en-deprived for the previous two-and-a-half periods, noticed that the outcome wasnt all that assured and the expected crushing of Team Europe wasnt going to happen according to plan an

TORONTO -- Even in defeat, there is something dignified, maybe even inspiring, about Team Europe.For much of Game 1 of this World Cup of Hockey best-of-three finals Tuesday night, there was a sense not of anticipation but of boredom -- not just from the fans at the Air Canada Centre but from host Team Canada as well.This, after all, is the World Cup of Hockey finals few predicted and even fewer, it appears, wanted.Everyone in attendance, except maybe those few folks in the upper concourse with Team Europe jerseys, knew in advance not just the outcome of the game but also the manner in which Canada would win. That manner would be in the form of a shellacking.It has been the backstory since Team Europe defeated favored Sweden in overtime Sunday afternoon in semifinal action.How could they beat Canada? Simple answer: They couldnt.How could they avoid being embarrassed? Simple answer: They couldnt.In spite of all that, it appeared Team Europe was interested in something else entirely, and that single-mindedness gave us a strangely compelling and wholly unexpected 3-1 victory by Canada.Even after giving up a goal by Brad Marchand on Canadas first shot of the game, Team Europe did something no other team has done in this tournament. They played their game -- not Canadas.Even when they fell behind 2-0 on Steven Stamkos first goal of the tournament after a grisly turnover by Team Europe defenseman Zdeno Chara, Team Europe pushed the pace.They played smart. They were patient. They forechecked with great diligence. For the first time in the tournament, Canada had to rely on goalie Carey Price to keep things under control.At the end of the second period, it was 2-1 after Tomas Tatar scored his third goal in two games for Team Europe.It was finally around the midway point of the third period, after a particularly impressive sequence for Team Europe, that the slumbering crowd, seemingly oxygen-deprived for the previous two-and-a-half periods, noticed that the outcome wasnt all that assured and the expected crushing of Team Europe wasnt going to happen according to plan and actually made their presence felt.Patrice Bergeron scored an insurance marker, and Canada won Game 1, as they were expected to, even if many Canadian players expressed disappointment at their play.We didnt play our best -- thats for sure, Canadian defenseman Drew Doughty?said. They played well, though. We kind of had spurts where we really let them outplay us.Head coach Mike Babcock agreed.I thought they were better than us for long stretches of the game, the routinely blunt Canadian said.Just as I wasnt sure whether this would it be an embarrassing rout, sucking the last of the air out of the event, I likewise werent sure just how Team Europe would respond to Game 1. What was impressive was it seemed to be equal parts defiance and excitement.I think it gives us a lot of optimism, Team Europe defenseman Mark Streit?said. Before the game, we didnt really know how were going to start, what kind of game its going to be.The mindset is not that you want to have a close game, he added. The mindset is you want to win the game. You know we dont really care what people think or fans think. We know what we can do. We know what kind of potential we have on our team.If it seems like the latter half of this tournament has been a total love-in for Team Europe head coach Ralph Krueger, well, get over it. From the opening shift, Europe showed they werent the least bit afraid of Canada, driving the net and drawing a penalty.Krueger insisted there are lots of good things that can be taken out of Tuesdays game. But make no mistake: His players are ticked off.Were very angry right now, which is a good thing, but we also are confident with what we felt today, Krueger said. Im sure were going to come out fighting very strong in Game 2.As he pointed out, in a best-of-three series, it doesnt matter?what order you win your two games.Frans Nielsen said no one in the Team Europe locker room feels that they are done.Third [goal] was tough. Because we were right there, and we played well, said Nielsen, one of the teams best forwards in the tournament. But same time, this for sure gives the group a lot of confidence, and I think we have a feeling in there that this is far from over. We know we can go out there and take a game, take the next one and make this a one-game series.OK, so heres the thing. Canada will likely win Game 2 on Thursday and take home that weird trophy that was trotted out on the ice before Tuesdays game. They should. Theyre the better team, even if they might have played their poorest game of the tournament Tuesday. Maybe on Thursday theyll win by four or five.But until that happens, Team Europe deserves more than theyve been given here. They deserve our attention and our respect.At the very least, Im pretty sure theyve gotten that from Team Canada. Adidas Superstar Best Price . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half. Adidas Superstar Wholesale China . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. http://www.superstarcheap.com/ . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. Adidas Superstars Clearance Sale . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball. Adidas Superstars Sale Cheap .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. WICHITA, Kan. -- A judge has agreed to halt court proceedings against former Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle until he receives another mental evaluation.The Wichita Eagle (http://bit.ly/2cCcv2P ) reports that defense attorney Steven Mank sought the delay Thursday. The prosecution didnt object.The 24-year-old Randle was deemed competent in June to stand trial on charges that he hit people with his car during a housewarming party and dodged police trying to serve him with a warrrant.ddddddddddddHe also is charged in two other cases.A bench trial set for Thursday in one of the cases didnt happen because of Manks request. The other three cases had been set for jury trials next week.A report from the mental evaluation is expected to be completed within about two weeks.---Information from: The Wichita (Kan.) 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