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MONTREAL -- It isnt often a Quebec rink gets to play at home in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts but thats what skip Allison Ross of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que.http://www.saintsstore.us.com/80-nike-elite-jimmy-graham-mens-jersey-nfl-new-orleans-saints-fadeaway-black-gold.html ., will experience this week. A year in which the Canadian curling championship has been pushed forward a week to accommodate the Winter Olympics was deemed the perfect chance to stage the event in Montreal for the first time since 1979. The opening ceremonies and the first two draws are set for Saturday at the 4,000-seat Maurice Richard Arena, normally the training base for Canadas short-track speedskating team. "For us its going to be really fun," Ross said Friday. "Were really a team that likes to have the crowd support. "We respond well to that. Its a bit more pressure, for sure, a bit more media attention, but we are a team that likes it. We are enjoying every minute of it." Interest is likely to be lower than usual with the tournament schedule overlapping the Feb. 8 start of the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. But holding it in a city not known as a curling hotbed and far from the sports heartland in western Canada, is seen as a chance to grow the game. Kruger, which produces Scotties paper products, has its head office in Montreal, also worked in its favour as well. "This will be a wonderful platform to get (curling message) out here," said tournament director Francine Poisson, who played in three Canadian championships in the late 1980s and early 1990s. "Weve had a lot of French media this week, so its breaking the (notion) of curling being an English sport. "Its very exiting. The visibility of curling has never been as great as it is now. People are watching. Now its time to translate eyeballs into people playing in curling clubs." Next years tournament will return to curling country in Moose Jaw, Sask. Facing the likes of defending champion Rachel Homan of Ottawa, the Ross rink wont be among the favourites after going 3-8 at last years Scotties in Moncton, N.B. "We are hoping for a better result than last year," said Ross. "Last year we had three games that came down to last rock. "We could have had six wins instead of three. We take a lot of what we learned last year and come back a lot stronger this year." It isnt home for Homan, but Ottawa is just a two-hour drive or train ride away and shes also expecting some extra support as she defends her title. "Its nice for us," said Homan. "We drove here and a lot of friends and family will be coming up to support us and share the experience with us. "Obviously, there wont be as many fans here as there would be out west, but its good for our friends and family." Its an unusual Scotties in many ways, so perhaps there will be surprises on the ice. For one, Jennifer Jones rink from Winnipeg wont be around because shell be in Sochi. Instead, Chelsea Carey will make her Scotties debut for Manitoba. In 1979 in Montreal, British Columbia won the tournament led by Lindsay Sparkes. This time, B.C. will be led this time by 22-year-old skip Kesa Van Osch of Victoria. She wont be the youngest skip on the ice. That honour goes to 20-year-old Sarah Koltun of Whitehorse. The Yukon/Territories skip is the youngest ever to compete at the Scotties and the first player to skip at both the Scotties and Canadian junior championship in the same year. The favourites include Val Sweeting of Alberta, who is in her second Scotties, and Stefanie Lawton of Saskatchewan, who is at her third. The veterans are skip Heather Strong of Newfoundland, who is in her 11th Scotties, and Kim Dolan of P.E.I., who is in her 10th. "The transition is certainly happening," said Dolan. "There a lot of young teams and new faces, which is great to see. "Womens curling is in a great place, so these new young ladies are keen. That only entices other people to play and go after their dreams." The Ontario team is skipped by Allison Flaxey while Nova Scotia has Heather Smith at the helm and Andrea Crawford will carry New Brunswicks colours. http://www.saintsstore.us.com/Black-43-Vinnie-Sunseri-Womens-Jersey/ . As the season progressed, the top coaches and teams adjusted to the changes and found ways around the impediments. Now, after the all increases in scoring and shooting percentages and offensive flow, the season has come down to a Final Four of teams held together by one common thread: shutdown defences. Cameron Jordan Jersey . The result is a reflection on the nostalgia of playing hockey on frozen ponds growing up in Parry Sound, Ont.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. Brandin Cooks Saints 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. ' ' ' |
