Team Europe head coach Ralph Krueger speaks to the media ahead of game two of the World Cup of Hockey finals in Toronto on Wednesday, September 28, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
September 28, 2016 - 1:57 PM
TORONTO - Few expected Team Europe, a 50-1 underdog at the start of the World Cup of Hockey, to contend for a title at the eight-team tournament.
Not only did the Europeans defy expectations just by getting to the final, they showed they belonged in the best-of-three showdown by pushing the powerful Canadian side in the series opener. They're hoping a few adjustments in Game 2 on Thursday night will help force a deciding game.
"We're playing this game tomorrow without any fear," said head coach Ralph Krueger. "We're going to go head-on again. I thought we were eye to eye with Canada in a lot of situations yesterday and we're proud of that.
"But that doesn't make us happy. We want to end up winning this game tomorrow."
Canada struggled at times in Tuesday's 3-1 victory at Air Canada Centre. An uneven performance over the first 40 minutes was eventually replaced by the precision and crispness that the host side has displayed throughout the tournament.
Team Europe, anchored by blue-liner Zdeno Chara and forwards Marian Hossa and Anze Kopitar, put some early pressure on Canada and had plenty of opportunities. However, Tomas Tatar was the only player who solved netminder Carey Price.
Krueger didn't bother with a morning skate on Wednesday and instead held a short team meeting. He feels there is plenty for his team to build on in the must-win Game 2.
"We've picked a couple of simple areas that we think we can improve on that I'm not going to mention here today for obvious reasons," Krueger said. "That's been our mantra is every game, find one or a maximum two things to improve on and to work on.
"We've identified those quite clearly and we hope that you'll be asking about them tomorrow night in a positive way."
It's a tall order for any team to knock off the unbeaten Canadians, never mind a collection of players who are teaming up together for the first time. If the turnovers can be kept to a minimum, Europe could have a chance if goaltender Jaroslav Halak gets hot and the team's offence finds its rhythm.
But the way the reigning Olympic champions are playing, it will take a complete effort to force a winner-take-all Game 3 on Saturday night.
"They are great players. They are the best in the world right now," Tatar said. "We all know. But I think we're on a pretty good journey as well and we're playing good hockey.
"We're not afraid to play anybody right now."
Canada is 5-0 in tournament play and has outscored the opposition 22-7 overall. Europe, meanwhile, is 3-2-0 with 11 goals scored and 11 against.
"You have to believe," Chara said. "You have to have the right approach, the right mindset. It's a best-of-three so we really have to focus on our game tomorrow and give it (our) all."
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News from © The Canadian Press, 2016