Nova Scotians play pivotal role in 4 Nations Face-Off win

Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon played on Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off. (Source: Jonathan MacInnis/CTV News Atlantic)

Connor McDavid’s overtime game-winning goal against the United States in the finals of the Four Nations Face-Off is sure to be one many Canadians will remember.

“Unreal game. The greatest thing to happen in a while,” said Kevin Yuill, who gathered with some friends for a game of shinny Friday afternoon.

The moment wasn’t lost on team captain Sidney Crosby.

“To see the excitement, to see how much it meant to everybody, it was a lot of fun,” he said.

The fact three Nova Scotians played front line roles only adds to that memory for many Maritimers.

“They were the favourites coming in, but obviously, we definitely pride ourselves on being the best hockey nation,” says Nathan MacKinnon.

MacKinnon, who took home tournament MVP honours, Brad Marchand, the captain of the iconic Boston Bruins and Crosby, whose record is 48-6 with the national team, all made their hometown proud.

“I think as Nova Scotians we should really enjoy this moment,” says Bruce Rainnie, president and CEO of the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame. “They grew up in an eight-mile radius and for the last decade they’ve been three of the top 10-to-15 hockey players in the world. I’m not sure we ever see this again.

“They give kids a dream here. It’s proof that you can come from Canada’s second smallest province and a fairly small area of a nation and with that hard work and passion driving you, achieve remarkable success at the highest level of the biggest sport in our country.”

“It’s definitely great for our athletes to look up to them because they’re not just great hockey players, they’re tremendous ambassadors and people,” says Kevin Field, president of Hockey Nova Scotia.

Gord Dwyer from Lower Sackville, N.S., officiated the game.

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