Team North America has been billed as a dream team of the NHL’s young stars, ready to blitz older opponents at next week’s World Cup with their speed and skill.
But both those traits tend to not matter much if they don’t add up to goals, and it took a bit too long for that to happen in North America’s 3-2 loss to the Czech Republic in the teams’ World Cup exhibition game Wednesday at Consol Energy Center.
The North American youngsters outshot the Czech Republic, 44-29, but never led on the afternoon.
Penguins goalie Matt Murray played the first two periods for North America, stopping 16 of 17 shots he faced before giving way to Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck for the third period.