Sonstiges » U.S., before Heffords back-handed goal quelled

BOISBRIAND, Que. -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. The Boisbriand, Que., native got the start in net in her hometown on Thursday night, where the Canadian womens hockey team defeated the United States 6-3 in pre-Olympic action. "Its incredible," said Labonte. "I couldnt have asked for more. To bring the Canadian team here against the Americans a I knew people would answer the call. We immediately felt their support. "I couldnt have asked for anything better. It was worthy of Boisbriand." Labonte allowed three goals on 24 shots on the night. The game was the second of six encounters between the teams before the start of the Olympic Games in Sochi in February. The Canadians took the first game -- last Saturday in Burlington, Vt. -- 3-2. The game ended in brawl when a U.S. player ran into Canadian goaltender Shannon Szabados late in the third period. Veteran captain Hayley Wickenheiser, whos been a member of Canadas womens team since 1994 when she was only 15 years old, scored two goals on the night. Wickenheiser believed her team responded well to early pressure by the Americans. "We came out really strong and we had a great start and a lot of energy," said Wickenheiser. "They tried to take some physical liberties early on and they got away with a few things early in the game. But then we came back and we just played a pretty physical game." Wickenheiser, who is contemplating retirement at the end of the Sochi Games, is currently at the heart of a captaincy debate. Canadas head coach Dan Church has yet to decide if Wickenheiser will don the "C" in Russia. Church is also considering Jayne Hefford or Caroline Ouellette for the captains title. "Hayleys one of our leaders," said Church. "We decided in the first part of the season to grow our leadership within the team. Thats important. We need a team full of more leaders as we move towards Sochi. "Its all part of the master plan as we move through the next few months." Rebecca Johnston, who also scored twice on the night, opened the high-scoring affair with her first goal of this exhibition series at 8:59 of the first period. Haley Irwin started the play, patiently holding the puck for several seconds in the American zone before firing on net. Johnston jumped on the rebound. "I was at the right place at the right time," said Johnston. "It kind of popped out right at me and I just shot it quickly." Wickenheiser doubled the Canadians lead less than a minute later while playing short handed. Brianna Decker got one back for the Americans before the Canadian captain put her second of the game past a helpless Jessie Vetter on a 5-on-3 power play. Johnston scored her second of the game, the eventual game-winner, early in the second period. Johnston was behind the net when she scored, banking a pass off a defenders skate and into the net. Ouellette also scored mid-way through the second period to put the Canadians up 5-1. Jocelyne Lamoureux and Kendall Coyne scored consolation goals for the U.S., before Heffords back-handed goal quelled any attempt at a comeback at 15:47 of the third period. Vetter, who started in net for the Americans, made 10 saves in the first period. She was replaced by Molly Schaus, who stopped seven of 10 shots she faced. U.S.A. outshot Canada 24-23 overall. Canada is the three-time defending Olympic champion. Two of those victories, in 2002 and 2010, came against the Americans. Canada and the U.S. face off again in pre-Olympic action on Dec. 12 in Calgary. Yannick Weber Jersey .Y. -- Nothing seems to phase No. Dante Fabbro Predators Jersey . He could have transferred when academic sanctions barred the Huskies from the NCAA tournament his junior season. http://www.authenticpredatorspro.com/Fil...ators-jersey/.Y. - Phil Varone was the lone scorer in the shootout as the Rochester Americans edged the Toronto Marlies 3-2 on Sunday in American Hockey League action. Dan Hamhuis Jersey . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. Mattias Ekholm Jersey .com) - Al Horford collected 19 points and 16 rebounds and the Atlanta Hawks held off a furious rally to beat the Detroit Pistons 106-103 on Friday night in a game between two of the NBAs hottest teams.LONDON -- Liverpool kept up its Premier League title challenge with a 4-3 win against Swansea in an entertaining game at Anfield on Sunday. The victory strengthened Liverpools position in the top four after Tottenham lost 1-0 at Norwich in the days late kickoff, cutting the north London club six points adrift of fourth place and the final Champions League slot for next season. The result means Liverpool is still only four points behind leader Chelsea, which has 60 points after beating Everton 1-0 on Saturday. Arsenal is a point behind in second after thrashing Sunderland 4-1 and third-place Manchester City has 57 and a game in hand. A fast start saw Liverpool lead 2-0 after 20 minutes against manager Brendan Rodgers former club. Daniel Sturridge took the ball past Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm to open the scoring before setting up Jordan Henderson to curl a shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area. But former Liverpool player Jonjo Shelvey pulled a goal back on 23 minutes from long range before Wilfried Bony scored with a header four minutes later to bring Swansea back to level terms. Sturridge headed home his second in the 36th minute after being picked out by an accurate delivery from Luis Suarez -- but Swansea levelled again soon after halftime, with Bony scoring a penalty after being fouled by Martin Skrtel. Both sides then went close to taking the lead. Suarez brought a good stop from Vorm and Jonathan de Guzman went near with a free kick but it was Henderson who secured the three points for Liverpool, finding the net with his second attempt after Vorm saved his initial shot. "Today we were not quite at our best but we scored four goals and won the game," Rodgers said.dddddddddddd"It was a very, very important performance for us." Rodgers was also pleased to see Henderson getting on the scoresheet. "The first goal was outstanding, and weve been talking to him about getting up there because in training his finishing is sublime," Rodgers said. Norwich moved four points away from the relegation zone with its much-needed victory at Carrow Road. After a quiet first half, Robert Snodgrass scored early in the second with a neat finish to beat Hugo Lloris. "Everybody at this football club is pushing in the right direction," Norwich manager Chris Hughton said. "We only want results. We have 11 more games to get as many points as we can." Tottenham failed to properly challenge the Norwich defence and a second goal from the home side looked more likely. Midfielder Bradley Johnson hit the underside of the crossbar with a long range free kick and Nathan Redmond saw his effort well saved by Lloris. Elsewhere, Newcastle secured a late 1-0 victory at home to Aston Villa thanks to Loic Remys 12th goal of the season in the final minute of stoppage time. A shot from Luuk de Jong was deflected but landed at the feet of Remy, who deceived Ron Vlaar with a dummy before shooting beyond United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Remy had missed a great opportunity to send Newcastle into the lead on 89 minutes when De Jongs cutback found him free in the area with Guzan stranded, but he could only manage to hit the post with his shot. ' ' '