LONDON -- Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been handed a two-match ban by the English Football Association for making an abusive gesture toward Manchester City fans during a Premier League match. The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. 26. The England international raised his middle finger toward City supporters during Saturdays game at Etihad Stadium, which Arsenal lost 6-3. The incident wasnt seen by match officials at the time but the FA charged Wilshere retrospectively after a panel studied video footage. Blackpool winger Tom Ince was given a two-game ban when he was retrospectively charged for a similar incident this season. .C. -- John Morris is now just one game away from bringing British Columbia their fifth Canadian mens curling championship, after handing Albertas Kevin Koe his second loss of the day Friday. [url=http://www.throwbackonlineshop.com/pittsburgh-pirates-dave-parker-throwback... Parker Jersey . Finance Minister Jim Flahertys latest budget -- released Tuesday while many Canadians were likely more interested on the Winter Games -- includes a $23-million annual boost in sports funding, starting next year. . The 31-year-old defencemen was traded from the Washington Capitals alongside goalie Michal Neuvirth to the Sabres for goalie Jaroslav Halak and a third-round selection on Trade Deadline day. [url=http://www.throwbackonlineshop.com/chicago-cubs-ernie-banks-throwback-jerse... Banks Jersey . His recovery time is expected to be six to eight months. Seidenberg was injured in the third period of Fridays 5-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators, when he got his leg tangled with forward Cory Conacher.TAMPA, Fla. -- Vincent Lecavalier got everything but the desired result in his return to Tampa Bay. Victor Hedman had two goals and an assist to help the Lightning beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 on Wednesday night, spoiling Lecavaliers homecoming. Lecavalier, who played 14 years for the Lightning after being selected first overall in the 1998 draft, faced his old team for the first time and scored a power-play goal late in the third period. "It was very weird stepping out on the ice," he said. "Obviously we didnt win, and Im disappointed in that, but I had a great experience just skating on the ice. The fans were supportive of me. That definitely means a lot." The former Tampa Bay captain received a standing ovation after a video tribute was played on the scoreboard midway through the first. "You see Vinny, you get good feelings," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. "Hes not a guy you see and are like, Oh gosh, I hope he doesnt see me so I have to say hello. Vinny is a guy you want to walk up and say, How are you? How are things? To see him for the first time, that was kind of the tough part. It was great to see him." Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson also scored for the Lightning, who have won seven in a row at home. Tampa Bay, behind goalie Ben Bishop, beat the New York Rangers 5-0 Monday night. Anders Lindback was in net for the Lightning in this one and he stopped Wayne Simmonds backhander on a first-period penalty shot. Entering the day, there were only two goals scored on 21 NHL penalty shots dating to Oct. 10. Mark Streit also scored for the Flyers, who played without right wing Matt Read (lower-body injury). Philadelphia was coming off a 3-1 loss Monday at Florida that ended a 6-0-1 stretch. "Its unfortunate we couldnt get any points out of this little trip here, but you cant really dwell on it," Siimmonds said.dddddddddddd"Youve got to look forward." After Lecavalier and Streit got the Flyers to 3-2 with less than 2 minutes to play, Johnson secured the Lightning win by scoring an empty-net goal. Hedman put Tampa Bay up 1-0 when he beat Ray Emery from a tough angle just above the goal line near the left wing boards 9:15 into the second. Palat made it 2-0 on a short-handed rebound after Emery turned aside Hedmans shot at 12:16. Tampa Bay went ahead 3-0 on Hedmans power-play goal in the third. "Its always fun to contribute at both ends of the ice," the defenceman said. "Youve got to keep rolling ... keep winning hockey games, thats most important." Tampa Bay has been impacted by a number of injuries recently, including one to star centre Steven Stamkos, who expects to play again this season after breaking his right leg on Now. 11. Cooper said left wing Ryan Malone, who took a shot off his skate last week, is being evaluated to see if he has a chipped bone. Defenceman Radko Gudas, out with an upper-body injury, could return within the next week. "You cant cry foul," Cooper said. "This happens to every team in the league." Bishop, scheduled to get the night off, left the morning skate early after taking a shot off his hand. Cooper said Bishop is OK. Other Lightning players sidelined include forwards Pierre-Cedric Labrie (arm) and Tom Pyatt (broken collarbone). Tampa Bay defenceman Keith Aulie returned after missing seven games with an upper-body injury. NOTES: Lightning C Dana Tyrell, recalled from Syracuse of the AHL before the game, didnt play. ... LW Michael Raffl replaced Read in Philadelphias lineup. ... Palat ended a 14-game goal drought. ... Simmonds was given one of three penalties called -- a 10-minute misconduct -- with 18 seconds left in the third. ... 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