Team USA fell flat out of the blocks in a 3-0 loss to Team Europe on Saturday in the opening game of the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto.
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“We’ve put ourselves in a spot now, we’re chasing”, USA coach John Tortorella said via the Chicago Tribune.
The team declined to say Friday whether Neuvirth or Petr Mrazek of the Detroit Red Wings would start against the Canadians. “It’s a good opportunity for our whole team and myself personally to make a real name for ourselves and put a real statement on what the future may hold for all of us and myself”.
A team thrown together from Slovakia, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Norway, France and Slovenia didn’t look like it could hang with the deep Americans, but Europe was opportunistic and efficient.
Jaroslav Halak made 35 saves and Marian Gaborik, Leon Draisaitl and Pierre Edouard-Bellemare each scored as Europe recorded a convincing victory at Air Canada Centre.
Down 2-0, it appeared that the US had come within a goal when the puck found its way past Halak. “I’ve played with Aaron Ekblad a few times, and I’m excited to play with him”. Just lost the puck and next thing you know they go down 2-on-0. Thats unacceptable from me.. The World Cup is an introduction to numerous game’s best young stars but especially McDavid, who could slip into anonymity in Edmonton but will be front and center at this tournament for fans in the USA and around the world.
It didn’t help that the USA kept giving Europe golden opportunities.
“We’re all happy to be here, we’re all proud to be Canadian, and we all want to win”, said Bergeron. The squad’s core – nine players were part of the 2010 Olympics – understands it’s running out of chances to deliver a signature moment for USA Hockey. “It’s going to be by playing the right way, and we’ve got to have the mindset that we play against everyone the way we play against Canada”.
The win leaves Canada tied atop the Group A standings with Team Europe following the latter’s 3-0 upset win over a US team that were originally considered a lock to advance beyond the group stage. Replays showed that van Riemsdyk directed the puck with his body, and though it appeared to hit Derek Stepans helmet before falling over the goal line, the goal was not allowed.
Tortorella defended his decision to sit Byfuglien and Palmieri, saying this was what the coaching staff believed was the best lineup.
Krueger said Saturday afternoon that his players were “ready to look America in the eyes”.
They said that this US team was built with beating Canada in mind. The game can get away from you really quickly and you leave too much to chance. A lot of experience.
Canada won gold at the last two Olympic Games and won the World Cup when the tournament was last played in 2004. The Americans tried to skate with Canada in Sochi, and two years later it’s hard to remember that they even had scoring chances in that semi-final loss. “We’ve put ourselves in the spot where we’re chasing the tournament”. “We didn’t just come here to have one nice game”.
To advance to play next weekend in the semifinals, the USA must either beat favored Canada on Tuesday or hope for a miracle elsewhere in Group A. With only three games of round-robin play, a regulation loss is a significant blow. Its a spot we did not want to be in.
“It’s a spot we didn’t want to be in, it is a very risky spot but we are here”.
Head coach Mike Babcock designated Price as Canada’s starter for Saturday’s tournament opener against the Czech Republic.
Crosby opened the scoring and helped set up Marchand’s goal that made it 2-0 late in the first.
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It was the same kind of dominant performance Crosby offered at the end of the last National Hockey League season, in which the now-29-year-old won the Conn Smythe Trophy in helping the Pittsburgh Penguins to a second Stanley Cup.
