World Cup Day 3 Recap

Europe Defeats Czechs in OT

         Team Europe continued their surprise run last night by beating team Czech Republic in OT. Leon Draisaitl scored the 3-on-3 winner to boost team Europe to a tournament leading 2-0-0 record.

         This tight game began with a scoreless 1^st period. Things quickly got interesting early in the 2^nd when Europe was on the power play. Midway through the penalty, Czech player Michal Kempny covered the puck with his hand in the crease, causing a penalty shot for Europe’s Anze Kopitar. Goaltender Petr Mrazek was up to the task and stopped Kopitar to keep the game scoreless.

         Europe finally broke through at 10:05 of the 2^nd when Zdeno Chara wired a loose puck into the net. The Czechs would respond quickly though, as Jakub Voracek sent a quick shot past Halak’s blocker at 13:28 to tie the game at 1. Mats Zuccarello would once again give Europe the lead when he took a long pass from Halak, sped up the left wing, and fired a shot that found its way over Mrazek’s shoulder at 2:17 of the 3^rd.

         Martin Hanzal scored a power play goal for team Czech Republic at 8:31 off of a fortuitous bounce. Though put wide, Vladimir Sobotka’s shot bounced off the end boards and found Hanzal’s stick where it was deposited into the open net. For the first time in this tournament, overtime was required to determine a winner.

         Leon Draisaitl quickly ended the game when he scored on a breakaway 2:06 into the extra period. Mats Zuccarello found him with a perfect stretch pass, and he finished by snapping the puck by Mrazek, who hardly flinched. Europe began the tournament as an underdog, but they are quickly proving people wrong. Czech Republic hasn’t won yet, but they hope to next game if they want a chance to advance.

North American Comeback Falls Short Against Russia

         Though down by 3 goals, the young team North America refused to give in to the Russians. They fell only 1 goal short of tying the game in this excellent hockey game. It may even be the best game I’ve seen all tournament thus far. Here’s how it played out:

         At 5:14 of the first period, Connor McDavid slid a nifty pass across the crease to Auston Matthews for a quick 1-0 lead. They would end up keeping this lead entering the 2^nd. Midway through the period at 9:29, Vladislav Nemestnikov hit the goal post, but as the puck came back out, it went off Murray’s skate and in to even the score. 40 seconds later, Nikita Kucherov scored when the puck bounced to him off a partition along the boards. The Russians not only had luck on their side, they were also beginning to take control of the game.

         Russia scored again at 13:37 when Evgeny Kuznetsov’s fancy stick work enabled him to put the puck up and over Murray in tight. Russia continued to pour it on as sharpshooter Vladimir Tarasenko spun before flinging a shot into the net at 15:43 to make it 4-1. After allowing 4 goals in a span of about 6 minutes, Matt Murray was pulled and replaced by John Gibson.

         It didn’t take long for North America to start showing urgency. After putting Gibson in, the team seemed to get better. At 17:56, Morgan Rielly followed up on a blocked shot attempt by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and put the puck behind Bobrovsky to make it a 2-goal game with plenty of time left. After the fast paced 2^nd period, North America knew they had a good chance to tie it.

         They were well on their way when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored a power play goal at 3:01 when he bat the puck out of midair to set up a very tense 3^rd period. Bobrovsky would prove to be the difference, as he stopped 17 North American shots in the 3^rd to hang on for the win. North America had put forth a very good comeback effort in the 3^rd, but Bobrovsky dashed any comeback hopes with his superb goaltending. Things are now heating up in this tournament with plenty more exciting games on the horizon.

World Cup Day 2 Recap

Sweden Hangs on to Beat Russia

         Sweden only scored twice in their first game of the tournament, but it was enough to beat rival Russia. With superstar goaltender Henrik Lundqvist out because of an illness, Jacob Markstrom was called upon two-and-a-half hours before the game to get the job done. Markstrom performed admirably, and was only 33 seconds away from posting his first international shutout when he was scored on by Alexander Ovechkin. Regardless, it was enough for a win thanks to his heroic effort.

         After a fast-paced, yet scoreless 1^st, Sweden finally got on the board midway through the game when Gabriel Landeskog blasted a shot past Bobrovsky for a power play goal at 10:41 of the 2^nd period. Not long after, the speedy Carl Hagelin slid a pass to Victor Hedman in the faceoff circle. Hedman’s perfectly placed shot tickled the twine at 12:52 to make it 2-0 for the Swedes. They had scored 2 goals on 3 shots in a span of 2:11.

         In the 3^rd, it became clear that the Russians weren’t ready to lose. Though they had some good scoring chances, they didn’t make a big push until the last minute with the goalie pulled. Alexander Ovechkin used his familiar quick and ever-so-accurate shot on the one-timer to fling the puck past Markstrom with 33 seconds remaining. With 6 seconds to go, it appeared Russia had tied it, but Ovechkin’s glove was the last thing the puck touched before entering the net. Because it was knocked in with the glove, the goal was called back, much to the disappointment of Ovechkin and his fellow Russians.

         Though Sweden just barely grabbed victory, a win is a win no matter what, and they were certainly happy about it. But they know the tournament is far from over, and they will have to prove themselves on Tuesday afternoon against their bitter Scandinavian rival Finland. And speaking of Finland, they also played yesterday, but didn’t have as much success.

North America Easily Handles Finland

         The young and fast team North America wasn’t afraid to show everyone that they shouldn’t be counted out by any means. Though young and inexperienced, I feel they have enough speed and talent to even beat top teams like Canada. Last night’s game against Finland just goes to show what they are capable of, and how much potential they have.

         North America got off to an early lead on the power play when Jack Eichel poked home a rebound at 5:03. Late in the period, it looked like a 2-0 North America lead after the puck went in off a net mouth scramble. It was determined, however, that Finnish goaltender Pekka Rinne was interfered with, so the goal didn’t count.

         North America would extend their lead for real at 5:27 of the 2^nd when Johnny Gaudreau tipped Colton Parayko’s shot into the net for a 2-0 lead. Johnathan Drouin made it 3-0 when he slid a huge rebound past the outstretched Rinne at 7:27. At 14:37, North America went up 4-0 when Nathan Mackinnon put in another rebound as the result of a turnover in the Finnish zone.

         With 4:07 remaining in the game, Finland finally got on the scoreboard when the puck came out front for Valterri Filppula to put past Matt Murray to break his shutout bid. The goal was a result of Leo Komarov’s hard work in the corner off of a dump in. North America got off to a flying start in the tournament and hope to continue their success. Finland will have a go at their bitter Scandinavian rivals the Swedes tomorrow afternoon in the hopes of turning their tournament around.

World Cup Day 1 Recap

Europe Shuts Out US in Opener

         The first game of the tournament had a result that surprised many. Team Europe skated to a 3-0 win against team USA. Jaroslav Halak had a dominant 35 save shutout performance and Europe’s future in the tournament isn’t so uncertain anymore. Dustin Byfuglien and Kyle Palmieri were healthy scratches for the US.

         That would later come back to bite them, as they didn’t have Byfuglien’s physical and defensive prowess to keep Europe off the scoreboard. With Palmieri absent, they didn’t have the scoring touch to put them on the scoreboard. Europe quickly took advantage, as they took the lead 4:19 into the game. In a perfectly executed 2-on-1, Franz Nielsen fed Marian Gaborik at the side of the net where he tapped in the first goal of the tournament.

         The 2^nd period didn’t get much better for the US. Early in the period, Patrick Kane attempted to circle the zone, but got caught at the blue line and turned the puck over, leading to a 2-on-0 chance for Europe. Leon Draisaitl made no mistake as he parked himself in front of the net and slid the puck past the helpless Johnathan Quick to give Europe a 2-0 lead.

         Midway through the period, it looked like team USA had finally gotten on the scoreboard. However, it was determined that James van Riemsdyk had made a distinct motion with his chest to knock the puck into the net, so the goal didn’t count and it remained 2-0. Late in the period, USA had a power play in which they failed to convert. Right after the penalty expired, Jannik Hansen’s shot was deflected into the net by Pierre-Eduard Bellemare to make it 3-0.

         In the 3^rd, the US had some quality scoring chances, but Halak was up to the task, making saves when he needed to. His heroic play earned him a shutout in the victory. Team USA didn’t possess the desperation they were expected to have. This was one contributor to the loss. Secondly, they didn’t get as physical as they were expected to get. Whatever it was, the team hopes to fix it by next game in order to have a chance to win the tournament.

Canada Dominates Czech Republic

         Team Canada, being the heavy favorite to win not only this game, but the tournament, did not disappoint. Carey Price earned a shutout, and Canada went on to win 6-0 in their opening game. The win not only pleased the Canadians, but also put some long awaited positive energy into the Air Canada Centre.

         The Crosby line was on fire early in the game, scoring all 3 goals in the 1^st period. At 8:26, Crosby circled the net before purposefully banking it in off of Czech goaltender Michal Neuvirth to make it 1-0. At 17:08, Brad Marchand deflected Brent Burns’s slap shot into the net off a set faceoff play. But Canada didn’t stop there. Patrice Bergeron scored a buzzer beater goal off a feed from Bruins teammate Brad Marchand to make it 3-0.

         Canada would just keep going, as Crosby would once again show why he is one of the best players in the world right now. At 7:22 of the 2^nd period, Crosby would sneak a perfect pass to Joe Thornton at the side of the net for an easy 4-0 goal. At 14:45, Johnathan Toews would tap in a power play goal to make it 5-0.

         Canada would score their final goal on the power play at 12:41 of the 3^rd. Alex Pietrangelo, who hurt his hand blocking a shot earlier in the game, scored off a wrist shot to make it 6-0. The injury turned out to be no problem at all for him. I predicted the Czechs would make it close, but clearly I underestimated Canada’s star power. It was just too much for the Czechs to handle. However, the bright spot that really stood out for the Czechs was Michal Neuvirth. Though losing 6-0, he still stopped 44 shots. Canada has taken one step closer to winning this tournament, but still has a ways to go.