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Craig Berube goes full Nostradamus, correctly predicts 3-2 Team Canada win in 4 Nations Final
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Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Alex Hobson
Feb 21, 2025, 13:36 ESTUpdated: Feb 21, 2025, 13:35 EST
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube had a lot on his resume that helped him secure the job in Toronto, most notably a Stanley Cup win with the St. Louis Blues in 2018-19. Apparently his ability to see into the future was left off of that resume.
Following Leafs practice on Thursday, Berube, who hails from Calahoo, Alberta, was asked if he had any predictions for Thursday night’s Canada-USA 4 Nations Championship game. And, well:
Team Canada did in fact beat Team USA, thanks to an overtime winner from Connor McDavid and set up by Toronto’s Mitch Marner.
Not only does this mean bragging rights for life for Berube, but he got to enjoy the fact that his star winger played an integral part in the win. For a team like the Leafs who are constantly under scrutiny for their tendency to ghost in big games, it had to have been a satisfying feeling to see Marner set up Sam Bennett for the game-tying goal and McDavid for the game-winner.
“These games are intense & playing in a game like this is very good for them both,” Berube said after practice on Wednesday, per TSN’s Mark Masters. Only one of them is going to win, but it’s just getting a taste of what it’s like”
Although Auston Matthews didn’t go home with a win, he was arguably Team USA’s best player in the final, collecting two assists of his own and creating dangerous chances for his team all night. His Leafs teammate, Chris Tanev, spoke about the importance of experiencing an environment like that mid-season and what it could mean for getting the team going when they return.
The Maple Leafs will be back in action on Saturday when they host the Carolina Hurricanes, before heading to Chicago for a Sunday night tilt in the windy city. With the trade deadline looming and the second half of the season in full swing, it will be important for the Leafs to capitalize on the energy brought from Matthews and Marner’s experience and finish the season on a strong note.
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