We witnessed a classic goalie standoff during the Canada-Switzerland game at the World Junior Championship, but it’s not what you think.

Canada’s starting goaltender, Carter Hart, who is superstitious, always has to be the last player off the ice.

Swiss backup goaltender Matteo Ritz didn’t get the memo, so chaos ensued during the first intermission.

Ritz did stretching exercises after likely receiving word that he’d go into the game during the second period. Hart waited on the ice for over four minutes for Ritz to be done so he could satisfy his superstition.

The ice resurfacers were only treating part of the ice as they waited for the two goaltenders to vacate the playing surface.

It appeared at one point that Hart gave up on his superstition when he left the ice. But no! He just waited in the tunnel for Ritz to leave.

As soon as that finally happened, Hart went back on the ice, did a quick loop, and walked down the tunnel to the locker room, getting high fives from his adoring fans.

Hart’s superstition is ridiculous, but it definitely worked. Canada gave Switzerland a brutal 8-2 beatdown, just as Swiss head coach Christian Wohlwend predicted. Hart made 11 saves in the victory.