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.

Despite being the first team to secure its spot in the final with a 3-1 win over the Canadians in the round-robin, the United States was hindered by an ailing bench and stifled by an opposing goalie in Jordan Binnington on Thursday night.

Connor McDavid etched his name in Canadian hockey history with a golden goal Thursday in Boston, winning the game 3-2 in overtime to secure a tournament title that felt bigger than anything ever played during an All-Star break. After 68 minutes of intense, high-level play, it took just one Team USA defensive lapse for Canada to win it.