Jordan Binnington silences critics with 4 Nations victory

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Jordan Binnington made 31 saves, including a game-saving stop on Auston Matthews in overtime
  • McDavid scored the golden goal after Binnington’s clutch save to secure Canada’s 3-2 victory
  • Read below for details on Binnington’s second championship-clinching performance at TD Garden

Jordan Binnington returned to the scene of his 2019 Stanley Cup triumph and once again left Boston celebrating, backstopping Team Canada to a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory against the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off final.

The Richmond Hill native, who entered the tournament as Canada’s supposed weak link, proved his doubters wrong with a stellar 31-save performance that included a game-saving stop on Auston Matthews in overtime.

“Binner’s a winner and that’s ultimately what it is,” Connor McDavid said after scoring the golden goal. “He’s played in big moments. The moment doesn’t get to him.”

The defining sequence came 2:51 into overtime when Binnington robbed Matthews with a sprawling blocker save on what looked like a sure goal. Less than six minutes later, McDavid buried a Mitch Marner feed past Connor Hellebuyck to seal Canada’s victory.

“It’s different from the Stanley Cup,” Binnington reflected post-game. “That’s a long journey. This is shorter. This is different, but it’s just as powerful.”

For Team Canada coach Jon Cooper, Binnington’s clutch performance validated his decision to ride the veteran netminder. “He saved his best for last, and that’s what winners do,” Cooper said.

Tournament MVP Nathan MacKinnon put it bluntly: “We don’t do this without Jordan Binnington.”

The win marks another chapter in Binnington’s remarkable Boston story, coming 2,081 days after he lifted the Stanley Cup in the same building. In his two championship-clinching games at TD Garden, he’s now stopped 63 of 66 shots.

“As an athlete and a competitor, there are always going to be doubters,” Binnington said. “You’ve got to use that as motivation and find a way and believe in yourself that you’ll get the job done.”