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LAS VEGAS -- We talk easily of the sacrifices players make when it comes to things like the Olympics or the World Cup of Hockey.Its a term that rolls easily off the tongue. My good pal Pierre LeBrun recently wrote about how?Matt Duchene played through a separated shoulder and helped Canada earn its third consecutive championship in best-on-best hockey.But what if the notion of sacrifice means something else -- like, say, the sacrifice of choosing not to play for your country? Does it mean the sacrifice is any less meaningful? Or difficult?Just ask Jamie Benn about these matters. The Dallas Stars captain won an Olympic gold medal with Canada in Sochi in 2014 and was one of the first 16 Canadians named to the World Cup roster back in early March.But as he was recovering from offseason core muscle surgery, Benn realized that he could not do what would be expected of him -- and what he would expect of himself -- at the World Cup and then still be the captain he is expected to be -- and that he expects himself to be -- when the NHL regular season began. So he stayed home.It was disappointing, but I think youve got to look at the bigger picture, and the bigger picture was being ready for this year with the Stars, said Benn recently. Obviously, we want to make another long run and build off last year. I think I did the smart thing by not jumping into it and going to the World Cup and risking further injury. Its disappointing, but I made the right decision and I feel good right now.It was the second summer in a row that Benn has undergone an offseason procedure. The issues havent been serious, relatively speaking, but Benn has planned the procedures so he would not miss time during the regular season. That said, Benns summers have been spent rehabbing and resting, as opposed to doing normal summer activities.I couldnt golf, Benn said. I didnt get a round of golf in this summer. So that sucked.Even in the best of times, however, Benn admits that hes not an accomplished golfer. Im not that good, he said with a laugh.But dont look for Benn to make up for lost golf time during the season. Golf is for the summer, hockey is for the winter, he said.This is a crucial year for the Stars. Because so much of Dallas success runs through Benn, it is a crucial year for the 27-year-old Victoria, British Columbia, native too.There are a handful of players in the NHL who can impose their will on a game, said longtime NHL executive and analyst Frank Provenzano. Benn is one of them.Benn takes wearing the C seriously, says Provenzano. There is no doubt this is his team and his room, Provenzano said of Benn. I think his decision to forego the World Cup in order to be ready for the season opener is proof of that.The Stars are coming off a surprise Central Division crown and a trip to the second round of the playoffs. But in the end, injuries and suspect goaltending let Dallas down in its seven-game series loss to the St. Louis Blues.I think we got a little bit of an eye-opener just at the end of last year, Benn said. We found out that its not easy just to get through two rounds. We got through one but couldnt make it through the second, so we know that it takes that much more effort. It takes a whole team effort.Benn is coming off a career-best 41-goal campaign and a career-best 89 points in 2015-16. And while the Stars are as deep as they have been since their glory days in the late 1990s, Benn is the emotional fulcrum of the team. I think Im learning to be a better player, better captain every time I come to the rink, Benn said.And heres the thing: It doesnt get any easier. Not if you want to take those painful last few steps to a championship. Many players and teams never make it.I think that hes been the model of trying to lead the team and play the game the right way, said Stars head coach Lindy Ruff. First you do it on the ice. Hes a big believer in what were doing. And when he goes out and does it, hes a guy the players love to follow.With that respect, comes added responsibility.He understands with the success or where we finished last year comes more pressure this year to try to duplicate where were at, Ruff added.The Stars will begin the season with some uncertainty because of injuries to key personnel, including Tyler Seguin, who also missed the World Cup of Hockey. Sequin suffered a hairline fracture of his heel during pre-tournament play. Winger?Ales Hemsky suffered a groin injury during the World Cup and is still rehabbing. Mattias Janmark and Cody Eakin are also unlikely to be in the opening-night lineup on Thursday.If there is a constant, though, its Benn and his place in the lineup.Very proud of him and not surprised, said GM Jim Nill. Hes stayed true to his foundation, hes stayed true to his roots. When hes got something to say he says it. But other than that hes a very personable guy, very humble. But he knows now that when theres a time to step up, hes got to step up, and hes taken that upon himself.Daniel Jones Giants Jersey . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. Odell Beckham Jr Jersey . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. http://www.authenticnygiantspro.com/Dexter-lawrence-giants-jersey/ . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. Dexter Lawrence Jersey . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. Michael Strahan Jersey . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race.Once again TSN 1290 host Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and TSN.cas James Lynch (@LynchOnSports) go head to head with their picks for this weekends UFC on FUEL TV 10 event. Riding solo last week #TeamLynch earned an impressive 10-2 record at UFC 160. With #TeamJC back on the keyboard, can he halt the momentum? Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Fabricio Werdum James Lynch, TSN.ca (@LynchOnSports): The main event of the evening features a fight that could very well determine the next opponent for the winner of the inevitable Velasquez vs. Dos Santos III matchup. Since leaving the UFC back in 2008 Werdum has amassed an impressive 6-1 record, with victories over Fedor Emelianenko, Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and Roy Nelson. Because of injuries and a coaching stint on TUF Brazil II, the 35-year old hasnt fought in close to a year. Meanwhile “Big Nog” who coached opposite against Werdum on TUF Brazil II most recently submitted Dave Herman at UFC 153 back in October. Each combatant is solid on the ground, with the slight edge going to the former UFC interim heavyweight champion. One area where the 36-year old Nogueira has struggled is in the stand-up department, having been stopped by Frank Mir (twice) and Cain Velasquez. Werdum has shown much improved stand-up as evidence in his victories over Roy Nelson and Mike Russow. I see the Strikeforce veteran keeping this fight on the feet, getting the better of the exchanges and stopping the former PRIDE GP winner sometime in the third round. Werdum via third round TKO Jordan Cieciwa, TSN Radio 1290 (@Fitcityjordan): I love when Lynch is wrong, and this is going to be one of those fights. Frank Mir has Noguerias number, but thats about the only person out there able to solve "Big Nog". Werdum doesnt have the hands that Mir has developed. It was Mirs skill in striking that had Nogueira baffled. Cain Velasquez won because, well, he is Cain Velasquez. Werdum doesnt have what it takes to stop Nogueria. This one will go the distance, and because Nog will control the ground game, he will win this fight. Nogueira via Split Decision William Macario vs. Leo Santos “TUF: Brazil 2” tournament final Lynch: Because this show only airs sporadically online in North America and I have little patience for watching shows with subtitles, Ill fully admit I didnt watch the second season of TUF Brazil. Glancing at their records, with Macario you have an undefeated fighter at 6-0 whos biggest win comes against Gabriel Monkey, simply because that last name is awesome! But in all seriousness the 21-year old hasnt fought any major competition through his short MMA career. Santos meanwhile is 11-3 with his biggest win coming against Canadian Mark Holst and his most notable defeat coming to Takanori Gomi back in 2002. You cant beat experience so Im taking the BJJ black belt Santos Santos via unanimous decision JC: I also didnt see this season and honestly how could you bet against a guy who looks like Wesley Snipes from Demolition Man? For the sake of always being right, Im taking the underdog Macario just to prove Lynch wrong! Macario via unanimous decision Thiago Silva vs. Rafael “Fejao” Cavalcante Lynch: Fellow countrymen clash in a light heavyweight showdown, as UFC newcomer Cavalcante meets the once promising Silva. The former Strikeforce 205-pound champion looks to put behind his year long layoff due to PED suspension and instead make a statement in his octagon debut. His opponent the Blackzillian member Silva meanwhile is no stranger to controversy, having been busted not once, but twice for PEDs. Because of this, the 30-year olds last victory was way back in 2009 at UFC 102 against Keith Jardine. Losses to Alexander Gustafsson, Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida have halted what many considered at one time as a serious threat in the division. Both fighters are well versed on the ground holding Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts but its likely these two will want to keep the fight standing. Despite “Fejaos” questionablle chin in knockout losses to Dan Henderson and Mike Kyle he should be the faster fighter which could pose problems for Silva.dddddddddddd This could easily be Fight Of The Night and I see the 32-year old edging out a close decision. Cavalcante via unanimous decision JC: Im going to say it right here - this fight shouldnt happen. In their combined last four fights, these "athletes" have tested positive for drugs three times. So really, does it matter who wins? It will probably be overturned. Lets get some real athletes in the cage. That said, Silva will probably out strike Cavalcante and score a KO. Drugs are bad - Both lose Daniel Sarafian vs. Eddie Mendez Lynch: TUF Brazil competitor Sarafain welcomes UFC newcomer Mendez inside the octagon this Saturday night. Bowing out of the TUF Brazil finals due to injury, the 30-year old Brazilian looked very lackluster in his split decision loss to C.B. Dolloway at UFC on FX 7. Seeking his first UFC victory, Sarafain aims for a better effort this time around against the Rumble In The Cage veteran. Mendez is a bit of an enigma, what we do know is he has a record of 7-1-1, but none of his victories are over notable opponents. With all the hype behind him going into the TUF Brazil season and the fact hes fighting in his native Brazil, this seems like a fight for Sarafain not to lose. The 30-year old should use his superior ground skills to spoil the octagon debut of his foe. Sarafain via second round submission. JC: Watching highlights and a few fights with Sarafain before his first fight with C.B. Dolloway I was impressed. He has the ability to be one of the success stories of The Ultimate Fighter. However, hes going to have to look a heck of a lot better than he did his first go around in the Octagon. Mendez is new to the Octagon and big shows in general. He had one fight on Strikeforce and how he finds himself opposite a fighter in his home country looking to avenge a bad loss. By the looks of the two, Sarafain has a substantial ground game advantage. I think nerves, and home court advantage will make this a tough one for the Brazilian to lose Sarafain via third round submission Erick Silva vs. Jason High Lynch: The 19-fight veteran High returns to the UFC and replaces the injured John Hathaway when he squares off against the talented Brazilian Silva. The “KC Bandit” has been underrated throughout his career and holds impressive wins over DREAM veteran Hayato Sakurai and rising star Jordan Mein. Silva meanwhile is coming off a layoff due to injury and a loss to Jon Fitch which was one of the most entertaining fights of 2012. Finishing a savvy veteran like High will be a tough task, but if Silva has improved his cardio issues which plagued him in the loss to Finch, its definitely possible. The 28-year old is comfortable anywhere the fight goes and in reality this should be his fight to lose. Using his height and reach advantage, I see the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt knocking out the Strikeforce veteran, sometime in the second round Silva via second round TKO JC: Lets talk about Jason High. Hes only fought twice in the last two years. Thats frustrating for a pro fighter. He has some big wins, but his win over Jordan Mein was almost 3 years ago, and it was a decision. That compared with Erick Silva, who took Jon Fitch to a decision less than a year ago and Im going to give the nod to Silva. I dont think either of these two competitors are any threat in the division but they should give us an entertaining fight. SIlvas game is a more complete package and judging from his 57 percent submission stat, Im thinking this goes to the ground early where Silva will find a submission. Silva via 2nd round submission Lynchs Undercard picks: Assuncao, Pepey, Thaigo, Alcantara, Hirota, Vemola, Neto JCs Undercard picks: Lee, Pepey, Thaigo, Alcantara, Hirota, Vemola, Neto Agree or disagree? Let us know in the comments section or on twitter. We always ame is a more complete package and judgsale Baseball Jerseys[/url] ' ' '