Memorable moments in the Canada vs USA hockey rivalry
Updated: April 8, 2025
Team Canada vs Team USA is never boring, especially in hockey.
The cross-border rivalry has been cultivated over the years at the Olympics, but also at the world championships and world junior championships, by both the men and the women.
Here are some of the most memorable Canada vs USA hockey moments of the past:
4 Nations Face-Off 2025: Final
The very first iteration of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament did not disappoint.
Taking place during a time of extreme political tension, the tournament became a lightning rod for Canadians to channel their national pride amidst threats from the U.S. president to Canada’s sovereignty as a nation.
To give a sense of the height of emotions—Canada/USA’s first meeting of the tournament featured three fights in the first nine seconds of play.
The final featured less fighting, but no less intensity. Each team, composed entirely of NHL players, traded back and forth on goals, finishing three periods of play tied at 2-2.
In a moment that might be considered a new generation’s touchstone “golden goal”, it was none other than Connor McDavid who scored the overtime game winner to secure the victory for Canada.
Beijing 2022: Women’s Gold Medal Game
Four years after losing the Olympic gold medal in a shootout, Team Canada was ready to take it back in Beijing. They looked good in the preliminary round, coming away with a 4-2 win over the United States to be the only undefeated team in the tournament.
When the two teams met again in the final, it was Canada who jumped out to a 3-0 lead. The first goal by Sarah Nurse allowed her to break the points record for a single Olympic tournament. The next two by Marie-Philip Poulin made her the first hockey player to ever score in four Olympic gold medal games. “Captain Clutch” indeed!
Down by two with three minutes to play, the Americans did everything they could to try to tie it. But Ann-Renée Desbiens was très bien and, in the end, stopped 38 of the 40 shots that came her way in net.
Sochi 2014: Women’s Gold Medal Game
Thank goodness for goal posts and Marie-Philip Poulin. With the Americans up 2-0 early in the third period, the dramatics began. Brianne Jenner finally put Canada on the board with three and a half minutes to play. Then with Shannon Szabados on the bench for an extra attacker, the Canadians had a little luck on their side as Kelli Stack’s long shot at the empty goal bounced off the post instead.
With 55 seconds on the clock, Poulin added to her clutch credentials by tying it up. Then with just five seconds to go in a two-man advantage, Poulin got the goal that gave Canada its fourth straight women’s hockey gold.
Marie-Philip Poulin of Canada (29) shoots to score the tying goal against USA goalkeeper Jessie Vetter (31) during the third period of the women’s gold medal ice hockey game at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) 
Canada’s Marie-Philip Poulin celebrates her game-tying goal as USA’s Gigi Marvin (right) looks on during third period women’s hockey final action at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia on Thursday, February 20, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette 
Marie-Philip Poulin of Canada (29) and Haley Irwin of Canada (21) celebrate their 3-2 overtime victory against the United States in the women’s gold medal ice hockey game at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Sochi 2014: Men’s Semifinal
It was a nail-biter, but Canada emerged with the 1-0 win on a Jamie Benn goal and 31 saves by Carey Price to give them a shot at their second straight Olympic gold in men’s hockey. Spoiler alert: Canada won that gold medal game.
Canada forward Benn Jamie, left, reacts after scoring a goal in front of USA goaltender Jonathan Quick of a men’s semifinal ice hockey game at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, Pool) 
Canada’s Jamie Benn (22) celebrates with Jeff Carter, left ,after scoring the first goal against United States’ goaltender Jonathan Quick during second period hockey semi-final action at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia on Friday, February 21, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Vancouver 2010: Men’s Gold Medal Game
Up 2-1 with half a minute to play, Canada had the gold medal just about within its grasp. But then Zach Parise tied it, forcing overtime. Cue Sidney Crosby for one of the greatest moments in Canadian sporting history.
Vancouver 2010: Women’s Gold Medal Game
The game that made Marie-Philip Poulin a star. At just 18, she scored both goals that gave Canada the 2-0 win and its third straight Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey.
Salt Lake City 2002: Men’s Gold Medal Game
It had been 50 years since Canada last won Olympic gold in men’s hockey. The last time the U.S. had hosted the Winter Games, they produced the “Miracle on Ice”. In Salt Lake City, it may have been the Americans who got the early lead, but it was Canada, on a pair of goals from each of Jarome Iginla and Joe Sakic plus one from Paul Kariya, that got the joy of hearing the national anthem.
Canada’s Joe Sakic swats at the puck, shot by teammate Jarome Iginla, that scores past USA goaltender Mike Richter in third period men’s hockey action at the Olympic Winter Games in West Valley City, Utah, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002. Canada beat the USA 5-2 to win the Olympic gold medal. (CP PHOTO/Frank Gunn) 
Team Canada’s goalie Martin Brodeur celebrates his team’s fifth goal by teamate Joe Sakic during third period mens hockey gold medal final at the XIX Olympic Winter Games in West Valley City, Utah,Sunday Feb 24, 2002. Canada won 5-2.(CP PHOTO/Tom Hanson) 
Team Canada’s Paul Kariya celebrates with his gold medal at the XIX Olympic Winter Games in West Valley City, Utah,Sunday Feb 24, 2002.(CP PHOTO/Tom Hanson) 
Team Canada captain Mario Lemieux and goalie Martin Brodeur are surrounded by teammates as they pose for a team photo after they won over Team USA to win the gold medal in hockey Sunday Feb. 24, 2002 at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. (CP Photo/COC/Mike Ridewood).
2021 Women’s World Championship: Gold Medal Game
It had been close to a decade since Team Canada had been the world champions in women’s hockey, with the last title coming in 2012. But playing in a so-called “bubble” in Calgary amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2021, the Canadians gave their fans across the country a whole lot to cheer for.
After the U.S. went up 2-0 in the first period of the final, Team Canada came back to tie it up in the second. After a scoreless third, of course it was Marie-Philip Poulin playing the hero with the overtime winner… even if it took officials about half a minute to confirm that her hot shot had scored.
2012 Women’s World Championship: Gold Medal Game
The Americans had won three straight world titles and had the home ice advantage, with the tournament taking place in Vermont. But it was Canada that came away with the gold medal—their record 10th in the history of the women’s worlds—thanks to an overtime winner by Caroline Ouellette.
2010 World Juniors: Gold Medal Game
A year after his semifinal heroics against Russia, Jordan Eberle did his best to make another miracle happen. With Canada trailing 5-3 with less than three minutes to play, Eberle scored twice within one minute and 14 seconds to force the game to overtime. But it was the Americans who got the winner in overtime, stopping Canada’s gold medal streak at five.
2007 World Juniors: Semifinal
Otherwise known as the game in which Jonathan Toews scored three shootout goals. The win put Canada into its sixth straight gold medal game, going on to win its third straight title.
1997 World Juniors: Gold Medal Game
The United States had finished ahead of Canada in their group, with the two teams tying in their round robin meeting. When they met again in the final, Marc Denis backstopped Canada to a 2-0 shutout victory for the country’s fifth straight title while the U.S. settled for silver, its best finish ever at that time.
