So Close, Yet So Canadian: Team USA and Rangers stars add more history to international hockey

The moment arrived, but Canada seized the 4 Nations trophy from Team USA.

Canada seized the golden puck. Canada seized the 4 Nations Face-Off championship, and Canada maintained the title of the world's hockey powerhouse. After dropping a thrilling and fists-flying round-robin clash 3-1 to Team USA in Montreal on Saturday, Canada reminded the hockey world why they are still the standard. A 3-2 overtime victory on American soil at TD Garden in Boston on Thursday, delivered by Connor McDavid at 8:18 of bonus time, sealed it.

For the Americans, it was heartbreak. The stripes had their chances, none bigger than Auston Matthews' multiple point-blank opportunities on Jordan Binnington in OT. Yet when the defining moment arrived, it was McDavid — who delivered, while Auston Matthews lost a crucial faceoff and drifted into the corner, leaving McDavid unchecked in the slot. Yes, the decision was a product of Mike Sullivan's box +1 defensive system, but part of what makes Matthews great is his situational awareness. You can't have that mistake from your country's captain, not against the believed best player on the planet.

Every time the U.S. has come close to breaking through against Canada on the biggest stage, there's been a devastating moment where their rivals break them. 2010 Sidney Crosby, who with Thursday's triumph has more Gold medals than USA combined, slipped the Golden Goal past Ryan Miller in Vancouver. Fifteen years later, different tournaments, different heroes, different cities — but the same nightmare.

It was always going to be about redemption for Canada. Five days after their round-robin loss to the U.S., they restored order. Five days after doubts crept in about their goaltending and roster construction, they silenced the noise. Five days after USA seemed poised to claim hockey supremacy, Canada reminded everyone it's still their sport.