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TORONTO -- Showing that life in the NHL isnt always about five-star hotels or designer suits, Leafs coach Randy Carlyle found himself in a Swiss Chalet in Parry Sound, Ont. wholesale nfl jerseys ., on Boxing Day. And while his players were with family and friends, likely away from the limelight, Carlyle was hard to miss among those ordering a quarter-chicken dinner. "Some fan walks by and says Hey Carlyle, you better get those Leafs going," Carlyle said Friday with a smile. "Everybody in the Swiss Chalet knew I was there so I guess I didnt get away from it (hockey)." For his players, hockey had been on the backburner, at least for a day or two. "It was nice to have a break, physically and mentally," winger Joffrey Lupul said ahead of Friday nights game against the visiting Buffalo Sabres. "It (December) was a tough month for us, record-wise and just schedule, travel-wise. So hopefully a couple of days rest is what we needed and we are able to put together some wins here." "Christmas break, you kind of recharge and refuel and re-energize and get ready to push through to the finish," said captain Dion Phaneuf. "Everybody came back rested, got to spend some time with their families and friends over the holidays and thats what its about," he added. "Now were back to work tonight and weve got to focus on getting our game back to where we want it to be." The Leafs (18-16-5) are coming off shootout losses to the Rangers and Red Wings. Toronto has just one regulation win in its last 18 outings (5-9-4). The Sabres desperately needed the break. A bout of flu meant interim coach Ted Nolan was able to dress just 16 players Monday against Phoenix. Having their Rochester Americans farm team in Switzerland at the Spengler Cup didnt help matters. "They look a lot better today, so thats good," Nolan said Friday of his Sabres." Centre Cody Hodgson, sidelined after blocking a shot, is still not ready to return, however. The goalie matchup Friday appeared to be Jonathan Bernier for the Leafs against Ryan Miller of the Sabres. Carlyle said the Christmas break seemed to have been worthwhile, pointing to the energy he saw from his team in the morning skate. "We all felt pretty good out there this morning," defenceman Cody Franson concurred. "It was nice to have a couple of days (off)." Still, as Swiss Chalet showed, its hard to hide from hockey. "But you never really truly forget about it because its always in the back of your mind to some degree," Carlyle said. "We just hope we can take some of that energy that we had this morning and transfer it into tonights hockey game. "These games are a different games, Im going to tell you. You never know what youre going to get off of three days (rest) and one morning skate. Im sure all the coaches in the leagues are saying the same thing." At 10-24-3, the Sabres sit at the bottom of the NHL. But they are on a mini-streak, having won three of their last four and have gone 4-4-2 in their last 10 games. Toronto is 3-5-2 over the same period. Luck may also be finally on the Sabres side. Buffalo won last time out via a bizarre overtime goal against Phoenix that saw the puck fly into the air and land in the back of Coyotes goalie Mike Smiths pants. An unknowing Smith slid backwards into the goal, taking the puck with him for a 2-1 Buffalo win Monday. There could be more mayhem in front of goal Friday, with six-foot-eight, 259-pound tough guy John Scott expected to see time on the power play in front of the Toronto net. The big man had 199 career NHL games under his belt going into Friday night. At the other end, the Leafs will likely need a plan of their own against a hot goalie. Miller is 4-1-0 in last five starts, with a 1.56 goals against average and .952 save percentage. He has not allowed a third-period goal during that run. He is also 2-0 against the Leafs this season and 31-15-1 overall against Toronto. Carlyle had not lost his sense of humour over the Christmas break. Did you miss us, was his first question from the media after the morning skate. "No I cant say I missed you," he replied to laughter. "I just didnt think about you." The media were back in their numbers Friday. Leafs TV, the teams house channel, had six people in the arena seats talking on TV during the skate. wholesale jerseys . The Lions traded their fifth overall pick in the 2014 CFL Draft to the Ottawa Redblacks for QB Kevin Glenn. Cheap Jerseys . Entering the day in second place behind overnight leader Vincenzo Nibali, the 41-year-old Horner pulled away from the Giro dItalia champion over the final meters of the uphill ascent to turn a three-second deficit into a three-second lead with just two days to go. DAVIE, Fla. -- New Miami Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey stepped to the microphone and apologized for his hoarse voice, explaining he wore it down in recent days trying to build a winner. Hickey then introduced a succession of big acquisitions in the first 24 hours of free agency -- 316-pound left tackle Branden Albert, 300-pound defensive tackle Earl Mitchell and 305-pound defensive tackle Randy Starks. All signed Wednesday. Starks remained with the Dolphins after a brief stint as a free agent, signing a $12 million, two-year contract. He spent the past six seasons with the Dolphins, with only one playoff game during that time. "The moves we made so far just show were close to doing something special here, and trying to bring in some people to help us get over the hump," he said. The return of Starks, a two-time Pro Bowl player, and the addition of Mitchell compensate for the loss of defensive tackle Paul Soliai, who joined the Atlanta Falcons after seven years with Miami. "Pauls a good player," Starks said. "He has been here a long time. Hell be well missed, but we have people who can step up." Hickeys shopping will continue, with additional offensive linemen, a tight end and a linebacker the most pressing needs. The Dolphins are trying to end a 13-year drought without a post-season victory, and theyre eager to put in the past their bullying scandal that involved tackle Jonathan Martin. The acquisition of Albert was a step in that direction. Hell take over the position manned at the start of last season by Martin, who was traded late Tuesday to the San Francisco 49ers for an undisclosed draft choice. "Im going to be here to play left tackle and makee a difference," Albert said. cheap jerseys from china. "Thats the reason Im here. I feel like its a team I can help the most and make my legacy even better." Albert signed a $47 million, five-year deal that includes $26 million guaranteed. Dolphins officials, accompanied by a couple of players, treated Albert to dinner Tuesday night to celebrate the agreement. "Probably the happiest person at the dining room table was Ryan Tannehill," Hickey said. "He was really excited to have a player of his calibre on our team." Albert will protect the blind side for Tannehill, who was sacked a franchise-record 58 times last year. Mitchell was also part of the dinner celebration after agreeing to a $16 million, four-year deal. Like Albert and Starks, Mitchell envisions better days ahead for the Dolphins. "Im coming to produce and definitely trying to help this team reach new heights," Mitchell said. "Thats my reason for being here. Im trying to get us to a Super Bowl." Mitchell blossomed in his fourth NFL season with the Houston Texans last year, when he became a starter and won raves for the way he clogged the middle. He has been playing defence only since his junior year at the University of Arizona, and he and Hickey both said hes still improving. Alberts reputation has also been on the rise, and he made the Pro Bowl last year with the Kansas City Chiefs. He has had a home the past three offseasons 45 minutes from the Dolphins complex and will now move north, eager to go to work with his new team. "I live in downtown Miami, but I probably wont anymore because of the commute," he said with a smile. "Ive got to find a place close to the facility." cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
