Kritik und Anregungen » on. The Americans seized their chance to do

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 didnt 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 didnt 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 thats 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 Tortorellas 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 STARS1. 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 -- hes 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 wasnt overly worked but made the saves when he had to in the upset win.Wholesale Nike Shoes For Sale . Down by seven with 90 seconds left in regulation, thats where they looked comfortable. Cheap Nike Shoes Online Free Shipping .C. - The Carolina Hurricanes have placed backup goalie Anton Khudobin on injured reserve with an unspecified lower-body injury. http://www.wholesaleshoesnike.com/ .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Wholesale Nike Shoes China Paypal . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. Wholesale Nike Shoes China . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said.RIO DE JANEIRO -- Ibtihaj Muhammad came to the Olympics determined to show the world that Muslim-American women can excel in sports.She will return home to New Jersey with proof that she was right.Muhammad, who became the first U.S. Olympian to wear a hijab during competition earlier this week, won a bronze medal with her teammates on Saturday in the womens team sabre event. The U.S. routed Italy 45-30 to clinch third place and the first womens fencing medal for the Americans in Rio de Janeiro.This is sport. It doesnt matter what hair color you have or what religion you are. The point is to go out there and be the best athlete you can be, American teammate Dagmara Wozniak said. Were the best explanation of what American is: a mix of so many different cultures and races and everything all together.?Russia won its fourth fencing gold medal of the Rio Games in the final, beating Ukraine 45-30. Muhammad made headlines around the world Monday by wearing a head scarf on the piste to adhere to the tenets of her Muslim faith. The attention for the team event was focused simply on fencing, and Muhammad reminded folks why she made the Olympic team.This has been a long journey for us, Muhammad said. To be able to compete at the level that weve worked toward, on the worlds biggest stage, the Olympic Games, is truly a blessing for us. ... Ill never forget this moment.The Americans opened against Poland by blowing an 11-point lead before two-time Olympic champion Mariel Zagunis got the U.S. through with a deft torso touch for the win. Russia won the first four of the nine-bout semifinals to go ahead 20-12, but Muhammadd slowed Russias momentum with a narrow victory over second-ranked Yana Egorian.ddddddddddddAfter Zagunis picked up another win, Muhammad had by far her best moment of the Olympics. She peppered Ekaterina Dyachenko with touch after touch, 10 in all, until the U.S. found itself with an improbable 35-34 edge.Our plan was that, no matter what happened, to just focus on these four voices, Muhammad said of teammates Zagunis, Wozniak and Monica Aksamit. We were only listening to each other, and I just kept hearing, Just get one. Just get one.But Sofia Velikaya pulled the Russians back in front with six straight points, a margin not even Zagunis was able to overcome. Still, the U.S. team had yet to medal in a tournament all season. The Americans seized their chance to do so in Rio. The U.S. built a 25-15 lead after five matches, and Zagunis -- who declined to speculate on her future in the immediate aftermath of her fourth straight Olympics -- made that edge insurmountable.Russia was just as dominant as Muhammad and the Americans in the finals. The top-ranked Russians won their first four bouts and seven of nine, and top-ranked fencer Sofya Velikaya went undefeated as they nabbed their seventh medal in fencing so far.The Olympic fencing tournament concludes Sunday with the mens epee team event. France, which has a proud history in fencing, will be the favorites, and there will be a lot of pressure on the French to come through with the nations only gold in a sport it used to dominate. ' ' '