Kopitar, Gaborik Beat Quick, Team USA 3-0

By Jeff Duarte
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Updated: September 18, 2016

I felt bad for Jonathan Quick. It was like the 2 time Stanley Cup Champion of the Los Angeles Kings was out there playing with a bunch of teammates that was too tired to play road hockey, let alone the first official “best on best” game of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. The Americans disappointedly came out flat and lifeless, leaving Quick high and dry and to fend for himself, while Team Europe, led by their (and LA Kings’) Captain Anze Kopitar, shocked everyone and pulled off a 3-0 upset over Team USA.

The first two goals by Team Europe were due to defensive gaffs by the Americans. Fellow LA King Marian Gaborik opened the scoring on a two on one, after US defenseman Ryan McDonagh was caught pinching. Quick had no chance.

Things only got worse later when Leon Draisaitl scored on a tic-tac-toe, two on zero, after a terrible giveaway by reigning NHL MVP Patrick Kane. This was ugly.

https://youtu.be/3aFlcfvGHW0

Kane had this to say about his mistake,

“You saw on a couple of our mistakes, turnovers, pinching, giving them odd-man breaks [that]they were able to capitalize. On that second goal, I’ll definitely take the fault on that one. That’s a play that I’ve made a million times in my career. Just kind of lost the puck and the next thing you know they go down 2 on 0. That’s unacceptable from me.”

The third goal was by Pierre-Edouard Bellemare off of a deflection. That made it 3-0 for Team Europe after only 9 shots. I can honestly say that none of those three goals were Quick’s fault. Those of you that play the position of goalie will know what I’m talking about. A little defensive help would go a long way. Besides that, Quick made some fine saves, keeping Team USA in the game. Sadly, they never got into that game.

Eyebrows were raised when it was announced that US head coach John Tortorella had scratched defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, (who had a season of 19 goals, 34 assists and 53 points for the Winnipeg Jets). In a game where Team USA showed a lack of physicality, (which was supposed to be their biggest strength), and ended up with 0 goals, it was odd that “Torts” had decided to leave the physically bruising and high scoring (and Stanley Cup winning) Byfulien on the bench. Then again, I’m still scratching my head at US general manager (and LA Kings’ GM) Dean Lombardi for leaving out Phil Kessel and Nick Bonino, (two-thirds of the powerful “HBK” line that helped Pittsburgh win the Stanley Cup last June), as well as talented scorers Kyle Okposo of the Buffalo Sabres and Tyler Johnson of Tampa Bay, as well as stud defenseman Keven Shattenkirk of the Blues. Lombardi’s intent was to build a crash and bang, grinding type of team, inspired by the 1996 World Cup of Hockey winning Team USA. By the looks of this game, this 2016 team is no where NEAR the combination of power and talent that the 1996 team did. Side by side, they are like night and day.

Still, the Americans did control the pace of the game with puck possession, out shot the Europeans heavily and also dominated in the face-off circle. They just couldn’t score. Or could they? Controversy did strike when it seemed that James Van Riensdyk, (who was cheered by local Toronto crowd due to him playing for the Maple Leafs), had scored for the USA, only to have to goal reviewed and then called back as a “No Goal” due to “JVR” seemingly directing the puck into the net with his chest. From my vantage point, it seemed to have been a “Good Goal,” and when I finally saw the video reply on the jumbotron, it seemed that US forward Derek Stepan had actually scored the goal instead when the puck accidentally hit his helmet before going into the net, but the video reply judge’s didn’t agree. This goal could have motivated Team USA back into the game but instead, they just deflated more.

Props and respect have to be given to Team Europe, who played a solid defensive game, along with crisp passing plays and creative decision-making. Slovakian goalie Jaroslav Halek was solid, making all 35 saves for the shutout and playing like he was back with the Montreal Canadiens in 2010. Halek was rightfully announced as the number one star in the game, while Kings’ “Gabbo” and “Kopi” were the second and third stars, (LA Kings’ hockey baby!)

(Doesn’t “Kopi” look amazing with the “C”? I can’t wait to see what it looks like on him with a Kings’ jersey!)

Leon Draisaitl and the Captain had this to say about Team Europe’s victory,

“From the outside, we got stamped up as the underdog here. I think we all understand that, but at the same time, we have some really good players on our team as well. A lot of experience. A big win for us.”

“Tonight we proved that we can play against a big team like USA.” – #TeamEUR captain @AnzeKopitar #WCH2016 pic.twitter.com/m8oCdsEVNe

— Team Europe (@TeamEUR_WCH) September 17, 2016

Kopitar, Gaborik and Team Europe next play against the Czech Republic on Monday at noon pacific time, 3 p, eastern, while Team USA now find themselves in a do or die situation against Team Canada on Tuesday night at 5 pm pacific. They need to win now at all cost or risk elimination from the tournament. I have no doubt that it is going to be a war, and I will be there to cover it LIVVVVEEEE for CaliSports News!!! STAY TUNED!!!