SOCHI – Slow and messy starts seem to be par for the course for the Canadian mens Olympic hockey team. Even though, the 2014 edition enjoyed three days of practice and four skates, in total, before the opener, Sidney Crosby and Co. were not sharp in their 3-1 win against Norway at the Bolshoy Ice Palace on Thursday. There was little authority from Canada. There were some nerves. But slow starts have been the case in the past three Winter Games, when Canada usually had only a day or two of on-ice sessions before the game-action began. Norway deserves credit for its determined game and defensive zone coverage. But even though the Canadians outshot their opponents 38-20, their power play (0-for-2) was abysmal and their scoring touch around Norwegian goalie Lars Haugen was missing in action. Canadian head coach Mike Babcock revealed afterwards that his club mustered only 24 scoring chances. Canada pulled out the victory because the fourth line of Jamie Benn, John Tavares and Patrice Bergeron came to play, despite limited ice time, and the defence played an active and effective game offensively. At best-on-best tournaments like the Olympics, Canadian players remark time and time again that they want to get better as the tournament goes on. Sometimes they overcome slow starts, like in 2002 and 2010. Sometimes they dont, like in 2006. But a common theme has been a slow start in the preliminary rounds. 2002 L 5-2 SwedenW 3-2 GermanyT 3-3 Czech Republic 2006 W 7-2 ItalyW 5-1 GermanyL 2-0 Switzerland 2010 W 8-0 NorwayW 3-2 Switzerland (shootout)L 5-3 United States Canadian Olympic teams struggle to come together quickly. It doesnt matter if its the bigger international-sized ice surface or the smaller NHL rink. One of the reasons is because they are asked to take on different roles and reduced ice time. Not every one can make the adjustment seamlessly. 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The former world No. 1 Djokovic, who is the top seed here despite being ranked No. 2, snuck past 35-year-old Czech showman Radek Stepanek in four high- quality sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5), on Centre Court. Djokovic appeared relieved when he converted on his first match point by swatting a cross-court forehand winner that just caught the line to end an affair that featured only two service breaks. Stephen Gostkowski Womens Jerseys . 1 overall pick likes best about football. "Big hits," he said. "Im all about hitting. I dont care who it is." Thats what the Houston Texans are counting on from the South Carolina defensive end after skipping a chance to take a quarterback -- their top need -- with the top pick Thursday night.PHILADELPHIA -- Characterizing Day 2 of the NHL draft as "a good day," Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving pronounced himself "happy and excited" about the weekends transactions. Among the teams moves was trading one of the teams two third round picks, no. 83 overall, to the Chicago Blackhawks for Brandon Bollig, a six-foot-two, 223-pound left-winger who had seven goals, seven assists, and 92 penalty minutes in 82 games last season. "Weve talked a little bit about adding some size to our lineup," said Treliving, "I think Brandons a guy that in a situation where hes maybe given a little bit more responsibility, a little bit more opportunity, I think theres still more growth to his game. "Weve got some young people coming and we want to make sure theyre surrounded by the right people. Hes won a Stanley Cup." Chicago GM Stan Bowman said the Blackhawks would miss Bolligs presence, but that they had to look to the future. "Its always tough when you trade a player whos been part of your group, a regular player for you," said Bowman. "But weve got to look at doing some things like that to prepare for next year." Chicago needed to make some moves to get under the salary cap, which is $69 million for the 2014-2015 season. The Flames took six-foot-six right-winger Hunter Smith from the OHLs Oshawa Generals with the 54th overall pick and six-foot-one defenceman Brandon Hickey from the AJHL in round three. The teams late-round picks were Swedens Adam Ollas Mattsson, a six-foot-four 209-pound blue-liner and six-foot-three, 216-pound Austin Carroll of the WWHLs Victoria Royals.dddddddddddd "Its not about just getting big," said Treliving. "All these guys bring a little something to the table. Hunter Smith is a guy that took a huge step this year, but hes still a young guy thats going to fill out." Smith was excited to play for a Flames franchise thats putting an emphasis on physical play. "I think Calgary is a great fit for me," said Smith. "Im a big, strong power winger; Im going to get in the corners and Im going to mess it up down there." In something of a mild surprise, the Flames took the no. 2-ranked goalie, Mason McDonald of the QMJHLs Charlottetown Islanders, with the 34th overall pick, passing up no. 1-ranked Thatcher Demko. "Lot of debate on it with the guys for the last few weeks," said Treliving. "Ultimately our goalie list had Mason at the top. Our guys liked this guy, he was there, we made the pick." The six-foot-two, 170-pound Halifax native began the 2013-2014 season with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. A midseason trade moved him to Charlottetown where he finished the season with a combined eight wins, posting a 3.44 goals-against average and .900 save percentage. "We knew if we didnt take him there that we didnt have a chance to get him," said Treliving. Amateur scout Tom Webster, whos retiring after this draft, got a standing ovation before announcing the Flames final pick at no. 184. "He was emotional," said Treliving. "Thats the first time Ive seen a standing ovation on the floor for somebody. It shows the impact hes had to a lot of people out there." ' ' '
