The final match, held earlier this week, was one of the most anticipated games of the 4 Nations tournament.
Both teams entered the match with high expectations, having dominated their respective pools in the earlier rounds. However, the game took an unexpected turn, with multiple pivotal moments that some members of Team USA argue were mishandled by referees.
According to sources close to the team, the U.S. coaching staff and players feel that key calls during the game unfairly influenced the outcome. They have cited what they believe were incorrect penalty decisions and a controversial offside ruling that led to Canada’s winning goal.
“We came here to compete fairly and with sportsmanship. What happened today was beyond our control,” said one U.S. player who spoke on condition of anonymity. “The result doesn’t reflect what actually happened on the field, and we’re not going to just accept it.”
Connor McDavid sees McDonald’s restaurant named after him following 4 Nations Face-Off heroics
McDonald’s in Newmarket has been renamed after Connor McDavid© Glenn Marais
Team Canada’s hero Connor McDavid has been honored by a McDonald’s restaurant in Newmarket, Ontario, after he scored the winning goal in the recent 4 Nations Face-Off finale.
The 4 Nations Face-Off, which temporarily replaced the NHL’s annual All-Star Game for 2025, was won by Canada, who triumphed over the United States on Feb. 25. The game was tied 2-2 after regulation. Still, McDavid scored an overtime winner, leading to wild celebrations across Canada.
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McDavid was born in Richmond Hill but grew up nearby in Newmarket, where the McDonald’s located at 1100 Davis Dr. has been decorated to honor the hockey star. The famous McDonald’s sign outside the building has been changed to ‘McDavid’s’ with hockey pucks sitting on the counter, and changes have also been made to the menu.
Peter Miller, the owner of the 1100 Davis Dr. McDonald’s franchise, said to Newmarket Today: “I’ve never seen McDonald’s react like this, get so excited about a hometown hero like this. It’s a big deal for us. It’s a big deal for the Town of Newmarket, and (we’ll) have a little fun I think with this.
“Hometown pride to be involved in something like this,” he added. “I hope the town and everyone in the town, when they see that, they’ll have a sense of pride and care ….We’re just trying to do what’s the right thing here and being involved in trying to make his legacy live on.”
The ‘Big Mac David’ burger will remain on the menu for longer than expected, following a previous promotion ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off. McDonald’s Canada had already unveiled a ‘Showdown’ menu, which tested McDavid’s items against fellow NHL player Auston Matthews, who was on Team USA for the tournament.
From Friday, Feb. 28 through Sunday, March 2, customers can order a small order of fries for just 97 cents, providing that they order between 11 a.m. and midnight. McDavid wears No. 97 for both Canada and his NHL team, the Edmonton Oilers.
During the regular NHL season, it’s often Matthews that’s celebrated throughout Ontario as he is the franchise star for the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the recent 4 Nations Face-Off has done wonders for international hockey, as fans have been largely deprived since the World Cup of Hockey came to an end.
The success of the 4 Nations Face-Off has reminded fans how exciting international hockey is when the best stars are out on the ice. Players have been calling for changes to be made so they can represent their nation at the top events, and it was a welcome change from the usual All-Star break.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has listened and announced plans for the World Cup to return in 2028. “International best-on-best competition is very important to our Players – representing their countries on the ice is in their DNA — and hockey fans love it,” Bettman said.
“Resuming Olympic participation next season and staging a World Cup of Hockey in February 2028 will provide expanded opportunity for more players to represent more nations in best-on-best competition. With this tournament – and the World Cup’s return to regular rotation – the NHL and NHLPA take a major step in our joint commitment to international hockey.”
