‘There’s no better feeling’: Sask. fans rejoice as Canada beats U.S.

Canada against the U.S. is one of the best rivalries in sports, and Saskatchewan fans were out in droves to watch the latest chapter get written.

The two hockey powerhouses once again locked horns on Thursday night in the 4 Nations Face-Off final. Canada won 3-2 in overtime in Boston, in the first best-on-best hockey tournament held since 2016’s NHL World Cup of Hockey tournament. Plenty of fans made their way down to Boston Pizza Acre 21 in Regina to watch the game.

“There’s no better feeling than beating the Americans in overtime and in a best-on-best tournament. It’s the best tournament in the world,” Matthew Hammett said.

“Canada’s golden boy (Connor) McDavid gets the golden goal this time, and it’s just great to see. Unreal pride.”

“It was fantastic to win against the U.S.A.,” Lana Harrison said. “It was phenomenal, and I think everyone played really well.”

Read more:

• Paul Henderson: 4 Nations ‘is some of the best hockey that we’ve seen’
• SJHL: Notre Dame conditionally approves move to Warman
• ‘It means a lot to me’: Regina power chair soccer brings joy to players

The hockey tournament took on new meaning recently, with U.S. President Donald Trump making comments and posts about Canada being the 51st state. Those posts have led to a rise in Canadian nationalism, which included the booing of the American national anthem at sporting events in Canada.

At Thursday’s game, the Canadian anthem received some boos.

“With everything that’s going on in North America right now, this game had a lot more meaning than a simple 4 Nations hockey game,” Cole Paquin said.

“I feel like you could go to any bar in Regina tonight and you felt like there was national pride wherever you went. Whenever there was a goal scored in the tournament, it was electric. Everybody was cheering and full of energy.”

HUGE POP AT OUR WATCH PARTY! #4Nations pic.twitter.com/l8MG1wI8MU

— The Red and White Zone (@GreenZoneSK) February 21, 2025

While there were questions about what sort of effort the tournament would yield from players, it appears to have blown everyone’s expectations out of the water, leaving fans excited for more.

“I think we need to see it every other year or something like that. I think it’s great,” Pat Marcia said.

“That was unbelievable. What a game,” Gary Frank said. “Couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Craig Gusikoski was able to see parts of the tournament in person, attending last Saturday’s games in Montreal and then Monday’s game in Boston.

“It was awesome. The U.S. and Canada game in Montreal was unreal,” Gusikoski said. “It’s been way too long, and I’m glad they are going to keep doing it more often.

The next time fans will be treated to best-on-best hockey will be on a stage that has seen plenty of rivalries: the Olympic Games in 2026.