Czech Republic nips North America 3-2 in World Cup
PITTSBURGH — Matt Murray spent the end of his rookie season helping the Pittsburgh Penguins win the Stanley Cup.
The goaltender is ready for an entirely different challenge for Team North America during the World Cup of Hockey. Murray stopped 16 of 17 shots he faced in a 3-2 loss to the Czech Republic on Wednesday in the final exhibition for both teams before the tournament starts in Toronto next week.
While North America coach Todd McLellan has yet to officially name who will start in next when his team faces Finland on Sunday, it appears to be a mere formality.
“I’m not prepared to anoint him yet … but I think you had very good eyes, you saw him play extremely well,” McLellan said. “That’s the same thing we saw. Odds are he’s our guy but we have to respect the process.”