Aufgesattelt - Die Pferdefreunde » Richardson also guided the Razorbacks

SOCHI, Russia – Team Canada has a stated goal of inching forward with every day, game and practice of this concise two-week Olympic tournament. And, though it was against an overmatched Austrian opponent on Friday evening, there was obvious progression, albeit with a hiccup or two, from the Canadians at the Bolshoy Ice Dome. "This tournament, in my opinion, is about getting better each and every game," said head coach Mike Babcock after a 6-0 win, which followed a 3-1 victory over Norway on Thursday. "And as long as we can do that, well have an opportunity." Tinkering here and there with a supremely talented lineup, Babcock saw a crisper, faster, and much more emphatic performance against the Austrians, one that saw Jeff Carter – a notably quiet presence in the opener – explode for three goals and Roberto Luongo pitch a 23-save shutout. Incremental improvements remain the goal with a whole lot of questions yet to be answered, decisions still to be made. "I think we were better tonight than we were [against Norway]," said Babcock. "I thought we moved the puck better. I thought we skated better. [But] we can be way better. We understand that." These early exhibitions have offered (and will continue to offer on Sunday against Finland) the Canadian coaching staff an opportunity to assess the roster and ascertain what works and what doesnt and then suitably move forward. If Chris Kunitz is not the answer alongside Sidney Crosby for instance, Babcock and the coaching staff are out to determine, in rapid order, who might be. Jeff Carter did little there in the opener, but teamed with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Marleau in limited ice against the Austrians – he was the 13th forward at the games outset – and struck for three goals. "Its going to get better and better," said Carter, who actually played just under nine minutes, the fewest of any Canadian. "We talked about that. I think guys were a little more comfortable second game in. Legs were under us, and guys felt pretty good, looked good." Plugging Matt Duchene and P.K. Subban into the lineup after a healthy absence for both in the opener, Babcock experimented with a variety of combinations throughout the night eventually landing Carter with Toews and Marleau, a recipe that sparked some definite magic. Marty St. Louis, the supposed 14th forward against Norway, teamed with Crosby and Kunitz against the Austrians and offered hints of chemistry in just under 13 minutes. Whether it was enough to stick with the teams best player remains to be seen. "I found myself in some holes there where I got some opportunity but they just didnt go in," said St. Louis, who fired four shots on goal. "Weve got to get the lines to go the best way they can," Babcock said, describing the lineup decisions, which included scratching Patrick Sharp and Dan Hamhuis, as "ridiculous" especially in the case of Sharp. Both will return to the line-up against Finland on Sunday. Combinations aside, the Canadian coach is also rapidly gathering information about his players, ascertaining which individuals offer the most toward a successful end product. Can Subban, for instance, offer a trustworthy presence if inserted into the lineup? Does Hamhuis offer greater stability, if far less in the game-breaking department? Which players can maximize ice-time that is far below what they would generally gather as stars for their respective NHL teams? Which players are best adapting to a squished defensive zone? "Im just looking for details," Babcock said. "Who can I trust, and who can you not, and how are we going to win the games as they get harder? And this tournament its gets harder and harder, as you know. Its a detail tournament. Its a one-goal game, every single time, so its going to be about playing well without the puck." And then theres the matter of goaltending. Carey Price won the opener with a sturdy performance against the Norwegians, but Luongo was perfect against the Austrians. One has enjoyed a better NHL regular season, but is also on the Olympic stage for the first time. The other helped capture gold in Vancouver. Babcock wouldnt tip his hand in either direction. "I dont know and it doesnt really matter," said Luongo of the plan afterward. "Were not here for personal agendas. Were here to play for our country. Whether its me or Carey, its not a big deal. Ill be ready either way." Just as the coaches search for the right recipes so too do the players. For them its about familiarity, both with a cavalry of new teammates and a notably larger ice surface, one that demands adjustment in all three zones and certainly on special teams. Four pre-tournament on-ice sessions helped, but every shift of game-action helps immeasurably more. "Were feeling like were getting better each and every shift, every period," said Patrick Marleau, who had three assists alongside Carter and Toews. "Thats what our goal is to keep getting better every team we get our skates on the ice." The best opportunity at assessment awaits against Finland. Though missing the likes of Mikko Koivu, Saku Koivu and Valtteri Filppula, the Finns still boast a steady group of NHL talent, a reliable system, and the best trio of netminding the tournament has to offer. "Theres great teams here,” said Babcock. "Its a fine, fine line. I tell people this all the time, whether its a Stanley Cup or a bantam triple-A championship or an Olympic gold medal, youve got to line up the moon and the stars going into it. It just doesnt happen. And so all we can do is continue to work on our execution and our preparation and giving everyone the best opportunity to succeed. Thats what were going to do." 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Goergl, the 2011 world champion, started 28th after the other top contenders had already gone down but had the fastest time at each interval. Goergl finished the demanding 3-kilometre Kaelberloch course in 1 minute, 47.DALLAS -- Alonzo Mourning went to Georgetown to play basketball, not discover the world. The 6-foot-10 centre who won an NBA title with the Miami Heat was voted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Monday, adding that honour to becoming a board member at his alma mater. "I didnt understand the prestige of this university, the global prestige of this university," Mourning said. "Never in my wildest dreams would I ever thought as a freshman that I would be sitting on the board of that university. Now Im rubbing elbows with CEOs and billionaires and individuals that helped change this world." Mourning was elected along with former NBA star Mitch Richmond and NCAA championship-winning coaches Nolan Richardson and Gary Williams. The womens team from Immaculata College, which won three straight national championships in the 1970s, also was chosen. They joined the previously announced class of 2014 that includes retired NBA Commissioner David Stern. The induction ceremony is Aug. 8 in Springfield, Mass. Richardson was honoured 20 years after leading Arkansas to the NCAA title over Duke. A former player under the late Hall of Fame coach Don Haskins at Texas Western (now UTEP), Richardson also guided the Razorbacks to the Final Four in 1990 and 1995. The 72-year-old Richardson couldnt share the moment with daughter Yvonne Richardson and son Nolan Richardson III. His daughter died of leukemia at 15, and his son and former assistant coach was found dead at his home in Tulsa, Okla., two years ago at the age of 47. Richardson also remembered several Texas Westerrn teammates who had died.dddddddddddd "I know they would be so happy and delighted," said Richardson, who hasnt coached since leaving Arkansas in 2002 and has 509 career victories. "I ask the good Lord to give them the message that things are good and Ive done all right." Williams led Maryland, his alma mater, to the 2002 title with a victory over Indiana. He retired in 2011 with 668 wins, seven 25-win seasons and 22 post-season appearances, including 11 straight trips to the NCAA tournament. "I was just a coach," Williams said. "To be able to go in with Nolan certainly is great." Mourning was a seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time defensive player of the year who was among the leagues best shot-blockers, while Richmond was an elite scorer who won a title in a secondary role with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2001-02, his final season. Richmonds best years were on losing teams in Sacramento. He averaged a career-high 25.9 points for a 34-48 team in 1996-97. "You can judge me and you can judge my game," said Richmond, who is 37th on the NBA scoring list at 20,497 points. "Im a Hall of Famer." Lithuania star Sarunas Marciulionis was among several candidates already selected by various committees. Stern went in via the contributors committee, and former Indiana Pacers coach Bob "Slick" Leonard was chosen by the ABA committee. The late Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton of the New York Knicks was chosen by the early African-American pioneers committee, and the late Guy Rodgers of Temple by the veterans committee. 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