MINSK, Belarus - Thats more of what everyone expected from Team Canada. Not just the three goals in seven minutes in the third period, but a better effort in a 4-1 victory over Slovakia on Saturday at the world hockey championship than Canada showed in a stunning shootout loss to France. "Our team was much better tonight than it was last night for longer periods of time," coach Dave Tippett said. "We were harder on the forecheck, harder at the net. ... We put a lot of pressure on that veteran group today to make sure this gets done tonight and thats why its good to see the guys do it." That veteran group was led by Joel Ward, who scored twice, and Cody Hodgson and Kevin Bieksa, who each scored once in a game that was tied 1-1 until early in the third period. Those players arent seasoned internationally, but theyve been part of plenty of NHL games and came up big when Canada was in danger of losing two straight to start this tournament for the first time since pro players started going in 1977. A lack of familiarity between teammates contributed to the loss in the opener and there was some disjointed play early on against Slovakia. But Hodgson doesnt think that should be an excuse or that the expectations should be lowered for this Team Canada. "Its not something that were used to, losing, especially early on," he said. "Were Canadian hockey players and thats what we were born to do. It shouldnt take too long to get accustomed to each other." It will take some more time before things are perfect on that front, but its a process that will continue with Mondays game against the Czech Republic and beyond. Tippett sees improvement shift-by-shift. "The players, youre starting to find rhythms, find roles," he said. "They know when theyre going out there, they know situations that they play in. So they get more comfortable, they get more comfortable with the team game." One way to make Canadas team game work is to simply play five-on-five. Through two games, this team hasnt given up a goal at even strength, but after bad penalties against France, another parade to the penalty box led to Karol Slobodas power-play goal at 12:24 of the second period. Canada took three penalties in the second period, which was again problematic. "Its definitely a different game," Ward said. "It took us adjusting for sure. Its a different style. Were not used to the wide rink." What Canadian hockey players are used to doing on the international stage is putting up goals in bunches. Ward tied the score at 1 at the 17:24 mark of the second by tipping Jason Garrisons shot past Czech goaltender Jan Laco, and his first goal in a Team Canada jersey provided a spark. Hodgson scored what turned out to be the game-winner 7:07 into the third period, taking a pass from Nazem Kadri and beating Laco with a perfect shot from between the faceoff circles. Bieksa piled on with a goal that tipped up and over Laco and in at 17:56, then Ward put the icing on at 18:49. "I think we started to get a few bounces," Tippett said. "We had some great chances early, didnt capitalize. Its nice to see things even out in the end. It gives players confidence. Everybody worked hard tonight. Its good to see players get rewarded, even though it was late." It took until the third period before this Team Canada could breathe easy, but once Laco started wearing down and goaltender Ben Scrivens stayed strong in making 23 saves on 24 shots, the floodgates opened to make it look like more of a lopsided game than it really was. "I dont think were going to blow teams out," Scrivens said. "This was a tighter game than the score showed, but we stuck with it and thats what were going to have to do all tournament, I think." By the end, Canada was having fun after a night in which it dealt with plenty of jeers from a mostly pro-Slovak crowd at Chizhovka-Arena. "Any time youre winning, its always a good time," Ward said. "Regardless if youre up by one or two or four, youre excited to be winning." NOTES — Scrivens started the second game of the tournament as planned after James Reimer played against France based on seniority. ... Sean Monahan played more in the first two periods than he did the entire game against France as he split time with Mark Scheifele as the fourth-line centre. Follow @SWhyno on Twitter Custom Carolina Panthers Jerseys . Re-signed by the club to a one-year, two-way (NHL/AHL) contract on July 5, Bass appeared in three preseason games with Columbus prior to breaking a bone in his hand on Sept. Cheap Carolina Panthers Jerseys Online . "Im not doing enough to help them," Durant told The Oklahoman on Monday of his 28-9 team. "Im shooting too much. Im shooting too many threes. Im not helping them out at all. http://www.cheappanthers.com/ . Still, Encarnacion felt a sense of relief. He felt a pop just before crumpling to the ground after running out a groundball in the first inning of Saturdays game. It could have been worse. “Its going to take maybe two weeks,” said Encarnacion. “It depends how Im going to be and how Im going to be day after day, feeling better or not. Carolina Panthers Jerseys Outlet . -- A deflected pass that landed in DeSean Jacksons hands. Carolina Panthers Jerseys China . His Brazilian opponents said he produced miracles. There is no doubt that Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was the one responsible for spoiling Brazils hopes of another World Cup victory at its home tournament.Will Yorkshire win the County Championship for a third season in a row? We asked Sky Sports experts Bob Willis, David Fulton and Mark Butcher whether they think Jason Gillespies men will rule four-day cricket again or if another team will prevent the Tyes from going back-to-back-to-back.Our pundits have also predicted who will drop into Division Two, who will be promoted, and which sides will land this terms limited-overs trophies, plus they gave us tips on which batters and bowlers to look out for...BOB WILLISCounty Championship winners: Yorkshire - they are the best all-round side by far and will make it three in a row.Relegated: Somerset and Lancashire - Somersets bowling is not strong enough and neither, with Ashwell Prince retiring, is Lancashires batting.Division Two champions: Worcestershire - some shrewd overseas recruits will see the Pears continue to yo-yo between the divisions.T20 Blast champions: Birmingham Bears - they are excellent in short-form cricket with guys like Rikki Clarke and Jeetan Patel. James Taylor and Notts will win the One-Day Cup, says Bob Royal London One-Day Cup champions: Nottinghamshire - with Alex Hales, Michael Lumb and Samit Patel, they are long overdue some one-day success.Batsman to watch: Joe Weatherley - I like the look of this young Hampshire batsman and hope he gets a run in the side.Bowler to watch: Mason Crane - Weatherleys county colleague is a super leg-spinning prospect who should go from strength to strength. Brendon McCullum will play limited-overs cricket for Middlesex this term Best overseas signing: Brendon McCullum - the Middlesex mans international days are over but he has plenty to offer any team.DAVID FULTONCounty Championship winners: Warwickshire - they have Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott to shore up the top order and a formidable bowling attack of Chris Woakes, Keith Barker, Chris Wright and Boyd Rankin followed by Patel and Clarke. Yorkshire are favourites but three in a row is hard to do. Will Warwickshire seamer Chris Woakes win the Championship this season? Relegated: Lancashire and Durham - these are two very good sides but this is the toughest Division One Ive seen. Lancashire will miss Prince, while Durham might find themselves inserted a lot at home under the new toss rules on pitches which traditionally do a bit early on.Division Two champions: Sussex - they have a lot of pedigree with players used to playing in Division One. Im backing them to go straight back up, although Essex will push them close.T20 Blast champions: Somerset - With Chris Gayle and Mahela Jayawardene as overseas players and James Allenby, Peter Trego and Craig Overton offering their all-round skills, plus James Hildreth, Roelof van der Merwe and Yasir Arafat in tow, this team is dyynamic in the extreme.dddddddddddd David Fulton is backing James Vince and Hampshire for silverware Royal London One-Day Cup champions: Hampshire - James Vince is a popular captain and will lead from the front again, while the coming-of-age Liam Dawson and Adam Wheater will be backed up by senior pros Sean Ervine and Michael Carberry and new signing Reece Topley.Batsman to watch: Daniel Bell-Drummond - the Kent star could be ready to open in Tests alongside Alastair Cook come the Pakistan series. He is good enough to cement a spot, too, as he is strong off the back foot, technically sound and has a good mind. Bell-Drummond targets the top Kent star wants promotion and England call-up Bowler to watch: Mark Footitt - it will be fascinating to see how he steps up to Division One cricket with Surrey after switching from Derbyshire. If Footitt takes wickets on flat Oval pitches an England Test bow is still a possibility but time is running out.Best overseas signing: Matt Henry - if the seamer stays fit he could be a real handful early season in Division Two and propel Worcestershires promotion charge. For the T20 Blast, look no further than Gayle. He is loved in Somerset and smashed it all over Taunton last year.MARK BUTCHERCounty Championship winners: Yorkshire - its hard to look beyond the reigning champions, though I do think they will be pushed by Warwickshire.Relegated: Lancashire and Somerset - like, Bob, I think the formers batting and the latters bowling are a tad weak.Division Two champions: Sussex - they have a strong squad, with Ross Taylor around early season, and fresh management, too. Will Luke Wright captain Sussex back into Division One? T20 Blast champions: Surrey - Jason Roy will lead a quality batting attack and there is power in the bowling as well.Royal London One-Day Cup champions: Warwickshire - Ian Bell will add middle-order class to an excellent bowling attack.Batsman to watch: Rory Burns - the Surrey man is a tough and talented opening batsman. He will continue to grow this year. Keep an eye on Rory Burns, says Butch Bowler to watch: Mason Crane - leg-spinners are a very useful commodity and Hampshire have a really good one.Best overseas signing: Dwayne Bravo - he bowls excellent slower balls, hits boundaries and takes catches. Surrey will benefit in the T20 Blast. 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