ARLINGTON, Va. [url=http://www.shoptheofficialpatriots.com/Elite-Laadrian-Waddle-Patrio ts-Jersey/]LaAdrian Waddle Jersey[/url] . -- The U.S. hockey team has flipped the script since the last Winter Olympics. The Americans expect to be a favourite to win gold in six months at the Sochi Games after say

ARLINGTON, Va. LaAdrian Waddle Jersey . -- The U.S. hockey team has flipped the script since the last Winter Olympics. The Americans expect to be a favourite to win gold in six months at the Sochi Games after saying they were underdogs in 2010, when they won silver and were a goal away from knocking off the host Canadians. "The only people that thought we had a chance were probably the guys in the locker room, or our coaches and management of USA Hockey," Chicago Blackhawks star forward Patrick Kane said Monday. "This time, its different." USA Hockey invited 48 of its top prospects -- including 16 players from its 2010 team -- for off-ice workouts and meetings at the Washington Capitals training facility. "Even though we invited 48 guys, I got calls from a few agents, Why not my guy? I get that," said general manager David Poile, whose day job is running the Nashville Predators. "We put some guys on the board that arent at this camp that we should be looking at. Were totally open-minded. "We have to take the 25 guys that give us the best chance to win." The players will get picked to play based on their body of work and how well they perform early in the NHL season. The final roster is expected to be announced on Jan. 1 after Detroit and Toronto play in the Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium. Brian Burke, the teams general manager in 2010, set up an advisory group to assemble the roster. Poile plans to follow the model over the next four months. NHL general managers Stan Bowman, Dean Lombardi, Dale Tallon and Paul Holmgren along with scout Don Waddell will assist Poile, Ray Shero, the teams associate GM, Burke, the teams director of player personnel and USA Hockey executive Jim Johannson. "Well have much harder decisions to make, picking this team than we had 2010," Burke said. "Thats what you want." The advisory group met for five hours on Sunday, spending some of that time on talking about a possible roster and some tough decisions it will have to make. "We have 16 returning Olympians that have a chance to make the team," Poile said. "Weve got way more depth, and way more quality than we had in 2010." Six goaltenders were invited to the camp, and three will make the trip to Sochi. Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller was named MVP of the ice hockey tournament at the Vancouver Games, but hes not a lock to keep his job because Los Angeles Kings star Jonathan Quick has been perhaps the worlds best at stopping shots the past two seasons. NHL goalies Jimmy Howard, Cory Schneider, Craig Anderson, along with 20-year-old prospect Josh Gibson, also are in the mix. Miller, despite his performance in 2010, was not named to the teams leadership group that includes defenceman Ryan Suter and forwards David Backes, Dustin Brown, Ryan Callahan and Zach Parise. While it would be a big surprise if any of those leaders didnt end up representing the U.S. in Russia, they dont have any guarantees. "Nobody has been given a position," Poile insisted. Twenty-four forwards and 18 defencemen are attending the pre-Olympic camp, some of whom, such as 18-year-old Seth Jones, are there simply to experience what it is like to be around the countrys best hockey players. Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Bylsma, who succeeds Ron Wilson, said his job is to pass along some information and messages to the players over the course of a few days to get them ready for a quick turnaround at the Sochi Games. The NHL has some games scheduled on Feb. 8, and the Americans -- along with the other players in the league from other countries -- wont have much time to prepare for their first game. "We wont see these guys for another six months," Bylsma said. "Thats not comfortable for a coach." Bylsma, though, seems at ease with Team USA publicly liking its chances to win gold for the first time since the Miracle on Ice victory over the Soviet Union in 1980. "Its a different expectation and different mindset," he said. "Four years ago, we were under the radar and it certainly was a younger team and didnt have those expectations. This is a team that largely was in Vancouver and was in the gold-medal game and was a shot away from winning a gold medal. "Now, the expectation is much different. Were going over to Sochi, Russia, with the mindset of winning a gold medal." Rex Burkhead Jersey . Betancourt was 2-5 with a 4.08 ERA and 16 saves for the Rockies last season before tearing a ligament in his pitching elbow. He considered undergoing platelet-rich plasma therapy to fix his arm, but announced in August his decision to have Tommy John surgery. Andre Tippett Jersey . No pretty goals on this night, just get to the front of the net and fight for a chance. http://www.shoptheofficialpatriots.com/Elite-Phillip-Dorsett-Patriots-Jersey/ . - Even with a new coach, the Denver Nuggets still love to push the basketball.PHILADELPHIA -- Garrett Richards helped Mike Trout have a perfect homecoming trip. Richards tossed a five-hitter over seven sharp innings and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 on Wednesday to sweep a two-game interleague series. Trout went 1 for 4 with a triple, walk and stolen base. The two-time All-Star went 2 for 9 in his first series against the team he rooted for growing up. Trout grew up in nearby Millville, New Jersey. More than 4,000 people from the small town came to see him Tuesday night, and there were plenty of fans wearing No. 27 Angels jerseys in the stands again. "It was a quick two days, two wins," Trout said. "Its been a blast. I was feeling something special just driving to the stadium." Richards (4-0) struck out eight with no walks and lowered his ERA to 2.42. Ernesto Frieri pitched a perfect eighth, and Joe Smith finished off the five-hitter for his fifth save in seven tries. "I was keeping the ball down in the zone," Richards said. "My two-seam fastball was working well. Mainly I got ahead with my fastball then kept them off balance with breaking balls." Phillies starter A.J. Burnett (2-3) laboured through five innings, allowing three runs and seven hits. He struck out six and walked five. "Im not a negative person, so Im not going to pout," Burnett said. The Angels have won five of six to move a season-high three games above .500 at 21-18. The Phillies have lost three straight and seven of nine to fall a season-worst four games under .500 at 17-21. The Angels got a run in each of the first three innings. Richards did the rest. Albert Pujols hit a two-out double in the first and scored on a single by Raul Ibanez, the former Phillies All-Star who heard familiar "Rauuuul" chants when he came to the plate. Ibanez helped the Phillies win the NL pennant in 2009 and was a fan favourite during three seasons in Philadelphia. Efren Navvarro had an RBI single with two outs in the second to give the Angels a 2-0 lead. Irving Fryar Jersey. Erick Aybar ripped an RBI double to right-centre in the third to make it 3-0. But Burnett escaped more trouble with the bases loaded and no outs. He struck out Grant Green and retired Luis Jimenez on a double play. Richards pitched out of his only jam in the sixth after Chase Utleys second double put runners at second and third with one out. Richards then struck out Ryan Howard and retired Marlon Byrd on a soft liner. Trout led off the seventh with a triple off reliever Mike Adams. He dove headfirst into third base and got up to cheers. Adams left him there, though. He fanned Pujols and Ibanez, walked Aybar and retired Hank Conger on a pop-up. Trout thought about stealing home. "It was in the back of my mind," he said. "I was looking in the dugout. Itd be dangerous, though, if the hitter didnt know." The Phillies are 6-11 at home. Theyve scored two runs or fewer at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park five times in 17 games. Theyre 1-8 in interleague play. "We need to do a better job driving the ball at our park," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "This is considered a hitters park. Teams come in here swinging. We need to step up our hitting." NOTES: Pujols tied Lou Gehrig for 33rd on the all-time list with his 534th career double. He snapped an 0-for-15 slump with the hit. ... Of Trouts 42 hits, 21 are for extra bases. ... Jimmy Rollins singled in the sixth for his 2,211th career hit, tying Ed Delahanty for third on the clubs all-time list. Rollins is 24 shy of passing Mike Schmidt for first place. ... The Phillies are off Thursday before opening a three-game series at home vs. Cincinnati on Friday. Kyle Kendrick (0-3, 3.98) faces Homer Bailey (3-2, 4.72). The Angels start a four-game set at Tampa on Thursday. Tyler Skaggs (3-1, 4.14) opposes Erik Bedard (2-1, 3.38). Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '