t 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

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. Bob Horner Braves Jersey .S District Court against Major League Baseball, the Office of the Commissioner and his own union, the MLBPA. Austin Riley Braves Jersey . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. https://www.cheapbraves.com/2053o-patrick-weigel-jersey-braves.html . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. 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The performance of Desert Jeuney in the Pakenham Cup will convince his trainer Nigel Blackiston whether to keep him to longer races.Blackiston harbours doubts the seven-year-old will run a strong 2500m in Saturdays Cup, his first shot at a staying trip in more than 2-1/2 years.The trainer said as Desert Jeuney was ageing, now was the time to give him another distance test.Im still not 100 per cent convinced hes a stayer but weve come this far now and hes fit and well so we might as well give it a try, Blackiston said.Whlle he is yet to win beyond 2000 metres, Desert Jeuneyss breeding says he should. He is by Irish Derby winner Desert King out of Preps, a mare by Melbourne Cup winner Jeune.The last time Desert Jeuney contested a staying race was when eighth behind The Offer in the 2014 Sydney Cup.Desert Jeuney has raced at 2400m, or further, three times with a best finish of fifth in the Chairmans Handicap in the lead-up to his Sydney Cup performance.All Desert Jeuneys staying performances have been on rain-affected tracks while his best efforts have been on firmer surfaces.While Blackiston may not be convinced about Desert Jeuneys staying prowess, the gelding did show Group One potential when kept to shorter trips.dddddddddddde ran third in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield in 2014 and followed that with a third in the Waterford Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley.He was kept a little bit fresher and that seemed to help him back then, Blackiston said.But now as hes getting a little bit older hes shown that he possibly will appreciate a little more distance.Desert Jeuney has been to the new Pakenham track once, winning over 2000m last year while he was also successful on the old Pakenham lay-out, winning on debut in 2013.He enters Saturdays race off a last-start seventh behind Pilote Dessai in the Ballarat Cup in which he was a victim of a wide draw and a track favouring on-pace horses.Hopefully he draws a nice barrier for a change, Blackiston said.He had barrier 16 last time and we had to go back and it was an on-pace track.He finished it off nicely so it warranted heading towards Pakenham now. 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