MONTREAL — A packed arena erupted into cheers when Sidney Crosby delivered a dazzling no-look assist to Nathan MacKinnon, who promptly scored on a power play just seconds into the game. Crosby further delighted Canadian fans by setting up Mitch Marner’s dramatic overtime goal, ensuring a thrilling 4-3 victory over Sweden in the opening match of the 4 Nations Face-Off. Now at 37, Crosby displayed his seasoned talent by contributing three assists, proving that he remains a formidable player in elite international hockey events featuring the NHL’s best athletes.
Coach Jon Cooper praised Crosby’s legacy, emphasizing the significance of his achievements while donning the Canadian jersey. “It’s no coincidence,” Cooper remarked. “He will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the greatest players to represent our country – if not the greatest. He’ll certainly secure a spot on the Mount Rushmore of those who have worn the Canadian colors.” The crowd, which had earlier chanted the name of Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux, shifted to celebrate Crosby, whose assist six minutes into the 3-on-3 overtime led to Marner’s winning goal.
“I love playing in environments like that,” Crosby reflected after the game. He recalled his childhood admiration for the Montreal Canadiens and expressed gratitude for the warm reception from fans. Throughout the match, Crosby and fellow star Connor McDavid exhibited their prowess, with McDavid also assisting MacKinnon’s opening goal, deftly maneuvering through Swedish defenders.
Brad Marchand added another goal for Canada, eliciting cheers in a venue where he is often seen as a rival due to his role with the Boston Bruins. Despite receiving some boos, Marchand played his role in energizing the home crowd. Marner, who plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs, was able to relish the cheers from the fans, marking a memorable moment as Crosby assisted on his significant goal.
“Fulfilling a dream like that is surreal. As a kid, you idolize him from day one,” Marner shared. He felt the electric atmosphere and appreciated the support he received from fans, who typically boo him as a part of their team’s rivalry.
Although Canada largely dominated the game, goaltender Jordan Binnington faced some challenges, giving up three goals, including shots from Jonas Brodin and Adrian Kempe. He also made a stunning save on Mika Zibanejad during overtime, helping to preserve the win. Binnington managed 23 saves throughout the game, a strong performance despite a few hiccups.
Filip Gustavsson stood tall for Sweden, recording 24 saves from 28 shots, including multiple stops against MacKinnon in overtime, nearly giving Sweden a chance at victory. Brodin praised Gustavsson for his stellar performance, noting his impact on the game.
Unfortunately for Canada, the victory came with a price as defenseman Shea Theodore left the game after sustaining a wrist injury. Coach Cooper confirmed that Theodore would miss the remainder of the tournament, and Travis Sanheim would likely step in to fill the gap left by Theodore’s injury. The remaining defensemen showcased their resilience, managing the fast-paced game effectively with only five defenders.
Binnington commended his teammates, saying, “Managing to control the game with just five defensemen was impressive. It’s tough to lose Shea, but we’ll adapt.”
The tournament continues as the United States is set to face Finland in their opening match on Thursday evening. Following that, Sweden will take on Finland on Saturday, while Canada will be up against the U.S.
