Look Away, Toronto: Team Canada Jabs at Marner Big-Game Narrative

Mitch Marner delivered in the clutch for Team Canada once again on Wednesday. After being relatively quiet through regulation — and adjusting to life without his centerman, Sidney Crosby, who played just 5:55 before leaving with an injury — the star winger stepped up in the biggest moment, scoring a beautiful backhand goal in overtime to seal the quarterfinal win.

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It was the second overtime winner he’s scored for his country over the last year, as we know he netted another massive tally to take down Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off. For a player who has often been the scapegoat for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff shortcomings over the past decade, Marner continues to prove he can elevate when it matters most — and his Canadian teammates were quick to bring that up postgame.

Brandon Hagel was the first to push back on the narrative.

Hagel said: 

“I thought he wasn’t a big-game player? He just showed the world,”

New Vegas Golden Knights teammate Mark Stone was equally vocal in his praise, pointing the finger back toward Toronto for the criticism Marner has faced.

Stone said:

“As a teammate, I haven’t experienced that. 4 Nations, he gets a huge overtime goal for us, makes an incredible play for the winner. Then tonight, when we need him the most, he makes the play. So… I think it’s a Toronto thing,”

And, of course, head coach Jon Cooper had nothing but glowing words for Marner, who has consistently come up big for him on the international stage.

Cooper said: 

“This is one, two, three, fourth tournament I’ve coached Mitch & he’s delivered in every one of them & in the biggest moments. He is the epitome of calm. I think his pulse rate lowers when times like this come on & that’s how he makes plays like he does,”

The 29-year-old Marner boosted his tournament totals to five points (one goal, four assists) through four games, now sitting fifth among Canadian scorers.

He’ll continue to be leaned on throughout the remainder of the tournament — perhaps even more so if Crosby is unable to return. Cooper clearly trusts his trio of Connor McDavid, Macklin Celebrini, and Nathan MacKinnon above all, but without his captain, the two Golden Knights wingers will be tasked with even more responsibility in the games ahead.

Marner and Team Canada are set to face Team Finland in the semifinals on Friday at 10:40 a.m. EST. A win would set up a potential gold medal showdown against longtime linemate Auston Matthews and the Americans — a matchup most of the hockey world is hoping to see.

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