So what happens when you build a team to counter Team Canada and another team counters you? The game can get away from you really quickly and you leave too much to chance.
Team Europe knew what was coming. They knew exactly what was coming. Talking to the European players after this game it was obvious Coach Krueger has managed to bring together this group of disjointed players. They knew Team USA would be aggressive and they knew Team USA would bring the play to them. They also knew that they had the skilled players and they knew their chances would come if they were patient...
Team USA may have outshot Team Europe 35 to 17, but if you look at quality scoring chances Team Europe had the better opportunities. Team USA lacked any spark in their game. They lacked any emotion and it took until the last 7 minutes or so for them to even drive the net or show some desire after the whistle.
This was the exact opposite of the team we saw play Canada last weekend. This American team was neither desperate or structured.
Were they looking ahead to Team Canada? Did they use up their emotion against Canada in the pre-season?
The choice to not play Dustin Byfuglien didn’t help either. Say what you want about him, but you need Buff’s emotion and his ability to join the rush from the defensive end. He ISN’T a forward. You didn’t bring him in to this to be a forward. There are better forwards out there...
He ISN’T a rock defensively either. But he is a game changer. And this afternoon there was no one who was willing to change the game for USA. We also learned something else about the make up of this group.
This is VERY good team when playing with the lead or when the game is tied. They have four lines of forwards who are responsible in their own end and win battles. BUT the problem is sometimes you aren’t playing with the lead or tied. Sometimes you are trailing and need offensive minded players and snipers. Team USA is lacking in guys who can bring a team back. Some of the American hockey players who do this the best were not invited to this tournament...and some others are playing for Team North America.
This tournament isn’t over by a longshot for Team USA. They will have to beat Canada on Tuesday night...true...but they know they can beat Canada.
We have only played one game of 19 and we already have an “upset.… However, whether or not this was really an upset is very debatable. As night falls on Toronto one crowd files out and another files in...Team Canada and the Czechs are about to continue the fun. Will the Czech’s find inspiration from Europe? Could another upset be possible?
Here we go...