'I Go Second Last': Why Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Left For The Ice Last For Canada In Their Opening Game At 4 Nations Face-Off, Preparing For Showdown Against Auston Matthews And USA

Sidney Crosby kept the tradition of leaving the ice second-last in Pittsburgh with him to Team Canada.

Canada is getting ready to do battle with the United States of America at the 4 Nations Face-Off and there's no anticipated matchup at the tournament.

From Matthew Tkachuk telling the Sportsnet broadcast that "they have been waiting nine years for this" to all the political turmoil going on, leading to some booing of the American anthem in Montreal, the tension is going to be high.

Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner scored the overtime winner in Canada's 4-3 victory over Sweden on Wednesday and spoke with the media following Canada's final full practice on Friday.

Q: What's your biggest Canada-USA memory? Are you playing in one?

"Probably Sid's goal, to be honest, in the Olympics, when he went five-hole in overtime. I mean, just watching that with my family and all the core memories they've brought back.

"Q: It's kind of interesting that so few of you guys at this level and at their level have really had the best-on-best experience, Canada-USA. Like, you know what's coming kind of thing."

"I mean, yeah, it's going to be a competitive game. That's what you look forward to. It should be a lot of fun."

Q: "What do you think about going up against Auston (Matthews)?

"Yeah, it's going to be great. Obviously, he's a hell of a competitor and a hell of a player. So, you know, you look forward to it.

Q: Have you been in touch with him at all through the tournament?

"I've talked to him a couple times. But, yeah, I mean, obviously, both of us are doing our kind of own thing."

Q: And how about Cale Makar If he can't go, what's going to go on? Do you know?

"I do not know. That's a coach question."

Q: What does tomorrow mean to you, Mitch, to just be in this environment again?

"Yeah, it should be a lot of fun. It's going to be great to be a part of it. And, you know, you're excited. You look forward to it."

Q: Have you had a lot of interaction with any of your friends or teammates after you scored that goal? Like the Leaf teammates?

"A couple of them reached out just, you know, saying some positive things. So, yeah, it was nice. I mean, obviously, a lot of them on vacation, enjoying their time. And, you know, they're still trying to watch as much as they can. So, you appreciate that."

Q: You expected your dad and your mom to be really excited about that moment.

Yeah, they were. They were extremely excited. Yeah, I mean, it was really cool to see them after the game and just see the reaction, see his smile on their faces. So, yeah, it was a cool core memory moment that I'll definitely never forget.

Q: Looking forward , did you try, like, a similar move?

Against Hedman?

Q: Yes.

"Kind of a little bit, but I knew Hedman was out there for a long time. So, obviously, his stick and his body is so lengthy and long. So, I didn't like the kind of looks I had beforehand. And that's why I kind of curled the back and kept taking it back and trying to find more open ice."

Q: Here's the most ridiculous question I've ever asked.

A "Oh, here we go."

Q: Okay. So, I noticed you came out last.

A: "Yeah."

Q: Crosby in Pittsburgh is second last.

A: "Yeah."

Q: Did he set it up, knowing how superstitious he is, that he was second last here?

"Yeah. I mean, I was kind of just sitting there and I didn't know what was going to happen. Then he just said, 'yeah you can go last. I go second last'. So, that's kind of how it went out and how it happened."

Q: What's the right way to play against the Tkachuk's as linemates?

"Yeah. Just move the puck quick. Move your feet quick. You know, you don't want to stall any pucks. You got to keep them going forward. And, you know, like I think, you know, every line you face in this tournament is going to be highly talented, highly skilled. But, you know, that line is a line that gets to the net very well. Both of them can tip pucks very well, get to the net. You know, that's where you just got to make sure you're good with your pucks."

Q: Do you feel the energy right now in town or around with hockey fans for tomorrow night?

"Yeah, it should be a lot of fun. Super excited for the environment. Just see what it's like. And, you know, it should be a lot of fun."

Q: They'll probably boo the anthem. I know the American anthem. I know the arena doesn't want them to. The league doesn't want them to. What do you think about the way the Canadians are sort of rallying behind you guys? against those guys?

"We appreciate the support for us. I'm not really going to speak on what they do to the other anthems. It's what they want to do."