U.S. tries to avoid elimination in World Cup match with Canada
Team USA’s head coach John Tortorella speaks to his players during a training session for the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States’ goalie Jonathan Quick keeps his eye on the puck during the first period of a World Cup of Hockey game against Team Europe, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016 in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Team USA’s head coach John Tortorella speaks to his players during a training session for the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Team Canada head coach Mike Babcock talks to players during a training session ahead of the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Ice spray crosses in front of Canada’s Carey Price (31) as he watches a shot he deflected fly off during the third period of a World Cup of Hockey game against the Czech Republic, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016 in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada’s Jay Bouwmeester (4) celebrates with goalie Carey Price (31) after Canada defeated the Czech Republic in a World Cup of Hockey game in Toronto on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
TORONTO — One game into the World Cup of Hockey, the United States is on the verge of elimination.
The U.S. goes into its showdown against Canada tonight needing a victory to survive and give itself a chance to advance to the semifinals.
A loss in the opener to Team Europe and Europe’s overtime victory over the Czech Republic on Monday made this a win-or-go-home game for the Americans.
U.S. players circled the game against Canada as the biggest game of the tournament as soon as the schedule was released.
Based on their precarious position, it has become exactly that.
“We were looking forward to this game as a great measuring stick, and the result of not winning the first game is it’s also for our lives now,” center David Backes said. “We can’t hold anything back. This is all the chips on the table for our team, and we need to play desperate.”
Coach John Tortorella called it the Americans’ “championship game” even before it was clear that they had to win to stay alive.
“Playing there, against them, everybody wants us knocked out,” Tortorella said Monday.
“I can’t wait and I think our players can’t wait for this game to start. It’s going to be a blast.”
Canada would clinch a spot in the semifinals for itself and Europe with a win.
