TORONTO – Team North America has become the World Cup of Hockey’s obsession because of the speed, creativity, speed, scoring ability and also speed of its under-23 players.

Like, for example, Connor McDavid’s incredible moves to set up Auston Matthews for TNA’s first goal against Russia on Tuesday night.

WITNESS. HIM.

To review: McDavid picked up the puck in his own defensive zone. That Russian dude, wearing No. 13, attempting to take the puck from him? That’s Pavel Freakin’ Datsyuk, three-time Selke Trophy winner and generally considered to be one of the best defensive forwards in recent NHL history. Except now he’s in the KHL and he’s 38, and Connor McDavid is 19 and skates like it.

[Sign up to play Yahoo Fantasy Hockey for free | Mock Draft | Latest news]

So McDavid touches the puck ahead, the race is on and Datsuyk can only act like a human turnstile for Hockey McJesus as he races ahead. Meanwhile, Matthews surged past a stumbling Alexei Emelin and went to the net to receive a pinpoint pass form McDavid for the goal.

Here’s how the ref saw it:

Ref cam of McDavid —> Matthews is mesmerizing pic.twitter.com/MZMfpj3S1p — Marina Molnar (@mkmolnar) September 20, 2016





In the World Cup of Hockey, you’re either TNA or you’re rooting for the wrong team.

#TNA4Life.

—

Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

MORE FROM YAHOO SPORTS