Dein erstes Forum » t way to celebrate my birthday, Lawso

MONTREAL – Curtis Lazar was streaking in on a two-on-one rush Sunday night in Canadas pre-tournament game against Sweden. Wholesale Nike Free Australia . The Ottawa Senators forward, on loan to Hockey Canada for the world juniors, knew he had a great chance to score if he shot high. The Canadian Tire Centre crowd, which had given Lazar a huge ovation when the starting lineup was announced, sensed a big moment was coming. And, yet, Lazar shot low into the pads of goalie Samuel Ward. Why? Well, the player streaking down the other wing was Connor McDavid, who was playing his first game in 40 days after breaking his right hand in a fight. Hes so hard on himself, Lazar said after the game. I tell him to, Just relax and have fun. I had that partial break there and I should have probably tried to score, but I tried to lay it in there for a rebound for him. Were going to need him to be a big part of this team to be successful. Lazar knew the spotlight was shining even brighter than usual on the 17-year-old phenom who had looked a bit rusty out of the gate. The plan to get McDavid on the board didnt work, but Lazars heart, as it almost always is, was in the right place. Lazar and McDavid are roommates and when they got back to the hotel on Sunday night the game was being replayed on TSN. So they watched. McDavid began to critique himself. I was trying to tell him that, Look, you played a good game, Lazar said. I mean, he probably has different standards for himself than we do, because hes a heck of a hockey player. Every time he steps on the ice something special happens. I kept telling him, the one assist he [almost] got [on Shea Theodores goal] he drew a couple guys to him and it opens up the ice and thats what well need from him. The fact Lazar and McDavid are rooming together during the world juniors is no accident. The hope is the perpetually positive Lazar will help ease the burden felt by McDavid, who is considered by many, including TSNs resident scout Craig Button, to be a generational talent. Alas, sports, like so much else, seems to be a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business and McDavid has been out since mashing his hand on the boards in a fight on Nov. 11. Meanwhile, American Jack Eichel, McDavids chief rival in the 2015 NHL draft class, is racking up points and closing the hype gap. Hes been in the spotlight for so, so long that I guess he kind of knows how to deal with it, said Lazar when asked about McDavids serious demeanour. I try and get him to take his guard down a little bit. I know theres going to be a lot of pressure on him. This is a marquee tournament and it is his draft year and everyone talks about Eichel and McDavid. Ultimately, hes playing for Team Canada and thats what it should be all about. McDavid and Lazar were teammates on last years Canadian squad, which finished fourth in Malmo, Sweden. I was disappointed with how we played last year, Lazar said his smile dimming just a little. Second chances dont come around too often. Canadas hopes are, in large part, resting on the shoulders of Lazar and McDavid, who will both wear letters at the tournament. Lazar is the captain while McDavid joins Sam Reinhart as an alternate. Hes always positive, said McDavid of Lazar. You always see he has a smile on his face and nothing seems to bring him down. I think hes the perfect guy for the job just because the ups and downs of this tournament are pretty crazy and he never seems to go down. -- McDAVID SURPRISED Shortly after the Canadian selection camp started, McDavid admitted he wasnt sure if he would play a leadership role considering he is the second youngest player on the roster (only Kingstons Lawson Crouse is younger). I think it was a little bit of a surprise, McDavid said of getting an A. I mean, being a returning guy I maybe had a little bit of an idea, but theres a lot of returning guys. Forwards Nic Petan and Frederik Gauthier, defenceman Josh Morrissey and goalie Zach Fucale are the other returning players on the roster. But head coach Benoit Groulx was pretty concise when asked why he made McDavid an alternate. Because hes a leader, Groulx said in a matter-of-fact tone. Im not the most vocal guy in the room thats for sure, McDavid acknowledged. I think anyone will tell you that, but Im not the quietest either. I think even in Erie, being the captain there, I do a lot of my leading on the ice. McDavid was asked which hockey leaders he admires. He names Mark Messier and Steve Yzerman as well as Jonathan Toews. Hes not overly vocal, but hes always doing the right things on and off the ice and thats something I, for sure, look up to. -- JUST A LETTER Its just a letter, Lazar said when asked about the captaincy. My expectation is that every single one of us will lead in our own way. To be successful thats going to have to take place. Thats part of the message hes sending McDavid. So much is expected of the Newmarket, Ont. native, who has a whopping 51 points in 18 OHL games this season. But Groulx has reiterated time and time again that he wants a four-line attack. Offence and fast-paced play is expected from everyone. For myself, Im having fun with the guys, showing them, its okay to make mistakes, especially now, said Lazar. We got to get them out of our system sooner rather than later. And just try to rally the troops. I know that experience I have from playing in Sweden last year on this team, winning the Memorial Cup in between and having the NHL experience is going to help a lot. I just want try to spread that wealth. You got to take things in stride. You have to look at whats right in front of you. Moments after Canada lost the bronze-medal game last year, Lazar addressed reporters and said if he was to be back at the tournament again he wanted to be a leader. And that has nothing to do with ego. It has everything to do with righting a wrong. There are a few things here and there that I think we can change up to allow us to take the next step, he said reflecting on last years disappointment with an eye on the weeks ahead. Its all a learning curve in a short competition. You have to be open minded and admit the mistakes you make and learn from them and improve from them. I want unity inside the dressing room. Thats a big part of it. Regardless of where youre from in Canada, I mean, were part of a team now and thats what its all about. Nobodys bigger than the team right now. Its up to us as a group to get the job done. -- KEEPS THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE Lazar seems wise beyond his 19 years. He has tremendous perspective. He didnt sulk after getting sent back to juniors from the NHL. He oozes excitement. He just gets it. A good example is the number he will wear on his back when the tournament opens on Boxing Day. Lazar wears 27 with the Senators, but will be No. 26 for Team Canada in honour of his former Edmonton Oil Kings teammate Kristians Pelss, who drowned two years ago after jumping off a bridge in his hometown of Riga, Latvia. Our motto last year in Edmonton was, Play for Pelss and every time I step on the ice I know hes looking over me and protecting me out there and thats one thing I always want to do is, when I play internationally, I want to wear the No. 26 in honour of him. Nike Free Australia . The senior threw for 319 yards and no interceptions in his final college game, leading No. Nike Free Australia Outlet . Hes even holding a bat on one of his 2014 baseball cards. So far, hes playing like his picture. http://www.cheapnikefreeaustralia.com/ . In the days leading up to the draft, TSN.ca and TSN Radio basketball analyst Duane Watson looks at some of the names that will be headlining the event. Tonight, Michigans Nik Stauskas of Mississauga, Ontario.DENVER - DeMarcus Cousins was bleeding from somewhere and grew more and more frustrated as he struggled to pinpoint the source.He checked his arms for a cut in the locker room after the game, his chest for a scratch and his legs for a slice before finally figuring it out — his nose was dripping blood.It was that sort of physical contest.Darren Collison scored 21 points, including three free throws in the final 16.2 seconds, in a contest that featured 63 fouls as the Sacramento Kings held off the Denver Nuggets 110-105 on Monday night.We willed our way to this win, said Cousins, who had 19 points and five rebounds. We played pretty tough tonight. We grinded this win out.The Kings are off to a 3-1 start for the first time since 2010-11. Impressive wins, too. They beat Portland on Halloween. Then, they knocked off the Clippers in Los Angeles on Sunday and turned around to outhustle the Nuggets on the second night of a back-to-back.This is definitely a confidence booster going forward, Collison said.Early on, the Kings couldnt find any sort of offensive rhythm, missing shot after shot after shot.In years past, that mightve led someone to take it upon their shoulders to shoot the team out of the slump.Not this version of the Kings. Not through four games, anyway. When times have turned tough, theyve stayed the course.Everybody is saying, Play through it, fellas. Were going to get through this, Cousins said. Everybody has that mindset, so well be able to handle (tough) situations. Thats a good sign.The Nuggets had seven players in double figures, led by Arron Afflalo and JaVale McGee with 16 points apiece. Wilson Chandler scored 12 of his 14 in the fourth quarter.The difference in this game was at the free throw line, where the Kings made 40 of 47.They shot too many free throws, Darrell Arthur said. We have to do a better job without fouling.Tied at 96, Ray McCallum drove past the Denver defence for a layup with 3:18 remaining to give the Kings a lead they wouldnt relinquish.Chandler pullled the Nuggets close when he was fouled by Omri Casspi on a 3-point attempt with 25. Nike Free Australia Sale. 6 seconds left. Chandler made all three to make it 105-103. Thats as close as the Nuggets would get as Rudy Gay followed with two free throws.Denver tried to cover Cousins by sending a wave of big men at him, but he helped get Timofey Mozgov, McGee and Jusuf Nurkic all in foul trouble. Cousins was coming off a 34-point, 17-rebound performance against the Clippers.The Nuggets went with Chandler at small forward instead of Danilo Gallinari, whos still working his way back from a knee injury that sidelined him for 18 months.Gallinari remains on a strict minutes restriction and played just 14:01. He was 0 for 6 from the field.Got to get Gallo going, try to find a rhythm for him, so he can see the ball go through the basket, Nuggets coach Brian Shaw said. Get him going and get his confidence up.UNHAPPY BIRTHDAYShaw issued a challenge to Ty Lawson on his 27th birthday — score 27 points. Not for the game, but by halftime.Lawson fell way short, missing all five of his shots from the field in the first half. He did hit 5 of 6 free throws.Shaws trying to get Lawson to be more assertive, even giving him free reign with the offence. Lawson finished with nine points and 12 assists.Not a great way to celebrate my birthday, Lawson said.TIP-INSKings: Jason Thompson had 10 rebounds in just over 23 minutes. ... Reggie Evans had 14 rebounds. Its the 70th time in his career hes had 14 or more rebounds.Nuggets: The Nuggets started Chandler over Gallinari at small forward with an eye toward Friday when Cleveland comes to town. Shaw doesnt want Gallinari guarding LeBron James. It will be better for us to have Wilson starting out with that matchup and letting the offence run through Gallo with the second unit, Shaw explained. ... Kenneth Faried picked up a technical in the first quarter for arguing a call. He finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds.UP NEXTKings: Host the Nuggets on Wednesday. ' ' '