atch point, Garcia, ranked 31st in the world, fired her forehand into the net.It was very close, Garcia said. I started that match very well. She had trouble adap

TORONTO -- The fastest team made a fast, strong first impression at the World Cup of Hockey.With blazing speed and uncontainable skill, Team North America skated circles around Finland on the way to a 4-1 victory Sunday night at the World Cup of Hockey.Led by goals from Jack Eichel, Johnny Gaudreau, Jonathan Drouin and Nathan MacKinnon, the group of 23-and-under Americans and Canadians toyed with a proud Finnish national team that has the most Olympic medals since NHL players began participating.Were here to play, Gaudreau said. Hopefully, teams dont take us lightly. I think were a fast, speed, skilled team and hopefully we can keep proving people we belong here.North America doesnt just belong in the elite tournament full of almost 200 of the best players in the world; it might be one of the most skilled from top to bottom. Four of the past five No. 1 picks were at their best Saturday night offensively and defensively.Playing his first of what should be many games at his new home arena with the Toronto Maple Leafs, No. 1 pick Auston Matthews had an assist and showed he was ready to face NHL competition.I thought he was going to have a hell of a game and he did, coach Todd McLellan said. There was no fear of playing.Captain Connor McDavid, the 2015 No. 1 pick of the Edmonton Oilers, also had an assist and several nifty moves that confounded Finnish defenders.Much like Team Europe, a collection of players from eight European countries, North America made a great first impression after plenty of criticism about being a gimmick. North Americas blazing fast play in exhibition games made it the most intriguing part of the World Cup, and that fascination is only stronger now that it showed it can thrive when it counts.Just because were younger doesnt mean that were not as good or something like that, McDavid said. Its just we have a little bit less experience.Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Matt Murray made 24 saves but mostly had an easy night as North America outshot Finland 43-25, including an 18-6 domination in the second period.The second period was a cold shower for us, Finland coach Lauri Marjamaki said. They got better, they won every battle, they skate hard, they are so aggressive. ... Such a great team.Pekka Rinne made 39 saves for Finland, struggling at times but also keeping it from turning into even more of a blowout.Goals came in every possible way: Eichels greasy rebound at the side of the net, Gaudreaus jumping, spinning deflection, Drouins toe drag, and MacKinnons backhand-forehand move after beating everyone else to the puck. North Americas apt goal song, Opposite of Adults blared on the Air Canada Centre speakers all night.I think all four lines really brought something tonight and everybody was out there kind of doing their part, Matthews said. We were utilizing our strengths, and I think we put them on their heels.Sometimes the pace was so quick that Gaudreau said players stood up on the bench in anticipation of the next fancy move. North America owned the puck against Finland, which had nine players back from the bronze-medal team in the 2014 Sochi Olympics.They really took it to us and showed their individual skill, but also as a team, they were extremely dangerous, Rinne said. Im not going to take anything away from them, but we werent ready to go. We made too many mistakes. We werent skating. That was the result.Valtteri Filppula scored the only goal for Finland, late in the third period after the result was decided. That lapse was something McLellan said is a good teaching moment for his team that will help as the World Cup goes on.Russia is up next Monday night after a 2-1 loss to Sweden earlier Sunday. Despite Russia losing and North America winning, McDavid doesnt see his team as the favorite in the game.Russias a hockey giant and theyre one of the best hockey nations in the world, McDavid said. Its going to be a good test for us.---Follow Stephen Whyno on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SWhyno Kobe Bryant Shoes Deals . -- On the field, it was business as usual for Jameis Winston and No. Kobe Bryant Shoes Outlet . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. https://www.cheapkobebryantshoes.com/ .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Clearance Kobe Bryant Shoes .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. Kobe Bryant Shoes Free Shipping . Ashley Youngs cross was inadvertently headed by Chester into his own net in the 66th minute, allowing United to claim a third straight league win. "We had to dig deep with our fighting spirit and weve done that," United striker Wayne Rooney said. MONTREAL -- Australias Samantha Stosur won a hard-fought opening match in the first round of the Rogers Cup womens tennis tournament on Monday.Stosur avoided the upset, beating 67th-ranked Heather Watson in straight sets 7-5, 6-3.The tournaments 13th seed struggled in the first set, but found her rhythm in the second, breaking Watsons serve on three occasions.To get through in straight sets, Im pretty happy, said Stosur, who reached the Rogers Cup final in 2011. Overall I thought I served pretty well. There werent a lot of points off my serve where she could dictate off the first shot.If I got a good strike, I was in good shape to win those points.Earlier in the day, Ukraines Elina Svitolina made quick work of qualifier Jennifer Brady, winning 6-2, 6-4.Numerous rain delays lasting a combined four hours extended the afternoon session and forced organizers to alter the schedule.Canadian Francoise Abanda had her first-round match postponed because of the weather. Abanda will face qualifier Saisai Zheng of China on Tuesday.The only Canadian who played Monday was Gabriela Dabrowski. The 24-year-old, along with teammate Alla Kudryavtseva, lost in doubles 6-3, 6-2 against Romanians Simona Halep and Monica Niculescu.In the afternoon session, Barbora Strycova overcame numerous rain delays to beat Caroline Garcia of France 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.Strycova, ranked 22nd in the world, came from behind to defeat 22-year-old wild-card Garcia in a session plagued by five rain delays.On two occasions, Strycova and Garcia returned to the court only to be ushered away just moments later when the rain restarted.ddddddddddddIts really difficult, said Strycova of the constant interruption in play. These delays are tough because you always have to be ready. After the fourth delay, I went on the court and played a set and a half and I was tired.After losing the first set, Strycova battled back to win the next two. The Czech native will face sixth seed Venus Williams in the second round.Following the last of the rain delays, Strycova held serve then broke her opponent to take a 5-3 lead in the third set.On match point, Garcia, ranked 31st in the world, fired her forehand into the net.It was very close, Garcia said. I started that match very well. She had trouble adapting. But then there were many tight games. It was difficult for me to make a difference. I made mistakes.Also in the afternoon session, American Madison Brengle defeated Russias Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 while Daria Gavrilova topped Annika Beck 6-4, 6-3.The odds are against the Austrian Gavrilova in the second round. Her next opponent is fifth-seed Simona Halep.Canadians Eugenie Bouchard and Aleksandra Wozniak were not in action on Monday.On Tuesday, the 42nd-ranked Bouchard will meet Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic in the first round, while Wozniak takes on Italys Sara Errani. ' ' '