Vorstellung » is fancied by Charlie

EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Oilers returned to the ice Wednesday after 12 days off for the Olympic break, several of them with red faces either from sun tanning or the hard bike riding that was part of the mini training camp/conditioning session they were put through. "It feels a lot shorter than it was," said veteran defenceman Andrew Ference, who spent part of the break with his family in Canmore, Alta., visiting former Olympians Thomas Grandi and Sara Renner. "But its a really good chance to get rid of all the little aches and pains." Ference said it has to be remembered that with back-to-back condensed seasons - last year because of the lockout - players need the break both mentally and physically. "The last calendar year I think I played 110 or 120 games, so its a much welcomed break." It was a break that came with the Oilers suddenly having found their game in the midst of another disastrous, non-playoff season. They went into the Olympic break having won five of their previous seven games - one of the losses was in overtime - and outscoring their opponents 18-12. Their previous 10 games before the break - the statistic the NHL keeps - showed them at 5-3-2, a record that put them in the middle of the pack, unlike the 29th place they are in with their overall record of 20-33-7. "It is tough from that aspect," forward Jordan Eberle said of the untimely break. "Some of the GMs around the league have been complaining, some of the teams were going well and then you get this break. Its almost like a new season starting. "But, for me personally, I feel you get re-energized, with a little more jump and a little more excitement to play, like you did in camp. I feel really energized and ready to play." Like many of the players, Eberle took a vacation away from the game, away from Edmonton and away from winter. But not away from working out. "Yeah I went away but I definitely worked out," he added. "I knew today was going to be a tough day. It was just a bit of a skate but most of the stuff was in the gym and it was tough." Ference said the players were put through a tough physical that included a hard bike ride but said everybody looked fine. "Nobody was puking." Veteran Ryan Smyth said it would have been nice to be playing in the Olympics again, but he appreciated the great family time he had in Mexico. And as a player turning 38 on Friday, he said "any time you get some rest for the body to recuperate, it will really help." While players made sure they stayed physically active and in shape, they were able to mentally turn off the game and enjoy some rare family time. "Your mind is a little off on vacation so you give yourself a break there," said Eberle, second on the Oilers scoring with 45 points. "But as far as your body you have to make sure youre still able to come back and play 22 games. So everyone took their mind away from the game, which is a good thing. "I went on vacation somewhere hot and your mind is so out of it that you think, wow, I have to come back and play hockey? But as soon as you get to Edmonton, see the snow on the ground, it changes pretty quickly. I got on the ice, felt pretty excited to get back. Its almost like a new season here." The Oilers resume play Feb. 27 at home against the Minnesota Wild. 20:11ET 19-02-14 Authentic NCAA Jerseys . Maximilian Arnold put Wolfsburg ahead in the eighth minute, when the stationary Fallou Diagne allowed him to guide Patrick Ochs cross beyond the helpless Freiburg goalkeeper, and Ivica Olic doubled the lead three minutes later after Luiz Gustavo did well to set him up. Wholesale College Jerseys . -- Get a flow chart ready to follow the Packers quarterback situation. https://www.cheapncaajerseysjustwholesale.com/. Klein went undrafted in the NFL last year following his senior season with the Wildcats. He was invited to the Houston Texans rookie camp, but was not offered a contract. Cheap NCAA Jerseys .com) - The Los Angeles Dodgers made it official Tuesday and signed pitcher Brandon McCarthy to a four-year contract. NCAA Jerseys For Sale . Malone will become an unrestricted free-agent and as per the collective bargaining agreement, the Lightning will be responsible for two-thirds of the remainder of his contract over twice the length of the rest of the deal.Eric Dier is set to return for England when they face Slovenia in their latest World Cup qualifier on Tuesday evening. The Tottenham midfielder missed the 2-0 win over Malta at Wembley with a hamstring injury, as Gareth Southgate secured a maiden win as interim boss.Captain Wayne Rooney, who played in a deep-lying midfield role on Saturday, has been dropped to the bench, allowing Dier to partner Jordan Henderson, who will captain the team. Slovenia, who lost twice to England in Euro 2016 Qualifying, go into the game on the back of a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over Slovakia. England interim manager Gareth Southgate says Jordan Hendersons experience as Liverpool captain made him the stand out candidate to replace Wayne Rooney But coach Srecko Katanec wants his men to approach the game in measured fashion.I warned the guys against too much euphoria are the Slovakia result, he said. You cannot compare the two teams; England has a lot more quality in every way. The team functions very well and we expect a tough match in every aspect.England have very quick players and very fast in transition from defence to attack. But we dont need to be afraid of the game or afraid to lose. The guys are unburdened.Team newsDier and Danny Rose start in the two changes to Englands side in Slovenia, according to Sky sources.Dier replaces Rooney in midfield, while Rose comes in for left-back Ryan Bertrand, who was injured during Saturdays win over Malta.Team: Hart, Walker, Stones, Cahill, Rose, Dier, Henderson, Alli, Lingard, Walcott, Sturridge. England interim manager Gareth Southgate drops Wayne Rooney and promotes Jordan Henderson to captain side against Slovenia Opta statsThis will be the fifth contest between these two nations, with England winning all previous four matches.In Englands last meeting with Slovenia back in June 2015; Jack Wilshere scored twwice for the Three Lions.ddddddddddddeven of Englands nine goals against Slovenia have arrived in the second half, including the last six in a row.Slovenia have only lost one of their last nine qualifying games at home (W6 D2), although that lost did come against the Three Lions in June 2015. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. England have lost only one of their last 15 away internationals (W9 D5) - 0-2 vs Spain in November 2015.Slovenia have scored in three of their four previous matches against England.The Three Lions have won their last 14 qualifying games, and are unbeaten in their last 31 qualifiers overall (W24 D7).England have had 87 shots (inc. blocks) over their last four international games, scoring four goals in the process.England have kept clean sheets in six of their last seven away qualifying matches, but conceded twice in the other to Slovenia in June 2015.Charlies predictionIt wasnt a glorious performance against Malta but did anybody really expect it to be an exciting game? I thought it should have been four or five but Malta never came out to play. Wayne Rooney say he respects England interim manager Gareth Southgates decision to drop him to the bench against Slovenia We know Slovenia are technically decent but have they got enough to take on the big teams? Im not sure. Its a similar one to the Slovakia game and youd hope, being the home side, that they try to win the game.This is one of those games where youll create a few chances, take one and leave with the points but if Southgate is bold enough to stick with the forwards that he picked against a Malta then I think theyll win by more than goal and actually get more of a cut through with Theo Walcotts pace away if its more of an open game.Charlie predicts: 0-2 and Walcott to score first (22/1 with Sky Bet)BettingEngland can be backed at 4/6 with Sky Bet to maintain their 100 per cent record in this qualification period while Slovenia are 19/4 shots to cause an upset. Theo Walcott is fancied by Charlie Nicholas to score If you fancy a repeat of Saturdays win for England, Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli both to score has been boosted from 7/1 to 8/1 while Rooney to score off the bench in an England victory is 11/4.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! ' ' '