Mitch Marner delivered when Canada needed him most the Olympics. Marner scored the overtime-winning goal to send Canada to the semifinals of the Olympic men’s hockey tournament. The goal sent the hockey community into a frenzy.
Marner has faced criticized throughout his career due to his lack of postseason success with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Critics have labeled him as a player who fails to score big goals in crucial moments. However, he has come through in key situations for Canada, including during last year’s 4 Nations tournament and now at the Olympics.
Canada was in need of a clutch moment after Sidney Crosby was forced to leave the game with an injury. The Vegas Golden Knights forward stepped up and delivered.
During the 3-on-3 overtime, Marner entered the Czechia zone with a burst of speed. He maneuvered around all three opposing players, and beat Lukas Dostal on the far side with a backhand shot.
Fans took to social media after Marner’s overtime winner and said he finally stepped up and scored his big goal.
“Big Game Mitch”
“Big win for Canada! Everyone still hating on Marner is gonna have a pretty hard time.”
“Where the Marner haters at!? I can’t see them!”
CBC ‘s Olympics journalist Ariel Helwani chimed in, writing:
“Leafs fans: Don’t you dare boo that man again.”
Other used Marner’s overtime heroics to take a shot at his former team.
“Imagine if the Leafs had a player like Mitch?” A fan wrote.
“The whole country now knows. Marner didn’t fail the Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs failed Marner,” wrote an Ottawa Senators fan.
Mitch Marner’s Teammate React to His Overtime Winner at Olympics
Mitch Marner‘s teammate, Mark Stone, also weighed in and shared their thoughts on the overtime-winning goal. He praised Marner’s skill set and dismissed the narrative surrounding his performance under intense pressure.
Stone, who also plays with Marner on the Golden Knights, pointed to his performances at the 4 Nations and Olympics. He believes Marner’s heroics at the Olympics should silence his critics.
Stone disagreed with the perception that Marner struggles in big games.
“As a teammate, I haven’t experienced that. 4 Nations, gets a huge OT goal for us, makes an incredible play for the winner,” Stone said post-game. “Then tonight, when we need him the most, he makes the play.”
He also joined some fans in taking a shot at Leafs Nation, saying: “I think it’s a Toronto thing.”
Canada Head Coach Jon Cooper Reacts to Overtime Winner
Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper also shared his thoughts on Marner’s overtime-winning goal. His goal keeps Canada’s gold medal hopes alive at the Olympics.
The Canadian winger stepped up at a crucial moment after losing Crosby earlier in the game.
Cooper praised Marner and reiterated that the Golden Knights forward has consistently come up big in high-pressure situations.
“In the end, it’s the players that go out there and do the deed,” Cooper said during a post-game interview with CBC. “I’ll tell ya, I can’t say enough glowing things about that kid and what he does, and how he delivers in big moments. What a player.”
Mitch Marner Delivers OT Winner for Canada, Fans Erupt Over Heroics at Olympics