WASHINGTON -- Two hard-fought exhibition games against Canada showed the United States exactly what it needs to work on before the World Cup of Hockey begins this weekend.For coach John Tortorella, it wasnt about the post-whistle pushing and shoving or the intensity that made the tune-up games feel more like the real thing. Its more that the U.S. has to be sharper, especially in the tournament showdown against Canada on Sept. 20.Weve got some work to do, Tortorella said after practice Monday. Im glad we played Canada because they are a really good team -- probably the best team in the tournament right now and youd have to say that.The Americans lacked offensive-zone time during a 4-2 win Friday in Columbus and a 5-2 loss Saturday in Ottawa. Canada won gold in Sochi by having the puck in the offensive zone so much that opponents got worn down and couldnt create chances.Tortorella acknowledged the U.S. isnt the most skilled team in the tournament, and it did fine physically going up against Canada in bump-and-grind, testy situations. But general manager Dean Lombardi said he and his staff wanted to build the U.S. to beat the Canadians, and that means more than just beating them up.Obviously were pretty familiar with their talent level and what they bring, U.S. goaltender Cory Schneider said. Its just getting that intensity, getting that playoff feel to it. I think playing against the best prepares you the best.The U.S. has one exhibition game left, on Tuesday against Finland, before traveling to Toronto for the World Cup. Its opening game is Saturday against Team Europe.With Canada serving as the gold standard and two games worth of film to study, the Americans must figure out how to beat the best at their own game of puck-possession hockey. Tortorella has some ideas.Everybody talks about puck possession, but sometimes puck possession is you dont have the puck, you put it into an area to get it back and I dont think we did a good enough job there, said Tortorella, who won the Stanley Cup in 2004 with the Tampa Bay Lightning while preaching a safe is death mantra. When we did, I just think we need to be closer there. We need to support and outnumber people there also. Thats our biggest weaknesses in the two games, so we have a little bit of work to do as we go through and prepare for the start of the tournament.Judging from Sidney Crosbys cross-check to the back of Kyle Palmieri and other antics, theres already plenty of animosity built up between the U.S. and Canada going into the first best-against-best tournament since Sochi. The U.S. lost to Canada 1-0 in the semifinals, and players havent forgotten about that experience.But captain Joe Pavelski cautioned about getting too worried about Canada and losing focus.Its not just about beating Canada, Pavelski said. Obviously its nice if you beat them along the way. Its about winning a tournament. We want to get to that level with this group, and its about going through a lot of good teams to get to that level. Cheap Air Force One China . 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The 1.83-meter (6-foot) Leapai defeated the previously unbeaten Denis Boytsov in November to become the WBOs mandatory challenger. Wholesale Air Force 1 .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. ST. LOUIS -- Their National League wild-card hopes growing slimmer by the day, the St. Louis Cardinals turn to their least experienced starter to help keep them alive Thursday night.Alex Reyes gets the call as St. Louis (82-76) tries to salvage a split of its four-game series with the Cincinnati Reds in Busch Stadium.The 22-year old right-hander, who will make his fifth major league start, is coming off his third win against the Chicago Cubs in a six-week span. Reyes (4-1, 1.58 ERA) lasted five innings Saturday in a 10-4 victory, allowing three runs on six hits with three walks and six strikeouts in a 115-pitch outing.Reyes has faced Cincinnati (67-91) twice since being recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Aug. 9, once as a reliever in his big league debut and again as a starter Sept. 2 in Cincinnati. On the latter night, he gave up two runs over six innings in a no-decision.The Cardinals will need Reyes to come through again if they are to mount any kind of run at a sixth consecutive postseason berth. They will start play Thursday night 2 1/2 games behind the idle New York Mets (85-74) for the first wild card and one game behind the San Francisco Giants (83-75) for the second wild card.A 2-1 loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday night was perhaps St. Louis most frustrating of the year for a couple of reasons. Not only was it one the Cardinals couldnt afford, but it was also a game they could have won, except they stranded the tying run at third in three of the final four innings.I would say missed opportunities hurt tonight, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said.dddddddddddd Thats a good way of looking at it.In crunch time, the Cardinals arent exactly drawing a team playing out the string. The Reds have beaten them four of six meetings in September, holding them to two runs or fewer in all four wins.Cincinnatis Thursday starter, right-hander Dan Straily (14-8, 3.74 ERA), is certainly capable of piecing together a shutdown outing. Straily, who is coming off a 6-1 win Saturday night in Milwaukee, owns a win in two starts this year against St. Louis.Making the Reds victory Wednesday night more impressive was that Cincinnati did it with second baseman Brandon Phillips (left hand) and center fielder Scott Schebler (hamstring) out of the lineup.It was a makeshift lineup tonight, Reds manager Bryan Price said. Were putting guys in their place to get opportunities, and theyre taking advantage. Were hoping the second half of the season can springboard us to a better 2017.While Cincinnati heads home after Thursday night to close the season against the playoff-bound Cubs, the Cardinals host the Pittsburgh Pirates, needing the same things they needed since they woke up Tuesday: wins and help.Its a tough one to swallow, St. Louis second baseman Greg Garcia said of the Wednesday defeat. He had a chance to drive in the tying run in the ninth but flied out to shallow left for the second out. You got to get it done, especially in crunch time. Thats where we are right now. ' ' '