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VANCOUVER -- David Booth will put months of rehabilitation from an ankle injury to the test on Saturday. The Vancouver winger is slated to play his first game since March as the Canucks visit the Edmonton Oilers in an NHL pre-season game. "Its been a long time since Ive played, so theres going to be certain things that youre going to have to work out, whether its the first period, the second period, first game, second game," Booth said after practice Friday. "But if I can get a couple games in here before (the season), I think that will really help." Booth, one of Vancouvers highest-paid players at US$4.25 million per season, will use the game as part of his effort to improve on a lockout-shortened season in which he scored just one goal -- into an empty net -- and added two assists in 12 games. His season ended prematurely when he suffered a broken ankle and ligament damage that required surgery in a March 16 game against Detroit. "Its not going to be on my mind," he said of the injury. "I cant go in there thinking Im going to be tentative." The 28-year-old Detroit native hopes to get comfortable again with the speed of the game, which he thinks will pose his "biggest problem." "The physical, play, the balance, all that stuff, will take time," he said. The first hit, he added, will wake him up and assist in improving those aspects. Booth has already taken some hits publicly for his enigmatic play and boasts about his hunting conquests off the ice. A former 30-goal scorer with Florida, he has yet to excel with the Canucks after two seasons marred by injuries and inconsistency. Prior to being sidelined with the leg injury, Booth missed some games due to a groin injury during on-ice testing in training camp. With his health improved, he is hoping to make an impact with the Canucks as they attempt to atone for first-round playoff exits the past two seasons. "I think I can contribute more than I ever have," he said. "I really believe that. Ive worked hard this off-season to get back to where I need to be for the season. I know (Im) not going to just jump in and be 100 per cent right away, and thats going to be frustrating. "But Im playing with some really good teammates and good linemates. If I can get a chance with Ryan (Kesler) and Alex (Burrows), I think that will help my game a lot." Booth is getting a bit of late start in the pre-season, because he was still not cleared to play after arriving for training camp. He just resumed on-ice workouts this week after spending the summer working out in Florida and flying back to Vancouver for medical appointments. "From the time that I was in a boot, I couldnt walk for six to eight weeks," he said. "I worked out my upper body and I got really strong up there. But then when I was able to start rehabbing my ankle and start doing a little bit more conditioning, I started doing more agility stuff, balance stuff, biometric stuff. "That didnt really start until August, and that was frustrating, because usually Im doing that stuff in May and just keep building and building. a But it is a long process and Im still on the upward." At one point during his rehab period, Booth bulked up because he had watched Chicago Blackhawks winger Bryan Bickell in the regular season and playoffs with the Stanley Cup champions. But the Canucks winger soon realized that he and Bickell have different styles. "I was 237 up there, and I cant skate when Im like that," he said. "I cant feel the puck. I cant doing anything. Watching the playoffs and watching Bickell and seeing how good of a season and playoffs he had, I was (thinking) I had to get big, because I was watching him play and he was very effective out there. "But thats not my game. I have speed. I still think I can be stronger on the puck without all the extra upper-body weight." Vancouver head coach John Tortorella is still trying to figure out what kind of game Booth can offer the Canucks. The new coach saw Booth play many times while he coached the Tampa Bay Lightning and the winger toiled for the Panthers. But Tortorella wants to see more of him with the Canucks before making an assessment. "Ive seen him practise once, so I have no impression," said Tortorella. "I know what he is. Ive seen him play in the league, but I cant give you an impression on what he is right now." Notes: Tortorella will go behind the bench for the first time in the pre-season in Edmonton. He watched the first two pre-season games from the clubs management box in the rafters. a The Canucks held two early-morning practices, with the first group starting at 7:30 a.m., before taking part in the teams annual charity golf tournament held in Joe Theismann Redskins Jersey . "Theyve been good against everybody," he said. Carlos Gomez launched a three-run homer and Matt Garza battled into the seventh inning for his first win in four starts to help the Brewers continue their mastery of the Rockies with a 7-4 victory Saturday. Earnest Byner Womens Jersey . Both had to wait out a rain interruption lasting nearly five hours before taking comprehensive third-round victories to join Carling Bassett-Seguso (1983, 1986), Patricia Hy-Boulais (1996-97) and Daniel Nestor (1999) as Canadians who made it into the second week of a major. http://www.redskinsfansproshop.com/Redsk...ml?cat=1294.com) - Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mat Latos had an arthroscopic procedure performed on his right elbow last week, the teams official site reported Wednesday. Dwayne Haskins Jersey . The 20-year-old Inoue landed a series of combinations and the bout was stopped 2 minutes, 54 seconds into the sixth round. Inoue, the first Japanese boxer to claim a world title in just his sixth professional fight, improved to 6-0 with five knockouts. Russ Grimm Womens Jersey . -- Damian Lillard couldnt believe when he got a clear look at the rim.MADRID, Spain -- A second-half goal from Luis "Pizzi" Afonso earned Espanyol a 2-1 victory at Malaga in the Spanish league on Tuesday, while Elche held fourth-place Athletic Bilbao to a 0-0 draw. Cristian Stuani laid the ball off for Sergio Garcia to smash home an angled shot as Espanyol took the lead in the 32nd minute. Malaga levelled two minutes later despite Pablo Perez being offside when he collected the ball before lifting a shot over goalkeeper Francisco Casilla. Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero made a number of key saves but couldnt reach Pizzis winner in the 75th. Malagas rally was stalled when Perez was red carded moments later. "An important win for ensuring we stay up in the first division," Garcia said after Espanyol reached 40 points to go provisionally eighth. Athletic, which currently holds the final Champions League qualifying spot, provisionally stretched its advantage over fifth-place Sevilla to nine points. Sevilla hoosts Real Madrid, which is looking to rebound from its weekend defeat to Barcelona, on Wednesday.dddddddddddd Neither team dominated at the Elches Martinez Valero Stadium, with Bilbao coming close in the 16th when goalkeeper Manuel Herrera palmed Ander Herreras curling free kick over the bar. The hosts best chance came in the 72nd when Christian Herrera cut a shot back across the box but it ran wide of the far post. Elche moved three points clear of 18th-place Getafe and the drop. "The weather didnt help, the pitch didnt help, neither team played great," Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera said. "I think we could have offered a better performance." Atletico Madrid leads the standings with 70 points, the same as Madrid but it enjoys the tiebreaker. Atletico plays Granada on Wednesday, when Barcelona faces Celta Vigo. Defending champion Barcelona trails the two Madrid clubs by a single point going into the 30th round of games. ' ' '