TORONTO -- The team that was built to beat Canada didnt beat anyone.And really, this ending was just about perfect. If youre going to go down in flames, go all the way.Team USA most certainly did, ending its disappointing World Cup appearance with a 4-3 loss to the Czech Republic on Thursday.The American players were booed off the ice by the at the Air Canada Centre crowd at the conclusion of the game.Team USA pushed back in a meaningless game after trailing by two goals through two periods of play, to at least avoid a meltdown reminiscent of the 5-0 loss in the bronze-medal game in Sochi during the 2014 Olympics, but its very small consolation in a disastrous tournament.They were given a spot in the easiest World Cup group, with Team Europe and Czech Republic the consensus No. 7 and No. 8 teams in this tournament. Team USA managed just three goals against those two teams.During the second period against the Czechs, Team USA defenseman Ryan Suter scored an own-goal, one that gave the Czech Republic its second goal of the game and it was a moment that pretty much captured the whole tournament for the Americans. So many of their problems in this tournament were self-inflicted -- from questionable roster decisions to forgetting to show up on time against Team Europe in the opener, an underwhelming performance in which they never recovered.Justin Abdelkader, whose inclusion on the first draft of the Team USA roster became a point of debate for those who disagreed with GM Dean Lombardis plan, got a small bit of redemption with his first goal of the tournament, converting on a great feed from Dustin Byfuglien, but it was a rare highlight in this tournament for the Americans.Team USA finishes 0-3 with a goal-differential of minus-6, which pushed Finland at the bottom of the standings. For a team that entered this World Cup with aspirations of winning it all, its as disappointing a final tally as could have been imagined.Three stars:1. Milan Michalek, F, Team Czech Republic: Sure, one of his goals came when Suter inadvertently knocked the puck past Team USA goalie Ben Bishop, but he finished with two goals for a team that struggles to score. Thats worthy of top billing. The Michalek family can leave this tournament with pride, with Milan and Zbynek combining for three goals in the game.2. Petr Mrazek, G, Czech Republic: He allowed three goals but came up big when needed most in the third period. He absolutely robbed Patrick Kane with a sprawling save in the third period while the Czech Republic was clinging on to a one-goal lead. He made another one on Abdelkader with just over two minutes left. He finished with 36 saves.3. Ryan McDonagh, D, Team USA: His shorthanded goal gave the game new life and actually showed his team wasnt willing to roll over without some fight in the third period. There were a lot of problems with Team USA in this tournament, but McDonagh wasnt one of them. He ended up with the team lead in goals, with two. Cheap Nike Air Max 270 . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. Nike Air Max 270 Sale . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. https://www.cheapnikeairmax270china.us/ . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. Fake Nike Air Max 270 . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Wholesale Nike Air Max 270 .com) - The Montreal Canadiens will try to halt their longest losing streak of the season when they host the struggling New York Islanders in tonights clash at the Bell Centre. RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina State thrived in a battle of long-range shooting.Terry Henderson scored 25 points and made six 3-pointers to help the Wolfpack beat Fairfield 99-78 on Sunday.Dennis Smith Jr. added 17 points and five 3-pointers for the Wolfpack (9-2), who won their fourth game in a row.NC State shot 53 percent from the floor and made 13 of 25 3-point attempts, taking advantage of Fairfields zone defense.If thats how they want to play, thats on them, Henderson said. Teams have got to pick their poison.Abdul-Malik Abu scored 14 points, and Torin Dorn and Omer Yurtseven had 12 points each for the Wolfpack.The Stags (5-4) made just 11 of 42 3-point tries, attempting 17 more 3-pointers than they had in any game this season.Were comfortable with a lot of those shots, Fairfield coach Sydney Johnson said. We want to get up and down and let them fly as long as theyre good looks.Tyler Nelson scored 23 points to lead Fairfield, which dropped its third consecutive game.Jerry Johnson Jr. added 17 points, and Curtis Cobb had 14 for the Stags.NC State led 48-39 at halftime after seizing control with a 19-0 run midway through the first half.Fairfield went scoreless for more than six minutes as NC State built its lead. The Wolfpack made four 3-pointers, including two by Henderson, during the flurry.BIG PICTUREFairfield: The Stags came out hot after a 12-day break from game action, making seven of their first 11 field goal attempts, but they couldnt maintain the pace. They continue a difficult portion of their schedule that includes only one home game in the month of December.NC State: Short-handed for much of the season, the Wolfpack got a chance to flex their muscles at full strength for the second game in a row. NC State once again showcased its ability to scoree inside and from the perimeter, but defensive improvement remains a necessity as conference play approaches.ddddddddddddI think the depth is going to help our defense more than anything, NC State coach Mark Gottfried said. I think they understand it. Theyve got to play hard and play well, especially defensively, no lapses, or somebody else is ready to play. Thats going to help us become a better team.MILESTONE MANNelson, who entered the game averaging a team-best 19.9 points per game, became the 42nd player in Fairfield history to score 1,000 career points. He reached the milestone early in the first half with a pretty left-handed scoop shot.STAR WATCHSmith played another solid floor game with nine assists, five rebounds and two steals. The one knock on him during his impressive freshman season has been his outside shooting. But after making just 27.5 percent from 3-point range in the first 10 games, he hit 5 of 7 3-point tries against Fairfield. To his credit, he made some big shots, Sydney Johnson said. If he does that, the sky is the limit for him.TIP-INSNC State registered a season-high point total and tied its season high for first-half points. . Fairfield made all 17 of its free throws. . The Stags shot 3-pointers on 62 percent of their field-goal attempts. They entered the game with an average of 35 percent of their field goal attempts coming from 3-point range.UP NEXTFairfield: The Stags take on their second consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference opponent when they play Boston College on Wednesday night in Uncasville, Conn.NC State: The Wolfpack take on McNeese State on Thursday night in the fifth-game of a six-game homestand. ' ' '