MLS experience to a young midfield corps that has

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Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid suffered a sprained neck in Mondays 3-2 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, head coach Claude Julien said Tuesday. "He suffered a sprained neck and everything so far has come back negative, so he is a day-to-day player right now," Julien said. The injury occurred with about 2 1/2 minutes to play in the first period of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series, when McQuaid attempted to check Philadelphia forward Mike Richards near the Boston net. McQuaid had him lined up, but Richards stepped out of the way and McQuaid went crashing into the back boards head-first. After several minutes on the ice, McQuaid was helped into the locker room. He was then taken to Jefferson Hospital in downtown Philadelphia for evaluation. The Bruins are ahead 2-0 in the best-of-seven series with Game 3 scheduled for Wednesday in Boston. If McQuaid is unable to go, Julien could turn to veteran blueliner Shane Hnidy, who appeared in one playoff contest this season and recorded only 4:13 of ice time. McQuaid has three assists and is plus-four in Bostons eight playoff games this year. Bruce Smith Jersey . After being told by an Italian reporter that there might be some undeclared gay players on the team, Cassano appeared at a loss for words before responding. "Thats their problem, but I hope not. ... But I dont know," he said, then added that he hoped his answer sufficed. Fred Jackson Jersey . Promoter Top Rank said Tuesday that the fight in Pavliks hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, had been cancelled. Pavlik returned to the ring after a nearly 13-month layoff to beat Alfonso Lopez by majority decision in May. www.billssportsgear.com/Bills-C-J--Spiller-Nike-Jersey-Ll-71.html .M. -- The worlds No. Youth Bills Jersey . LOUIS -- The NHL board of governors has approved the sale of the St. Youth Thurman Thomas Jersey .J. -- After ending a six-game winless streak, the New York Red Bulls didnt care how they got the win.VANCOUVER -- It was a cold, wet day, but Johnny Leverons mere presence started to generate heat. The Honduran internationals participation in his first practice Wednesday in Vancouver with the Whitecaps increased the competition for a starting central defender spot in wake of captain Jay DeMerits indefinite absence due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. "We were sad to see the injury because it happened in the first game," said the Spanish-speaking Leveron through an interpreter. "We were watching that game (over the Internet.) He is the leader. He means a lot to the team. Now, Im just waiting to see, with Brad (Rusin) and myself, the opportunity to play." DeMerit was injured in Vancouvers 1-0 win over Toronto FC in the regular-season opener for both teams. Leveron was one of two new arrivals at an optional workout at UBC, along with Brazilian midfielder Paulo Jr. Leveron, 23, and Paulo Jr., 24, signed with Vancouver in February and January, respectively, and took part in pre-season with the club in the U.S. But they were loaned to the second-tier Carolina RailHawks before obtaining work permits that allowed them to join the Whitecaps full-time. "Im ready to play," said Leveron. "The time that I spent in Carolina, I worked so hard with the club over there and didnt miss much, so Im ready to play." He brings notable international experience to the Caps, having captained the Honduras team at the 2012 London Olympics and at the 2007 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Korea. He has also suited up for Honduras at the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt, 2011 UNCAF Nations Cups and the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup as well as in senior mens World Cup qualifying. He was on the bench as Honduras shellacked Canada 8-1 in World Cup qualifying last fall. "It was a great opportunity for me to come here," said Leveron, who also had European options. "It was a blessing. I was ready for this opportunity to come, and Im really glad that the Whitecaps have given me this opportunity. "I just wanted to play outside of Honduras, and this opportunity presented (itself), so Im very happy." But it remains to be seen how soon Leveron will get the chance to take the pitch in a game for the undefeated Whitecaps (2-0), who have a bye from MLS this week. Coach Martin Rennie said Rusin, who excelled in his first two career MLS appearances in place of DeMerit, will remain the starter. As with other international arrivals, Leveron also faces an adjustment to a colder climate and other factors. "Carolina was a lot warmer than Vancouver," he said. "Forr me, personally, Ive never been in this type of weather, so this is something thats really hard for me, and Im going to take as little time as possible to get used to it.dddddddddddd" "Really, we dont have to look for any trouble with that. (The Whitecaps) hire us to be professionals, and we dont have to be concerned about the weather. "Whether its here or somewhere else, we are prepared to do that -- even with the food, with the culture. So we are ready." Leveron is getting help on the cultural side from third-year winger Omar Salgado, an El Paso, Tex., native who is fluent in Spanish and roomed with him in South Carolina. "Hes very excited," said Salgado. "Its something really different. Hes never really been out of his country for a club team ... I think hes really excited for a new language and a new team and, really, a new country." Coach Rennie said Leveron will be an important player for the Whitecaps, who are seeking to avoid a mid-season meltdown like the one they experienced last season before becoming the first Canadian team to reach the MLS playoffs. "Hes doing really well," said Rennie. "Its really nice to have him back here. Hes got himself fit, training and travelling while weve been gone." He described Leveron as a solid defender who picks up good positions, reads the game well, is good on the ball and creates good attacks out of the back while helping the Caps keeps possession. Leveron will be "next in line" after Rusin and competing for a place in the lineup. Paulo Jr. also brings strong ball-possession skills to the Whitecaps, who have sought to develop depth in their midfield after struggling in that area of the pitch at times last season. Having joined the Whitecaps in the re-entry draft (off waivers) after three seasons with Real Salt Lake, he adds more MLS experience to a young midfield corps that has mainly played elsewhere. "Hes very creative," said Rennie. "He scores goals, he creates chances, hes dangerous around the box, (a) good finisher. I think he can play a few positions in the attack in the way it is, and brings a lot of quality in that position. "Its good to have another player who has experience in the league." Notes--Leverons wife and young daughter are remaining in Honduras until they clear Canadian immigration hurdles. ... Salgado, recuperating from a broken foot suffered last season, is slated to play in an exhibition game Saturday against the University of Victoria. He hopes to see his first MLS action of 2013 in Houston on March 23. ' ' '