NEW YORK -- Henrik Lundqvist finally found a game to play. It wont be under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, or in front of a hostile crowd in Philadelphia trying to rattle the man in the red, white and blue mask. But it will be meaningful and rewarding in a unique way. Like players and fans all across North America and the world, the New York Rangers goalie misses the NHL. Lundqvist has run the gamut of emotions as the long lockout lingers. His thirst to get back on the ice will be quenched Saturday night -- however briefly -- as he joins other hockey stars in giving back to people who were ravaged by Hurricane Sandy. Lundqvist will step on the ice in storm-damaged Atlantic City, N.J., along with Rangers teammates and foes from the Flyers and other teams to lend a helping hand to those recovering from the devastation. It wont have the intensity of a regular NHL game, but it will be filled with emotion and enjoyment. "Absolutely. Its not only the hockey fans. You want to pay back to people working in the community around New York and people that got hit by this storm," said Lundqvist, last seasons Vezina Trophy winner as the NHLs top goalie. "I was not there, but obviously I have a lot of friends who were still there, and I had people move into my place. ... "I hope its going to be a positive day, and that people who come in to watch the game get some energy and give the people some hope who need it." "Operation Hat Trick" will be held at famed Boardwalk Hall on Saturday. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Empire State Relief Fund, the New Jersey Hurricane Relief Fund and the American Red Cross, which is aiding New York and New Jersey families affected by Hurricane Sandy. Brad Richards of the Rangers joined Flyers forward Scott Hartnell and partnered with Caesars Atlantic City to stage the event. Richards and Hartnell will serve as captains of the two teams that will feature other NHLers such as Martin Brodeur, Bobby Ryan, Steven Stamkos, Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, James van Riemsdyk and Simon Gagne. As of Monday, 28 players had signed up to play. "We are all overwhelmed by the damage and destruction caused to our area by Hurricane Sandy, and as professional hockey players we wanted to come together to help those who were victimized," Richards said. The mere idea that Rangers, Flyers and other rivals could come together for a common goal is special in itself. "To have the opportunity to be able to raise money for the relief effort by participating in this game is an honour," Hartnell said. Lundqvist has been spending time at home in Sweden. His Thanksgiving plans included an international flight back to his hockey home that hasnt had hockey since the Los Angeles Kings captured the Stanley Cup in June. This trip should be well worth it for the seven-year NHL veteran. "Im trying to stay busy," said the 30-year Lundqvist, who joined the Rangers in 2005 after an earlier lockout forced the cancellation of the previous season. "Ive been skating every week, trying to stay ready in case something happens. Im not sure if things are going to open up in the NHL or here in Sweden. Right now Im just trying to stay ready, but its tough, though. "Just a couple of nights skating. Its not ideal, obviously, but it is what it is." A glimmer of optimism that arose this week when the NHL and the players association got together twice for negotiations was dashed on Wednesday when the league quickly rejected an offer it said it was eagerly awaiting. The NHL has already cancelled all games through November and the highly popular outdoor Winter Classic. All-Star weekend is very close to being lost along with another round of games. "Im kind of tired of hearing that theyre getting together," he said. "We need progress here. I dont know what to say now. The first couple of weeks you hope its going to end fast, and now youve had two months of talking. "It doesnt really matter. We just have to figure it out here with the owners and come to a solution. Everybody is suffering, from the fans, the players, people working with the game. Its not necessary. The game is strong enough that we should be able to figure it out." Lundqvist has rolled with the ups and downs of the lockout that began in September, when the previous collective bargaining agreement between the players association and the NHL expired. He hasnt signed up to play in Europe or anywhere else, but if a deal isnt reached soon, he might have to change his plans. He just never thought the lockout would be going on this long. "Its important that we try to give back to different communities and to the fans, but to us players, we miss the game a lot. We do," Lundqvist said. "This is our lives. There is a business side to this sport; there is no way around it. When it comes down to just playing the game, I miss the lifestyle, I miss travelling and playing the games and having the adrenaline. "Its just such a big part of my life. Its definitely been a weird two months here not having that. Thats why its a lot of fun to get together and play the game." The NHL generated record revenues of $3.3 billion last season when Lundqvist and the Rangers reached the Eastern Conference finals. Instead of being back on the ice to shoot for another run at the Stanley Cup, the star goalie is in a holding pattern he cant escape. "I have all the emotions," Lundqvist said. "I have some anger, disappointment, some embarrassment, too. I understand that the fans are disappointed, and its hard to explain the whole situation. I dont think a lot of people know all the details and how much we really sacrificed to try to come closer to the owners. It doesnt really matter. They deserve the game out there to be played right now. 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The 35-year old Pierce became the oldest player in Celtics history to score 40 points in a regulation game, carrying Boston to a 103-91 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.BEREA, Ohio -- Browns coach Pat Shurmur has already developed thick skin. Now, hes bulking up his record. With two straight wins, the Browns are showing major signs of improvement in their second season under Shurmur, whose future in Cleveland could hinge on how his team plays in its final four games -- if it hasnt been determined already. On Sunday, the Browns (4-8) snapped a 12-game road losing streak with a 20-17 win over Oakland, putting the Raiders away with a clutch, 94-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, when Shurmur made a gutsy fourth-down call. The Browns have gotten better and so has Shurmur. He has been harshly criticized by some Cleveland fans for his game management and play calling, and theres a chance he wont be around for a third year once new owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner finish their post-season assessment. Shurmur wont predict whats ahead. "I dont want to talk about my future, OK?" he said. "Im trying to make this the best Monday of the year, and Im trying to get our team ready to play the Chiefs and then after that and so on and so forth. I dont look at it that way. Im not taking any half-swings here. Well just play it out and see what happens." Theres no denying that the Browns, with 17 rookies on their roster, are growing up. Theyve been competitive since Week 1, but in back-to-back wins over Pittsburgh and Oakland, theyve finally shown the ability to finish games. Its an important step in the development for any team, even more so for one starting a rookie quarterback, running back, wide receiver, right tackle -- and with a coach under fire. Shurmur acknowledges his teams evolution, but he knows the Browns are far from a finished product. "I feel good about where were going, weve just got to keep going," Shurmur said. "Its easy to let that momentum stop. Thats what Im guarding against, and I think our locker room understands that its important you jump right back in the process. "Youll get tired of hearing me say that. As long as Im here, youll get tired of hearing me say, jump back in the process. Because I think thats most important. Initially for the season its 16 processes and how well you get that right. Because that gives you the best opportunity to be successful on Sunday. And thats where we all want to be, at our best." Shurmur may be down to his last four Sundays, but hes committed to making the most of them. Last week, Haslam said in an interview with the Plain Dealer that he believed the Browns were "very close" to being a playoff contender. He was noncommittal about Shurmurs future and reiterated that he and Banner would wait until after the season before making any personnel decisions. Shurmur was pleased to learn his new boss sees progress. That doesnt mean its time to stop. "Its always good to hear good things," Shurmur said. "I do know this. Whats important to me -- and its very naarrow-minded -- is this next game, period.dddddddddddd And then whatever gets determined gets determined, but what I can control right now with this football team is what happens this week." On Sunday, the Browns will host the Kansas City Chiefs (2-10), who pulled together and beat Carolina one day after linebacker Jovan Belcher shot and killed his 22-year-old girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, before driving to Arrowhead Stadium, where he committed suicide in the practice facilitys parking lot. After facing the Chiefs, the Browns will host Washington before closing out the season with road games at Denver and Pittsburgh. Cleveland has already matched its win total from last season, and if Shurmur bumps up his resume with another win or two or three, he could make it very difficult for the Browns not to bring him back. Hes made his share of mistakes, but Shurmur appears to be learning from them. Earlier this season, he was slammed for electing to punt on a critical fourth down against Indianapolis. Two weeks later, his gamble on a similar play against Baltimore backfired in a loss. On Sunday, Shurmur chose to go for it on 4th-and-1 after quarterback Brandon Weeden was stuffed on a sneak. Following a timeout, Shurmur had Weeden run the same play and the Browns converted to keep alive their game-winning drive. "Any time you do something more and more, you get better at it," Shurmur said when asked if hes improved. "It becomes clearer. There are things I see better now. Theres other things that come in to this now. I know my coaches and players better. I understand how everybody on our team is going to respond in most situations. Yeah, I think theres things were doing better -- me included." Browns defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin sees a difference in Shurmur from last season, his first as an NFL head coach. "Hes getting more comfortable and he knows the players more," Rubin said. "Hes getting acclimated and has a feel for our opponents. Coming in and playing the Steelers and the Ravens and the Bengals is pretty difficult every year, so this conference and division is hard to get acclimated to." With a youthful, talented nucleus, the Browns have a promising future. Whats unclear is who will coach them after this season. Shurmur has his fans and critics, who even find faults when he wins. Hes managed to block out the personal attacks and remains focused on winning. Its not always easy. "I really believe in this group we have and I really believe this is the foundation of something that could be really good," he said. "Even though I say that and believe in it, until we start winning football games, thats what shows it. Thats really my concern. Some of the other stuff about me personally -- what more can they say about me? "I dont listen to it, but Im told frequently about it. Thats where the thick skin part comes in." ' ' '