Post by jenny123 on Jan 17, 2014 22:58:46 GMT -5
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Sometimes, the shadow of Patrick Roy follows Semyon Varlamov around the ice. Breathing hard to catch up, too. At the conclusion of practice on Wednesday, the Colorado Avalanche coach tried to pull alongside his goaltender as he went through a cool-down session. Roy just wanted to track him down to tell Varlamov how pleased he was with the way hes been performing. After all, Varlamovs play in net has looked as efficient and effortless as, well, the Hall of Famer whos now coaching him. Off to a 7-1 start and among the league leaders in goals-against (1.76), Varlamov is thriving in the presence of Roy. "I think Varly, today, when I said how proud I was the way hes bounced back, he had a big smile," Roy said. "He was happy. I think as a player thats what you want to hear from your coach." Not just any coach, but Roy — one of the best to ever play the position. No pressure living up to his expectations. Thats the thing: Roy has been as much of a confidant as coach, which Varlamov appreciates. "This has been awesome," said the 25-year-old Varlamov after Wednesdays practice. "He can see something in a game, during a game, just some things I have to do better, what I did wrong, or something like that. Thats helped me a lot. I just have a lot of confidence." A year ago, Varlamov couldnt say that. He was struggling in goal - allowing three goals a game - and hardly looking anything like the type of franchise goalie the Avalanche thought they were acquiring when they sent a first-round pick to Washington in 2011. This season has been a big turnaround. That has to do with the arrival of Roy and a staff that included goalie coach Francois Allaire, who once mentored Roy. This summer, Allaire, Varlamov and backup Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who has two shutouts this season, spent a few weeks in Montreal honing their technique. More specifically, Allaire tweaked some minute things with Varlamovs form. Asked what precisely they worked on, Varlamov smiled and said, "I dont want to talk about that." Top secret? "Yep," he said. "But were still working on this different style a lot. Im still learning how to play that way, how coach wants me to play." Unlike past years, Varlamov isnt being asked to come up with the big save time after time, or to be the backbone of the defence. In Roys system, the defencemen are more aggressive on the offensive end and way more accountable for helping out Varlamov. "Hes not hanging out to dry like in the past with some of our old systems," defenceman Erik Johnson explained. "Its pretty cool to see Varly transition into an elite NHL goalie." Then again, forward Matt Duchene knew this day would arrive. Hes been touting the talent of Varlamov for years, but no one would listen because Colorado was so buried in the standings. "Ive been a huge fan of him since he came here," said Duchene, whos among the NHL leaders in goals with nine. "I love shooting on him at practice, because its always a challenge. "I think Varly feels more comfortable than ever right now. He knows hes not alone in this and that people are backing him up every night." This helps with Varlamovs confidence as well: He no longer feels so isolated. When he first arrived in the U.S., the Russian star spoke only broken English. By hanging out with the players in the locker room, hes steadily picked up the language to the point where he can hold a casual conversation with anyone. "Life is so much easier when you can speak with people," Varlamov said. "The boys did a good job of teaching me." Another challenge soon awaits Varlamov, one that hes trying not to think about but its getting more and more difficult: The 2014 Sochi Games in his home country. Hes hoping to be in goal for the Olympics. "Of course, thats a dream for every player growing up, to play for our national team," he said. "Its always so much fun to play for a national team. Its always something special, especially for me because Russian fans, Russian people, they pull for us. Its going to be very cool if I go and play there. "But I dont think right now about Sochi. I think only about how were playing here, with Colorado." Julius Thomas Super Bowl Jersey . For San Francisco, its not far off from the style of play so familiar during last seasons special run. With all the World Series fanfare finally done, the Giants are ready to get in a groove. Sylvester Williams Super Bowl Jersey . Jake Gardiner is inching himself further and further into the mix on the Leafs blue line, while Matthew Lombardi may be ready to start the season. www.broncosnikejerseysshop.com/womens-danny-trevathan-super-bowl-jersey/ . -- No. 2-ranked Maria Sharapova was slowed only by a half-hour power outage during the night session, and she beat wild card Eugenie Bouchard of Montreal 6-2, 6-0. Demaryius Thomas Super Bowl Jersey . - Not risking his starters on a three-day turnaround, New York coach Tom Coughlin let the Giants reserves close out the pre-season against the New England Patriots. Paris Lenon Super Bowl Jersey .J. -- Four months after undergoing surgery on his right knee, New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise has been cleared to start skating. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Jermichael Finley is remaining with the Packers, signing a new contract with Green Bay. The big-play tight end was set to become a free agent before re-signing with the team on Thursday. Packers general manager Ted Thompson, who drafted Finley in the third round in 2008, announced the move. In 2011, Finley matched his career high with 55 receptions and had career bests in yards receiving (767) and touchdown catches (8). The reception and yardage totals rank second in franchise history by a tight end, and Finley ranked third in the NFL for tight ends with a 13.9-yard average in 2011 (minimum 40 receptions). On Wednesday, Finley posted a message on hiis Twitter that he agreed to return to the team he helped to the NFLs best record last season, 15-1.dddddddddddd Finley wrote, "I could not be happier to have the privilege of being a Packer for the next 2 yrs. Glad to be back with my team & coaches for 1 common goal." The Packers were expected to consider using the franchise tag on Finley, who at 6-foot-5, 247-pounds runs and cuts like a wide receiver, but also has problems with dropping passes. Finley has played in 48 games with 29 starts during his four seasons in Green Bay, missing much of 2010 with a knee injury. He has caught 137 passes for 1,818 yards and 15 touchdowns during his career. ' ' '