The Americans get a chance to rebound when they face top-ranked Team Canada tomorrow. “There are guys that have different roles and different jobs on the team”. We just need to stay together and not blow ourselves up here.
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Goaltending was expected to be the strength of the USA team but was shaky in the opener as Quick allowed three goals on nine shots through two periods while European counterpart Jaroslav Halak stopped all 35 shots he faced.
The U.S. outshot Europe 35-17, went 0 for 4 on the power play and had a goal disallowed.
The children of North America struck first on a power play goal from Jack Eichel, they had another play reviewed when a puck almost crossed the line, then had a Connor McDavid goal called back due to interference, all in the first period.
It was an unacceptable performance for the USA, which now has been shut out in three consecutive major worldwide tournament games dating to the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
In short, Crosby served notice in Game 1 of the World Cup that whether he’s wearing a Penguins jersey or the red and white of Team Canada, he’s at a whole other level. He will be re-evaluated in a week.
Ice hockey normality was restored in the second game of the night when Canada swept past Czech Republic, 6-0. And then we see Team Europe step up in the first game and beat the Americans.
“I think the biggest difference for me right off the hop and kind of knowing coming into this tournament is just the difference in the style of game on the ice sheet in Sochi compared to the National Hockey League sheet here in Toronto”, said Team Canada forward Jonathan Toews. First, because this Canada vs. United States of America matchup has been on the calendar for more than a year.
“Off the ice, we were able to spend more time and do more things than we were in Sochi”, said forward Matt Duchene. “A lot of guys on this team realize that with the uncertainty with the Olympics in 2018, this could be some guys” last kick at the can [at Canada] and there’s a huge generation of kids and players looking up to us in the United States. “If anything, hopefully that’s something that gets the best out of us”. “As long as we’re getting those opportunities, that’s the main thing”.
With a healthy Carey Price between the pipes, and a roster stacked to the point where Mike Babcock felt comfortable sitting the likes of Claude Giroux, Canada opened their tournament with high hopes against the Czechs tonight.
Needless to say, the world is in for a treat with the upcoming games left to be played in the cup, and whomever the victor ends up being, the only thing that is clear is that the road to hoist the hardware will not be an easy one. “We knew we were going to have to get through Canada, but it’s just earlier than we thought”. “We need our best players to be our best players”, Tortorella said.
The U.S. had Kyle Palmieri a 30-goal National Hockey League scorer and Dustin Byfuglien an offense-minded defenseman missing due to injury.
Mats Zuccarello sprung Draisaitl in all alone at 2:06 of the extra period, and the Oilers forward beat Czech goalie Petr Mrazek low on his blocker side for his second goal of the tournament. “It’s a spot we didn’t want to be in, it is a very risky spot but we are here”. It’s a very unsafe spot, but we are here.
Entering the tournament, many listed Canada as the favorites to win the World Cup of Hockey.
“Obviously the next game’s going to be huge for that and obviously the game after that, as well”, winger Patrick Kane said.
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“The goalie was really good”, Babcock said. It just comes down to preparing the right way and just letting your instincts take over.
