throughout training camp after surgery in June to repair a torn

Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week they discuss Russias mens hockey team, the ineptitude of the IOC handling the Nicklas Backstrom situation, John Tortorellas many apologies, and Canadas strong showing in curling. Bruce Arthur, National Post My thumb is down to Russias national mens hockey program, which is still making reverberations a week after Sochi. After falling in the quarter-finals for the second straight Olympics, Russias NHL stars came back angry. As Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review wrote, Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin were unhappy for many reasons, but most of all resented the programs bias towards KHL players, which greatly distorted playing time, pairings, strategy, and felt like a punishment to Russian stars who dont play at home. Russia was one of the worlds great hockey powers, and a worthy rival to Canada; now its a mess, riven by petty rivalries. Its a shame, really. The Russians havent won a best-on-best tournament since the 1981 Canada Cup, and somehow they feel further away than ever. Steve Simmons, SUN Media My thumb is down to the International Olympic Committee for the mess it made of the Nicklas Backstrom gold medal game allergy pill fiasco. As a member of Swedens hockey delegation said, the IOC destroyed one of the greatest days in Olympic hockey history for the country. Backstrom, who did test positive for pseudo-ephedrine, didnt disagree with that assessment. The IOC first tested Backstrom last Wednesday. In the three days that followed, they never did do a second test. The Swedish team was not informed of Backstroms status until two hours before game time. Now dont get me wrong, the Swedes could have had Nicklas Backstrom, Ralph Backstrom, and all the Backstroms you can name available for the gold medal game and the result wouldnt have been different. What they didnt need was an unnecessary disruption, born of IOC ineptitude. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated My thumb is down to John Tortorella, not for his most recent apology but for the continual need to apologize. This time, the Canucks coach launched into a mea culpa after saying he favored Sweden in the Sochi final because he wanted his Swedish Olympians - Daniel Sedin and Alex Edler - to return with smiles on their faces. Tortorella wears blinders. Professionally, he sees the small picture, nothing beyond his team. Belatedly, of course, he grasped context - Vancouver … Canada. So four weeks after apologizing for losing his mind between periods against Calgary, he again was at a microphone wearing a hair shirt and a tight expression. Thats Tortorella, the never-ending sorry. Dave Hodge, TSN My thumb is up to the excellence shown by Canadas Gold-medalists in curling - Jennifer Jones and her rink from Winnipeg and Brad Jacobs and his rink from Sault Ste. Marie. We used to take for granted Canadas worldwide dominance in curling, and then we didnt, because as good as the Canadians continued to be, several other countries showed they were capable of winning world titles. Not that Jones and Jacobs allow Canada to rest on its laurels, but the Sochi results were very impressive, and hows this for proof of Canadas wealth of curling talent - the Brier is underway in Kamloops and the field is strong with Jeff Stoughton, Kevin Koe, John Morris, and Brad Gushue. And imagine talking about a strong field that doesnt include Jacobs, Glenn Howard and Kevin Martin. Adidas NMD Wholesale Price . Parmelee hit a game-ending shot in the ninth inning and the Minnesota Twins overcame David Ortizs big night to beat the Boston Red Sox 8-6 on Tuesday. Cheap Adidas NMD Australia .FIFA says it is relaxing the rule which forced match officials to leave its international list at the end of the year they turned 45. http://www.wholesalenmdaustralia.com/ .The Hamilton Tiger-Cat defensive back always has the required receipt. But he also walks around with a tangle of metal screws, rods and plates after breaking his neck in 2006 playing high school football in Louisiana. Adidas NMD Australia Sale . -- Brendan Leipsic had two goals and an assist and Nicolas Petan extended his point streak to 11 games as the Portland Winterhawks slipped past the Red Deer Rebels 5-4 on Saturday in Western Hockey League action. Adidas NMD Shoes Australia . Poti played in 824 regular NHL games with four teams in his career; the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals.Davie, FL - The Miami Dolphins have finally given up on running back Daniel Thomas, but kept center Mike Pouncey on the active roster. Thomas, a 2011 second-round draft pick, was among Saturdays final cuts. He wasnt going to figure in the teams plans with the emergence of Lamar Miller and the offseason signing of free agent Knowshon Moreno. The Kansas State product finished his Miami career with just a 3.6 yards-per- carry average and eight touchdowns in 40 games. Pouncey was on the physically unable to perform list throughout training camp after surgery in June to repair a torn hip labrum he suffered during OTAs. It was believed he could be sidelined for up to three months, but a PUP designation to start the season would have kept him out for at least the first six games. He can now return when healthy. The Dolphins also relleased kick returner Marcus Thigpen, the first player in franchise history with touchdowns on a kickoff and punt return in the same season.dddddddddddd In addition, Miami also released wide receivers Kevin Cone and Matt Hazel, tight ends Kyle Miller and Evan Wilson, defensive linemen Isaako Aaitui, Tevin Mims, DAundre Reed and Garrison Smith, kicker Jake Rogers, offensive linemen David Arkin, Sam Brenner and Evan Finkenburg, defensive backs Kevin Fogg and Jordan Kovacs, quarterback Seth Lobato and linebacker Andrew Wilson. Defensive tackle Kamal Johnson was placed on injured reserve and veteran guard Tony Hills had his contract terminated. Defensive end Dion Jordan and safety Reshad Jones will not count against the 53-man roster while they serve four-game league suspensions. ' ' '