In another sign of the growing concern about head trauma in sports, the NHL and the U.
[b]Mohamed Salah Liverpool Jersey[/b] .S. ski team will each have at least one concussion expert at the Sochi Olympics. Dr. Jeff Kutcher, a Michigan-based neurologist, will be in one of two hockey arenas and the on-hill physician for three events on the slopes in Russia. U.S. ski team medical director Kyle Wilkens said Kutcher will be the associations first specialist evaluating and treating concussions during the Winter Olympics. "Its such a hot topic," Wilkens said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "Were trying to do the right thing with concussion, and thats why hes on board." Kutcher will also evaluate the neurological health of about 150 NHL players from all 12 countries in the Olympics. Dr. Ruben Echemendia, a neuropsychologist and chair of the NHLs concussion program, will also be at the Olympics -- a first for the league, according to deputy commissioner Bill Daly. The NHL isnt fond of freezing its league for two-plus weeks and putting their stars at risk for injuries at the Olympics, but the league and the NHL Players Association both have a degree of comfort knowing that Kutcher will be there. "Dr. Kutcher is well regarded in his field and has significant experience working with NHL players, so we are pleased he will be in Sochi and is willing to assist with our players while at the games," NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said. Kutcher said he is prepared to tell an athlete he or she cant go for a medal if they have a concussion at the Olympics. "At the end of the day the decisions that we make, we make irrespective of the situation -- we have to," Kutcher said in an interview with the AP. "The alternative is if I let somebody go down another run or participate in a hockey game while theyre injured and that injury leads to a more significant injury, it could be life-changing in the negative. Thats what I have to worry about." International Olympic Committee medical director Dr. Richard Budgett is glad Kutcher will be there, too. "I havent heard of any other country sending a specialist such as a neurologist," Budgett told the AP in a telephone interview. "But its good that theyve got a specialist coming out because theres a lot of interest in monitoring concussions. The Olympics are like a fish bowl -- with everybody watching -- so its great that he will be able to raise awareness and show that were taking the health of our athletes seriously." Kutcher appears to be highly qualified for his pressure-packed role this month. The NBA named him director of its concussion program more than two years ago. Kutcher said he evaluates players from the NBA, NHL and NFL "all the time." The NCAA has used his expertise to help shape its concussion policies. Kutchers day job is working as an associate professor of neurology at the University of Michigan, where he is a physician for the schools athletic teams and director of its NeuroSport Program. Wilkens said Kutcher, who has helped the U.S. ski team with its concussion policy, will be the on-hill physician for skicross along with snowboardings parallel giant slalom and parallel slalom. Kutcher will also care for other U.S. athletes as needed, according to Wilkens. "His primary responsibility is with us, but if a slider gets a concussion, for example, Jeff will be there to help," Wilkens said. "For the two weeks, were all a part of Team USA." Kutcher has diagnosed numerous athletes with concussions over the years, telling them they cant compete until he clears them. Kutcher, though, hasnt had to dash anyones dreams of winning Olympic gold. "I do feel a little bit of pressure," he said. "I understand the gravity of the situation and needing to first and foremost do my job as a neurologist regardless of setting or scenario. It doesnt matter if its a training run or a gold-medal run or any scenario at all. It is the health of the athletes that Im there for."
[b]Naby Keita Liverpool Jersey[/b] . The Brad Jacobs team from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., advanced to Fridays championship game with a 10-6 win over Chinas Rui Liu in the semifinal.
[b]Alisson Becker Jersey[/b] .Y. - The Buffalo Sabres reassigned forward Sam Reinhart to the WHLs Kootenay Ice on Friday.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Philadelphia Flyers will try to extend a perfect start to a five-game homestand when they host the sliding Toronto Maple Leafs in Saturdays battle at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers have matched a season-high winning streak by going 3-0 to begin this stay in South Philadelphia. Craig Berubes club picked up its most recent win with Thursdays 5-2 decision over the Winnipeg Jets. Nick Schultz picked up the game-winner in the second period against the Jets, while Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier scored in the third to help Philly improve to 14-7-3 as the host. Wayne Simmonds and Chris VandeVelde also scored for the Flyers, winners of four of their last five. Schultzs goal was his first marker since he tallied for Edmonton back on April 8, 2013. The defensemans score on Thursday snapped a 2-2 tie and halted his goal drought at 125 games. In his first start since Jan. 8, Steve Mason picked up his second straight positive result thanks to 36 saves. Mason made his return from a lower-body injury with a victory in relief of starter Ray Emery on Tuesday against Arizona. I feel really good. The injury hasnt been a problem which is great, Mason said of his knee issue which kept him sidelined for more than two weeks. More importantly I thought my game felt sharper than last night or the night before rather, which is obviously a positive sign as well. Flyers forward Michael Raffl sat out Thursday with an illness and is questionable for tonight. After this evenings game, the Flyers are off until completing this homestand with Thursdays game against the New York Islanders. Toronto is mired in an eight-game losing streak and the club suffered its seventh regulation defeat of the slide on Thursday despite carrying a 1-0 lead into the third period against visiting Arizona. The Coyotess used a three-goal third period to halt a seven-game slide of their own and drop Toronto to 0-7-1 over its last eight.
[b]Naby Keita Jersey[/b]. Arizonas Oliver Ekman- Larsson scored a short-handed goal five seconds into the third period to tie the game and kindle the game-winning rally. Martin Hanzal netted the go-ahead goal for the Coyotes 3:42 after Ekman- Larsson scored and Sam Gagner added a power-play marker to pad the cushion. Phil Kessel scored in the first period for the Maple Leafs, who are 3-15-1 in their last 19 outings and 1-8-1 since Peter Horachek took over for fired head coach Randy Carlyle on an interim basis. The Coyotes peppered Jonathan Bernier, who stopped 32 shots in two periods but allowed three goals on 13 in the third. Bernier fell to 0-5-1 over his last six starts and allowed three goals or more for the fourth time during that span. James Reimer could get the call in net tonight as the Leafs begin a three-game road trip. Reimer is 2-3-0 with a 3.11 goals against average in his career against Philadelphia, while Mason, a native of the Greater Toronto area, is 3-3-1 with a 3.64 GAA in seven lifetime appearances versus the Leafs. The Flyers posted a 7-4 win in Toronto on Dec. 20 behind four-point nights from both Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. Giroux had two goals and two helpers, while Voracek notched four assists. Voracek leads the NHL with 58 points and 41 assists, while Giroux has 52 points on 16 goals and 36 assists. Philadelphia has claimed two straight and eight of the past 12 meetings with the Leafs, who have lost eight of their last 11 at Wells Fargo Center. Toronto is just 7-13-4 on the road and has lost eight in a row as the guest since beating Boston on Dec. 31. The Leafs will continue their swing Tuesday in Nashville before visiting New Jersey on Friday. ' ' '
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