MacKinnon: 'You be the judge of who was the better team'

Canada's Nathan MacKinnon doesn't feel the better team won the gold-medal game.

"You be the judge of who was the better team today," MacKinnon said after Canada's 2-1 overtime loss to the United States, according to Canadian Press' Joshua Clipperton.

Canada had the shot advantage 42-28 over USA in Sunday's clash. Canada controlled play for much of the second and third periods, outshooting the U.S. 19-8 in the second, and 14-10 in the third.

"Just finishing. That's it," MacKinnon said when asked if there's anything more Canada could've done. "The looks we had, we would've taken any day. I missed an open net myself, and I really wish I could have that one back.

"What a great group of guys. We definitely really tilted that game, but we just - I don't know, we had to score, and we didn't score."

Canada was unable to convert on the man advantage in the gold-medal game despite having the tournament's top power play.

"The 5-on-3 hurt, then the last power play, we had so many good looks in the slot, rebounds," MacKinnon said. "I don't know. I just felt like it wasn't meant to be tonight for us."

Connor McDavid, who was Canada's captain the last two games with Sidney Crosby unavailable, also felt the team played well.

"I thought we played a great game," McDavid said. "I thought their goalie played really, really well."

USA's Connor Hellebuyck made 41 saves, including a remarkable paddle stop in the third period.

Crosby was out due to an injury sustained in the quarterfinal. He scored the iconic overtime winner against the United States in 2010.

"It's a lot easier playing than watching," Crosby said. "I think everyone should be proud the way the team performed. Obviously, we did everything but score. In every facet, we were just, we were so good today. I thought we deserved better and unfortunately, didn't come away with the win."

Crosby said he was "pretty close" to playing Sunday but ultimately wasn't able to compete.

It's Canada's first silver medal in men's hockey since the 1994 Olympics. Canada had claimed gold in 2010 and 2014, which were the previous two Games that featured NHL players.