Team Canada defeated Team USA 3-2 in overtime in the championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off.
The teams headed to the dressing room at the end of the first period with the score tied, and Canada leading the USA in shots 11-10.
The next goal also belonged to the Americans. Jake Sanderson took the lead for Team USA at 7:32, off of a rebound from Matthews.
Zach Werenski was awarded the secondary assist.
Sam Bennett brought it back to a tie game with a beauty of a shot over the shoulder of Hellebuyck. Bennett was set up by a pass from Mitch Marner, Team Canada’s overtime goal scorer against Sweden earlier in the tournament.
Once again, the end of the period found the score tied, and this time the shots as well, 19-19.
It was a frenetic third period, but despite high-danger chances from both teams, the clock ran down on 60 minutes of play with the score still tied 2-2.
Team USA led in shots, 27-23. One can only imagine the mood in the dressing rooms.
Championship overtime play means five-on-five for as long as it takes, but it only took Connor McDavid eight minutes and eighteen seconds to crown Team Canada champions of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
Jordan Binnington, who held the net for Team Canada in all four games of the tournament rose to the challenge when it mattered with 31 saves. Nathan MacKinnon was named MVP of the tournament.
