Mitch Marner lived out every young Canadian hockey player’s fantasy on the international stage, and his father, Paul Marner, couldn’t have been prouder.
In a heart-stopping finish to the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament opener, Marner netted the overtime winner at 6:06 of 3-on-3 play, securing a 4-3 victory for Team Canada over Sweden. The Toronto Maple Leafs star rifled a shot upstairs past Swedish goaltender Filip Gustavsson, off a picture-perfect assist from none other than Sidney Crosby.
For Marner, the moment wasn’t just about winning—it was about a childhood dream coming full circle.
“He’s Gonna Be Pumped as Sh*t” – Marner on His Dad’s Reaction
After the game, Marner was asked how his father would react to the clutch goal, and his response was as raw and genuine as it gets:
“He’s gonna be pumped as sh*t. He’s gonna be going nuts for sure. Yeah, it’s gonna be really cool to see him… I mean, ever since day one, I have spoken about it all week, 87 is all I wore growing up. That’s all I have cheered for. It’s really cool, surreal, pinch-me moment for sure. So, I am grateful.”
Marner’s admiration for Crosby has been no secret. Growing up, the Leafs forward idolized the Pittsburgh Penguins legend, sporting No. 87 on his back whenever he hit the ice as a kid.
That admiration only made the goal more meaningful.
“If you would have told an 8- or 10-year-old Mitch Marner that he’d score an overtime goal in a Canada jersey assisted by Sidney Crosby, a guy he looked up to since day one, ya, it’s pretty crazy.”
For hockey fans, it was a moment that showcased everything magical about the sport—talent, timing, and a little bit of destiny.
Sidney Crosby on Marner’s Clutch Performance: “I Was Really Happy to See Him Put That One In”
Even Sidney Crosby, a man who has delivered countless unforgettable hockey moments himself, recognized how special this one was.
“I was really happy to see him put that one in,” Crosby said post-game. “We had some great looks. And you know, I’ve got to know him over the years. He’s a special player who brings a lot to the rink every single day. It was a huge goal for us.”
Crosby’s praise for Marner is a testament to the dynamic winger’s ability to step up in big moments. And this wasn’t just any goal—this was a game-winning OT snipe on the international stage, assisted by a player Marner grew up idolizing.
Breaking Down the Game-Winner: How Marner Sealed the Deal
Recounting the sequence, Marner detailed the play that led to his buzzer-beater moment:
“Yeah, it’s a pretty special moment, to be honest. It was real cool. Obviously, Sid went up the ice. I knew he saw me behind him. I just tried to give myself space to get a gap and try to attack the D-man as quick as I could and get a shot off. And lucky enough, one went in.”
The chemistry between Crosby and Marner was evident, as the veteran delivered a slick back pass in the neutral zone, setting up Marner for his picture-perfect release.
It wasn’t just a significant moment for Marner and Crosby—it was a massive win for Team Canada, who battled hard against a resilient Swedish squad.
Team Canada’s Standout Performers in the 4-3 Victory
While Marner stole the spotlight with his OT heroics, several Canadian stars contributed to the thrilling win:
- Brad Marchand, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mark Stone all found the back of the net for Canada.
- Jordan Binnington stood tall between the pipes, making 23 crucial saves.
- On the Swedish side, Adrian Kempe, Jonas Brodin, and Joel Eriksson Ek scored, while Filip Gustavsson turned aside 24 shots.
It was a fast-paced, high-intensity battle, and in the end, Canada emerged victorious thanks to a storybook ending written by Mitch Marner and Sidney Crosby.
Marner’s Storybook Moment: A Night He’ll Never Forget
For Marner, the game-winner was more than just another highlight—it was a dream-come-true moment etched in his career forever. Scoring an OT goal for Canada is special on its own, but doing it off an assist from his childhood idol made it all the more surreal.
And as for Paul Marner? No doubt, he was “pumped as sh*t.”
What’s Next for Team Canada?
With an electric start to the 4 Nations Face-Off, Canada will look to ride the momentum as the tournament continues. With stars like Crosby, Marner, and MacKinnon leading the charge, they remain a serious threat to take home the title.
One thing’s for sure—Mitch Marner’s clutch performance just added another unforgettable chapter to Canadian hockey history.
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