TORONTO -- Steven Stamkos has had the World Cup of Hockey on his mind for more than two years.From the moment he was told his Olympics were finished before they even started and his heart was shattered by the news that his broken leg had not healed enough for him to make the trip to Sochi in February 2014, the Tampa Bay Lightning captain began soothing that pain with the dream of wearing the Maple Leaf in his hometown on this stage -- the red Maple Leaf, that is.This was something I was really looking forward to ever since, really, the Olympic dream was over, that next opportunity to wear that sweater again, Stamkos said Monday after practice. When I was named to the team, it was something that was definitely circled on the calendar and worked hard for.While Team Canada battled it out for two weeks in Sochi, Stamkos got away from it all in the Cayman Islands.It was pretty grueling what I was doing to try to get back to play in the Olympics, and to feel as if I was ready ... mentally and physically ... and then going to the doctor and not being able to [play], it was pretty crushing, he said. I needed time and space away from everything, so I went on a little vacation.Stamkos couldnt bring himself to watch the Olympic tournament until the final game, when his patriotic feelings took over.It was bittersweet knowing what went on and how that would have been a special memory for me, he said, but as a Canadian, I was very proud, as friends, of all those guys.One can make the argument that no player in the World Cup wants to shine more than Stamkos, who is playing in front of family members and wants to make up for the lost Sochi opportunity.Its been a great experience for me, this tournament here, said Stamkos, who is from Markham, just north of Toronto. I get to go home and spend time with friends and family and then come back and be with the guys. I couldnt have asked for a better situation, and I couldnt have asked for a better start for our team.I wonder, however, if he hasnt been pressing a bit in the three pretournament games and the tournament opener, a 6-0 win over the Czech Republic. Stamkos, one of the NHLs most talented goal scorers, has a burning desire to leave his imprint on this stage.I liked him his first two exhibition games. I didnt like him in Game 3. And I liked him last game. Three of four is pretty good, Team Canada head coach Mike Babcock said Monday in assessing Stamkos play so far.The work ethic? The desire? Babcock isnt questioning that.Hes so energized because he loves the game so much, he said.I asked Stamkos about the perils of putting too much pressure on himself because he wants so badly to have an impact.I think my mentality has always been, when you get to these tournaments, you get to represent your country, do whatever it takes to win, what were all here for, he said. I know its a cliché, but guys are willing to do whatever it takes. Thats a staple of Team Canada hockey.After spending most of camp and the pretournament games on a line with Jonathan Toews and Logan Couture, Stamkos was put with?John Tavares and Ryan Getzlaf just before the tournament. There were signs against the Czechs that the line could be something special. Stamkos was robbed of a goal by Michal Neuvirth on one of several chances his line had.It almost feels like that line is about to explode, which might be bad news for Team USA on Tuesday.I mean, to try and keep a goal scorer like that off the sheet is not easy, especially when he has that many looks, Getzlaf said of Stamkos. As long as were getting those opportunities, thats the main thing.The challenge is to develop chemistry quickly.?I dont think Ive ever played with Stammer, Getzlaf said. But much like Pears [Anaheim Ducks teammate Corey Perry], his game kind of fits into the way I play. Anytime you can put a goal scorer on my wing, Im happy. I do enjoy the passing game more than shooting, as most people know already.Stammer works hard. He gets in the corners and does the dirty work too. Its not like hes a perimeter guy. We just got to keep doing those little things, and those little plays will happen. Zapatillas España Baratas Online . It says Pocklingtons lawyer filed the appeal Friday in a California court. CTV Edmonton also says Pocklington gave a $100,000 cash deposit as part of the conditions of his bail, and that he will be out on bail until his appeal is heard. Comprar Zapatillas Online Baratas . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. http://www.barataszapatillas.es/ .ca! Hi Kerry, Its another day and here we are looking at another dubious hit to the head. In this case Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky elbowed Saku Koivu in the head about a second after he dished off the puck to a teammate, knocking him unconscious. Zapatillas Baratas Outlet . Deulofeu injured a muscle in his right leg in Evertons 4-1 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday. Barcelona says that its team doctors will "co-ordinate" with Evertons medical staff as Deulofeu recovers. Zapatillas Baratas Outlet España . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers should look to the Dallas Cowboys for an example of how to thrive while missing some star players.With Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and two starting offensive lineman sidelined by injuries, the Cowboys still managed to beat San Francisco 24-17 Sunday for their third straight win.Now the Niners (1-3) head into a short week following their third straight loss dealing with injuries to two key defensive players, most notably star linebacker NaVorro Bowman. Bowman was carted off the field with a lower left leg injury that appeared to be serious after he went down without contact in the third quarter.It is tough to see anyone go down, safety Eric Reid said. We will see what happens and the next guy has to step in and that is what we have to do. That next guy has some big shoes to fill.First-round defensive lineman DeForest Buckner also left with an injury and had a walking boot on his left foot after the game, leaving two potential holes in a defense with a Thursday night game upcoming against Arizona.The Cowboys did just fine without their key players. Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 245 yards and two scores and fellow rookie Ezekiel Elliott had his second straight 100-yard game, rushing for 138 yards and a touchdown.Backup receiver Brice Butler caught one TD pass and Terrance Williams caught another as the Cowboys are thriving without some of their best players.There were a number of backups in the lineup on both sides of the ball, coach Jason Garrett said. Guys just stepping up prepared, accountable, come to work every day, do their job.Here are some other takeaways from the Cowboys win over the Niners:STAGNANT OFFENSE: After scoring TDs on their first two drives of the game, the 49ers offense stalled. San Francisco had one field goal the rest of the way as Blaine Gabbert struggled for any consistency. Gabbert missed an open Torrey Smith on a deep ball midway throough the fourth quarter, turning a possible go-ahead touchdown into an interception , and then completed only a 3-yard pass on fourth-and-6 to end San Franciscos final drive in Dallas territory.ddddddddddddWe started fast like we wanted to all week, Gabbert said. Got the run game going. Got some passes in there. Jumped up to 14-0 and just stalled there a little bit.POISED ROOKIE: The early 14-point deficit didnt shake Prescott a bit. He remained calm and led the Cowboys back with another mistake-free performance. He went 23 for 32 and his 131 attempts without an interception are the most ever for a player in his first four games.He isnt going to blink, Butler said. No scenario is too big for him. We expect that from him and he expects that from himself.LONG TIME COMING: After being slowed by injuries for much of his career, Morris Claiborne is finally playing like the first-round pick he was for Dallas in 2012. He had his first interception since 2014 and also made the key tackle on Smith on the fourth-down play .It feels good to get an interception anytime in a game, Claiborne said. Its been a long time since I had one. It feels great to finally get one and to get one in a win.MOMENTUM TURN: Two plays in the second quarter ended up shifting the momentum in Dallas favor. Jaquiski Tartt was called for a personal foul after the Niners appeared to get a third-down stop with a sack of Prescott. Tartt hit Prescott after he was already wrapped up on the play, leading to the penalty. Three plays later, Dallas scored its first TD on Prescotts pass to Williams.Later in the quarter, Bradley Pinion shanked a punt for 26 yards, giving Dallas a short field. The Cowboys capitalized with the TD pass to Butler that tied the game.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '
