SOCHI, Russia -- Ukraine will compete in the Winter Paralympics in Sochi despite Russias military moves in Crimea. The Ukrainian Paralympic Committee decided against boycotting the games, announcing a few hours before Fridays opening ceremony that its athletes would stay. The decision came after discussions between Ukrainian officials and athletes over whether to pull out in light of the crisis back home and Russias military takeover of the Crimean peninsula. "We are staying at the Paralympics," Valeriy Sushkevich, president of the National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine, said at a news conference. However, he added that the circumstances were far from ideal. "I dont remember a situation when the organizing country during a Paralympics started an intervention on the territory of a country taking part," Sushkevich said, according to the R-Sport agency. "I dont know what to extent the team can focus on the result now." The Ukrainian official said the team would leave Sochi if there is any escalation of military conflict. "I declare should this happen we will leave the games," Sushkevich said. "We cannot possibly stay here in this case." He said he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday night to discuss the situation and request peace during the games. Suskevich said he did not receive any guarantees but it was important that Putin agreed to listen. Putin and IOC President Thomas Bach are expected to attend Fridays opening ceremony. Several countries have decided not to send political leaders or dignitaries to the ceremony in protest of Russias actions in Ukraine. Ukraines decision to compete in Sochi was welcomed by the International Paralympic Committee. "We want sport to prevail and a full complement of teams to compete in what we are confident will be a fantastic Paralympic Winter Games," IPC President Phillip Craven said. "All week the IPC has been working closely with the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee in an effort to keep them here in Sochi. The talking point of Sochi 2014 needs to be great sport and great athletes, not global politics." The IPC has appealed for Russia to recognize the U.N.s Olympic Truce, which asks warring parties to cease hostilities during the Olympics and Paralympics. About 575 athletes from 45 countries are due to compete in the 10-day Paralympics. Five sports are on the program -- alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, sledge hockey and wheelchair curling. Ukraine has entered 23 athletes for the Sochi Paralympics. It finished fifth in the medals table at the Winter Paralympics in Vancouver in 2010, with a total of 19 medals and five gold. Ukrainian athletes chanted "peace to Ukraine" as they apparently walked out of a flag-raising ceremony in Sochi on Thursday night. That is now under investigation by the IPC as a possible breach of rules banning political protests. "What were trying to do is gather the evidence, gather the transcripts and then we will see if any steps are necessary," IPC spokesman Craig Spence said. "If there was a political protest, obviously wed be disappointed by that because we have said all week that this is about sport, not politics." Swell Flaske . -- Conor Casey scored two goals, his first of the season, as the Philadelphia Union beat Chivas USA 3-0 on Saturday night. Swell Flaske Liberty . -- Pelicans coach Monty Williams does not expect guard Eric Gordon to play in any of New Orleans final five games this season. http://www.swellflaskenorge.com/swell-flaske-500-ml.html. Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins (5) – He had a brilliant game; it was a huge response for his average games before. Swell Flaske Marble . Canadas Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse will reunite at this weekends season-opening World Cup at Canada Olympic Park as they begin their buildup to the Winter Games in Sochi. Swell Flaske Blomster . -- Patrick Kueng of Switzerland was nearly flawless as he captured his first World Cup and halted Aksel Lund Svindals streak of four straight super-G victories on Saturday.For the third night in a row the Winnipeg Goldeyes and the New Jersey Jackals played a closely matched game. The only difference: the Goldeyes were able to come out on the winning side on Thursday night. The Goldeyes (19-12) were able to avoid being swept by the Jackals (14-10) as they won 2-1 in front of 1,237 fans at Yogi Berra Stadium in Little Falls, New Jersey. For the first time in the three-game series the Fish were able to take the lead first. After Jake Blackwood got on base with a first inning single, he was driven in on a two run home run from Ray Sadler. The home run was Sadlers team leading seventh of the season. "Thats what he was looking to do there in the first inning," said Goldeyes Pitching Coach Jamie Vermilyea on the Jewel 101 Post-Game Show. "Sadlers a strong guy and he put a good swing on it." From there the two teams starting pitchers stole the show, as they both earned quality starts. Matt Jackson went strong for six and two-thirds innings, only giving up one run on four hits. He was able to strike out five and only gave up two walks, both of which were in the bottom of the first inning. The effort from Jackson earned him the win. "Jackson set the tone, coming out throwing strikes," said Vermilyea. "His breaking ball was working well and getting him strikes." The Jackals starter Isaac Pavlik, who is a ten-year veteran on the team, also went for six andd two-thirds innings.dddddddddddd. He struck out six Goldeyes, and only gave up those two first inning runs on six hits by the Fish. After both starters came out of the game, it was the relievers chance to show what they could do. Ty Kelley came in for New Jersey, and finished the game on the mound for the Jackals. Kelleys appearance was highlighted in the ninth inning as he struck out the Goldeyes in order. Brendan Lafferty and Chris Kissock took over for a combined one and one-third inning for Winnipeg, and did their job of keeping the Goldeyes in the lead. Kyle Bellamy came in to finish the game for the Fish and earned the save. Bellamy was able to match Kelleys ninth inning performance, striking out the Jackals in order to end the game. "Bellamy did his thing in the ninth inning. You really cant close out a series better than that," Vermilyea said. With the win the Goldeyes end their three-game losing skid and now sit tied with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks for second in the American Association North Division. Both teams are one game behind the St. Paul Saints. The Goldeyes continue their tour of the Can-Am League this weekend with a three-game series against the Quebec Capitales. Theyll face the Capitales Friday night at 6 p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at noon. The Goldeyes then go to Trois-Rivieres to take on the Aigles in a four-game series that will round out the road trip. ' ' '