Team USA inspired in 4 Nations loss -- 'We expect to win now' - ESPN

BOSTON — Losing the 4 Nations Tournament to Canada didn't dissuade the United States from delivering a message: Team USA has arrived, and it's not going anywhere anytime soon.

And it's just as good as Canada.

The lasting image of the tournament will be Connor McDavid's overtime goal that sent Canada to a 3-2 win over Team USA in the 4 Nations Championship Game on Thursday night at TD Garden. But a few U.S. players said what the Americans accomplished also left an indelible mark.

«I think I'd say it's a pretty even playing field in my opinion,» Team USA captain Auston Matthews said. «It could have gone either way.»

Tournament MVP and Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, the reigning Hart Trophy winner, scored the game's first goal before Team USA's Brady Tkachuk tied it at 1-1 with less than four minutes remaining in the first period.

Team USA took its only lead when Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson scored more than seven minutes into the second period, before Canada forward Sam Bennett drew the game even nearly seven minutes later.

According to Natural Stat Trick's metrics, the U.S. controlled possession in the third period and overtime. It had a shot-share of more than 65 percent between the final two frames while generating five high-danger chances.

The Americans were aggressive in overtime as they launched six shots, only to have Canada and St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington remain perfect in overtime before McDavid's winning goal.

«This was the fastest hockey I've been a part of the whole tournament, and tonight was no different,» Team USA and Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. «You look at the overtime, we had three or four Grade-A looks. We don't score. They get an icing, and