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SOCHI, Russia – When the Canadian management team, headed by executive director Steve Yzerman, gathered in recent months to evaluate the crop of players that would be selected to play for Team Canada at the Sochi Olympics two central attributes emerged above all else. There was the requisite hockey sense demanded from the countrys very best and of equal importance, if not more so, was the ability to burn up and down the ice, the latter of significant consequence on the generally unfamiliar international ice surface. "I think we have a really good mix of players here that bring a lot of elements," said Doug Armstrong, the Blues GM and a member of Team Canadas management team, "but the one element they all have is skating ability." Its likely why someone like 34-year-old Joe Thornton – a member of the gold medal winning squad in 2010 and top point producer again this season, but certainly not the fleetest of foot – was not named to the team this time around, replaced by explosive types such as Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn. In fact, the Canadian roster in Vancouver featured a number of players who were probably never be described as quick – Jarome Iginla, Brendan Morrow, Dany Heatley, Eric Staal – but could get around just fine, at that point in their respective careers, on the NHL-sized ice. "I think you see some players that can play on the North American ice [that are] not quite as fleet of foot, but the space they have to get to they can get to quicker and hold it longer. From the corners to the front of the net the distance isnt as great. I think its a different style," Armstrong said. "A bigger man can have success maybe in the North American game thats a little harder to have here." Absent is a single player on this roster who cant get up and down the ice effectively. Quickly adjusting to the larger international ice surface – 15 additional feet wide – will be among the greater challenges facing the Canadians as they look to become the first back-to-back gold medal winning squad in the NHL era of the Olympics. All of which explains why swiftness on skates – not to mention the ability to move the puck with equal speed and precision – was such a fundamental asset in the selection process. Canada managed to win its first gold in 50 years on the Olympic size ice in Salt Lake City, but fell badly short four years later in Torino – they finished a distant seventh. Though other gold medal hopefuls face a similar challenge – with the vast majority of talent migrating to Russia from the NHL – the Canadians (and Americans certainly) will be required to climb a somewhat higher hill, having only played on the 200 by 100 foot surface sparingly. "Theres no question," said head coach Mike Babcock, "when youve grown up your whole life playing on one surface youre probably pretty comfortable with that surface. I know we are in North America. So theres a little adjustment, well get it worked out." One adjustment Babcock will seek is shorter shift lengths: from the NHL standard of 45 seconds down to 40 seconds with more space to cover and ground potentially to protect. He and the coaching staff, which includes big ice expert and former Swiss National Team coach Ralph Krueger, will also stress the need to attack inside on the offensive end, rather than linger on the perimeter as an opponent would prefer. "As much wider [as] the rink is you still want to play an up and down, north and south game and I think its the strength of our team to be able to play at a high speed, high tempo, all four lines," said John Tavares, who played on the bigger ice in Switzerland during the last lockout. "I think thats where were going to be at our best." Other immediate challenges facing Canada (and just about every country) include the required role alterations demanded of NHL stars and energy-sapping jet lag, an adjustment most countries will face in some way or another. "We can talk about the size of the ice surface," said Yzerman, "but I think its adjusting to playing a lesser role. Youve got forwards that are used to playing 21-22 minutes a game that are going to play 10 and 11 and defencemen that are used to playing 27 playing 18. Thats a huge adjustment for them all." Stars and scoring champs are fighting for even the slightest bit of ice-time. Martin St. Louis was the oldest Art Ross winner in NHL history last season (he was 37) and has kept the Lightning afloat save the injured Steven Stamkos again this season, but he finds himself grinding amongst 14 forwards for an opportunity. He and Duchene, a fellow first-timer were on the outside of the forward lines on the opening day of practice at Bolshoy Ice Dome. "When I talked to St. Louis in Tampa I told him he was one of 14 forwards and that he has to grab his piece," said Babcock. "Thats what weve told everyone; theyve got to find a way to grab their piece." Babcock was flipping through lineups and line combinations from the triumphant experience in Vancouver alongside assistant coach Claude Julien and came to a very simple conclusion: things can change in a hurry. Mike Richards for instance, rose from the 14th forward to a key member of an effective trio which included Jonathan Toews and Rick Nash. "Its a competitive environment and we expect our guys to compete for their ice-time," Babcock said. The Canadian head coach got creative in his attempts to quell the effects of jet lag. Players were given a special package for the plane ride over to Sochi, a kit that included eye covers, ear plugs, melatonin, vitamins, and compression socks to reduce the possibility of swelling in the feet. They were also told to sleep no longer than four hours (some did anyway) and stay up until midnight if possible. All to curtail the effects of the drastic change in time zones. "Keep the players up," Babcock said of his goals for a practice that begin at 8pm local time. "We thought if we got some exercise at this time of night we had a better chance of staying up til midnight." Santiago Casilla Jersey .K. Subban has picked the right time of the year to go on an offensive tear. Boog Powell Jersey .ca/CurlingSkins - with the Top 16 curlers earning a ticket to Banff, Alta. to compete in the TRAVELERS ALL-STAR CURLING SKINS GAME Presented by Pintys, running Jan. http://www.athleticsrookiestore.com/Athletics-Jake-Smolinski-Kids-Jersey/ . "Im going to send Webbie a six-pack (of beer) tonight," she said. Webb wasnt sure that would help. "Ill probably drink one and go to sleep," the Australian veteran said. The two players set up a Sunday showdown between former HSBC champions after finishing off their third rounds with identical birdies over three of the last five holes Saturday to separate themselves slightly from the rest of the crowded leaderboard. Kendall Graveman Jersey . "[People] keep asking that question and its not a legit question because we dont have that right, we havent arrived yet," Casey responded. "Weve got to take each game at a time, each possession at a time and look at it that way. Rollie Fingers Jersey .com) - The surging Montreal Canadiens will try to match their longest winning streak of the season when they visit the Florida Panthers for Saturdays clash at BB&T Center.ATLANTA -- Anthony Davis said he still wasnt at full strength after missing one game with an illness. New Orleans All-Star forward would have difficulty convincing the Hawks. Davis had 34 points, including 13 in the Pelicans fourth quarter, and New Orleans beat Atlanta 111-105 on Friday night. Atlanta led 71-69 before New Orleans scored 42 points in the final period. The Pelicans took the lead with a 12-0 run that began at the end of the third quarter. Davis led the scoring but Luke Babbitt and Austin Rivers combined for 15 points off the bench in the fourth quarter. "Guys stepped up -- Luke, Austin -- and thats were going to need when guys go down," Davis said. New Orleans guard Eric Gordon did not return after leaving the game in the first quarter. Coach Monty Williams said Gordons tendinitis in his left knee flared up. Williams said he hopes Gordon can play on Saturday against Miami. Tyreke Evans had 21 points for New Orleans, which completed a two-game sweep of the season series. Davis set career highs with 40 points and 20 rebounds in New Orleans 121-120 overtime win over Boston on Sunday and then missed a loss to Toronto on Wednesday with a respiratory infection. "Im still under the weather, but I didnt want to miss any more games," Davis said. The Hawks five-game winning streak ended as they failed in a chance to move into a seventh-place tie with Charlotte in the Eastern Conference. Jeff Teague led Atlanta with 26 points and eight assists. Paul Millsap had 20 points. Led by Davis, the Pelicans outscored the Hawks 42-34 in the fourth period. With Davis scoring on three jams in the fourth quarter, the Pelicans made 12 of 16 shots from the field and 16 of 17 free throws in the period. Brian Roberts had 16 points and Babbitt had 11, while making three 3-pointers. Hawks guard Kyle Korver was held out with back spasms which developed during pregame warmups. Shelvin Mack sscored 18 points as Korvers replacement.dddddddddddd Atlantas DeMarre Carroll said the late lineup change "kind of threw us for a loop. Kyle is a big part of our team." Macks 3-pointer at the end of the first half pulled Atlanta into a 44-44 tie after New Orleans led most of the half. Atlanta used an 11-0 run, including seven points by Teague, to take its big lead at 67-60 in the third quarter. Babbitt entered the game late in the third quarter and made a 3-pointer to start the 12-0 run. He opened the final period with another 3-pointer to give the Pelicans the lead. A steal and jam by Davis capped the run which left New Orleans with a 78-71 lead. "At the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth quarter, our defence didnt execute," Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "Luke Babbitt came in and hurt us and of course Anthony Davis hurt us all night." Babbitts driving basket and 3-pointer from the corner pushed the lead to 93-85. Davis added to the lead, grabbing a rebound of a miss by Babbitt with his right hand and jamming the ball on the same motion. New Orleans outscored Atlanta 43-27 from the free-throw line. "We just didnt give the effort we needed to give," Carroll said. "We werent aggressive. It backfired on us tonight." NOTES: Hawks G Lou Williams had two points and two turnovers after missing seven straight games, including one when he was not with the team. ... New Orleans blocked six shots, including two by Alexis Ajinca. ... The Pelicans 42 fourth-quarter points were the most allowed in any quarter by Atlanta this season. ... The Pelicans open a four-game homestand against Miami on Saturday. ... The Hawks honoured Robin Roberts, a former Atlanta TV sports reporter and host of ABCs "Good Morning America," for her battle with myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare blood and bone marrow disease, and her efforts in promoting bone marrow donations. ' ' '