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Wednesday, April 30, 2014

{allcanada} 'Star Trek's' William Shatner receives NASA's highest civilian honor

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william-shatner-nasa-award.jpgWilliam Shatner has now boldly gone where very few men or women have gone before -- he has received NASA's highest civilian honor, reports the Associated Press.

This past weekend, NASA awarded the 83-year-old "Star Trek" actor the Distinguished Public Service medal for his work advocating science education and space exploration. Shatner accepted the honor at his annual charity even for children's causes, the Hollywood Charity Horse Show.

"William Shatner has been so generous with his time and energy in encouraging students to study science and math, and for inspiring generations of explorers, including many of the astronauts and engineers who are a part of NASA today. He's most deserving of this prestigious award," says David Weaver, NASA associate administrator for the Office of Communications, in a statement.

The medal cites Shatner for "outstanding generosity and dedication to inspiring new generations of explorers around the world, and for unwavering support of NASA and its missions of discovery."

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{allcanada} X-Factor: Canadiens' Emelin gets under Bruins' skin

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Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin has only played 164 regular-season games in the NHL, the equivalent of exactly two full seasons stretched out over three years, and in that time he has become a central figure in his team's heated rivalry with the Boston Bruins.

Though defenseman P.K. Subban is the one who gets booed every time he touches the puck at TD Garden, or any time he does just about anything for that matter, it is in fact Emelin that has successfully managed to drive the Bruins to fits of distraction over his short career.

Emelin has done so by going toe-to-toe with Boston's most physical forces, captain Zdeno Chara and power forward Milan Lucic, and not backing down once.

A perfect example of what Emelin has the ability to do to the Bruins happened on March 3, 2013 when he hit Tyler Seguin near center ice late in the second period of a game Boston led 3-2 at TD Garden. Chara didn't like the hit, chased Emelin deep into the Canadiens zone and engaged him in a fight.

For his trouble, Chara received two minutes for instigating, five minutes for fighting and a 10-minute misconduct. By the time the Bruins captain left the penalty box midway through the third period, the Canadiens turned that 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 lead, one they would not relinquish.

That victory began a stretch of six wins in seven games for the Canadiens against the Bruins heading into their Eastern Conference Second Round series, and Emelin has played an important role in nearly all of them.

It is one thing not to back down when confronted with the physically intimidating game the Bruins have perfected; it is quite another to turn it on its head and actually go out looking for trouble, or poking the bear, as it were.

That is exactly what Emelin has done whenever the Canadiens have faced the Bruins over the past few seasons, and it has worked to great effectiveness in that the Bruins appear to shift their focus from winning the game to getting even with him.

The last time the Canadiens played the Bruins was March 24 in Boston, when Emelin laid out Lucic with a clean, open-ice hip check that sent the massive Bruins forward head over heels and sprawling into the boards about a minute into the game. Emelin was immediately challenged by Chara, who was assessed the only penalty on the play, and later in the game Lucic was caught on video putting his stick between Emelin's legs as he skated behind him.

The Canadiens' best chance of beating the mighty Bruins in the series is to frustrate them to distraction. As much as Subban has proven to be an expert at it over the years, Emelin has taken over that job and has performed it to perfection.

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{allcanada} RAPTORS SURVIVE NETS' COMEBACK CHARGE, TAKE 3-2 SERIES LEAD

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TORONTO -- Kyle Lowry scored on an awkward, lurching 31-foot buzzer-beater just before halftime Wednesday, a circus shot that left him sprawled, grinning on his stomach on the Air Canada Centre floor.

The Raptors very nearly spoiled what was the point guard's finest performance -- in a playoff series full of them -- while holding on for a 115-113 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

Lowry poured in 36 points in the victory that gave the Raptors a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series.

"He is great, he did a great job," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. "But this game tonight, we have got to learn from it because there are so many learning experiences from tonight's game. Having the lead, (handling) prosperity, embracing the pressure.

"Kyle. . . 36 points is huge. Huge for us."

DeMar DeRozan added 23 points, while Jonas Valanciunas finished with 16 and Greivis Vasquez added 15.

Amir Johnson chipped in with 11 points for the Raptors who gave up a 26-point lead in the fourth quarter, making for some tense moments at the ACC, but held on for the victory.

When asked to describe the emotions of a fourth quarter that saw the Nets score 44 points, Casey answered: "You wouldn't want to hear it."

The series heads back to Brooklyn's Barclays Center for Game 6 on Friday, and a victory there would send them to a second-round series against the Miami Heat. A Game 7, if necessary, would be Sunday in Toronto.

The Raptors controlled the game through the second and third quarters, when it seemed they could do no wrong, and led by 26 points twice late in the third.

They headed into the fourth up 91-69 and appeared poised to cruise to an easy victory, but the Nets had plenty of fight left, tying the game at 101 on a three-pointer by Joe Johnson with 3:16 to go, stunning the crowd.

Lowry drained the go-ahead three and then scored on a driving hook shot to put Toronto up by three points with 27 seconds left. A three and foul shot by Anderson pulled the Nets to within a point, but Andray Blatche -- with Lowry running right at him -- turned the ball over on a backcourt violation sealing the Raptors' victory.

"He's a helluva player," DeRozan said of Lowry. "It's just that dog in him. . . Every time he's out there on the court, understand, I'm going to give my best effort, because I know he's going to do the same."

Lowry, playing with his right knee in a protective sleeve after injuring it in Game 3 in Brooklyn, has been solid all series, but took it to another level Wednesday, providing all kinds of highlight-reel plays.

There was the diving three at the halftime buzzer. There was the 85-foot outlet pass that found an unmarked Terrence Ross under the basket.

But the point guard was particularly big down the stretch, taking charges and slicing through the Nets' defence for tough buckets.

"When we needed a big shot, No. 7 came through. Kyle was unbelievable," said Raptors forward Chuck Hayes. "There's nothing more you can say. He's doing it at the right time on the biggest stage.

"We need an answer, we call Kyle. Kyle will figure it out."

It was the kind of game the Raptors would have coughed up down the stretch last season, and Casey said the team does take something from holding on for a win.

"But we can't live that way. Our history has been pretty good in the fourth quarter, but tonight, for whatever reason, they flipped the switch and flipped the script," the coach said.

Joe Johnson led the Nets with 30 points, while Mirza Teletovic added 17, and Deron Williams and Alan Anderson finished with 13 apiece.

The teams split the first two games in Toronto, and did the same in Games 3 and 4 in Brooklyn. A Game 7, if necessary, would be Sunday in Toronto.

"One game at a time and we have to take care of home," said Pierce. "I think we will play better on Friday at home and we will see them back here on Sunday."

The capacity ACC crowd of 20,393 that included Drake and rapper 50 Cent -- who dipped his head when the camera was on him to show fans his "Northern Uprising" hat -- was loud all game long, from the moment the fans sang along to O Canada to the final buzzer.

The arena was a sea of white, as fans wore their white "We The North" T-shirts. They mocked the Nets by chanting "Broo-klyn!" the traditional chant at the Barclays Center.

The Nets even took note, posting on the team's official Twitter account: ".Nets fans take note- this is what a playoff crowd sounds like..set your DVD and take notes .RAPTORSvNETS."

Despite the rain and chilly temperatures, some 4,500 fans jammed into Maple Leaf Square outside the ACC to watch the game on the big screen. They were given rain ponchos. Some 1,200 fans were also given black and gold OVO/Raptors lint-rollers, a nod to Drake using a lint-roller while sitting courtside during Game 2.

An array of Toronto sports celebrities took the stage, including Toronto FC's Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley and Julio Cesar, and former Raptors Morris Peterson and Jerome Williams.

"I've never seen support like this. This is special," Defoe said in an on-stage interview. Cesar, wearing a No. 7 Raptors jersey, yelled "Let's go Raptors!"

This series has been spirited from Day 1 when Raptors GM Masai Ujiri took the stage and dropped his famous F-bomb about Brooklyn.

An enterprising man outside the ACC on Wednesday was selling F--- Brooklyn buttons, three for $5. Fans were wearing the same on T-shirts at the game.

Johnson led the way with nine points for Toronto in a first quarter that saw neither team lead by more than six. The Raptors ended the quarter with a 10-2 run capped by a Lowry three-pointer that put Toronto up 28-25 going into the second.

The Raptors trailed by four points with just over five minutes to go in the second, but finished the quarter on a 26-4 run capped by Lowry's three, part of a 13-point performance in the quarter for the point guard. The Raptors went into the locker-room at halftime buoyed by a 62-44 lead.

The third quarter has been the Raptors' nemesis in this series, but not so on Wednesday. They didn't take their foot off the pedal, shooting 58 per cent to twice go ahead by 26 points. Toronto went into the fourth with a 91-69 lead.

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{allcanada} ESCOBAR HITS GO-AHEAD DOUBLE IN SEVENTH; ROYALS BEAT JAYS

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Alcides Escobar is a maestro with his glove, making the kinds difficult of plays at shortstop that has helped to make the Kansas City Royals one of the best defensive teams in baseball.

On Wednesday night, Escobar showed he can swing the bat a bit, too. His two-run double in the seventh inning proved to be the difference in a tense 4-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

"He's been very consistent," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "He's always been an important part of our club because of his defence. He saves runs in the field. But when you add offence to that, he becomes a very special player."

Eric Hosmer drove in the other two runs for the Royals, whose bullpen blew a 2-0 lead for young starter Yordano Ventura before holding on to beat Toronto with a late rally for the second straight night. Kansas City won the series opener 10-7 behind a six-run eighth inning.

Kelvin Herrera (1-1) stranded runners on second and third in the seventh, and Wade Davis struck out Jose Reyes to leave the bases loaded in the eighth. Greg Holland worked around a double in the ninth for his seventh save in seven tries.

"You play 162 games. You're going to see a lot of things happen," Holland said. "The mark of a good bullpen is when you have guys pick each other up when they get in jams."

Drew Hutchison (1-2) allowed all four runs on five hits in seven innings for Toronto.

The 23-year-old right-hander, who missed last season after Tommy John surgery, kept the Royals mostly off balance until Escobar guided his double down the left-field line with two outs in the seventh. Jimmy Paredes and Salvy Perez scored easily to give Kansas City the lead.

"I got ahead of him. I went right at him. I thought I made a good pitch," Hutchison said. "That's a situation where I expect myself to thrive and get the job done, but I didn't."

The Royals improved to 14-0 when scoring at least four runs -- they remain 0-12 falling short of that mark. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays lost for the sixth time in their last seven games.

Toronto also lost outfielder Melky Cabrera in the sixth inning when he was hit in the left shin by a pitch from Danny Duffy. Cabrera needed to be helped off the field, though X-rays taken at the ballpark came back negative and a team spokesman said he was day to day.

The Royals manufactured a 1-0 lead through driving rain in the first inning with a double by Nori Aoki, a sacrifice bunt and Hosmer's sacrifice fly. They tacked on another run in the fourth when Hosmer followed a double by Omar Infante with one of his own.

As long as Ventura was pitching, it seemed that would be enough.

The Blue Jays struggled to catch up to the 22-year-old's triple-digit fastball, managing just two hits over five innings. But they were more successful at avoiding stuff off the plate, driving up his pitch count and forcing him from the game after five innings and 92 pitches.

"It was cold out there," Ventura said through a translator, fellow starter Jeremy Guthrie. "Naturally, it was a little more difficult to command."

That's when Royals manager Ned Yost called on Duffy, who hit Cabrera in the left shin with his first pitch. Cabrera dropped to the grass in foul territory and stayed there several minutes, eventually getting helped through the dugout and to the clubhouse by the Blue Jays' trainers.

Duffy proceeded to walk Jose Bautista on five pitches and was yanked for Aaron Crow, who gave up singles to Edwin Encarnacion and Juan Francisco that tied the game 2-all. Crow finally escaped the inning, and the Royals bullpen held Toronto down the rest of the way.

"It's frustrating, but at the end of the day I need to do a better job to give us a chance to win after we came back and scored two runs," Hutchison said. "I was in complete control going into the seventh. It comes down to that it's on me and I need to get the job done."

NOTES: Toronto left 11 runners on base. ... Bautista finished with 30 walks in April, matching Fred McGriff's club record for a single month. ... Blue Jays INF Brett Lawrie (sore back) was held out of the lineup. Manager John Gibbons called him day to day. ... RHP Jeremy Guthrie starts the series finale Thursday night for Kansas City. LHP Mark Buehrle starts for Toronto.

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{allcanada} FC EDMONTON ADVANCES TO AMWAY CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIS

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EDMONTON -- Daryl Fordyce scored twice as FC Edmonton defeated the Ottawa Fury 3-1 on Wednesday to advance to the Amway Canadian Championship semifinal.

Hanson Boakai also scored and assisted on both of Fordyce's goals for Edmonton, which beat its North American Soccer League rivals after the teams' scoreless draw in the first leg last week in Ottawa.

Edmonton now moves on to host Major League Soccer's Montreal Impact in the opening leg of the semifinal next Wednesday.

"I'm delighted with the result," said Edmonton manager Colin Miller. "With missing six first team players and starting two 17-year-olds, how could I not be delighted with the result? We have a busy week ahead of us, but tonight I am very happy."

Ottawa possessed the ball for most of the opening 30 minutes, creating five corners and a dangerous free kick from Sinisa Ubiparipovic that struck the crossbar in the 27th minute.

But Edmonton was on the board first after Boakai beat Ottawa defender Drew Beckie with speed down the left side and drove a low cross to the feet of Fordyce, who one-timed it past Devala Gorrick into the short side to open the score at 1-0 in the 29th minute.

Edmonton doubled its lead in the 47th minute. Boakai was sent in alone on Gorrick and capitalized on his own rebound after the initial save. The 17-year-old got himself into the record books by becoming the youngest player in the history of the ACC to score in the competition.

Boakai and Fordyce connected again in the 63rd minute with Fordyce firing a shot from the top of the box for a 3-0 lead.

"It is great to see Daryl getting in there and he was our top scorer last season," said Miller. "Once he gets in the box, nine times out of 10 he's putting the ball in the back of the net. I am really pleased for him because he works so hard and he worked hard here tonight."

Vini Dantas scored a consolation goal for Ottawa in the 90th minute while holding back two defenders.

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{allcanada} ICE CAPTAIN REINHART NAMED WHL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

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CALGARY -- As the NHL entry draft approaches, Sam Reinhart's stock keeps rising.

The Kootenay Ice captain won the Western Hockey League's player-of-the-year award Wednesday. The league's general managers and coaches voted for Reinhart over Western Conference finalist Mitch Holmberg, a 62-goal scorer for the Spokane Chiefs.

Reinhart set a franchise record for assists in a season with 69 and, combined with 36 goals in 60 games, the 18-year-old from Vancouver tied for fourth in WHL scoring.

But the son of former NHL defenceman Paul Reinhart was a stellar two-way player for the Ice with a plus-24 rating. He posted a torrid 48 points in 22 games from Dec. 4 to Feb. 28.

Central Scouting ranks Reinhart third among North American skaters for the NHL draft, up from fourth in January's midterm rankings.

The Four Broncos Trophy that goes to the player of the year is given in memory of four Swift Current Broncos who died in a team bus crash in 1986.

Reinhart, six foot one and 186 pounds, also earned the WHL's sportsmanlike award for his paltry 11 minutes in penalties.

"Both of those awards say a lot about his character," Ice coach Ryan McGill said. "Mitch Holmberg is one heck of a player, but Sam is the complete package. He is the smartest player in the Western Hockey League not only with the puck, but without the puck."

Reinhart's brother Griffin is an Edmonton Oil Kings defenceman who was drafted fourth overall by the New York Islanders two years ago. Another brother Max is a Calgary Flames prospect currently playing in the AHL.

Sam and Griffin both played for the Canadian team that finished fourth in the world junior hockey championship in Malmo, Sweden, in January. Sam was a dominant player upon his return to the Ice.

"It was a good year individually and as a team," Sam said. "I think our depth really showed in the second half and ultimately made it easier on me to produce offensively."

The Ice were eliminated in the second round of playoffs in a seven-game series with the Medicine Hat Tigers. Reinhart had six goals and 17 assists in 13 playoff game.

He's begun preparing for the NHL combine May 25-31 in Toronto. Reinhart intends to play in the NHL next season.

"I'm confident in my abilities right now to do that," he said. "I learned a lot this year, played in a lot of situations. I think that's only going to benefit me down the road.

"I'm excited for it and I'm ultimately preparing for training camp in September where ever that may be."

Holmberg, a 21-year-old winger from Sherwood Park, Alta., won the WHL's scoring trophy. He's only the second player to score over 60 goals in a season in the last 13 years.

Holmberg spent his entire five-year career with the Spokane Chiefs and recently joined the Bakersfield Condors for the ECHL playoffs.

The Kelowna Rockets picked up a pair of major player trophies with Jordon Cooke named the season's best goalie and centre Nick Merkley taking the rookie award. The 16-year-old Merkley, from Calgary, compiled 25 goals and 33 assists in 66 games.

Cooke posted a 39-7-0-4 record with four shutouts. The 20-year-old from Leduc, Alta., had a 2.28 goals-against average and a save percentage of .922.

Derek Pouliot of the Portland Winterhawks was chosen top defenceman. The 19-year-old from Weyburn, Sask., contributed 19 goals and 53 assists in 58 games and posted a plus-minus of plus-40. Pouliot is a first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Victoria Royals swept the hockey management awards with former NHL winger Dave Lowry taking the coaching award and general manager Cam Hope named executive of the year. The Royals finished third overall in the Western Conference with a 48-20-1-3 record.

Saskatoon Blades defenceman Nelson Nogier earned the scholastic award with a 96 per cent average in his Grade 11 studies, while the Calgary Hitmen took team scholastic honours.

Moose Jaw Warriors captain Sam Fioretti was given the humanitarian award for his work in anti-bullying and reading programs. Nathan Wieler from Regina was chosen the WHL's top official.

Prior to the awards luncheon, the WHL's board of governors approved the sale of the Regina Pats and Prince George Cougars to new owners. The Cougars' ownership group includes local businessmen as well as alumni and NHL players Dan Hamhuis and Eric Brewer.

"It's great to have WHL alumni like Dan Hamhuis and Eric Brewer, both former Prince George Cougars, who will do a great job," WHL commissioner Ron Robson said.

"These guys are not just there because of their names. They're there because they want to contribute and be actively involved and that's great news for us."

A group of Regina businessmen headed by Anthony Marquart takes over the Pats from Russ and Diane Parker, who have owned the team for 19 seasons. Both sales are expected to be finalized next month.

Robson says the WHL has taken a hands-on role with the struggling Lethbridge Hurricanes, who have been losing games, money and attendance in recent years.

Some players left the community-owned team during the season and an assistant coach is reportedly suing the team for wrongful dismissal. The league is working with the club on a new business plan.

"We've set out some conditions of approval of that business plan of which we want to see some changes immediately," Robson said. "One is certainly improving the financial performance of the franchise and probably most important is making sure the on-ice performance of the team is going in the right direction.

"There's not a team that's not going to be impacted by missing the playoffs the number of seasons that they have and they find themselves in a bit of a hole, but with the proper structure moving forward, they can be successful.

"It's a great hockey community, a great facility and we just need the right leadership to get in place to get that job done."

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{allcanada} 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 schedule

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Below are dates, times, national broadcast information and results for the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Information on the U.S. broadcast for games later in the round will be released as it is determined.

All times listed are ET and subject to change.

EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND-ROUND MATCHUPS
SERIES I - A1 vs. A3
TIME (ET)    vs.  NETWORKS/RESULT
Thursday, May 1 7:30 p.m. Montreal at Boston NBCSN, CBC, RDS
Saturday, May 3 12:30 p.m. Montreal at Boston NBC, CBC, RDS
Tuesday, May 6 7 p.m. Boston at Montreal NBCSN, CBC, RDS
Thursday, May 8 7:30 p.m. Boston at Montreal NBCSN, CBC, RDS
*Saturday, May 10 TBD Montreal at Boston CBC, RDS
*Monday, May 12 TBD Boston at Montreal CBC, RDS
*Wednesday, May 14 TBD Montreal at Boston CBC, RDS
        
SERIES J - M1 vs. M
TIME (ET)    vs. 
NETWORKS/RESULT
Friday, May 2 7 p.m. NY Rangers at Pittsburgh NBCSN, CBC, RDS
Sunday, May 4 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Pittsburgh NBCSN, CBC, RDS
Monday, May 5 7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at NY Rangers NBCSN, CBC, RDS
Wednesday, May 7 7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at NY Rangers NBCSN, CBC, RDS
*Friday, May 9 TBD NY Rangers at Pittsburgh CBC
*Sunday, May 11 TBD Pittsburgh at NY Rangers CBC
*Tuesday, May 13 TBD NY Rangers at Pittsburgh CBC
       
WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND-ROUND MATCHUPS
SERIES K - C3 vs. W1
TIME (ET)   vs.    NETWORKS/RESULT
Friday, May 2 9:30 p.m. Minnesota at Chicago NBCSN, TSN, RDS
Sunday, May 4 3 p.m. Minnesota at Chicago NBC, TSN, RDS
Tuesday, May 6 9 p.m. Chicago at Minnesota CNBC, TSN, RDS2
Friday, May 9 TBD Chicago at Minnesota TSN
*Sunday, May 11 TBD Minnesota at Chicago TSN
*Tuesday, May 13 TBD Chicago at Minnesota TSN
*Thursday, May 15 TBD Minnesota at Chicago TSN
       
SERIES L - P1 vs. P3
TIME (ET)    vs.    NETWORKS/RESULT
Saturday, May 3 8 p.m. Los Angeles at Anaheim NBCSN, TSN, RDS
Monday, May 5 10 p.m. Los Angeles at Anaheim NBCSN, TSN, RDS
Thursday, May 8 10 p.m. Anaheim at Los Angeles NBCSN, TSN, RDS
Saturday, May 10 TBD Anaheim at Los Angeles TSN
*Monday, May 12 TBD Los Angeles at Anaheim TSN
*Wednesday, May 14 TBD Anaheim at Los Angeles TSN
*Friday, May 16 TBD Los Angeles at Anaheim TSN

* - if necessary
(JIP) - joined in progress

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{allcanada} Bruins' Rask, Canadiens' Price draw on past success

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BOSTON -- The hockey world was allowed to witness a goaltending clash between Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins and Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens once this season.

Rask faced the Canadiens four times. Price faced the Bruins once, as the schedule and Montreal coach Michel Therrien's desire to play backup Peter Budaj in an environment he's comfortable in at TD Garden conspired to keep the Canadiens' No. 1 on the bench for three other Boston-Montreal games.

While Price was leading Canada to the gold medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and Rask was carrying Finland to a bronze, their paths didn't cross on the ice (although Price said they had some chats in the mess hall).

Finally, the Stanley Cup Playoffs have given many fans what they've been waiting for: Rask vs. Price in a best-of-7 Eastern Conference Second Round series, which starts Thursday at TD Garden (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, RDS).

Although they're each quick to tamp down any clamoring for a personal rivalry within the ultimate team rivalry, it's difficult to not look at this aspect of the matchup as one of the best. It's also the toughest to find an edge for either team. Rask and Price have been two of the best goaltenders in the NHL for several years. Price was a Vezina Trophy finalist last season and Rask is one this year.

"We know we're facing a good goalie. It's a challenge," Therrien said. "We're facing a really good goalie, and they're facing a really good goalie."

Price has had success against the Bruins in the regular season throughout his career. He enters this series with a 17-8-3 record, 2.50 goals-against average and .919 save percentage against the Bruins. In the playoffs, Price lost both series in which he faced Boston. In a four-game sweep in 2009, he had a 4.11 GAA and .878 save percentage. In a seven-game loss in 2011, he had a 2.11 GAA and .934 save percentage, and lost in overtime in Game 7.

Rask, who watched from the bench when Tim Thomas beat the Canadiens in 2011, hasn't fared well against the Canadiens. His career record against Montreal is 3-10-3 with a 2.63 GAA and .908 save percentage. This season, the Canadiens were one of two teams to beat him more than once (Montreal beat him three times, as did the Detroit Red Wings). Rask is coming off a five-game victory against the Red Wings in the first round .

"I think it's just been, I've had some tough games against them. But I've had some good games against them too," said Rask, who had a 1.94 GAA and .932 save percentage against Montreal despite three losses. "There just haven't been the wins. I just try to do my job. We lose games 2-1, 3-2, it happens. And maybe we haven't been at our best against them in the past, but I think this year we got better and better."

The one win Rask and the Bruins had against the Canadiens came March 12 at Bell Centre, part of Boston's 12-game winning streak. Rask made 35 saves in a 4-1 win. He was clearly riding the momentum of the Olympics, and said despite not getting a rest it was invigorating to play at such a high level in the middle of the season.

Rask benefitted this year from his play a year ago on the way to the Stanley Cup Final. The Bruins ultimately lost to the Chicago Blackhawks, but Rask had a 2.21 GAA. By performing so well in his first postseason since his rookie year, Rask created confidence and performances he could build on.

"Well, I think it helped in the start. I had a good start this year maybe just because I felt good about my game," he said. "But then for a goalie it's always, you try to keep that good feeling and it's a long season so you get the ups and downs. But you always try to be at your best in the springtime. And last year, it happened to me and I just tried to recapture it this year."

Price captured the most glory at Sochi. His mind-blowing 0.59 GAA and .972 save percentage were cornerstones of Canada's repeat. Price, who is in the second round of the playoffs as the No. 1 for the second time, might not have the experience of playing deep into the postseason like Rask, but winning a gold medal can be compared to chasing the Stanley Cup.

"There are a lot of similarities," Price said. "Ultimately it's a different goal, but kind of the same mindset. So being able to draw on those experiences will help."

Price and Rask were each first-round picks. They brought home medals from Sochi and they've been tasked with being their franchise's savior for years now. They stand in one another's way on the path to the Eastern Conference Final. Of course, the shooters are going to have their equal say.

"No, it doesn't matter who's in the other end. I think it's more of a team thing for us, you know," Rask said. "He's a great goalie, obviously. He won the gold and had a great season, so we need to figure him out, get some pucks by him. But from my standpoint it doesn't matter. I just try to do the same thing as he: stop every puck."

"Tuukka's a really good goalie," Price said. "Ultimately, he's not going to score on me and I'm not going to score on him. It's all about how you play. You can't be concerned about what anybody else is doing."

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{allcanada} CANUCKS TO FIRE HEAD COACH TORTORELLA THURSDAY

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The Vancouver Canucks are making a coaching change.

According to TSN Vancouver reporter Farhan Lalji, the Canucks will fire head coach John Tortorella on Thursday, one season after he took over for Alain Vigneault.

Tortorella missed six games this season due to suspension after confronting the Calgary Flames after a line brawl in their Jan. 18 games against the Canucks. He was suspended 15 days and was barred from contacting the Cancuks' team before, during or after games after trying to enter the Flames' dressing room.

The Canucks went 2-4 over that six game stretch. They were fourth in the Pacific Division and held the first Western Conference wild card playoff berth at the time of the incident against Calgary.

Tortorella, who was in the first year of a five-year, $10 million contract, joined the Canucks after being fired as head coach of the New York Rangers last season.

In parts of 14 NHL seasons coaching the Rangers, Canucks and Tampa Bay Lightning, he has compiled a 455-367-37-82 record. He guided the Lightning to the franchise's only Stanley Cup in 2004.

He was awarded the Jack Adams Award as the league's top coach for the 2003-04 season.

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{allcanada} Leiweke on Leafs roster: 'No one is untradeable'

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It should be an interesting off-season for the Toronto Maple Leafs and one that could see many changes both on and off the ice.

“No one is untradeable,” Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president and CEO Tim Leiweke told Tim and Sid on Sportsnet 590 The Fan Wednesday. “There are decisions coming soon…We will not lack in our ability to make tough decisions around here. I promise you.”

The Leafs had been in a strong position to make the playoffs for a second consecutive season until a total collapse that began in mid-March. The team lost 12 of their final 14 games in regulation, finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference and nine points out of a playoff spot.

It’s something Leiweke doesn’t expect to see again.

“I’m very comfortable that we’re headed in a direction where we’re never going to have to go through this sort of thing again because I won’t let it happen,” Leiweke said. “It’s just unacceptable and [Leafs new president Brendan Shanahan], not only feels the same way I do, but I see the way he’s going about this and it gives me a lot of comfort we’re about to make the right decisions in a lot of different areas soon. You will see decisions on our part in the near future based on the work he’s done.”

Leiweke said he has been spending a lot of time with Shanahan, who is also an alternate governor with the team, and has been impressed with what the former NHL chief disciplinarian has done thus far.

“He’s out doing one-on-ones with everyone on the hockey side,” Leiweke said. “I’m amazed at his focus and intensity. He’s like sponge, so he’s taking a lot in and learning a lot…I love the fact he is very analytical on how he’s approaching this and what he thinks is wrong and how we fix it.

“Just as Masai [Ujiri] has done on the basketball side, we need Shanny to do on the hockey side. I’m excited about it. I’m telling you, we got ourselves a good one here. The first two weeks have absolutely verified — within not just in my head but in my heart — this is a guy that is ultimately going to get us to the right place and he’ll never let [a late-season meltdown] happen to us again.”

One of the major off-ice decisions Leafs brass will need to make is what to do with current head coach Randy Carlyle. Many feel there is a strong chance he won’t be the team’s bench boss come training camp. Leiweke wouldn’t comment on whether or not he feels Carlyle’s job is secure.

“That’s Shanny’s decision and that’s [general manager] Dave Nonis’s decision,” said Leiweke before he added Shanahan and Nonis have gelled nicely.

“They have formed a bond like I thought they would,” Leiweke said. “They have different qualities and they bring to the task different experiences and different strengths and it’s worked out extremely well. I have not had to intercede on one issue nor do I expect to and I think they see eye to eye on where we’re headed.”

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{allcanada} Preview: Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens

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No. 1 Boston Bruins vs. No. 2 Montreal Canadiens

Story line: No NHL playoff rivalry has more legs than this one. This will be the 34th time these two teams meet in the postseason. The Canadiens lead the series 24-9.

Goaltenders: Boston's Tuukka Rask (5-1, 1.16 goals-against average and .961 save percentage) vs. Montreal's Carey Price (4-0, 2.33, .904). This could be billed as the NHL's best goalie this season vs. the Olympic gold medalist. We can assume three goals should win most, if not all, of the games in this series.

Focal point: Boston's overall defensive play could make it challenging for the Canadiens to score. Thomas Vanek and Tomas Plekanec are the offensive keys for Montreal.

Season series: 3-1 Montreal with one victory coming in a shootout.The Canadiens outscored Boston 9-7.

What the Bruins want to do: 1. Continue to hate on opposing forwards. The Detroit Red Wings didn't often get good looks at the net in the first round. The Bruins forced everyone to the outside. 2. Pay strict attention to detail. The Bruins do the little things better, particularly in the faceoff circle and on special teams. They are more physical than the Canadiens. 3. Play a patient, efficient game. The Bruins are at their best when they don't deviate from the script. When they fall behind, they usually remain poised.

What the Canadiens want do: 1. Make this series about Montreal's goaltending and defense, instead of Boston's skilled defensemen. Montreal has some skilled defensemen in Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban and some highly competitive ones in Alexei Emelin and Josh Gorges. 2. Don't allow this to become a special teams battle. The Bruins' power play is clicking at 37.5% and Canadiens' penalty killing is a disappointing 71.4%. 3. Populate the shooting lanes. Montreal was the NHL's No. 1 shot-blocking team in the regular season, and the Canadiens are at their best when they are inside opponents' heads about when to shoot.

Forecast: The Bruins played suffocating defense in the first round and if that trend continues, they will eliminate Montreal in six games.

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{allcanada} 'Battlestar Galactica's' Tricia Helfer to star in 'Ascension' on Syfy

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Tricia Helfer ( "Battlestar Galactica," "Killer Women") has been cast to star in Syfy's upcoming event series, "Ascension."

"Ascension" tells the story of a covert space mission launched in 1963, sending hundreds of men, women and children on a 100-year journey to populate a new planet. Fifty years into the trip, just as the Ascension nears its point of no return, the murder of a young woman brings up questions about the ship's mission.

Helfer will play Viondra Denniger, the ship's chief steward as well as the wife of the Ascension's captain. Viondra sees herself as a major power broker and holds a position of power and privilege. Described as beautiful, manipulative and dangerous, Viondra may be a hero or a villain.

Best known for the role of Number Six on "Battlestar Galactica," Helfer recently starred in "Killer Women," and has appeared on "Burn Notice," "Dark Blue," "Two and a Half Men," and "Warehouse 13."

Written and created by Philip Levens ("Smallville"), "Ascension" is scheduled to premiere in November 2014.

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