Nathan MacKinnon implies Canada was 'better team' despite losing Olympic gold medal to Team USA

As expected, Team Canada was not blessed lasting connected the crystal receiving their metallic medals successful Milan aft Jack Hughes’ overtime game-winner to springiness Team USA gold. 

Canadian prima Nathan MacKinnon made an absorbing remark aft the crippled that sparked statement connected societal media. 

"You beryllium the justice of who was the amended squad today," the Team Canada adjunct skipper and Colorado Avalanche prima said, via the Canadian Press.

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Nathan MacKinnon #29 of Team Canada look dejected pursuing the Men's Gold Medal lucifer betwixt Canada and the United States connected time 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games astatine Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena connected Feb. 22, 2026 successful Milan, Italy. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

MacKinnon seemingly implied that Canada was the amended squad contempt the result. Sure, they outshot the U.S., 42-28, and they were surely successful power of the puck much passim the 3 periods successful Milan. 

It adjacent took immoderate heroics from Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to support the crippled tied astatine 1 extremity apiece, including a miraculous instrumentality prevention connected Devon Toews point-blank accidental successful the 2nd period. 

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But determination were besides a fewer miscues from Canada, and MacKinnon had a large 1 with 10:50 near successful the 3rd period. Hellebuyck was wholly bushed erstwhile the puck was swung implicit to MacKinnon, who had a wide-open nett to enactment with. All helium had to bash was enactment it betwixt the pipes and Canada would’ve taken a 2-1 lead. 

Instead, his changeable deed the abbreviated broadside of the net, and Team USA caught a interruption arsenic 1 of the champion goalscorers successful the satellite was denied by his ain error. It’s 1 of those moments wherever MacKinnon whitethorn beryllium thinking, "What if?" considering however the crippled ended. 

Nathan MacKinnon, Connor Hellebuyck during Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Figure Ice Hockey last lucifer Canada vs United States astatine Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena successful Milan connected Feb. 22, 2026. (Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto)

With some sides stuck successful a gully aft 3 periods, the Olympic overtime rules are that of the NHL regular play – 3-on-3 abrupt decease hockey. For Team USA, this format benefitted them considering what was happening successful the 2nd and 3rd periods, with Canada handling them connected some ends of the ice. 

But MacKinnon erstwhile again made a sedate mistake successful overtime, arsenic it didn’t look helium was anticipating defenseman Zach Weresnki flying into him successful the violative portion aft Hughes pushed the puck up into Canada’s zone. 

MacKinnon could’ve charged harder connected the puck, but Werenski came distant with it alternatively and slung it implicit for Hughes, who buried it past Jordan Binnington for the aureate goal. 

Silver medalist Nathan MacKinnon of Team Canada shows dejection during the medal ceremonial pursuing the Men's Gold Medal lucifer betwixt Canada and the United States connected time 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games astatine Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena connected Feb. 22, 2026 successful Milan, Italy. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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So, portion stats and different metrics whitethorn accidental Team Canada was the amended squad connected the ice, it lone matters successful cardinal moments. And, of course, the scoreboard astatine the last whistle. 

As Team USA celebrates their archetypal Olympic golden medal since the 1980 miracle-on-ice successful Lake Placid, Team Canada tin lone caput backmost to their respective cities reasoning astir what went incorrect successful the end. 

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