Auston Matthews, Vincent Trochek and Johnny Gaudreau staked North America to a 3-1 lead in the first period before Nicklas Backstrom (16:28 of the first) and Patrik Berglund (6:50 of the third) scored to tie it. Shayne Gostisbehere had three assists for North America. The Canadians outscored the Czechs, Americans and Europeans 14-3, trailing only once and for less than 2 minutes.
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In the moments after the Americans’ 4-2 loss to Canada that eliminated them from contention, the questions cascaded: John Tortorella as coach?
Team Canada executed head coach Mike Babcock’s system to perfection and, despite that, could have played better. “If they do have the puck we have two guys all over it and we’re turning it over and we’re throwing it back their way”. We’re where we wanted to be at this point.
The Euros remained within two for most of the third period as well but were more of an annoying opponent than a threatening one, being outshot 46-20.
In a game that had semifinal seeding implications, Canada did what just about everyone expected them to do by rolling over Europe 4-1.
But hockey has a unusual way of sorting things out on the scoreboard, especially when one team is outplaying another and doesn’t see that reflected on the scoreboard.
So Halak and Europe will play Sweden on Sunday at 1 pm, a time when most Americans have absolutely nothing else they might want to watch.
In explaining the Canadians solid, if unspectacular play so far, Toews suggested that players were still shaking off the rust of the off-season. “Watching as a kid, watching Olympics, watching world juniors”. You know, as much as I think our guys really tried to get the emotional level at a high level, we were casual with the puck. “We’re going to keep striving for that”. Too much grit? Not enough skill? Europe was much more engaged in the period and had a few chances against Corey Crawford but couldn’t capitalize.
For about 30 minutes, it looked like Jaroslav Halak was going to steal another big game in front of all of Canada. Thirteen seconds later though, Halak’s clearing attempt found its way to Matt Duchene along the boards.
Canada restored its two-goal lead after Europe defenceman Roman Josi broke his stick taking a shot at the Canada blue line.
Europe, though, came out with objective in the second and was rewarded thanks to a clever shot by Marian Hossa from a awful angle.
Logan Couture closed out the scoring with a goal at 17:33, firing a loose puck over the glove of Halak. Canada, Russia, Team North America and others have thrived with fast-paced, entertaining hockey. The Russians, meanwhile, are flooded with risky offensive players, including captain Alex Ovechkin and Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov.
Toews thought either matchup would require a tight defensive effort.
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“Everyone”s got a Twitter account and you can have freedom of speech to say whatever you want and so be it, but those comments don”t get lost in the fray and those comments are there and have been read and I think will be remembered when whatever happens going forward happens going forward,” he said. Left off the team along with scoring forwards Kyle Okposo and Tyler Johnson and defensemen Justin Faulk, Kevin Shattenkirk and Cam Fowler, the Stanley Cup-winning Pittsburgh Penguins winger tweeted after the USA loss: “Just sitting around the house tonight (with) my dog”.
