Hurricanes Jersey . The Predators, who announced Wednesday | Forum

NASHVILLE -- Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne cant wait to test himself in a game. Hurricanes Jersey . The Predators, who announced Wednesday that they are sending Rinne to their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee, are cautiously waiting to see if the two-time Vezina Trophy finalist can help them chase down a playoff berth. Both Rinne and the team will have a better idea of where he is after the conditioning assignment for games Friday and likely Sunday in this latest step in his recovery from an E. coli infection in his surgically repaired left hip. Rinne has been limited to only nine games this season. Coach Barry Trotz said the Predators will be monitoring Rinne after each practice and game. "Hes at a point where weve got to find out where he is game-wise and also body and mind," Trotz said of Rinne. The Predators start a five-game home stand Thursday night hosting Tampa Bay just four points back of the Western Conferences eighth and final playoff spot with 23 games remaining. They missed the playoffs last year for only the second time in nine seasons. How quickly Rinne rejoins them depends on how he fares in Milwaukee. Rinne practiced with the Predators on Wednesday before travelling to Milwaukee, and he called this a big day with doctors giving him the green light for the latest step in his long recovery. He has been sidelined since Oct. 24 for an infection in the hip surgically repaired May 9, and Rinne said hes focusing on getting his game back and help the Predators. "So far I feel really comfortable," Rinne said. "Im happy how things have gone in practice and how things have gone so far. I think Im actually a little bit surprised its been going so well. But like I said, its still a process but for sure I feel like Im really close to game shape and now its just a final couple of games before I jump on the ice with the Nashville team." Rinne, 31, is sixth in the NHL with 152 wins since the 2008-09 season and has 30 shutouts since 2008-09, which leads all goalies during that time. He hasnt played since Oct. 22 in a 2-0 loss at Minnesota. He is 4-4-1 with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. The Predators have played four other goalies this season trying to make up for Rinnes absence. Currently, Carter Hutton is their starter, and he is 13-9-4 with a .904 save percentage and 2.87 goals-against average. Trotz said what theyve been missing without Rinne is a game-changer who can mean the difference in as many as 20 points in the standings each season. "Hes an elite goaltender and steals games maybe when you dont deserve it," Trotz said. "He can steal points." Trotz said theyre not sure what theyll see from Rinne. "Its not about Pekka coming back and being a saviour," Trotz said. "I think its Pekka coming back and adding to our mix. And if he can get his game to the level close to what hes capable of, were a better hockey team plain and simple. To me, its about Pekka for hopefully the next five or six years. Hes a difference maker." Captain Shea Weber, who practiced with the Predators on Wednesday after helping Canada win the Olympic gold medal Sunday in Sochi, said the Predators are definitely excited about the prospect of Rinne returning to the lineup as they try to chase down a playoff spot. "Weve been through a lot this year and to see what position we put ourselves in here four points out coming in its not going to be easy by any means," Weber said. "If anyone can do it, we can." Elias Lindholm Jersey . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball. Jordan Staal Hurricanes Jersey . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. http://www.hurricanesfansstore.com/Justin-Faulk-Jersey/ . The 18th player to shoot 60 on the tour, Jamieson settled for par on the final hole when his 15-foot birdie chip grazed the edge of the hole and stayed out. After opening with rounds of 66 and 73 to make the cut by a stroke, he had 11 birdies in the bogey-free round.CALGARY -- The Canadian womens hockey team will see palm trees and beaches and feel tropical temperatures when they arrive in Sochi, Russia, next week. This isnt a vacation, however, as they intend to skate hard in the Black Sea resort city that will host the Winter Olympics next February. The Canadian women depart Sunday on a trip designed to be a physical and mental orientation to the Games environment. Theyre scheduled to play the Russian womens team Sept. 8 and Sept. 10 at the secondary rink Shayba -- the venue for the preliminary-round games of the Olympic womens tournament -- before returning Sept. 11. The Canadians will practise and dryland train, as well as tour the athletes village and the city where they intend to defend the gold medal. "I look at it as a test event for us," captain Hayley Wickenheiser said. "Were playing two games against Russia. Competition is important, but its secondary to figuring out what the venues are like and where you are in proximity and what kind of food you need to eat. "Weve got a young group that hasnt done a lot of international travel, so its about adjusting to time change and being expected to perform. I tell the girls were doing Rocky in Russia." There wont be snow to pull a sled through as Sylvester Stallone did in "Rocky IV". Sochi is on the same latitude as southern France and in a zone that supports palm trees. The forecasted high next week is 30 degrees. Head coach Dan Church wants to see his 27 Olympic hopefuls persevere and perform through the fog of severe jet lag. Theyve been training full-time in Calgary since Aug. 6 and their bodies are still adjusting to a heavy workload. "We have to be good at playing a little tired," Church said. "We have to train through this period. The result of the games is secondary to what we need to do to prepare for the overall picture. "First and foremost its to be in the environment. Secondly, we want to continue to develop our players and the team, push some of the systems play we want to implement and finish off this five-week training block with some really good games." He has built one "beach day" into their schedule and some time to explore Sochi. "A lot of people dont realize you can train as hard as you want, but if you dont rest hard, the training isnt as effective," Church said. The majority of the players and Church will experience Russia for the first time. Wickenheiser travelled to the country once when she played mens pro hockey in Finland. But the veteran of five Olympic Games is anxious to see what Sochi has in store for her and her teammates. "Im just curious about the venue,"t; Wickenheiser said. Eddie Lack Hurricanes Jersey. "The only thing that matters to me is the rink. I could sleep in a cardboard box." The 35-year-old from Shaunavon, Sask., has added her voice to widespread criticism of anti-gay laws Russia passed in June. The legislation bans promotion of "non-traditional" sexual relations, which makes Pride events illegal and muzzles gay organizations. A debate is underway on how gay athletes, or athletes who have gay family members or friends at the Games, will be treated in Sochi. International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge says hes received written assurances from the Russian government that everyone will be welcome in Sochi "regardless of sexual orientation" but it is unclear what would happen to athletes or fans if they engaged in behaviour deemed illegal under Russian law. Wickenheiser says she wont censor herself if shes asked about the controversy while in Russia. "I feel this is the way most athletes and most people in the free world think about it," she said. "I do think what theyre doing is discriminating against human rights. I just think its the 21st century. Its 2014. We have to not let those things happen." The Canadian Olympic Committee has trumpeted its support of Canadian athletes participating in Pride events across the country throughout this summer. Speedskaters Denny Morrison, Anastasia Bucsis and Shannon Rempel, as well as luger Sam Edney will walk in Calgarys Pride Parade on Sunday, the COC said Friday in a release. The Russian womens hockey team won the bronze medal at Aprils world hockey championship in Ottawa. It was the countrys first medal since taking bronze in 2001. After years of neglect, the Russian Hockey Federation is investing in female hockey because the host country wants a medal to add to its total in Sochi. Former NHL player Alexei Yashin is the teams general manager. "They have dramatically improved their game," Wickenheiser said. "In talking to some of the players . . . they really like Alexei Yashin and they really feels hes cares about them and is invested in them as hockey players. "I think for the first time ever, they have a spark of hope. They want to train hard. I know some of the training theyve been doing. Its the old Russian Red Army way." Russias support of womens hockey has come too late to challenge Canada and the U.S. for gold in Sochi, but Wickenheiser feels the country is capable of becoming a legitimate rival for the North Americans. "If they did invest in their program over the next five or six years, of any country they could do it," she said. "They have the talent." Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '