hance of challenging the Mercedes pair for the title, finished 12th after his car stoppe

TORONTO - As many of his teammates departed for warm, sunny destinations over the Olympic break, David Clarkson decided to spend the majority of his time at home in Toronto, working to get himself in a position to finish what otherwise has been a forgettable season on the right foot. Cheap Basketball Shoes China . "Just at home with my daughter dressing up as a princess and bossing me around but I was home with the family, went away quickly, but was mainly just home with my wife and daughter," said Clarkson. Having already missed 21 of 60 games this season being in and out of the lineup due to two suspensions and two different injuries (foot and elbow), additional time off was the last thing Clarkson felt he needed. "I think Ive had enough of a break this year," he laughed, "but Im ready to go here to finish this season the right way." Instead of time off, Clarkson dedicated himself to a workout schedule in an effort to sustain the improvement in his play in the week leading up to the Olympic break. "Especially with the year, the way its gone for me, when you go through a tough time, sometimes youve got to dig deep and find a way to get back to work and try to stay healthy." So far, Clarksons off-ice work over the break has paid off, at least in the eyes of his head coach. "He worked out and maintained a high level of conditioning and its shown here during this mini camp," Randy Carlyle praised, singling Clarkson out after putting his team through another high tempo practice with a heavy emphasis on battle drills designed to ensure the team hits the ground running when they resume their schedule on Thursday night against the New York Islanders. Reunited with Nazem Kadri and Joffrey Lupul on a line in the second last game before the Olympic break in Tampa Bay, Carlyle was impressed with the trios performance against the Lightning and the following game against the Vancouver Canucks. The three had played together most recently for a couple of games at the end of November before various injuries and suspensions kept them apart. "We think the combination of Kadri, Lupul and Clarkson have been a real strong force for us over the last little while and theres no reason to change that," said Carlyle. "We think they should be challenging the Bozak, Kessel and van Riemsdyk lines for minutes, offensive minutes." Likely more of a challenge than an expectation given the tear that the JVR-Bozak-Kessel unit was on heading into the break, an element of consistent production from that group would be welcomed to take some of the onus off the top line. Clarkson seems to be pleased with the chemistry developing among his linemates so far. "I think playing with those two, we made a lot of good plays," he said. "We were in the other teams zone, we were doing a lot and I think it was the healthiest Ive felt since coming back off the elbow (injury)." Signing a seven-year, $36.75 million deal to play in his hometown last summer, the expectations were high, probably too high to legitimately expect them to be met. At that price, production is expected in the range of 20 to 30 goals and 55-65 points. But Clarkson is not a player who will consistently reach those targets. He knows the criticism has been abundant. "In sports, I think you have to blank some stuff out whether its what people are saying or whats going on," said Clarkson. "As a player you go through ups and downs and its how you come out of it and how you handle it. You work hard through those times to get stronger and better." Finally healthy, a strong performance down the stretch could go a long way in helping to silence some of his critics and erase the disappointment of the first three quarters of the season. It promises to be tough, hard sprint to the finish and its type of hockey Clarkson wouldnt want any other way. "This is playoff hockey," he said, "the rest of the season is what its all about." Basketball Shoes Online Store . Amare Stoudemire had 22 points and 10 rebounds, Carmelo Anthony scored 21 and the New York Knicks won their eighth straight game, 93-92 over Philadelphia on Friday night, sending the Sixers to their 23rd straight loss. Cheap Basketball Shoes Free Shipping . The 26-year-old Sobotka injured his left leg playing for the St. Louis Blues in a 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. The Blues said he would not recover from the injury in time for the Olympic tournament. https://www.cheapbasketballshoesstore.com/ . - The Oakland Athletics say they are stopping negotiations to extend their lease at the Coliseum.SOCHI, Russia - Formula One leader Lewis Hamilton had the fastest time in practice for the inaugural Russian Grand Prix on Friday, while drivers and teams showed their support for injured colleague Jules Bianchi.Hamilton was second in the morning session behind Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg but dominated the afternoon run by a wide margin. Rosberg dropped to fourth.Kevin Magnussen of McLaren was second, with Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso third. Valtterri Bottas of Williams was fifth behind Rosberg, and Jenson Button in the second McLaren completed the top six.The Marussia team ran only one car in respect to Bianchi, who remained in critical condition with severe head injuries after crashing into a mobile crane at the Japanese GP last Sunday.Marussia president Graeme Lowdown said it was a difficult decision to run only one car, especially since the team was ninth in the constructors standings.We are largely in that position because of Jules, and as a racing driver hed want us racing, Lowdon said.Hamiltons fastest lap of 1 minute, 39.630 seconds on the Sochi Autodrom, built around the Olympic Park that was used for the Winter Games in February, was an improvement of nearly three seconds from his morning run on the unfamiliar circuit making its debut on the F1 calendar. He was nearly a second ahead of Magnussen.I like the new circuit. Its got really good grip and great corners, with a lot at medium speed, Hamilton said. Its good fun. The car has been feeling really good today.Mercedes can clinch its first constructors title with a victory in Sundays race. Basketball Shoes From China. Hamilton leads Rosberg by 10 points in the drivers standings.Hamiltons promising practice time makes him a clear favourite to win his ninth race of the season and close in on the title, with three races remaining after Sundays contest.Hamilton was .864 seconds ahead of Magnussen. Alonso was .874 seconds behind and Rosberg was .912 adrift.Bianchis father, Philippe, told the newspaper Nice Matin that Jules is fighting as he always did, the same way as if he was racing. He is strong.With the French drivers car in the garage in pit lane, Marussias other driver, Max Chilton, placed next-to-last.It is going to be a very emotional weekend for the whole team, but we will try to get through it and keep praying for Jules, Chilton said.Alonsos car bore a sign saying Forza Jules (Go Jules), while other drivers had a sticker on their helmets saying in French, Tous avec Jules (Everybody with Jules).Sebastian Vettel, who was ninth in practice, said getting back to driving does and doesnt help dealing with Bianchis situation.It helps to get your head elsewhere and focus on the day job ... it keeps you occupied. But on the other hand, its only been a couple of days, so its quite fresh and difficult, Vettel said.Vettels Red Bull teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, the only driver with a realistic chance of challenging the Mercedes pair for the title, finished 12th after his car stopped on the track, producing a red flag late in the session. ' ' '