Team USA's offense fails to ignite in opening World Cup loss to Europe

ByPIERRE LEBRUN
September 18, 2016, 6:41 PM

— -- TORONTO -- Team USA came out flat and then fell flat on its face in a dismal 3-0 loss to Europe to open the World Cup of Hockey on Saturday.

For those who didn't quite buy the narrative that any team in this tight field can beat anyone, perhaps it was hammered home right out of the gates as Europe was full value for its victory in front of an Air Canada Centre crowd that was about two-thirds full.

Europe didn't generate a ton of chances or that many shots on goal but produced Grade-A quality opportunities when it counted.? Marian Gaborik opened the scoring by finishing off a 2-on-1 break in the opening period, and Leon Draisaitl scored on a 2-on-0 break in the second period -- I repeat, a 2-on-0 break -- a goal that might get replayed over and over again unless Team USA rebounds from this ugly loss.

The fact is the Americans have left themselves almost zero wiggle room now. They need to beat host Team Canada on Tuesday night or else their semifinal aspirations are almost cooked. Their only bet after a loss to Canada would be for the host team to go 3-0 while the U.S., Europe and the Czech Republic all go 1-2 in the round-robin, and then it comes down to a tiebreaker for second place.

There were glimpses Saturday of what Team USA wants, but not many.

Down 2-0 in the second period, Team USA finally started to get results from its forecheck and produced more offensive-zone time, and for a moment it appeared James van Riemsdyk had cut the lead to 2-1. But video review concluded he intentionally redirected the puck in. Another shot to the gut for Team USA.

The back-breaker came when Pierre-Edouard Bellemare deftly redirected a shot behind Jonathan Quick to make 3-0 with 1:28 left in the second period. Game, set, match.

Europe goalie Jaroslav Halak barely broke a sweat, seeing the puck way too clearly ?because the U.S. failed to create enough traffic in front of him.

And perhaps that's the most troubling part of it all: A U.S. squad assembled with the idea of having a little more grit and sandpaper -- and not just skill -- was supposed to make life harder for opposing teams with the way it retrieved pucks and created a net presence. We saw very little of that in the opener.

Being shut out by Europe, of course, will just ignite the critics who lamented the decision not to name offensive players Phil Kessel, Tyler Johnson or Kevin Shattenkirk to the roster. Not to mention head coach John Tortorella's decision to scratch offensive-minded defenseman Dustin Byfuglien from this game.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has now been shut out three consecutive games in best-on-best hockey going back to the semifinal and bronze-medal losses at the Sochi Olympics.

THREE STARS

1. Frans Nielsen, C, Europe. His line with Marian Gaborik and Mats Zucarello was outstanding, giving Team USA fits with its speed and creativity. The Detroit Red Wings were smart to sign Nielsen in July -- he's going to be valued there for his consistent, two-way game.

2. Roman Josi, D, Europe. On the ice for the opening three goals,?the smooth-skating blue-liner was superb in his decision-making with the puck all game long -- just like he is with the Nashville Predators.

3. Jaroslav Halak, G, Europe. Well, he wasn't overly worked but made the saves when he had to in the upset win.