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WASHINGTON -- If Stephen Harper or Barack Obama plan to do any Olympics-watching next February, theyll be staring at a screen and not from the stands. Edinson Volquez Jersey . The Canadian and American leaders both announced Wednesday that they will not be attending the Games, prompting speculation of an international snub over Russias gay-rights record. Harpers office announced the news discreetly, in a late-evening email. The message from the Prime Ministers Office noted that Harper has gone to only one Olympics since he took office, and that lone exception was for obvious reasons. "He normally does not attend (Vancouver was an exception because Canada was the host)," a prime ministerial spokesman said in an email. That news came several hours after the United States delivered a more conspicuous message. For the first time since 2000, the U.S. will not send a president, former president, first lady or vice-president to the Games. Also, the small U.S. delegation for the opening and closing ceremonies will include two openly gay athletes. Those athletes, tennis legend Billie Jean King and hockey player Caitlin Cahow, will be joined by figure skater Brian Boitano, former cabinet secretary Janet Napolitano, a presidential advisor, and the U.S. ambassador to Russia. An Obama spokesman was asked at the daily White House press briefing whether the delegation was intended to make a political point. While he said such a message would not be sent "through this manner," his response also repeatedly referred to "diversity" -- a word Obamas spokesman mentioned seven times in his answers. "This delegation represents the diversity that is the United States," said presidential spokesman Jay Carney. "Every member of that delegation is extremely accomplished, either in government service or in civic activism or, most especially, in sports. So hes very proud of the delegation and the diversity it represents. And he looks forward, as every American does, to the competition and to the effort that American athletes will demonstrate when they compete in Sochi." Obamas spokespeople said his schedule would not allow him to attend. However, Carney also added that the president has been clear that he "finds it offensive, the anti-LGBT legislation in Russia," as well as the harassment caused to those who protest corruption there. Russia has come under fierce criticism for passing national laws banning "gay propaganda." For its part, the Canadian government said its delegation choices will be announced soon. When asked whether they should be interpreted as carrying a human-rights message, Harper spokesman Jason MacDonald replied: "No. Were not in a position to comment on who our representatives will be." France and Germany are among the other countries who will not send their presidents to Sochi for the Games. Earlier this month, IOC President Thomas Bach said Russia would set up public protest zones in Sochi for "people who want to express their opinion or want to demonstrate for or against something." Meanwhile, the IOC approved a letter going out to athletes reminding them to refrain from protests or political gestures during the Sochi Games -- reiterating Rule 50 of the Olympic charter, which forbids demonstrations on Olympic grounds. Bach had previously said hed received assurances from Russian President Vladimir Putin that gays will not be discriminated against in Sochi. On Thursday, Putin reiterated those assurances, saying it is Russias responsibility as host of the Games to ensure equal conditions for all the athletes. "The main thing for us is the good organization of these competitions, the creation of equal terms for all athletes," he told a Moscow news conference. But the Russian law has raised questions about what could happen to athletes who wear pins or badges or carry flags supporting gay rights. The U.S. Olympic Committee made no comment about the sexual orientation of the delegation Wednesday. In a nod to its disapproval of the law, however, the USOC recently revised its non-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation. Earlier this year, Obama rejected the idea of a U.S. boycott of the Olympics despite a number of differences with Russia, including the anti-gay law. Wednesdays announcement, however, represented an unmistakable break with recent precedent: In Vancouver, Vice-President Joe Biden led the delegation, and in 2012, first lady Michelle Obama held the honour. The announcement prompted an enthusiastic response from the Human Rights Campaign, which recently sent a letter urging Obama to include gays and lesbians in the U.S. delegation. "Its a positive sign to see openly gay representatives in the delegation," said spokesman Michael Cole-Schwartz. "Hopefully it sends a message to the Russian people and the rest of the world that the United States values the civil and human rights of LGBT people." King made an explicit point about human rights Wednesday, saying she was "deeply honoured" to be named to the delegation. "I am equally proud to stand with the members of the LGBT community in support of all athletes who will be competing in Sochi and I hope these Olympic Games will indeed be a watershed moment for the universal acceptance of all people," she said. King, who won Wimbledon 20 times in singles and doubles categories, will attend the opening ceremony. Luke Hochevar Jersey . In the days leading up to the draft, TSN.ca and TSN Radio basketball analyst Duane Watson looks at some of the names that will be headlining the event. Tonight, Michigans Nik Stauskas of Mississauga, Ontario. Denny Matthews Jersey . New York (16-9-8) took over first place in the Eastern Conference and has the best record in the league with one game remaining. Houstons five-game unbeaten streak was snapped, and the Dynamo (13-11-9) are sixth in the East with one game remaining. https://www.cheaproyals.com/1577a-raul-ibanez-jersey-royals.html . -- Creighton apparently has Villanovas number.DENVER - One moment, Jason LaBarbera was heading to a Halloween party with his minor-league teammates. Two hours of sleep and two long flights later, he was in Denver to serve as a backup for the Anaheim Ducks.And then, just before the opening faceoff, he was told he would be starting in net — his first NHL game since last December.The emergency goalie came to the rescue, too, stopping 16 shots as the Ducks beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Sunday night.This wasnt exactly what LaBarbera was envisioning even 12 hours earlier.All of it is kind of goofy, LaBarbera said. Ive been around a lot, but Ive never had to deal with something like this.LaBarbera made an unexpected start after he arrived earlier Sunday from Norfolk of the AHL. He was supposed to be the backup in place of Frederik Andersen, who was scratched due to leg tightness.He got the start when John Gibson sustained a lower-body injury in warmups. Things got so crazy that goaltending consultant Dwayne Roloson even dressed, and was the backup in case something happened to LaBarbera.No need to worry, though. LaBarbera was on his game, even if he allowed a fluky goal early. That was just nerves.LaBarbera showed no signs of fatigue, even if he was playing for a third straight night. He made 36 saves and earned two wins for Norfolk over the weekend. He carried that momentum to Sunday and earned his first NHL victory since Oct. 7, 2013, when he was with Edmonton.Im still in la-la land, LaBarbera said.Defencemen Hampus Lindholm and Cam Fowler scored their first goals of the season 1:44 apart in the second period to give the Ducks a lead that LaBarbera protected. Corey Perry also scored for the Ducks, who went 3-1 on a four-game trip.Dennis Everberg scored his first NHL goal, and Nathan MacKinnon added another for weary Colorado, which also lost at St. Louis in a shootout on Saturday.Colorado didnt really challenge LaBarbera all that often, especially in the second period when the team was outshot 12-2.Two shots on a guy, who obviously got called up at the last second, isnt good enough, forward Matt Duchene said. We just lost thhe game in the second period. Paul Splittorff Jersey. he Avalanche had their chances to tie it late. Anaheims Francois Beauchemin drew a high-sticking penalty with 3:07 remaining, and Semyon Varlamov went to the bench for an extra skater, giving the Avs a 6-on-4 opportunity. But Colorado couldnt capitalize.Its not always going to go our way, and its when things are not going our way we try to force plays, push plays, coach Patrick Roy said. This is where we get into trouble.Varlamov was kept busy all night, making one sprawling save after another. He couldnt help the Avalanche procure a point, though, the first time in seven games the Avalanche failed to get at least one.Varlamov finished with 30 saves.Anaheim dominated the second period, with Lindholm scoring on a pass from Patrick Maroon, who was behind the net.Moments later, Fowler gave the Ducks a 3-2 lead by driving in on Varlamov, faking one way and tapping the puck into the net with the goalie on the ice.Colorado got on the board 2:18 in when Everberg banked a shot off the boards and back to himself in order to get around a defenceman. He then lined a shot that squeezed past LaBarberas pads.A quirky goal that could have rattled LaBarbera, but didnt.Ive been around enough. You just kind of realize the circumstances and go, OK, whatever. This is really goofy, but keep playing. Dont worry about it, LaBarbera said.As for what is next with LaBarbera, well, he wasnt quite sure. Is he heading back to Anaheim with the team?Im assuming so. But I dont know, he said.Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau eased his mind.Until we get both goalies healthy, hes with us, Boudreau said.NOTES: Anaheim D Bryan Allen (lower-body injury) joined the team, but remains on the injured list. He has been in Norfolk on a long-term injury conditioning assignment. ... The Ducks open a four-game homestand Wednesday against the New York Islanders. ... Perry leads the league with 11 goals. ... The Avalanche turned aside five power plays, stretching their streak to 25 straight kills. ... MacKinnon has four goals in three games after starting the season in a slump. ' ' '