With the 2016 World Cup of Hockey set to begin later this week, pre-tournament games are underway and Team North America has already shown us why they shouldn’t be underestimated.
The team includes some of the NHL’s elite up-and-coming talent, including Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Dylan Larkin, Jonathan Drouin, and Auston Matthews—the first overall draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs at this past summer’s NHL Entry Draft who is yet to play an NHL game.
North America opened its pre-tournament schedule with an exhibition game against Team Europe, who they handily defeated 4-0 in the contest. The highly of the game, however, was the final tally which saw Nathan MacKinnon score a beauty of a penalty shot, which was awarded after getting hauled down on a breakaway.
MacKinnon, who plays for the Colorado Avalanche, displayed strong confidence and slick puck-handling abilities as he neared European goaltender Jaroslav Halak, rifled off several head fakes and a handful of dekes before netting the puck with a backhand. Check out video of the entire play below.
Team North America will face off against Team Europe in another pre-tournament bout tonight. The 2016 World Cup of Hockey will officially begin on Saturday, September 17.
