MINSK, Belarus -- Team Canadas world hockey championship is off to a rough start after a stunning 3-2 shootout loss to France. Even though it took a shootout, the defeat at Chizhovka-Arena stands out as one of Canadas more embarrassing losses in recent history at this tournament. Its just the second time Canada has lost to France, the last coming in regulation in 1995. "Its good to have adversity early, it tells your team just how hard its going to be and France played a very strong game," Canadian coach Dave Tippett said. "They capitalized on their power play and they got the extra point in the shootout, so congratulations to them." The two latest matchups between these teams at the IIHF World Hockey Championship ended in 7-2 and 9-1 victories for Canada in 2012 and 2011, respectively. Canada entered the 2014 tournament 8-1 all-time against France. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare scored the shootout-winner for France. Stephane Da Costa, a part-timer with the Ottawa Senators, had each of Frances regulation power-play goals. Brayden Schenn and Erik Gudbranson scored for Canada. Former NHL goaltender Cristobal Huet shined in net for France. James Reimer was saddled with the loss for Canada. "I think we made a few mistakes, but thats to be expected when youre kind of rusty and coming back and so were going to get better every game and well be better next game," said Reimer, who finished with 26 saves. Reimer was tested plenty in the early going, stopping a point-blank attempt from Dallas Stars forward Antoine Roussel short-handed three minutes in and turning French captain Laurent Meunier away a bit later. His best save of the first period came at the 11-minute mark on Da Costas big windup from the right faceoff circle. Da Costa broke through near the end of the period with Canadas Alex Burrows in the penalty box for tripping. After defenceman Yohann Auvitus point shot hit Reimer in the pads, the puck bounced out to the Ottawa Senators minor-leaguer, who snapped it in at the 17:03 mark to give France a 1-0 lead. It didnt take long for Canada to respond. Nathan MacKinnon drew a hooking penalty on Meunier with 35.4 seconds left in the first period, then Cody Hodgson fed Schenn for a power-play goal with 16.2 left to tie it. Canada came close to taking the lead a couple of times in the second period, no closer than when Morgan Rielly got a shot off from the right faceoff circle that Huet snagged with his glove at 11:46. Turnovers by young defencemen Tyler Myers and Erik Gudbranson brought some danger for Canada, but each time Reimer was challenged he came up big. With the seconds ticking away before intermission, Reimer made a big stop on Bellemare to get through the first 39 seconds of a five-on-three penalty kill. Canada killed off the remaining 28 seconds of the five-on-three early in the second before Troy Brouwer took another slashing penalty just 11 seconds later. Gudbranson gave Canada the lead 10:42 into the third period on a goal that was confirmed by video review. Gudbransons shot from between the faceoff circles hit the left post and went in off Huet. Da Costa scored again for France at 13:35, lifting a backhander over a sprawling Reimer to ignite cheers from an anti-Canada, pro-underdog France crowd at Chizhovka-Arena. It was a power-play goal as Jason Garrison was off for slashing and came right after defenceman Braydon Coburns turnover. Tippett pointed to turnovers and penalties as the primary culprit for one of Canadas worst losses in the past decade or so. "Its how costly they are to you when youre playing a team that is just playing not to lose because every time you turn the puck over or take a penalty, theyre just waiting for that advantage," he said. "Theyre just waiting for you to make a mistake and they feel like thats when they can make up for the discrepancy, possibly, in talent." . Milan was held to 1-1 at home by Torino. Cagliari scored six minutes from halftime when Mauricio Pinilla blasted home from the penalty spot after Facundo Roncaglia tripped Marco Sau. The home side could have doubled its tally in stoppage time as first Fiorentina defender Stefan Savic almost scored an own goal then Albin Ekdals shot clipped the top of the upright. .Y. - Lou Williams scored 21 points and the Toronto Raptors beat New York 81-76 on Monday night in the Knicks preseason home opener.
http://www.cheapnhlflamesjerseysauthent ... die-jersey. The move - the latest twist in Greeces nearly three-year financial freefall -- is the first such action by any of the countrys major sports bodies. It immediately halts all domestic track and field competitions, including track meets May 12-13 in several Greek cities. .C. - Canadian ice dancing, it seems, is in good hands. . Louis still looking for a way out of Tampa Bay, the 38-year-old NHL veteran isnt showing his cards.Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton told reporters after practice on Tuesday that he has decided not to appeal his 15-game NHL suspension to an independent arbitrator. "Id rather not be a distraction around here and Id rather just focus on getting ready for Jan. 11 (in San Jose)," he said. Last Tuesday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman upheld Thorntons punishment for his actions in a game against Pittsburgh earlier this month. Thornton and thee NHL Players Association had seven days to appeal to a neutral arbitrator.dddddddddddd Thornton, who appealed the ban, was suspended for punching and injuring an unsuspecting opponent in a game at Boston on Dec. 7. He slew-footed Penguins defenceman Brooks Orpik to the ice and landed gloved punches to his head. Orpik was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion. Bettman heard Thorntons appeal at a hearing in New York on Dec. 20. ' ' '
