Dein erstes Forum » he 67th before Portugal substitute Ricardo Quar

WILMINGTON, Mass. -- The speed and scoring touch that made Jaromir Jagr one of the NHLs best players are gone. Even the famous mullet that flowed from beneath his helmet disappeared many moons ago. But his passion for hockey remains. Now hes bringing that back to Pittsburgh, the city where he won Stanley Cups in his first two seasons. More than two decades later, the 41-year-old right wing can help the Boston Bruins win their second title in three seasons. First, they must beat the offensively potent Penguins in the Eastern Conference finals. The first two games are in Pittsburgh, with the schedule to be announced after the Western Conference semifinals end Wednesday. "I dont really remember the last time I was in this position," Jagr said after practice Tuesday. "It doesnt happen very often and the players should realize that. Its not automatic to make the playoffs or automatic to be in the last four teams to play for the Cup." Jagr was just 18 when his rookie season began in 1990. He was on the Penguins team that beat the Bruins in six games in the conference finals. A year later, Pittsburgh swept Boston in the same round, winning the first game on Jagrs overtime goal. The Penguins went on to win their first two Cups those seasons. Way back then, he didnt concern himself with how long he might keep playing. "I dont think you think that way at all," he said, but "if you love something, it doesnt matter what it is. If you love your job, you love your wife or somebody or something, you just want to be with that all the time. So, to me, I love this game. So as long as I can play, I want to play. Thats the reason Im playing. I just love it." That desire has taken him to six NHL teams, with a three-year break from 2008-11 to play in Russia. He brought it to the Bruins, who needed an offensive boost, when they obtained him from the Dallas Stars on April 2. But Pittsburgh is the city where he established himself. "A lot of people still remind me (of) that, but it happened 13 years ago, the last time I played for them," Jagr said. "So its a long time and 23 years ago was my first game." But what if someone had told him when he was starting out that hed be playing for the Bruins against the Penguins in the playoffs all these years later? "I dont think anybody would have told me that," Jagr said with a laugh. "I was 18 years old so I didnt think that far ahead. I was kind of thinking, Whats going to be tomorrow? not Whats going to be 20 years later?" Hes already won a playoff round this season against a former team. The Bruins won the conference semifinals in five games over the New York Rangers, where Jagr set the clubs single-season record with 54 goals in 2005-06. Bruins fans havent seen that scoring skill all that often. Jagr scored just two goals in 11 regular-season games and none in 12 playoff games for Boston. "I always love to score. Nothing is going to change me," he said. "Maybe something greats going to happen a little later." Its not as if he hasnt come close. "I think its unfortunate that his numbers dont reflect his play," Boston coach Claude Julien said. "I can remember twice, hes got the open net, right next to it, and gets robbed twice. Its got to be a little frustrating for a guy like him. "Hes there. Hes in the right position." With his big body and vast experience, Jagr still controls the puck while shielding opponents from it until he can make a good pass. When he was moved up from the third to the second line during the playoffs, his new linemates, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, started producing. "Hes made a lot of good things happen with that line," Julien said. And Bergeron expects Jagr to score soon. "Its right there. The goals are coming," Bergeron said. "Hes an amazing player. Im learning a lot. You need to learn where to be on the ice with new linemates." The Penguins certainly arent taking him lightly -- not one of the greatest players in their history. "Hes still got that good ability to get a shot off in tight spaces," Pittsburgh forward Sidney Crosby said. "So, yeah, I definitely think hes still a threat out there." Brenden Morrow was Jagrs teammate with Dallas this season until being traded to Pittsburgh on March 24. "Hes still just as excited as any 18-year-old in the locker room," Morrow said. "His skills are still there. His big bodys tough to move when hes planted and has possession of the puck. He played real well for us in Dallas, scored some big goals. "Hes a threat every time hes on the ice." Penguins coach Dan Bylsma, just 17 months older than Jagr, agrees. "I dont look at birth certificates," he said. "Hes still got game, maybe not the same hair as he did when he was in Pittsburgh, but hes still got game." A game that -- as it did 22 years ago -- can still help a team win a Stanley Cup. "We knew what we were getting out of a 41-year-old (future) Hall of Famer and that was that he was going to be solid," Julien said. "Hes been nothing but a great asset." ------ NOTES: Pittsburgh won all three games it played against Boston this season, all by one goal. ... Bruins defenceman Andrew Ference returned to practice after missing the last seven games with a lower body injury. Julien said he wasnt ready to say Ference would play in Game 1 if hes healthy. Martinas Rankin Super Bowl Jersey . Hazard cut in from the left and scored with a swerving right-footed shot for ninth goal of the season, which proved to be enough for the victory despite Chelseas forwards again lacking a cutting edge up front. Armani Watts Super Bowl Jersey . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. http://www.officialkcchiefspro.com/Harrison-butker-chiefs-jersey/ . 10 Texas A&Ms offence dominated as usual against SMU. Breeland Speaks Super Bowl Jersey . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. Demarcus Robinson Super Bowl Jersey . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. LUCERNE, Switzerland -- Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and missed a penalty in Portugals 4-1 win over Latvia in World Cup qualifying on Sunday, but the European champion still trails group leader Switzerland.Switzerland kept its 100 percent record with a fourth straight win but was often labored in beating the Faeroe Islands 2-0.Goals in each half from recalled forward Eren Derdiyok and captain Stephan Lichtsteiner were enough on a rain-swept evening.The Swiss stay three points ahead of Portugal, due to its victory when the teams played in September to open the qualifying program.Ronaldo, who missed that game in Switzerland, has scored seven of Portugals 16 goals in three games since.Against Latvia, Ronaldo opened the scoring with a 28th-minute spot kick, then saw his penalty in the 59th hit the left-hand post and bounce away off the goalkeepers legs.Latvia levelled through substitute Arturs Zjuzins in the 67th before Portugal substitute Ricardo Quaresmas crosses let William Carvalho restore the lead with a header and Ronaldo make the win safe with a volley. Defender Bruno Alves added a fourth in stoppage time.Earlier, third-placed Hungary beat Andorra 4-0.Switzerland has seemed to ease off against the group outsiders since startiing with impressive wins against its two closest rivals.ddddddddddddStill, the Swiss were seldom threatened and also struck the frame of the goal in each half against the Faeroe Islands, who lost 6-0 at home to Portugal last month.Derdiyok showed high-class technique to open the scoring in the 27th minute, taking a long lofted ball from Valon Behrami with a controlling first touch. He then struck a low left-foot shot past goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen.It was the 11th goal of Derdiyoks 56-match international career which has only rarely fulfilled the 28-year-old forwards early promise.Admir Mehmedis shot struck a post in the 78th five minutes before Lichtsteiner sealed the three points. The veteran right-back advanced deep into the penalty area to meet left-back Ricardo Rodriguezs cross with a bouncing header.In Budapest, Hungary captain Balazs Dzudzsak created first-half goals for 37-year-old Zoltan Gera and Adam Lang. Adam Gyursco and Adam Szalai added late goals.Hungary has seven points from four matches, and next travels to play Portugal in March. Then, Switzerland will be favored to beat Latvia at home. ' ' '