Pirate Galaxy » ch Pep Guardiola said.LAHAINA, Hawaii -- Connectic

Youve heard of Buccis Overtime Challenge? Well, this is Buccis Hat Trick Challenge. Whats the challenge part? Regularly coming up with three hits about the World Cup of Hockey. Sundays games are Team Russia vs. Team Sweden (3 p.m. ET, ESPN) and Team Finland vs. Team North America (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2).1. Starting strong: For the first time in my broadcasting career, I got to say Crosby scores! Canada vs. the Czech Republic was my first non-#cawlidgehawkey play-by-play broadcast outside of the times I turned down the sound on the TV and broadcasted hockey games into my Panasonic tape recorder. (Girls LOVED me in my teenage years.) For my first broadcast of NHL players to be a Saturday night in Toronto describing the movements of 29-year-old Sidney Crosby, who has now entered his true prime intersection of mind, body and soul, well, it was exhilarating. Team Canada was a unit of energy, concentration and confidence against the Czechs in a 6-0 win. The Mike Babcock-Crosby-Carey Price triumvirate has no peer here at the World Cup of Hockey.2. On the other hand: Team USAs collective slog through oatmeal against Europe (a 3-0 loss) was surprising. It was a rainy, humid (90-plus-percent) day in Toronto on Saturday, and that did make ice quality a challenge, as humidity always does. Humidity is the enemy of fast, firm ice. Humidity is still high Sunday. It was surprising to see Kyle Palmieri and Dustin Byfuglien sit as healthy scratches. Coaches know their players better than we do, but Byfuglien is such a special, versatile force, I cant ever imagine not playing him. If Bill Belichick were a hockey coach, he would love using versatile players such as Byfuglien. I would think Palmieri and Byfuglien would be in versus Canada on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) and Jonathan Quick will return in net for the U.S.3. Marchand will cash in: Brad Marchands next contract will be something to watch for Boston Bruins and NHL fans of teams that want him. Marchand will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. For a seven-year deal, a team would be paying for Marchands age 29-35 seasons. An eight-year deal by the Bruins obviously makes the contract for ages 29-36. Marchand is in great shape and loves to train. In fact, a Bruins player told me last season that the Bruins have to slow Marchand down sometimes from overtraining. He should age well, and Mark Recchi, I think, is a good comparable to Marchand. Recchi continued to produce and be durable in his 29-36-year-old years. I think its going to take eight years at about $7 million per to sign Marchand, and Im surprised that it hasnt already been done by the Bruins. Teams will be lining up next summer if he becomes a UFA.Freddie Freeman Jersey . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game. Custom Atlanta Braves Jerseys . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. http://www.baseballbravesproshop.com/hank-aaron-braves-jersey/ . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. Ronald Acuna Jr. Braves Jersey . 4 Villanova with a 96-68 drubbing on Monday. Wragge hit 9-of-14 from behind the arc, matching Kyle Korvers school record for 3-pointers in a game set in 2003, as Creighton (16-3, 6-1 Big East broke a conference record with 21 treys in the rout. Dansby Swanson Braves Jersey . Goals from Jerome Boateng, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller extended Bayerns unbeaten run to a record 37 matches. "This record is incredible," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said.LAHAINA, Hawaii -- Connecticut Huskies sophomore forward Terry Larrier had to be helped from the floor after injuring his left knee against Oklahoma State on Monday night in the Maui Invitational.Larrier was injured midway through the first half when he was stripped of the ball on a drive. He lay on the floor while the Cowboys scored at the other end, then slapped the floor while yelling as the Cowboys trainer came to help him.On Wednesday, an MRI revealed he toree his left ACL and will miss the rest of the season.ddddddddddddLarrier was unable to put any weight on his leg and stopped by the Huskies huddle to yell encouragement before being helped to the locker room.The Huskies were expecting a big contribution from Larrier after he transferred from Virginia Commonwealth and sat out last season. ' ' '