Final: USA 3, Canada 1 - USA clinches spot in 4 Nations championship game after win against Canada

Team USA defeats Team Canada 3-1 clinching a spot in the championship game on Thursday.

After a strong offensive start from Canada, USA recovered with strong defensive play en route to the come-from-behind victory.

Both teams delivered an electric start to this game as three consecutive fights took place. Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel dropped the gloves during the initial face-off, and then Brady Tkachuk and Sam Bennett squared up right after. 

During the next play, a scrum took place in front of Canada's net, and JT Miller and Colton Parayko agreed to the last fight of the night.

After the scrums, Canada applied the pressure eventually leading to the first goal of the game by Connor McDavid.

Five minutes later, USA responded with Jake Guentzel tying the game as both teams went into the first intermission with one goal on each side.

Midway into the second period, Matthew Boldy delivered a breakout pass to Dylan Larkin which lead to an odd-man rush goal giving USA their first lead of the night.

USA would keep their lead the remaining 30 minutes in this game playing strong defense in front of Connor Hellebuyck. With a couple minutes remaining in the game, Guentzel buried the empty net goal sealing the victory for USA.

For USA, they played as the better defensive team which lead to this victory. They were able to block shots and eliminate key scoring chances for Canada which made Hellebuyck's life a lot easier. USA was also the more physical team, and a lot of that credit can come from the Tkachuk brothers and USA's defensive core.

From a pure entertainment standpoint, this game had it all. It was competitive all around, and every player on both sides of the ice made it known how much they care about this game. A best on best game where players are throwing the body and blocking shots is exactly what NHL fans want.

Team USA will now travel to Boston for their final game in the Round Robin series where they will take on Sweden. Puck drop will be at 8 p.m.

_____________________

WHO: Team USA (1-0-0) vs Team Canada (1-0-0)
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: Centre Bell, Montreal
TV: NESN
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub

ROSTERS

PROJECTED LINES

Team USA

Tkachuk - Eichel - Tkachuk

Guentzel - Matthews - Hughes

Miller - Larkin - Boldy

Nelson - Trocheck - Connor

Werenski - McAvoy

Hanifin - Fox

Slavin - Faber

Hellebuyck

Ottinger

Swayman

Team Canada

Reinhart - McDavid - Marner

Crosby - MacKinnon - Stone

Hagel - Cirelli - Point

Marchand - Bennett - Jarvis

Toews - Doughty

Morrissey - Parayko

Harley - Sanheim

Binnington

Hill

Montembeault

PREGAME NOTES

Team USA and Team Canada will play today's second 4 Nations Face-Off game as part of the events "Rivalry Day." Team Finland defeated Team Sweden 4-3 in overtime keeping them alive in the tournament.

Cale Makar is ruled out for today's game for Team Canada. Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley will take his place in the lineup.

Three Boston Bruins will take part in this game between USA and Canada. Brad Marchand is the only Bruin playing for team Canada while Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman are suited up for USA.