Team USA bowed out of the World Cup of Hockey with a 4-2 loss to Canada, and social media did not take it well.
The chief complaint among the Hockey Twitterati was easy to discern: The American squad was built with too much emphasis on grit and not enough on skill.
You know, actually being able to play hockey rather than concentrating more on grinding those players who can into the boards.
Penguins forward Phil Kessel was among those left home, and he was happy to join in the chorus of criticism.
The loss comes on the heels of a disappointing showing at the Sochi Olympics and has led many to call for new leadership.
If the 2010 Olympics – when Team USA nearly stunned home-standing Canada in the gold medal game in Vancouver but had to settle for silver with an overtime loss – seems like a long time ago… well, it was.
But the Associated Press pointed out help could be on the way in the form of young skilled stars such as Blue Jackets Brandon Saad and Seth Jones.
They along with young standouts Auston Matthews, Johnny Gaudreau and Jack Eichel played on the 23-and-under Team North America at the World Cup and weren’t eligible for the U.S. team.
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