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TORONTO - Christmas is often a busy, stressful time, especially for hockey players who have to balance family and professional obligations.But for James Reimer and David Booth of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Christmas brings perspective and an opportunity to reflect and appreciate on how fortunate they are to play professional hockey while observing their faith.Whether youre a carpenter, or a plumber, a hockey player or an airline pilot, your lifes going to get crazy no matter what, said Reimer, while still in his goalie pads after practice on Friday. Things are going to happen and stuff. When you have something like Christ to lean on, it just adds a peace that surpasses all understanding.Its such a gift to be able to have that perspective, especially when things are going rough.Although the NHLs collective bargaining agreement guarantees that players get Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day off, theres still a lot of travel over the holidays for hockey teams. The Maple Leafs, for example, played in Chicago on Sunday, played in Dallas on Tuesday night and will continue a seven-game road trip in Florida on Dec. 28.The American Hockey League has an even tighter holiday window, with a full slate of games scheduled for Dec. 26. Major junior hockey players have 10 days off, but the worlds top prospects will be busy when the world junior championship begins in Toronto and Montreal on Boxing Day.That travel schedule can be daunting for some, but Booth doesnt mind.I think theres always time to get in to the Bible, said the Maple Leafs left-winger. I think thats the biggest thing when youre on the road, is having your quiet time, being able to sit down, to read, to reflect, to pray. Those are things that you can do anywhere and I think thats one of the beautiful things about our job: the ability that we have to continue to worship while on the road.Laurie Boschman understands the challenges facing Christian hockey players. He was an NHLer for 14 years and has worked with Hockey Ministries International for 21 years, helping the faith-based Christian organization in its many camps and chapel programs.Based in Ottawa, Boschman leads players from the Senators in regular chapel programs and also helps co-ordinate chapel programs around the NHL.In his view, many players find themselves dissatisfied with their lives despite the money and prestige that comes with the NHL lifestyle. They may also be bothered by issues outside of the arena like relationship problems or the failing health of loved ones.For example, since were talking here before Christmas, we can talk about what the Bible says about the holiday, said Boschman in a phone interview with The Canadian Press. Is it about presents? Is it about something more than that? And if it is, does the Bible address that? Players are interested in that because I think sometimes theres a perspective that players have about faith and its not based in fact.Its based in I thought it was this, or I thought it was that. We get to point them to the Scriptures and say This is what the Bible teaches and this is what its about.Booth agrees with Boschman that chapel gives players a chance to realize that theyre more than just their profession.I think when you get away from defining yourself by a sport it opens up your ability to make an impact away from the rink or have a greater purpose in life, said Booth. I dont think were put on this Earth just to play a sport. I think this sport is giving me such a huge advantage to reach the community, a platform to share things that matter.Were given so much. People look at us, wow the coolest job and it is a cool job and a great salary that comes with it. But those things all fade. Those things never satisfy.Theres no lack of demand for HMIs chapel programs. The non-denominational ministry works with more than 270 teams in over 30 leagues to provide chapel and counselling services for hockey players, coaches and other support staff. HMI also has hockey camps for children in Canada, the United States, Sweden, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.Both Reimer and Booth point to regular chapel services as a resource that helps them bring balance to their lives on and off the ice.Obviously, being on the road and sometimes playing on Sundays or practising on Sundays, you dont get to go to church very often, said Reimer. Maybe once a month, if youre lucky. So to have that chapel — usually its once every two weeks, something you can go to with a couple of your teammates and the chaplain, just make sure youre staying focused and your eyes are on the right prize — its good to have that because it helps to keep you calm.Booth also feels that attending chapel and being a devout Christian helps him relate to his teammates, especially those who dont share his faith, because it fosters a sense of respect and tolerance in the locker-room.Love your teammates even though you guys share different beliefs, said Booth. You guys might have different lifestyles. You might not agree with everything they do but you always respect them, you love them, you get along with them, youre a good teammate. You do things with them. The biggest thing is not to judge. Theyre accepting of my beliefs and I accept their beliefs.I think thats where tolerance comes in and thats what makes humanity function: being able to tolerate other people with so many differences amongst us. Puma Outlet Clearance . When a game is in the balance, however, they still have the personnel and the experience to end up with the two points. Clearance Puma Shoes . Louis, MO (SportsNetwork. http://www.clearancepuma.com/ . Still, Milan remained five points behind city rival Inter Milan in the race for fifth place and the final Europa League berth, after Inter beat 10-man Parma 2-0. Meanwhile, Paul Pogba led the way as Juventus stayed on course for a third consecutive title with a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Bologna. Puma Shoes Clearance Sale . The mood in Seattle was electrified as the parade featuring the NFL champions began near the Space Needle and made its way to CenturyLink Field, the home of the team. At a ceremony inside the stadium, the team thanked its loyal followers -- the 12th Man -- capping a day of boisterous celebration that drew an estimated 700,000 revelers to Seattle. Cheap Puma Shoes China . The premature end left 26 players still to finish the round in the Asian Tour event. Siddikur, who shot a bogey-free first round to share the lead with five others, eagled the par-5 first hole before bogeying twice and rebounding with six birdies.CALGARY -- When the buzzword "opportunity" is thrown around at an NHL training camp, it usually applies to rookies trying to crack the big teams roster. But for the Calgary Flames it also applies to a guy like six-year NHL veteran TJ Galiardi, who is looking to take his career to another level at a new position. The Calgary native was converted from wing to centre just a week ago when camp opened, and he has settled into his new responsibilities quite nicely. He had a goal and an assist and was the best player on the ice Tuesday as a Flames split squad scored four times in the second period on its way to a 5-3 victory over a New York Islanders split squad in NHL pre-season action. "I played centre growing up, I played centre in college, in the WHL and in my first year in the NHL when (current flames assistant) Jacques Cloutier was my assistant coach," said Galiardi, who centred Lee Stempniak and Curtis Glencross. "I think he was the one that suggested it to (Flames coach) Bob (Hartley) when they traded for me." Despite having played the wing the last four years, including the last year and a half spent with San Jose, Cloutier knew Galiardi could perform well as a centre. "I felt he could help us in the middle and its the perfect time of the year to try him because you need repetition," said Cloutier, who ran the bench with Hartley in Regina with the other half of the Flames split squad. "He needs to play down low and needs some forechecking and I think tonight was probably his best game. He was moving well and hopefully he can keep it up and we can keep him in the middle." Galiardis work included a strong play along the boards to help set up the first of two goals for Dennis Wideman, a couple other nifty set-ups including one to Tim Jackman and a nice toe drag move that he almost turned into a beautiful goal. On his goal, which made it 4-1 late in the second, he patiently waited for Islanders goalie Anders Nilsson to commit then stepped around him and rifled a shot under the crossbar. He hasnt hit the 10-goal mark since scoring 15 in 2009-10. But its something hes been workiing at as he knows hes capable or producing more and the Flames, who are very thin at centre ice are going to need it.dddddddddddd "Thats something I wanted to work on for sure. The last couple years, I feel like I could have had 10 more goals each year if I just beared down a little," said Galiardi, who was acquired from the Sharks for a fourth round draft pick. "There was even that chance early in the game that I probably should have scored. Those are things you learn from watching guys that are very consistent scorers." Thats players like Joe Thornton, who he ended up on a line with during last years playoffs. "If you look at the way he finished last year and played in the playoffs on the big line with Thornton and (Brent) Burns, he played some pretty important minutes and I think that maybe helped him recapture a little bit of his confidence. Now hes got a little bit of a different role. Especially playing in the middle. Its a big difference," Cloutier said. So far, so good for the 25-year-old. "I think thats part of the reason why they brought me in here. They saw that I could step up offensively but you have to prove it, right, or else its not going to happen," Galiardi said. "Ive been getting a lot of great opportunities, the coaching staff has been great to me and I want to take advantage of it." Also scoring for Calgary was Lance Bouma and Glencross into an open net. The Islanders got goals from Michael Grabner, Griffin Reinhart and Riley Wetmore. "It was exciting. My Moms family grew up here, My Dad (Paul) played here, Max is with the Flames franchise now so it was a cool opportunity to get into my first game here," said Reinhart, the Islanders fourth overall pick in 2012. Notes: Galiardi went 11-11 in 22 faceoffs ... Clutterbuck left the game early in the third period favouring his leg. He was shaken up after delivering a heavy hit on Paul Byron ... Joey MacDonald went the distance in net for Calgary, finishing with 18 saves ... 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