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OTTAWA -- Hayley Wickenheiser doesnt put much stock in the flag-bearers curse. The womens hockey star, who will carry the Maple Leaf into the opening ceremonies of the Sochi Olympics, says the idea that she and her teammates could be under any more pressure is absurd. After all, they play a sport that many in Canada consider religion. So any sort of cosmic jinx pales in comparison to the weight of an entire countrys expectations for the womens team to win a fourth straight gold medal in Sochi. "I think theres just too much emphasis to put on that," Wickenheiser said Thursday via conference call from Austria. "The pressure that we feel is the pressure that always comes with playing hockey as a Canadian hockey player, whether youre male or female. "The country expects a gold medal. Whether I carry the flag or not, Im pretty sure our team doesnt feel any extra added incentive that theres more pressure to perform, because we already feel that already." Not all athletes see it that way. Diver Alexandre Despatie felt it would be a distraction and said hed decline any offer to carry the flag at the 2012 London Games. Kayaker Adam van Koeverden carried the flag at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and finished a disappointing eighth in the 1,000 metres -- although he did win a silver medal in the 500. Moguls skier Jean-Luc Brassard blamed his disappointing performance at the 1998 Nagano Olympics on being the flag-bearer a day earlier. Wickenheiser and her teammates hope the same thing doesnt happen to them. Hockey Canada says the women will march in the Feb. 7 opening ceremonies despite playing their first game the following night versus Switzerland. Brassard, the assistant chef de mission for the Sochi team, was on the panel that selected Wickenheiser along with chef de mission Steve Podborski, assistant chef France St. Louis and one athlete representative. Hockey Canada nominated her for the honour. "Throughout her successful career, this Canadian athlete has demonstrated true Canadian grit, patriotism and sportsmanship," said Podborski, adding that Wickenheiser will lead the Canadian team with "the utmost pride and class." Wickenheiser is embracing the opportunity to put her sport centre stage. "What I think it does is it shines a very positive light on the sport of womens hockey and just on our sport in general for the world to see," said the 35-year-old forward. "Thats a great responsibility and expectation that every nation in the world has to carry in and I think should really embrace." The Shaunavon, Sask., native, who is at a pre-Olympic camp in Austria and wasnt able to attend the formal announcement Thursday on Parliament Hill, will be making her fifth Winter Olympic appearance. But for the first time since 2006, she wont be Canadas captain. Caroline Ouellette has been handed that job, while Wickenheiser will be an alternate. But she remains Canadas biggest womens hockey star and a pioneer of the game. She and teammate Jayna Hefford will be the only players in the 2014 womens hockey tournament who have played in every Olympic Games since female hockey made its debut in 1998. Her stewardship extends beyond hockey as a spokesperson for Right To Play, Clean Air Champions, KidsSport, Spread The Net, Plan Canadas Because I Am A Girl and Classroom Champions. Wickenheiser read the athletes oath in the opening ceremonies at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver and she is running for election to the International Olympic Committees athletes commission in Sochi. Veteran speedskater Clara Hughes carried the flag at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics while womens hockey player Danielle Goyette was the flag-bearer at the 2006 Games in Turin. "I remember we were joking, like Dont trip and fall when you come in," Wickenheiser said of her conversation with Goyette before the opening ceremonies eight years ago. "Thats sort of the same thing we were talking about today. Geez, Id better watch some YouTube videos and figure out how the athletes have done this before." --- Neal Sterling Jersey . Anaheim Ducks Reassign D Colby Robak to Norfolk Admirals (AHL). - Team Website D Eric Brewer (foot) removed from injured reserve. Rashard Robinson Jersey . -- Manchester United thrilled a record crowd with a brilliant opening goal -- and even Cristiano Ronaldos unexpected entrance proved futile for Real Madrid. http://www.officialnewyorkjetsfootball.com/authentic-robby-anderson-jersey-womens .com) - The disappointing Ottawa Senators hope to record consecutive wins for the first time since early November, as they visit the Boston Bruins on Friday for the opener of a home-and-home series. Juston Burris Jersey . 42 sitting next to the bench. The 57-year-old with greying hair couldnt box out or grab a rebound, but owner Ted Leonsis waved his red towel and egged on a cheering crowd that chanted "Free Nene!" The Wizards did just fine without the suspended Brazilian forward. Jermaine Kearse Jersey . The 40-year-old midfielder was put in charge on Tuesday when David Moyes reign ended after 10 months with the defending champions in seventh place in the English Premier League.Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Patric Hornqvist returned to the lineup and scored the game-winning goal during the third period to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 5-3 win over Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. Hornqvist, who missed 11 games due to a lower-body injury, finished with two goals, David Perron had a goal and an assist and Steve Downie and Nick Spaling also scored for the Penguins, who ended a four-game skid. Kris Letang also came back for Pittsburgh after sitting out the final game prior to the All-Star break with a concussion and tallied four assists. Thomas Greiss made 19 saves in the win. Adam Lowry and Chris Thorburn each posted a goal and an assist. Jacob Trouba also lit the lamp and Evander Kane supplied three helpers as the Jets five- game winning streak came to an end. Ondrej Pavelec stopped 25 shots in defeat. Pittsburgh has won its last six games against the Jets and owns a 14-game unbeaten streak at home against them that dates back to March 24, 2007, when they were the Atlanta Thrashers. Hornqvist put the Penguins ahead for good on the power play as he was stationed in front and whacked the puck past Greiss for a 4-3 Penguins lead 7:52 into the third period. Winnipeg pulled Pavellec with over a minute remaining and Hornqvist scored on the empty net with 28 seconds left to seal the win.dddddddddddd Perron skated down below the goal line and slipped a pass into the slot, where Spaling tapped the puck into the net to open the scoring 7:09 into the game. Just over two minutes into the second, Thorburn crashed the net and tipped in Lowrys lead pass past Greiss blocker for a tied game. Winnipeg went in front 2-1 on Troubas blast from the point that went past a screened Greiss with 7:13 remaining in the middle stanza. Letang blasted a shot from the right circle and Downie buried the rebound past Pavelec for a tied game with 4.6 seconds left in the second. The Jets didnt wait long to reclaim their lead as Lowry beat Greiss with a wrister 59 seconds into the final frame, but Perron tipped the puck through the pads of Pavelec for a power-play goal and a 3-3 score at 4:23. Game Notes Pittsburgh forwards Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were both absent from the lineup due to lower-body injuries ... Letang registered his 200th career assist on Spalings marker ... Pittsburgh is now 21-5-5 when scoring first ... Pavelec is 2-13-1 in his career against the Penguins. 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