nk about it, he would respond differently. For us, its a dead issue. I

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 Ron-Thorben Hoffmann Bayern Munich Jersey .com) - Will Conant booted a 39-yard field goal as time expired and Air Force played spoiler with a 27-24 win over 21st- ranked Colorado State on Friday. Niklas Dorsch Jersey . Kripps, of Summerland, B.C., and Edmontons Barnett used a terrific second run to move up two spots, putting the Canadian duo in medal contention with the final two runs set for Monday (11:15 a.m. ET, streaming live at cbc. http://www.soccerfcbayernshop.com/kids-jan-kirchhoff-bayern-munich-jersey/ .com) - Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau has been selected as the NHLs Rookie of the Month for December, the league announced Friday. Thomas Muller Bayern Munich Jersey . Donald Young lost in straight sets to Israels Dudi Sela 6-3, 6-0. Querrey, ranked No. 61, is the second-highest ranked American, ahead of Johnson (64). Sinan Kurt Bayern Munich Jersey .L. - Defending womens champion Alberta improved to 3-0 at the Canadian junior curling championships with a 10-3 win over Ontario in Sundays afternoon draw.NEW YORK -- Boston pitcher Brandon Workman appealed a six-game suspension imposed by Major League Baseball on Tuesday for throwing near the head of Tampa Bay star Evan Longoria last week. Workman can play until the appeal process is complete, and was expected to make his scheduled start Wednesday night against the Cleveland Indians. The penalty, which also included a fine, was announced by MLB Senior Vice-President Joe Garagiola Jr. Workmans high-and-tight pitch came after the teams had been warned about further trouble. "That was ascertained in the video. Thus, I think thats appropriate," Rays manager Joe Maddon said before Tuesday nights game at Miami. Red Sox first baseman Mike Carp was hit on the arm Friday by a fourth-inning pitch from Tampa Bay ace David Price, who also plunked slugger David Ortiz on the hip in the first inning -- triggering umpires to issue warnings to both teams. The fact Workman was disciplined and Price wasnt did not sit well with the Red Sox and Ortiz in particular, who again criticized the Rays ace prior to Tuesdays game against the Indians. "I dont think what theyre doing is fair," Ortiz said. "I think the rules should be for everybody. We didnt start this up. I didnt hit nobody. Workman didnt hit anybody in the first inning. He did." Ortiz was critical of Price following that game and didnt back down from those comments Tuesday when news of Workmans suspension reached Bostons clubhouse. "Im not going to get hit again," Ortiz said.dddddddddddd"Not by him. He did it on purpose. He punked me and thats very disrespectful. Im a grown man. Ive been around the league for a long time and I know how to take care of business on my own." Said Maddon: "Papi and I have had a pretty good relationship in the past. Sometimes commentary oversteps and overreaches." "Id like to believe if he had more of an opportunity to think about it, he would respond differently. For us, its a dead issue. I want us to move it along and just play baseball," he said. Red Sox manager John Farrell, who was ejected from Fridays game, took a diplomatic approach. "All you can do is put forth your best efforts to state a case that we were directly involved with, and whats done is done," he said. "Theres an appeal thats going to take place. I know we presented our case in response to the discussions and what was being talked about with MLB." After being hit Carp glared out at the mound, shouting and pointing at Price, but was restrained by Rays catcher Jose Molina as players from both teams charged out of the dugouts and bullpens. There was some pushing and shoving, but no punches were thrown. Workman threw a high pitch in the sixth behind Longoria, who was visibly upset. Longoria and Boston catcher A.J. Pierzynski had a conversation at home plate, and a handful of players from both dugouts ventured a few steps onto the field, but no trouble ensued. Workman was ejected. ' ' '