Hockey World Turns Upside Down: Sully Wins Big Game, Crosby Loses International Winning Streak, Guentzel Plays Hero

Last night's USA vs Canada was one of the most anticipated sporting events in recent memory, and it held up to the high expectations.

On the road in a hostile barn, the United States, led by head coach Mike Sullivan, defeated Team Canada 3-1 off the back of two goals from Jake Guentzel, effectively ending Sidney Crosby's international winning streak at 26 games.

As a Penguins fandom, let's break down everything that happened last night together.

Mike Sullivan's coaching job

I released an article yesterday about Mike Sullivan's coaching tenure possibly being carried by the ridiculous levels of talent he's had in his time with the Penguins. You can read more by clicking HERE.

Last night, Sully drew up a game plan that played to Team USA's strengths, identified Team Canada's weaknesses, and worked towards executing a game plan that exploited both.

The argument about high end talent is still in play despite USA's win last night. He had no shortage of skill to work with, but objectively, Canada is a better team with more experience and a much better international pedigree.

Sully walked his boys into the Bell Centre, and from the opening gun the USA bolted their tent peg on the game.

If you haven't seen this by now, I'm truly sorry for you. The game was absolute cinema from the opening puck drop.

Sullivan was interviewed mid-way through the 2nd period and said, "They care. They're invested..." when asked about the fights from the opening puck drop.

It's no surprise that both sides were bought into this game, but the way Sully delivered that message, one has to believe he was in on the plan for the Tkachuk brothers to drop the gloves.

And I think he encouraged it.

Now consider the rest of the game. Aside from Dylan Larkin's goal, it was a defensive masterclass by the Americans that won them the game. Insert a handful of saves by Connor Hellebyuck and you've got a complete game played by the USA.

The game was tightly forechecked, but not uncontrollably so. It was calculated and executed perfectly. Even Canada's forecheck was ineffective because the Americans' toughness turned Canada hits into USA reverse hits. Canada was outmuscled all game.

The way Ray Ferraro described the USA forecheck on the broadcast was that quickness to the spot left Canada no room to work with, and even the best in the world like MacKinnon and McDavid still need that space.

The U.S. didn't give them any, and it was reminiscent of the Penguins' Cup runs in 2016 and 2017. We know how much Mike Sullivan wants to be a tight checking team. He got the Americans to buy into that against Canada in their biggest game since TJ Oshie beat Russia in the shootout 11 years ago to the day.

So what does this tell us about Sully? Was the product on the ice for the Americans due to his inspiration, or was it the Americans willing to put it all on the line for the stars and stripes?

I can see both sides, but I believe Sully was a significant part of it.

If that's the case, what could his message be to the Penguins when the regular season starts back up in a week and the team has to play perfect hockey to even sniff the playoffs? Stay tuned for more on that subject to come. Let's see how the tournament finishes first.

Sidney Crosby loses streak

Sid was the first star of the game against Sweden with his three primary assists in the 4-3 overtime victory in the Four Nations Faceoff opener.

However, the international legend did not have a good game against the U.S. It was his turnover that led to the odd-man rush with Larkin that ended in the game-winning goal for Team USA, and Sid wasn't very noticeable at all.

His international winning streak has ended, which in itself is mind-numbing it even happened in the first place. To win 26 straight international games is something that will never be done again.

He's Captain Canada for a reason, and if he can beat Finland in regulation and get another crack at the Americans in the Four Nations Final, I'd bet my house he doesn't lose to them again.

Jake Guentzel's huge night

Well, Jake Shakes for all of America!

It might be a sensitive topic for Penguins fans, but it's necessary to mention: Jake 'N Bake's two goals were the difference in the game.

His first one was hardly his doing, more just a Charmin soft goal through Jordan Binnington, and his second was the trademark Guentzel empty-net dagger.

Guentzel was the first star of the game, but if it was me, I'd have given it to a defenseman - probably Jaccob Slavin. The goals have to come from somewhere, though, so Guentzel was naturally given the player of the game.

I know Penguins fans - especially American Penguins fans like myself - are very in between on how to feel about Jake's performance.

We all know of his big-game pedigree that shined during the 2017 Stanley Cup victory as a rookie. He's one of the greatest big-game players this century, and he did it again on what's likely the biggest hockey stage in decades.

I still don't think the trade was an awful idea, as much as that's hard to say. Big Game Jake can't happen unless there's a big game, and the Penguins haven't played in a big game since 2022.

Could they have afforded to keep him and pay him what he's owed now? That's tough. The Tristan Jarry contract really killed all possibility of that.

Am I one to fault Kyle Dubas for pulling the trigger on the deal? No, I'm still very pleased with the return, and time will tell how it pans out. You can check out more on the full trade details HERE.

I think tonight it's good practice as Penguins fans to appreciate what we saw out of a Penguins legend and reminisce on the good times we had, not sulk in the times we wish we could have had but likely never would have had anyway.

Overall, Penguins fans should be loving the Four Nations Faceoff. I know I am. Every single game has been amazing. Keep tuning in. Let's boost hockey ratings through the roof and show the world how much we love the sport.

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