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The World Cup of Hockey has finally started its official matchups, and Team USA and Europe had the distinct privilege of being the ones to open the tournament. Things didn’t go exactly as planned for the United States however, with the squad falling losing in a 3-0 shutout despite lofty expectations and a relatively easy opponent.

While Team USA tried to play a hard hitting, gritty game to take control of the action, Europe’s patience and playmaking paid off, taking away space from the Americans and setting up multiple odd-man situations. This provided something of an upset for the Europeans, and gives Team USA an uphill battle going forward as they look ahead to Canada and the Czech Republic.

Europe 1 USA 0

 This was a nice play for Team Europe that was fairly representative of their offensive strategy as a whole during the game. Mats Zuccarello makes a shift play along the boards in the neutral zone to spring a 2 on 1, which ex-Ranger Marian Gaborik taps in to give his team an early lead. Not a good look for the Americans just over 4 minutes into the game.

Europe 2 USA 0

 This one had me flabbergasted. Patrick Kane makes a turnover at his own blueline, allowing a 2 on 0 through neutral ice and into the United States’ zone, and after a little back and forth Leon Draisatl makes a nice move and finishes the goal. Simply outrageous.

Europe 3 USA 0

 This one was something of a fluke, but certainly didn’t help the Americans’ cause as they hoped to foment a late comeback. After a lost battle along the boards, the puck is kicked out to Roman Josi, who lets a shot fly towards the net. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare finds himself in the right place at the right time and tips it ever so slightly to put it past Quick and into the net.

Overall it was a disappointing game as an American, but not a surprising one. This team was built to play a style of hockey that privileges the kind of scrappy plays guys like David Backes excel at over the slick skill that someone like Patrick Kane provides. While there were certain individual performances worth noting, such as Ryan McDonagh’s prolific offensive production from the blueline, this team as a whole lacked the ability to set up high quality scoring chances, make clean zone exits, and carry the puck through the neutral zone. It’s hard not to take issue with a brain trust that leaves out guys like Bobby Ryan, Tyler Johnson, Kyle Okposo, Phil Kessel, Kevin Shattenkirk, Justin Faulk, and Keith Yandle, in addition to leaving Dustin Byfuglien and Cory Schneider up in the press box. What this team desperately needs is the kind of talent that those guys bring: speed, hands, and the ability to move the puck from one end of the ice to the other with ease. This team struggled at that today, and it’s easy to see why. Hopefully the US can pull off a miracle upset against Canada, but if they play the way they did on Saturday afternoon, things might start looking like it’ll be an early exit for Team USA.

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