Ottawa Senator Stars Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson Come Up Short Against Canada At 4 Nations Face-Off
For the past few seasons, the Ottawa Senators have been described as an NHL team with a young core that's still learning how to win. To help with the education, GM Steve Staios brought in former Cup winners last summer like wingers David Perron, Nick Cousins, and Michael Amadio.
But after Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson helped lead Team USA on the huge, best-on-best stage of the 4 Nations Face-Off Final on Thursday night, there's now some valuable big game experience within the young core.
For Sens fans, who were split, wanting the best for their two players while also cheering for Canada, they couldn't have drawn up a better result. The two Americans each scored in the final and played extremely well, especially Tkachuk who confirmed every fan's belief that he'll be an absolute beast for the Senators when they finally get back to the playoffs.
But in the end, Canada came away with a 3-2 overtime victory and the championship. Goalie Jordan Binnington was the difference, stopping 31 shots and answering every critic. Without Binnington's heroics in the third period and overtime, Connor McDavid wouldn't have had the chance to score the goal that will be remembered forever.
THERE IT IS! THE GAME WINNER! THE TOURNAMENT WINNER! 😱😱😱 CONNOR MCDAVID HAS WON IT FOR CANADA!!! #4Nations pic.twitter.com/nDneA2e26K
— NHL (@NHL) February 21, 2025
Canada got off to another quick start to this game. Nathan MacKinnon drifted a long wrist shot through a crowd to give Canada a 1-0 lead in the first period. But Tkachuk responded for the Americans in vintage Tkachuk style. He barged though bodies at the net, and chipped a rebound past Binnington.
THIS ANGLE OF BRADY TKACHUK'S GOAL 😱🔥 pic.twitter.com/MrVNWah25t
— ESPN (@espn) February 21, 2025
In the second period, Jake Sanderson, who has just five goals in 55 games for the Sens this season, corralled a loose puck during a scramble in the slot and ripped a low shot past Binnington. Tkachuk didn't get a point on the play, but he was battling like a monster in front of Canada's net.
JAKE SANDERSON 👀 IT'S 2-1 USA! #4Nations🇺🇸: @espn & @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/S5tPrXCygm🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/ZlxpRTt6M7
— NHL (@NHL) February 21, 2025
The American lead didn't hold up long. Just over six minutes later, Canada tied it at 2 when Mitch Marner set Sam Bennett loose with a beautiful feed and Bennett beat Connor Hellebuyck upstairs with an equally beautiful shot.
SAM BENNETT IN THE CLUTCH! 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 #4Nations pic.twitter.com/qlINVGKp09
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 21, 2025
Thanks to Binnington, the score stayed tied into overtime before McDavid's game winner.
This new tournament turned out to be much more exciting than a lot of fans expected. Sure, we knew it would be better than the all-star game - how it could it not be? But it was crystal clear on day one that the outcome of this event mattered deeply to these players and quickly became a must-watch event for fans.
The finale may have been a disappointment for Tkachuk and Sanderson, but they'll now return home with just a little more swagger and motivation than they left with, eager to get back to big games like these with their Senator teammates.
And that's good for everyone in Ottawa.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
39 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
All day and all night, Greenlanders revel in 24-hour sunlight to play soccer
Advertisement The U.S. president hasn't ruled out military force despite strong rebukes from the governments of Denmark, a NATO ally, and Greenland. Danish and Greenlandic leaders say the island is not for sale and have condemned reports of the U.S. stepping up intelligence gathering on the semiautonomous Danish territory. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up But Patrick Frederiksen, captain of the national team, thinks CONCACAF's rejection came down to money. 'We all know it's really expensive to travel to Greenland,' he said. Earlier this month, the first direct flight from the U.S. to Greenland by an American airline landed in the capital, Nuuk. The one-way ticket from Newark International Airport in New Jersey cost roughly $1,200. The return flight from Nuuk had a $1,300 to $1,500 price tag. Other flights require a layover in Iceland or Copenhagen, Denmark. Advertisement CONCACAF didn't respond to a request for comment. Greenland, technically European territory, might have been expected to seek membership in UEFA. But the European federation only allows members from countries recognized as independent per sovereignty rules introduced in 2007. CONCACAF has no such restrictions. Despite the recent headlines, the Arctic island's inhabitants are more concerned this summer with getting to the nearest field. They want to take advantage of the 24-hour sunlight even if the temperatures hover around 5 to 10 degrees Celsius (41 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit) in Nuuk. 'We meet outside and play football all night long,' player Angutimmarik Kreutzmann said. 'It's not getting dark and we have so much freedom.' 'Come watch a game' From youth clubs to the national team, soccer energizes the entire island. Picturesque outdoor fields, featuring views of drifting icebergs and snow-capped mountain peaks even in late June, range from artificial turf to dirt to real grass, though older players remember dribbling across gravel pitches. 'You should come watch a game,' said Oscar Scott Carl, coach of the B-67 club in Nuuk. 'You can see how much people go into the game, how much cheering from the attenders.' 'It's also a big part of creating unity in the country, having a sport to gather around and celebrate wins and being a part of something bigger than only football, to be honest,' he added. The Kalaallit Arsaattartut Kattuffiat, Greenland's national football association, was founded in 1971 and regulates multiple men's and women's teams. Community projects are also important to the island's soccer culture and national team players serve as role models for local youth. 'They want to take pictures with us or get our autograph,' Frederiksen said. 'We get a lot of attention and a lot support from the kids.' Advertisement During the long winter, many players turn to futsal. The sport is a form of indoor soccer, generally played with a special ball on a handball court with five players on a side. Even the national team plays: They traveled to Brazil in March for the Intercontinental Futsal Cup. 'Something to show the world' The national team of the Faeroe Islands, a semi-independent Danish territory in the North Atlantic, is a member of FIFA and UEFA, which oversees European soccer. It's a sore spot for Greenlanders, especially after CONCACAF's decision. The Faeroe Islands team joined the tournaments more than three decades ago, before there were requirements such as a stadium with tens of thousands of seats, among others. Visit Greenland, the government's tourism agency, said that a national stadium has 'long been on the wish list for many in Greenland.' But with such a small population, an arena with a minimum of 40,000 seats — more than 70% of the island's inhabitants — 'is sadly not in the pipeline,' the agency wrote on its website. Still, Jimmy Holm Jensen, chairman of Nuuk's B-67 club, wishes Greenland's teams could at least play in international soccer tournaments. Right now, they only can compete in friendly matches abroad. 'I think we have something to show the world,' he said. AP journalists Stefanie Dazio and Ciarán Fahey contributed to this report from Berlin.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
CIMA Mayor's Trophy Marks 21 Years of Celebrating Community Through Cricket
The annual CIMA Mayor's Trophy brought together corporate teams, youth, and elected leaders to celebrate cricket, community spirit, and inclusion. 'CIMA Mayor's Trophy Cricket - fostering excitement and civic pride while celebrating our city's cultural richness.'— CIMA Canada TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, June 26, 2025 / / -- Sunnybrook Park came alive on Saturday, June 21, as 14 teams from the public, corporate, and media sectors gathered to mark the 21st anniversary of the CIMA Mayor's Trophy Cricket, hosted by CIMA Canada and the Ontario Schools Cricket Association (OSCA). The event — a unique blend of sport, culture, and civic pride — saw the TD Bank Group team claim the 2025 title in a spirited tournament that brought together Torontonians from all walks of life. CBC's Steven D'Souza hosted the day's events, engaging spectators and players alike in a celebration of cricket's power to unite communities. 'Events like the CIMA Mayor's Trophy show how cricket can break down barriers and bring people together,' said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. 'This tournament is a shining example of our city's diversity, community spirit, and the way we celebrate one another.' 'The CIMA Mayor's Trophy is a celebration of the best of Toronto — its diversity, its energy, and its people,' said Ahil Ahilesan, Chair of CIMA Canada. 'Through cricket, we are continuing to build bridges between communities and generations, while supporting programs that open doors for youth across Ontario.' That mission of community investment through sport was echoed by corporate partners who have supported this initiative year after year. 'TD is thrilled to continue our support of the CIMA Mayor's Trophy,' said Michael Armstrong, Vice President, North American Brand and Corporate Sponsorship. 'The sport of cricket continues to welcome, unite, and create opportunity for young Canadians. We are proud to take part in celebrations like these, that bring people together to champion the best of what sport and cricket has to offer – community.' 'Rogers is proud to partner with the Ontario Schools Cricket Association to provide youth with access to the game of cricket,' said Navdeep Bains, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Rogers. 'We believe in the power of sport to help young people feel included and build confidence as part of a team.' Media sponsors have also played a crucial role in amplifying the reach and visibility of the CIMA Mayor's Trophy. 'The Globe and Mail is proud to stand behind the CIMA Mayor's Trophy year after year,' said Andrew Saunders, President & CEO, The Globe and Mail. 'We believe in amplifying stories that matter, and this event reflects the dynamic and multicultural spirit of Toronto in action.' 'For well over a decade, Pattison Media has championed the CIMA Mayor's Trophy through outdoor campaigns,' said Ian Gadsby, VP Technology, Pattison Media Outdoor. 'This is more than a cricket tournament — it's a symbol of what inclusive storytelling and consistent community investment can accomplish.' The 2025 tournament once again proved cricket's unique power to bring people together across backgrounds, sectors, and generations. As OSCA continues to expand its school programs across Ontario, the legacy of the CIMA Mayor's Trophy — now in its third decade — remains one of sport-driven impact, unity, and community building. For more information: Ontario Schools Cricket Association Ken Jeffers, President of OSCA Ontario Schools Cricket Association email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
NBC Sports
2 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Buffalo Sabres trade JJ Peterka to Utah Mammoth for Michael Kesselring, Josh Doan
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres' long-anticipated offseason retooling began late Wednesday night with the team agreeing to trade forward JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for forward Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring. Both teams announced the deal with Utah revealing it signed Peterka to a five-year contract worth $38.5 million. Peterka completed his rookie contract this season, and was eligible to become a restricted free agent next week. 'There is a lot of excitement and positive momentum surrounding our team right now, and adding a player of J.J. Peterka's caliber and offensive upside is another great step towards achieving our objectives as a group,' Mammoth president of hockey operations Chris Armstrong said. This is a major swap of young players all within their first three full seasons of NHL experience. The 23-year-old Peterka is coming off consecutive 25-plus goal seasons, including 27 this year with a career-best 68 points in 77 games. Doan, a 23-year-old winger, is the son of longtime Arizona Coyotes star Shane Doan, and his departure is the organization's latest move that separates this Salt Lake City chapter from the past. He had seven goals and 19 points last season as a rookie. Kesselring, a 25-year-old defenseman, played alongside Doan for the U.S. when it won the world championships in May for the first time since 1933. He completed his second full NHL season with seven goals and 29 points — both career highs. 'One of our priorities as we work through this offseason is making our team more competitive and tougher to play against,' Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said. 'The additions of Michael and Josh will help us tremendously in both of those categories.' Kesserling is listed at 6-foot-5, with Doan listed at 6-2. The Sabres were expected to shake up their roster after a disappointing finish in Lindy Ruff's first season and second stint as coach. Buffalo finished 14th in the Eastern Conference standings and extended its NHL-record playoff drought to a 14th season. The Mammoth, meantime, acquire a promising offensive star while keeping their No. 4 pick in the NHL draft Friday night. Utah made a late-season playoff push before falling short in finishing 11th in the Western Conference. 'J.J. is a highly skilled, creative, young forward with extremely high upside,' Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong said. 'He will help solidify our scoring and add to what is already a great young core of forwards on the roster.' Peterka is from Germany and was selected in the second round of the 2020 draft, and made his Sabres debut in in 2021-22. In 2023-24, He scored a career-best 28 goals. Overall, he has 67 goals and 150 points in 238 games. Despite his developing skills, Peterka became the subject of trade talk for much of the past month. On Tuesday, Adams declined to address the rumors, and whether Peterka had requested a trade, by saying it wasn't the right time to get into that, and wouldn't be fair to the player. He then hinted of a potential trade by adding: 'I can probably, after the draft and when we have other conversations, get into more specifics on things.' Adams is on the hotseat entering his sixth season, and is expected to make more moves, with defenseman Bowen Byram a potential trade candidate.
