“I would probably put three goalies in the net and just let them try to do the job.” This was what Canadian star Brad Marchand had jokingly suggested opposition teams do while defending against Canada’s power play prowess. Considering how his team lost 3-1 and also lost their 17 best-on-best game winning streak against the U.S., it’s safe to say Marchand’s joke didn’t age well. And yet, it was not just Brad Marchand who lost some of his gravity because of his team’s defeat. Captain Sidney Crosby did too, albeit not for a joke gone wrong.

Sidney Crosby’s loss was more serious. Averaging 1.2 points per game, Crosby had remained undefeated as a Canadian international for 26 games straight until he faced the U.S. last night. Coincidentally, Crosby’s last defeat in the Canadian sweater also came against the U.S. in a group-stage game of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

All of 5473 days had passed since that game.

Crosby’s participation in the 4 Nations Face-Off was in doubt for the longest time following an injury that he had sustained during the Penguins’ game against the New Jersey Devils. Thankfully for Team Canada, he got his medical clearance in time and stacked up three assists in Canada’s 4-3 overtime win against the Swedes. Against the U.S., however, he had a quiet night, finishing the game with a -2 rating and zero shots on goal.

As for Sidney’s undefeated run, it included winning the 2010 Olympics, the 2014 Sochi Olympics, the 2015 World Championship, and even the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. In fact, following their preliminary round defeat against the U.S. in 2010, Canada actually met their neighbors again in the final. And guess who scored the winning goal seven minutes and forty seconds into overtime? Sidney Crosby.

And now, with the championship game on the line on Monday, the Canadian captain has no time to sulk over his streak loss. He has to buckle up if he has a repeat of 2010 on his mind.

Sidney Crosby and his men have a tricky road ahead

As the 4 Nations Face-Off moves to Boston for its second leg, the championship game race remains wide open with all the remaining three teams still having a chance to face the USA next Thursday.

Going into Monday’s game with two points apiece, both Canada and Finland will be looking to seal the deal in regulation time to guarantee a spot in the final game. While the likes of Sidney Crosby, Brad Marchand, Connor McDavid, and Drew Doughty make for an intimidating lineup, Finland has momentum on its side thanks to their 4-3 victory over the Swedes. And even though the Finns have the utmost respect for Canada’s hockey history, they are not planning to hold back. “I believe that we are ready to play against Team Canada,” said Finland coach Antti Pennanen.

While the men in red cannot afford a defeat by any means, it’s not like they will be out of the tournament if they take till overtime to win against Suomi. But that would bring Canada’s points tally to four, keeping Sweden alive. In that case, the Canadians will have to root for Auston Matthews and team to beat Sweden.

Now, Sidney Crosby wouldn’t want that, would he?