I Hadn't Wanted a Win That Much Since 2021

When Connor McDavid buried the overtime winner against Team USA at the Four Nations Faceoff, I jumped off my chair with a level of excitement I hadn’t felt since 2021, while cheering for a hockey team. That year, of course, was when my favorite team, the Montreal Canadiens, went on their run to the Stanley Cup. All those emotions from that Habs run came flooding back as I watched Team Canada play in that championship game.

Heading into Thursday night, the Americans had done a lot of trash-talking, taking jabs not just at our team but at our country in general. That made this victory all the more sweet.

Even though my political knowledge is limited, I could tell that this game was about more than just hockey. The animosity between the United States and Canada, particularly in the current climate, played a major role in the excitement surrounding their two matchups in the tournament. It seemed as though the rivalry on the ice mirrored the one off of it. Whether it was about our leaders going at it, Canadians booing the Star Spangled Banner, or something else entirely, it added another level of intensity to an already dramatic game.

When McDavid put that puck past Connor Hellebuyck, getting his own golden goal moment, I don’t think people realized how much the country of Canada needed that. It was more than just winning a hockey game; it was about pride, identity, and togetherness during a time when it seems like everything is tearing people apart. That’s what makes sports so beautiful to me. In that moment, nothing else mattered to us across Canada. No divisions—just a shared passion that united us all.

However, in the grand scheme of things, this tournament probably won’t mean much. It seems unlikely that it will have much of an impact in the long run. If everything goes as planned, best-on-best hockey will return every two years, with NHL players going back to the Olympics next year in Italy and the World Cup of Hockey returning in 2028. The Four Nations Faceoff will likely be a one-off. But for one night, it meant everything. That win gave us a reason to celebrate.

Lastly, can we talk about the man who scored the goal, Connor McDavid, the best player in the world? It seemed scripted. For the first time since turning pro, the world's top player donned the Maple Leaf on the big stage and came through when it counted most.

There was something poetic about it. McDavid is now having his time on the world stage after bearing the responsibility of being hockey's next generational star. His golden moment felt like Crosby handing the torch to McDavid.

That being said, it feels a bit weird stating something like this: next year in Italy, I anticipate these two will be teammates once more, with Crosby wearing the "C" yet again. Although the mantle of best player in the world has been passed, their partnership will continue to be the foundation of Canadian hockey as they both continue to play at elite levels. It was one of those goals that made you proud to be Canadian. Similar to what Crosby did in 2010, McDavid united the nation in that moment.

And for me, it gave me a feeling I hadn’t had since 2021. That’s something I’ll never forget.