What went wrong with Team USA at World Cup?

North America's Johnny Gaudreau scores past Sweden's goalie Henrik Lundqvist during the first period of a World Cup of Hockey game in Toronto, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016. (Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press via AP)

North America’s Nathan MacKinnon, center, celebrates his game-winning goal against Sweden during overtime of a World Cup of Hockey game in Toronto, Wednesday. North America won 4-3 in overtime. (Associated Press)

North America's Auston Matthews, center, scores against Sweden's goalie Henrik Lundqvist, right, Victor Hedman, left, and Daniel Sedin, second left, during the first period of a World Cup of Hockey game in Toronto, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016. (Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press via AP)

Team North America's Auston Matthews celebrates with teammates after scoring against Sweden during the first period of a World Cup of Hockey game in Toronto, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016. (Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press via AP)

North America's Morgan Rielly, left, battles for the puck with Sweden's Henrik Sedin during the second period of a World Cup of Hockey game in Toronto, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016. (Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press via AP)

North America's Auston Matthews celebrates his goal against Sweden with teammate Connor McDavid, right, during the first period of a World Cup of Hockey game in Toronto, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016. (Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press via AP)

Sweden's Carl Hagelinm right, checks North America's Auston Matthews, left, during the second period of a World Cup of Hockey game in Toronto, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016. (Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press via AP)

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TORONTO — Members of Team USA gathered for a few drinks after they were eliminated from the World Cup of Hockey.

There was a lot to discuss.

The United States was surprised by Team Europe and wasn’t good enough against Canada, leading to two losses and a cascade of questions. John Tortorella as coach? Too much grit? Not enough skill? What might change after another all-too-familiar early exit from an international tournament? The pipeline of young talent for next time around?

A few days isn’t enough time to answer all those questions, especially for players whose job was to play a certain style of hockey — not put together a roster or pick the coaching staff.

“I liked our team,” winger Zach Parise said Wednesday. “I thought we played hard. It’s not a player’s job to speculate who should or shouldn’t be on the team before or after the tournament.”

Phil Kessel took his shot. Left off the team along with scoring forwards Kyle Okposo and Tyler Johnson and defensemen Justin Faulk, Kevin Shattenkirk and Cam Fowler, the Stanley Cup-winning Pittsburgh Penguins winger tweeted after the U.S. loss: “Just sitting around the house tonight (with) my dog. Felt like I should be doing something important, but couldn’t put my finger on it.”

U.S. management went with a sandpaper style of play that almost resulted in a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics but hasn’t worked since. Center David Backes said he believes that style of hockey can still win if executed correctly.

“To come here and flop like we did is extremely disappointing,” defenseman Ryan Suter said. “Obviously we have to examine ourselves and what more could we have done and how can we get better for future tournaments.”

The 0-2 start revealed the Americans brought too much physicality to a skill game. Canada, Russia, Team North America and others have thrived with fast-paced, entertaining hockey. Speed has been king at this international tournament, but Backes noted that the Americans “weren’t going to out-skill Canada.” With the aim of beating Canada, U.S. general manager Dean Lombardi instead built a big team with an edge in hopes of neutralizing the talent of the top hockey power in the world.

Instead, the World Cup showed that depth of talent is everything. Leaving more skilled players at home was too much to overcome.

Kessel was the Americans’ leading scorer and best player at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, but he was left off the roster. Hand surgery after the playoffs may have put his availability in doubt, but USA Hockey’s management team clearly overlooked him and others.

The U.S. opted for old-guard players like forward Brandon Dubinsky, defensemen Jack Johnson and Erik Johnson and grinder Justin Abdelkader. Tortorella, as old-school a coach as there is, wanted to play his brand of hockey and stood by the roster construction and style.Canada outclassed the U.S. in a 4-2 whacking Tuesday night that wasn’t as close as the score. Not only could the Americans not beat the tournament favorite but they weren’t able to knock them around, either.

Tortorella was not made available to reporters on Wednesday. Lombardi was expected to speak today before the U.S. finishes round-robin play with a meaningless game against the Czech Republic, which also failed to reach the semifinals.

Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane, who did not score a goal in two games after winning the Hart Trophy as the NHL MVP last season, wouldn’t blame his coach for this failing.

“Tortorella is just one of the most passionate guys I’ve ever seen about hockey,” Kane said. “I’ll never say a bad thing about him. He’s just a great coach. We didn’t show up for him.”

Toews scores 2, Canada wins:

TORONTO — Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews had 2 goals and an assist and Team Canada easily beat Europe 4-1 on Wednesday night in its final preliminary round game in the World Cup of Hockey. Canada won Group A and will face North America or Russia in the first semifinal Saturday night. Sidney Crosby and Logan Couture also scored, and Corey Crawford made 19 saves.

Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa scored for Europe, and Jaroslav Halak stopped 42 shots.