TORONTO -- When the United States filled out its roster for the World Cup of Hockey, it looked heavy on grit and physicality and light on skill and scoring.That became reality in the Americans stunning 3-0 loss to unheralded Team Europe on Saturday in the World Cup opener. With offensive defenseman Dustin Byfuglien and 30-goal scorer Kyle Palmieri scratched, the U.S. struggled to generate quality scoring chances and finds itself in trouble one game into the tournament.It was just tough to score, winger Zach Parise said. There are guys that have different roles and different jobs on the team. Guys that play with grit, play hard -- but it was just tough to score for us tonight.Jaroslav Halak stopped all 35 shots he faced to earn the shutout for Team Europe, a mix of players from Slovakia, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Norway, Denmark, France and Slovenia. Marian Gaborik, Leon Draisaitl and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare scored on U.S. goaltender Jonathan Quick, who made 14 saves.Despite the lopsided shot total and the Americans dominant puck possession, Europe was in control for most of the game because of major mistakes. Defenseman Ryan McDonagh made an ill-advised pinch to set up a 2-on-1 rush that became Gaboriks goal, and Hart Trophy winner Patrick Kane turned the puck over to give Europe a 2-on-0 rush that became Draisaitls.You saw on a couple of our mistakes -- turnovers, pinching, giving them odd-man breaks -- they were able to capitalize, Kane said. On that second goal, Ill definitely take the fault on that one. Thats a play that Ive made a million times in my career. Just kind of lost the puck and the next thing you know they go down 2 on 0. Thats unacceptable from me.It was an unacceptable performance for the U.S., which now has been shut out in three consecutive major international tournament games dating to the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Leaving skilled players like Tyler Johnson and Kyle Okposo off the roster sparked plenty of second-guessing of the U.S. management team, and that wont slow down after losing to Team Europe.Defenseman Ryan Suter called Sochi a setback, and the first game of the World Cup wasnt a step forward.If you go back nine (international) periods where you dont get anything, its frustrating but weve had some looks along the way, captain Joe Pavelski said. We had the power plays, we had some chances, we had a few looks. Weve got to strike when we get those.The U.S. had a power-play goal disallowed when James van Riemsdyk was ruled to have intentionally directed the puck in with his chest. Coach John Tortorella believed it should have been a goal because the puck went off Derek Stepans helmet, but the NHL explained that it had no bearing and the goal should not count.Tortorella defended his decision to sit Byfuglien and Palmieri, saying this was what the coaching staff believed was the best lineup. The result didnt prove that out, and the top offensive players accepted responsibility for not being sharp enough.Europe coach Ralph Krueger knew his team had to play a perfect game to beat the U.S. Captain Anze Kopitar called this a boring game, but it got the job done as Europe made good on Kruegers pledge that the team was ready to look America in the eyes.That belief extended to the locker room, even if beating the U.S. looked shocking from the outside.From the outside, we got stamped up as the underdog here, Draisaitl said. I think we all understand that, but at the same time, we have some really good players on our team as well. A lot of experience. A big win for us.For Europe it was a long way from blowout losses to the 23-and-under Team North America in exhibition play. Krueger emphasized that the Europeans werent satisfied to play one strong game.We didnt see ourselves as just a sideshow, ever, Krueger said. Weve come here to play nine periods and like everybody else we want to play next weekend.To advance to play next weekend in the semifinals, the U.S. must either beat favored Canada on Tuesday or hope for a miracle elsewhere in Group A. With only three games of round-robin play, a regulation loss is a significant blow.Weve put ourselves in a spot now were chasing, Tortorella said. Were chasing the tournament. Its a spot we didnt want to be in. Its a very dangerous spot, but we are here.---Follow Stephen Whyno on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SWhyno Wholesale MLB Jerseys Free Shipping . Numbers Game examines the deal that sees Michael Del Zotto and Kevin Klein switch places. The Predators Get: D Michael Del Zotto. Cheap MLB Jerseys Online . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. http://www.cheapbaseballchina.com/cheap-detroit-tigers-jerseys-china_283l.html . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U. Cheap Arizona Diamondbacks Jerseys China . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Cheap Chicago White Sox Jerseys China . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April. MINNEAPOLIS -- Nelson Cruzs towering two-run home run seemed to give the Seattle Mariners the jolt they needed Saturday night, tying the score with the second-longest homer in the majors this season.Instead, Minnesotas own big slugger, Miguel Sano, responded with his own big swing and a big defensive play after an error in the ninth inning to keep Seattles struggling offense down and deal a blow to the Mariners wild-card hopes.Sano hit a tiebreaking homer in the fourth inning and Tyler Duffey pitched seven strong innings for his best start in more than a month as the Twins beat Seattle 3-2 on Saturday night.They hit a big homer there, Sano said. But I want the team win every day, and not a loss.Sanos 24th homer followed Cruzs tying shot in the top of the fourth. Cruzs homer reached the third deck in left field for what was estimated by MLBs Statcast as 493 feet, the second-longest home run in the majors this season behind a 504-foot strike by Miamis Giancarlo Stanton in Colorados Coors Field.Ive hit a few over there but they havent measured that far, Cruz said. You never know with Statcast, you never know how far its going to go until they say.Duffey (9-11) gave up the two runs and four hits while striking out four Seattle hitters. Its just the third win by a Minnesota starter since Sept. 3.Pitching, its amazing how it can change the complexion of the game, Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said.Jorge Polanco also had a solo home run for the Twins, who snapped a seven-game losing streak.The Mariners threatened in the ninth against Brandon Kintzler when Robinson Cano singled and Cruz reached on an error by Sano. But Kyle Seagers hard grounder was snared by Sano, who stepped on third and threw to first for a double play. Adam Lind flied out to end the game and give Kintzler his 15th save in 18 chances.Bad moment that I miss the ball, try to catch and throw early, Sano said. I told Polanco, `I want another ball. Caught and make double play, finish the game there. This is tthe situation.dddddddddddd My fault when I miss the ball, need to keep going.Ariel Miranda (5-2) lost for the first time in five starts this month, lasting four innings and giving up three runs and three hits. Seattle fell 2 1/2 games behind Baltimore for the second AL wild card.Theyre all important, Mariners manager Scott Servais said. Tonight was important, tomorrows important, the next ones important. Its just where we are in the season.The Mariners have struggled offensively even while winning 11 of their previous 15 games. Theyve scored two runs or fewer in six of their past eight games.The Twins have been in a similar stretch. Polancos third home run of the season in the first gave the team its first lead since last Saturday at the New York Mets.DUFFEYS ADJUSTMENTDuffey had allowed at least five earned runs in three of his past five starts, and the right-hander had his most recent start skipped due to an off day. He said he made an adjustment between starts.Like I told (Molitor) when I came out, `You get pissed off enough, you eventually make an adjustment, Duffey said, later adding: Just slowing down. I finally found a good rhythm to keep me composed, to keep from pulling off the ball. I located a lot better today.TRAINERS ROOMTwins: 1B Joe Mauer was out of the lineup for the fourth straight game as he deals with sore quadriceps. Manager Paul Molitor said he would see how Mauer felt on Sunday to see if he could be in the lineup for the final home game of the season.UP NEXTMariners RHP Taijuan Walker (6-11, 4.32 ERA) starts against Santiago (12-9, 4.82). Walker gave up five runs in 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the Twins earlier this season. Santiago was 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two starts against the Mariners this season with the Los Angeles Angels. But Santiago has a 6.20 ERA in nine starts for Minnesota after being acquired in a trade. ' ' '