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. If wildly short on firepower in contrast to the Canadians, the Czechs appear to be a cohesive group, propped up otherwise by better-than-average netminding from Philadelphia’s Michal Neuvirth.
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Team Europe was defiant entering the game, with coach Ralph Krueger saying, “We’re ready to look America in the eyes”.
Well, here we are.
Team USA and Team Europe will open the tournament on September 17.
“We’ve put ourselves in a spot now we’re chasing”, Tortorella said.
Team Russia, with the age of the players averaging (in Russian) 27, has prepared a traditionally strong attack line featuring, among others, forwards Artem Anisimov and Artemi Panarin of Chicago Blackhawks, Pavel Datsyuk of Detroit Red Wings, Nikita Kucherov of Tampa Bay Lightning, Nikolai Kulyomin of New York Islanders, Alexander Ovechkin of Washington Capitals, Evgeny Malkin of Pittsburgh Penguins, and Vladimir Tarasenko of St. Louis Blues. Coach John Tortorella believed it should have been a goal because the puck went off Derek Stepan’s helmet, but the National Hockey League explained that it had no bearing and the goal should not count.
The current generation of players led by Patrick Kane, Zach Parise, Ryan Kesler and Joe Pavelski has had its gold-medal hopes dashed by Canada in the past two Olympics, each time by one goal. Two teams, North America and Europe, are mashups.
The Czechs have looked good in the tournament warm-ups, but haven’t been able to find anyone who believes they will succeed in this tournament. “We have to come together”.
Derek Stepan concurred, adding: “I kind of agree with him; it’s a must win for us”. Which is exactly what we need, a stable presence that can become our game victor? And we went, without the empty-net goal, 10-2 in the next five periods, and then this on top of that.
The Americans, meanwhile, have swiftly reached their Rubicon. There is a chance the players end the tournament and decide that they’d rather only play in it instead of the Olympics. If they falter again, their chances of making the semi-finals will be close to statistically crushed. They’re going to be desperate to win. And they talk like it. A few players – Jack Eichel, Dylan Larkin, Nathan McKinnon, Auston Matthews – aren’t far off.
I don’t think people should be shocked, however, if the made-up teams have success.
“We really haven’t broke through”. They’re still waiting for their signature moment. On the worldwide stage he now has three consecutive shutouts for Canada dating back to the 2014 Olympics.
“Just stay patient”, said Europe captain Anze Kopitar of the approach. We don’t know about you, but we can’t wait to see how everything plays out.
“We’ve got nothing to lose”, Czech forward Michael Frolik said. He’ll most likely be the starter for this first game against Canada. It played twice more in the second period, including after Draisaitl’s goal, which came on a rare 2-on-0 break with Team USA defenders barely trying to catch up.
I think Team Canada beats Team USA in this rematch 4-3, with Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos, Corey Perry and Drew Doughty tallying goals.
“In a short period of time, because it’s a worldwide stage, they’re going to see Connor and what he can do”, said Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli, who helped build Team North America.
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Well, sometimes you get what you ask for.
