The 20-year-old Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl has forced the hockey world to take notice. He is on fire! His overtime game winner today over the Czech Republic made him the only player with more than one goal thus far in the World Cup. The young Oiler has only played 102 NHL games thus far, not too many considering his World Cup team average age is 30.3 years of age. The youngster looks comfortable leading Team Europe. Los Angeles Kings star Anze Kopitar described jokingly his teammate Draisaitl, “He’s a ringer”.

Team Europe is taking the World Cup by surprise a quick 2-0 start has everyone on notice. In game one Team Europe shocked everyone by handling Team USA 3-0. They followed that up with an overtime victory over the Czech Republic. For a team of players thrown together head coach Ralph Krueger really has them gelling, and working together.

* Team North America Matt Murray made 24 saves, but fell 4:07 shy of the shutout in Game 1. He registered 15 of Pittsburgh’s 16 playoff wins en route to its Stanley Cup victory in June (2.08 GAA, .923 SV%, 1 SO). One has to be thinking that he will be the starter come opening night for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Where does this leave veteran Marc-Andre Fleury.

* Jacob Markstrom, who filled in for a sick Henrik Lundqvist, turned aside 27-of-28 shots. Markstrom won a gold medal with Sweden at the 2013 World Championship and a silver at the 2009 World Juniors, where he was named the best goaltender of the tournament after posting a 1.61 goals-against average and .943 save percentage in five games.

INSIDE EDGE HOCKEY NEWS