Golden goals: Canadian hockey players have a history of coming through in the clutch

Connor McDavid continued Canada's tradition of scoring clutch goals in best-on-best senior tournaments with his overtime winner in a 3-2 win over the United States in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Here is a look at some of the golden goals from Canada's men's and women's hockey stars in big international tournaments:

Paul Henderson — 1972 Summit Series

Henderson's late third-period goal on Vladislav Tretiak in Game 8 of the 1972 Summit Series in Moscow secured a 6-5 win over the Soviet Union, clinching the series in what has become a nation-defining moment for Canada.

WATCH l Bob Cole calls Henderson's Summit Series-winning goal on CBC Radio:

Bob Cole calls the 1972 Summit Series on CBC Radio

6 years ago

Duration 0:13

Bob Cole called Paul Henderson's Summit Series-winning goal on CBC Radio in 1972.

Darryl Sittler — 1976 Canada Cup

Sittler's late goal on goaltender Vladimir Dzurilla in the 1976 Canada Cup final gave Canada a 5-4 win over Czechoslovakia, clinching the title. Sittler collected the puck at centre ice and beat a Czech defender before beating a sprawling Dzurilla to the delight of the Montreal Forum crowd.

Mike Bossy — 1984 Canada Cup

Bossy tipped home the overtime game-winner in the semifinal at Calgary's Saddledome after Paul Coffey broke up a 2-on-1, securing Canada's 4-3 win over the Soviet Union. Canada went on to sweep Sweden in the best-of-three final.

WATCH l Looking back at life and career of 4-time Stanley Cup champion Bossy:

Remembering the late Mike Bossy

3 years ago

Duration 5:06

Mike Bossy was 'probably the purest goal scorer in National Hockey League history,' said Montreal columnist Dave Stubbs. Bossy will also be remembered as a family man and for his contributions to the larger hockey community.

Mario Lemieux — 1987 Canada Cup

Lemieux scored the winner with 1:26 remaining in regulation of Game 3 of the 1987 Canada Cup final after Wayne Gretzky set him up, securing Canada's 6-5 victory over the Soviet Union at Hamilton's Copps Coliseum. Lemieux also scored in double-overtime of Game 2, completing a hat trick, with Gretzky and Larry Murphy drawing assists.

Sidney Crosby — 2010 Vancouver Olympics

Crosby scored the golden goal in overtime, converting a feed from Jarome Iginla and beating in-form American goaltender Ryan Miller to secure Canada's 3-2 win over the United States. The Americans had tied the game on Zach Parise's goal with 25 seconds left in regulation.

WATCH l Nearly 15 years since Crosby's golden goal:

10 years since Sidney Crosby’s gold medal goal

5 years ago

Duration 3:29

Looking back at the overtime goal that got Canada a gold medal for men’s hockey on Canadian soil in the 2010 Olympic Games.

Marie-Philip Poulin — 2014 Sochi Olympics

Marie-Philip Poulin — 2021 women's world championship

Poulin scored in overtime in the gold-medal game in Calgary as Canada came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat the U.S. 3-2 and end the Americans' run of five straight women's world championship titles. Poulin's shot over Nicole Hensley bounced out of the net so quickly that play resumed before the scorekeeper signalled a goal.

WATCH l Poulin's OT goal lifts Canada to gold at 2021 women's worlds:

Poulin scores beautiful OT winner to clinch Canada gold at the worlds

3 years ago

Duration 2:21

Marie-Philip Poulin scored a fantastic goal to give Canada the 3-2 win and their first gold medal at the worlds since 2012.

Danielle Serdachny — 2024 women's world championship

Serdachny scored on a power play in overtime as Canada defeated the U.S. 6-5 in a back-and-forth tournament final in Utica, N.Y. Canada's victory on American soil was its third world title in four championships and came a year after the Americans beat Canada 6-3 in the final in Brampton, Ont.

Connor McDavid — 2025 4 Nations Face-Off

After his team survived some nervous minutes in the extra period, McDavid scored the overtime goal as Canada edged the United States 3-2 in the 4 Nations Face-Off final in Boston.

WATCH l McDavid's OT winner seals Canada's 3-2 victory in 4 Nations final:

McDavid scores OT winner as Canada edges U.S. in 4 Nations Face-Off championship game

1 day ago

Duration 2:32

Canada defeats the United States 3-2 in overtime as Connor McDavid scores the winner in the 4 Nations Face-Off final.