his third, tipping in the deflection of a shot by Andrew Ladd.Boychuk got the Islanders on the scoreboard first, firing a slap shot from outside the right faceoff circle into the left side of the nig

LAS VEGAS -- Luis Scola thought Argentinas time might have passed.The Golden Generation had grown old, the younger players hadnt grown up enough, and when the Argentines went out weakly two years ago in the Basketball World Cup, Scola considered walking away rather than chase more medals.But Argentina is back in the Olympics, and this time Scola isnt just leading the basketball team.Hes leading the whole delegation.The veteran forward will carry the flag in the opening ceremony, capping an amazing turn of events after just two years ago he wasnt sure he wanted to keep playing.I try not to do it because its like, I think, kind of holds me down a little bit, but sometimes I stop for a minute and I look back and its just, wow, said Scola, whose team will face the U.S. on Friday in the Americans first exhibition game.I had the chance to play four Olympics, to play 10 years in the NBA, to carry the flag for my country, win an Olympic gold medal. I mean, different things that happened along those days that I couldnt even dream of those because it would be too wild to dream. So its been quite a journey, its been quite a ride.It began with the national team in 1998 and would peak with Argentinas rise to the top of world basketball. The Argentines won gold in the 2004 Olympics, bronze in 2008, a silver medal in the 2002 worlds, and were ranked No. 1 in the world.Manu Ginobili became the beloved face of those teams while going on to win four NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs. But its been Scola who kept playing in the later years, carrying the national team through qualifying tournaments when Ginobili couldnt or wouldnt play.His career with the national team is just unbelievable, Ginobili said. Hes played every tournament there was to play, and every single one of them at a very high level. So Luis is our guy. Hes our main guy, especially since we dont have a lot of size. We need him in the paint. Hes been the most reliable guy ever.Thats why it became so hard for Scola when the program appeared to have crumbled.The 2014 tournament in Spain was supposed to be the farewell for the group known as the Golden Generation. But Ginobili got hurt and left Scola to try to carry an undermanned team largely alone.He hated that they didnt compete for a title, but even more that he felt the federation wasnt doing enough to further the sport he had done so much to grow in his country. Scola, who wants to play all year every year, even considered ending his own international career.2014 was a very rough year and yes, I thought it could be it, because it was a lot of bad things going on, he said. The federation and the guys running it, it wasnt really working. It was going very, very bad and I just didnt feel like I wanted to play for them anymore, and we were all feeling the same.But a change atop the federation, now led by president Federico Susbielles, energized Scola, as did the return of Ginobili, who thought he would be retired by now. Fellow longtime mainstays Andres Nocioni and Carlos Delfino are also headed to Rio and will be walking into the opening ceremony behind their teammate.It creates better hope, better energy, so I feel refreshed, Scola said.Scola just signed with the Brooklyn Nets after playing last season on the Toronto Raptors best team ever. At 36, he is no longer as effective in the NBA as he remains in international play, but remains a popular and respected teammate.Ive played with Scola five years total. Ive never had a bad day with him. Never, U.S. guard Kyle Lowry of the Raptors said.Scola is realistic about Argentinas chances playing in a difficult group that includes Spain, Lithuania and Brazil -- the team that ousted Argentina two years ago. The Argentines arent good enough to duplicate what they did in Athens, but Scola hopes theyll play just as hard.Obviously what we achieved in 2004 was the highlight of our careers, something that has never been done for our country. It was a great run, Scola said. Obviously right now were in a different stage. Its going to be a little bit more difficult for us right now, but were going to compete. Its going to be fun.---Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BriancmahoneyGussie Busch Jersey . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. Wholesale Cardinals Jerseys . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. https://www.cheapcardinalsonline.com/1934t-adolis-garcia-jersey-cardinals.html . Rousey will put her perfect 8-0 record and hardware on the line against another undefeated fighter, 7-0 Sara McMann in the main event of UFC 170, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada on February 22nd. Paul DeJong Cardinals Jersey . It was Kerbers third final of the year after losing to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in Monterrey in April and to Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic in Tokyo two weeks ago. The 10th-ranked German improved her record in finals to 3-5. Vince Coleman Cardinals Jersey . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal.NEW YORK -- After losing twice on goals in the closing minutes during their recent road trip, the New York Islanders were relieved to get a late win after blowing a three-goal lead in the third period.Anders Lee scored the tiebreaking goal with 27 seconds remaining to lift the Islanders to a 5-3 victory over the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night.Thomas Hickey took a pass from Johnny Boychuk and fired a slap shot from the point that deflected off Lees stick and past goalie Matt Murray.We had that puck luck, Lee said. We just have to grind it out. Tonight we were able to come through with a game-winning goal. Was a great shot and I was able to tip in. Weve faced enough adversity for a season. Tonight we were able to find a way.Hickey called it relief more than elation, adding, It was nice to get something to go our way. ... It was a great pass by Johnny and a great tip by Anders.Then, with Murray pulled on the ensuing faceoff, Nikolay Kulemin scored into the empty net 3 seconds later to seal the win and give the Islanders consecutive victories for the second time this season.Boychuk, Jason Chimera and Casey Cizikas also scored, and Thomas Greiss made 31 saves.New York, which lost twice on goals in the final 3 minutes of regulation at Los Angeles and San Jose last week before beating Calgary at home in overtime on Monday, has won three of five.Conor Sheary, Justin Schultz and Evgeni Malkin scored in the first 13:08 of the third period to tie the score for the Penguins. Murray finished with 25 saves.Sometimes you can try to work your way back but it doesnt always work out that way, Pittsburghs Sidney Crosby said. We were able to tie it up and unfortunately not at least force overtime.The Islanders had not scored more than two goals in their last eight games -- including a 3-2, 14-round shootout win at Anaheim on Nov. 22.Trailing 3-0 after two periods, the Penguins came out aggressive in the third and quickly got on the scoreboard when Sheary knocked in a rebound past Greiss 32 seconds in.Phil Kessel had a breakaway a minute later but was stoned by Greiss.Schultz pulled the Penguins within one when he skated in across the left faceoff circle and fired a shot top shelf with 9:20 remaining. Malkin then tied it with a wrister past Greiss 2:28 later withh his ninth of the season.ddddddddddddThe Islanders made it 2-0 at 2:10 of the second on a goal credited to Chimera. Scott Mayfield fired a shot from the right slot and the puck bounced off several players before hitting Chimeras skate and off Murray and slowly trickling over the line before the goalie could stop it. It was Chimeras second of the season.Pittsburgh was called for two penalties seconds apart about 8 minutes into the second. After being whistled for too many men, Matt Cullen was called for a delay of game faceoff violation for falling on the puck on the ensuing faceoff. The Islanders managed six shots on the two-man advantage, including a diving glove save by Murray on a shot by John Tavares from the right side.You knew that after the 2-minute 5-on-3 where we didnt score, it always comes back to haunt you a little bit, New York coach Jack Capuano said. Our guys battled right to the end and we found a way to win.Cizikas made it 3-0 with 2:39 left in the second with his third, tipping in the deflection of a shot by Andrew Ladd.Boychuk got the Islanders on the scoreboard first, firing a slap shot from outside the right faceoff circle into the left side of the night on Murrays blocker side with 13 seconds left in the opening period. It was Boychuks third of the season, and first since Oct. 23.Game notesPatric Hornqvist returned for the Penguins after missing six games due to a concussion. ... Pittsburgh was 0 for 3 on the power play and has not scored in 16 opportunities over the last five games. ... The Penguins won the first two meetings, 4-2 at home on Oct. 27 and 3-2 in OT here on Nov. 18. The teams final matchup will be March 24 at Pittsburgh. ... Islanders F Ryan Strome returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch the previous two games. ... D Adam Pelech was out after sustaining an upper body injury in Monday nights OT win over Calgary. Mayfield took his place and appeared in his second game of the season.UP NEXTPenguins: Host Dallas on Thursday night in the opener of a three-game homestand.Islanders: At Washington on Thursday night before a three-game homestand.---Follow Vin Cherwoo at www.twitter.com/VinCherwooAP ' ' '