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David Clarkson took it on faith that the Maple Leafs could win without him. Magic Johnson Team USA Jersey . Still, the waiting was the hardest part. That wait is almost over as Clarkson has served his 10-game suspension and will make his debut tonight at the Columbus Blue Jackets. Its fair to say he has been looking forward to this day for a long time. "Its like Christmas: You used to open up the box thered be a chocolate and then another chocolate," Clarkson said jokingly. "I got a box at home, I get my daughter to open it. No, but Ive been definitely checking off the dates and getting ready to go." Clarkson earned an automatic ban from the NHL for leaving the bench to enter an altercation in the pre-season when Toronto played the Buffalo Sabres. The veteran right-winger didnt express much in the way of remorse for coming to the aid of Phil Kessel when he was matched up against tough guy John Scott, but regretted how the punishment affected the team. "I think you try to take something from it," he said. "No ones perfect and when you do things or things happen bad, you try and make a positive from it." The biggest positive is the Leafs 7-3-0 record without Clarkson, who acknowledged getting a different perspective on games from sitting up in the press box. "The boys have been winning, which makes it easier," he told reporters this week. "I got to watch a bit of hockey. But Ive watched enough, and Im ready to get back at it." While the Leafs are unsure if winger Joffrey Lupul or call-up Josh Leivo will be in the lineup at Columbus. Lupul is questionable for the game with a bone bruise and did not skate at morning practice. Leivo skated on the third line with Jay McClement and Nazem Kadri. Clarkson has been slotted on the second line with Mason Raymond and Dave Bolland. Clarkson recalled a suspension from his junior hockey days as prior experience but called this time sitting out the toughest thing he has had to endure in his career. Teammates made it easier with text messages and phone calls of support, but that was little consolation for missing the Leafs first game at the Montreal Canadiens and the home opener against the Ottawa Senators. All Clarkson could do was serve as a measure of moral support and a practice player. As the Leafs lost Nikolai Kulemin and James van Riemsdyk to injuries, they cycled through minor-league call-ups and Clarkson — who forfeited US $269,230.80 during the suspension — became the fill-in for line rushes. Not anymore. "Obviously its been a while that we have been waiting for him," coach Randy Carlyle said. "We see him every day, and were just looking at him to come in and add a piece to our puzzle." Clarkson expected a lot of himself after signing a $36.75-million, seven-year contract with the team he grew up rooting for. He conceded hell be "fired up" to play his first meaningful game in a Leafs uniform, but the 29-year-old knows he wont be able to do everything the first time he steps on the ice. "We think that he can make a contribution, but we dont want to put too much pressure on him," Carlyle said. "He hasnt played in a while. We just want him to do the simple things, be David Clarkson and make the simple, strong play." Clarkson figures being himself means going to the front of the net, scoring and bringing a physical presence — no different from his time with the New Jersey Devils. He learned a lot from deep playoff runs with the Devils, like how teams can win without playing pretty. That has been the Leafs so far. But Clarkson has felt great camaraderie within the team since training camp. "Its a great locker-room. Theres no cliques, everyones on the same page," he said. "Weve got something special here." Finally, Clarkson gets to be a part of it. Kevin Love Team USA Jersey .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night. Stephen Curry Team USA Jersey . Dukurs winning time was 1 minute, 45.76 seconds, a quarter-second better than Russias Alexander Tretiakov. Lativas Tomass Dukurs was third, 1.41 seconds off the pace. Jon Montgomery of Eckville, Alta. http://www.basketballapparelshop.com/Washington-Wizards/ . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December.Hall of Famer Paul Coffey was recently suspended by the Greater Toronto Hockey League for using a "discriminatory slur," according to The Hockey News. THN.com reported Wednesday that Coffey, who coaches his son Blakes Toronto Marlboros midget AAA team, was involved in a verbal confrontation last Friday during their playoff game against the Mississauga Senators. The hockey publication added that Coffey was originally assessed a gross misconduct penalty for a discriminatory slur and was handed a three-game suspension after an automatic investigation by the GTHL. Coffey was not behind the bench with his team for their playoff game on Tuesday night. The GTHL would not confirm that Coffey was suspended, as its not league policy to disclose its suspensions. However, the league did confirm that the altercation happened and was not considered too serious. "From what I understand, the two opposing coaches went at each other near the end of the game," GTHL President John Gardner told The Toronto Sun on Wednesday.& qquot;People do and say crazy things at this time of year, its the playoffs. Michael Jordan Team USA Jersey. I think it has been blown out of proportion. "Paul Coffey is a good coach who has done nothing wrong since being involved in this league. But lets face it, hockey is an emotional game and people sometimes say things they dont mean." Neither the Marlies nor Coffey have commented about the incident or the decision, but an official from Mississauga did tell the The Hockey News that the Senators lobbied the GTHL to be lenient, sharing the same sentiment that the situation was being blown out of proportion. "Obviously there has to be punishment, regardless of who is involved," Gardner added. "But in my opinion, I would say this was a minor incident." Coffey, 52, played for 21 seasons in the NHL, winning four Stanley Cups and three Norris trophies as the leagues best defenceman. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004. Files from The Hockey News and The Toronto Sun were used for this report. 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