World Cup of Hockey 2016 Results: Scores, Highlights and Reaction from Saturday

Saturday marked the first day of play in the World Cup of Hockey from Toronto, ending a 12-year hiatus that saw the competition fade from existence after 2004.  

In total, two games were on the opening Saturday slate. The United States met Team Europe, while the hosts Canada took on the Czech Republic to cap off the night.

Team	Team	Result
USA	Europe	3-0 EUR
Czech Republic	Canada	6-0 CAN

Team Europe 3, USA 0

The winners of the inaugural World Cup of Hockey in 1996 experienced a dreadful start on Saturday, as the United States lost to Europe 3-0 in the tournament's opening game. 

Marian Gaborik of the Los Angeles Kings put Europe ahead just 4:19 into the game after a defensive breakdown sent new Detroit Red Wing Frans Nielsen into the American zone for a two-on-one opportunity. 

With a quick centering pass, Gaborik was able to redirect Nielsen's pass and beat his Kings teammate Jonathan Quick in the American goal. 

It was a surprising opener for the underdog Europeans, but Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times was already looking for a way to get U.S. head coach John Tortorella off the bench:

Four minutes into the second period, Europe went up 2-0 after Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane gave up the puck just outside of the United States' zone and left Quick alone with two opposing attackers in front of him.

After playing catch, Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl took a pass from Nino Niederreiter of the Minnesota Wild just to the right of Quick's goal and slotted it in 4:09 into the period. 

ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun was trying to come to terms how Europe had a two-on-zero break:

After a possible United States goal was waved off when it was deemed that Toronto Maple Leafs winger James van Riemsdyk illegally batted the puck toward Europe's goal with his body, Europe made it 3-0 through Philadelphia Flyers forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. 

The only Frenchman competing in the World Cup of Hockey, Bellemare redirected a shot from Vancouver Canucks defenseman Jannik Hansen short-side past Quick with 1:28 left in the period. 

Europe's third goal came on just its ninth shot of the game. NHL.com's Dan Rosen couldn't believe what he was seeing:

The supreme goal-scoring ratio was no fault of Quick's, though, as a lackluster American defense constantly left him out to dry. 

St. Louis Blues mascot Louie was hoping for a much different-looking United States team after the second period:

ESPN analyst, NHL Hall of Famer and 1996 World Cup of Hockey winner Brett Hull couldn't understand why his former team couldn't put the puck in the net, via Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshynski:

Even in the final 20 minutes, a flat USA team couldn't do much to break through the stout European defense, which irked Minnesota Hockey Magazine's Dave Schwartz:

However, KiSS 92.5's Adam Wylde might have figured out why the favorites had such a tough day:

New York Islanders goaltender Jaroslav Halak was Europe's most valuable player, stopping all 34 of the United States' shots. 

His team was especially grateful for his performance:

Europe will face the Czech Republic next as they'll try to stay toward the top of Group A before they meet Canada. 

For the United States, though, it will have to beat those same Canadians in order to stay alive at the World Cup of Hockey

Canada 6, Czech Republic 0

Unlike the United States, the favored Canadians took care of business in front of their home crowd with a 6-0 win over the Czech Republic. 

Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby opened the scoring almost 8:30 into the game in typical goal-poaching fashion. As a rebound came caroming off of Czech Republic and Philadelphia Flyers goalie Michal Neuvirth, Crosby banked his shot off of the netminder at a tough angle and into the back of the net. 

The NHLPA showed how difficult of a task it was for Crosby to put Canada ahead:

For the aging playmaker who scored just one goal for Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games from Sochi, Russia, Crosby's quick tally flooded TSN's Bruce Arthur with nostalgia:

With 2:52 left in the first, San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns made it 2-0 when he unleashed one of his patented heavy slap shots from the point that beat Neuvirth. 

Canada wasn't done in the first though, as time expired, Crosby's linemate and Boston Bruins power forward Patrice Bergeron made it three for the hosts. A turnover by the Czech Republic in their own zone was pounced on by Bergeron's Boston teammate Andrew Marchand, who centered the puck for the onrushing big man. 

Upon receiving the puck, Bergeron snapped home a wrister that Neuvirth was unable to get a piece of, via Sportsnet:

With two goals, Canada's top line was a thing of beauty for Sports Illustrated's Michael Blinn:

With the game already in the bag, Canada's play grew a bit flashier and Sharks forward Joe Thornton was the benefactor of such an entertaining display. 

A tic-tac-toe sequence saw the Colorado Avalanche's Matt Duchene feed Crosby, who hit Thornton with a quick pass in front of a gaping Czech goal. All Thornton had to do was redirect the opportunity and he did so with ease to make it 4-0, via EA Sports NHL:

"

Tic. Tac. Toe. Team Canada takes a 4-0 leading after a slick passing play #WCH2016 #NHL17Contest pic.twitter.com/f3myBgbQMc

— #NHL17Contest (@EASPORTSNHL) September 18, 2016"

Crosby's back-handed pass was the highlight of the play for NHL.com's Brian Compton:

Chicago Blackhawks and Canada captain Jonathan Toews added another on the power play with 5:15 to go in the second when he was able to tap in a pass sent in front of goal by Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf. 

With New York Islanders captain John Tavares getting a secondary assist, EA Sports NHL showed just how free-flowing and attractive Canada was playing:

"

Doesn't get much prettier than this. Team Canada leads 5-0 #WCH2016 #NHL17Contest pic.twitter.com/5YlTKYeLA9

— #NHL17Contest (@EASPORTSNHL) September 18, 2016"

The second intermission gave professional snowmobile racer Paul Thacker a chance to throw down some smack talk toward the Americans:

Even as they let up in the third, St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo added another power play goal to make it half a dozen for Canada as the score line even surprised Sportsnet's Tim and Sid:

Former American legend Mike Modano was ready to call the entire tournament off after Canada's first game:

"

Just give @HC_Men the prize now and everyone still has a week off before camp starts.

— Mike Modano (@9modano) September 18, 2016"

With a lopsided victory now in their back pocket, Canada has an opportunity to keep the good times rolling by eliminating their biggest rival in the United States in their next game. 

The Czech Republic will play the surprising victors from earlier on Saturday in Europe as they will need a positive result to stay alive as well.