Canada, legacy and victory at the 4-Nations.
With the larger political apparatus considered.

Even with its myriad of caveats front of mind - organized and operated completely under NHL parameters, truncated participation, etc - if the 4 Nations Face-Off proved anything, it is that men’s hockey on the international stage has sorely missed the intensity brought forth by best-on-best competition for nearly a decade now.
Though with Canada’s 3-2 championship win over the United States on Thursday night, an overtime thriller for the ages, it was a reminder that hockey, naturally, invites a certain spectacle: often if, locked-in-step as it is, it needs to be nudged in that direction kicking-and-screaming.
The type of game no amount of half-hearted PR can artificially manufacture.
And after last Saturday’s barn burner of a round-robin tilt? With all respect to the tournament’s other competitors in Sweden and Finland, the gold-on-the-line rematch, well, it was inevitable.
Regardless of how one may view the overall legitimacy of the event (with Czechia shut out, for one and Russia not involved in any international competition due to their ongoing invasion of Ukraine) here were two of the sport’s historic titans, duking it out once more, as the 2026 Olympics loom - with their rosters sure to be pretty close to identical, when that time comes.
But after Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (in noted response to all the online criticism he has faced regarding his place on the team) shut door-after-door following a flurry of American chances in a blitz of overtime possession, the moment, as it were, was Canada’s to lose.
Though to see Connor McDavid answer that call, it was, given his career trajectory, poetic, in a way.

One might remember, it was just about fifteen years ago to the day, in February of 2010, when Sidney Crosby’s “IGGY!” was a cry heard the hockey world over.
His instant-classic of an overtime winner, off a Jarome Iginla pass, not only won Canada Olympic gold against the United States but firmly secured his place in the upper reaches of hockey’s famed international tapestry.
And while his all-time status is unquestioned - as both the most complete and a top-five player in NHL history - his would-be successor has been a question raised more-and-more in recent years, as he enters what is, one would imagine, the final stage of a celebrated career.
The catch being, his play has never been reflective of such hypothetical torch-passing as he continues to assert his particular brand of dominance in the way only an elite group of players before him have.
His “who else?” captaincy of Canada, once more, speaking to that deep respect.
If anyone has reasonably put forth challenges for that title however, it is Crosby’s one-time protégé in fellow Nova Scotian Nathan MacKinnon (who was voted tournament MVP) and then, McDavid, who quietly took Crosby’s long-held title as “best in the game” some time ago, albeit, while always deferring to No. 87.
For all top players however, the opportunities to wear their international colours have been few-and-far between in recent years, with the NHL backing out of two successive Olympics.
The 4-Nations, representing something far grander than just another League sanctioned event in the doldrums of the season.
So deep in the American end, eight minutes into the extra frame, off a face-off win, McDavid worked to maintain possession, slipped behind a gap in the US defense and promptly deposited a slick Mitch Marner feed past Connor Hellebuyck before he even had a chance to blink.
Understand, to either MacKinnon, McDavid or whoever else, there will be no true “torch-passing” until the day Crosby decides to hang up his skates - but the ascension of these players into this environment wholesale, alongside their American counterparts, serves as a reminder that hockey’s competitive fire, it is in good hands.
No, it is not the Olympics or even the World Cup.
But the emotion, the intensity, the drive. It mattered.
It matters, considerably so and not just to the players but to the larger apparatus, with great urgency, they have come to represent of late.
Indeed, one would be remiss not to acknowledge the heightened political tensions that surrounded this tournament, specifically regarding Canada and the United States.
And, to be clear, it is not out of any apolitical hesitancy or misplaced ignorance to delay that conversation. Sports, hockey, they have always been political and to pretend otherwise, it is to leave oneself purposely uninformed.
Be it the ‘72 Summit Series, the “Punch-up in Piestany” or the ‘87 Canada Cup and now, the 4 Nations, that undercurrent has never not been present, specifically in the Canadian sporting space.
Yes, politics are not the primary focus of this newsletter but to sidestep that section of the discussion entirely, well, it would be dishonest and frankly, wholly disingenuous.
There is as well, a strong American readership that comprises Off-Balance though before proceeding any further, it is understanding that they are all heard, seen and deeply appreciated for the community they help cultivate here.
All of them, fighting the good fight against the erratic, dehumanizing and destabilizing precedents being set by the current US administration.
The round robin portion of the 4 Nations saw the American anthem be roundly booed each time it was played in Montréal, a trend that has been more-and-more present in recent weeks at NHL rinks across Canada: something that was returned in kind by the home crowd in Boston on Thursday.

Consider it disrespectful if you will but the larger American media’s inability (or flat-out refusal) to speak to why Canadians are doing this, is a noted, continued point of frustration. As for many Canadians, it is their one true measure of actionable pushback against US President Donald Trump.
He who has repeatedly threatened, since his return to office, not just a series of reckless tariffs (in this immediate moment, against the Canadian automotive industry) but Canadian sovereignty altogether. Callously and childishly referring to America’s northern neighbour as the “51st State” (alongside other members of his administration).
Actively, purposely disregarding the entire institution of Canada’s government, its people and the typically healthy, close relationship that has bound these countries together for decades.
Though ironically, through this, it seems the NHL found, for better or worse, the talking point with this tournament that has eluded their All-Star events for years now.
To the point that some have called for the event or others like it to replace the All-Star weekend wholesale going forward, which would be a mistake.
Dilution of their product has been the League’s M.O for years, from their immediate, over-monopolization of the Winter Classic/Stadium Series or never properly capitalizing on the 3-on-3 overtime format.
The 4 Nations was so successful, in part, because of the extended hiatus that preceded it. Something that should be rectified for now, with the NHL returning to both the Olympics and World Cup.
So for Canadians, yes, it is a victory worth celebrating.
But it comes with a larger context that shouldn’t be ignored, either.
There are, of course, far more important things to worry about in the big picture sense than a hockey game, even with its larger political ramifications considered.
From gender affirming care to reproduction rights, it is enraging to see such pillars of fundamental human rights, be it in healthcare, media or the widespread cuts of government workers currently taking place in the US be treated with such disdain by the Trump administration. Specifically as it represents an institution that is supposed to do anything but.
We all have a responsibility, each and every one of us, Canadians, Americans, to lift the other up. To protect and fight for those who cannot do so for themselves, in the face of inhumanity, discrimination and hatred, in whatever form they take.
We must. And may we all continue to do so.
If you’re looking for tangible ways to assist those who need it and to make sure your voice is heard, be sure to exercise your right to vote and maintain a vigilant eye on outreach programs in your local area.
In Ontario, the 3-day early-vote period for the provincial election is now open. Make sure it is not an opportunity wasted.
Ryan.