as the second goal of the season for the former Oiler.The Oilers pulled even three minutes later as Pitlick made a nifty deflect

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Golf formally returned to the Olympics on Thursday, on a course that saw its construction threatened by lawsuits aimed at protecting the nature preserve on which it was built. Vapormax Plus Soldes .The first official Olympic golf shot in 112 years was struck by Brazils Adilson da Silva to open the round, and plenty of his countrymen were on the course as fans. It came about a year after the last of the hassles that included environmental lawsuits, land ownership disputes and doubts it even needed to be built in the first place.The course is good, said Canadas Graham Delaet, who shot 66 and is tied for second, three shots back of early leader Marcus Fraser of Australia. I think it exceeded everyones expectations.Plenty of native wildlife has remained on the course even after construction, including capybara (a large rodent), caiman (small crocodile) and corujas (burrowing owls). The animals, the owls especially, were particularly visible in the practice rounds earlier this week, when there were considerably fewer people on the course.Fans being on the course Thursday may have sent some of the animals seeking cover.I imagine people in Brazil think it is funny that we go oogling over something that is a little more normal to them, said U.S. golfer Matt Kuchar, who shot 69 and finished the day tied for 11th in the 60-man field, six shots off Frasers pace.Games organizers and city officials have consistently defended the construction of the course, which they hope will spark growth of the game in Brazil. The course also features newly built luxury apartments, which further raised the ire of those groups who objected to the construction in the first place.Plans call for the course to be public for at least 20 years. Rio has a small number of private golf clubs as well.The course took three years to build, and problems werent limited to the courtrooms. Gil Hanse, the American who designed the course, complained early in the project he wasnt getting paid by the developer and hinted at pulling out. Air Max 95 Homme Pas Cher .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Balenciaga Pas Cher Chine . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. http://www.chaussurepascherchine.fr/gros...emme-solde.html . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. EDMONTON, Alberta -- Opposing players are starting to take note of what could finally be significant improvement from the Edmonton Oilers.Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist as the Oilers won their second straight game in a strong start to the season, defeating the St. Louis Blues 3-1 on Thursday night.They are not the Oilers of the last few years, Ill tell you that, Blues goalie Jake Allen said. They are a good hockey club and obviously made some good additions to their team.Tyler Pitlick and off-season free-agent signing Milan Lucic scored for Edmonton, which improved to 4-1-0 on the season.Starting 4-1, we couldnt ask for a better start, McDavid said. I think were feeling pretty good about ourselves, but I think its about keeping it on an even keel.Beating one of the best teams in the league was definitely a boost, according to Lucic.Its a huge win, he said. We talked about getting off to a good start, having a good first five games to get our team rolling and build some confidence before the Heritage Classic. It was great that we were able to play a really good game against a really good team.Nail Yakupov replied for the Blues (3-1-1) in his return to Edmonton since he was traded to St. Louis earlier this month.Blues coach Ken Hitchcock felt his team let one get away.Weve really wasted some great goaltending displays by Jake. Hes been outstanding and given us a chance to win both of these last two games, said Hitchcock, who watched his team lose 2-1 in overtime to Vancouver on Tuesday.Its unfortunate with the way he has been playing to only come out with one point from these last two games.There was no scoring in the first period, with the Blues getting 10 shots on Oilers goallie Cam Talbot and Edmonton directing eight shots on Allen. Air Max 97 Pas Cher. .The Blues got on the board 3:37 into the second as a scramble allowed Joel Edmundson to feed it in front to Yakupov. It was the second goal of the season for the former Oiler.The Oilers pulled even three minutes later as Pitlick made a nifty deflection off a shot by Andrej Sekera while being knocked flying to score his third of the season.Edmonton made it 2-1 just 36 seconds into the third period as McDavid broke out of a two-game scoring droueght by threading a pass through to Lucic in front. It was the big wings second goal of the year.Both goaltenders made big saves before the Blues came close to tying it up midway through the third. Yakupov had Talbot beat on a backhand shot, but hit the post.McDavid put the game away with his fourth goal of the season into an empty net.Tonight was a huge test for us, Talbot said. Any time you can beat a powerhouse like St. Louis, it goes a long way for the confidence in this group and moving forward thats what we need to have.Game notes It was the first of three meetings between the teams this season. . Yakupov spent four seasons with the Oilers, recording 111 points in 252 games. . Blues F Jaden Schwartz played his first game of the season after recovering from a hyperextended elbow. . Talbot made his fifth start of the season one day after his wife, Kelly, gave birth to twins.UP NEXT:Blues: Conclude a three-game road trip in Calgary on Saturday.Oilers: Are off until Sunday, when they play the Jets in the Heritage Classic outdoor game in Winnipeg. ' ' '