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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Sometimes, the shadow of Patrick Roy follows Semyon Varlamov around the ice. Breathing hard to catch up, too. At the conclusion of practice on Wednesday, the Colorado Avalanche coach tried to pull alongside his goaltender as he went through a cool-down session. Roy just wanted to track him down to tell Varlamov how pleased he was with the way hes been performing. After all, Varlamovs play in net has looked as efficient and effortless as, well, the Hall of Famer whos now coaching him. Off to a 7-1 start and among the league leaders in goals-against (1.76), Varlamov is thriving in the presence of Roy. "I think Varly, today, when I said how proud I was the way hes bounced back, he had a big smile," Roy said. "He was happy. I think as a player thats what you want to hear from your coach." Not just any coach, but Roy — one of the best to ever play the position. No pressure living up to his expectations. Thats the thing: Roy has been as much of a confidant as coach, which Varlamov appreciates. "This has been awesome," said the 25-year-old Varlamov after Wednesdays practice. "He can see something in a game, during a game, just some things I have to do better, what I did wrong, or something like that. Thats helped me a lot. I just have a lot of confidence." A year ago, Varlamov couldnt say that. He was struggling in goal - allowing three goals a game - and hardly looking anything like the type of franchise goalie the Avalanche thought they were acquiring when they sent a first-round pick to Washington in 2011. This season has been a big turnaround. That has to do with the arrival of Roy and a staff that included goalie coach Francois Allaire, who once mentored Roy. This summer, Allaire, Varlamov and backup Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who has two shutouts this season, spent a few weeks in Montreal honing their technique. More specifically, Allaire tweaked some minute things with Varlamovs form. Asked what precisely they worked on, Varlamov smiled and said, "I dont want to talk about that." Top secret? "Yep," he said. "But were still working on this different style a lot. Im still learning how to play that way, how coach wants me to play." Unlike past years, Varlamov isnt being asked to come up with the big save time after time, or to be the backbone of the defence. In Roys system, the defencemen are more aggressive on the offensive end and way more accountable for helping out Varlamov. "Hes not hanging out to dry like in the past with some of our old systems," defenceman Erik Johnson explained. "Its pretty cool to see Varly transition into an elite NHL goalie." Then again, forward Matt Duchene knew this day would arrive. Hes been touting the talent of Varlamov for years, but no one would listen because Colorado was so buried in the standings. "Ive been a huge fan of him since he came here," said Duchene, whos among the NHL leaders in goals with nine. "I love shooting on him at practice, because its always a challenge. "I think Varly feels more comfortable than ever right now. He knows hes not alone in this and that people are backing him up every night." This helps with Varlamovs confidence as well: He no longer feels so isolated. When he first arrived in the U.S., the Russian star spoke only broken English. By hanging out with the players in the locker room, hes steadily picked up the language to the point where he can hold a casual conversation with anyone. "Life is so much easier when you can speak with people," Varlamov said. "The boys did a good job of teaching me." Another challenge soon awaits Varlamov, one that hes trying not to think about but its getting more and more difficult: The 2014 Sochi Games in his home country. Hes hoping to be in goal for the Olympics. "Of course, thats a dream for every player growing up, to play for our national team," he said. "Its always so much fun to play for a national team. Its always something special, especially for me because Russian fans, Russian people, they pull for us. Its going to be very cool if I go and play there. "But I dont think right now about Sochi. I think only about how were playing here, with Colorado." Ndamukong Suh Jersey .Y. - Centre Corban Knight scored 3:30 into overtime, and the Abbotsford Heat rallied to edge the Utica Comets 5-4 on Wednesday in American Hockey League play. Ndamukong Suh Womens Jersey . Miller and the Vancouver Whitecaps mutually agreed to terminate the Scottish nationals contract on Sunday, freeing the 34-year-old to take a vacation with his wife and children. http://www.dolphinsjerseysofficialshop.com/black-friday-ryan-tannehill-jersey/ . 3 Ohio State. After watching film of the Bison pull off a huge upset at Notre Dame on Wednesday night, there was no way the Buckeyes were going to be on anything but high alert. Rishard Matthews Womens Jersey . The full extent of the injury wont be known for certain until Yakupov gets an MRI done upon his return to Sarnia. Yakupov, a potential first-overall pick for this Junes NHL Entry Draft and ranked first in TSN Scout Craig Buttons monthly draft ranking, had nine assists in seven games at the tournament. Lamar Miller Jersey . JOHNS, N.TORONTO -- Former starting goalie Stefan Frei may finally get his chance to play next week for Toronto FC in place of the suspended Joe Bendik. Frei has not started an MLS game since Sept. 24, 2011, when Toronto was beaten 3-0 by Chivas USA. The 27-year-old Swiss-born keeper missed all of last season with an ankle and leg injury suffered in training. Then, having endured a long recuperation, he lost his job to Bendik after breaking his nose in the first game of the 2013 pre-season. Bendik, a fiery and dependable shot-stopper, has been one of the bright lights in Torontos 5-16-11 season. But he received a second yellow card at the end of Torontos 1-0 loss to Philadelphia last Saturday and will have to sit out a game in Chicago on Oct. 19. Toronto has a bye this weekend. Bendik was yellow-carded in the 86th minute for time-wasting as he prepared a goal kick. After the game ended, he got another yellow when he went to talk to the referee. Philadelphia scored on a 95th-minute free kick by Brazils Kleberson to win 1-0. "That was a weird one, I dont understand that," manager Ryan Nelsen said Tuesday of the ejection. "Mind-boggling how he got the first (card). And then I think the second (card) was more that he was asking about how it took them (Philadelphia) two minutes to celebrate the goal and then he (referee Armando Villarreal) called the game before the six minutes (stoppage time) was up. "So he was just asking why blow (the whistle) so quickly, which is a fair question. But generally when you ask those type of questions, you get those type of responses. Unfortunately we wont have Joe available." Villarreal handed out seven yellow cards and a straight red (to Phialdelphias Fabinho). Toronto has no shortage of goalies behind Bendik with Frei, Chris Konopka and Quillan Roberts. With 81 starts under his belt, the 28-year-old Frei has the most experience. But he is widely expected to be on his way out. His contract, worth a hefty US$200,000 this season, is expiring and the club is committed to Bendik, who more than likely will get a new deal to reward his No.dddddddddddd1 status. Bendik is making a bargain $46,500 this year. The team acquired Konopka in a deal with the Philadelphia Union last month. The six-foot-five keeper, who also makes $46,500, is expected to be Bendiks backup next season. In the case of fullback Richard Eckersley, another TFC player seen on his way out from the club due to a high salary cap hit, Nelsen has opted to see what else he has available in recent weeks. That has opened up a starting spot for Mark Bloom. Still his early take is that Frei will get the start. "Well have to see how we go for the next two weeks but Stefans been in that (backup) position all season so at the moment its his." Nelsens hand may be forced given that Konopka was recovering from an injury prior to joining Toronto. "Hes close but probably not close enough," said Nelsen. Many fans see Frei as a loyal servant of the club who has endured a dreadful spell of bad luck. Nelsen was asked at a recent breakfast with supporters whether he would consider giving Frei one final start in the season finale for "a proper sendoff." Nelsen was diplomatic at the time, without committing to anything. Its not the kind of gesture that appeals to the ultra-competitive Nelsen, however. The Toronto manager may well have opted for Kopoka had he been healthy. But Konopkas health also gives Nelsen a reason to win some points by starting Frei. At 19, Roberts is seen as one for the future and will likely be loaned out to a USL team next season to get seasoning. Bendiks suspension follows a high note, at least. He is up for save of the week for a stop on Philadelphias Michael Farfan. Kleberson, meanwhile is up for goal of the week. The bye week comes at a good time for Toronto given that midfielders Bobby Convey (ankle), Darel Russell and Alvaro Rey (both quads) both were injured in the Philadelphia game. "They should be all right by Chicago but well keep an eye on them," said Nelsen. Toronto wraps up its season Oct. 26 at home to the Montreal Impact. cheap jerseys cheap jerseys wholesale jerseys cheap nfl jerseys wholesale jerseys Landon Donovan Jersey ' ' '