Mackinnon nets two as speedy North Amerca tops Team Europe 4-0 in exhibition
QUEBEC — The youthful Team North America came as advertised — plenty of speed and skill — and it proved too much for Team Europe in the first pre-tournament test for both teams at the World Cup of Hockey.
North America scored three goals in a 4:43 span of the second period and Matt Murray made 23 saves in a 4-0 victory over a European side that had several players still adjusting to playing on the smaller NHL-size ice.
Nathan MacKinnon, with two goals including one on a penalty shot, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Johnny Gaudreau scored before a full house of 18,005 at the new Centre Videotron.
“Speed and hockey sense were on display tonight,” said Connor McDavid, the 19-year-old Edmonton Oilers phenom who was named North America captain before the game.