Beauty of American patriotism on display even as USA loses OT heartbreaker to Canada in 4 Nations championship

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

BOSTON – It's not often that I get goosebumps at the beginning of a sporting event, and they last until the final buzzer. But that was the feeling I had while watching Team USA lose to Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship at TD Garden in Boston. 

The beauty of American patriotism was on display, from the entire crowd singing the national anthem, all the way through the final whistle. It served as a precious reminder that this game was more than just a game. It was the American people coming together for a common goal: to defeat our enemies. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

I've covered a lot of sporting events in my career, but nothing compared to this. Having a chance to watch my country take on its biggest rival in hockey with a championship on the line? I'm getting goosebumps, again, just thinking about it. 

United States' Jake Sanderson (85) is congratulated after his goal against Canada during the second period of the 4 Nations Face-Off championship hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Boston.  (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Before the game began, there was drama about what might happen when the two countries had their national anthems sung in front of the largely-American contingent on hand. 

Would Americans boo the Canadian National Anthem, like the Canadians did on Saturday in Montreal? 

The answer was… sort of. 

Ultimately, though, this was never about Canada. This was about the United States of America. That was on full-display when Mike Eruzione, the honorary captain of Team USA for the championship game, came onto the ice.

But it got even better. While the Americans mostly respected the