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PHILADELPHIA -- After playing some of their best hockey this month, the Philadelphia Flyers now sit and wait. Adidas Tech Super Leopard . Or take a relaxing vacation somewhere warm. Brayden Schenn and Scott Hartnell scored, Ray Emery stopped 32 shots and the Flyers beat the Calgary Flames 2-1 on Saturday for their fourth straight victory. With momentum going their way, its not an ideal time for Philadelphia to take 18 days off for the Olympic break. Five players are headed to Sochi to play for their countries and several others are headed to sunny destinations. "We knew this was going to happen," Schenn said. "Its up to us to keep in shape and be ready when we come back." Flyers chairman Ed Snider expressed his disdain for the break Thursday night, saying "its ridiculous. Theres no benefit to us whatsoever." Players werent quite that vocal. "Im going to relax mentally and make sure Im ready for the second half," captain Claude Giroux said. Making his first start since Jan. 23, Emery had a shutout going until Matt Stajan scored with 2:26 left. The Flyers are one point behind the New York Rangers for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Despite winning six of their past eight games, the Flames are tied for the third-fewest points in the NHL. "I think weve been playing good hockey. Weve been in every game," Stajan said. "Sometimes the hockey gods dont reward you, and thats not to say they didnt play well. They had chances, too, that our goalie made some saves. Thats the game. Well take this break, come back, and try and get back at it on home ice." The teams resume their regular-season schedule Feb. 27. Schenn gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead in the second period when he ripped a shot from the left circle off goalie Reto Berras glove and into the net. Wayne Simmonds set it up with a nice pass from the side of the net. Hartnell made it 2-0 early in the third when he scored his 15th goal, deflecting a slap shot by Giroux. Passed over by Team Canada for the Olympics, Giroux has been one of the leagues top players the past two months. He has 37 points in 29 games since Dec. 11. Giroux still plans to watch the Winter Games and root for Canada. "Its a great event and good hockey," he said. Forwards Michael Raffl and Jakub Voracek, and defencemen Kimmo Timonen, Andrej Meszaros and Mark Streit are the Flyers heading to the Olympics. Berra and defenceman Ladislav Smid are the only Flames going. "I think the team is getting comfortable with the way we are expected to play," Emery said. "I think the rest of the year is not so much easier, but you get into the playoff battles and you get those competitive juices flowing. I think the tough part is out of the way, the tough months are normally January and February and it gets a bit long." NOTES: Flyers G Steve Mason had cramping issues during a win over Colorado on Thursday night, but couldve started against the Flames. ... Schenn extended his career high in goals to 15. ... . Emerys previous appearance was Jan. 25 in relief of Mason. ... The Flames had won five of their previous six games in Philadelphia. ... Calgary lost 2-0 in Montreal on Tuesday night. Adidas Sneakers Dames . A Los Angeles judge on Thursday said the case wont finish by Tuesday but will continue on July 21 because some lawyers for team owner Donald Sterling have personal plans. Sterling is suing to block his wifes unilateral deal to sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Adidas Superstar 2 Dames . The third-year pro went shot for shot with Knicks star Carmelo Anthony down the stretch before nailing the most important one of the night.CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Canadian forward Jebb Sinclair has joined South Africas Stormers on a loan deal from English club London Irish as cover for injured trio Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen and Nick Koster. The Stormers say the 25-year-old from Fredericton will be available for seven regular-season games for them in the Super 15 and goes straight onto the bench for Saturdays home match against the Cheetahs.. Adidas Zx 700 Dames. Sinclair has 25 Test caps for Canada and played at last years World Cup in New Zealand. Injuries to Burger, Vermeulen and Koster have left the fourth-place Stormers struggling at loose forward for the final part of the season. The Stormers say those three wont be back until after the June break, likely ruling South Africa flanker Burger out of a three-Test series against England. cheap jerseys from china cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
