LAC-MEGANTIC, Que. -- The Montreal Canadiens held a practice in the disaster-stricken town of Lac-Megantic, Que., in a show of support Thursday for the community. The Habs rolled into town on a bus whose passengers included team owner Geoff Molson and general manager Marc Bergevin. "Driving down the road, you take a deep breath. Its hard. Its hard to see it," Molson said. "But at the same time the people are here today, and theyre happy, and it looks like the city is being rebuilt so that gives me pleasure at the same time." Cheers from the 1,300 people in the arena greeted them as they took the ice, with kids tapping on the glass to get the players attention and request autographs. It was the latest in a string of good-will gestures directed at the community, following benefit shows and free concert tickets from Paul McCartney. The Habs themselves have already held a scrimmage at the Bell Centre where cash raised from the $5 tickets went to a Lac-Megantic fund. They also invited survivors and emergency personnel to pre-season games, and held a minute of silence during a pre-game tribute. "I think we probably had 150 ideas of what we could do (for Lac-Megantic)," said Molson. "We put together a little task force. Im not going to give any individual credit. I think its a team effort and Im proud to be here." Lac-Megantic mayor Colette Roy-Laroche said watching the Canadiens play on Saturday nights on television was a sacred ritual in her family when she was growing up. "Its a pleasure and an honour to have the whole team and Mr. Molson here," she said. "Im delighted and proud. I cant find the words to express how happy we are." Goaltending coach Stephane Waite, who is from nearby Sherbrooke, Que., said the bus went quiet as it approached the town. Defenceman P.K. Subban told reporters that the team felt it was important to go to Lac-Megantic, and appreciated seeing so many happy and excited children. His teammate David Desharnais was moved by what he saw. "You see it on TV, but when you see it with your own eyes and you realize how devastating it was," he said. "Were glad we came. "I saw a lot of smiles in the stands. If we can bring a little joy to people and show them were behind them, well be happy." From the excitement in the stands, it was clear the visit was a success. "We love hockey," said Lac Megantic resident Gaston Breault. "Its a chance for us to see the Canadiens in person. "It was good of them to do this." Forty-seven people were killed, and a part of the town was razed, when a train derailed on July 5, smashing into the town centre and erupting in fireballs. The disaster has prompted various investigations and lawsuits, all of which are ongoing. There have also been policy changes in Canadas rail-safety standards, with other changes possible after an investigation from the federal Transportation Safety Board. . "I love the game, its the best job you can have," he explained Tuesday as the players left Joe Louis Arena for the summer. "Ill sit down with my wife and well go from there. . The team announced that it exercised the options on 15 players including goalkeepers Evan Bush, Maxime Crepeau and Troy Perkins, defenders Matteo Ferrari, Karl W.
http://www.officialbaltimoreravensfootb ... sey-womens. Teams one through twenty competing in Englands top flight are each fatally flawed. A wide-open, highly competitive and mistake-filled season has followed. . -- Slugger Jose Abreu, All-Star left-hander Chris Sale and closer Matt Lindstrom are on the disabled list. . Pillar is batting .305 with 17 extra-base hits, 19 RBI and five stolen bases in 34 games for Buffalo this season. The right-handed hitter had an International League high, 18-game hitting streak this season and currently owns an IL high 26-game on base streak.The Netherlands is now the single greatest speed skating team at an Olympic Games after sweeping the womens 1,500-metre race at the Adler Arena Skating Center in Sochi. Jorien ter Mors set an Olympic-record time of one minute 53.51 seconds to win her first Olympic gold medal. Ter Mors just missed a short track medal Saturday, finishing fourth in the 1,500m. "It is bizarre that I can do this," said Ter Mors, who had to wait nearly an hour to know the gold was assured after skating in the ninth of 18 pairings. Veteran Ireen Wust failed to defend her Olympic title but still managed to win silver in 1:54.09. Wust now has six Olympic medals, including three gold and a victory in the womens 3000m in Sochi. "I admit Im a bit ticked," Wust said. "I had [a gold medal] in me. Maybe I was too keen, too concerned about lap times. You have got to be loose out there on the ice, and then the lap times will come. But I dont begrudge Jorien the gold." Lotte van Beek made it a 1-2-3 Dutch finish with a time of 1:54.54. The Dutch team actually had the top-four skaters as Marrit Leenstra finished with a time of 1:56.40. The Netherlands has dominated the proceedings, taking five gold and 16 medals so far in only eight races, eclipsing the record set by East Germany in the 1988 Games in Calgary. It also as swept events in the mens 500 and 5,000m in Sochi. No Canadian women were able to crack the top 10. Reginas Kali Christ plaaced 16th in 1:53.dddddddddddd51. Christine Nesbitt, of London, Ont., finished 17th with a time of 1:58.67, Winnipegs Brittany Schussler was 26th in 2:00.65, while Brianne Tutt of Calgary, ended up 35th in 2:03.69. It was another disappointing event for Nesbitt, who finished ninth in the 1,000m — her signature event — on Thursday. Nesbitt won gold in that distance at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. She was the 1,500m world champion in 2012, and dominated the World Cup circuit two years ago. But injuries, a battle with coeliac disease and admittedly feeling the pressure of defending Olympic gold have all contributed to Nesbitts dismal season, where she failed to medal in any of the World Cup events. "I think one of the hardest things about winning is that because youve done it once people expect you do it again and again and again," said Kristina Groves, CBC Sports speed skating analyst and four-time Olympic medallist. "I think they forget how hard it is to do that. Nesbitt has had some struggles with injuries, with coeliac disease and that takes a toll over time. But I think she should be proud of this race. I know she was probably expected more but shes been through so much this season. "I thought she looked solid, just a little slow tempo toward the end. I think she should be proud of herself for coming here and giving herself the best chance she possibly could to win a medal for Canada." ' ' '
