"No one hates that more than Nate": Fans react to Nathan MacKinnon wearing game-winning hat after OT winner

Colorado Avalanche alternate captain Nathan MacKinnon scored the overtime winner for his team with just 40.1 seconds left on the clock on Friday night. The Avs came away with a 4-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, which turned out to be their first win of the season.

After the game, MacKinnon was given a ceremonial game-winning hat and wore it during a postgame interview in the locker room. From his expression, he didn’t seem too thrilled, and fans noticed this, commenting on it across social media.

Guerilla Sports’ Avs reporter Jesse Montano posted a picture of MacKinnon wearing the hat on his X account. He wrote in the caption:

“Nathan MacKinnon wearing the player of the game hat after his OT winner.”

Fans were quick to react to the post on social media. They pointed out that the Avs captain didn't look thrilled at all to be wearing the oversized cap.

Following are some fan reactions on X (formerly Twitter):

“Hahah no one hates that more that Nate.”

“These things will never not be hilarious to me,” quipped one fan.

“LMAO!!!” commented another user.

Some fans even made sarcastic comments on the photo, as they found the hat hilarious.

“Theres no way i would be able to keep a straight face interviewing him with this on pls this is HILARIOUS.”

“I mean this is classic! especially if you know Mackinnon!” quipped one user.

“LOL I thought that hat was Photoshop,” commented another fan.

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Nathan MacKinnon explains new ceremonial ‘player of the game’ hat

During the postgame interview in the locker room, Nathan MacKinnon expressed how satisfying it felt to win after the team allowed a late tying goal. He mentioned that despite the pressure, they played well and managed to secure the overtime victory.

Regarding the hat he was given after the game, MacKinnon explained it was a new tradition started by Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog.

“Landy got it,” he said. “It's our new, like, 'Player of the Game' type thing—whatever you want to call it. It's fine. Usually, we just give a puck out, but most teams have something, so... it actually fits pretty good. It doesn’t look like it, but it’s not bad."

When asked about his late-game play, MacKinnon clarified that he was aiming to score, not just get the puck deep. He also noted how surprised he was when his shot found its way in, calling it an "ugly" but much-needed goal.