Connor McDavid was patiently looking for the opportunity to attack, looking forward to the moment when he would score the goal. And when Mitch Marner made that perfect pass right to him, McDavid did not think twice. 8:18 minutes into overtime, he flicked the stick, and the puck flew like lightning past Connor Hellebuyck’s glove–end of the game, Canada triumphs! McDavid nearly fell because of the adrenalin rush and his teammates swarmed him against the glass. An absolute thriller, a storybook ending, and a moment that is now part of hockey folklore.

Canada reminded the world who runs the show, securing their 10th best-on-best tournament win in dominant fashion. But hey, wait a minute—something was happening on the sidelines in the moments leading up to the historic goal. Head coach Jon Cooper had something to say, a message that could have been the key to the Canadian victory in the overtime. So, what exactly did he tell them? Well, let’s just say the secret is out, and it is time to reveal what happened in the last moments before McDavid became a legend!

In a video posted by B/R Open Ice on X on February 21, the Canadian coach was pacing the sidelines, looking like a man on a mission as he shouted, “Somebody be selfish and shoot it in the net.” McDavid was perhaps waiting for that cue because he took the shot at the very next moment and scored! Just like that, Canada clinched the win in the most electric way possible.

The bench went absolutely wild—teammates sprinted towards McDavid, Coach Cooper lost his mind in celebration, and the arena erupted like a championship moment straight out of a sports movie. The post itself summed it up perfectly: “Jon Cooper: ‘Somebody be selfish and shoot it in the net.’ Connor McDavid: *scores on the very next shot*.” Talk about manifesting greatness!

For some people, it may be possible to say that the torch was handed over, but let’s not get carried away. Flashback to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics—Connor McDavid was only 13 years old when Sidney Crosby scored the ‘golden goal’. A 2-2 deadlock, an overtime thriller and then, bang, Crosby put Canada in a state of ecstasy. Flash forward to today and it is McDavid, all matured up, donning the red, scoring his own 3-2 overtime goal. But hold up—McDavid isn’t ready to take the torch just yet. “I think you’re going to see Sid in 12 months,” he said, shutting down the idea. “Sid had a great tournament. He was a big part of our group, and I think you’ll see him in a year’s time.”

And he’s got a point. Crosby and McDavid both racked up five points in four games, trailing only Zach Werenski’s six-assist masterclass. It’s not a story of a baton being passed from one generation to the next, but rather two torches ablaze right next to each other. But while Canadian fans look forward to seeing Crosby and McDavid set the ice on fire in the 2026 Milan Cortina games, other nations will be looking to avoid making the same mistake Team USA made on the big day.

Connor McDavid gets praised!

Team Canada secured that win, but as Connor McDavid was polishing off his ideal ending, Nathan MacKinnon had some things to say about the Team USA’s biggest mistake of the night. In a post-game presser, MacKinnon was quick to address Matthew Tkachuk’s “It’s our time” comment. “Yeah, it’s tough. I mean, obviously, you know, I thought we played a really good game, and over time they kind of took over, honestly.” And he was not wrong—Team USA came in aggressive, but Canada remained calm, focused, and alert. And then, there was the real turning point of the game–Jordan Binnington.

MacKinnon made sure to give his goalie his flowers because Binnington was on another level. “Binnington was unbelievable, the saves he was making, you know, and we just needed kind of one look.” And that one look? Oh, it came alright—and when Connor McDavid is left wide open by the U.S., there’s only ever one outcome. “Yeah, Connor was very open, so that was nice. Usually, when he’s that open, it’s in the net, so very exciting.” No lies detected. One golden chance, one flick of McDavid’s stick, and just like that, Canada flipped the script.

But let’s face it–it was not just another game. The game came with its baggage. And MacKinnon is glad that the men in red were on the right side of the scoreboard when the clock stopped, “I think, you know, we’re neck and neck, USA and Canada, but it feels good to, you know, be on top this time.”