Team Canada heaps praise on captain Sidney Crosby for securing win with huge hit

In case you missed it earlier today, Team Canada secured a spot in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship against USA on Thursday night with a nail biting win over Finland.

While Canada boasted a 4-0 lead heading into the 3rd period, Finland managed to claw their way back into things and ended up making things much closer than they should have been. Two quick goals from Finland meant that Canada had just a 4-3 lead with a minute to play.

Cue Sidney Crosby and his usual heroics:

That's Captain Canada laying a big hit and icing the game with an empty netter. Would you expect anything less?

Crosby's head coach Jon Cooper was quick to heap praise on Crosby after the game, comparing him to Jesus Christ, of all people.

Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon also heaped praise on their captain post-game:

Long live Sid the Kid!

Read below for our earlier report on the game, published post-game.

Team Canada has secured a spot in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship against the USA thanks to an impressive victory over Finland today.

Canada cruised to a 4-1 victory on the strength of a 1st star performance from superstar Nathan MacKinnon.

Connor McDavid started things off once again for Canada, scoring the game's opening goal with a low blistering shot off the post and in.

And then just 46 seconds later Nathan MacKinnon extended the lead to two:

Brayden Point would open things up even more with a rebound goal off an exhilarating rush:

Then we finally got the Cole Harbour connection goal between MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby:

But wait... there's more!

The pesky Finns wouldn't walk off slowly into the sunset though as they cut the lead to 4-3 with just over a minute left in regulation. Anton Lundell would crack Binnington's shutout midway through the 3rd period, but two quick goals with the goaltender pulled late in the 3rd period put the final score in doubt.

Cue Sidney Crosby for more heroics.

The Canadian captain ended up making a big play at center ice to turn over the puck before sliding in an empty netter to guarantee a 5-3 win for Canada.

Now, Canada faces an American team that has little to play for against Sweden this evening. And that's saying nothing for Sweden who literally have no reason to play tonight's game. Even if they win they cannot pass Canada in points and their tournament is over, win, lose or draw (Are those still a thing?).

Any way you look at it, Thursday evening's championship game is going to be an absolute banger!