Video emerges of the only goal Auston Matthews and Johnny Gaudreau ever connected on

The World Cup of Hockey took centre stage in 2016 and represented the last time international teams sent their best to duke it out for global hockey supremacy. This specific tournament was done differently in the sense that they added 2 extra teams to fill in the gaps in Team Europe - which consisted of all the remaining European nations not individually represented - and Team North America, which was made up of the best Canadian and American stars under the age of 23.

Since it was the last major tournament, it was the one and only time we've seen budding superstars like Auston Matthews playing alongside the likes of Connor McDavid, and his American brethren in Johnny Gaudreau. With international play returning for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, we might finally get to see some of the pairings and lines we've been dreaming about for almost a decade.

Unfortunately with the recent passing of Gaudreau late last week, we are left with just one highlight involving him and Matthews, and no hope of ever seeing the two connect for a goal again. This replay, which was shared by The Leafs Nation on Twitter/X features an important power play goal, which tied the game against Czechia

Down 2-1 with just 9 minutes remaining in the third period in their game against the Czechs, the lethal power play was set up with Shayne Gostisbehere at the point. Colton Parayko and Gostisbehere played pitch and catch before the latter found Gaudreau on the opposite wing. Gaudreau then quickly looked to find Parayko streaking in for the tip-pass that was initially stopped but Matthews finished up the rebound to tie the game.

Canada eventually swept Team Europe in the finals in a best-of-3 series, while Team North America ended up finishing 5th in the tournament. Gaudreau had a fantastic World Cup and ranked 5th in points with 4 despite playing in only 3 games.

Source for World Cup information: Wikipedia
2016 World Cup of Hockey