MetalSeadramons Gemach » five straight victories in which Brady ha

PITTSBURGH -- Coach Dan Bylsma knows that the disappointing finish of the U.S. Olympic mens hockey team in Sochi will linger. But now he has shifted his focus back to the Pittsburgh Penguins and looks to get his first-place team to make a deep run in the Stanley Cup playoffs. "I dont think you get rid of the disappointment," Bylsma said Tuesday. "But you have to put it behind you. The task at hand is coming back here and playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and I think thats the best way to put it behind you." The U.S. nearly knocked off Team Canada in Vancouver in 2010, falling just short of a gold medal and instead settled for silver. The Americans wanted to win an elusive Olympic hockey gold for the first time since the "Miracle on Ice," in 1980, and U.S. executives felt Bylsmas team had the right blend of skill, speed, and grit to get the job done. The U.S. offence got off to a strong start through the first four games of the tournament, outscoring the opposition 20-6. Included was the exhilarating, 3-2, eight-round shootout victory against the host Russians, one of the most memorable games of the tournament. "The Russian game was as unique of a game as Ive ever coached," Bylsma said. "The stage in terms of the tournament doesnt mean a whole lot because everyones going to play a fourth game, but trying to compare it to a Stanley Cup or a Game 7 was completely different. It had a different feel." The U.S. cruised past the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals, setting up a semifinal showdown with Canada. "Its a game we all wanted," Bylsma said. "Maybe the biggest disappointment is that it wasnt the gold medal game." Regardless, the U.S. had to get through Canada to win gold, and for the second straight time in Olympic competition, the Canadians topped the U.S. Canada, which went on to win its second straight gold medal, blanked the Americans in a suffocating 1-0 effort that wasnt as close as the final score. Bylsma was criticized after the loss, some drawing comparisons to the Boston Bruins four-game sweep of a punchless Penguins team, which had trouble scoring during the 2013 Eastern Conference finals. "You can draw the comparisons, but I dont know if theyre valid or applicable," Bylsma said. "The one thing we would like to go back to in that game was playing faster and playing quicker, allowing us to be on the forecheck in a better manner." Penguins GM Ray Shero, also the associate general manager for Team USA, credited Team Canada. "That might be the greatest Olympic hockey team ever," Shero said. "You can look at how we wanted to play, but sometimes the opponent doesnt let you get to your game." The Canadians, who never trailed in the tournament, flexed their defensive muscle, allowing just three goals in six games to become the first team in 30 years to go unbeaten through an Olympic tournament. "Canada was very good," Shero said. "We came in with high expectations and theres nothing wrong with setting a high goal." Both wanted to see a different outcome after a humiliating 5-0 defeat the following day against Finland in the bronze medal game. "The bronze medal game was a tough one for us to rebound and get to," Bylsma said. "Thats the biggest disappointment of the tournament." But now the attention shifts back to Bylsmas Penguins where Olympians Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz are back with gold medals from Team Canada, while Jussi Jokinen and Olli Maatta earned bronze with Finland. Bylsma returned empty-handed along with U.S. Olympians Brooks Orpik and Paul Martin, who broke his hand in the quarterfinal round and is out four to six weeks. Russian star Evgeni Malkin is also without a medal, motivation that Bylsma hopes will further fuel a deep playoff run for the Metropolitan Division-leading Penguins. The Penguins return to action when they host Montreal on Thursday. "We have 24 games to get back and focus on this team being the best it can be, getting to the Stanley Cup and winning it," Bylsma said. Nike Air Max Canada . - The New England Patriots needed help on defence so they added three experienced players at midseason. Air Max 270 React Canada . Spains victory rendered Frances 3-0 win against Finland meaningless as Spain needed just one point to secure passage to Brazil. Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema scored either side of Joona Toivios own-goal as France advanced to the playoff among the eight best second-place finishers. http://www.clearanceairmaxcanada.com/air-max-360-canada-sale.html . Toronto has lost six of its last eight games but is coming off Thursdays 7-3 victory at Kansas City. Juan Francisco and Colby Rasmus both went deep for the Blue Jays, who are second in the American League with 34 home runs on the season. Nike Air Max Plus Canada Sale . The 25-year-old McIlroy, who is from Northern Ireland, was eligible to play for either Ireland or Team GB when golf makes its return to the Olympics in Brazil for the first time since 1904. Air Max Deluxe Canada .J. Ellis have avoided arbitration, agreeing to a one-year contract.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Even if, by Peyton Mannings assessment, the latest installment of his great rivalry with Tom Brady stunk, it remains something to treasure.Yes, Bradys Patriots routed Mannings Broncos 43-21 at Gillette Stadium, a personal house of horrors for the record-setting Manning. And, sure, there have been much better games involving their teams.What both of them — and all football fans — need to recognize is that with Manning at 38 and Brady at 37, these matchups wont occur many more times. So if their teams find their way into a playoff meeting in January, it will deserve the same kind of hype this one got.Lets just hope its more competitive.What was on display Sunday was Brady at his best, helped by a rapidly improving receiving corps and offensive line, terrific special teams and the usual befuddling defensive schemes that Manning cant seem to conquer in Foxborough. Most telling as he fell to 2-7 in the venue — and 5-11 overall against Brady — was how often the Broncos had to rush to get the snap off before the play clock expired.Manning, of course, is a master of histrionics at the line of scrimmage. But in this game, he seemed more like the one confused than the one confusing the defence.That happens a lot against New England.I guess Im not smart enough to draw that many connections, said Manning, perhaps the smartest quarterback to play the game. I kind of take them one year at a time. (There are) different players and we didnt on offence do the things we talked about doing. That starts with me; Ive got to play better. Thats pretty plain and simple. When the quarterback stinks, usually youre not going to win too many games.Manning didnt come close to Bradys performance Sunday, but he didnt stink. He and his team, whose defence was ranked fourth in the NFL heading into the matchup, played their worst game of the year, though.That makes another potential Manning-Brady encounter even more intriguing. That it would have to come in the playoffs if it happens this season is something to cherish.Brady, who threw for four touchdowns and had open receeivers all over the field in the final three periods, seems to expect at least one more head-to-head encounter.dddddddddddd And after the Broncos beat the Patriots to get to the Super Bowl last winter, Brady awaits such a rematch.He seems amused by the prospect.I think its just a topic for people to talk about, Brady said. Its hard to compare anybody; thats how I always feel. Ive been lucky enough to play here. Hes had an incredible career. Football has changed since I got in the league.Hes always set a really high bar for how to play. Ive tried to do the same through my efforts with my team. You know, the only thing I really care about is the respect of my teammates and trying to go out there every day and earn it. There are a lot of things that I cant control ... Youve just got to try to figure out the things you can control and work hard at them and earn it every day.Theres nothing thats given to you in this league. Peyton understands that. Ive known him long enough. Like I said, that team is going to have a great record at the end of the year.With the way New England (7-2) is playing, with five straight victories in which Brady has thrown for 18 TDs and one interception, his Patriots might be the team to fear most. Then again, the Broncos overall are the more talented club and are just as capable of getting on a roll.Theres always the chance that another division leader, perhaps Indianapolis or one of the AFC Central teams, also gets hot; Pittsburgh is that team now.In the end, though, its difficult to imagine that Manning-Brady XVII isnt coming up.I think it doesnt matter who you were playing. If I played the way I did today and we got beat like we did today Id like to think I would be just as disappointed, Manning said after Sundays debacle. So I dont really feel its more because its one particular team, I guess. Its your job to execute and perform and thats what I expect to do myself, and when I dont Im disappointed.So Im going to do my job better no matter who were playing.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '