Team Europe stunned the hockey world defeating by Team Sweden 3-2 in overtime at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey semifinals on Sunday. Entering the tourney, the mighty Swedes were favored to meet Canada in the tournament’s finale. Instead, a European squad composed of solid, but not a spectacular group of players will be fighting for world hockey supremacy.
Finding themselves in the finale is an unlikely turn for Team Europe. The team doesn’t bleed star power, despite the likes of Roman Josi, Anze Kopitar and Marian Hossa. Their depth pales in comparison to Team Canada’s. Canada, winners of 14 straight national appearances, have star players on every line. Joe Thornton as a fourth liner? Check. Alex Pietrangelo and Brent Burns as a third pair defenseman? Check. The team’s compositions can’t be compared. Team Europe needs to hurl as many stones as possible to take down Goliath.
“The thing is there was no team like this before,” Andrej Sekera told The Globe and Mail when asked about Team Europe – made up of European NHL players who aren’t from the four main European hockey powers of Sweden, Russia, Finland and the Czech Republic – surprising everyone. “And I don’t think there’ll be anything like this any more. But it’s a pretty good feeling.”
Team Canada is destined to pepper Team Europe with a massive onslaught of shots, likely controlling possession throughout. The final score could and should heavily favor Canada. Europe can only hope for a few lucky bounces and a stellar performance from tournament MVP candidate Jaroslav Halak. In a best-of-three series, Team Europe will face an uphill battle to steal two games from the high-powered Canadians on home soil. Winning is an unlikely outcome, but it’s not impossible.
When Team Canada has appeared vulnerable, they’ve persevered and haven’t caved to pressure being the tournament’s best team. In the semifinals, the undefeated Canadians fell behind 2-1 in the second period to Russa. Did the team fold? No, they battled back, using tantalizing skills to dismantle Team Russia, peppering 47 shots at Sergei Bobrovsky, beating them handily 5-3. Europe doesn’t have the same skill level as the Russia, but riding high on an upset win against the Swedes should provide them with extra mojo. That’s probably not enough.
Team Europe was outshot 46-20 in a 4-1 loss against Canada earlier in the tournament. The score would have been significantly worse without Halak making 42 saves. For Team Europe to stand a chance, they’ll need Halak to steal games – otherwise, they’re toast. It’s unfair (and borderline impossible) to ask him to steal two of three games against the best team in the tournament.
Team Europe being in the finals is an achievement on its own. Nobody expected them to beat Sweden and once again, nobody expects them to beat Canada. Lightning probably won’t strike twice and the tournament should wrap up with a quick two-game victory for Canada. Still, the fact that Team Europe will get a best-of-three shot to win the tourney is a victory itself. The series begins Tuesday, September 27.
