It was a victory for hockey fans and Canadians alike in more ways than one, after Canada’s Connor McDavid scored the overtime winner to defeat the United States 3-2 and win gold at the 4 Nations Face Off.
Recently, the country has banded together in the face of political and economic adversity from U.S. president Donald Trump.
For Canadian hockey fan Murray Smith, who was at the Bell Sensplex Friday, the victory was as much a sporting one as it was a moral win.
“Oh, absolutely. The whole country (was) cheering for Canada as opposed to the United States, with all the stuff going on there,” he said.
“We were cheering like unbelievable. Being a Canadian against the U.S., no bigger game than that as far as I’m concerned. Yes. Stanley Cup, but unbelievable, Team Canada beating the U.S.”
It is a sentiment shared by many across the country in the aftermath of the best-on-best tournament. Following Canada’s win, head coach John Cooper said the players felt the weight of hope from the nation.
“I just hope Canada’s proud. Because every player in that room is proud to be a Canadian,” Cooper said post-game.
“Did we need a win? Not only our team, but Canada needed a win. And the players bared that on their shoulders, and they took it seriously. And this one was different. This wasn’t a win for themselves. This was a win for 40-plus million people.”
“I loved it. Absolutely loved it,” said hockey fan Jeff Mills Friday at the Sensplex.
“The pressure between the Americans and the Canadians, I’m just glad to see Canada number one again.”
Ottawa Senators players Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson starred for the United States in the final, each scoring the only goals for the Americans on the night.
The pair will now return to Ottawa to join up with the Senators ahead of the team’s game Saturday at home versus Montreal, though it is unclear yet if either will feature in the game.
Senators head coach Travis Green says it’s a loss that may be felt by both players for some time.
“There’s nothing that I’m going to say that’s going to make them feel better,” Green said Friday.
“But I think they knew it. But it’s important to let them know that we’re proud of them, and the way they handled themselves and the way they played.”
Speaking to the media, Senators defenceman Thomas Chabot said a contingent of the team was always going to return to Ottawa disappointed, no matter the outcome of the 4 Nations tournament.
“We were talking about it, obviously being Canadian, but it’s a win-win for us. I mean both of our teammates find the back of the net, played real solid hockey, and Canada winning.”
It was a victory in more ways than one, which will be remembered fondly by Canadians for years to come.
“Phenomenal. McDavid scoring that goal, and overtime, just like Sid did in 2010.”
