USA confident in future after loss to Canada: 'We expect to win now'

The United States feel they've made progress despite the heartbreak of Thursday's overtime loss to Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game.

"We've proved tonight and to everyone that we're right there with Canada," defenseman Zach Werenski said, per ESPN's Ryan Clark. "It's anyone's game. I feel like tonight we started off a little bit slow, but it came down to overtime and it came down to one shot. Ultimately, it was them that won it, but I feel like for us we should be excited in here. This group's going to be around a long time together. We expect to win now."

Canada sealed the title on Connor McDavid's winner in the extra frame. The United States entered the tournament as slight favorites and beat their longtime rivals in a close round-robin contest.

"I think I'd say it's a pretty even playing field in my opinion," captain Auston Matthews said. "It could have gone either way."

Canada's victory was its fourth straight at best-on-best events and sixth in seven opportunities since 2002. The Americans have been finalists in three of those tournaments.

With the NHL set to return to the Olympics next year, and a World Cup in place for 2028, the Americans hope their 4 Nations loss won't matter in the long run.

"Honestly, I was convinced we were going to win," Brady Tkachuk said, per NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin. "There's a reason why we didn't win tonight. Maybe in a year's time, it goes the other way."

He added: "I think this year, this moment, can really motivate us going into next year. But I think the first emotion you come up (with) is disappointment, sadness, and I thought we deserved a different result."

USA last won a best-on-best event at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.