North America-Sweden finish captivates NHL players

The 3-on-3 overtime session between Team North America and Team Sweden at the World Cup of Hockey 2016 Wednesday that ended with Nathan MacKinnon's game-winning goal at 4:11 of the extra period riveted hockey fans watching around the world.

John Gibson denying Daniel Sedin on the breakaway set up MacKinnon's winner on Henrik Lundqvist.

Like the fans, NHL players were taking in the game and were captivated by MacKinnon's finish.

MacKinnon's teammates from the Colorado Avalanche were among the most boisterous on Twitter after he scored the game-winning goal.

Tweet from @cpickard1: Juiiiiiiiiiiceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee @Mackinnon9 ���������
Other players were in awe of the incredible speed and talent of Team North America, which is comprised of players 23-and-under from the United States and Canada.

Brandon Bollig, a defenseman for the Calgary Flames, thought he might have dreamt the extra session.
Tweet from @Bollig87: Was that OT real life? I honestly don't know.
Jamie Benn, the captain of the Dallas Stars who is missing the World Cup because of a core muscle injury, took notice of the incredible display of skill from both teams.
Tweet from @jamiebenn14: WOW...#NA #SWE ��
When you impress Finnish hockey legend Esa Tikkanen, who won the Stanley Cup five times, you must be doing something right.

And if Teemu Selanne says it can't get better than this, it probably can't.

Team Sweden advanced and clinched the top spot in Group B with the loss, and the victory for Team North America gives it hope of advancing to the semifinals for a potential showdown against Team Canada. Team North America will advance if Team Russia loses to Team Finland on Thursday (3 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVA Sports).