Who says Mitch Marner can’t perform in big games?

Marner scored the overtime winner to lead Canada to a 4-3 win over Sweden to open the 4 Nations Face-Off. His idol Sidney Crosby showed off his patience, and Marner took care of the rest with this accurate wrister:

Marner met with the media post-game and was asked about what how his Dad would react to seeing him score an overtime winner for Canada, on a pass from Sidney Crosby.

“Yeah, he’s going to be pumped as s—t. He’s going to be going nuts for sure. It’s going to be cool to see him, and hear what him and my Mom are going to say about that.”

Marner idolized Crosby growing up and isn’t taking these two-weeks for granted, getting a chance to play alongside his hockey hero.

“If you tell 10-year-old Mitch that he scored an overtime goal assisted by Sidney Crosby, a guy he looked up to from day one. That’s pretty crazy.”

“Ever since day one, like I’ve spoken about all week, 87 is all I wore growing up, it’s all I cheered for. Yeah, it’s a really cool, surreal, pinch-me moment there, for sure.”

Marner’s winner capped off an epic opening night in Montreal, as the Bell Centre was rocking long before the opening puck drop, and the intensity carried throughout. It was great to see Marner get rewarded in the extra frame, after having a couple of good looks, and not pulling the trigger earlier on in overtime.

After a couple of questionable shifts in the second period, the hockey world started chirping about how Marner looked out of place playing alongside Connor McDavid, or how his play falls off in big moments. Needless to say he quieted the noise in a hurry with his beautiful wrister to call game against Sweden.

While Marner seems to hear it from a lot of Leaf fans, and hockey fans in general, it’s worth noting he’s one of the only players in this talent-infested tournament to play in the top six, on the power play, and kill penalties. He’s one of the most complete players in the league. Shea Theodore had to leave the game with a wrist injury, and if Canada had of lost another d-man throughout the game, it wouldn’t have been out of the question for head coach Jon Cooper to consider playing Marner a shift or two on the blueline. Good for Mitch, what a great moment for his hockey career.

On the opposing side, William Nylander had a so-so game for the Swedes. Canada dominated the first period and Sweden wasn’t able to generate much, Nylander included. While he had some good looks later in the matchup, Nylander ended up getting moved down a line later in the game, and was held off the scoresheet.

Marner and his Canadian teammates will host Auston Matthews and Team USA on Saturday. Regardless of the outcome, it’s going to be hard to top what was an electric opening night of the 4 Nations Face-Off.