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MONTREAL – Curtis Lazar was streaking in on a two-on-one rush Sunday night in Canadas pre-tournament game against Sweden. The Ottawa Senators forward, on loan to Hockey Canada for the world juniors, knew he had a great chance to score if he shot high. The Canadian Tire Centre crowd, which had given Lazar a huge ovation when the starting lineup was announced, sensed a big moment was coming. And, yet, Lazar shot low into the pads of goalie Samuel Ward. Why? Well, the player streaking down the other wing was Connor McDavid, who was playing his first game in 40 days after breaking his right hand in a fight. Hes so hard on himself, Lazar said after the game. I tell him to, Just relax and have fun. I had that partial break there and I should have probably tried to score, but I tried to lay it in there for a rebound for him. Were going to need him to be a big part of this team to be successful. Lazar knew the spotlight was shining even brighter than usual on the 17-year-old phenom who had looked a bit rusty out of the gate. The plan to get McDavid on the board didnt work, but Lazars heart, as it almost always is, was in the right place. Lazar and McDavid are roommates and when they got back to the hotel on Sunday night the game was being replayed on TSN. So they watched. McDavid began to critique himself. I was trying to tell him that, Look, you played a good game, Lazar said. I mean, he probably has different standards for himself than we do, because hes a heck of a hockey player. Every time he steps on the ice something special happens. I kept telling him, the one assist he [almost] got [on Shea Theodores goal] he drew a couple guys to him and it opens up the ice and thats what well need from him. The fact Lazar and McDavid are rooming together during the world juniors is no accident. The hope is the perpetually positive Lazar will help ease the burden felt by McDavid, who is considered by many, including TSNs resident scout Craig Button, to be a generational talent. Alas, sports, like so much else, seems to be a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business and McDavid has been out since mashing his hand on the boards in a fight on Nov. 11. Meanwhile, American Jack Eichel, McDavids chief rival in the 2015 NHL draft class, is racking up points and closing the hype gap. Hes been in the spotlight for so, so long that I guess he kind of knows how to deal with it, said Lazar when asked about McDavids serious demeanour. I try and get him to take his guard down a little bit. I know theres going to be a lot of pressure on him. This is a marquee tournament and it is his draft year and everyone talks about Eichel and McDavid. Ultimately, hes playing for Team Canada and thats what it should be all about. McDavid and Lazar were teammates on last years Canadian squad, which finished fourth in Malmo, Sweden. I was disappointed with how we played last year, Lazar said his smile dimming just a little. Second chances dont come around too often. Canadas hopes are, in large part, resting on the shoulders of Lazar and McDavid, who will both wear letters at the tournament. Lazar is the captain while McDavid joins Sam Reinhart as an alternate. Hes always positive, said McDavid of Lazar. You always see he has a smile on his face and nothing seems to bring him down. I think hes the perfect guy for the job just because the ups and downs of this tournament are pretty crazy and he never seems to go down. -- McDAVID SURPRISED Shortly after the Canadian selection camp started, McDavid admitted he wasnt sure if he would play a leadership role considering he is the second youngest player on the roster (only Kingstons Lawson Crouse is younger). I think it was a little bit of a surprise, McDavid said of getting an A. I mean, being a returning guy I maybe had a little bit of an idea, but theres a lot of returning guys. Forwards Nic Petan and Frederik Gauthier, defenceman Josh Morrissey and goalie Zach Fucale are the other returning players on the roster. But head coach Benoit Groulx was pretty concise when asked why he made McDavid an alternate. Because hes a leader, Groulx said in a matter-of-fact tone. Im not the most vocal guy in the room thats for sure, McDavid acknowledged. I think anyone will tell you that, but Im not the quietest either. I think even in Erie, being the captain there, I do a lot of my leading on the ice. McDavid was asked which hockey leaders he admires. He names Mark Messier and Steve Yzerman as well as Jonathan Toews. Hes not overly vocal, but hes always doing the right things on and off the ice and thats something I, for sure, look up to. -- JUST A LETTER Its just a letter, Lazar said when asked about the captaincy. My expectation is that every single one of us will lead in our own way. To be successful thats going to have to take place. Thats part of the message hes sending McDavid. So much is expected of the Newmarket, Ont. native, who has a whopping 51 points in 18 OHL games this season. But Groulx has reiterated time and time again that he wants a four-line attack. Offence and fast-paced play is expected from everyone. For myself, Im having fun with the guys, showing them, its okay to make mistakes, especially now, said Lazar. We got to get them out of our system sooner rather than later. And just try to rally the troops. I know that experience I have from playing in Sweden last year on this team, winning the Memorial Cup in between and having the NHL experience is going to help a lot. I just want try to spread that wealth. You got to take things in stride. You have to look at whats right in front of you. Moments after Canada lost the bronze-medal game last year, Lazar addressed reporters and said if he was to be back at the tournament again he wanted to be a leader. And that has nothing to do with ego. It has everything to do with righting a wrong. There are a few things here and there that I think we can change up to allow us to take the next step, he said reflecting on last years disappointment with an eye on the weeks ahead. Its all a learning curve in a short competition. You have to be open minded and admit the mistakes you make and learn from them and improve from them. I want unity inside the dressing room. Thats a big part of it. Regardless of where youre from in Canada, I mean, were part of a team now and thats what its all about. Nobodys bigger than the team right now. Its up to us as a group to get the job done. -- KEEPS THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE Lazar seems wise beyond his 19 years. He has tremendous perspective. He didnt sulk after getting sent back to juniors from the NHL. He oozes excitement. He just gets it. A good example is the number he will wear on his back when the tournament opens on Boxing Day. Lazar wears 27 with the Senators, but will be No. 26 for Team Canada in honour of his former Edmonton Oil Kings teammate Kristians Pelss, who drowned two years ago after jumping off a bridge in his hometown of Riga, Latvia. Our motto last year in Edmonton was, Play for Pelss and every time I step on the ice I know hes looking over me and protecting me out there and thats one thing I always want to do is, when I play internationally, I want to wear the No. 26 in honour of him. Cheap Vans Shoes Australia Free Shipping .C. -- Eric Staal kept his focus after his apparent breakaway goal was waived off early in the third period. Cheap Vans Shoes Online Australia . Five straight losses (and six in the past seven) now dot the schedule – matching their longest skid of the year – after they fell again in New Jersey on Sunday night, topped 3-2 by Cory Schneider and the Devils. http://www.vansaustraliawholesale.com/ .com) - Rajon Rondo turned in a game-high 21 points to go with eight rebounds and seven assists as Dallas claimed a 102-98 win over the Lakers on Friday. Discount Vans Shoes Australia . "First, I would like to offer my deepest and sincerest apologies for any harm I have inflicted on University of Missouri defensive lineman, Michael Sam," the statement read. Cheap Vans Shoes Australia . -- Ricky Romeros comeback bid hit another road bump Tuesday in an ugly 18-4 Jays loss to a Detroit Tigers split squad.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets have re-signed versatile backup linebacker Garrett McIntyre. McIntyre became a free agent last month after he was not tendered an offer by the Jets as a restricted free agent. The team announced the deal Wednesday, but did not release terms. McIntyre was signed by the Jets in 2011 afterr stints in the Arena Football League and Canadian Football League.ddddddddddddHe has 5 1/2 sacks, 72 tackles and two forced fumbles in 42 games, including 10 starts, with New York. An undrafted free agent out of Fresno State in 2006, the 29-year-old McIntyre has also spent time with Seattle, Arizona and Tennessee. ' ' '