Team Europe 'not satisfied' with semifinal appearance

TORONTO -- Team Europe knows it has shocked a lot of people at the World Cup of Hockey 2016 by reaching the semifinals. The players and coaches may have even shocked themselves too, even though they'd never admit that publicly.
But now that they're here, now that they have to win one game against Team Sweden at Air Canada Centre on Sunday (1 p.m. ET; ESPN, CBC, TVA Sports) to advance into the championship round, they're not clouding their happiness with a feeling of satisfaction.

"We came here to prove that we belong and I think we've done a good job of with that so far, but we're not satisfied yet," defenseman Christian Ehrhoff said. "We still have a great opportunity to move on and do something special."
Ehrhoff mentioned how another Team Europe win in this tournament would "make history." He's technically right, but then again, all of its wins here make history because there has never been a Team Europe before and there may never be again.
It is unclear if the NHL and NHL Players' Association are going to bring back the World Cup of Hockey in the future and, if an amalgamated team from eight different countries such as Team Europe, would be a part of any future tournaments.

But that's all part of the charm of this team. That's part of the motivation, part of what drives Team Europe.
It doesn't care about tomorrow because there may not be a tomorrow for this team.
"Zero past, zero future, and I think in life the ability to be in the now is what makes you strong," Team Europe coach Ralph Krueger said. "That's all we have. … We're just grateful that we got this opportunity this time around and we're trying to make the best of it as you can see, and so far we have."
"So far" are the key words there. "So far" means they expect more. Krueger said he could sense the hunger and the motivation among the players in their meetings Thursday.
"Everybody wants more," he said. "We want to get to the final and we're going to definitely fight in that game on Sunday against Sweden."
He doesn't think Team Europe should be considered an underdog either, not after how it has played since falling behind 5-1 in the first period of its second pretournament game against Team North America on Sept. 11. That came three days after Team North America cruised to a 4-0 win against Team Europe in the first pretournament game.

"I believe our turning point quite clearly was after being down 1-5 to the kids after four periods," Krueger said. "In the locker room we had a look in the mirror moment, all of us, including the coaches. 'Are we going to be a part of this tournament or not?' I think the reaction since then and the dedication to playing the right game and the right way for our group was born there."
Team Europe answered by outscoring Team North America 3-2 in the final 40 minutes before defeating Team Sweden 6-2 in its final pretournament game.
Underdogs in its tournament opener against Team USA, Team Europe put together a stifling game plan and won 3-0. It defeated Team Czech Republic 3-2 in overtime before losing 4-2 against Team Canada on Wednesday.
"For all these players to be here with four teams going home tomorrow is just an amazing achievement," Krueger said. "But they're not happy with that."