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The core is pretty much set for Canadas entry at the IIHF World Hockey Championship. Steve Grogan Super Bowl Jersey . Tampa Bay Lightning forward Teddy Purcell accepted an invitation to the tournament on Wednesday, bringing the total number of committed players to 17. The team can carry as many as 22 into next months event -- and has the option to add up to three more midway through -- but those players are likely to come from NHL teams eliminated from the first round of the playoffs. For now, Hockey Canada appears content with the group its built from teams that missed the post-season. "We are extremely happy with the response we have received from players and are very pleased with the group that we have been able to assemble to date," said Canadian general manager Kevin Lowe. The biggest work remains on the blue-line, which currently features Jay Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf, P.K. Subban and Marc Methot. At least three defencemen will need to be added. Otherwise, the roster features goalies Cam Ward and Devan Dubnyk along with 11 forwards, including Olympic champions Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. John Tavares, Jordan Eberle, Jeff Skinner, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Evander Kane, Andrew Ladd, Jamie Benn, Ryan OReilly and Purcell have also signed on. History shows that filling out the final spots will be tough. As Lowe learned with Steven Stamkos, players are often carrying minor injuries that keep them from accepting invites. The NHLs leading goal-scorer passed earlier this week because of a left shoulder problem hed been playing through down the stretch -- and those emerging from a playoff series are more likely to be hampered by an ailment. In the meantime, Lowe will be looking to finalize other details. Guy Boucher and Kirk Muller have each accepted as an assistant coaching job, but the search for a head coach continues. On Wednesday, Lindy Ruff passed on the chance to take that position. Its always a tough job bringing the world championship team together in the days after the regular season ends but this Canadian entry looks strong. The group certainly shouldnt have much trouble scoring. Purcell had an impressive second half playing on Tampa Bays top line with Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. The native of St. Johns, N.L., had the fifth-highest point total in the NHL after the all-star break and ended up with career bests in goals (24), assists (41) and points (65). The Canadian team travels to Europe later this month for a pair of exhibition games before opening the world championship in Helsinki on May 4. It will be carrying high expectations. "We are looking forward to getting together as a team in Zurich and going for gold in Helsinki," said Lowe. The tournament comes at a crucial time for Canada, which has dipped to fourth in the world rankings after consecutive quarter-final exits at the world championship. The groupings for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia will be set once it wraps up. 22:25ET 11-04-12 Danny Amendola Super Bowl Jersey . Louis is going to get a chance to represent his country at the Winter Olympics after all.Logan Ryan Super Bowl Jersey . Berdych, coming off a semifinal run at the Australian Open and Davis Cup win over the Netherlands, didnt face a break-point. A semifinalist two years ago here, he will play the winner of an all-French faceoff between Gilles Simon and Nicolas Mahut.MONTREAL -- P.K. Subban may want to don goalie pads the next time he takes to the ice. Subban made two dramatic goal-line saves in Montreals 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Monday night, helping the Canadiens extend their seven-game point streak. "To be honest with you, I dont think Ill be taking (Carey) Prices job anytime soon," said Subban. "Hes got that pretty locked down. The amount of times that hes bailed me out, I dont mind stepping in there." With the score still tied 0-0 early in the game, Subban got his outstretched stick on a Jaromir Jagr shot from inside the crease, denying the star forward of a sure goal. Subban later shut the door on Devils (11-12-5) forward Damien Brunner, crashing into the net and blocking the shot to keep the Canadiens (16-9-3) in front 2-1 at the start of the third. "I just happened to be in the position today where the puck was there, and cleared it out," said Subban. "Just trying to do my job. In addition to the two saves, Subban ended the night with his team-leading 20th assist and five blocked shots in 23:34 of work. And despite calling Subban out on his defensive liabilities last month, head coach Michel Therrien had only positive things to say about his flamboyant defenceman. "As far as Im concerned, hes playing his best hockey. His focus is at the right place," said Therrien. "Hes doing a fabulous job for the team. Were putting him out there against top players game in and game out. And he loves that challenge. And its not a coincidence that were having success, that we pick up wins. "Hes certainly one of the best defencemen right now." At the other end of the ice, Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur could have used similar help. Brodeur, whos usually successful at the Bell Centre with 19 wins in 30 career starts, allowed three goals on only 17 shots. The Montreal native thought it was tough to get into the game when he wasnt being kept busy. "Usually when I dont have any shots, what helps me is that Im used to playing the puck," said Brodeur. "When I get no shots, Im able to stay in the game. But when I get no shots, and I cant play the puck, the games are long. "Its tough to get going. Not before the third period that I felt good, and I started making some saves." Brodeur also ccredited Subban for handing his Devils their first regulation loss at Montreal since 2008. Jerod Mayo Super Bowl Jersey. "We missed a couple of open-netters that their defenceman made some great plays on," said Brodeur. "At the end I think that made the difference." After Subban made his first save of the game, Steve Bernier opened the scoring at 11:13 of the first period after sustained pressure by New Jersey. Bernier was left all alone in front of the net and beat Price on his blocker side by deflecting an Anton Volchenkov shot from the point. The Canadiens levelled the score at 8:49 of the second when Rene Bourque took a no-look, behind-the-back pass from David Desharnais and scored his sixth of the year, short side. With Dainius Zubrus in the box for interference, Max Pacioretty broke the deadlock on the power play at 16:49, taking a cross-ice pass from Andrei Markov and firing home from the face-off circle to Brodeurs left. "I started out slowly," said Pacioretty, who didnt register a shot in the first period. "Everything was bouncing away from me in the first. I got a couple there in the second, and let loose. It took me half the game to get into it." Shortly after Subbans second save, former Canadiens forward Michael Ryder made it 2-2 early in the third period when he rifled a slapshot in to the top corner of the net with Douglas Murray trying to get in his way. "I just tried to make sure to get it on net," said Ryder. "I saw the defender was trying to block it. I tried to get it upstairs, and I managed to find a way in." Alex Galchenyuk scored the winner for the Canadiens at 9:34, netting his seventh of the season into a gaping net after an Alexei Emelin shot fortuitously landed on his stick. Price made 28 saves for his 12th win of the year, and now has a 2.39 goals-against average in 18 career games against New Jersey. The game was the first of a home-and-home series between the Canadiens and Devils. The teams face off again on Wednesday in New Jersey. Notes: The Devils were without Adam Larsson (lower body), Stephen Gionta (ankle) and Ryan Clowe (head). a Ryan White and Francis Bouillon were healthy scratches for Montreal. a The Canadiens have allowed two goals or fewer in their last 11 games. cheap jerseys cheap jerseys from china ' ' ' |
