VANCOUVER -- Kyle Wellwood is glad to be dodging verbal shots from his former Vancouver Canucks teammates instead of stray dogs in the streets of Moscow. [url=http://www.jerseyshopchiefsofficial.com/women-frank-zombo-chiefs-jersey-sale/]Frank Zombo Womens Jersey[/url] . "I didnt get chased by any, but they warn you," Wellwood said Sunday before the San Jose Sharks faced Vancouver in the opening game of the Western Conference final. "If youre driving your car, youll see 12 dogs running in a pack together in the city." Last fall, Wellwood was unwanted by Vancouver after two seasons there, as well as any other NHL club. So he opted to sign with Mytischi Atlant, a Kontinental Hockey League club based outside of Moscow. But Wellwood, criticized in the NHL for lackadaisical play, soon fell out of favour with the new coach at Atlant who replaced his fired predecessor. Wellwood, a native of Windsor, Ont., who turns 28 on Monday, quickly soured on life in Russia and looked to return to the NHL. He signed with the St. Louis Blues but first had to clear waivers because he began the season in Europe. That allowed San Jose to claim him. "It just ended up a lucky break and I ended up on San Jose," said Wellwood, who had eight points in 25 games in Russia while often being a healthy scratch. San Jose coach Todd McLellan said Wellwoods experience in Russia has inspired him. "Wellys been a very motivated young man since hes been with us," said McLellan. "His journey overseas, I dont think, went over very well. "Hes got a second lease on life here with our hockey club, and I think he wants to do well." Wellwood has also provided motivation to the Canucks. Even before the season started, a former teammate called Wellwood a "weasel" after Wellwood suggested the Canucks didnt have the mental fortitude necessary to excel in late playoff rounds. "I guess (trash talk) is starting," said Wellwood. "You certainly expect it from those guys. "Im probably going to hear a lot worse on the ice ... Theres going to be a lot of talk throughout the series, Im sure." McLellan said Wellwood has benefited from playing on a regular line the past three months. Normally a centre, he has found a home as a winger on San Joses third line with Joe Pavelski and Torrey Mitchell. "Weve slotted him into a position where we think hes comfortable," said McLellan. "Hes had some common linemates for about three months now. "They play very well together. Youd never think they would because theyre all right-handed shots (and) theyre all natural centre men. I dont know if theyre all really fast, but they just seem to have some type of chemistry -- and Wellys a huge part of that." Wellwood, a fan favourite during his days as a Canuck after starting his NHL career in Toronto, expects to face external pressure in this series but doesnt appear bothered by it. He did not expect to reach the Western Conference final for the first time in his career when he signed with St. Louis. "I was just trying to get a chance to play in the NHL," said Wellwood. "But that happens to a few players a year that catch a lucky break -- and here I am playing on a good team." As for the experience in Russia, Wellwood has had enough. "It was interesting," he said. "Its not something Id do again." % [url=http://www.jerseyshopchiefsofficial.com/women-paul-fanaika-chiefs-jersey-sale/]Paul Fanaika Youth Jersey[/url] . According to the Denver Post, Parker says he was pressured into fighting at the risk of losing his position on the team if he failed to do so. "He was a junior B goalie trying to tell me how to fight. [url=http://www.jerseyshopchiefsofficial.com/women-len-dawson-chiefs-jersey-sale/]Len Dawson Womens Jersey[/url] . The UFC announced Tuesday that light heavyweight Fabio Maldonado will move up a weight class to replace the injured dos Santos to take on Stipe Miocic on May 31 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. [url=http://www.jerseyshopchiefsofficial.com/women-sean-smith-chiefs-jersey-sale/]http://www.jerseyshopchiefsofficial.com/women-sean-smith-chiefs-jersey-sale/[/url] . On one of the memorable European nights at Old Trafford, Van Persie scored three times in a 27-minute span either side of halftime to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg. A slew of brilliant saves by David de Gea were also key to a famous win for the English champions -- and a vital one for their manager, David Moyes. MEMBERTOU, N.S. -- Mary Spencer says her toughest competitors are local. That will give her confidence heading to the Olympic womens boxing qualifying tournament after beating the best fighters Canada has to offer. Spencer, from Windsor, Ont., dominated the final two rounds in a 18-12 win over rival Ariane Fortin of Quebec City and won the 75-kilogram title at the Canadian boxing championships Friday. Spencer, who was in tough against the powerful Fortin early in the fight, used her superior footwork to take the third and fourth round and earn a spot at Mays world championships in China, which is also the Olympic qualifier. Womens boxing makes its debut at the 2012 London Games. "A lot of people look at this like its just a national championships to get to the Olympic qualifier, but it wasnt just that," Spencer said. "My toughest competitor (Fortin) is right here in Canada. A two-time world champion. Years ago looking at this tournament and this fight, I viewed it as a fight for an Olympic gold medal. "To win here means so much to me, but I have to stay focused and realize that gold medal doesnt come until August." Earlier, Mandy Bujold of Kitchener, Ont., claimed the 51-kilogram title when her opponent, Amanda Galle of Mississauga, Ont., failed the morning medical due to an injury. Spencer and Bujold help put the spotlight on womens boxing in Canada with gold-medal victories at the Pan-American Games in October. Spencer says the calibre of womens boxing in Canada is already high, and hopes the Pan-Am medals will help draw more athletes to the sport. "The fighters that we do have dedicate their lives to the sport," Spencer said. "Theyre not part-time boxers. Theyre not hobby fighters. Theyre boxers by trade, its their life. "We have a lot of depth in Canada and that was evident at the Pan-Am Games when we won two gold medals and a bronze. [url=http://www.jerseyshopchiefsofficial.com/women-chris-conley-chiefs-jersey-sale/]Chris Conley Chiefs Jersey[/url]. So its a great country for womens boxing, thats for sure." Spencer had to beat Fortin to avoid a rematch in Quebec next month for the Olympic qualifying berth. Early on Fortin had the advantage until Spencer started playing to her strengths. "In the first two rounds she fought more of Arianes fight where she stood with her and tried to bang ... but thats not really her game," said Spencers trainer Kara Ro. "She could do it, but shes very good on her feet, very good to stick-and-move. "We went back to the game plan and completely destroyed in the third round using what she knows best." Ro said that while there are tough fighters around the world, the most challenging opponents are Canadian. She said Spencers confidence will be high heading into the Olympic qualifier having already beat one of the best in Foritn. "The level that Marys going to be at by July, theyre not going to be able to touch her," Ro said. Earlier, Bujold booked her place at the Olympic qualifying tournament, even if it wasnt how she pictured herself getting there. "Its disappointing that I wont be able to defend my title in the finals but its part of the boxing game," Bujold said. "Anything can happen and it is out of my hands." Bujold defeated Andree Beauchesne of Quebec to reach the final. "Im glad I got to get into the ring (Thursday) night for the semifinals to show my skill. I came here to win and I think I proved that last night," Bujold said. "This was another stepping stone to make my Olympic dream a reality, and I am looking forward to preparing for China and claiming my spot at the 2012 Olympics." [url=http://www.wholesalejerseysdeals.us.com/]wholesale jerseys[/url] [url=http://www.cheapjerseysauthentic.us.com/]cheap jerseys[/url] [url=http://www.cheapauthenticjerseyschina.us.com/]cheap jerseys[/url] [url=http://www.cheapjerseysstitched.us.com/]cheap jerseys[/url] [url=http://www.wholesaleauthenticjerseys.us.com/]wholesale jerseys[/url] ' ' '