Europe vs. Canada: World Cup of Hockey Finals 2016 Game 1 Score, Reaction

Behind its first line of Sidney Crosby, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, Canada landed the first punch in the World Cup of Hockey final on Tuesday night, recording a 3-1 victory over Europe in Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series. 

These were two teams that had different projections heading into the World Cup of Hockey. 

The host Canada was the overwhelming favorite and had not lost a game in Toronto, which included a 5-3 win over Russia in the semifinals.

Stacked with the most dangerous roster of the tournament, Canada had 10 players record at least a goal in its previous four games.

Europe was the tournament's afterthought, but an opening 3-0 win against the United States forced the hockey world to sit up and take notice. The only game it lost was to Canada during round-robin play in a 4-1 result. 

It received a huge boost thanks to New York Islanders goaltender Jaroslav Halak, who entered Tuesday night with a .947 save percentage and a 1.96 goals-against average. 

But after an early European power play came up empty, Halak was beaten on the first shot he faced three minutes into the game. 

As the power play expired, Boston Bruins power forward Bergeron was sent out on a breakaway chance and was quickly joined by his Canadian and Bruins teammate, Marchand, who departed the penalty box. 

Driving to the net, Bergeron laid the puck off beautifully for Marchand, who chipped the puck into the roof of the net, via Rogers NHL GCL:

It got the stamp of approval from Hilary Knight, who plays for the Boston Pride of the NWHL:

Canada doubled its lead with 6:40 left in the first when Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara was stripped of the puck by Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf, who led a two-on-one rush. 

Rob Williams of the Daily Hive offered sarcastic words of encouragement for Chara: 

Coming down the left wing, he fed Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos, who one-timed an easy chance past Halak, via Sportsnet:

According to TSN's Frank Seravalli, it ended Stamkos' World Cup of Hockey drought:

It was a disappointing start for a European team that wound up outshooting Canada 13-9 through the first 20 minutes.

But the first period was just confirmation of what Mrs. Universe Ashley Callingbull had known for quite some time:

Europe came out buzzing once again in the second period, but Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price looked to be unbeatable, much to the amazement of NHL.com's Dan Rosen:

However, he finally broke with seven minutes gone in the period when Europe's semifinal hero, Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Tatar, halved his team's deficit. 

Free-agent defenseman Dennis Seidenberg's wrist shot from the point was blocked by Tatar's backside. But the puck fell right to him as he cut in front of Price's goal. With Canada's goalie screened, Tatar meandered toward the left post and slotted the puck in an open net, via the NHL:

For ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun, it was just a matter of time before Europe got on the board:

With a slim lead, Bergeron put Canada up 3-1 with 10 minutes, 36 seconds left in the game to give the hosts an insurmountable lead. 

Canada captain Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins created Bergeron's scoring chance, wheeling around behind the net and delivering a pinpoint pass right to the tape of the scorer's stick. 

TSN's Kate Beirness viewed that goal as the series' clincher:

While there is still at least another game to play on Thursday, Canada's first line of Bergeron, Marchand and Crosby has been the source of its success. Through five games, the trio of Canadians has combined for 22 total points.

Europe will have to slow that trio down if it wants to stay alive in these finals. If not, Canada will be celebrating a World Cup victory come Thursday night. 

Postgame Reaction

While his team wasn't able to find a way back in Game 1, Europe head coach Ralph Krueger is expecting a spirited Game 2 (via Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun):

Los Angeles Kings forward and European star Anze Kopitar was quick to point out that his team managed to stay with Canada for most of the game (via the NHL):

Stamkos, one of the goal scorers, wasn't happy with Canada's performance either (via Koshan):

However, Marchand couldn't get enough of the way he's been playing alongside his Bruins teammate (via the NHL):

Luckily for Marchand, he's going to be staying with Bergeron in Boston for the long run as he signed an eight-year, $49 million extension through the 2024-25 season, per Joe McDonald of ESPN.com.