Marner snipes OT winner, Crosby dazzles as Canada fends off Sweden in 4 Nations Face-Off opener
CBC
Sidney Crosby feeds off the energy each time he sets foot in the Bell Centre.
The superstar grew up a fan of the Montreal Canadiens and has had some memorable nights inside one of hockey's cathedrals.
"There's a certain feel to it," Crosby said Wednesday morning. "So much history and just the hockey feel that you get being here.
"It's a special place."
He added another spine-tingling chapter hours later.
Crosby had three assists, including the setup on Mitch Marner's winner at 6:06 of 3-on-3 overtime, as Canada edged Sweden 4-3 in a riveting opener to the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
WATCH | Marner's OT marker helps Canada edge Sweden in 4 Nations Face-Off opener:
The country's 37-year-old captain received the loudest ovation before puck drop — until Montreal native and hockey great Mario Lemieux walked out of the tunnel — and then combined with Connor McDavid to set up Nathan MacKinnon's power-play opener just 56 seconds into the first period.
"To have an ovation like that here was really special," said Crosby, whose country has now won 26 games in a row with him in the lineup. "It's something I'll always remember."
Fans in the building chanting his name, and those watching at home, will remember another breathtaking performance from No. 87.
"It's no coincidence, his record when he's wearing a Canadian jersey," said head coach Jon Cooper. "It's not a fluke. He will go down as the greatest player to ever represent this country."
Having already set up two goals, Crosby whipped the puck back to Marner in the neutral zone in a frenetic extra period before heading off on a change.
Marner then darted over the Swedish blue line and ripped a shot upstairs on Filip Gustavsson.
"You tell 10-year-old Mitch he scored an overtime goal, assisted by Sidney Crosby, a guy you looked up to since Day 1 … it's pretty crazy," said the Toronto Maple Leafs winger.
