BOSTON — While Team USA declared it was their moment, Team Canada swiftly reminded them that this is their sport.

A promotional campaign for Team Canada went viral in Montreal, bearing the phrase “Notre équipe. Notre sport,” which means “Our team. Our game.”

Embracing this ethos, the Canadians secured a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against the United States, successfully continuing their 15-year legacy as the top contenders in international hockey by adding the inaugural 4 Nations Face-off trophy to their impressive collection.

The victory was secured by none other than Connor McDavid, who scored the game-winning goal in overtime.

Having triumphed in five out of the last six prestigious international hockey tournaments and a total of nine out of thirteen competitions featuring NHL athletes since the 1976 Canada Cup, Canada’s success is hardly surprising.

While Canada has amassed numerous gold medals and accolades over the years, there was an extra layer of motivation for them this Thursday night.

Though both teams claimed that the current political atmosphere between the nations had no impact on the game, fans in Canada were undoubtedly rooting for their players, especially considering the past comments from U.S. President Donald Trump referring to Canada as “the 51st state.”

“I coach hockey and I’m aware of global events,” said Canada’s head coach Jon Cooper prior to the match. “We understand that we have an opportunity to make our country proud, to give them a reason to stand tall. But when the game starts, all that matters is winning.”

“We recognize the significance of this match. However, our focus in the locker room is strictly on playing for one another. We understand the journey required to achieve the outcome we desire, and if victorious, we’ll appreciate what that means for everyone back home,” Cooper added.