Kritik und Lob » e field on third down has been the biggest weakness

TORONTO -- The team with no past and no real future carved out a place in the World Cup of Hockey final in the most dramatic fashion.A team made up of players from eight smaller hockey nations in Europe -- formed ostensibly to round out the eight-team tournament field -- upset a highly skilled, heavily favored Team Sweden 3-2 in overtime to move on to face undefeated Canada in a best-of-three final starting Tuesday night.Few will believe that Team Europe, led by Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar and veterans Zdeno Chara and Marian Hossa, has a chance to slow the Canadian juggernaut, which has rolled through the tournament and outscored opponents 19-6.Thats all right. No one gave Team Europe a proverbial snowballs chance in Hades to beat a Swedish team that boasted the deepest defense in the tournament, led by two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman, and a skilled, experienced forward corps that includes Nicklas Backstrom and the Sedin twins,?Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin.But there were the Swedes, watching incredulously as Team Europe gathered in one corner of the Air Canada Center ice to jump up and down in unison after Tomas Tatar?converted a hard Mats Zuccarello cross-ice pass into the dramatic game winner just 3:43 into extra time.After limiting Team Europe to just five shots in the first period -- and at one point denying a shot on goal for almost 12 minutes and then scoring early in the second to take a 1-0 lead -- perhaps the Swedes believed the game would simply come to them, that victory and a rematch of the Sochi Olympics gold-medal game against Canada was inevitable.Back home in Sweden, the team will no doubt face harsh criticism in the wake of this stunning loss, especially given the edge the Swedes enjoyed in skill and talent.?But credit Team Europe for seizing the moment. Under perpetually upbeat head coach Ralph Krueger, the Europeans quickly developed an identity as structurally sound and opportunistic. They took advantage of a curiously passive Swedish group in the last half of the game to push the pace and tie the game late in the second period on a Marian Gaborik goal.Then, just 12 seconds into the third period, Tatar corralled his own rebound and slipped it past Henrik Lundqvist to give Team Europe its first lead of the day. Even when Karlssons seeing-eye shot tied the game at 2-2 with 4:32 left in regulation, Team Europe never buckled and was rewarded with a win few expected after they began the pre-tournament schedule with two disappointing losses to Team North America.That seems like a long time ago for a team formed specifically for this tournament that might never be part of the World Cup format in the future.Three stars1. Tomas Tartar, Team Europe:?Tatar scored two of the three European goals, including the winner in overtime, and both required skill and determination to pull off.2. Jaroslav Halak, Team Europe: The New York Islanders netminder continued to flash his hot hand at the World Cup, as he stopped 37 of 39 shots against Sweden. Although he was never really under siege, his right-pad save on Backstrom in overtime set in motion the Tatar OT winner on the same sequence.3. Roman Josi, Team Europe: The Nashville Predators defender played a whopping 29 minutes, by far the most of any skater in the game, and helped a surprisingly effective Team Europe transition game. Stitched Bruins Jerseys . The visitors took a deserved lead in the 16th minute with midfielder Yohan Cabaye curling the ball beyond Adrian from inside the penalty area. Bruins Jerseys 2020 .com) - The Montreal Canadiens embark on their first road trip of the season as they head out west to battle the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. https://www.cheapbruins.com/ . Miikka Kiprusoff had just announced his retirement after a decade-long run in Calgary and it would be up to Berra and Ramo to fill the void. Boston Bruins Pro Shop .ca! Kerry, Two nights after the Scott-Eriksson incident in Buffalo, the Bruins returned home to play San Jose. In that game, Zdeno Chara put a check on Tommy Wingels that clearly targeted his head. Bruins Jerseys 2019 . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. ATLANTA -- Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson still has confidence in his defensive coaches following one of the worst showings ever by the unit.The Yellow Jackets gave up the second-most yards in school history in last weeks lopsided loss at No. 15 North Carolina. Georgia Techs defense has another tough challenge at No. 18 Virginia Tech on Saturday.The search for improvement on defense has been a constant theme for Johnson this season. He said Tuesday a review of last weeks 48-20 loss to North Carolina solidified his belief that defensive coordinator Ted Roofs scheme is sound and the players arent confused.I watch the tape repeatedly over and over and I watch it with the defensive coaches and I understand whats happening, Johnson said, adding he has faith in the defensive scheme. ... As long as its sound as youve got a chance to execute it, thats all you can ask of them.Georgia Tech has allowed 34 or more points in four of its last five games. The defense gave up 636 yards to North Carolina last week, second only to the school-record 667 allowed against Notre Dame in 1977.The Yellow Jackets rank last among the nations 128 FBS teams in third-down defense. Opponents have been successful in converting 52 percent of third-down plays.Johnson said defensive players have not lost faith or lack an understanding of the system.I dont think we have those problems, he said. Ive had those before where the kids would come and say coach youve got to help us. Thats not the issue. Were not having those problems. Weve just got to play better.The defenses inabilitty to get off the field on third down has been the biggest weakness.ddddddddddddThat creates most all the problems, Johnson said. Not all of them, but it would solve a lot if you could get off the field on third down.The Yellow Jackets (5-4, 2-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) rank last in the league with only eight sacks. Defensive tackle Patrick Gamble leads the unit with three sacks.Georgia Tech has tried to bolster its normal four-man pass rush by sending five or more players on blitzes. That tactic opens the way for experienced quarterbacks such as Virginia Techs Jerod Evans to counter with quick passes to beat linebackers or defensive backs left in man coverages.Johnson, who runs the spread option offense, said he offers advice on defense but wont micromanage on that side of the ball.Ive got enough confidence in our guys on defense to try to let them coach, he said.Virginia Tech is averaging 34.9 points and 444.4 yards per game. The Hokies (7-2, 5-1 ACC) are 4-0 this season when scoring 30 or more points.Game notes Johnson said on his weekly radio show Monday night he expects QB Justin Thomas (upper body injury) to play this week. Thomas missed the fourth quarter of last weeks game with the injury. Center Freddie Burden missed the second half, also with an upper body injury. Johnson said Tuesday no injury update would be provided to reporters before Thursday.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '