USA's McAvoy: Losing to Canada was never an option

Charlie McAvoy won't ever forget Jan. 5, 2017.

The U.S. defender won a gold medal Thursday, scoring a goal and an assist in his country's come-from-behind 5-4 shootout win over Canada in enemy territory. He was named the U.S.' player of the game, but what he'll remember most is the noise - and lack thereof at the end.

"We're booed for 80 minutes, in a place that doesn't want us," McAvoy said, according to NHL.com's Mike Morreale. "To come out on top, it's that much sweeter.

"We all grew up idolizing that 2010 (gold-medal winning) team, so to come up here, have the fans all over us, it feels special," he added, according to TSN's Mark Masters.

With the U.S. down 2-0 after 20 minutes, McAvoy got his team back in the game, beating Carter Hart glove side from the slot just over three minutes into the second period.

The U.S. would erase a pair of two-goal deficits before winning in extras.

"No point in this game where we thought that losing was an option," McAvoy added. "We battled. We're (expletive) world champions.

"This is one of the most resilient groups I've ever been a part of. I can't even believe it. We get down 2-0, no panic."

A first-round pick of the Boston Bruins last year, McAvoy's taking a little vacation: