Team Canada defeats Team Europe to win World Cup

TORONTO -- It was more difficult than many imagined, but Team Canada is champion of the World Cup of Hockey 2016. 

Brad Marchand scored a shorthanded goal with 43.1 seconds left, after Patrice Bergeron tied the game with 2:53 to go, to give Team Canada a 2-1 win against Team Europe at Air Canada Centre on Thursday.

"They were tough to play against and they tested us big time," said Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby, who was named MVP and led the tournament with 10 points. 

Marchand was one of Crosby's wings, and Bergeron was the other. They combined for 25 points in six games. 

"In the biggest moments, they're better," Team Canada coach Mike Babcock said of the line. "They can't help themselves. They're addicted to winning." 

Marchand won this game with his fifth goal of the tournament, but teammate Jonathan Toews did much of the work to make it possible. 

"[Toews] made a great play to open up a lot of space, and when I came in, I just wanted to get a shot on net ... and luckily the puck went in the net," Marchand said. 

Toews said it was all Marchand on the game-winner. 

"It was kind of a momentary thing where you take a chance," Toews said. "I dropped him the puck and he made a [heck] of a play." 

Bergeron scored on a power play with a spectacular deflection to foil a brilliant display by Team Europe goaltender Jaroslav Halak, who made 32 saves. 

"World-class hand-eye coordination," said Team Europe coach Ralph Krueger, discussing the torso-high knockdown of the puck by Bergeron, who was standing between the faceoff circles. 

Canada has won 16 straight games in best-on-best competition. Its last loss was to the United States during pool play at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. 

Defenseman Zdeno Chara scored for Team Europe, but the goal could not get it to the finish line and force Game 3 on Saturday. 

PLAYER & PUCK TRACKING INSIGHTS from SAP
Team Europe captain Anze Kopitar led all players in distance traveled with 6,460 meters (4.01 miles)

"It's a tough loss because we were able to push them all the way to the limits and it was a really close game," Chara said. 

Team Canada won Game 1 of the best-of-3 final 3-1 on Tuesday. 

Price, who has won 16 straight games for Canada, dating to the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship, made 32 saves Thursday. He allowed seven goals in six World Cup games. 

Goal of the game

With overtime looming, Marchand exploited some defensive uncertainty for the winning goal. Three Team Europe players were back, but Toews drew two to him and then launched a deft backhand pass onto the stick of onrushing Marchand that caught the defenders flat-footed. From there, Marchand took over, snapping a quick shot Halak could not react to in time. 

Saves of the game

In a back-to-back sequence during a Team Canada power play, Price turned aside shorthanded breakaways by Tobias Rieder and Marian Hossa to prevent Team Europe from extending its 1-0 lead. 

Unsung moment of the game

Marchand was in position to score the game-winning goal because Price made his best save of the game 25 seconds earlier, denying Hossa from the slot on a dangerous one-timer during the Team Europe power play. 

Highlight of the game

Chara gave Team Europe its first lead of the final at 6:26 of the first period with a beautiful goal. Taking a pass from Frans Nielsen, Chara drifted into the faceoff circle before taking a wrist shot that found a hole between Price's shoulder and the post. 

They said it 

"It was always one shot away. It's always, 'Who wants to be that guy?' And there's so many guys in this dressing room that want to be in that position. We have so much talent in this dressing room that we knew all we needed was one bounce to go our way." -- Team Canada forward Bergeron on its mindset in the third period 

"We had a lot of fun. It was a special group, and it's something that is one thing that I am for certain, that this is going to stay with us for a long, long time." -- Team Europe captain Anze Kopitar 

"It's tough to describe when you're standing on the blue line, you're looking around, you see your family in the crowd and how proud everybody is in the whole arena. When you watch that flag go up and all these emotions are going through your head and you're representing your country and your team just had success and won for your country, you know, that's something that you can't describe. It's an incredible feeling. Again, I'm a bit lost for words right now." -- Team Canada forward Brad Marchand  

Need to know 

It took Team Canada until 5:59 of the first period to get its first shot on goal, its longest stretch to start a game in the tournament. Team Canada went 3:06 without a shot to start the game against Team USA in the preliminary round. … The first intermission was the first time in the tournament Team Canada ended a period trailing a game. … Team Europe was the first team to hold a team from Canada without a goal for two periods since Russia shut it out in the quarterfinals of the 2006 Torino Olympics.

via WCH2016.com.

Tatar scores in OT to lift Team Europe into final

TORONTO -- Team Europe wasn't ready for its surprising run at the World Cup of Hockey 2016 to end. 

Tomas Tatar scored 3:43 into overtime to give Team Europe a 3-2 semifinal victory against Team Sweden at Air Canada Centre on Sunday, securing a spot in the best-of-3 final against Team Canada, which begins on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN, CBC, TVA Sports).

"One of the best tournaments in the world, best players from the NHL in one spot and we have a chance to play in the final, which is great," Tatar said. "The story continues." 

After Team Sweden goaltender Henrik Lundqvist made a left pad save on Tatar's initial shot the rebound caromed into the net off Tatar's left skate. It was Tatar's second goal of the game after he had no points in three preliminary-round games.

"I was hoping I'm going to get an opportunity to sway one game and I'm lucky it happened today," Tatar said.

Although few expected Team Europe, an amalgamation of players not from Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic or Russia, to get this far, Team Sweden had aspirations of reaching the final and getting a chance to avenge a loss to Canada in the gold medal game at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. 

"We all wanted to play in the finals against Canada," Team Sweden left wing Daniel Sedin said. "That was our goal and today's effort wasn't enough," "We played a patient game and they were the ones who scored." 

Team Sweden took the lead 2:31 into the second period when Nicklas Backstrom went to the net to put in an Anton Stralman rebound. Marian Gaborik pulled Team Europe even at 1-1 with 3:33 left in the second by finishing a centering feed from defenseman Christian Ehrhoff. 

Tatar backhanded home his own rebound 12 seconds into the third period to put Team Europe ahead 2-1. Erik Karlsson scored the goal that forced overtime when his right point shot appeared to deflect off Team Europe defenseman Roman Josi before floating in past goaltender Jarolsav Halak with 4:32 remaining in regulation.

Goal of the Game:

After Lundqvist failed to stop the puck when Anze Kopitar threw it behind the net, Team Europe forward Mats Zuccarello tracked it down long the left wing boards and fed Tatar, who was driving to the right post. Lundqvist made a left pad save on Tatar's initial shot, but the rebound deflected into the net off Tatar's left skate. A video review by officials in the NHL Situation Room confirmed that the goal was legal because Tatar did not make a distinct kicking motion with his foot. "It's always stressful when there's a review," Tatar said. "You never know which way it's going to go. I knew I didn't do a kicking motion, so I was hoping they were going to see it on the replay."

Save of the Game:  

Backstrom had a chance to win the game for Team Sweden on a 2-on-1 rush 3:17 into overtime, but Halak made a right pad save on his wrist shot from the right circle. Tatar scored the winning goal 26 seconds later. "I was trying to shoot low blocker, but he made a good save and unfortunately they won it after that," Backstrom said. "That's hockey."

Unsung moment of the Game:

Clinging to a 2-1 lead, Team Europe had to kill off a hooking penalty by Zuccarello 4:14 into the third period. It got two saves from Halak and blocked shots from Kopitar and Andrej Sekera to survive the two minutes. 

Highlight of the Game:

Team Europe came close to going up by two goals 9:31 into the third period when Tomas Vanek's breakaway shot went off Lundqvist's right pad and was headed for the goal line. Stralman raced back in time to clear the puck away before it went in.

They Said It:

"We are happy where we are and definitely pleased. I think nobody would guess we could be in the final. It was 33-to-1 odds against us. So it just feels good to be where we're at. I think everybody here is really happy." -- Team Europe right wing Marian Hossa

"It's important we don't get giddy. We want to give Canada and the world a really good final." --Team Europe coach Ralph Krueger

"Everything other than a gold medal is a failure in our eyes, and I think that's what everybody in our dressing room believes. We had one goal in mind and we didn't manage to accomplish that. This one definitely stings." -- Team Sweden left wing Gabriel Landeskog

"There are things you want to go back and change, but right now I'm content we're top four. But I'm obviously disappointed we're not top two." - Team Sweden coach Rikard Gronborg

Need to Know:

Halak made 37 saves and has stopped 142 of 150 shots he's faced in the tournament for a .947 save percentage. … Josi played a game-high 29:00. Karlsson led Team Sweden in playing 22:52. … Team Canada defeated Team Europe 4-1 in the preliminary round on Wednesday.

PLAYER & PUCK TRACKING INSIGHTS from SAP
Puck time spent in offensive zone on power play: 37% for Team Europe and 54% for Team Sweden


What's Next:

Team Sweden: Finishes the tournament with consecutive overtime losses and falls one win short of reaching the final.

Team Europe: Advances to the best-of-3 final against Team Canada, beginning on Tuesday.

via WCH2016.com.

Team Russia defeats Team Finland to reach semifinals

TORONTO -- Team Russia qualified for the semifinals of the World Cup of Hockey 2016 with a 3-0 win against Team Finland at Air Canada Centre on Thursday.

Team Russia will play Team Canada here on Saturday.

"It's going to be a fun game," Team Russia captain Alex Ovechkin said. "It's nice to be a part of obviously. Two teams with a great history. Again, it's going to be tough. It's going to be hard because we play here in Canada. But it's going to be fun, fun game."

Vladimir Tarasenko, Ivan Telegin and Evgeni Malkin scored for Team Russia. Sergei Bobrovsky made 21 saves.

Team Russia (2-1-0, 4 points) finished second in Group B and plays the winner of Group A, Team Canada, in the first semifinal (7 p.m. ET; ESPN2, CBC, TVA Sports).

Team Sweden, the Group B winner, plays Team Europe in the other semifinal on Sunday (1 p.m. ET; ESPN, CBC, TVA Sports).

Team Russia had to win Thursday against already eliminated Team Finland (0-3-0, 0 points) in order to advance. Team North America (2-1-0), the other team in Group B, also had four points, but Team Russia won the tiebreaker because of its head-to-head 4-3 win on Monday.

Team Russia scored 3:42 into the second period when Tarasenko took a nifty pass from Ovechkin and tucked a shot past goaltender Tuukka Rask.

Tarasenko's goal came one minute after Team Finland was denied one by the post behind Bobrovsky after Mikael Granlund put a one-timer past him.

"We started off well and played [a] pretty good first period," Team Finland coach Lauri Marjamaki said. "We created so many good scoring chances, but we didn't score. After penalty killing [to start the] second period, we have a good scoring chance, for example, Granlund, but he only [hit the] post, and then [a] goal against.

"Everybody understands that if you score, you get so much energy and positive thinking in your team. But now, we didn't score."

PLAYER & PUCK TRACKING INSIGHTS from SAP
The fastest shot in the game came from Alex Ovechkin, who hit 99 mph, but missed the net

Telegin made it 2-0 at 5:01 of the second.

Ovechkin said the post hit by Team Finland may have been the turning point.

"Right after that, we score two goals right away," he said. "It kind of give us a breath, and we just play simple and don't give them nothing."

Malkin made it 3-0 at 3:39 of the third period.

As was the case throughout the tournament, Team Finland struggled to find offense. In three games, it scored one goal and it went its final 124:07 without scoring.

"In the last two games, against Sweden and Russia, we played good as a team and we battled hard, I think we did our best, we just couldn't get pucks in," Team Finland center Aleksander Barkov said. "It was great defending by the opposite team, but of course if you don't score you can't win the games, and I think it's the biggest thing in hockey. You have to score."

Goal of the game:

Tarasenko took a nifty pass from Ovechkin, who stickhandled past two players, and tucked a shot past Rask, who could not get across in time, for a 1-0 lead. Team Russia caught a break on the play when a clearing attempt hit Tarasenko and stayed inside the zone.

Save of the game:

Rask played well but faced a number of high-quality chances. One came at 18:54 of the second period, when the game was 2-0. Nikita Kucherov put a hard shot into Rask from the faceoff circle and the puck squeezed through his leg pads and started dribbling toward the goal line. Rask reached back with his stick and cleared the puck away before Kucherov could reach it. The puck went right to Kuznetsov, who slammed it off the right post and it skittered away.

Unsung moment of the game:

With the score 0-0 late in the first period, Russia was on the penalty kill after Ovechkin took a neutral-zone penalty at 17:23. Twice, Team Russia defensemen Alexei Emelin went to one knee to block slap shots from Patrik Laine to defuse scoring opportunities.

Highlight of the game:

Telegin showed impressive offensive skills on his goal, coming out of the corner to take a pass from Vadim Shipachev and then cutting across the goal mouth with a bit of patience before sliding a shot past Rask, who could not get to the far post.

They said it

"It's always nice to play against Canada. The whole world knows that the best players play here. They're always the favorite in every tournament. We have to accept the challenge. Show those guys what we've got." -- Team Russia forward Evgeny Kuznetsov

"Yeah, we just couldn't find the net. I think we created a lot of good chances, but it just didn't bounce this tournament for us. We just need to get the one ugly one, maybe, and we can get more goals. But it's a short tournament and sometimes you can't find the net." -- Team Finland forward Teuvo Teravainen

"I am proud of my team, but it is not so easy to come to this game and play like that, and dedication to our style of play was great. But if you didn't score, you can't win. That's the way. Of course it would be interesting to see the exact same [Team Finland], for example, in the Olympics in 2018. The future seems bright, nevertheless, for Team Finland." -- Team Finland coach Lauri Marjamaki

Need to know

Team Russia center Pavel Datsyuk did not play because of a lower-body injury sustained during practice Wednesday. His status for the semifinal is unknown. He was replaced by Vadim Shipachev, who had an assist. Defenseman Nikita Nesterov and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy were the other scratches for Team Russia. … Team Finland scratched forward Erik Haula, defenseman Esa Lindell and goalie Mikko Koskinen. … Team Finland forward Mikko Koivu injured his foot blocking a shot in the second period and missed some time before returning in the third. "I think he is OK," Marjamaki said.

What's next

Team Russia: A semifinal game against Team Canada at Air Canada Center on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN2, CBC, TVA Sports).

Team Finland: The tournament is finished for the team which lost three games by a combined score of 9-1.

via WCH2016.com.

Team USA loses finale to Team Czech Republic

TORONTO -- Team USA is leaving the World Cup of Hockey 2016 without a victory after losing to Team Czech Republic 4-3 in the final preliminary-round game at Air Canada Centre on Thursday.

"None of us with the U.S. team here from head to toe is happy with what's happened here," Team USA coach John Tortorella said. "But I thought our guys rallied together here a little bit, and that's what we talked about, as far as all the things going around the team and the organization of USA Hockey, let's just try to play a game for ourselves.

"We come up short, but I think some guys gave some really true efforts. We just didn't find a way to win the hockey game."

Joe Pavelski, Justin Abdelkader and Ryan McDonagh scored, and Ben Bishop made 16 saves on 20 shots for Team USA before being replaced to start the third period by Cory Schneider, who made seven saves.

"It's important any time you wear your jersey," Abdelkader said. "Putting on the USA sweater, there's a lot of pride in it. I think this [loss] kind of exemplified the way we played the tournament. We just had too many mistakes and they were magnified, teams took advantage of them. There are good players in this tournament, it's best on best, so they're going to make you pay."

'Milan Michalek scored twice and his brother Zbynek Michalek scored for Team Czech Republic. Andrej Sustr scored, and Petr Mrazek made 36 saves.

PLAYER & PUCK TRACKING INSIGHTS from SAP
The puck spent 46% in Team USA's offensive zone at even strength (5-on-5). The puck spent 36% in Team Czech Republic's offensive zone at even strength (5-on-5).

Milan Michalek said he believed it was the first time he and his brother scored in the same game for the same team.

"It's special to do it in the World Cup and with our parents here, it's nice," he said. "It's always special to play for the national team when we're playing together."

Team Czech Republic (1-2-0) and Team USA (0-3-0) finished third and fourth in Group A behind Team Canada (3-0-0) and Team Europe (2-1-0).

With the game tied 2-2 late in the second period, Team Czech Republic scored two goals in 39 seconds.

Sustr scored at 16:50 when his shot from the side found a hole between Bishop and the post. Michalek scored his second goal at 17:29 when Ales Hemsky set him up for a one-timer in the slot.

Team USA pulled within 4-3 at 2:22 of the third period on McDonagh's second goal of the tournament, fighting off Jakub Voracek to convert a feed from Blake Wheeler while shorthanded.

Team USA buzzed the Team Czech Republic zone for most of the remainder of the third period, including a power play with 2:11 to play, but could not tie the game.

Zbynek Michalek made it 1-0 at 12:44 of the first period on a point shot. Pavelski tied it 1-1 with a power-play goal at 14:28 off a setup from Zach Parise and Patrick Kane.

Milan Michalek got credit for Team Czech Republic's second goal when Team USA defenseman Ryan Suter swept a loose puck in the crease into his net at 6:03 of the second period. Abdelkader tied the game 2-2 at 14:13 of the second, one-timing a Dustin Byfuglien pass past Mrazek.

Goal of the game: 

Hemsky skated down the right wing and found Milan Michalek skating into the high slot with a perfect pass. Michalek put his shot in the top corner past Bishop's extended glove to score what turned out to be the game-winning goal.

Save of the game: 

At 5:06 of the third period, Kane corralled a puck off the end boards, spun on a Team Czech Republic defender, and shot toward an empty net. Mrazek got across from the other side of the crease and met the puck near the goal line with his pad, maintaining the 4-3 lead.

Unsung moment of the game: 

Team Czech Republic's penalty killers allowed two shots on Mrazek during a power play that began with 2:11 to go in the third period. Team USA pulled goaltender Cory Schneider for an extra attacker halfway through the power play, but Team Czech Republic did not allow it to score the tying goal.

Highlight of the game: 

Byfuglien skated down the left wing before stopping suddenly to shake a defender and create a passing lane. He immediately saw Abdelkader alone on the far side of the net and set him up for a one-timer that beat Mrazek and tied the game.

"It was a great pass," Abdelkader said. "[Byfuglien's] got great vision, he's played forward in [the NHL] a little bit, and you can see why, because when he gets in the rush he can make plays."

They said it

"If you look at [this win] from a hockey perspective in the Czech Republic, it has a huge meaning because you go out and prove to people there that you can play. Even though the talent on the team or the talent that we have in the NHL or all over the world in the leagues is not as deep as we used to have, you still can come out with a great effort. I think the biggest thing we can take out of this is how much passion and … heart that we put out tonight." -- Team Czech Republic assistant coach Vinny Prospal

Need to know

Each team scored more goals in this game than it did in its previous two games combined. Team USA and Team Czech Republic each scored two goals in its first two games. … Kane played 23:15, second only to defenseman John Carlson, and had a game-high seven shots on goal. Tortorella said he though Kane and Derek Stepan were Team USA's best players.

via WCH2016.com.

Team Canada defeats Team Europe to win Group A

TORONTO -- Team Canada completed its undefeated roll through the preliminary round of the World Cup of Hockey 2016 with a 4-1 win against Team Europe at Air Canada Centre on Wednesday.

Jonathan Toews scored twice and had an assist for Team Canada, which clinched first place in Group A by going 3-0-0 while outscoring its opponents 14-3.

"I think tonight we got a few bounces and a couple of goals went in, but I think we're all finding our game more and more as the tournament goes along," Toews said.

Next is a semifinal game against either Alex Ovechkin and Team Russia or Connor McDavid and Team North America on Saturday or Sunday.

"On the defensive side of things, we're going to have to make sure we're ready for whoever we face," Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby said. "We need to make sure we control the puck in their end. I think we know at this point that whoever we play, we'd better be ready to move our feet."

Marian Hossa scored and Jaroslav Halak made 43 saves for Team Europe, which finished second in Group A at 2-1-0 and will play Team Sweden, the Group B winner, in the semifinals.

"We came here and it was our goal to go to the semis," Team Europe defenseman Roman Josi said. "It's definitely great for the group. We're happy, and we, obviously, want more now."

Team Canada controlled play from the drop of the puck, outshooting Team Europe 17-4 in the first period and 46-20 in the game. Crosby scored first on a wraparound 4:01 into the period.

Toews capitalized on a Halak turnover by deflecting a Matt Duchene pass to make it 2-0 with 54.4 seconds left in the first. Hossa made it 2-1 with a shot from below the left circle that slipped past Corey Crawford, his Chicago Blackhawks teammate, on the short side and went in off the far post 4:38 into the second period.

Toews made it 3-1 when he scored from the left circle on a 2-on-1 with 5:12 remaining in the second. Logan Couture scored a 4-on-4 goal with 2:27 left in the third period.

Goal of the Game:

Crosby made it 1-0 by circling behind the net with the puck and beating Halak to the right post for his second goal of the tournament.

Save of the Game:

Halak kept Team Canada's lead at 1-0 with back-to-back saves on Brad Marchand with 1:10 remaining in the first period. After the puck bounced to Marchand at the right side of the crease, Halak slid over to make a left-pad stop on the initial shot and used his left arm to stop the rebound attempt.

Unsung Moment of the Game:

Team Europe forward Tobias Rieder moved in alone against Crawford 2:36 into the game and appeared to have the goaltender beaten when he pulled the puck to his backhand. But Team Canada defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic hit Rieder with his stick from behind, causing his shot to slide wide of the right post.

"I think I felt just a little whack that kind of messed everything up," Rieder said. "If that goes in, [the game] might take a different direction."

Highlight of the Game:

Toews made it 2-0 with help from Duchene. Halak played the puck behind the net and Duchene intercepted along the left-wing boards before throwing it in front to Toews for the redirection.

They Said It:

"I was pretty nervous before the game. Wearing the jersey, being on the ice with all those guys, it got me a little nervous. It's special. I always wanted to be a part of that. To play in the game was awesome." -- Team Canada goaltender Corey Crawford

"It's not one of those games where you ever leave feeling real great because you don't play like you're supposed to. But big win for our team. We're set up good. Don't have to move dressing rooms. Life is good, man." -- Team Canada coach Mike Babcock

"Everybody could see that they were a little better than us, at least tonight. They outshot us, outchanced us. Jaro played great for us, but it's really hard to beat this team. You never know what'll happen, but it's going to be really hard to beat this team." -- Team Europe right wing Marian Hossa

Need to Know:

Crosby (two goals, two assists), Toews (three goals, one assist) and Duchene (two goals, two assists) are tied for the Team Canada and tournament lead with four points. Team North America defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere also has four points (all assists). … Center Ryan O'Reilly was the only Team Canada skater to play in three preliminary-round games and not get a point. … Forward Mats Zuccarello leads Team Europe with three points (one goal, two assists).

PLAYER & PUCK TRACKING INSIGHTS from SAP
The puck was in Team Canada's offensive zone 47% of the time at even strength

What's Next:

Team Canada: Will play either Team Russia or Team North America in a semifinal on Saturday or Sunday. It will be Team Russia if it defeats Team Finland on Thursday. It will be Team North America if Team Finland wins that game.

Team Europe: Will play Team Sweden in a semifinal on Saturday or Sunday.

via WCH2016.com.

Team North America defeats Team Sweden in overtime

TORONTO -- Team North America inched closer to the semifinals of the World Cup of Hockey 2016 with a 4-3 overtime win against Team Sweden in the last preliminary round game for each team at Air Canada Centre on Wednesday.

Team Sweden won Group B and advanced into the semifinals because of the one point it earned with the overtime loss. It will play Team Europe, which finished second in Group A after losing to Team Canada 4-1 on Wednesday.

The other semifinal berth from Group B will go to Team North America or Team Russia.

It will be Team North America if Team Finland defeats Team Russia on Thursday. A win by Team Russia would put it in the semifinals and eliminate Team North America based on the head-to-head tiebreaker (Team Russia defeated Team North America 4-3 on Monday).

"We entertained, and we'd like a chance to continue that," Team North America coach Todd McLellan said. "But it's out of our control."

Nathan MacKinnon scored the game-winning goal at 4:11 of overtime. Auston Matthews, Vincent Trocheck and Johnny Gaudreau scored in the first period, and goalie John Gibson made 35 saves.

Team Sweden goalie Henrik Lundqvist made 45 saves, and Filip Forsberg, Nicklas Backstrom and Patrik Berglund scored. Berglund's goal at 6:50 of the third period tied the game 3-3.

"They won the game, but at the end of the day we won the group and that's what we're going to be happy about," Team Sweden defenseman Erik Karlsson said.

Team North America scored twice in the first 95 seconds and held a 9-1 advantage in shots on goal through the first 4:29.

Connor McDavid's rush through all five Team Sweden skaters 20 seconds into the game created the possession that led to Matthews' second goal of the tournament 10 seconds later, giving Team North America a 1-0 lead.

PLAYER & PUCK TRACKING INSIGHTS from SAP
Team North America forwards Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel achieved the top speed (24 mph) during the game.

Gaudreau was given a penalty shot 26 seconds later after getting hooked from behind on a breakaway by Karlsson; Gaudreau shot high and wide.

Trocheck scored at 1:35 to give Team North America a 2-0 lead.

Team Sweden made it 2-1 on Forsberg's shot from the right circle that hit off of Gibson as it went into the net at 8:24. Gaudreau responded with a breakaway goal at 13:57, and Backstrom answered for Team Sweden at 16:28 to make it 3-2.

"Obviously they caught us on our heels there pretty quick, and I think it was good for us to go down right away," Karlsson said. "We had to realize we had to play a better game in order to give ourselves a chance to win. We put ourselves in that position. We evolved our game more than they did throughout the 60 minutes and that's why we won the group."

Goal of the Game:

MacKinnon's game-winner was like a play you'd see at the end of a practice. He was alone in front of Lundqvist when he got the puck and made a series of quick stickhandling moves. Lundqvist swung out his stick to try to swipe the puck away from him but missed. MacKinnon dragged the puck to his backhand, Lundqvist's stick came out of his hands, and MacKinnon roofed it into the net.

Save of the Game:

Fifteen seconds before MacKinnon scored, Gibson came up with a game-saving stop on Daniel Sedin, who was sprung for what was essentially a red-line-in breakaway. Gibson stopped Sedin's attempt with his pad.

Unsung Moment of the Game:

Team North America kept the game tied 3-3 with McDavid in the penalty box for holding Anton Stralman at 15:34 of the third period. Team Sweden had three shots on goal during the power play, but Gibson stopped them all.

Highlight of the Game:

McDavid got the puck in the defensive zone on the first shift of the game and knifed up the middle of the ice. He blew past Team Sweden's three forwards and slipped between defensemen Stralman and Victor Hedman to generate a scoring chance that led to another five seconds later and a rebound goal for Matthews.

They Said It:

"Dave Tippett has coached probably more games than probably the rest of our staff put together, and we have coaches that have been around for a while, but we became fans. I was standing on the bench, 'No, no, no,' and then 'Go, go, go.' It was just going back and forth, the energy in the building and the passion with the fans, the players. I've seen a lot of excited players, but that bench was very excited. It was a lot of fun." -- Team North America coach Todd McLellan

"Wake the [bleep] up. Those first two minutes there, that was probably the most embarrassing part that I've ever been a part of on a team. They did it all. They had three breakaways, a penalty shot, a penalty called with them against us, two goals in the net. It gave us kind of a slap in the face, and I think that even though we didn't say those words to each other, it kind of made us say them to ourselves, look ourselves in the mirror realizing we need to wake up." -- Team Sweden defenseman Erik Karlsson

Need to Know:

Team North America goalie Matt Murray was scratched because of a sore right thumb. He started the previous two games. ... Lundqvist made 81 saves in two games on back-to-back days after missing the first game of the tournament because he was ill.

What's Next:

Team North America: Will advance to the semifinals if Team Finland defeats Team Russia on Thursday, and would play Team Canada, which won Group A.

Team Sweden: Will play Team Europe in the semifinals on Saturday or Sunday.

via WCH2016.com.

Team Canada defeats Team USA, secures semifinal berth

TORONTO -- Two games into the World Cup of Hockey 2016, Team Canada has clinched a spot in the semifinals and the competitive portion of Team USA's tournament is over.

Team Canada advanced to the final four by scoring four consecutive goals in a 4-2 win against Team USA at Air Canada Centre on Tuesday.

Matt Duchene scored twice, and Carey Price made 32 saves for Team Canada, which is 2-0-0 in Group A and can clinch first place with a win against Team Europe on Wednesday. Team Europe also is 2-0-0 and has clinched a semifinal berth.

"Our objective was to win [Tuesday]," Team Canada defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic said. "Now we're looking to [Wednesday]. We wanted to get in the semifinals. We did it. Now we want to finish first in our [group]."

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PLAYER & PUCK TRACKING INSIGHTS from SAP
During Team Canada's power plays, the puck was in their offensive zone 63% of the time; during Team USA's power plays, the puck was in their offensive zone 43% of the time

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Team USA is 0-2-0 and was eliminated from contention for the semifinals along with Team Czech Republic, which is 0-1-1. They close their World Cup against each other Thursday.

"It's disappointing, frustrating, all different types of emotions," Team USA coach John Tortorella said. "I think we let some people down. It's on my watch. I certainly feel responsible for that. It's really disappointing."

After Team USA defenseman Ryan McDonagh scored 4:22 into the first period for a 1-0 lead, Duchene scored 1:29 later to tie it 1-1. Corey Perry gave Team Canada a 2-1 lead 14 seconds after that when the rebound of Logan Couture's right-circle shot went into the net off Perry's pants.

Duchene then converted on a defensive-zone turnover by Team USA and beat Jonathan Quick between the pads to make it 3-1 at 12:07.

"The first couple of minutes we were tentative, we weren't playing the Canadian way and moving the puck," Perry said. "They capitalized and they got a goal and I think that kind of got us into the game and got us going."

Patrice Bergeron was credited with the goal that extended Team Canada's lead to 4-1 at 8:50 of the second period when John Tavares' centering feed hit his skate before it deflected into the net off McDonagh's right skate.

T.J. Oshie scored for Team USA with 2:32 remaining in the third period.

Goal of the Game:

After Duchene tied the game at 1-1 at 5:51 of the first period, Perry scored 14 seconds later to put Team Canada ahead. Quick made a blocker save on Couture's shot from the right circle but left a rebound in front that carried into the net off Perry's pants. Team USA challenged for goaltender interference, but video review confirmed it was a good goal.

"I thought it was a good goal all the way from the start," Perry said. "I'll take it going to the net."

Save of the Game:

With Team Canada leading 3-1 and 6:13 remaining in the first period, Team USA forward Joe Pavelski swatted at a bouncing puck in the slot and Price moved to his right to get a piece of it with his right shoulder.

Unsung Moment of the Game:

Vlasic intentionally shot wide left from the left point and the carom off the end boards led to Duchene's first goal. The puck bounced to Duchene at the right side of the net and he knocked it in from there to tie the game 1-1.

"I'm a good pool player, so maybe that helped," Vlasic said. "I saw Joe [Thornton] on one side of the net and saw Duchene on the other side, so I just had to send it behind the net and it worked out."

Highlight of the Game:

Tavares turned around Team USA defenseman Matt Niskanen to set up Bergeron's goal. Tavares faked to the outside before cutting inside Niskanen in the left circle and throwing the puck in front to Bergeron. "It was a great job by [Bergeron] going to the net," Tavares said. "I'm glad he went there because if he didn't it wouldn't have gone in."

They Said It:

"It means a lot. We had a chance to knock them out of the tourney [Tuesday] and they were obviously one of the favorites coming in. We had an opportunity, we took it, and we needed to." -- Team Canada forward Matt Duchene

"It's very disappointing. Definitely not the way we envisioned it. It happens so quick in this tournament. We found ourselves chasing right away with [a 3-0 loss to Team Europe on Saturday] and put ourselves in a tough spot here against this team." -- Team USA defenseman Ryan McDonagh

Need to Know:

McDonagh's goal ended Price's shutout streak in international play at 228:41. That dated to Canada's quarterfinal against Latvia at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. … Team USA made two lineup changes, inserting defenseman Dustin Byfuglien for Jack Johnson and forward Kyle Palmieri for Brandon Dubinsky. … Team Canada coach Mike Babcock said goalie Corey Crawford will start against Team Europe. … The winner of the game between Team Canada and Team Europe will play the second-place team from Group B in the semifinals. The loser will play the team that wins Group B.

What's Next:

Team USA: Plays its final game of the World Cup against Team Czech Republic on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN2, SN, TVA Sports).

Team Canada: A game against Team Europe to decide first place in Group A on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN2, SN, TVA Sports).

via wch2016.com.

Team Russia holds off Team North America

TORONTO -- Team Russia's offense woke up in a big way, scoring four goals in a span of 6:14 in the second period and held off a late charge from Team North America to win the Group B showdown 4-3 at the World Cup of Hockey 2016 at Air Canada Centre on Monday.

Following a 2-1 loss to Team Sweden on Sunday, Team Russia captain Alex Ovechkin knew he and his teammates were playing for their tournament lives.

And they responded.

"Obviously we knew we can't lose the game," Ovechkin said. "If we lose the game we're obviously out of the tournament. Back-to-back, I think we played a solid second [period] and our penalty-kill guys, [Ivan] Telegin, blocked the shots, [Sergei] Bobrovsky.

"You can see everybody sacrificing, and we get the result."

Team Russia (1-1-0) got goals from Vladislav Namestnikov, Nikita Kucherov, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Vladimir Tarasenko. Bobrovsky made 43 saves.

"We did it," Kuznetsov said. "We won the game. We feel like a family."

Auston Matthews, Morgan Rielly and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored for Team North America (1-1-0). Goaltender Matt Murray was pulled at 15:43 of the second period after allowing four goals on 19 shots.

Murray said he jammed his thumb midway through the second period, but added the injury did not impact his ability to play. Instead, he blamed the Team Russia flurry of goals on his team loosening up the game.

"We just gave them way too much space," Murray said. "I thought we might have sat back a little bit. When you sit back against a team like that, they're going to come at you 100 miles per hour and it's not easy to defend. We just gave them way too much space, and you can't with that lineup. You just can't."

Team North America captain Connor McDavid agreed with his goaltender.

"I think for the most part, we didn't want to turn it into a track meet and we did that for about 10 minutes and it cost us the game probably," he said. "I thought we played a very good game and we were all over them for the third period and most of the first. As soon as we opened it up and allowed them to use their speed, that's where you saw them kind of take over the game."

Team North America picked up where it left off in its 4-1 tournament-opening win against Team Finland, coming at Team Russia in waves and backing its defenders off with speed early in the game.

It paid dividends at 5:14 of the first period when Matthews, a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, scored his first goal at Air Canada Centre one night after getting his first point in his future home rink.

The second period was a different story.

After scoring one goal in its first 89:29 of the tournament, Team Russia unleashed a flurry of four goals in six minutes to take a 4-1 lead.

Namestnikov got it started at 9:29, putting a rebound off the post, off Murray's right skate and into the net, followed by Kucherov's goal at 10:19 that gave Team Russia a 2-1 lead.

Kuznetsov made it 3-1 at 13:37, making a nifty move to his forehand on Rielly, and Tarasenko made it 4-1 at 15:43 on a turnaround wrist shot past a Datsyuk screen to chase Murray from the game.

Rielly got the comeback going for Team North America at 17:56 of the second, beating Bobrovsky with a wrist shot inside the far post. Nugent-Hopkins cut the Team Russia lead to 4-3 at 4:01 of the third, but Team North America would get no closer.

Team North America had a 5-on-3 power play chance for 1:34 midway through the third and had a 6-on-4 power play in the final minute, but could not tie the game.

PLAYER & PUCK TRACKING INSIGHTS from SAP
Team North America defenseman Colton Parayko had the hardest shot (99 mph) of the game, but missed the net.

Goal of the game: 

Just after the five-minute mark of the first period, McDavid raced down the wing with the puck, shedding Datsyuk on the boards along the way, and setting up Matthews with a tap-in goal.

Save of the game

Moments after Team Russia squandered back-to-back power-play opportunities without generating a shot on goal, McDavid had a chance to put Team North America up 2-0 at 5:23 of the second period when he broke in alone and deked backhand to forehand, but was denied by Bobrovsky's right pad.

"We were desperate tonight," Bobrovsky said, "so every moment, every shot, I was focused and that was the most important shot of my life."

Unsung moment of the game: 

Clinging to a 4-3 lead with less than nine minutes left, Team Russia forwards Artemi Panarin and Artem Anisimov took penalties 26 seconds apart. Team North America coach Todd McLellan sent out McDavid, Matthews, Mark Scheifele, Jack Eichel and Shayne Gostisbehere to try and get the tying goal. After buzzing around the zone for a minute, Matthews drove the puck hard to the net and created a scramble in the crease. With the puck loose and Bobrovsky out of position, Team Russia defenseman Nikita Zaitsev found it and swept the puck down the ice, ending the threat.

"That 5-on-3 late in the game, that's when we need to be able to do something," McDavid said. "We definitely let the team down there."

Highlight of the game: 

At 13:37 of the second period, Kuznetsov carried the puck down the right wing, slipped it under Rielly's stick and sent a quick wrist shot that appeared to surprise Murray to make it 3-1 for Team Russia. But then, Kuznetsov skated along the boards while flapping his arms in the air like a bird, making for a very unique goal celebration. Kuznetsov said he was inspired by playing video games.

They said it

"We have to figure out the symptoms of what caused the letdown in the second period. We looked unsure out there for the first time as a team." - Team North America coach Todd McLellan

"We were desperate, so the guys made huge blocked shots, the defensemen, the forwards. We were as one fist and it was fun to watch and fun to play shoulder to shoulder to shoulder." - Bobrovsky on the third period

Need to know: 

Team North America forward Dylan Larkin did not play a shift after Tarasenko's goal at 15:43 of the second period. Forward Jonathan Drouin and defenseman Ryan Murray each played three shifts in the third. … Team Russia's power play went 0-for-4 and is 0-for-6 in the tournament, generating five shots on goal on those six power plays. Team North America, on the other hand, went 1-for-7 on the power play Monday and generated a staggering 20 shots on goal. … Every Team North America player had at least one shot on goal except Drouin and Vincent Trocheck. Rielly led the team with seven.

What's Next? 

Team Russia: Plays Team Finland in the final preliminary round game for each team on Thursday (3 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVA Sports).

Team North America: Plays Team Sweden in the final preliminary round game for each team on Wednesday (3 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVA Sports).

via WCH2016.com.

Team Sweden edges Team Russia in opener

TORONTO -- Team Sweden survived a late comeback attempt from Team Russia and came out on the positive side of a controversial video review for a 2-1 win in the World Cup of Hockey 2016 preliminary round opener for both teams at Air Canada Centre on Sunday. 

Team Russia forward Alex Ovechkin thought he had the game-tying goal with 8.2 seconds remaining in the third period, but the officials ruled it no goal because he batted the puck into the net with his hand. Video review confirmed the call on the ice. 

"I thought I touched it," Ovechkin said. "To be honest with you I didn't see the replay, but I [felt] the touch. I don't know if it was the puck or the stick. I definitely [felt] the touch on my hand on my stick. It doesn't matter right now. It's over, so we have to forget about it and move forward."

Ovechkin scored on a wrist shot through traffic with 33 seconds remaining in the third period to slice the deficit to 2-1.

Team Sweden goalie Jacob Markstrom started in place of Henrik Lundqvist, who was a late scratch because of an illness. Markstrom made 27 saves and got goals from forward Gabriel Landeskog and defenseman Victor Hedman, who scored 2:11 apart in the second period.

The win ended Team Sweden's 12-year drought against Team Russia in major international tournaments and gave it the early lead in the Group B standings.

Team Sweden hadn't defeated Team Russia in an Olympics, IIHF World Championship or World Cup of Hockey game since the 2004 World Championship. It had lost 12 consecutive games in major international tournaments, including 11 in the World Championships.

PLAYER & PUCK TRACKING INSIGHTS from SAP
Team Russia had the players with the three hardest shots in the game: defensemen Dmitry Orlov and Andrei Markov (95 mph) and forward Alex Ovechkin (94 mph).

Landeskog got on the board first for Team Sweden with a power-play goal off a one-timer from the top of the right circle at 10:41, four seconds into the man-advantage. Right wing Patric Hornqvist was in front of the net, screening Team Russia goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (27 saves).

Hedman scored what turned into the game-winning goal on a one-timer from between the hash marks off of a feed from left wing Carl Hagelin to give Team Sweden a 2-0 lead at 12:52.

Markstrom turned aside eight of nine shots in the third period with Team Russia pressing for the comeback. His best and most important save came with his left pad on Evgeni Malkin's deflection of Ovechkin's shot with more than seven minutes remaining.

Goal of the game:

Precision on the power play led to Team Sweden taking a 1-0 lead. Center Nicklas Backstrom won the faceoff in the left circle back to defenseman Erik Karlsson, who quickly moved it across to Landeskog for a one-timer from the right circle that rang into the net off of the inside of the left post. Hornqvist was in front screening Bobrovsky.

Save of the game:

At the time it looked like a nice save in what was going to be a shutout win, but Markstrom's stop on Malkin's deflection of Ovechkin's shot with 7:23 remaining in the third proved to be a valuable save. Had he not made the save with his left pad, the outcome could have been significantly different for Team Sweden.

Unsung moment of the game:

Patience at the point closest to Team Sweden's bench from center Henrik Sedin created the opportunity for Hedman to score the game-winning goal. As the puck approached him, Sedin waited to touch it, allowing Team Sweden the chance to complete a line change. Had he touched the puck too soon, it would have been a too many men on the ice penalty. He waited until it was legal and passed it down to Hagelin on the wall. Hedman, who came on the ice in the line change, came streaking down the middle and Hagelin found him, setting up the one-timer from between the hash marks that beat Bobrovsky on the glove side.

Highlight of the game:

Ovechkin thought he had the game-tying goal with 8.2 seconds left in the third period. He didn't. It was called a no goal on the ice because the officials ruled that Ovechkin batted the puck into the net with his hand, a violation of Rule 67.6, which states, "A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who bats or directs the puck with his hand into the net." Video review confirmed the call on the ice.

They said it:

"Look at [Team Russia's] lineup, four even lines and all can skate and move the puck, so for us it's all about being physical and being close to them, eliminate them from the puck as much as we could. That was the game plan going in. Skate with them and try and create turnovers. … It feels good to be off to a good start." -- Hedman

"The practices and the little game time that [Markstrom] has gotten I think he's shown everybody that he's ready to step in if something happens. We have a lot of confidence in him. The way he holds himself, even though he wasn't supposed to be the starter, is good so when the news came it didn't really shock anyone. … Marky was ready to go and I think he showed that from the puck drop until the whistle at the end. I think he was our best player out there." -- Karlsson

Need to know:

Ovechkin played nine shifts totaling 6:36 in the third period after playing six shifts totaling 4:47 in the second period. He finished the game with 16:25 of ice time, fourth among Team Russia forwards behind Evgeni Malkin (19:42), Nikolay Kulemin (17:51) and Pavel Datsyuk (17:19). ... Hedman led all players in ice time with 22:54. ... Backstrom won seven of his 21 faceoffs. ... Team Russia had a 33-30 edge in faceoffs.

What's Next?

Team Sweden: Plays Team Finland in the second preliminary round game for each team on Tuesday (3 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVA Sports).

Team Russia: Plays Team North America in the second preliminary round game for each team on Monday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN2, SN, TVA Sports).

via WCH2016.com.

Team North America easily defeats Team Finland

TORONTO -- Team North America began the World Cup of Hockey 2016 by making an emphatic statement.

Forwards Jack Eichel, Johnny Gaudreau, Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin scored in a dominant 4-1 win against Team Finland in the preliminary-round opener for each team at Air Canada Centre on Sunday.

The team of players 23 and under from Canada and the United States was playing its first competitive game and put on a show, taking over in the second period with three goals and dominating Team Finland with wave after wave of speed and skill.

"We're here to play," Gaudreau said. "Hopefully teams don't take us lightly. I think we're a fast, speed, skilled team and hopefully we can keep proving people we belong here."

Team North America outshot Team Finland 18-6 in the second period, and goaltender Matt Murray was hardly tested over the 20 minutes because his teammates kept the puck in the Team Finland zone for entire shifts at a time.

"The second period was a cold shower for us," Team Finland coach Lauri Marjamaki said. "They got better, they won every battle, they skate hard. They are so impressive."

Marjamaki said goaltender Pekka Rinne, who made 39 saves, was the best player for Team Finland.

Murray's shutout was lost when Valtteri Filppula scored for Team Finland at 15:53 of the third period.

"I think it's just about winning the game," said Murray, who made 24 saves. "It [stinks] in this tournament because I know goals against is a tiebreaker at some point, so, yeah, it hurts a little bit, but we won and that's what matters. I think we played the way we needed to tonight. We were on the puck quick and moving the puck fast and shooting the puck a lot, which I think is key."

Eight of Team North America's 12 forwards had a point in the game and defenseman Colton Parayko was the only player with two points, assisting on the goals by Gaudreau and MacKinnon.

Auston Matthews, the No 1 pick at the 2016 NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, assisted on Eichel's power-play goal at 5:03 of the first period on his third shift in his first game at his future home rink.

"It's a pretty good feeling to go out there and contribute," Matthews said. "All four lines really brought something tonight. We definitely put them on their heels."

Team Finland kept pace in the opening period before Team North America pulled away in the second, starting with a goal by Gaudreau at 5:27. Drouin made it 3-0 at 7:27 of the second period, using a toe drag to get around defenseman Ville Pokka and put a dangerous shot on goal before scoring on his own rebound.

MacKinnon completed the scoring at 14:37 of the second, corralling a rebound of a Parayko shot and deking around Rinne to score.

Goal of the game:

With Team North America on the power play, Matthews beat Team Finland defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen along the left wing boards and put a rising shot on goal that Rinne couldn't handle, leaving a rebound that Eichel put behind him at 5:03 of the first period, giving Matthews a point in his first game at Air Canada Centre. "Power-play breakouts is something we've worked on and [Connor McDavid] made a great kick out and [Matthews] was able to escape a check on the wall and drive the net," Eichel said. "That's a great play by him."

Save of the game:

Just before the midpoint of the first period, Team North America center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins got the puck to the right of the Team Finland net, put a saucer pass through the legs of Filppula and right on the tape of Drouin. But Drouin's shot was met by a sliding Ristolainen, who got across before Rinne and prevented a goal.

Unsung moment of the game:

With defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere in the penalty box, Team North America had to withstand a Team Finland power play at 1:37 of the first period. Murray made a great save on Filppula and on Miikko Koivu on the rebound, maintaining the scoreless tie. Eichel scored less than two minutes later to give Team North America a 1-0 lead. "I think that's a big point in the game," Murray said. "I think if they score on that, obviously they have the momentum and maybe it's a different game. I thought the penalty kill did a great job and kept them to the outside for the most part. I think that kill was huge."

PLAYER & PUCK TRACKING INSIGHTS from SAP
Team Finland defenseman Olli Maatta achieved the fastest speed (29 mph) and traveled the most aggregate distance (5,816 meters/3.61 miles) Sunday against Team North America.


Highlight of the game:

Team Finland made a poor clearing attempt in their defensive zone that was intercepted by Parayko, who put the puck down and shot it from the point. The shot looked to be going wide, but Gaudreau, who was in front of the net, jumped and spun in the air while tipping the puck on his backhand behind Rinne at 5:27 of the second period.

They said it

"We started to realize what was going to work against them and how they were playing. That's what made us successful. We stuck to our game plan, kept the puck away from Rinne, put it behind their defensemen and used our speed. That's how we're going to have success in this tournament." - Eichel

"I was impressed by that team, they really took it to us and showed their individual skill, but also as a team they were extremely dangerous. I'm not going to take anything away from them, but I thought that we weren't ready to go tonight. We made too many mistakes, we weren't skating and that was the result." - Rinne

Need to know

Team North America coach Todd McLellan ran a very balanced bench, with no forward playing fewer than 12:12 of ice time (Brandon Saad), and no one higher than 16:04 (Nugent-Hopkins). ... Matthews and Dylan Larkin of Team North America each had a game-high five shots on goal. ... Team Finland forward Jori Lehtera played a team low 8:44.

What's Next?

Team North America: Plays Team Russia in the second preliminary round game for each team on Monday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN2, SN, TVA Sports).

Team Finland: Plays Team Sweden in the second preliminary round game for each team on Tuesday (3 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVA Sports).

via WCH2016.com.