When the game went sideways, with Russian Federation going on a second-period spree of four unanswered goals, the North American coaching staff didn’t like how the players responded in the moment.
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The hole North America had dug against a veteran, uber-skilled Russian team that simply had to win this game was too deep. “When stuff like that happens, you have to try to make it up to your teammates, and unfortunately we came up a bit short”. I think it’s an unbelievable marketing scheme. Lundqvist would like to play the second half of the back-to-back, but that’s a major question for Sweden. Evgeny Kuznetsov snuck by Morgan Rielly and scored a narrow angle goal.
It’s the opposite for North America, which went from euphoria to uncertainty.
North America scored three unanswered goals in the second period to pull away from the Finns, outshooting the opposition 18-6 in the frame. “I told them they were a much better team than they think they were”.
Team North America has classified Ekblad’s ailment as an upper-body injury. That 5-on-3 late in the game, that’s when we need to be able to do something.
“So, we tried to keep it simple and put the puck deep and settle them down”.
Sometimes the pace was so quick that Gaudreau said players stood up on the bench in anticipation of the next fancy move.
Team North America showed up to play on Wednesday, that’s for sure.
McLellan pulled Matt Murray in favour of John Gibson with 4:17 remaining in the period after the four-goal Russian Federation sure. Murray, who stopped the first 15 shots he faced before Russian Federation broke through, jammed his thumb in the second period, but McLellan said he was healthy enough to play.
“We are obviously pleased that the concept seems to have resonated with the fans, and the way the players have approached the competition certainly makes it fun to watch”, Daly said. “Hopefully we get some help from Finland”. “It’s a pretty good feeling to go out there and contribute”.
Much like Team Europe, a collection of players from eight European countries, North America made a great first impression after plenty of criticism about being a gimmick.
Unfortunately, the win was not enough to get the Blue Jackets to the championship game, as Detroit nipped St. Louis 2 – 1, giving Detroit the nod in the tie-breaker, based upon their head-to-head victory over Columbus.
The four-goal outburst – really the only period of domination for the Russians all night – was clearly borne out of desperation.
The normally restrained Matthews, who turned 19 on Saturday, permitted himself a smile after scoring.
Matthews played 20:57, fourth-most in the game, and looked comfortable in National Hockey League company despite being the youngest player on the ice.
“It’s always exciting to score, contribute. So, we’ve got a good opportunity ahead of us”, said Connor McDavid, Team North America captain.
“We were desperate tonight, so every moment, every shot I was focused and that was the most important shot of my life”, said the poetic Bobrovsky, who held the fort in that 19-shot assault in the third period.
Kuznetsov made it 3-1 at 13:37 on a solo end-to-end rush, tucking the puck past Rielly before beating Murray from close-range over the arm.
Indeed, North America had dazzled crowds and even opposing players with their high level of speed, skill and self-confidence.
But Russia began to spend some time in the North American end and Namestnikov scored off a fat Murray rebound of a Ivan Telegin shot at 9:29. Though head coach Todd McLellan praised Jacob Trouba for “playing a heck of a game” in place of Ekblad, not having someone to match up against Russia’s snipers was possibly the difference.
“Eventually, you have to take the test”, said McLellan.
North America GM Peter Chiarelli said Ekblad will be evaluated and continue his rehab with Panthers team doctors.
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Dylan Larkin did not see any action in the third.
