4 Nations Face-Off shatters expectations as a hockey showcase. The Milan Olympics are up next [Video]

Canada won the 4 Nations Face-Off by beating the United States for the championship in an overtime thriller capped off by Connor McDavid’s memorable goal that will be on highlight reels for decades to come.

In the grand scheme of things, the NHL, its players and the sport of hockey all came out as winners.

The 4 Nations was a one-off tournament with no past and no future, a trimmed-down version of a World Cup of Hockey staged because the best players in the world waited so long for something of its kind. With tens of millions watching across North America it exceeded all expectations, with play on the ice better resembling a Stanley Cup Final or the Olympics than the All-Star Weekend festivities it replaced.

“It was much more popular than even we would have imagined — it was getting so much attention from our whole continent,” 4 Nations MVP Nathan MacKinnon said. “The 4 Nations caught on fire. I’m sure everyone didn’t …