Jon Cooper on when he decided to start Jordan Binnington in the Olympic opener: "365 days ago... I've had extreme confidence in him for the past year"

"They are just comfortable with each other. Everything that we've been doing - it is a year later, but the guys remember, obviously. It was a pretty complete effort. I thought every line contributed: the defense, right through to the goalie. It was one of those games where you weren't sure what was going on early, and then a couple of the big boys - Wilson and Bennett - really kind of physically pushed that game a bit in our direction."

"No. I can't predict how things will go, but I have extreme confidence in the kid. I have for the past year. Actually, didn't we open the 4 Nations a year ago tonight? I feel like it was. He is a proven winner to me. I have all the faith in the world in him, and I know our team does. You still have to go out there and perform. If tonight as any indication, he did just that."

"365 days. I think we played a year ago tonight. Maybe a little less, after we played the (4 Nations) final. First of all, we have to. The winning team has to go second through the media gauntlet. I am not really going to get to talk to them. I probably won't see them for 25 minutes. They'll all be doing their thing. I have never had to do that before, but"

The team displayed clear comfort and continuity, drawing on work from a year earlier and remembering systems and roles. The effort was complete, with every line contributing from defense through the goalie. Early game uncertainty shifted as physical play from Wilson and Bennett pushed momentum toward the team. Performance improved across the second and third periods despite an early goal being overturned. Jordan Binnington delivered an opening-game shutout and is characterized as a proven winner, earning extreme confidence. The coaching staff had known the Game One starter for 365 days. Postgame protocol required the winning team to face an immediate media gauntlet.

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