SOCHI – Slow and messy starts seem to be par for the course for the Canadian mens Olympic hockey team. Even though, the 2014 edition enjoyed three days of practice and four skates, in total, before the opener, Sidney Crosby and Co. were not sharp in their 3-1 win against Norway at the Bolshoy Ice Palace on Thursday. There was little authority from Canada. There were some nerves. But slow starts have been the case in the past three Winter Games, when Canada usually had only a day or two of on-ice sessions before the game-action began. Norway deserves credit for its determined game and defensive zone coverage. But even though the Canadians outshot their opponents 38-20, their power play (0-for-2) was abysmal and their scoring touch around Norwegian goalie Lars Haugen was missing in action. Canadian head coach Mike Babcock revealed afterwards that his club mustered only 24 scoring chances. Canada pulled out the victory because the fourth line of Jamie Benn, John Tavares and Patrice Bergeron came to play, despite limited ice time, and the defence played an active and effective game offensively. At best-on-best tournaments like the Olympics, Canadian players remark time and time again that they want to get better as the tournament goes on. Sometimes they overcome slow starts, like in 2002 and 2010. Sometimes they dont, like in 2006. But a common theme has been a slow start in the preliminary rounds. 2002 L 5-2 SwedenW 3-2 GermanyT 3-3 Czech Republic 2006 W 7-2 ItalyW 5-1 GermanyL 2-0 Switzerland 2010 W 8-0 NorwayW 3-2 Switzerland (shootout)L 5-3 United States Canadian Olympic teams struggle to come together quickly. It doesnt matter if its the bigger international-sized ice surface or the smaller NHL rink. One of the reasons is because they are asked to take on different roles and reduced ice time. Not every one can make the adjustment seamlessly. Wholesale Denver Broncos Jerseys . The Blue Jackets got goals from Cam Atkinson, Nick Foligno, Boone Jenner and R.J. Umberger and Curtis McElhinney posted his first shutout since 2011 in a 4-0 victory on Friday night. Denver Broncos Jerseys Outlet . Samir Nasris 88th-minute equalizer at Etihad Stadium will be of little consolation to City, which is now six points behind league leader Liverpool and four points behind second-place Chelsea. Third-place City has a game in hand but the surprise result against Sunderland, coupled with Sundays 3-2 loss at Liverpool, may be a setback too far in its bid for a second championship in three seasons. http://www.cheapbroncos.com/ . Wheeler said Kane was just making a joke that was misunderstood and misinterpreted by "Winnipeg folks" and the media once again. Wheeler repeated that he believes Kane is a player who has the ability to help the Jets get to the next level as they try once again to reach the playoffs in 2014. He made the comments initially in an interview, when asked how the Jets could compete in the Central Division with teams that have made some high-profile off-season signings. Stitched Denver Broncos Jerseys . -- Washingtons Bradley Beal seemed to make every shot he took in setting a career high with 37 points. Custom Broncos Jerseys . The start of the seasons fifth and final major was delayed two hours due to heavy rain in the area. The tournament eventually began, but with water on the greens and the rain persisting, players were called back to the clubhouse less than an hour after the first group teed off.Any top ten has some sort of explicit or implicit criteria. Top ten dunks: flare, power, finesse, levity of the moment. Top ten goals: style, creativity, dare I say panache. With names the parameters of selection would seem subjective, but Ill boldly predict that I get a bunch of head-shakes with the proceeding list. 10) Rasmus Ristolainen – Finland World Junior Hockey Player The suffix “lainen” is as prevalent as the recent onslaught of “D”s and “L”s followed by apostrophes in basketball and football. The alliteration is nice, but giving it that extra boost is the hockey-punnable “risto”, like a wrist shot. And LOOK AT THE HAIR! 9) Barkevious Mingo – Cleveland Browns Another suffix gaining prominence – “ious”, “ius” or “eon” – Jadeveon Clowney (future NFL first-round pick), Latavius Murray (Oakland Raiders running back), Latavious Williams (former NBA second-round pick). The long “e” and “uh” that follows simply flow off the throat. Add the “bark” required of an angry linebacker with a unique surname and youre making the top 10. 8) Tie: Luke Kuechly (pronounced “keek-lee”) - Carolina Panthers, and Kiko Alonso - Buffalo Bills Coupled “k” sounds are kooky, cool and make a nice combination. 7) Starling Marte – Pittsburgh Pirates You got a first name that includes the word “star” and is a mix of “starlet” and “darling”. Nearly trumping the first half of his full name is the last name itself – you cant get any better than a non-French person with an accent aigu sound, even when there issnt actually an accent aigu there.dddddddddddd 6) Chael Sonnen – MMA Fighter I suppose the UFC fighters prevalence as a loud mouth helped him garner the sixth spot. But reputation aside, “Chael” is a freaking fighters name. The composite syllables are punchy and fit the profile of a great pugilist. 5) Nerlens Noel – Philadelphia 76ers Theres that alliteration again. Also that French elegance of “Noel” kicks the former Kentucky superstar into our top five. 4) Anderson Silva – MMA Fighter Ive always had a thing for last names as first names: Brady Quinn, Carson Palmer, Carter Ashton, Cooper Manning, Connor McDavid, Grady Little, Harrison Barnes. 3) Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Detroit Pistons When you add a hyphenated last name youve increased its brilliance potential by 50 per cent. Im pretty sure Kentavious fate to become a pro athlete was determined at the baby-naming, as I wouldnt foresee any Kentavious Caldwell-Popes working at the local Canadian Tire. 2) Johnny “Football” Manziel – Texas A&M A classic nickname for a guy who fits the bill. A superstar quarterback, playing for a team called the “Aggies” in a town called “College Station” – so beautifully old school. Rounding out the names appropriateness is the attitude off the field. The guy was invited to Peyton Mannings QB training camp for kids and (allegedly) got too drunk in New Orleans to fulfill his duties. The masses have jumped on Manziel for being too much of a partier, meanwhile every one of us would have done the same thing at his age. 1) Ha Ha Clinton-Dix – Alabama Football Does this really require an explanation? 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