TORONTO -- The Maple Leafs boast a predominantly Canadian roster with 20 players holding Canadian passports; however, many are struggling when it comes to deciding who to cheer for come Fridays semifinal of mens hockey at the Olympics, which features Leafs teammates Phil Kessel and James van Reimsdyk against the Canadians. The Leafs were back on the ice Wednesday following an 10-day break. It apparently wasnt long enough, as Team Canadas 2-1 win over Latvia didnt conclude before the Leafs began practice. "I was thinking we might get a little delay, but it was nice to get out there," said Tyler Bozak of watching Wednesdays game." Bozak, a native of Regina, Sask., centres a line of Kessel and van Riemsdyk. He also shares an apartment with Kessel in Toronto. He has been in touch with his linemates during the break. "Theyre enjoying it, they said everythings great," said Bozak. "The village is nice, theyre meeting lots of new people and having fun. Theyre winning lots of games and playing really well." When asked who hed be cheering for in Fridays rematch of the 2010 gold medal game, Bozak appeared on the fence. "Its going to be an exciting game to watch for sure. I really cant make any predictions," he said. "I dont knowa the U.S. has been playing great. Canadas kind of snuck by with a few wins, but every games different and it should be a fun one to watch. "I just hope Phil and JVR play really well and maybe Canada wins, I dont know." Nazem Kadri, who spent his break along with Bozak and Frazer McLaren in the Caribbean, isnt sure of Canadas chances. "I want to say Canada, but to be honest, I think the U.S. looks a little bit better," said the London, Ont. native. "In tournaments like these, its all about one game, one period swing where that could be the difference." Sudbury, Ont. native, Randy Carlyle admitted cheering for Canada isnt as easy as it may appear. "I wish our players all the success in the world and I think its important for us to never lose sight of the fact that youre part of a team, but again, I am Canadian," said Carlyle, who spent his break in California. "There is things pulling at your heart strings in different directions thats for sure." Kessel has been the talk of the tournament leading the way with five goals and eight points heading in to Fridays game. He was also the topic de jour at the Leafs practice facility in Etobicoke Wednesday. When asked if Kessel, who is second behind just Alexander Ovechkin in regular season scoring with 31 goals, has put himself amongst the best players in the NHL, Carlyle was quick to pump the breaks. "Thats a big statement for anybody to come out and proclaim on any player. It takes a longer period of time than just five years (or) six years," Carlyle said. "Hes not a one-dimensional player as people described him previously. Hes a guy who still has some things that wed like him to stop doing, but hes become more of a two-way player." Kadri, who according to Carlyle returned with the best-looking tan on the team, isnt surprised at Kessels success in Sochi. "I think we all knew Phil was going to achieve more especially on that big ice," he said. "Not too many players in the league can skate with him so. Phil does a great job finding areas to get open." Carlyle admitted one player he is concerned about is Nikolai Kulemin. Kulemin was part of the Russian team, which fell 3-1 to Finland in the quarter-finals. "Nobody asks questions about how youre going to feel about Nikolai Kulemin coming back and thats a tough one," said Carlyle. "Host country and the way their tournament unravelled. "Hes part of our hockey club and weve got to find a way to build him back up and get him going again." Notes: Injured forwards David Bolland (foot), Peter Holland (lace bite), Carter Ashton (hand) and Trevor Smith (undisclosed) were all participants in Wednesdays 50 minute skate at the MasterCard Centre. Once Bolland, Smith and Ashton return from injured reserved, the Leafs will have 25 players on their active roster and will require some moves. .com) - James van Riemsdyk had two goals with one assist to help the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night. .55 million euros (US$18.6 million) to Spanish tax authorities on Monday to cover any potential irregularities in its signing of Neymar, all the while maintaining its innocence of the fraud charges levied against it.
http://www.jetsrookiestore.com/Jets-Tre ... -Jersey/.Y. -- Cory Schneider has to make the most of his opportunities to guard the New Jersey Devils net to earn more playing time. . - For a general manager who preaches building through the draft, Reggie McKenzie has struggled to find impact players his first two years in Oakland. . The third-seeded Bouchard, from Westmount, Que., was coming off a semifinal appearance at the French Open. She took the opening set before the unseeded American came back for the 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory.Alan Smith says Gareth Southgate has a big decision to make over England captain Wayne Rooney against Slovenia on Tuesday. The Sky Sports pundit was at Wembley on Saturday evening to see Englands record goalscorer deployed in midfield against Malta, a position he has occupied in his last six international appearances.Smith praised fellow midfielders Jordan Henderson and Dele Alli, but insists Rooney does not have the ability to play that role against a higher standard of opposition. He feels interim England manager Southgate may need to change his thinking on his captain ahead of Tuesdays World Cup Qualifier in Slovenia.He told Sky Sports: Rooney played in that deep-lying position next to Jordan Henderson, who was man of the match by some distance; some of his passing was quite superb. Alan Smith says Gareth Southgate has a call to make on Wayne Rooney Rooney had loads of time because Malta had dropped off and he was able to lift his head and pick his passes like he was in training.Its going to be interesting, I cant really see him in that position against better opposition, and I cant really see him playing in that position against Slovenia on Tuesday, when hes actually got to do more defending.So theres a question mark there because Dele Alli did really well in the No 10 position behind Daniel Sturridge and he seems to be cementing his place there. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. For Rooney, I think he sees his future for England in that withdrawn position. The question is, does the manager see that?First-half goals from Daniell Sturridge and Alli earned victory for Southgates side at Wembley and Smith described it as a solid start for Sam Allardyces successor.dddddddddddd Gareth Southgate praised Wayne Rooney after the match But he feels the players need to be more ruthless in front of goal in the caretaker managers three remaining matches against Slovenia, Scotland and Spain.Smith added: I think it was a big, big day for Gareth Southgate, and a solid debut for him without being spectacular.England absolutely dominated possession from start to finish, Malta hardly got in Englands half let alone the penalty area.Its just a little disappointing they couldnt get more goals.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: England player ratings Southgate hails Rooney As it happened Group F table ' ' '
