sidelined with a concussion. Smith scored 17 points, one shy of his c

OAKVILLE, ONT. -- Brendan Steeles spot at the top of the leaderboard at the RBC Canadian Open came thanks to some superb play. His silky 65 was a result of driving the ball well, hitting irons close and dropping lots of putts, some from a great distance. Not bad for a guy playing his first competitive round on the course that Jack Nicklaus built. But he also might have had a bit of help from some local flavour -- a little dose of the Toronto Maple Leafs. On Wednesday, while the pro-am was being played at Glen Abbey, Steele was up at The National GC in Woodbridge, Ont., teeing it up with current Leaf Joffrey Lupul and former Bud Bryan Berard. "Im a big hockey fan," said Steele, who lists about a half-dozen NHL players as good pals. "I just love the sport." On his website, Steele says his dream foursome would include Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, along with his brother. It also lists the LA Kings as his favourite team and says one of his favourite things to do is watch Alex Ovechkin. Steele and Lupul became friends due to location. Both live in the Newport Beach, Calif., area and met while playing golf. When both are home and not off at their jobs, they play regularly with a gang that includes Scottie Upshall of the Florida Panthers and the Calgary Flames Shane OBrien. The foursome for the game on Wednesday at The National was rounded out by Kevin Klein from the Nashville Predators. Steele said there were no money games between the group, it was just a day of fun on the No. 1-ranked course in the country. He praised Lupuls golf game, pegging the forward at about a seven handicap. "Hes a pretty good player," Steele stated. "I know he loves the game." A passion for hockey isnt Steeles only connection to the Great White North. He played the Canadian Tour in 2006 and 07, saying it provided him with lots of much-needed experience. "[It] really got me ready to play the Nationwide Tour, which I played in 08, 09 and 10. It was a great progression in my life. I had a great time up here. Made a lot of friends and spent two summers traveling the country and really enjoyed my time." Steele, who grew up in tiny Hemet, Calif., a town without a golf course or driving range, said his round at the Abbey was one where everything was working. "Ya, its very rare," he stated. "It seems like a lot of the time when youre flushing it, you cant make a putt and when youre holing it, its out of necessity. So its nice to have a round where everything comes together."It was Steeles lowest round since February. "I hit a lot of good iron shots," he added. "I hit them really close. Hit some good tee shots as well – I had to put it in position. You cant really hit the ball close out of the rough." Steele hopes he can continue playing well at the Abbey and perhaps notch a second PGA Tour victory. Now that would probably give him some bragging points for the next game with his hockey buddies. Khalil Mack Authentic Bears Jersey . "It was nerve-wracking, but we pulled through," said Collaros, who threw four touchdown passes to lead the Toronto Argonauts (8-4) to a 33-27 win over the Calgary Stampeders (9-3) in front of 28,781 fans at McMahon Stadium. Roquan Smith Youth Jersey . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. http://www.chicagobearsshoponline.com/trey-burton-bears-jersey.html . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Chicago Bears Apparel Clearance . Malkin got tangled up with Detroits Luke Glendening early in the third period and his left skate took the brunt of collision with the boards behind Pittsburghs net. Custom Chicago Bears Jersey . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. KINGSTON, R.I. -- Rhode Island coach Dan Hurley felt the key to defeating Belmont was to limit the Bruins proficiency from beyond the 3-point arc.The 23rd-ranked Rams held the Bruins to 18.5 percent shooting (5 of 27) from 3-point range and posted an 82-73 victory Friday night.The plan tonight was to keep them to five 3s or less and keep them under 25 percent, Hurley said. We felt like they wouldnt be able to score enough 2s to beat us if we just eliminated that 3-point line.We were willing to give up some things around the basket because theyre such a lethal, 3-point shooting team. We were willing to trade 2s with them and felt the only way we could lose was if they made 3.Hassan Martin paced the Rams (5-1) with a career-high 31 points while Jarvis Garrett added a season-high 23. Garrett also matched his career-high for 3-pointers with four.Martin shot a blistering 70 percent (14 of 20) from the field.Hassan was a monster, Hurley said.The Bruins (1-3), who played without leading scorer Evan Bradds (concussion), didnt have an answer for Martin.My main thing was to take advantage of their size, Martin said. I was looking forward to the matchup with Bradds. But once I got myself going I just didnt stop.Im surrounded by scorers which gives me space to operate. Im comfortable with my back to the basket.Nick Smith led Belmont with 17 points while Dylan Windler contributed a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds.Rhode Island led by as many as 20 points early in the second half before Windler led a rally that pulled the Bruins within 58-52.Martin blunted that rally by scoring eight points during an 11-5 run.If youre not in a Power 5 conference these are the type of nonconference games you have to play, Hurley said. You have to take risks. You have to play games against people that have the potential to make the (NCAA) Tournament.BIG PICTUREBelmont: The Bruins have won more than 20 games and earned a postseason tournament berth in 10 of the last 11 years. They began the season as one of only seven non-Power 5 programs to earn national Top 25 poll votes and post a Top 100 RPI in each of the last six seasons.Rhode Island: After splitting two games against ranked teams (including then-No.dddddddddddd1 Duke) in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament, the Thanksgiving Day break was a welcome respite for the Rams who had played five games in 10 days. No Ram needed the break more than E.C. Matthews, who underwent surgery early last season to repair a torn ACL and played on consecutive days for the first time in 20 months in the Tip-Off Tournament.POLL IMPLICATIONS: By defeating a quality, mid-major school, Rhode Island ensured it should remain in the Top 25 for a fifth consecutive week.STAT OF THE NIGHT: Belmont stepped on the Ryan Center court shooting 44.2 percent (80 of 181) from beyond the 3-point arc. But Rhode Islands man-to-man defense held the Bruins to 18.5 percent (5 of 27) from 3-point range.HIGHLIGHT REEL: Martin flashed his athletic ability early in the first half when he flipped the ball over his head, off the glass and in the basket.STAR WATCH: Smith had the thankless task of making his first start in place of Bradds, who was sidelined with a concussion. Smith scored 17 points, one shy of his career high, and shot 50 percent from the field (5 of 10).TURNING POINT: The Bruins had reduced what was a 20-point deficit to 58-52 with 12:04 remaining. Martin then took control of the game and scored eight points that keyed an 11-5 Rhode Island run for a 69-57 lead. Seven points was the closest Belmont would get after that run.LETDOWN: Matthews began play as Rhode Islands leading scorer (17.4, but he experienced a rare off night by scoring six points.UP NEXT:The Bruins, who host Lipscomb on Nov. 29, still have seven nonconference games on their schedule before they play their first Ohio Valley Conference game Dec. 31 against Austin Peay. How they fare in this portion of their schedule may serve as an indication of their chances of winning the conference title.The Rams, who are ranked for a fourth consecutive week for only the third time since the AP poll was instituted in 1949, face three severe tests when they play road games at Valparaiso and in-state rival Providence before returning home Dec. 6 against Old Dominion. ' ' '