Europe came a lot closer than anyone.
Defeated 3-1 in Game 1 of the World Cup final, the Europeans know the task ahead of them - beating Canada twice in a row - is monumental, but they're approaching Game 2 much the same, believing all the pressure is on Canada.
Europe's been living on the "there's no tomorrow" cliche all tournament, and that moment of truth is finally upon them. And instead of being intimidated, its players are looking to gain strength from their position.
"We're playing this game without any fear," head coach Ralph Krueger said, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "We're going to go head-on again."
Europe, to a man, believes it can win Thursday night.
"We proved we can play," Tomas Tatar, Europe's lone goal-scorer in Game 1, said.
"You have to believe all the time," Zdeno Chara said.
