ween the countries at tournaments, starting with a goalless draw at the 1962 World Cup in Chile, Germany has won none. Now Germans call Italy their Angstgegner or feared opponent.But Loew believes Saturdays game in Bordeaux will be very close and the outcome is relatively open.Germany can take hope fr

TORONTO -- Pavel Datsyuks North American magic show had one final act.Months after deciding to leave the NHL and go home to Russia, the Detroit Red Wings great showed off his fanciful skillset one last time on this side of the ocean at the World Cup of Hockey. A lower-body injury may have cut his tournament short but not before another remarkable performance against players 15 to 20 years younger.Datsyuks legs arent what they used to be at age 38, but he was a difference maker killing penalties and keeping up with the pace of a lightning-fast end-to-end victory against Team North America that helped Russia advance. He missed Russias round-robin finale Thursday against Finland and was scratched again from the lineup Saturday night against Canada.Datsyuk left a lasting memory on the NHL, especially to his peers who appreciate his play the most from watching him up close.Oh, hes unbelievable, said Russian star Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins. You do not see much what he (can) do because hes so professional. Hes (the) most professional Ive ever seen.Datsyuk had 314 goals and 604 assists in 953 games for the Red Wings over 14 seasons. But his play with the puck is more memorable than the points he scored with it, so much so that Apples virtual assistant, Siri, used to recognize Datsyuk as the magic man.Mike Babcock, who coached Datsyuk in Detroit before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs, said the Russian was a pleasure to be around and someone he learned a lot from. Babcock, whos coaching Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews with Canada for a third time, knows Datsyuk wasnt as prodigious as those stars who were elite as teenagers but said he made a major impact when he entered the NHL at age 21.His span, I dont know how many years it was, in my opinion he was the best forward in hockey in that time, Babcock said Thursday. Lots of people would say somebody else scored more points. He was the best player in hockey up front for a period of time with and without the puck.Datsyuk made it look as if he had the puck on a string and was among the best at knocking it away from opponents. Four times he won the Lady Byng Trophy awarded to the player who exemplifies sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of ability.That standard hasnt faded. Russia coach Oleg Znarok said in Datsyuks case, age doesnt matter.He is responsible for a lot of roles on our team like penalty kill, he said through an interpreter. Definitely one of the best players.Datsyuk signed with SKA St. Petersburg to finish his playing career in Russias Kontinental Hockey League. He has great respect from the games top players, and those who played with him understand that the most.Talking with guys on (the U.S.) team and guys that Ive come across, (they know) just how good he is with the puck and his takeaways, former Red Wings teammate Justin Abdelkader said. He practices every day. A lot of people dont see, but hes always playing after games, small-area games or 1-on-1 with players. It just shows his commitment and how good he is.As exciting as watching Datsyuk in games has been for fans for over a decade, Abdelkader isnt the only player in awe of his practice habits. Russian teammate Vladislav Namestnikov called Datsyuk unreal and figures hell get better just from soaking in how his elder prepares for games in the gym and after practice.Injuries have hampered Datsyuk and he was traded at the draft -- to the Arizona Coyotes to give Detroit cap relief. Hes on the Coyotes roster this season despite playing in the KHL, where he already has seven points in six games.Datsyuk leaving with one year left on his contract may have rubbed some people the wrong way, but Babcock points out it happened for the right reason.Age catches up to all of us, Babcock said. But hes still an effective player and hes chosen to go home to be around his family and thats good for Pavel.---Follow Stephen Whyno on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SWhyno . Rashaan Gaulden Jersey . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. Sam Mills Jersey .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. http://www.cheappanthersjerseyssale.com/?tag=greg-olsen-jersey-sale . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. Trai Turner Jersey . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Dontari Poe Jersey . Now that hes hitting streaking teammates with pin-point passes for easy layups, Love is asserting himself as one of the true superstars in the league. EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France -- For Germany coach Joachim Loew, all of his countrys previous failures to beat Italy at a major tournament will count for nothing when the two sides meet on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the European Championship.We have no Italy-trauma, because its a different team now and there are always different factors at play, Loew said Tuesday at the teams tournament base at Evian-les-Bains.So I think nothing of things that are dragged in from the past. Its cold coffee. We prefer a fresh espresso. We have to make sure it tastes very good on Saturday.Loews biggest disappointment in almost 10 years in charge came in the semifinals four years ago, when Italy forward Mario Balotelli struck twice in Warsaw to knock his side out with a 2-1 defeat.The loss still hangs over the Germany coach, though he said it also helped him lead the side to World Cup success in Brazil in 2014.As a coach I thought about it. What happened? What mistakes were made? And for me personally, this loss -- which was painful, which hurt me very much -- it helped me in 2014 with certain decisions at the tournament. You can always make a mistake as a player or a coach. It was a good lesson for me, Loew said.Loew said he had devised a tactical plan to minimize Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlos influence on the game four years ago.The plan didnt work out and I have to take responsibility for that . On this day we didnt bring the performance that was required. I think in hindsight this helped us in 2014, the 56-year-old coach said.Loew was also present as assistant coach to Jurgen Klinsmann when Italy knocked Germany out of its home World Cup in 2006, after Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero scored in extra-time to end the German summer fairy tale in the semifinals..dddddddddddd.Of eight meetings between the countries at tournaments, starting with a goalless draw at the 1962 World Cup in Chile, Germany has won none. Now Germans call Italy their Angstgegner or feared opponent.But Loew believes Saturdays game in Bordeaux will be very close and the outcome is relatively open.Germany can take hope from its 4-1 friendly defeat of Italy in Munich on March 29. It was Germanys biggest win over its old rival and its first in more than 20 yearsWere not afraid of Italy. We have trust in our own performance levels and if we deliver them then we have good chances of winning the game, Loew said. Italy are at a top level with experienced players. They have a defense from Juventus that has played together for ages, they know each other blindfold. Itll be difficult.Italy impressed in with a disciplined and tenacious performance to eliminate two-time defending champion Spain with a 2-0 victory on Monday. Loew said he wasnt surprised by Italys progress.If you see how they defend, thats bread and butter for the Italians. They defend with nine or 10 men. They make the space so tight that even Spain, an outstanding team with the ball, cant find a way through at times, he said.Italy were written off before the tournament, the Germany coach said. Nobody believed in the Italians. I knew they had qualities and strengths. People said the Italians were too old, that the Italians only valued their defense. The truth is different. They have a team built on experience, class and defensive basis. Those are the foundations to win a tournament but you also have to score points in offense. Now they can do that too. 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