By Logan Swinkels
With the United States losing to Canada 4-2 yesterday and subsequently being eliminated from the World Cup of Hockey, I wonder if the Team North America suddenly finds itself with a boosted fan base?
The roster is made up of all under-23 wunderkinds from USA and Canada and the darlings of this tournament are relishing their time in the spotlight. They've proved to the world that this wasn't a marketing gimmick but that the next-generation have arrived and they look like serious contenders.
Today they faced Sweden in their last game of round-robin and it appears the Swedes weren't ready.
Within thirty seconds Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews combined again in a display of jaw-dropping talent.
Sweden netminder Henrik Lundqvist saved a Johnny Gaudreau penalty shot after Erik Karlsson held him on a breakway chance. But Gaudreau, that's Johnny Hockey to you, would get that one back shortly after, extending North America's lead to 3-1.
Nicklas Backstrom kept the Swedes in it with a goal to make it 3-2 after one period of play.
Throughout the second the Swedish defencemen were giving up bad penalties as their frustrations mounted. Luckily for them, the youngsters couldn't capitalise on their powerplay chances and it was Patrik Berglund who would strike next - deflecting Erik Karlsson's shot to tie the game.
Sitting at 3-3 after regulation would see 3-on-3 overtime, the NHL's greatest invention in years. The ice is opened up to showcase the speed and skill of the world's best and that's what happened.
Nathan MacKinnon scores the winning goal (Getty Images)
Over the course of those five minutes, both teams traded opportunities but it came down to Nathan MacKinnon fooling Lundqvist with a nifty toe-drag move to win it for Team North America.
By going to overtime, Sweden claimed a point and clinch a semi-final spot and eliminate Finland.
North America's fate will be decided in tomorrow's matchup between Russia and Finland (7am NZT).
Watch today's highlights from the World Cup of Hockey in the video above.
Newshub
