PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Seconds into the third period, Alexander Ovechkin took control of a loose puck -- one that had stopped in a pool of water. Wholesale Jerseys . With three defencemen closing in, the Washington Capitals star backhanded a shot into the net for the game-winning goal. Its not the NHL, but as long as the lockout goes on, its as close as there is. Ovechkin is one of the most recognizable names forced to head overseas by the NHL lockout, and he didnt have to think twice about where to find an opportunity to play. The star simply returned to his former Russian team, Dynamo Moscow -- the defending champion of the Kontinental Hockey League. "Home is home," Ovechkin said during a road trip to Prague to face Lev Praha. "My family, friends, all people who wouldnt have a chance to see me can come to watch the games. "Besides, Im glad that I can repay my debt to Dynamo. It was the club that got me ready for the big hockey." The NHL has already cancelled the first two weeks of the regular season, wiping out 82 games from Thursday through Oct. 24. In the meantime, the ambitious Russian-based KHL, which includes teams from other Eastern European countries, has clearly benefited from the availability of many top players. "The NHL is not working right now," said Ovechkin, the 2008 and 09 NHL MVP. "So, the KHL is the best league. "Well, of course you can see the difference. The first difference is the bigger ice and the game is not that fast than in the NHL , not that many hits in the game, but I can see the level of the game. I can see the guys -- the skill of the players how they have great technique." Evgeni Malkin, a centre with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the NHLs reigning MVP, is committed to his hometown team in Magnitogorsk, while New Jersey Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk has been signed by SKA St. Petersburg. Zdeno Chara, a towering Boston Bruins defenceman, just joined Lev Praha, a new KHL franchise based in the Czech capital. "As of right now, it is important for a lot of players, including myself, that we stay in shape and that we play and be in kind of organized hockey and keep up in good shape," Chara told The Associated Press. Chara played for Sparta Pragues youth team before joining the Prince George Cougars in Canadas Western Hockey League in 1996, after he failed to make the Sparta roster. Fans are flocking to KHL arenas to see the best players on the planet. When Ovechkins and Charas teams met Tuesday in Prague, it was before a KHL record crowd of 16,317. "Its very nice to see so many fans show up," Chara said after a 1-0 loss on the goal scored by Ovechkin, his fourth of the season. "Theres not too many chances for people to come and see such great NHL players. Now, its the time." The KHL is not the only competition luring NHL players. Others have signed up to play in Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Germany, the Czech Republic and even Britain. Center Patrice Bergeron, Charas teammate with the Bruins, has reached a deal to join Swiss club Lugano. Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog plays for Swedish second-division club Djurgarden, and Philadelphia Flyers centres Claude Giroux and Danny Briere have been signed by Eisbaren Berlin. In the Czech Republic, provincial team Kladno attracts big crowds because of the presence of its owner, Dallas Stars forward Jaromir Jagr, who is first in goals, assists and points among active NHL players. Jagr has signed four other NHL players for Kladno, including Tomas Plekanec of the Montreal Canadiens. Nearly 400 NHL players suited up in 19 different European leagues during the lockout that cancelled the entire 2004-05 season. Its not clear yet how many are coming this time, but the migration started a debate that the NHL players pushed others out of jobs. "Thats absolute nonsense," Jagr argued on Czech public television this week. "You can believe me that the young players now have somebody to learn from. I doubt that I would have ever reached my hockey level if I hadnt had players such as Paul Coffey and Mario Lemieux around me. I learned from them every day." Wholesale Jerseys China . "Im beat up," replied Bryant, who sat at his locker with a cold pack on his bothersome back, wraps on both knees and feet in a plastic tub filled with water and ice. "Trucking along, though." Straining to work out the kinks in an offence coach Mike DAntoni compared to dancing with two left feet, the Lakers ended a four-game losing streak by holding off the worst-in-the-NBA Washington Wizards 102-96 on Friday night, thanks in large part to Bryants 30 points and seven assists, along with Jodie Meeks 24 points. Wholesale Jerseys Online . JOHNS, N. http://herownblog.com/wholes... . Its Media Day at the ACC on Monday and then off to Halifax to watch Training Camp. A few quick thoughts on a Monday morning. [url=http://herownblog.com/wholesale-jerseys-china/]Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping .J. -- The lockout-shortened 48-game season hasnt started and the New Jersey Devils are already looking goals. Wholesale Jerseys USA . Displaying his trademark consistency on the greens and from the tee, Donald cantered to a four-stroke victory at the biggest event on the European Tour by shooting a 4-under 68 -- his fourth straight round under 70 -- to finish on 15 under par at Wentworth.LUCERNE, Switzerland -- Canadas womens eight and mens pair teams each won silver at the World Rowing Cup on Sunday, while the mens eight took bronze. The womens eight team were just .03 out of a gold medal after being edged by the United States, which won in five minutes 59.26 seconds. Canadas team of Lesley Thompson-Willie and Ashley Brzozowicz, both of London, Ont., Darcy Marquardt of Richmond, B.C., Lauren Wilkinson of North Vancouver, B.C., Andreanne Morin of Montreal, Reginas Rachelle Viinberg, Krista Guloien of Port Moody, B.C., Cristy Nurse of Georgetown, Ont., and Natalie Mastracci of Thorold, Ont., clocked a time of 5:59.29. The Netherlands (6:03.20) finished third. "It was a good race, but we would have liked to have had a different result," said Marquardt. "This definitely fuels the fires for London." In the mens pairs race, Victoorias David Calder and Scott Frandsen of Kelowna, B.ddddddddddddC., were second in 6:26.77 after leading for half of the race. New Zealand won in 6:24.04, while Greece took bronze in 6:30.04. "Our training and hard work has proved that you can teach an old dog new tricks," said Calder, a three-time Olympian. "Were pretty pumped and have got the countdown to London in our heads right now." Canada also won bronze in the mens eight. The crew of coxswain Brian Price of Belleville, Ont., Will Crothers of Kingston, Ont., Jeremiah Brown of Cobourg, Ont., Andrew Byrnes of Toronto, Victorias Malcolm Howard, Conlin McCabe of Brockville, Ont., Rob Gibson of Kingston, Doug Csima of Oakville, Ont., and Gabe Bergen of 100 Mile House, B.C., finished in 5:29.62. Germany won gold in 5:27.47, while Great Britain finished in 5:28.64 for silver. ' ' '