BOSTON — The NHL 4 Nations Face-Off saved its best game for last.
Fans certainly got what they paid for in Thursday night’s championship game that ended with a thrilling Team Canada overtime win over Team USA thanks to Connor McDavid.
There was no fight fest to begin the championship game like there was in USA-Canada’s first game, but it was still plenty entertaining.
Nathan MacKinnon made it 1-0 Canada 4:48 into the first when he beat a screened Connor Hellebuyck with a snap shot.
Brady Tkachuk gave the crowd their first “Free Bird” of the night when he tied it 1-1 with 3:08 remaining in the opening period when he made his way through traffic on a beautiful feed from Auston Matthews and beat Jordan Binnington.
The second got a bit chippy between both teams but the officials kept it under control.
Team USA took its first lead of the night 7:31 into the second when Jake Sanderson hammered home a rebound for the 2-1 edge.
Canada got the first power play of the night but was unable to capitalize in large part due to Jack Eichel — who blocked a Cale Makar shot and kicked away a MacKinnon pass.
Sam Bennett scored the equalizer for Canada with 6 minutes left in the second on an impressive shot after an Adam Fox turnover.
Despite opportunities on both ends, Team USA and Team Canada went into the third period tied at 2-2.
Jacob Slavin helped keep the game tied for the U.S. when he blocked a scoring chance from Canada on a Brad Marchand pass.
Canada had some prime chances in the final minute — including. Makar shot on Hellebuyck with 5.6 seconds left. But 60 minutes proved to not be enough and needed overtime to decide the winner.
Auston Matthews, who hadn’t scored all tournament, looked like he was going to end it for the Americans, but Binnington stonewalled the Toronto Maple Leafs star before Canada’s goalie robbed Tkachuk.
But McDavid scored the Golden Goal for Canada to cap off the tournament.
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