SPORTS B6 THE DAILY COURIER, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

While he and his Canuck teammates who Centre Henrik Sedin, who missed the “But I think being over there and having were overseas have had little rest recently, Games with an undisclosed problem, is ques- that experience, playing against the best in Canucks Vancouver’s remaining players have grown tionable. Coach John Tortorella hopes he can the world when the pace was so high and the Continued from page B3 tired of their Olympic respite and are anx- play, but Sedin has missed the past two work- pressure was big, any time you can get your- ious to get back on the winning track after a outs while attending to personal matters in self in those situations, I think you only grow strong start to their season faded. Sweden. The Canucks’ is due to re- as a player. And to have so many guys in- Hamhuis and teammates , “We didn’t put ourselves in a very good turn this morning and will be assessed then. volved will really help us.” also a member of the victorious Canadian position before the break, a bit of a slide,” Defenceman Kevin Bieksa hopes to return Tortorella, who was not able to hold the squad, and Swedes Daniel Sedin and Alex Hamhuis said. “These preparation days that from a foot injury that sidelined him for five mini-camp he wanted for Vancouver players Edler returned to reality as they skated for we’ve had are going to be really important. games before the Olympics. He worked out who stayed because of the team’s injury sit- the first time with the struggling Canucks (We have to) make sure our game’s in order Tuesday, but his return is not confirmed. uation, said the Canucks need a tough game since leaving for the Winter Games. The in- for this last stretch and get ourselves into the Defenceman Chris Tanev remains side- against a top club like St. Louis to address jury-riddled Canucks, who had seven regu- playoffs.” lined with an ankle problem. their inconsistencies. Although the remain- lars in Sochi, are looking to end a seven-game Luongo, who backed up Carey Price most Canucks coach John Tortorella said in- der of the regular season holds much less in- losing skid against a St. Louis of the time while he was in Sochi, said it was juries have “ravaged” his club after it had centive than the Olympics, Luongo does not squad that had 10 players in- good to get back on the ice with his Canuck some early success, and his players’ de- expect to suffer a letdown. vited to the Games. teammates after the long travel day. Despite meanour has changed. But despite the uncer- “There’s no (Olympic) hangover here,” said Vancouver (27-24-9) sits in his lack of activity in games in Sochi, he prac- tainty surrounding his team’s health, it needs Luongo. “I’m anxious to get back at it. There’s ninth place in the Western tised “pretty much every day.” to rebound. a lot of work ahead of us.” Conference, a point behind The goaltender indicated he is eager to get “No matter what happens, we have to get But he will have to serve as a backup for at Dallas and Phoenix, who are back in the Canucks’ net as they try to secure back to an aggressive style, a style with some least one more game, because Eddie Lack is tied for eighth. St. Louis coach a post-season berth. All of the losses in the strut and not be afraid to make a mistake,” slated to start against the Blues. is hoping his seven-game skid have come in regulation he said. “With the momentum changes, that’s Hitchcock, who served as an assistant with second-place Blues (39-12-6), time. a huge thing we have to correct. We can’t be the Canadian squad in Sochi, indicated he who were represented by nine “Obviously, we know what’s at stake right afraid of a bad thing happening in a game was not overly impressed with Tortorella’s players in Russia, can elevate their game a now,” he said. “We dug ourselves a bit of a and turning it into five or six (goals against) support of Sweden over Canada, but down- higher post-Olympic level as they battle the hole. So we’ve just gotta come (Wednesday) after.” played it. front-running Anaheim Ducks for top spot in with a fresh mentality, a fresh approach. We Hamhuis said returning Olympians will “To me, it’s just, you’re in Canada. I think the West. can’t really do anything about what’s hap- have to see how they deal with fatigue. But you have to pay respect for where you coach,” The contest will determine how much the pened. We’ve just gotta attack one game at a he expects the experience will give players a said Hitchcock. “I’m sure he did that in his Olympic rush can help returning players time right now and not worry about the boost. apology (Tuesday). It’s no big deal to us.” overcome fatigue. The journey back to standings.” “Whenever you get a chance to play with Hitchcock confirmed that he and his Team Vancouver included flights from Sochi to But the Canucks do have some concerns and against the best players in the world, it el- Canada colleagues read Tortorella’s apology Newark to Toronto and home. about injuries. Centre Ryan Kesler missed evates your game physically and mentally,” after the win over Sweden. “It worked out exactly to a 24-hour flight — practice due to a reported hand injury suf- he said. “It’s certainly a challenge all the “We all read it together, so we saw it,” he 2 a.m. Sochi time (departure) and 2 a.m. Sochi fered in the Olympics. time, but it was a really neat experience just said. “It was sincere and he meant it, but time (arrival),” said Hamhuis. being in the dressing room we’ve passed on.” with some of the greatest ICE CHIPS: The NHL began the build-out players in the game today. Tuesday at B.C. Place Stadium for Sunday’s “Obviously, guys will be Heritage Classic between the Canucks and a little bit fatigued proba- . . . . The may bly with the jet lag. We’ll soon be lifting the interim tag off head coach get over that as quick as Ted Nolan and giving him an extension. The Accessible we can. Sabres are also shopping G Ryan Miller. 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