with 22nd-ranked West Virginia

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WASHINGTON -- The 2014 Winter Olympics are Alex Ovechkins showcase, and hell be the first Russian to carry the torch toward Sochi. Ovechkin will travel to Greece this weekend and take the torch after its ignited in Olympia. Hes set to return to Washington on Sunday and then practise with the Capitals on Monday. They travel to Chicago later Monday and open the season Tuesday against the Blackhawks. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and something I will never forget," Ovechkin said in a statement released by the team. "I would like to thank the Washington Capitals organization and all of my teammates for their support in enabling me to travel to Greece prior to the regular season." There was concern about timing, given that the Capitals start the regular season on the road. Ovechkin will miss their final pre-season game Saturday, but his schedule does not have him in danger of being out for the opener. "This is a huge honour and we are so proud, and excited for Alex and his family," Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said in the statement. "This is a very special event and we are thrilled that he was recognized for his past achievements and his dedication to his craft and his country." Ovechkin and other Russian stars said numerous times before the NHL agreed to send players to Sochi that they would go anyway. Leonsis even went so far as to declare he would let his captain go. Thats a moot point after an agreement was reached. "Im very excited," Ovechkin said earlier this month at the leagues player media tour in Newark, N.J. "Im going to play at home in front of Russian fans, family. Its going to be fun, its going to be cool." Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . Jim Leyland, in his eighth playoffs, has never had a starting rotation he trusts as much as the grouping of Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez and Doug Fister. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . According to Tony Barrett of The Times, the Liverpool captain is set to announce that he will leave the club at the end of the 2014-15 season. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку!) - A pair of programs shooting for their 10th win of the season get together at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, as the NC State Wolfpack tangle with 22nd-ranked West Virginia during the challenge round of the Gotham Classic. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . Called on from the college ranks to replace Andy Reid, Kelly implemented a whole new atmosphere in the City of Brotherly Love and now has the Eagles in the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . -- The Kelowna Rockets earned their 16th straight win with a 7-2 rout of the Portland Winterhawks in Western Hockey League action Thursday.BOISBRIAND, Que. - Nikita Jevpalovs scored 6:22 into the second overtime as the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada edged the visiting Rimouski Oceanic 2-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff action. Christopher Clapperton also scored for the Armada while Jevpalovs tacked on an assist for a two-point outing. Frederik Gauthier scored the lone goal for the Oceanic, who lead the second-round series 2-1. Blainville-Boisbriands Etienne Marcoux made 38 saves for the win as Philippe Desrosiers stopped 47-of-49 shots in a losing cause. --- FOREURS 5 VOLTIGEURS 2 DRUMMONDVILLE, Que. -- Anthony Mantha scored twice and Samuel Henley had a goal and two assists as Val-dOr beat the Voltigeurs to go ahead 2-1 in its second-round series. Phil Pietroniro and Louick Marcotte also scored for the Foreurs and Antoine Bibeau made 24 saves for the win. Joey Ratelle scored both goals for Drummondville. Louis-Philip Guindon gave up five goals on 27 sshots for the Voltigeurs.dddddddddddd --- DRAKKAR 4 HUSKIES 2 ROUYN-NORANDA, Que. -- Frederic Gamelin had a goal and an assist and Philippe Cadorette made 24 saves as Baie-Comeau doubled up the Huskies for a commanding 3-0 second-round series lead. Alexandre Ranger, Gabriel Verpaelst and Charles Hudon also scored for the Drakkar. Jean-Sebastien Dea and Redgie Bois supplied the goals for Rouyn-Noranda. Huskies goaltender Alexandre Belanger stopped 29-of-33 shots in a losing cause. --- OLYMPIQUES 5 MOOSEHEADS 2 GATINEAU, Que. -- Robert Steeves made 25 stops and Vincent Dunn had a goal and an assist as the Olympiques beat Halifax in Game 3 of their second-round clash. Vaclav Karabacek, Taylor Burke, Emile Poirier and Alexis Pepin also scored for Gatineau. Elie Berube had two assists. Jonathan Drouin scored both goals for the Mooseheads, who lead the series 2-1. Halifaxs Zachary Fucale turned away 26-of-30 shots in defeat. ' ' '