2012 » in India last year and achieving the target of winning the trophy

TORONTO -- Steven Stamkos has had the World Cup of Hockey on his mind for more than two years.From the moment he was told his Olympics were finished before they even started and his heart was shattered by the news that his broken leg had not healed enough for him to make the trip to Sochi in February 2014, the Tampa Bay Lightning captain began soothing that pain with the dream of wearing the Maple Leaf in his hometown on this stage -- the red Maple Leaf, that is.This was something I was really looking forward to ever since, really, the Olympic dream was over, that next opportunity to wear that sweater again, Stamkos said Monday after practice. When I was named to the team, it was something that was definitely circled on the calendar and worked hard for.While Team Canada battled it out for two weeks in Sochi, Stamkos got away from it all in the Cayman Islands.It was pretty grueling what I was doing to try to get back to play in the Olympics, and to feel as if I was ready ... mentally and physically ... and then going to the doctor and not being able to [play], it was pretty crushing, he said. I needed time and space away from everything, so I went on a little vacation.Stamkos couldnt bring himself to watch the Olympic tournament until the final game, when his patriotic feelings took over.It was bittersweet knowing what went on and how that would have been a special memory for me, he said, but as a Canadian, I was very proud, as friends, of all those guys.One can make the argument that no player in the World Cup wants to shine more than Stamkos, who is playing in front of family members and wants to make up for the lost Sochi opportunity.Its been a great experience for me, this tournament here, said Stamkos, who is from Markham, just north of Toronto. I get to go home and spend time with friends and family and then come back and be with the guys. I couldnt have asked for a better situation, and I couldnt have asked for a better start for our team.I wonder, however, if he hasnt been pressing a bit in the three pretournament games and the tournament opener, a 6-0 win over the Czech Republic. Stamkos, one of the NHLs most talented goal scorers, has a burning desire to leave his imprint on this stage.I liked him his first two exhibition games. I didnt like him in Game 3. And I liked him last game. Three of four is pretty good, Team Canada head coach Mike Babcock said Monday in assessing Stamkos play so far.The work ethic? The desire? Babcock isnt questioning that.Hes so energized because he loves the game so much, he said.I asked Stamkos about the perils of putting too much pressure on himself because he wants so badly to have an impact.I think my mentality has always been, when you get to these tournaments, you get to represent your country, do whatever it takes to win, what were all here for, he said. I know its a cliché, but guys are willing to do whatever it takes. Thats a staple of Team Canada hockey.After spending most of camp and the pretournament games on a line with Jonathan Toews and Logan Couture, Stamkos was put with?John Tavares and Ryan Getzlaf just before the tournament. There were signs against the Czechs that the line could be something special. Stamkos was robbed of a goal by Michal Neuvirth on one of several chances his line had.It almost feels like that line is about to explode, which might be bad news for Team USA on Tuesday.I mean, to try and keep a goal scorer like that off the sheet is not easy, especially when he has that many looks, Getzlaf said of Stamkos. As long as were getting those opportunities, thats the main thing.The challenge is to develop chemistry quickly.?I dont think Ive ever played with Stammer, Getzlaf said. But much like Pears [Anaheim Ducks teammate Corey Perry], his game kind of fits into the way I play. Anytime you can put a goal scorer on my wing, Im happy. I do enjoy the passing game more than shooting, as most people know already.Stammer works hard. He gets in the corners and does the dirty work too. Its not like hes a perimeter guy. We just got to keep doing those little things, and those little plays will happen.Cheap Rockets Jerseys . LOUIS -- Roman Polak was celebrating even before Alexander Steen scored the winning goal in Saturdays 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Tracy McGrady Jersey Large .ca. Hey Kerry, big fan of yours, just finished reading your book. I think that we all saw the Canucks/Flames line brawl just after puck drop. It was obvious that something was about to happen, even to the referees because the fourth lines were on to start. http://www.customrocketsjersey.com/ . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. Cheap Custom Rockets Jersey . -- Derrick Rose shook off poor shooting early to hit clutch shots late and Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. Custom Rockets Jersey China . In the response filed Wednesday to the complaint by 30-year-old Alexander Bradley, attorneys say the former University of Florida player is invoking his Fifth Amendment right that protects people from incriminating themselves.Chennaiyin FC have retained Italian central midfielder Manuele Blasi for the third season of the Indian Super League.The former Roma, Juventus, Napoli and Fiorentina midfielder joined Chennaiyin in 2015 after the expiry of his contract at Italian Serie B club AS Varese.I am delighted to join Chennaiyin for another season in the ISL. It was a memorable experience in India last year and achieving the target of winning the trophy was a great moment for me personally. I would like to thank the owners and the coach for giving me a chance to come back in this special club and I am looking forward to retaining the title, said Blasi.Blasi went on to play a key role in Chennaiyins title success, making 13 appearances including starts in both legs of the semi-final against Atlletico de Kolkata and the final with FC Goa.ddddddddddddThe midfielder, who was capped eight times for Italy at international level, brought a lot of solidity to Chennaiyins midfield with his tenacity and work rate with Chennaiyin registering one of the highest pass conversion rates in the tournament.The 35-year-old had a stint at Italian third tier outfit Ischia after ISL 2015 and is now joining Chennaiyin on a free transfer.Blasis class and experience was very important for us both on and off the field last year. He will have a big role to play this year also. We are happy to have him back, said Chennaiyin FC head coach Marco Materazzi. ' ' '