid tries to get something done, but he wastes one shot and then has the puck picked cleanly off his stick before he can shoot again.

Then a big chance for the USA, with Binnington stopping Matthews at point-blank range.

17:58 left, 1st OT: Eichel shoots from a tough angle. Brock Nelson shoots a few seconds later from nearly the same spot. Another strong start for the USA, but Hagel gets a shot the other way.

Stat of the night: Sidney Crosby doesn’t have a shot.

Puck is about to drop. So am I.

ESPN is replaying the Miracle montage from the pregame. Maybe we’re stuck in a loop.

But they’re getting ready to restart already.

For those new to how playoff hockey works in the NHL and NHL-adjacent events like this – they play until someone scores. Golden Goal. Sudden death. Sudden victory. They play 20-minute periods so they can still run the Zamboni.

End 3rd period: Canada 2-2 USA

Canada 2-2 USA, 1:29 left, 3rd period: McKinnon gets a brief look and fires. Hellebuyck catches.

Canada 2-2 USA, 2:12 left, 3rd period: One too many passes on a US break.

Canada get back the other way, but Slavin plays the puck up into the rafters to ease some pressure.

Canada 2-2 USA, 3:30 left, 3rd period: My mind is starting to conflate music by great Canadian bands. “If I had a million dollars … though his MIND IS NOT FOR RENT! …”

Two more shots for the USA. Canada need to shake something up.

Canada 2-2 USA, 4:31 left, 3rd period: Is McDavid healthy? A lot of players in this tournament have been battling illness, and he just doesn’t look like himself.

Kreider unleashes an opportunistic shot that Binnington catches. Faceoff in the Canadian zone when we resume from the ad break.

Canada 2-2 USA, 5:37 left, 3rd period: Werenski rips a shot from the blue line. It’s blocked. The USA look much more likely to score.

Canada 2-2 USA, 6:40 left, 3rd period: Like Han Solo charging at a band of stormtroopers, Brad Marchand takes the puck and races through the US defense, but that was never going to work.

Canada 2-2 USA, 7:34 left, 3rd period: Canada really unable to get anything going offensively right now.

Meanwhile, Costa Rican side Saprissa scored in stoppage time to take a 2-1 lead after the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup tie vs. the Vancouver Whitecaps. Canada could really use some good news now.

Canada 2-2 USA, 9:46 left, 3rd period: One end – patient buildup for Canada, leading to an unimpressive shot.

Other end – Guentzel goes 1-on-3 and nearly scores.

Canada 2-2 USA, 10:47 left, 3rd period: US shot deflected up into the netting.

Canada weathered the early US storm this period. It’s anyone’s game right now.

Canada 2-2 USA, 12:06 left, 3rd period: What a game Slavin is having for the USA. The defenseman sprawls to block a shot with his shin.

Canada 2-2 USA, 12:41 left, 3rd period: The puck arcs up into the air near the Canadian net but is played to safety.

If you’re wondering who I’m rooting for, it’s very simple – I’m rooting for whoever scores next. If we have overtime, I’m going to be a zombie in the morning.

Canada 2-2 USA, 13:50 left, 3rd period: PING! Hagel gets a shot past Hellebuyck but hits the left post. So close to a 3-2 lead for the visitors.

Canada 2-2 USA, 14:55 left, 3rd period: Finally, some signs of life for the team in red. Hellebuyck smothers a rebound to give Canada a faceoff opportunity in the US zone.

Canada 2-2 USA, 16:00 left, 3rd period: HUGE save by Binnington. All the chances are at one end right now.

Canada 2-2 USA, 17:10 left, 3rd period: The USA have a sudden break, with Guentzel zipping through the center while Canada make a slow line change. He can’t get the puck past Binnington.

Canada 2-2 USA, 18:40 left, 3rd period: Neither team has established any rhythm as yet.

Shot attempts are 46-34, Canada. The Canadians have also spent more time in the US zone than the other way around.

And now McDavid is chewing on his mouthguard. How are these things even effective after all that?

Play resumes …

I appreciate this poignant note from Cindy Frederick: “I’m a non tv person but my hubby who passed away 5 years ago was a nut nut hockey fan. He would have been glued to the tv. I am enjoying your updates immensely. As a Canadian this is not just hockey for us. Thanks so much. Great job.”

Gregory Butler checks in again: “ I just had to say: I was watching a hockey game and got a curling match thrown in for free.”

I still think “I went to the fights last night, and a hockey game broke out” is a classic one-liner.