The goal was set up during the 3-on-3 overtime by Johnny Gaudreau, who missed on a penalty shot in regulation only to score on a breakaway later in a game where North America’s speed generated all kinds of creativity and offence. The youngsters from North America impressed and were a joy to watch.
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With files from Canadian Press sports reporter Gregory Strong. “I know we’ve definitely turned heads and brought attention to our team and our group”. Henrik Lundqvist looked crappy in the last exhibition game, sat out the first game of the tournament, and came roaring back when he shut out Team Finland yesterday, so news of his decline was obviously premature, and two goals from Anton Stralman and Louis Eriksson were more than enough to put Finland in a precarious place.
TORONTO (AP) – The NHL has gotten nearly everything it hoped for so far at the World Cup of Hockey.
North America’s Connor McDavid, right, battles for the puck with Sweden’s Erik Karlsson during the first period of a World Cup of Hockey game in Toronto, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016. I wonder if replays of the first 95 seconds of what ultimately went into the books as a 4-3 overtime win for North America over Sweden at the Air Canada Centre Wednesday afternoon don’t take on the same iconic status. They have proven that during the World Cup of Hockey, with many of them playing for Team North America – a squad that, even though it failed to advance past group play, captivated the hearts of hockey fans in a way that very few teams have been able to do. Whether it’s because they fell in love with the team or because they went for the design, it was a huge win for the National Hockey League and, in turn, its players, who receive a piece of the revenue generated by the tournament.
“We became fans”, McLellan said. Team North America played fast, and before you knew it, it was 2-0 North America.
But Team North America restored their two-goal lead five minutes later when Gaudreau used an attractive deke to beat Lundqvist.
“We would be a solid team”, Forsberg said with a smile.
The World Cup achieved big-event status in Toronto, with a mostly full arena and buzz around the city.
CANADA 4, EUROPE 1: Jonathan Toews had two goals and an assist and Team Canada easily beat Europe in its final preliminary round game. But the coaches did-they just didn’t tell the kids.
For a young guy like me whos never had the opportunity to play in the Olympics, I would say 100%, he said. He mentioned that McDavid has already said he “would like to play for the big boys” in four years.
Coming off of yesterday’s high, can Team Canada beat a team that made a decision to trick everyone into thinking they were bad? Even the most grizzled old-school fundamental hockey people had to appreciate the way McDavid, MacKinnon, 2016 top pick Auston Matthews and Co. played.
I think the America guys have, said McDavid. Canada coach Mike Babcock called it “a great way to showcase the NHL” of the future.
MacKinnon thought he’d clinched a semifinal berth for North America only to learn later that he had not. “This North American team is a pump in the arm for hockey”.
Watching former No. 1 overall draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers, McDavid, embracing fellow No. 1 overall draft pick Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs after assisting on Matthews goal against Russian Federation was a refreshing site for hockey and a great showcase of things to come for the NHL.
“From the staff right on through, (we) did not get the job done”, Tortorella said.
At the risk of not offering a smoldering take here: We sorta see both sides of this.
Auston Matthews of Scottsdale, Arizona, wants to play for Team USA. Goalie Carey Price is on, and Canada looks unstoppable as usual. Now, we’re disappointed we didn’t win [against Russia] but we’ll be ready. Counting his shutout against Finland, “The King” has stopped 81 of 85 shots at the World Cup.
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“He’s been our MVP”, forward Carl Hagelin said.
