ON TODAY'S SCORECARD
You Can’t Take Our Game

15 years ago, at the Olympics, the world's best hockey player delivered a game-winning goal in overtime to lead Canada past the U.S. in a thrilling championship match. On Thursday night in Boston, history repeated itself.

Canada won the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off after Connor McDavid scored an overtime goal reminiscent of Sidney Crosby's at the 2010 Winter Olympics, ending an intense game between bitter rivals and putting a stamp on a wildly successful midseason tournament.

‌McDavid (3 goals, 2 assists) was named tournament MVP, but he wouldn't have even had a chance to light the lamp on Thursday if not for Jordan Binnington's spectacular play in goal.

The Blues' netminder had 20 straight saves to end the night, including one at point-blank range in OT, continuing a trend of clutch play in winner-take-all games.

The big picture: For as good as both games between Canada and the U.S. were this week, the rivalry is getting increasingly lopsided: This was their fifth best-on-best championship meeting, and for the fourth time, the Canadians came out on top.

🇨🇦 1991 Canada Cup: Canada sweeps best-of-three series
🇺🇸 1996 World Cup: USA wins best-of-three series
🇨🇦 2002 Olympics: Canada wins gold medal game, 5-2
🇨🇦 2010 Olympics: Canada wins gold medal game, 3-2 (OT)
🇨🇦 2025 4 Nations: Canada wins championship, 3-2 (OT)

What they're saying: After the game, in the amid geopolitical tensions, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a message loud and clear to his southern neighbors: "You can't take our country — and you can't take our game."

From the 2025 Playbook Hoops Newsletter Issue 6A: –

W KENTUCKY over Louisiana Tech by 13

We love putting our toe in the Conference USA waters this time of the season, and we’re headed to Bowling Green to do so today, where the Hilltoppers will be looking to even the score from a 10-point loss they suffered in Ruston a month ago. It's where the Toppers will take a 12-2 ATS log in games when coming off a home contest against foes coming off an away game. And it's where Wicky is 11-3 outright and 6-3-3 ATS this season. After a 7-0 start to the season, the Techsters cooled off like an ice-cold Coors left out in the sun, riding a 10-9 SU and 9-9-1 ATS mark since. It ain’t broke, and we’re not fixing it. Top this!

TRENDING TODAY
The Bottom of the Ninth

After over three decades together, MLB and ESPN have "mutually agreed" to end their TV deal after the 2025 season.

Commissioner Rob Manfred cited displeasure over the league's "minimal coverage" on ESPN's platforms.

ESPN had reportedly asked MLB to take a lower rights fee than the $550 million average value of the existing deal. MLB declined, with Manfred reportedly saying he expects at least two potential options in the coming weeks.

I think it’s more a case of the latter than the former.

The relationship between MLB and ESPN goes back to 1990, when "Sunday Night Baseball" became an iconic part of the league's broadcasting schedule.

ESPN also airs the long-running "Baseball Tonight," the Home Run Derby, and various playoff games.

Kevin R. from Indiana wants readers to know there is a classic go-against in Saturday’s (today) Rebel Stakes. Irad Ortiz, (only the best jockey on earth), has no Derby mount. So Bob Baffert is sending him to Oaklawn to ride "Mandalay Road." This horse has no chance (in my opinion); it is just under-breeding. This horse will be over-bet on connections alone. Fade, fade, fade.

Marc Says: Thanks, Kevin. It’s always nice to be able to toss horses from your possible list. The whittling down process is as valuable as settling on your handicapped horse as it opens the possibility for other live horses. Thanks for the tip.