Multiplayer » take a four-point lead with 1:08 remainig

TORONTO – He hasnt played since breaking a bone in his right hand in a fight on Nov. 11, but Connor McDavid showed up for Hockey Canadas World Junior selection camp with his game face on. You dont reach the level hes at (16 goals, 35 assists in 18 games with the Erie Otters this season) at the age hes at (17) without being intense. That intensity was evident early in the camps first on-ice workout Thursday evening at the MasterCard Centre. McDavid, taking part in a full practice for the first time since having his cast removed Tuesday, mishandled the puck on consecutive plays in the same drill. He was clearly frustrated. He apologized, said Guelph Storm right winger Robby Fabbri, who was on McDavid’s line during much of the practice. Everyone makes mistakes, but he doesnt make too many of them. I just gave him a pat and told him to relax. You apologize to your teammates when you make a mistake, McDavid said. I messed up there and twice in a row with Robby so I felt bad about it. Hes a good friend of mine and he came over and told me not to worry about it. A little later in the practice the team was put through a shot-blocking drill. The assistant coaches fired foam pucks at players from a few feet away. McDavid, who has not yet been cleared for contact, wanted to be part of it. But after McDavid blocked his first shot head coach Benoit Groulx intervened asking the favourite to go first in the next NHL Draft to sit out the drill. I told him, You know what? I dont want my face on TV tomorrow [because you got hurt] for this reason so get out of there! Groulx said with a chuckle. I just went once, so I guess 1-for-1 so that makes me 100 per cent, McDavid said with a wry grin. Earlier in the practice, McDavid wired a slap shot past Jets goalie prospect Eric Comrie high on the glove side. It was a thing of beauty. McDavid was, of course, nonplussed when asked about it afterwards. I was taking slap-shots with my cast on so I think you guys are making too big of a deal about it. I’ve been skating for three weeks. Ive been skating fully for three weeks so this is kind of just another day. McDavid suggested his recent layoff from game action may actually be a blessing when it comes to the World Juniors, because hell be fresher than others. My legs have felt probably better than they did before I got hurt, he noted. There is a reason McDavids every move was and will continue to be under the microscope. Hes seen as the next big star in hockey: a generational talent, who can change a franchises fortunes. And for Canada he is someone, who will figure prominently in the quest to end a five-year gold medal drought. You can tell the legs are there, no problem, said Groulx. It was good to see him. Just having him on the ice was good for everyone. The Canadian bench boss, an assistant on Brent Sutters staff a year ago, says Hockey Canada is going to be very cautious when it comes to the emerging superstar. We want to be patient with him in order to have him at 100 per cent. We don’t want to put Connor McDavid on the ice at 75 per cent. We are going to have to wait and see to how he reacts to practicing. The hope is that McDavid will be able to play in at least one of the teams three pre-tournament games: Dec. 19 against Russia in Toronto, Dec. 21 against Sweden in Ottawa or on Dec. 23 against Switzerland in Montreal. McDavid, for his part, seemed supremely confident that he will be ready for the tournament opener on Boxing Day. Playing mostly on the wing, McDavid, a natural centre, had just four points in seven games last year when he became just the sixth 16-year-old to crack Canadas World Junior roster. This year hes poised to be a leader on the squad. It’s a big opportunity and perhaps the final one on this stage for a player, who appears destined to make the NHL early in his career. And the fact the event will take place on home soil makes it all the more special. Everyones excited, McDavid said when asked specifically about the added pressure of playing in Montreal and Toronto. Were not feeling too much pressure now. Being at home, its a blessing, honestly, its an opportunity that not a whole lot of people get to do. On Wednesday, Scott Salmond, Hockey Canadas vice-president of hockey operations, declared that he felt like Canada was an underdog at the event during an interview with QMI News Agency. But McDavid has high expectations. I dont see any reason why we cant [win] it all, he said. Thomas Meunier Paris Saint-Germain Jersey . -- Once again, Carlos Santana was a huge hit in Kansas City. Dani Alves Paris Saint-Germain Jersey . 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His absence against the Celtics comes a day after he scored 43 points in the Heats 100-96 win at Cleveland.San Diego, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Dwayne Polee II scored 16 points as No. 18 San Diego State narrowly avoided an upset with a 60-59 win over Long Beach State. The Aztecs (7-2) 10 missed free throws could have cost them in a tight game, but Polee made 7-of-8 from the line, including two in the final minute, to help secure the win. Winston Shepard added 10 points for San Diego State on 4-of-6 shooting. Mike Caffey led all scorers with 20 for the 49ers (5-6), but he missed a critical shot late that could have tied the game. He also had a game-high four assists. Tyler Lamb chipped in 13 points for Long Beach State, 10 of which came in the first half. A 10-0 Long Beach run, with the last four points being scored by Caffey, in the second half gave the 49ers a 37-33 lead with 13:21 left. Then, the Aztecs offense went cold. Polee IIs layup at the 12:54 mark ended the LBSU run, but the Aztecs would not hit another shot from the floor for four minutes when Kevin Zabo drained a 3 to cut into Long Beachs eight point lead. A David Samuels jumper with less than five minutes to go ended a quick 4-0 SDSU spurt, but the 49ers then went into a drought themselvves.dddddddddddd The Aztecs scored nine straight, including four from J.J. OBrien, to take a four-point lead with 1:08 remaining. Caffey hit another shot with 28 seconds to go and the 49ers forced a San Diego State turnover on the ensuing possession, but Caffey missed a shot that would have tied the game. After Polee sunk a pair of free throws to extend the Aztecs lead to 60-56, Caffey would redeem himself with a triple with five seconds on the clock, but it was too little, too late. Despite OBrien missing two free throws, Long Beach State could not get a shot off at the buzzer. The Aztecs led by as much as 12 before the break, but a 10-2 LBSU run to close the half left SDSU with just a 25-21 lead after the first 20 minutes despite the 49ers shooting 30.8 percent from the field. Game Notes San Diego State leads the all-time series between these teams, 37-22 ... The Aztecs have now won 45 straight games against opponents from California ... Long Beach State has lost 10 in a row against ranked opponents ... San Diego State takes the court again Wednesday at Cincinnati, while Long Beach States next game is at Texas on Dec. 20. ' ' '