EDMONTON -- McGill Martlets coach Peter Smith laughs when asked if he feels like an underdog, as his powerhouse womens hockey team enters this years CIS championships ranked No. http://www.authenticbuccaneersshop.com/Austin-Seferian-Jenkins-Buccaneers-Jersey . 2 behind Wilfrid Laurier. "No, not really," Smith said. "Were primed and ready to go. Were pretty excited." Smiths Martlets have more reason than most not to be intimidated when the Canadian Interuniversity Sport championships begin Thursday in Edmonton. McGill has won the CIS womens title three of the last four years (2008, 2009, 2011) and has been in the final for five straight years. In addition to the top-seeded Golden Hawks, another challenge could come from veteran Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser and the third-seeded Calgary Dinos. But Smith says the Martlets are focused on what they need to do and not on the opposition. "Our team is of a nature theyre not going to spend a whole lot of time spectating," he said. "Theyre going to spend a lot of time playing and working hard and I think were a difficult team to play against and thats what well be when we go out there and play Calgary." The University of Prince Edward Island Panthers are seeded fourth after their upset win over Mount Allison in the Atlantic Conference title game. The host Alberta Pandas are ranked fifth, followed by the Montreal Carabins. Wilfrid Laurier won its lone CIS title in 2005. But the Golden Hawks enter with a CIS-best 25-0-1 regular-season record and are 34-1-2 overall against other CIS teams. Thats in large part to the scoring talent of Tammy Frieburger and Laura Brooker, who had 30 points apiece over the 26-game regular season. "There are six good teams here and everybody is going to have to play three real strong games to be successful," Smith said. The Martlets are also missing one of their best forwards. Katia Clement-Heydra suffered a season-ending injury in the third game of the Quebec semifinals. "Shes a great player and shes certainly a top-six forward for us," says Smith. "Well miss her but well have to forge on." While the Martlets are backstopped by two-time Olympic gold medallist Charline Labonte, Smith does acknowledge that the team is in a bit of a building phase. "We have seven first-year players on the team and we have six second-year players on the team, so thats 13 of our 24 players are in their first or second year," he said. "Thats a good thing. I think we have a good mix of experience and youth." Wilfrid Laurier will open play against Montreal. McGill will meet Calgary later Thursday. Kadeem Edwards Kids Jersey . -- Jay Heaps is the new coach of the New England Revolution, the MLS team he played nine seasons for as a defender. authenticbuccaneersshop.com/Kadeem-Edwards-Buccaneers-Jersey . -- Down to 10 men and behind on the scoreboard, Toronto FC displayed its perseverance.NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Pelicans say starting point guard Jrue Holiday has undergone surgery for a stress fracture in his right tibia and will miss the rest of the season. The club says Fridays surgery was successful. Holiday, a former Eastern Conference All-Star acquired from Philadelphia last summer, has not played because of the shin injury since Jan. 8. In 34 games playeed for the Pelicans this season, Holiday has averaged 14. Austin Seferian-Jenkins Womens Jersey. .3 points, 7.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game in 33.6 minutes. The Pelicans disclosed Holidays condition a few hours before playing in Phoenix on Friday night. Holiday joins starting centre Jason Smith and high-scoring forward Ryan Anderson as Pelicans regulars missing the rest of the season. ' ' '
