Auston Matthews picked up assists on both USA's goals but the Americans fell 3-2 in overtime in the 4 Nations Face-Off Final to Canada.

Matthews, who was named captain of the team, also had many chances to put the game away in overtime, but Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington put up several tremendous saves to put the game away.

After the game, Matthews addressed the media and discussed his experience in the tournament and what he felt was the difference at the end of it all.

Q: Thoughts on the tournament?

"I'm super proud of this group. I thought we battled our hearts out the whole tournament tonight. You know, we had the opportunities to end it. It didn't happen. But I couldn't be prouder of this group. I thought the whole tournament, everybody gave 100 percent."

Q: What did you go through this experience and share with the guys in this room?

"It meant a lot. It meant a lot. It's an honor to wear this jersey and represent our country. Obviously, a lot of familiar faces, guys that played with each other in the past. So it's definitely a special honor, something that they definitely don't take for granted."

The Hockey News - 'This Wasn't A Walk-In-The-Park Tournament': Maple Leafs And USA Captain Auston Matthews Believes 4 Nations Face-Off Has Met Players' Expectations USA's emotional win over Canada hammered the point that the 4 Nations Face-Off Was No All-Star Game.

Q: You have two close games, and with this one, you lose it overtime. What is sort of the takeaway with this team going? You're close, maybe as close as USA's ever been to where it wants to be, but there's still a little bit of distance that you have to overcome.

"Yeah, I don't know. I mean, I think I'd say it's a pretty even playing field, in my opinion. It could have gone either way. So, yeah."

Q: What would you say, just the style of playing, how tight it was out there between the teams?

Yeah, it was playoff hockey. I mean, I thought this whole tournament, every game, you got some of the best players in the world coming together and playing for their respective countries. It's good hockey. Hard to create sometimes, but, it's tight, it's fast, it's physical. Probably some of the best hockey that's been played in a long time.

The Hockey News - 'No Way I Was Missing This Game': Matthews, Tkachuks Among Those Dealing With Injuries At 4 Nations Face-Off Who’s hurt at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and how much it could end up hurting their respective NHL team when the regular season resumes?

Q: You've played some important games. How would you sort of compare this to the feeling of this one, the meaning of it, maybe compared to, you know, some playoff situations and any such?

"Yeah, I mean, I think this was probably the biggest game a lot of us have played in. You know, you don't get too many opportunities to wear these colors, to wear this jersey. You know, and a winner-take-all situation. So, obviously, it's disappointing, but I couldn't be prouder of the group. I thought, like I said, we competed the whole tournament, did everything, you know, it took to overcome many adversities. You know, a lot of good stuff happened, but, you know, obviously sucks to walk away on the losing end."

Q: What can you take away personally, either for the rest of the season or for the Olympics next year?

I mean, I think when you come into these situations with guys from, you know, all over, I think you learn a lot throughout the experience. And I think there's a lot that you can take away and, you know, kind of utilize and process as we continue into the last couple months of our season. I feel very fortunate to have this experience and then share it with all these guys. And it'll be something that you'll take with you forever.

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