Boston – It’s not often that I get goosebumps at the beginning of a sporting event and they last until the last sum. But that was the feeling I had while I saw Team USA losing to Team Canada at 4 Nations Face-off Championship at TD Garden in Boston.

The beauty of American patriotism was exhibited, from the whole crowd singing the national anthem, all the way through the final flute. It served as a precious reminder that this game was more than just a game. It was the American people who came together for a common goal: to defeat our enemies.

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I have covered a lot of sporting events in my career, but nothing compared to this. Do you have a chance to see my country take on its biggest rival in hockey with a championship on the line? I get goosebumps, again, just think about it.

Before the game began, there was drama about what could happen when the two countries had their national hymns sung in front of the largely American quota on hand.

Would Americans boo the Canadian national anthem, just as Canadians did Saturday in Montreal?

The answer was … kind.

In the end, however, this was never about Canada. This was about the United States of America. It was on full show when Mike Eruzione, the honorary captain of Team USA for the championship, got on the ice.

But it got even better. While the Americans mostly respected the Canadian national anthem that came first, the crowd sang the “star -sparkled banner” unisont, leading to one of the greatest sports moments I’ve witnessed in my life.

Americans hardly boo canadian national anthem, then belt out ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ in Patriotic Display

It was easy to forget that there was still a hockey game to be played and a big game. Team USA seemed to feel the same way, struggled early and ultimately give up a goal less than five minutes into the competition.

If the Canadians thought Americans would lie down on their home ground they got hard wrong. While Team USA struggled to get its foot early, the Americans pushed – and continued to beat. Eventually, the dirty work paid off with the binding goal late in the first period from who else, Brady Tkachuk.

I know journalists should be impartial but come? Do you think I didn’t mess with the United States? Get real.

Tkachuk’s goal was the game tied on one, and it remained in that way into the first break.

Canada goalkeeper Jordan Binnington, Left, looks back on the puck on a goal from US Jake Sanderson in the second period of 4 Nations Face-off Championship Hockey Game, Thursday, February 20, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

The second period continued in the same way. While Canada was the faster and more skilled team, it had a hard time matching the physical character of the Americans. This physical, led by Brady Tkachuk, paid off with Team US’s second goal midway through the frame.

Jake Sanderson scored the goal that is going forward, but it was Tkachuk’s fierce forcheck and Netto-Front presence that released the ice for Sanderson to rip one past Canadian goalkeeper Jordan Binnington.

After the goal, the American fans “Jor-Dan, Jor-Dan,” sang in Binnington, in an attempt to further rattle the Embatted Canadian Netminder further.

Like the Americans in the first period, however, Canada returned with a late marker to tie the scoring to two.

This goal sent the game into the third period tied.

Americans completed games throughout large parts of the third period, shooting and outsourcing Canada and dominating puck possession. But they couldn’t get the goal.

As time began to cross down on regulation, tension built throughout TD Garden. You could literally feel it. But what else did anyone expect? There was only one way this game would ever end, and it was overtime.

Tied to two after a scoreless third, the teams went into sudden death.

The United States had overtime chances, including a point-blank shot from undoubtedly the team’s best player, Auston Matthews.

But the lack of taking advantage of the Americans in the end. Canada’s best player, really the best hockey player on the planet, Connor McDavid, did not miss the game on his stick.

The result stunk. There is no way to sugar coat. But watching Americans meet to cheer for their team, and more importantly, their country, was more important than winning a hockey tournament.

And Team USA sent Canada a message – you’re not the only country that produces elite hockey players. America is back in every sense of the word.