hen he left $77 million on his New Jersey Devils contract to go to the KHL

LILLEHAMMER, Norway -- Alex Harvey was the top Canadian on Saturday, finishing 16th in the 15-kilometre event at a cross-country skiing World Cup event. Harvey, from St-Ferreol-les-Neiges, Que., finished the Nordic track filled with steeps climbs and fast descents in 35 minutes 50.2 seconds. "This is heavy racing right now being an Olympic year. Many of the Norwegians, Swedes and Russians are all fighting for spots at the Games so are skiing extremely fast," said Justin Wadsworth, the head coach of Canadas cross-country ski team. "Right now there is no Olympic pressure on us so we need to keep calm and stay focused on the process because you dont want to be going this hard this early in the game." Norways Paul Golberg won the mens classic ski race with a time of 35:00.0. Alexey Poltoranin of Kazakhstan skied to the silver medal time at 35:14.2. Norways Didrik Toenseth was third in 35:15.5. Ivan Babikov of Canmore, Alta., placed 35th at 36:23.6, Devon Kershaw (37:03.7) of Sudbury, Ont., finished 56th and Jesse Cockney (37:44.2) of Canmore, Alta., was 68th. "Obviously we are hoping for a bit better, but it is coming slowly," said Wadsworth. "This is all normal where nobody is feeling very good coming off such a high volume of training. It is just the way it is and we have to be patient." No Canadian women suited up on Saturday. Polands Justyna Kowalczyk won the womens 10-kilometre classic ski race with a time of 25:59.4. Kowalczyk finished 12.4 seconds ahead of Charlotte Kalla of Sweden. More impressively, Kowalczyk beat triple Olympic champion Marit Bjoergen of Norway by 25.6 seconds to send an early message ahead of the Sochi Games. Bjoergen finished third ahead of fellow Norwegian Therese Johaug. "My skis were perfect today and I was really good," the Polish skier said. "Its a really good feeling." 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With the final four being arguably the four best – and most complete – teams from the regular season, picking a winner is not as easy as it sounds. Cheap Air Force 1 China . TSN2 December 18 Knicks at Bulls 8pm et/5pm pt TSN2 December 18 Thunder at Warriors 10:30pm et/7:30pt TSN2 December 21 Pacers at Timberwolves 7pm et/4pm pt. TSN2 December 23 Timberwolves at Cavaliers 7pm et/4pm pt TSN2 December 25 Wizards at Knicks 12pm et/9am pt TSN December 25 Thunder at Spurs 2:30pm et/11:30pt TSN December 25 Cavaliers at Heat 5pm et/2pm pt TSN December 25 Lakers at Bulls 8pm et/5pm pt TSN December 25 Warriors at Clippers 10:30pm et/7:30pt TSN NBA on TSN - January Date Game Time Network January 1 Kings at Timberwolves 8pm et/5pm pt TSN2 January 3 Jazz at Timberwolves 8pm et/5pm pt TSN2 January 5 Nuggets at Timberwolves 8pm et/5pm pt TSN2 January 7 Rockets at Cavaliers 7pm et/4pm pt TSN January 7 Suns at Timberwolves 9:30pm et/6:30 pt. 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Russia would like to have Ovechkin carry the torch after it is lit in Greece on Sept. 29. That would be a tight fit -- because its only two days before the Capitals open the regular season at Chicago. "We just have to find a plane," Ovechkin said Tuesday. Ovechkin said his agent is working with the organizers of the Sochi Games to figure out the logistics. He joked he could "take some medicine" to sleep while flies back and forth across the Atlantic. It helps that the Capitals arent scheduled to practice on Sept. 29, but hell want to be back in time join his teammates on the ice the next day for their final skate before travelling to Chicago. "Its a huge honour for me," Ovechkin said. "Im very proud the Russian federation asked me to do that. ... Its only a once in your life opportunity to carry the torch and represent your country." The Sochi Olympics have stoked a passion in Ovechkin -- he has said he would have played in them even if the NHL hadnt worked out a deal to interrupt the season -- but he was diplomatic about his dual goals as he reunited with his Capitals teammates ahead of Thursdays opening of training camp. He wants to win the first Olympic title for Russian players since a "Unified Team" of former Soviet republics took gold in Albertville in 1992, and he wants to win a Stanley Cup with Washington after several seasons after early-round flameouts in the playoffs. Ovechkin said the Olympics are "huge," but hhe stressed that the Capitals are important as well.dddddddddddd As far as trying to peak for both events -- Olympics in February and NHL playoffs starting in April -- he said hell have to be smart and listen to his coaches and trainer. Theres been speculation whether Ovechkin would return to Russia for good to play for Dynamo Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League. Countryman Ilya Kovalchuk stunned the NHL in July when he left $77 million on his New Jersey Devils contract to go to the KHL. Ovechkin would make a similar financial hit: His 13-year, $124 million contract with the Capitals runs through 2021. "The answer is, like, Im here, I have a contract," Ovechkin said. "It was very enjoyable to hear president of Dynamo and GM wants me to sign, and be honest with you, I love Dynamo, its my first team and I play (there) when it was (NHL) lockout. But I have a contract. So I have to play here and I respect my teammates, I respect my fans, and all that kind of stuff. Thats about it." Ovechkin said hes recovered from the hairline fracture in his left foot, suffered when he blocked a shot in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the New York Rangers. He played in Game 7 the next night and represented Russia for one game at the world championship before the injury was diagnosed. Hes also looking forward to a full season under Capitals coach Adam Oates, who rallied the club to a playoff berth after a horrific start in a lockout-shortened campaign. "Last year we have only like a half-season," Ovechkin said. "And you could see the success we have at the end." ' ' '