#1

the level to which

in Diamondcraft - Registration Thu Dec 19, 2019 7:14 am
by Cl11234566 • 420 Posts

SOCHI, Russia – Gabriel Landeskog was a 13-year-old kid in Stockholm standing on his couch and cheering emphatically when Henrik Lundqvist helped secure gold for the Swedes at the 2006 Olympics in Italy. "My dad was kind of yelling at me to sit down and relax," recalled Landeskog, now 21 and a member of the Swedish Olympic squad here in Sochi. "Im like what do you mean, sit down and relax? We just won the Olympics!" Prominent in those memories for the budding Colorado Avalanche captain was the performance of a then-23-year-old Lundqvist, who stopped 25 shots in the final with Finland, preserving the second Olympic gold for Sweden. "He pretty much singlehandedly won that final game," said Landeskog of the 3-2 victory. Hes known as the King and stands as perhaps the biggest obstacle to a gold repeat for Team Canada at these Olympics. Not only the face and cornerstone of the New York Rangers and one of the top goaltenders in the NHL, Lundqvist makes a strong case as one of the best Olympic goaltenders ever and a major obstacle for the Canadians in Sundays 94 gold medal rematch with Sweden. "Hes a tough guy to beat," said Rick Nash, a teammate of Lundqvist with the Rangers, but an opponent with gold on the line. Unbeaten in Russia (5-0-0), Lundqvist enters the afternoon affair at Bolshoy Ice Dome with the second-most career wins by an Olympic goaltender – trailing only the great Vladislav Tretiak with 17 – and the second-best career goals against average (1.71). He made 25 saves Friday, including all eight in the final frame, to preserve victory for the Swedes in their semifinal matchup with Finland. "Hank has been playing unbelievable for us," said Erik Karlsson afterward. "In that part, we feel pretty confident." And in a one game scenario for all the marbles that can be the difference. Sweden may not boast anywhere near the talent of Canada – especially with injuries to Henrik Sedin, Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen – but they might not need it if Lundqvist delivers a masterpiece. "He can stand on his head for us," said captain Nicklas Kronwall. "Thatd be good." Led by Carey Price, who has sizzled in his first test on the Olympic stage, the Canadians have had no trouble defending here in Russia, but scoring has been another matter. They managed (and ultimately needed) just a single marker against Jonathan Quick and the Americans in the semifinal and have scored a mere four goals in the past nine regulation periods. Chances have been aplenty, but few have ended up in the back of the net, a concern when Lundqvist lies on the horizon at the top of his game. "I get to see him every day," said Nash of the soon-to-be 31-year-old, a winner in 12 of 14 Olympic starts. "Hes a guy that plays kind of a different style – deep in his net. Hes a tough guy to figure out even when you shoot on him every day. He doesnt play like regular goalies." And he seemingly doesnt prepare like regular goalies either. Swedish teammates have been struck by the preparation of the 2012 Vezina Trophy winner. "Im really impressed the way he prepares for the games off the ice and how hes mentally prepared for each game," said Niklas Hjalmarsson. "To see his preparation has been pretty impressive and the way hes been playing has obviously helped our team a lot." "You dont want to bother him game-days," Jonathan Ericsson observed. "You see that hes in his own bubble." Ericsson described Lundqvist as "standing, focusing and doing his own thing". Winning 10 of his final 14 starts with the Rangers before the Olympic break with a sparkling .937 save percentage, Lundqvist has picked up right where he left off in Sochi, stopping 117 of 123 shots in a perfect run for Sweden. He is a barrier that Canada will have to overcome to claim a second consecutive gold and third in the past four Olympics. "He makes saves that you think you have an open net and he finds a way to smother that puck," said Patrick Sharp. "Hes definitely a guy thats going to be key for them." Cheap Blackhawks Jerseys . Next years tournament is also within sight for Bosnia-Herzegovina, which has never played in a World Cup, but Cristiano Ronaldo looks destined for the playoffs with Portugal after a night when the qualifying picture in the nine groups became much clearer. Chicago Blackhawks Pro Shop .ca. Kerry, I hope you address Ron MacLeans comment during the second intermission of Game 4 in Montreal-Tampa series. Basically, he suggested that the NHL should not have used a referee from Quebec, following the Game 3 disputed non-goal, because the referee could be biased towards Montreal. https://www.cheapblackhawks.com/. Jones took a beating, the worst one of his record reign, in a bout against Alexander Gustafsson that knocked the light heavyweight champion on the canvas for the first time in his career and put his belt in jeopardy. Blackhawks Jerseys 2021 . - Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II says the NFL has told the team it will not be docked a pick in this years draft for coach Mike Tomlins foray onto the field against Baltimore last November. Stitched Blackhawks Jerseys .com) - The 12th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes continue a four-game homestand at Value City Arena on Wednesday night when they face off against the High Point Panthers in a non-conference matchup.The new Barclays Premier League season gets underway on Saturday and prior to the first kick, TSN.ca presents a week long look at some of the teams and stories that will shape the up coming campaign. At the end of the 2013/14 season the Premier League said goodbye to Norwich City, Fulham and Cardiff City, who were all relegated to the Championship. Recent history is on the side of at least two of the three teams that will take their place, as the 2007/08 season, when both Birmingham City and Derby County were banished from the top flight, was the last time more than one promoted team was sent right back down. Last seasons victim was Cardiff, who won the second tier title before being immediately returned to sender, while Hull City and Crystal Palace will get a second chance to make waves in the Premier League. Two of the three new teams that will get their crack at the most lucrative clubs in England, have recent Premier League experience. Meet the new class. LEICESTER CITY Manager: Nigel Pearson Last Season: 31-9-6 (first in Championship) (Photo: The Canadian Press) With a nine point advantage, Leicester City won the Championship title and automatic promotion to the Premier League. Under manager Nigel Pearson, the Foxes enjoyed the second highest goal total in the second tier and finished with the leagues best goal differential. The strike partnership of David Nugent and Jamie Vardy led the way for the dynamic offence and will have to at least try to find the same success at the top level to keep their team afloat. Argentinian striker Leonardo, English defender Matthew Upson and Marc Albrighton from Aston Villa have all been added to the roster to bolster the ranks of the team that stormed their way into the Premier League. While their roster does not boast a wealth of top flight experience, there is a lot of speed and skill in the ranks. BURNLEY FC (Photo: The Canadian Press) Manager: Sean Dyche Last Season: 26-15-5 (second in Championship) Burnley wwon a race against Derby County for the final automatic promotion place in the Championship, finishing with a three point advantage.dddddddddddd The Clarets have made six additions to the squad that got them back into the Premier League for the first time since the 2009/2010 season. Michael Kightly, Marvin Sordell, Matt Gilks, Lukas Jutkiewicz, Matt Taylor and Steven Reid have all joined the roster, but at a cost of only £3.5m, it is clear that they wont be splashing the cash in the transfer window. Last seasons top scorer Danny Ings is going to be key to keeping Burnley in the Premier League. Sam Vokes was part of the strike partnership but he is struggling with injury and wont be available for the start of the season and possibly beyond. The financial gap might be too hard for them to bridge and a tough schedule to start the season should give an early indication of the level to which they can raise their game. QUEENS PARK RANGERS (Photo: The Canadian Press) Manager: Harry Redknapp Last Season: 23-11-12 (fourth in Championship – won playoff) With a flair for the dramatic and history, Bobby Zamora scored in the 90th minute to banish Derby County and capture the final promotion position with a 1-0 victory in the Championship playoff. Chalk full of familiar names and with lots of money spent and to spend, Queens Park Rangers are going to feel like having an old friend back in your crew. The newly acquired central defensive pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Steven Caulker as well as Cardiff City transfer Jordon Mutch are just three of the many names that will jump off the roster page as being familiar to Premier League fans. They were only forced to play one season outside of the top flight after an ill-advised series of transfers failed to keep them in the League two years ago. If they are in trouble again during the January window they are the most likely of the three teams to have more money to spend to get out of the relegation zone. ' ' '

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