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MINSK, Belarus - Thats more of what everyone expected from Team Canada. Freddy Galvis Jersey . 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 Roy Halladay Blue Jays Jersey .The third-seeded Murray, who won here in 2009, will face seventh-seeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa next on the indoor hard court. George Bell Blue Jays Jersey . Tensions rose in the first period when Penguins defenceman Brooks Orpik hit Bruins forward Loui Eriksson with what appeared to be a clean hit. http://www.bluejaysonline.com/blue-jays-devon-travis-jersey/ . Neither player was available Saturday for the Knicks 107-98 loss in Atlanta. "Were going in a different direction and weve got to figure out another spot or two for our ballclub," coach Mike Woodson said before the game.TORONTO - They did not arrive with the hoopla of some of Toronto FCs off-season signings, but Luke Moore, Collen Warner and Dominic Oduro bring a smile to manager Ryan Nelsens face. "They are three brilliant trades," Nelsen said. "Those players have elevated us as a team to probably a next level. "We might not see that until four or five more games, but I think some of the quality of our play has been very good. You see it in training, see the levels have just got so much better and better." For Nelsen, no matter how good your designated players are — and with striker Jermain Defoe and midfielder Michael Bradley, Toronto has two excellent ones while the verdict is still out on Brazil forward Gilberto — a talented supporting cast is essential. A chock-a-block July schedule should allow Moore, Warner and Oduro to bed in with TFC. Toronto (6-5-3) has played two games already this month and has five more league games and a high-profile friendly with Tottenham left in July. Next up are the 5-10-3 Houston Dynamo, who visit BMO Field on tonight. The two meet again July 19 in Houston. The six points on offer are especially valuable given Toronto, despite having played four fewer games, holds a slim three-point edge over Houston in the Eastern Conference standings. Unlike Toronto, the Dynamo are enjoying a leisurely schedule in July with just four games. But Houston has been suspect on the road with a 1-7-1 record this season, scoring five goals while conceding 20. Thats two more than Toronto has in 14 games home and away. And Houston ranks worst in the league in goals allowed, averaging 1.89 a game. Toronto will likely have to make do Saturday without Bradley, who wanted to play immediately upon his return from the World Cup. Nelsen started the U.S. international last week, moving Bradley farther up the field in a revamped formation. "I look back and regret it," Nelsen said. "I tried to play Michael ahead of Brad (Orr) and Warner, more to save his legs. But after abound five minutes when he picked the ball off the centre-backs and was behind the centre-backs and started players, he just ended up going to what he knows and it kind of got us out of sync. "Too many guys doing very similar jobs. We changed it in the second half and it was more like us." Nelsen replaced Orr with Oduro at halftime and put Jonathan Osorio on for Bradley after 61 minutes. Nelsen kept Bradley out of training this week, allowing him to recover from a variety of niggling injuries and its expected the American star will watch from the sidelines Saturday. Orr will likely start in his place alongside Warner. On the plus side, Gilberto has returned to training from a hip flexor and is eligible for selection. The Brazilian will likely start on the bench with Moore partnering Defoe. "Me and JD, we enjoy playing with each other," said Moore. "We have good understanding on the pitch." The Dynamo have suffered in midfield from an injury to Ricardo Clark (concussion) and the World Cup absences of American Brad Davis and Honduran Boniek Garcia. All three were back ffor last weeks 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls, with Davis converting an 82nd-minute penalty to secure the tie. Billy McKinney Jersey. Houston has not won a league game since a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy on May 17. The Dynamo are winless in six since — a 1-5 stretch that has seen them outscored 15-2. "Their position in the table probably doesnt really resemble the quality in their squad," said Nelsen. "I think theyll make a typical Houston run (in the second half of the season). Its when youre in these ruts, how can you get out of them? And theyre in one and they just cant seem to get a win." For Toronto, the game is a chance to put last weeks 2-1 loss to D.C. United behind it. That defeat turned a six-game unbeaten streak into a three-game winless string. "We let one slip against D.C.," said Nelsen. Now is the time to start turning games in hand into points. Moore, Warner and Oduro will play their part in that endeavour. Moore has three goals in seven games since joining Toronto from the Colorado Rapids on May 8 for defender Gale Agbossoumonde. "Hes been brilliant," Nelsen said of Moore. "I thought he was really good in the New York game (a 2-2 tie June 27) but I think hes just got better and better. Now hes playing with Jermain a lot, their understandings really good. And that second half against D.C. (United), nobody could get near those two. They were very good." Moore turned heads at an early age. He made his Premier League debut at 18 with Aston Villa and scored his first Villa hat trick at 19. Moore went on to play for West Bromwich Albion, Derby County, Swansea City and Turkeys Elazigspor before coming to MLS. Captain Steven Caldwell, who played against Moore in England, points to the strikers skills in holding up the ball. "Hes got a lovely touch and brings people into the game. Nice turns. A very elegant player." Added Nelsen: "His feet and vision are fantastic." That works well with Defoe, who uses his speed and vision to separate from defenders. Warner arrived May 16 from the Montreal Impact in exchange for Canadian international midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran and allocation money. Hes expected to play a key role in midfield, allowing Bradley to move forward as needed. "Hes been absolutely outstanding since hes come here, I think you can see his quality on the park," said Caldwell. "Hes obviously a combative midfielder with passing range and very good feet on him." Warner, a 26-year-old from Denver, now has a home in Toronto, taking over Ryan Richters place after the fullback was loaned to Ottawa Fury FC. Oduro came from Columbus on June 6 in exchange for Spanish midfielder Alvaro Rey. He provides pace on the flank, a scoring threat who can also play up front. Oduro also brings league savvy, having made a combined 235 league and playoff appearances before pulling on a Toronto jersey. NOTES — Rookie centre back Nick Hagglund is suspended after receiving a red card last week. That opens the way for Doneil Henry to move back into the centre of defence alongside Caldwell. ' ' '