Local Toronto rookies had a dream New Year's Day

Auston Matthews is the talk of the hockey world, and rightfully so, but three Toronto boys had themselves a banner Sunday evening at home at the Centennial Classic.

Connor Brown, Mitch Marner, and Zach Hyman - all rookies - are living the dream. Brown, 22, and Hyman, 24, are from Toronto, while Marner, 19, is from Markham, just north of the city. All three played critical roles in the Maple Leafs' 5-4 overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings at BMO Field to ring in the new year.

Marner got things started with Toronto's second goal of the game, a brilliant snipe - off the post and in - after showing incredible patience in taking the puck into the slot. Based on his celebration, you could tell the tally meant a lot to him:

Seventy seconds later, Hyman set up Brown, who went roof on Jared Coreau from the bottom of the circle. And was Brown ever pumped, celebrating with his Toronto-born teammate:

Less than three minutes later, Hyman and Brown drew assists on Matthews' first of the night, a wicked snipe to perfectly complete an odd-man rush. In about five minutes, the three Toronto kids had two goals and three assists and the Maple Leafs had a 4-1 lead.

While that lead would evaporate, it was restored for good in overtime, and Brown drew his second assist of the game on Matthews' winner.

In the end, the young locals finished with two goals and four assists, representing their city in fine fashion.

"This is a whole new level," Hyman told TSN's Kristen Shilton about playing outdoors in the NHL after experiencing the thrill with the University of Michigan. "This is in my hometown. Never thought I'd be playing (in a) game like this."

Brown, Hyman, and Marner have combined for 21 goals and 38 assists this season, and are a big part of Toronto's youth movement.

Yeah, the kids are more than all right.