Team Europe shocks Team USA in World Cup opener

Two days ago Team Europe coach Ralph Krueger said, “Everybody here in this room should expect the unexpected.” Even he couldn’t fathom how true his words would be.

It started with the pregame announcement from Team USA that coach John Tortorella was healthy scratching Dustin Byfuglien. Sitting Big Buf raised some eyebrows. While playing at forward, he logged heavy minutes the first two games of the exhibition before seeing his icetime cut nearly in half in the third.

When the puck finally dropped on the first World Cup of Hockey in 12 years, the United States looked listless and out of sorts compared to Team Europe. Pretty amazing considering the Europeans have come together as a group over a week ago.

Less than five minutes into the game, Team Europe took the early lead.

Ryan McDonaugh was caught pinching as Mats Zuccarello poked the puck up to Frans Nielsen. With Marian Gaborik flying up the wing, Nielsen times his pass perfectly, and Gaborik beats Jonathan Quick.

Holding the lead, Team Europe took a step back and allowed the United States to implode on themselves. Leading after one period of play, it appeared to be a sound strategy.

Team USA coach John Tortorella put his lines in a blender to start the second period. To counter, Team Europe put forth a little more pressure with Marian Gaborik getting the first shot of the period just 25 seconds in.

Shortly thereafter, it looked like Anze Kopitar had a surefire goal on his stick on yet another two-on-one given up by the US. It was Matt Niskanen to the rescue to sweep the puck away from Team Europe’s captain.

Patrick Kane was skating circles around the European players before it all went to crap.

While winding himself around, the puck is poked off his stick by Tobias Reider. Nino Niederreiter streaks up the ice with Leon Draisaitl for a two-on-ohno. Jonathan Quick didn’t have a chance as Draisaitl connects for a 2-0 lead.

Team USA was gifted their first power play opportunity by virtue of a too many men on the ice call.

The Americans had some decent chances, but where unable to get totally set up.

Thy finally broke through with one second left on the power play when the puck appears to deflect in off James van Riemsdyk and Derek Stepan before going behind Jaroslav Halak. The play was immediately reviewed by the World Cup situation room.

The goal was overturned on replay. Per the Situation Room:

At 14:10 of the second period in the Team USA/Team Europe game, video review determined that James van Riemsdyk deliberately directed the puck into the Team Europe net with his body. According to Rule 78.5 (i) “Apparent goals shall be disallowed when the puck has been directed, batted or thrown into the net by an attacking player other than with a stick.”

The fact that the puck deflected off of Derek Stepan has no bearing on the ruling. According to Rule 67.6 “A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who bats or directs the puck and it is deflected into the net off any player, goalkeeper or official.” No goal Team USA.

It just got worse from there for Team USA. 13 seconds after their second power play ends, Pierre Edouard Bellemare makes it 3-0 for Team Europe.

Some contend that the play was offsides, but the US didn’t challenge it. Play went on with the US ending the second in a deep hole.

Team USA had more jump in their step in the third, outshooting Europe 17-7 in the final frame.

Don’t let the score be a dictator of Jonathan Quick’s performance for the US. He had little to no help on defense. Quick did what he could in the third to keep the US in it.

Only one problem. Quick played well, but Jaroslav Halak was even better for Team Europe. He faced back-to-back power plays down the stretch and came up big to pitch the 3-0 shutout.

Assuming Team Canada beats the Czech Republic on Saturday evening, the Americans face a must win game against their bitter rivals if they have any hope of staying alive in the tournament.

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Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @MsJenNeale_PD.