Aufgesattelt - Die Pferdefreunde » .Green has only played in four games fo

SOCHI, Russia – If not quite the underdog, Drew Doughty believes, at the very least, that the Canadians are being overlooked, doubted and probably even overly dissected heading into Fridays semifinal matchup with the Americans. "I think a lot of people are counting us out," said Doughty. "If everyone wants to count us out, were going to use that as motivation." Doughty wouldnt go quite so far as to label Team Canada as the underdog, but its clear that the overwhelming degree of scrutiny has some members of the squad feeling as though theyve been doubted just a little too much. "We dont see ourselves as the underdog," Doughty said, the defender leading the Canadians with four goals. "I think both teams are really evenly matched. I dont know who Id give the upper hand to at this point. Im obviously more confident in my team than I am in theirs..." Like the Americans, Canada has yet to lose in these Olympics, but unlike their rivals to the south, they failed to exactly dominate in victory, scratching out close wins over the Norwegians (3-1), Finns (2-1 overtime) and Latvians (2-1), the last of which saw the two teams tied for most of the first 53 minutes of regulation. Head coach Mike Babcock has stressed that his team simply improves each and every day of the two-week tournament, pointing to Wednesdays struggle with the Latvians as a needed bit of adversity. Its evident, however, that the best of this Canadian team has yet to emerge. Whether it will in time for the 2010 gold medal game rematch remains in question. "Yeah were close," said Jonathan Toews after the quarterfinal win over Latvia, "not quite there yet though. Next game." Scoring concerns up front remain the most pressing issue. The Canadian forward contingent has combined for just six goals - or one more than Phil Kessel has all by himself here in Sochi - despite an overwhelming level of offensive talent. Wednesdays quarterfinal could be construed as a step in the right direction. Though they snuck just two by Kristers Gudlevskis, they managed nearly 60 shots and had numerous opportunities. Sidney Crosby, who had a breakaway in the opening minute, remains the most notable Canadian forward yet to score, but hes joined by Jonathan Toews, Corey Perry, Rick Nash, Patrick Marleau, Chris Kunitz, Martin St. Louis, Matt Duchene, and Patrice Bergeron – essentially everyone but Jeff Carter, Jamie Benn, Ryan Getzlaf and Patrick Sharp. Symmetry appears to finally be forming though. Unlike the previous four games, which saw the lines differ just about every night, Babcock will keep his forward combinations intact for the tilt against the Americans – save for the injured John Tavares (leg) – hopeful that theyll translate into actual production with elimination on the line. "You can talk scoring chances till youre blue in the face, who cares? The score is on the board, and so weve just got to find a way to keep doing what were doing," said Babcock. "I think we like the fact that were getting a lot of chances in and around the net," said Crosby, who remains alongside Kunitz and Bergeron. "We trust theyre going to go in a little bit more if we keep getting those. I think we just try to stay the course and make sure that we focus on burying those." Theyll have to do so against the seemingly unflappable Jonathan Quick. A rock for the L.A. Kings in the postseason – he has a .940 save percentage combined in the past two springs – Quick has stopped 72 of 77 shots in three starts for Team USA, fronted by an offence thats managed 20 goals in four games. "When he gets hot, when he makes some big saves early, he seems to become unbeatable, said Doughty, who captured the Cup with Quick in 2012. "And thats why weve got to get one early on him. The only way were going to score on him is weve got to get pucks up high and weve got to get screens in front and tips." Countering Quick will be Carey Price – who has stopped 48 of 51 shots – and a stiff defensive Canadian unit thats yielded just two even-strength goals all tournament and average of fewer than 19 shots against. If theres been an obvious strength to Canadas game on the bigger Olympic ice, its been the ability to defend and defend by controlling the possession of the puck. Continuing that against an American attack fronted by Kessel, who leads the tournament with eight points, will be a new and far more difficult challenge. Crosby was among the group of Canadian players who took in the Americans classic tilt with Russia in the preliminary round and was struck, above all else, with just how fast they were as a group. He and his teammates believe theyre ready for such a fight though even if others arent quite so sure. "At this point whether we beat three favourites or zero, nobodys going to really think about that or talk about that if we get the result we want [Friday] and win the game," he said. "Our groups real confident," Babcock added. "We like what weve done. We like how our team is. We think were set up good right now. And that, to me, is the most important thing." Morgan Rielly Jersey . On Monday night, many fans in this city placed the blame squarely on the captain for his role in the James Neal overtime winner against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Zach Hyman Jersey .C. -- The RBC Cups semifinal participants were decided by a pair of overtime games. http://www.officialmapleleafsfanstore.co...e-leafs-jersey/. -- Canadas Justin Shin shot an 8-under 64 on Thursday on PGA Wests Nicklaus Tournament Course to take the first-round lead in the Web. Bruce Boudreau Jersey . Specifically, thumbs up to the Canadian-based teams in the NHL, or at least most of them. Connor Carrick Jersey . Modin, 36, tallied seven goals and three assists in 36 games with the Thrashers this season. The Sundsvall, Sweden, native has posted 232 goals and 230 assists in 894 career NHL games with Toronto, Tampa Bay, Columbus, Los Angeles and Atlanta and has appeared in 57 post-season contests, helping the Lightning capture the 2004 Stanley Cup Championship.Robert Griffin III spun away from a defender, eluded a sack, rolled out and tossed a 24-yard pass to keep a drive going.Yes, RG3 is back.Griffin threw for 251 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and ran for 24 yards in his first game since dislocating his left ankle in Week 2. The Washington Redskins (3-6) lost at Minnesota 29-26 on Sunday, snapping a two-game winning streak led by third-string quarterback Colt McCoy.But now they have their dynamic playmaker under centre and the rest of the season will help determine whether Griffin has a future with the team.Let me play football, man. Let me play football, Griffin said. Thats our job to go out there and have fun and be the players we can be.Griffin was The Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012 when he helped the Redskins overcome a 3-6 start to win seven straight games and the NFC East title. But he tore his ACL in a playoff loss to Seattle and has had three major leg injuries over six college and NFL seasons.Griffin is under contract through 2015, and the Redskins next spring will have to decide whether to exercise a team option for 2016. He has to prove he fits into coach Jay Grudens offence and can be a productive pocket passer and all-around player.Other players you should hear from in the second half:LeSean McCoy: After leading the NFL with a franchise-record 1,607 yards rushing in 2013, McCoy ran for only 192 yards and averaged just 2.7 yards per carry in the first month for Philadelphia.Critics said he lost a step. Some wondered why veteran Darren Sproles, who was running effectively, didnt get more carries.But McCoy responded with 430 yards in the next four games, including 117 in Sundays win at Houston. With Mark Sanchez taking over for injured quarterback Nick Foles, expect the Eagles to ride McCoy down the stretch.Every time I get 100 yards its a big deal, McCoy said. Im used to just doing it.___A.J. Green: The three-time Pro Bowl receiver caught a touchdown pass in Cincinnatis win on Sunday after missing three games with an injured big right toe.Green has only played in four games for the Bengals (5-2-1). He has 20 catches for 358 yards and three TDs. Getting Green healthy and more involved in the offence should help Andy Dalton get going. Dalton only has eight TD passes.Expect Green to team with Mohamed Sanu to bolster Cincinnatis passing attack for a playoff push.They wanted to work me in slowly, Green said after playing half the offensive snaps aagainst the Jaguars.dddddddddddd Ill be ready.___Calvin Johnson: The three-time All-Pro wide receiver has only 22 catches and hasnt played since Oct. 5 because of an ankle injury.Johnson started with a typical monster performance in Week 1, catching seven passes for 164 yards and two TDs in Detroits rout over the Giants. But he caught 15 passes for 184 yards and no TDs over the next four games.The Lions (6-2) have won three straight games without Johnson. Look for Megatron to return to form in the second half.___Jadeveon Clowney: The No. 1 overall pick has only played two games after sitting out the first six following arthroscopic knee surgery and missing the last one because of an unspecified illness.Clowney hasnt been on the field much since Houston drafted him in May. The outside linebacker had sports hernia surgery in the off-season and suffered a concussion during training camp before injuring his knee in the season opener.Clowney should give the Texans (4-5) a boost, providing another fierce pass rusher to complement two-time All-Pro J.J. Watt.___Mark Ingram: The former first-round pick has emerged as the go-to back in New Orleans. He became the first Saints running back to have back-to-back 100-yard rushing games since Deuce McAllister in 2006. Ingram is averaging 4.9 yards per carry and has a team-high six touchdowns. Figure to see Drew Brees giving Ingram the ball more as the Saints (4-4) try to stay atop the NFC South.___Some players dont have a promising outlook after being busts in the first half. They are:Geno Smith: The second-year quarterback committed 12 turnovers (10 interceptions, two fumbles) before the New York Jets (1-8) turned to Michael Vick. Smith capped his dismal performance by throwing interceptions on three straight possessions in a loss to Buffalo on Oct. 25. Hes nursing a shoulder injury and will be carrying a clipboard when he returns.___Doug Martin: Since running for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie in 2012, Martin has 622 yards rushing and two TDs in two seasons with Tampa Bay. Hes missed 13 games because of injuries and is trending downward.___Zac Stacy: After a promising rookie year, Stacy has fallen to third behind Tre Mason and Benny Cunningham on St. Louis depth chart. He has 257 yards rushing and didnt get a carry in Sundays win over the 49ers.___AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_RobMaaddi Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '