TORONTO - The IIHF World Championship is only one game old and already the tournament life of the US team is in danger of being completed.
After shaking their 3-0 European teams in the first match in the eight-team tournament, the Americans will likely have to beat Canada on Tuesday and the Czech Republic on Thursday to qualify for the semi-finals. It is possible for the Americans to go with only one victory, but it would require an unlikely combination of circumstances.
"This is a must win for us," USA Hockey Jersey center Derek Stepan said. "Maybe it's a good thing. ... We have a little bit of adversity and we have to our level and to our game."
The Americans entered the tournament wishing to establish a physical presence, it will be difficult to play against, and not let the opponent to disrupt their game plan. They did control the puck against the European team, but they are not intimidated by the Europeans and the Americans seemed stymied when Europeans rolled into a protective shell.
"For some reason, our readings were a step behind today," Stepan said.
Team Europe has eight players from countries that do not have a team in the tournament. But the strangeness does not slow them down, and that was how they played together for several months, and not two weeks.
"We understand that we can not run and shoot with the teams and stay patient and wait for our chance to survive and help our goalkeeper out - maybe it's not the flashiest (approach) - is actually quite boring, but it works." center Team Europe said Kopitar, who plays for the Los Angeles Kings.
The Americans put 35 shots on goaltender Europe Galak (New York Islanders), while Jonathan Quick faced only 17 shots.
"I will never question the level of effort," Stepan said. "When it comes to Xs and Os, there were times we were a little late, perhaps, our speed and our mind was not quite there. When you're a step behind at any level you want to give up the sights and have a good chance Washers going It ends up in the back of your network. "
