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SOCHI, Russia – Even before the Olympic tournament began, before the under-looked and under-appreciated Fins would stun the entire nation of Russia, Olli Jokinen prescribed the formula that would get it done. “I think we have the best goaltending out of all the other countries,” Jokinen said. “We play a good team game. Plus, we feel that at the end of the day it doesnt matter who puts the Finnish jersey on the team is going to play the same game anyways. For us its not so much about the names on the back, its about the good, solid team game and good goaltending.” That was what it took to bring down Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and the home country at Bolshoy Ice Dome on Wednesday night: spectacular goaltending from Tuukka Rask, a few timely goals and continued adherence to a team game, despite injury losses that seemed too burdensome to overcome. Ever the underdog, Finland has altered the face of these Games in Russia and reminded the hockey world, yet again, why only one country has medaled in three of the four Olympics involving NHL players. “You know that nobody ever believed that we could win, but it doesnt matter,” said captain Teemu Selanne, who had a goal and an assist in the 3-1 upset over Russia. “The experts are wrong many times. We have to believe in our team.” There was no Ovechkin on this team, no Malkin, not even the injured and more recognizable likes of Mikko and Saku Koivu, Valtteri Filppula, or even Aleksander Barkov, the second overall pick in last summers NHL draft. For star power, it came down to Rask, who was terrific with 37 saves, and Selanne, playing in his final Olympics at age 43. “Weve got good team spirit and our style to play,” said Leo Komarov, who played in the NHL with the Maple Leafs last season. The Finns, who won bronze in 1998 and 2010 and silver in 2006, were a determined and youthful bunch on this night, led, however, by the aging Selanne, the unsolvable Rask and 21-year-old Mikael Granlund, who set up Selannes go-ahead goal and eventual game-winner before scoring the third and final marker himself. “I think this is a great business card for Granlund to show how good he can be,” Selanne said of Granlund, who has 28 points in his second season with the Minnesota Wild. In upsetting the Russians and holding Ovechkin and Malkin off the score-board entirely – the pair combined for two goals all tournament – Finland gets an opportunity to play in Fridays semi-final against Sweden with another medal chance close at hand. Mindful of a rest advantage – Russia was playing for the fourth time in five days – Selanne believes a turning point for his country came in their final preliminary round match against Canada during which they lost 2-1 in overtime, hanging around despite an overwhelming talent disparity. “My young teammates, when they realized that they can compete against the best players in the world it felt great,” said Selanne, who played in his first Olympics in 1992. “I dont know how many people saw that, [but] I saw it very [closely]. I was very proud of those guys. I think thats the carryover from that game. Its a good feeling when you realize that you can compete against the best.” Yet again it was a sum of parts defeating what was ultimately an incredibly talented and yet flawed Russian squad, one that buckled under the strain of a countrys worth of pressure. They fell in the quarterfinals for the second straight Olympics. “It sucks,” said Ovechkin, who had just a single goal all tournament, held to three shots by Finland and singled out by his head coach afterward. Rask was there all night to turn aside whatever Ovechkin and the Russians could muster. The 26-year-old got stronger as the game wore on, stopping all 27 shots in the final 40 minutes, including one on Alexander Radulov in the waning moments of victory. “Tuukka?” said Komarov with a grin. “Hes okay.” And ultimately it was Rask, who summed up the under-looked and under-appreciated Finns. “Even though nobody ever picks us to win medals,” he said, “we always seem to find a way to get there and win one.” Discount Jerseys Authentic . In fact, with a few improvements, this could very well be a decent team over the next few seasons. I will go into more detail when digging into the Canucks Off-Season Game Plan, which will be coming earlier this year since they are part of the non-playoff contingent, there are some reasons to think this is a favourable situation for President of Hockey Operations Trevor Linden and whomever he selects to be the new general manager. Mike Foltynewicz Jersey Braves .com) - Stanley Johnson had 18 points and No. https://www.discountjerseysonline.com/ch...rsey-braves-132. -- Manager Bob Melvin shuffled the Athletics batting order and got the type of production he was looking for from the top of the lineup. Gary Matthews Jersey Braves . And while taking highly-touted Simon Fraser offensive lineman Matthias Goossen second overall on Tuesday night will definitely help in an area of need for the club, it was a swap of draft picks that may prove to be his most shrewd move. "When Jesse Briggs started to fall a little bit, you could just see Kyle perk up in his chair. Satchel Paige Jersey Braves .C. -- Marcus Paige and his North Carolina teammates have endured so many wild swings -- big wins, surprising losses, NCAA drama -- that no one can blame their Hall of Fame coach for wondering whats next. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Peyton Mannings top target is back. Demaryius Thomas returned from bereavement leave Monday. He had missed the first 4 1/2 days of training camp for the AFC champs following the death last week of his paternal grandmother, Gladys Thomas, who helped raise him. "Im good. It was tough yesterday to bury my grandma, but ever since then everythings been better," Thomas said. "Shes in a better place now, so Im fine and Im ready to play football." Thomas flight from Georgia didnt get back in time for him to participate in a spirited morning practice at Dove Valley that featured three scuffles, but he participated in the teams evening walkthrough in shorts. "It was good," Thomas said. "All the guys keep me smiling, thats the main thing, and just being back out here to do what I love, it was great." Gladys Thomas had been battling Alzheimers disease for two years, he said. She died last week, one day before Thomas reported for training camp. The Broncos excused him from camp for as long as he needed to be with his family. "They were great," Thomas said. "They sent flowers and everything. So, I want to want to take my hat off to the Broncos for allowing me to go and also looking out for my family and me." Bubba Caldwell filled in, with Emmanuel Sanders and rookie Cody Latimer also getting more work during the seven workouts Thomas missed. Thomas arrived at the teams headquarters toward the end of Mondays workout. With a day off following an evening walkthrough, he wont get his first true practice untiil Wednesday at Sports Authority Field.dddddddddddd "Were eager to have him back and understand his situation and feel for him and whenever hes ready, hes ready," receiver Wes Welker said. "We know what type of player he is, what type of person he is and were eager to have him out here on this football field with us." Thomas said he was able to watch practice film on his iPad over the weekend. "Im not behind, I know whats going on," Thomas said. "Its just the fact of getting out here and getting in football shape." The Broncos wont turn him loose right away. "Once he gets back he will just jump right in (but) well probably be smart with him, make sure that we dont do anything crazy," offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase said. "Hes not going to come out here and just run all go routes -- none of that on the first day. Well work him back in, well be smart, make sure he gets caught up to speed with his conditioning but then he will slide right in. The mental aspect of the game with him is a non-issue." Thomas caught a team-best 92 passes for 1,430 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. He also set a Super Bowl record with 13 receptions. Hes entering the final year of his rookie contract and his agent and the Broncos have exchanged proposals on a long-term deal. Denvers defence was missing its star on Monday, too. DeMarcus Ware bruised his right leg Sunday during a practice at the Broncos stadium and was replaced in the front-line defence by Quanterus Smith, who had an impressive day that included a sack. ' ' '