Chris Cuthbert has been a prominent voice in sports commentary for over 40 years, covering hockey and various other sports across CBC, TSN, and Sportsnet. However, many associate him most closely with his iconic call of Sidney Crosby’s gold-medal winning goal during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Remarkably, 15 years later, Cuthbert was back at it, calling a thrilling Canadian goal in a 3-2 overtime victory against the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game.
For comparison, here are Cuthbert’s calls from both events (with the 2010 call featured first in the YouTube clip below):
Connor McDavid wins the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship in OT for Canada!
Chris Cuthbert with the call for Sportsnet. 🏒🇨🇦🏆pic.twitter.com/FYfn94A8hg
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 21, 2025
In his 2010 call, Cuthbert exclaimed, “Iginla! Crosby SCORES! Sidney Crosby! The golden goal! And Canada has once-in-a-lifetime Olympic gold!” Fast forward to 2025, and he said, “Makar sends it around, Marner waiting, Connor McDavid! SCORES! Connor McDavid for Canada!” before allowing the crowd’s roar to narrate the moment.
Much has transformed in those 15 years. The recent game was part of a new international tournament, diverging from the Olympic format. Additionally, Cuthbert now represents Sportsnet and parent company Rogers, a significant shift from his former tenure with TSN/CTV/Bell, which followed Rogers acquiring the national NHL rights in 2020. Notably, Ray Ferraro, who provided analysis for Cuthbert during the 2010 Olympic final, was on the U.S. broadcast for ESPN this time. Earlier in the game, he and play-by-play voice Sean McDonough reflected on Crosby’s legendary 2010 goal, illustrating the lasting impact of that moment:
McDavid’s goal back here brought back some memories of Sidney Crosby’s goal in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics gold-medal game, also a 3-2 win for Canada in overtime. Earlier on the ESPN broadcast, McDonough and Ferraro talked about that goal. pic.twitter.com/x5ELaxVVDI
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 21, 2025
It’s remarkable that Cuthbert was once again behind the mic for two unforgettable 3-2 overtime victories for Canada against the U.S., 15 years apart. This stands out even more considering that there’s been a lack of best-on-best international hockey for nearly a decade, with the 2016 World Cup of Hockey being the last significant event before the NHL opted out of the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics. However, they are set to return for the 2026 and 2030 games.
Although the IIHF World Championships take place annually, their timing during the Stanley Cup Playoffs often results in limited rosters and diminished fan interest. Still, there remains a strong desire for high-level international competition. The debut of the 4 Nations Face-Off attracted significant attention, with notable figures like Matthew Tkachuk, a recent Stanley Cup champion, and ESPN analyst P.K. Subban both declaring the championship game “bigger” than the Stanley Cup. This excitement, coupled with the political narratives surrounding the match, contributed to another spectacular call by Cuthbert for a memorable Canadian hockey moment.
