We have already seen how Petr Cech has the broken nose pushed him closer to total transformation into Darth Vaderare, but whether he actually in the Czech Republic Euro 2012 play-off against Montenegro remained can play. So, during the training of Thursday, Cech strapped to his helmet and his new protective mask and tested it out pretty much the only way he could. By having thrown balls on his face.

SoccernetOf:

“It’s a bit unusual, but I used to play ice hockey when I was a kid, so I had wires for my eyes and I never minded that,” said Cech. “[In education] threw them a ball of a meter on it and the only evil like they had touched the nose.

“If I considered all the risks, I would not have to come here. There are things in the game that you can’t influence. If I hit, I will get hit “.

And with that, he declared himself fit to play.

Cech has an impressive Ivan Drago (“if he dies, he dies.”) level of detached firmness on this. Between this and skull fracture, no question we can ever Darth Petr the toughness.

Photo: Getty

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Ken Kris RussellHitchcock loves him some(notes).

Displays tracked back when hitch Columbus Blue Jackets was the coaching and Russell a rookie defender was, as chronicled by the delicious Gare Joyce on Scouts honor:

“(Russell) is just a good player. I don’t care (about) height and weight, they just don’t come around often similar … The thing that everyone is concerned about is how he goes to the traffic and the size. But because he was such an excellent positioning, he deals with it without a problem … His stick positioning is something that takes you years to learn. “

Hitchcock St. Louis Blues is now the coaching and his former players, apparently poaching: The Blues Nikita Nikitintraded 25-year-old Defender(comments) for Russell on Thursday night Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet. , per

After years of waiting Russell to break out as a puck-moving Defender, saw James Wisniewskibrought the Blue Jackets in(notes) Grant Clitsome,(notes) emergence and rookie Dave Savard have lurking in the AHL. The Blues, meanwhile, add some speed and a left-handed shot to their blueline. He is signed through 2013.

As for Nikitin … Well, Aaron Portzline of Puck-Rakers sounds a little bit cynical:

Nikitin, 25, is a 6-3, 195 Pounder. The book about him is that he speaks little English, not much in the locker room and socialize on the power play is enough point. He has in 41 NHL games, 1-8-9 and a minus-4 rating. The Blues were willing to trade him because he a one-way contract worth $ 600,000, but was unable to hold a regular place in the lineup. In seven games this year, he has 0-0-0 and a minus-5.

There was a report that the Evgeni NabokovBlue Jackets were traded for(notes) New York Islandersof the, but that was unfounded; In addition, Arthur staples of Newsday writes that a no-trade clause, Nabby — he wants from Long Island, but he wants the Blue Jackets?

Steve Masonall this traces back to(notes), of course. In their 6-3 Chicago Blackhawks loss for the night on Thursday saw the jackets Mason (a) give the first goal and (b) Jonathan Toewsto give an incredible softy(notes) late in the first period to put the coats down 2-1 heading to the locker room.

This faux pas have become commonplace for Mason. The jackets had 25 goals in their last five games, specified and are now 2-12-1. Something must give, right?

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IP is over the quota
IP is over the quota

The Posadas as extras on a secret Sopranos movie? Nope. As mentioned in Thursday’s D12, Jorge and Laura Posada hosted their annual fundraiser in Manhattan on Wednesday night and the Six Flags guy actor/singer Dominic Chianese was there to provide some entertainment. Though Uncle Junior looks much happier than when he sung at Jackie Jr.’s funeral luncheon, the reactions of the Posadas look worried and strained. Despite our kidding, they do know that “The Sopranos” was just a show, right?

So have at it, amateur Internet copy editors of the world. How should this caption read?

Follow the jump for winners from the last C-a-C featuring Lance Berkman(notes):

Lance Berkman lends the Rams a hand

1st — Bschmn. “Is that a baseball in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?”

2nd — John Cann. “You guys might be bigger, but my team is better.”

3rd — Michael. “Hey Lance…your cup goes in the front … not on your hip”

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