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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 . Rod Woodson Jersey .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Jimmy Johnson Jersey . "Jeff is a hard worker who was an important special-teams contributor for us last season," said Stamps GM John Hufnagel. http://www.custompatriotsjersey.com/custom-j-d-smith-jersey-large-841f.html . -- Josh Sterk scored once and set up two more as the Oshawa Generals edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Roger Craig Jersey . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. Bruce Armstrong Jersey . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. BYU has formally notified the Big 12 of its interest in joining the conference and would be open to discussing a football-only option to get into the league, Cougars athletic director Tom Holmoe told ESPN.com.Holmoe said, however, that full membership with the Big 12 would be BYUs goal.Were obviously open to listening to what they want to do, said Holmoe, whose school has been an independent since 2011. Were going to go through this process with an open mind to listen to what they have to say.Because of its connection with the Mormon church, BYU does not play games on Sundays. That has created questions within the Big 12 as to whether the conference could make full membership work with the Cougars, should the league elect to offer BYU an invitation.The Big 12 stages several games in non-football sports on Sundays, notably soccer and baseball. The league also plays several of its non-football championships on Sundays.Shortly after the Big 12 announced Tuesday that it would be exploring expansion candidates, commissioner Bob Bowlsby said the league would consider football-only options, though it wouldnt be the leagues preferred route.ddddddddddddolmoe, however, said he believes BYUs no-Sunday rule can be resolved with the Big 12.I believe thats something that can be worked out, he said. Weve been in a lot of leagues through the years, and weve been able to work it out.There would be a difference in the Big 12 because that would be a Power 5 conference. Theyre going to ask questions. Well have our solutions, creative ideas of what we can do. Were going to do everything we can.Holmoe added that BYU would be willing to take partial distribution initially to join the Big 12 as well.Though University of Texas president Greg Fenves endorsed the University of Houston as an expansion candidate Thursday, Holmoe said he believes BYU has a compelling case to make to the Big 12.The criteria they list fit us well, he said. We feel very confident in what BYU is. ' ' '