Die Macht » I went out to the mound telling myself that, no matter what

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. Fake Jerseys From China . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. Fake Jerseys For Sale .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. https://www.fakejersey.com/ . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. Fake Jerseys Free Shipping . Radwanska, making her debut in the Seoul tournament, hit eight aces in a match that lasted 1 hour, 4 minutes at Olympic Park tennis stadium. "It was definitely a very good match -- I was playing really good tennis," Radwanska said. Fake Jerseys . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers cant explain exactly what happened when they went to Boston in late July.They dont want to think too much about it and ruin the magic.Starting with a three-game sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway Park, the Tigers have won nine of their last 10 games. On Friday night, they beat the New York Mets 4-3 to move within two games of first-place Cleveland in the American League Central.I hope people are excited about this team, because were playing really good baseball, and having a lot of fun, said Ian Kinsler, who manufactured a key first-inning run. We want everyone to join us -- theres a lot of room on the bandwagon.Tigers ace Justin Verlander was the star once again, holding the Mets to four hits in six innings. Since July 1, he is 5-0 in seven starts with a 1.85 ERA.Obviously, being in the race adds some excitement, Verlander said. Obviously, everyone knows where we are at, and weve been around long enough that were doing some scoreboard watching, but it all comes down to how we finish.Verlander (12-6) allowed only two runs and struck out nine, but the Mets ran his pitch count up to 103 to force him out of the game. Three relievers finished, with Francisco Rodriguez pitching the ninth for his 31st save.James Loney drove in a ninth-inning run with a groundout, and Rodriguez retired Kelly Johnson to end the game. Johnson homered in the fourth for the Mets, who are now two games out of the second National League wild-card spot.We had some chances, but that guy on the mound for the Tigers is awfully good, Mets manager Terry Collins said. Verlanders one of those guys that can get himself out of just about any jam, so you have to get him fast.Noah Syndergaard (9-6) also ran into pitch-count trouble, needing 112 to get through his six innings. He gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out seven.Im trying to be too fine with my pitches instead of just trusting my stuff and letting it go, he said. I know I have the stuff to go out there and be dominant, but Ive got to let myself do it.The Tigers took advantage of Syndergaards weakness holding runners in the first. Ian Kinsler led off with a single, stole second aand third and scored on Miguel Cabreras groundout.dddddddddddd Opponents are 32 of 36 on steal attempts in Syndergaards 22 starts this season.We had an idea about running today, but you cant do anything until Ian gets himself on first base, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. He got on base and got himself to third, so while Miggy gets the RBI, Kins basically created that run.Verlander was cruising until he walked Jay Bruce on a 3-2 pitch in the fourth. He retired Loney for the second out of the inning, but Johnson hit his second homer in two nights to give the Mets a 2-1 lead.Martinez got the lead back in the bottom of the inning, lining Syndergaards changeup deep into the right-field stands for a two-run homer. James McCann added an RBI single in the inning to make it 4-2.After we got the lead, I went out to the mound telling myself that, no matter what, I couldnt blow it, Syndergaard said. Well, thats like telling someone not to think about a pink elephant. I think every major mistake I made tonight was in that inning.TRAINERS ROOMMets: OF Yoenis Cespedes (quadriceps) is on the disabled list, costing him his first visit back to Detroit since he was traded at last years deadline. Cespedes was popular with Tigers fans.Tigers: RHP Jordan Zimmermanns MRI showed no damage to the lat muscle that bothered him in Thursdays poor start. Zimmermann will throw a bullpen session on Sunday before the Tigers decide if he will make his next start. .... CF Cameron Maybin sat out his second straight game with a bruised thumb.INTERLEAGUE STARSThe Mets have the best interleague record (.518) of any National League team since games began in 1996, but the Tigers are significantly better at .546. Since 2006, the Tigers are second in the majors at .620 (124-76).UP NEXTThe teams play the second game in their weekend series Saturday evening, with Matt Boyd (2-2, 4.71) facing New Yorks Logan Verrett (3-6, 4.20). Boyd will be making his first interleague start, while Verrett made his first on Monday, getting a no-decision against the Yankees. ' ' '