While some denigrate the use of artificial turf at the Womens World Cup, Canadian coach John Herdman pragmatically sees it as an advantage.The Canadian women have stayed out of the fray, for the most part. Players behind a legal challenge surrounding the artificial surface elected not to involve the Canadians given that the Canadian Soccer Association doubles as the 2015 tournaments organizing committee.Herdman says he and his staff have tried to keep the chatter about the legal challenge out of sight and out of mind.I think weve had to position it like that, he said in an interview. I mean look, in Canada a lot of these players (in) North America are used to playing on turf so it wont be a major shock. Because pretty much all our home matches over the last two years have been on turf.So its not a shock. Its a consistent surface for our players. There are definite pros of doing it. There are also cons in many peoples mind. But I think whats been great about our players (is) they just accepted the challenge and said Look, well become turf experts. Well become experts at playing on turf and well use that as one of our home advantages over the opponents who may have a mindset and be stuck on other things.The lawyer for the women challenging artificial turf kept the pressure up Thursday ahead of Saturdays tournament draw by releasing another letter to FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke.Unable to get the FIFA executive to talk to players via a conference call around the draw, lawyer Hampton Dellinger sent a Top 10 list of pressing questions to which the players and public deserve answers.No. 3 reads How can you justify playing the World Cup final at Vancouvers B.C. Place on a surface that players have likened to concrete?The letter also questions the credentials and connections of FIFA consultants and experts as well as the difference between prize money at the mens and womens tournaments.A group of top female players has filed a challenge in the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, arguing that playing on artificial turf at the Womens World Cup is discriminatory because the men play their showcase tournament on grass.FIFA argues that the laws of the game permit artificial turf as long as they meet standards and that such surfaces makes sense for the Canadian climate.Valcke has also gone on record saying that a mens World Cup could be held on turf sooner rather than later.Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter Cheap Cardinals Jerseys Authentic . Gomes drove in all three runs, including a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning, and Cleveland rallied for a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. Tim McCarver Jersey . And theyre pointing to the NHLs biggest market: Toronto. With Gretzky paid out for what is believed to be $7 to 8 million, Gretzky may be eager to get back into the NHL and TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports that the Maple Leafs are very much interested in The Great Ones services. http://www.cheapstlouiscardinalsjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-mark-mcgwire-jersey .FIFA said its appeals panel ruled the case not admissible.The former U.S. Attorney had objected to ethics judge Joachim Eckerts summary of the World Cup bid investigation, claiming numerous materially incomplete and erroneous representations of his work. Mike Matheny Jersey . Despite 11-1 records, theyre out and Big Ten winner Ohio State is into the national semifinals. Chris Carpenter Jersey . Gaborik was acquired in a trade with Columbus on Wednesday and skated on the top line with centre Anze Kopitar and right-winger Justin Williams. "We created some things," said Gaborik, who logged 16:38 of ice time.ANAHEIM, Calif. - The San Jose Sharks played a more disciplined game than the division-rival Anaheim Ducks, which made things simpler for goalie Antti Niemi.Niemi made 28 saves in his 30th NHL shutout, Joe Pavelski scored his second goal of the game during a two-man advantage early in the third period, and the Sharks beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-0 on Wednesday night.Antti was great. He is one of the best goalies in the league, we think, teammate Tommy Wingels said. He was on. He was seeing pucks, and he had really good rebound control.We were pretty good about eliminating second chances and boxing guys out. When we needed a save, Niemi was there.Frederik Andersen made 24 saves for the Ducks, who own the leagues best record despite losing for the fourth time in seven games. They were shut out for the second time this season.Corey Perry returned to the Anaheim lineup after missing 10 games because of a sprained knee. The Ducks are 16-7-1 when he is in the lineup and 8-2-5 without him. He missed five games in November with the mumps.San Jose centre Joe Thornton left with an undisclosed injury in the first period after a collision with Ducks defenceman Clayton Stoner. The six-time All-Star has played every game for the Sharks during the previous three seasons and all 38 this season.The Sharks, 3-0-1 against the two-time defending Pacific Division champions, opened the scoring at 4:33 of the first when Marc-Edouard Vlasics wrist shot from the left point deflected in off Pavelskis leg.The Ducks had penalty-killers on the ice for six minutes during a 7:10 stretch late in the period. They killed Ryan Keslers interference penalty and hooking infractions against Emerson Etem and Sami Vatanen.We put ourselves behind the 8-ball right away with three penalties in the first period, Perry said. You cant play that way against a team like that. But we learn from our mistakes.Perry took a slap shot at Niemi from inside his blue line just before the second period ended. Wingels then slammed him into the boards in front of the Ducks bench, and a scrum ensued.I just felt (the hit) was a little late, Perry said. I dont think theres any need to push me into the bench like that, so I guess I took matters into my own hands.ddddddddddddPerry and Kesler ended up with roughing penalties, in addition to Wingels interference infraction. Anaheim captain Ryan Getzlaf threw his stick against the glass behind the empty bench as he went to the dressing room, and was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty — resulting in a 5-on-3 power play for San Jose to start the third.At that moment, I thought the referees were off the ice and I was taking out my own frustration, Getzlaf said. But Im an adult, and I shouldnt have done it at that point. Its unacceptable. I accept responsibility for my stupidity.It was my fault, and that wont happen again.Pavelski scored with 1 second left on the ensuing power play, beating Andersen to the blocker side with a one-timer from the left circle after the goalie lost his stick.It was a huge momentum change, Andersen said. We were so close to killing it off. But thats not why we lost the game. We lost it by taking terrible penalties.Logan Couture added an empty-net goal with 2:05 left.When you take nine (minor) penalties, youre not going to win hockey games, Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. Three or four of those were just not smart penalties. Weve got to stay disciplined and stay focused.Sharks left wing John Scott served the third game of a four-game suspension he received because of a punch to the face of Ducks forward Tim Jackman on Dec. 22.NOTES: The Ducks are 5-8 with a tie on New Years Eve, including a 6-3 home victory last year against the Sharks. ... The Sharks have played nine times on New Years Eve — all on the road — and are 7-1-1. ... The Ducks finished 2014 with a league-best 107 standings points. ... Each team had a goal disallowed because of a player making contact with the goalie. ... Jackman fought Micheal Haley at 3:02 of the first period. ... The Ducks are 0 for 21 on the power play since Jakob Silfverbergs goal on Dec .13 at Winnipeg. ... San Jose is 6 for 20 on the power play in its last four games against Anaheim. ... Sharks forward Patrick Marleau has three goals in his last 33 games. Thornton has two goals in 18. ' ' '