The symbolism was unmistakable when Connor McDavid delivered the moment that kept Team Canada atop the podium to cap the NHL’s reintroduction to top-tier international competition at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Same countries. Same score. Another once-in-a-generation player delivering the dagger.

The U.S. iced the puck at 8:10. McDavid won the ensuing offensive-zone face-off against Matthews and found himself open. Marner got the puck to him, and McDavid did the rest to keep Canada on top of the hockey world.

When they got around to playing the Canadian national anthem for the second time, there were no American fans left in the arena to boo. Instead, the Canadian team stood at the blue line, arm in arm, player and coach and staff wearing their championship hats,