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Canada's MacKinnon on finals vs. USA: 'We could beat those guys'​

It's the rematch fans craved and Canada's 5-3 win over Finland on Monday afternoon clinched it: another battle with Team USA in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off championship game Thursday night in Boston.

"The last thing we wanted to do was go home today. We'd love to play the Americans again. We feel like we could beat those guys. We plan on playing a little better this time," said Canada's Nathan MacKinnon, who had two goals in the win.

The Americans' 3-1 win over Canada on Saturday night was the talk of the sports world thanks to the raucous atmosphere in Montreal, three fights in the opening nine seconds of the game and thrilling play befitting this "best on best" tournament. The victory clinched a spot in the 4 Nations title game for the U.S., before Canada set up the sequel with a regulation win Monday.

"The message we wanted to send is that it's our time right now. Show that we're not backing down," said Team USA's Matthew Tkachuk, who set a record for the earliest fight in an NHL international game against Canada.

"I didn't hear him say that, but he's trying to make some noise, which he likes to do," Canada goalie Jordan Binnington said. "We're just going to stick to our job here."

Canada finished its job against Finland, although things got a little tense near the end. After conceding a 4-0 lead, Finland scored three goals in the last 7 minutes of the game before Sidney Crosby's empty-netter ended the comeback and sent Canada to the championship final. The U.S. game against Sweden on Monday night was rendered meaningless in the process.
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Just sayin': The U.S. and Canada will play for the 4 Nations title Thursday night in Boston (8 p.m. EST, ESPN).
 
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