Europe embarrasses U.S. in World Cup opener

Team Europe sent an early message to the United States and all other teams at the World Cup of Hockey on Saturday: They are anything but an afterthought.

Jaroslav Halak stopped all 35 shots he faced, while Marian Gaborik, Leon Draisaitl, and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare provided the offense as Europe cruised to a 3-0 victory over the U.S. in the opening game of the tournament.

Gaborik redirected a pass from Frans Nielsen to beat American goaltender Jonathan Quick less than five minutes into the game.

Draisaitl converted a 2-on-0 after a giveaway by Patrick Kane to give Europe a 2-0 lead in the second period, and Bellemare tipped in the third goal later in the middle frame to put the game out of reach.

A goal off James van Riemsdyk's chest late in second period was disallowed upon review because he was ruled to have deliberately directed the puck in with his body.

Team USA outshot Europe 35-17 and won the majority of face-offs, but Europe blocked 18 shots in a game that was only briefly in doubt.