When the United States filled out its roster for the World Cup of Hockey, it looked heavy on grit and physicality and light on skill and scoring. But those concerns were quickly squashed on Saturday when he received a warm ovation from the Air Canada Centre crowd prior to Team Canada’s opener against the Czech Republic. So far in preliminary play, team North America has beaten team Europe with a combined score of 11-4. If Team Europe defeats the Czech Republic on Monday afternoon, only a United States victory over Canada would save the Americans from elimination. There will be no chance for the Americans to advance to the semifinals. Playing there, against them, everybody wants us knocked out. Team Canada has played team Russian Federation and ended up winning 3-2 in a thrilling overtime when Ryan Getzlaf hit the game victor roughly three and a half minutes into extra time. It’s going to be a blast. “It’s a spot we didn’t want to be in, it is a very risky spot but we are here”.
Advertisement
“We didn’t see ourselves as just a sideshow ever”, Krueger said.
Let’s not forget, of course, that the game will be held on Canada’s home turf.
Canada blew out the Czech Republic 6-0 in its first game, looking so good that former USA star Mike Modano tweeted to cancel the rest of the World Cup and give the Canadians the trophy. “We’re going to play the game the right way”. Here’s an interesting observation from forward Max Pacioretty: “There are times to make plays and guys didn’t have the confidence to make that play”.
In playoff Tortorella form, he refused to divulge his lineup and said, “Don’t infer”. Tortorella also scratched 57-point winger Kyle Palmieri, who recorded 11 power play goals and 23 power play points (tied for 19th-best among forwards) for the Devils last season.
“We’ve put ourselves in a spot now we’re chasing”, Tortorella said. I think it’s fantastic. “If we are fortunate enough to get through, hopefully we get another one”.
Unable to create quality scoring chances against Europe, the US had a drastically different look at practice Sunday with grinder Justin Abdelkader on a line with Hart Trophy victor Patrick Kane and center Derek Stepan.
Facing a must-win against Canada, Team USA head coach John Tortorella says he knew they would need to go through Canada and that his team is treating Tuesday’s game as the championship game.
“I’m 52-years-old. I’d have a hat trick out there by now”, Hull, who led all ’96 World Cup scorers with 11 points, said during an ESPN intermission show. USA Hockey officials did not make Kane available to the media Monday. European coach Ralph Krueger declared earlier in the day: “We’re going to be a competitive team here today, and we’re ready to look America in the eyes”. “They got better, they won every battle, they skate hard, they are so aggressive”.
He never expected, however, the second game of the tournament could carry such consequences should his club lose Tuesday night. It’s possible that this could be Lundqvist’s final tournament for Sweden’s national team, so if he’s healthy I can’t imagine a scenario in which he wouldn’t play against Finland.
We don’t doubt that the USA will arrive at the ACC with a lot more bounce in their stride than they had versus Europe. Mark Masters and Frank Seravalli have more on how the Americans are approaching a must-win game.
Playing his first game since March 8 because of a groin injury, Halak was up to the task, especially in the third period. You pile on all the sensationalized stories on it, but it’s 60 minutes, 20 on 20, our group against theirs. “We’re going to play the game the right way”.
Advertisement
“If you go back nine (international) periods where you don’t get anything, it’s frustrating but we’ve had some looks along the way”, captain Joe Pavelski said.
