Gilden Regeln » t pucks and traffic to the net," Ellis said

MINSK, Belarus -- In winning its group at the world hockey championship, Team Canada beat goaltenders Jan Laco, Jakub Kovar, Patrick Galbraith, Daniel Bellissimo, Anders Nilsson and Steffen Soberg. None of them are Finlands Pekka Rinne, who stands as Canadas biggest challenge in Thursdays quarter-final round. Even while a young Finnish team has struggled with penalties, turnovers and a lack of offensive depth, Rinne has been a rock with a 1.65 goals-against average, .929 save percentage and two shutouts. "Pekka is our most important player -- absolutely," coach Erkka Westerlund said Wednesday. "We built our whole system so that goalkeeping is No. 1, and then we try to build the strength (of) defence in front of him. Thats how it is, (how) hockey works." Westerlund said he was not yet satisfied with his teams defensive play but expects improvement. Even if that doesnt happen, Finland has a good chance in Canada if for no other reason than Rinne. Fortunately for the Finns, Rinne is not experiencing any injury problems after missing four months of the Nashville Predators season with a hip infection. Naturally, it took a while for him to get back to feeling right. "Its a process, and I think even when I came here (to Minsk) I thought that hopefully I can improve all the time and I didnt maybe feel 100 per cent," Rinne said. "But now I do, and Im really happy and I feel like my game has been getting better and (Im) just feeling more comfortable." Rinne is playing with confidence and instilling it in his teammates, only six of whom are back from the Sochi Olympics, where Finland won a bronze medal. Tuukka Rask and Kari Lehtonen were the goalies then, but as former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov pointed out, the best thing about his country is knowing there will always be great goaltending. Still, this isnt the Olympics. "Its a different roster, its a different tournament," said Komarov, who repeated his desire to return to the NHL last season. "Its a new day, a new life." But the same, old, reliable Rinne. Canadian defenceman Ryan Ellis knows all about that from parts of three seasons as a Predators teammate of Rinnes. Unlike a lot of other goaltenders, Ellis said Rinne doesnt let game action detract from his practices. "Every day, every practice its like a game," Ellis said. "He tries so hard in net in practice. I remember by first couple years there, I dont think I scored him in the first 10 or 15 practices. And then every time I did, I was pretty impressed with myself, pretty happy." Ellis said Canada was less concerned with how they were going to score on Rinne and more worried about his puck-handling thwarting attack time. "Hes active back there with the puck, so I think the biggest thing that were focused on is keeping the pucks away from him on dumps and stuff," Ellis said. "He gets out to play them a lot. Getting them in the glass and try to get them out of his reach." Thats especially important to a Canadian team that tries to play a hard, North American style on the bigger, international ice surface. Canada has succeeded at holding on to the puck to create chances and through seven games has averaged 34 shots a game. The strategy against Rinne is the same as many other elite goaltenders. "Were going to have to get pucks and traffic to the net," Ellis said. "Its tough for goalies when they get that kind of presence in front of him. Weve got some big guys, so hopefully we can get those guys going." Whether that happens or Rinne keeps rolling will go a long way to determining whether Canada has a date with the United States or Czech Republic in Saturdays semifinals. Westerlund said the Finns "dont have pressure (because) we are underdogs." Thats true. But Rinne still displays big-game confidence. "Im feeling good and Ive been enjoying hockey," Rinne said. "I think thats the biggest thing, when youre just having fun and just letting it go. Just dont think about anything, just play, and I feel like Ive been doing that." Cheapest Adidas NMD . However, Jim Popp isnt sure how long hell be able to admire wide receiver Duron Carter. Adidas NMD Wholesale Price .Y. - Major League Soccer is prepared to start its season this weekend even if there isnt a labour deal with its referees and other on-field officials. http://www.wholesalenmdaustralia.com/ Adidas NMD Australia Sale . PETERSBURG, Fla. Cheap Adidas NMD Australia . "Canada," Bolland said with a smile. "Is that a question?" One day earlier, though, fellow Toronto Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri wasnt so sure his home and native land could pull off the win against the United States in the semi-finals of the Olympic hockey tournament. CHICAGO -- It was just one pitch, but Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers can only hope it turns out to be a turning point in their season. Verlander turned in one of his most effective outings this year and once again beat the White Sox, leading the Detroit Tigers past Chicago 7-1 Friday night. The right-hander showed some of his former Cy Young form, particularly to wiggle out of a jam in the first inning. After Verlanders wild pickoff throw set up a sacrifice fly by Adam Dunn, Verlander reached back to strike out Tyler Flowers on a 95 mph fastball and leave the bases loaded. "Yeah, you cant put your team in a 3-0 deficit right away," Verlander said. "I made a bad throw to allow those guys to score an easy run. Once the bases are loaded, youre thinking, All right, just leave the damage where its at and make a pitch here." Tigers manager Brad Ausmus was also glad to see Verlander get out of the tough spot. "Ive always said the first inning is the toughest inning for a starter," Ausmus said. "To get out of the inning was very important." The contending Tigers won for the fifth time in six games. Chicago has lost nine of 10. Verlander (12-11) beat the White Sox for the 14th time in 18 decisions since June 10, 2009 -- the most wins by any pitcher against a single team in that span. The former AL MVP allowed one run and nine hits in seven innings. It was the first time this year that he allowed fewer than two runs in a game. "Im just trying to execute better pitches, not walk so many guys and get ahead in the count," said Verlander, whose numbers began to trend upward since the All-Star break. "I know (the talent) is still there to be the guy I want to be. I just got to find it." Verlander matched his season high with eight strikeouts and walked two. Seven of the strikeouts came in his last three innings. "The first half of his game was good," Ausmus said. "The second half was very good." J.D. Martinez had a double and two singles for Detroit. The Tigers got 13 hits, including five doubles. Scott Carroll (5-9) took the loss but didnt get much support in the fielld.ddddddddddddHe allowed seven runs, only three of which were earned. First baseman Jose Abreu had three hits for Chicago, but his two errors helped the Tigers score five times in the fourth for a 7-1 lead. After Victor Martinez hit a grounder that handcuffed Abreu for an error, Nick Castellanos groundout and Alex Avilas double drove in two runs. Eugenio Suarez followed with a single before Ezequiel Carreras high bouncer glanced off the tip of Abreus glove for a run-scoring miscue. Ian Kinslers fielders choice groundout and Torii Hunters double capped the rally. Abreu left the game after the seventh because of what appeared to be a minor hamstring injury. "Hes fine," manager Robin Ventura said. "I think hes just tired." TRAINERS ROOM Tigers: RHP Joakim Soria resumed his throwing program before the game, when he threw off flat ground for the third time this week. The hope is that his strained left oblique will not require a second stint on the disabled list, but there is no timetable for the relievers return. White Sox: OF Moises Sierra went hitless in four at-bats on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte. He is on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left oblique. UP NEXT The Tigers will send RHP Max Scherzer (15-4, 3.13) to the mound against LHP Chris Sale (10-3, 2.03) in the opener of a split doubleheader on Saturday. Tigers LHP Kyle Ryan and White Sox RHP Chris Bassitt are scheduled to make their major league debuts in the nightcap. REED GETS CALL Prior to the game, the Tigers purchased the contract of RHP Evan Reed from Triple-A Toledo and designated RHP Jose Ortego for assignment. Reed had a 0-1 record and 4.88 earned run average in 27 games for the Tigers this season. He replaced LHP Kyle Lobstein, who was sent to the Triple-A affiliate the previous night. LITTLE BIG MEN The White Sox plan to honour the Jackie Robinson West Little League team on Chicagos South Side before the second game of the doubleheader. The team became the first all-black squad to win the United States championship before losing to South Korea in the Little League title game. ' ' '