The Capitals began their run of playoff seasons in 2008. Like Da

RITZING, Austria -- It wasnt the long-awaited win that Canada was hoping for, but it was a credible result against a decent European side and an end to an embarrassing 14-month goalless run for Canadas mens soccer team. The Canadians came from a goal down to draw Bulgaria 1-1 in an international friendly at the Sonnenseestadion in Ritzing, Austria on Friday. Atiba Hutchinson converted a penalty in the 26th minute to tie the game after Bulgaria had opened the scoring with a nicely-worked goal by Andrey Galabinov in the 18th minute. The draw represents arguably the best result of the teams current project under the leadership of Spanish coach Benito Floro. The Canadian side has been mired in a miserable spell on the back of a calamitous exit from World Cup Qualifying in October of 2012, but Floro said that Fridays result in Austria signals the end of the "first stage" of his restructuring of the teams fundamental philosophies. "For us it (was) a very good result. Not only because we scored a goal and tied the game but especially because of the tactical behaviour," said Floro, who still speaks largely through an interpreter due to his limited English. Canada showed some rare attacking verve in the first half with Hutchinsons incisive passing leading to clear-cut chances for Tosaint Ricketts and Randy Edwini-Bonsu. But as the game wore on and the score level at 1-1, it was Bulgaria who looked the more likely to score the winning goal -- something that Floro attributed to end-of-season fatigue for his players. "In the second half our players were very tired because they are at the end of their (club) seasons and we did not have another experienced player to make a change with. "So, at the end, it was a very good result and tactical behaviour," he said. For Hutchinson, who broke Canadas ugly goalless streak that dated back to a March 2013 goal by Marcus Haber, it was simply a feeling of "relief to get that over and done with. "Now the next step is to get a win," he said. A victory would indeed go a long way to adding some sincerity to the notion that Canada is a team on an upward trajectory. The Canadians have not won a match since beating Cuba 3-0 in Toronto in October of 2012 and theyre still winless in six matches under their new Spanish boss. But despite another match without a win, Hutchinson cited the resiliency that Canada showed as something that bodes well for the future. "Its something thats definitely been a problem for Canada. Whenever weve conceded goals weve dropped our heads," he said. "Now were looking forward and building the right attitude, on and off the pitch." Canada will next take on Moldova on Tuesday in Mauer, Austria, before the team disbands again until its next camp in Toronto in September. Cheap Cubs Jerseys . According to TSNs Farhan Lalji, Richardson is heading to Toronto for a physical and is expected to sign with the Argonauts. Chicago Cubs Shirts . Joining him in this years class were Switzerlands Patrick Huerlimann and Norways Eigil Ramsfjell. The announcement was made at the world mens curling championship at Capital Indoor Stadium in China. https://www.cheapcubs.com/ . Although Olivetti, a qualifier, had 13 aces, he failed to force a single break-point chance on Gasquets serve and lost his own three times. Gasquet next plays third-seeded Jerzy Janowicz of Poland, who won had 18 aces in a 6-2, 6-4 win against seventh-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France. Chicago Cubs Gear .C. -- The Steve Smith era in Carolina is over. Fake Cubs Jerseys . Green-Ellis was Cincinnatis leading rusher each of the last two seasons. His role was reduced last year when Giovani Bernard was added to the backfield. Green-Ellis ran for 756 yards and a career-low 3. WASHINGTON -- The Dallas Stars and Washington Capitals both began the game one point away from a playoff spot. The Stars? They played like a team determined to get to there for the first time since 2008. The Capitals? They looked like a group tired of having their yearly routines disrupted by such a trivial thing as post-season hockey. It was no contest. The Stars 5-0 win over the Capitals on Tuesday night was a victory of confidence over embarrassment. Dallas has won five of six, outscoring opponents 16-5 over their past three games. "Its a big obstacle," said Ray Whitney, who scored in the second period. "Its been, what, five years now? ... Were no different than anybody else whos been out for a while. We want to get in pretty bad." The victory, at least for a few hours, moved the Stars one point ahead of the Phoenix Coyotes for the final post-season berth in the Western Conference. The Coyotes then moved into a tie with Dallas by picking up a point in a shootout loss to Winnipeg later Tuesday. "Its scoreboard-watching time," Whitney said. The Capitals, meanwhile, were booed heavily in their home rink, particularly after an abysmal stretch in the second period in which they allowed several odd-man rushes, took a slashing penalty and gave up two goals in 34 seconds. "If I was a fan, Id be booing us right now," said goaltender Braden Holtby, who relieved Jaroslav Halak in the second period after Dallas third goal. "A playoff race like were in? To lose 5-0, its awful. Theres no words for it." The Capitals began their run of playoff seasons in 2008. Like Dallas, they started the day as a ninth-place team, but they ended up dropping a spot to 10th. They would lose a tiebreaker against every team contending for the final post-season spots in the Eastern Conference. They have lost four straight and were shut out for the seventh time this season. Alex Ovechkin - the leagues leading goal-scorer - hasnt scored a 5-on-5 goal in more than a month. "If somehow we make the playoffs playing like this, who are we kidding?" coach Adam Oates said. "We have to figure out a way to get better. We have to stick togethher.dddddddddddd" Tyler Seguin scored his 33rd goal, Dustin Jeffrey got his first two of the season, and Whitney and Ryan Garbutt also scored for the Stars. Alex Chiasson had three assists, and Kari Lehtonen made 35 saves for his fourth shutout. After over-relying on Seguin and Jamie Benn to carry the scoring load, Dallas suddenly has been getting points from seemingly everyone. "If you look at our top line, I think a lot of teams are focusing on that. Theyre getting the harder matchups," said Jeffrey, who has been back and forth to the minors after being claimed off waivers in November. "We have to be able to score up and down our lineup." Seguin redirected Benns wrister from the left circle in the first period, then there were Capitals miscues aplenty in the second, with the Stars taking advantage. Alex Goligoskis long pass sprang a 2-on-0 break for Whitneys goal. Jeffrey scored shortly afterward, then again in the third. Garbutt capped the scoring with a short-handed goal on a breakaway. "We had a lot of 2-on-1s, and we even had a 2-on-0," Whitney said. "Not often do you see that many scoring chances." Ovechkin last had a 5-on-5 point on Feb. 27, a streak of 16 games. Nicklas Backstrom, who leads the teams in points, is also without a 5-on-5 goal since Feb. 27. Multiple players in the Capitals locker room faulted the teams lack of urgency. "It cant be justified. Its terrible. ... Its like we expect the next guy to make the play," defenceman Karl Alzner said. "Its been kind of off and on like that for a lot of the season, and weve got away with it at times. It clearly hasnt worked the last little bit, and you pay for it in the end." Notes: D Patrik Nemeth made his NHL debut for the Stars as D Aaron Rome sat out with an injury. . Capitals D Patrick Wey sat out after taking an uppercut in a fight that forced him out of Saturdays loss at Nashville. Washington RW Dustin Penner (illness) and D Jack Hillen (upper-body injury) also missed the game. ... Capitals F Chris Brown played after getting called up from the AHL earlier in the day. ' ' '