Hero to Zero. Canada falls to the USA in Gold Medal Game.

After scoring the game-winner to send Canada to the gold medal game just 48 hours prior, Nathan MacKinnon ended his tournament with a silver medal and a mental image that will haunt him forever.

Heartbreak defined

In what was arguably one of the most entertaining hockey games in the sport's history, Canada fell in the most heartbreaking way imaginable. They dominated possession and high-danger chance statistics for the entirety of the game, however, the hockey gods had other plans.

Even with breakaways from superstars Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini, nearly empty net shots from Nathan MacKinnon and Devon Toews, and even a 5-on-3 power play, Canada managed to muster just one goal.

With their big 3, and arguably the 3 best players on the planet on the ice, Jack Hughes put an entire nation on his back, riffling a shot past Jordan Binnington to score the USA's version of the Golden Goal.

Hellebuyck Dominance

After years of ridicule for not performing in big games, Hellebuyck put on one of the best performances from a goalie that we've ever seen. He stopped 41 of 42 shots, including a bombardment of high-danger chances. On top of all of this, he made one of the best saves in hockey history on what should've been the easiest goal of Devon Toews' career. He deserves all the credit and was a key reason why the USA went 100% on the penalty kill throughout the tournament.

Heads held high

No excuses and no one to blame for Canada. They played their absolute hearts out; the hockey gods simply decided it was the USA's time. Even without their captain, they did everything they could to give Sidney Crosby what might be his final chance at Olympic glory, and just fell short.

Heavily ridiculed goaltender Jordan Binnington made what could have also been considered one of the greatest saves in hockey history, with the sprawling cross-crease save on Quinn Hughes in overtime. Unfortunately, there are two sides to every story, and you don't always come out on top.

Canadians will have to hear it from the States for the next four years, but they should keep their heads up, because this team will be back.

What's next for Canada?

Sad and angry Canadians may point the finger at the management team for picking the wrong players, but at the end of the day, this team dominated, and everyone deserved to be there.

That being said, the 2030 Olympic roster will be very different due to the age of the players on this current team. Likely featuring some of the names many wanted to see this year, such as Connor Bedard, Matthew Schaefer, Evan Bouchard, Wyatt Johnston, and any other emerging Canadian stars we'll see over the next four years.

Growing the game

No matter the outcome, NHL players being back in the Olympics was incredible for the sport of hockey. Seeing the best players in the world battle it out on the world stage was robbed from us for 12 years...but Gary Bettman will be happy to see that an American team won once again.

This game was one for the ages, and every time these two teams face eachother it reminds everyone why this rivalry is special. Sidney Crosby in 2014. Jack Hughes in 2026. Who will be the next player to bring their country to glory?