DirtyDiverDiver » arens Fernando Alonso and Red Bulls Daniel Ricciardo. [

TORONTO -- For the first time since Team North America came together, coach Todd McLellan had to re-instill some belief.With players slumping at their lockers after allowing Russia to score four goals in under seven minutes, McLellan told them they were better than they thought they were at that moment. Young North America was the better team Monday night, but a lopsided stretch was enough to give Russia a much-needed 4-3 victory in a fast-paced, end-to-end showcase of the sport at the World Cup of Hockey.Vladislav Namestnikov, Nikita Kucherov, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Vladimir Tarasenko scored on consecutive shots during a 6:14 stretch, and Sergei Bobrovsky made 42 saves on 45 shots to hand the 23-and-under mix of American and Canadian players its first loss of the tournament.We just lost our way for 10 minutes, McLellan said. I thought we were hesitant. ... They were quicker, they were stronger. They stripped us a number of times. We looked slow, and thats not the way we play. Slow reading, slow reacting and slow to the scoreboard.Toronto Maple Leafs 2016 No. 1 pick Auston Matthews scored on a 2-on-1 rush off a pass from Edmonton Oilers 2015 No. 1 pick Connor McDavid, and Morgan Rielly and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had goals for North America (1-1), which outshot Russia 45-23.Russias goals in quick succession were team goals, McLellan said, but they also led to the end of goaltender Matt Murrays night. Murray, who stopped the first 15 shots he faced before Russia broke through, jammed his thumb in the second period, but McLellan said he was healthy enough to play.Murray was on the wrong end of a young teams young mistakes. The efficiency of speed and skill that worked in a win over Finland on Sunday stopped for a short period of time against high-powered Russia, and it proved disastrous.We got away from our game, trying to be too cute and getting pucks instead of going to the net going east to west too much, Matthews said. Theyre a team that likes to turn the puck over and get going the other way. Thats something weve got to clean up.On their heels early, the Russians responded well after opening the World Cup with a loss to Sweden. Their penalty kill went 6 for 7, led by Bobrovsky, who also stopped McDavid on a second-period breakaway.Obviously we knew we cant lose the game, captain Alex Ovechkin said. If we lose the game were obviously out of the tournament. Back to back, I think we played a solid second and our penalty-kill guys, (Ivan) Telegin, blocked the shots, Bobrovsky. You can see everybody sacrificing, and we get the result.It wasnt the result North America wanted, but a furious third-period comeback showed that it didnt lose confidence. McDavid blamed himself and his teammates for failing to capitalize on an extended 5-on-3 power play.We definitely let the team down there, McDavid said.North America still had another opportunity 6 on 4 in the final minute. Shayne Gostisbehere hit the post behind Bobrovsky with 14 seconds left, and Russia held on.Thats not the way to play the Russians, but I thought we did a good job of responding and really making a game of it, McDavid said. I think thats a good sign, but in a short tournament like this, we needed the points.North America was without top defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who McLellan called day to day with an upper-body injury. Jacob Trouba replaced him, but Ekblads absence created a void of extra minutes that defensemen had to fill.Many made costly mistakes, and Russia was more than willing and able to take advantage of turnovers and defensive mix-ups.I think some hockey god got on our side, and we just got good luck, said Kuznetsov, who made a FIFA inspired wing-flapping celebration after his goal.For all of Russias energy during its stretch, losing like that taught North America a lesson about regaining composure and the value of playing a complete 60 minutes.Unfortunately, when it goes into the record books, all 60 count, McLellan said.North America wraps up round-robin play Wednesday against Sweden, while Russia faces Finland on Thursday.Game notes John Gibson only faced four shots in relief of Murray and stopped them all. ... Namestnikov scored in his World Cup debut, replacing Vadim Shipachev.---Follow Stephen Whyno on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SWhyno . Ereck Flowers Jersey . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team. Wholesale Redskins Jerseys . From filmmaker Nanette Burstein (On the Ropes), The Price of Gold revisits the saga that rocked the figure skating world ahead of the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Winter Games: the assault on Nancy Kerrigan, and the plot that led its way back to her rival Tonya Harding. http://www.cheapredskinsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-charles-mann-jersey . 24 Baylor in a Big 12 clash between teams trending in opposite directions. Andrew Wiggins made 10-of-12 from the foul line and scored 17 for Kansas (14-4, 5-0 Big 12), which capped a stretch of four straight games against ranked opponents unscathed. Clinton Portis Jersey .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. Derrius Guice Jersey . Marincin has played in two NHL games so far this season with two penalty minutes. The 21-year-old has three goals, four assists and a plus-5 rating in 24 games with the American Hockey Leagues Oklahoma City Barons this season. SEPANG, Malaysia -- Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg edged his teammate and Formula One title rival Lewis Hamilton in Fridays opening practice session at the Malaysian Grand Prix.Rosberg, who leads Hamilton by eight points in the championship following three successive GP wins, was half a second faster in the hot conditions at the Sepang International Circuit.The session was red flagged for 15 minutes when the Renault of Keevin Magnussen burst into flames in pit lane because of a fuel leak, and the fire took several minutes to fully extinguish.ddddddddddddFerrari drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel set the third- and fourth-fastest times, ahead of McLarens Fernando Alonso and Red Bulls Daniel Ricciardo.