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CALGARY -- One of the most recognizable faces on the Canadian womens hockey team will not play in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Defenceman Tessa Bonhomme was among three players released from the team Tuesday morning along with defenceman Brigette Lacquette of Waterhen, Man., and Winnipeg forward Jenelle Kohanchuk. Bonhomme was a veteran of the womens team that won Olympic gold in 2010 in Vancouver. "I dont think it matters who you are, youre always surprised when a cut is made," Bonhomme said. "Ive never counted my chickens before they were hatched and I always knew I would have to earn my spot no matter what. "At the beginning of the year, I felt great, like I was playing the way I should and then I kind of ran into a little bit of health issues and didnt really bounce back the way I wanted to." Head coach Dan Church reduced his roster to 24 players as Canada prepares for the chance to defend gold in February. One more defencemen and two more forwards will be released before the 21-player Olympic roster is announced in late December. Bonhomme raised her profile and that of womens hockey with appearances on "Wipeout Canada" and CBCs "Battle of the Blades" post-2010. Bonhomme has also done television work for Leafs TV in Toronto. The 28-year-old from Sudbury, Ont., represented Canada in four world championships in addition to the Olympics. She won three gold and two silver in those tournaments. "I tried this afternoon to try to sit down and realize what Id worked so hard for the past three years isnt going to happen," Bonhomme said. "Im OK with that. Im an adult and this is what I signed up for, an opportunity to try out. "Im thankful Dan and Hockey Canada gave me the opportunity to come out here and try and prove what I got. Unfortunately it wasnt enough." Bonhomme, Lacquette and Kohanchuk had just played in the Four Nations Cup in Lake Placid, N.Y., where Canada beat Finland 6-3 in Saturdays final. Kohanchuk scored twice in the championship game. "We didnt foresee they were going to be able to move themselves up enough to overtake who was ahead of them on the depth chart at this point," Church said. "It didnt matter how many weeks were still (to go), we didnt see that happening based on the body of work to date." Lacquette, 21, and Kohanchuk, 23, were rookies on the national team. Between them, theyve played 15 international games since the 27 players arrived in Calgary in August. Bonhomme appeared in her 100th international game during the Four Nations. Offensively skilled and quick on her skates, Bonhomme has 10 goals and 41 assists for Canada, but didnt have any points in Lake Placid. She sat out some games this fall because of a crushed nerve she suffered in an Oct. 1 game, as well as a bout of shingles. "Those are by no means excuses," Bonhomme said. "I would never rely on one of those for the reason I was playing bad. Maybe I just didnt perform up to the standard or up to par that they wanted and they decided to release me at the first chance they got. "Ive trusted the coaching staff from the get-go and I trust that they made the right decision. I have no doubt in my mind this team will be successful." Bonhomme was one of 13 veterans from 2010 invited to try out for the Olympic team again, but she was beaten out of her job by younger defenders. Lauriane Rougeau, Laura Fortino, Courtney Birchard and Tara Watchorn are newcomers to Canadas blue-line since 2010. Jocelyne Larocque, who was released from the 2010 team, and 2010 vets Catherine Ward and Meaghan Mikkelson are the experienced defencemen remaining. "In looking at the number of defencemen we have, it comes down to a numbers game and who is ahead of whom at this point in the season," Church said. "We have a lot of talented young players playing really well right now. "At this point, we have seven defencemen here who have been a little bit more consistent in their level of competition and thats why theyre still here." The Canadian women often say the Olympic Games is their Stanley Cup. That makes it difficult to tell them they wont be going, said Church. "While its a real tough day for coaches, its the toughest day for players," Church said. "They were all emotional in their own way, but they all handled it very dignified. It was a tough day all around. "Tessa was a true professional. She just thanked us and that was pretty much it." Bonhomme intends to return to Toronto, re-join the Toronto Furies of the Canadian Womens Hockey League and pursue a masters degree in speech pathology. She was the first female hockey player on "Battle of the Blades" which pairs hockey players with figure skaters. Bonhomme and David Pelletier were crowned the winners. "Maybe Ill go online and check out some new reality TV shows," Bonhomme said. "Theres got to be a few shows I can apply for and hopefully get on." Meghan Agosta-Marciano, Rebecca Johnston, Jennifer Wakefield, Gillian Apps, Caroline Ouellette, Melanie Daoust, Jayna Hefford, Bailey Bram, Brianne Jenner, Haley Irwin, Hayley Wickenheiser, Natalie Spooner, Vicki Bendus and Marie-Philip Poulin are the remaining forwards after the release of Kohanchuk. "Jenelle had played very well from the start of the season until now. We just didnt see that she was going to be able to move up enough to make our final roster," Church said. "Shes a hard-working player and a real good person, so it was hard to let her go, just as it was the other two players. "Brigette is a talented defender and I think theres potential for her down the road if she matures and becomes a more well-rounded athlete." Shannon Szabados, Charline Labonte and Genevieve Lacasse will be Canadas goaltenders in Sochi. Church informed Bonhomme, Kohanchuk and Lacquette of his decision prior to the teams departure for Grande Prairie, Alta., on Tuesday. The Canadian women resume their schedule of games against Alberta Midget Hockey League teams there Wednesday. Canada has played 27 games against mens teams in the AMHL and international womens teams since the players centralized in Calgary in August. Canada and the U.S. women will meet again Dec. 12 in Calgary, followed by their exhibition games in Grand Forks, N.D., on Dec. 20, St. Paul, Minn., on Dec. 28 and Toronto on Dec. 30. Joe Kelly Jersey . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. Mookie Betts Jersey . However, it wasnt a problem on Monday night. 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Evgeni Nabokov made 23 saves for his 56th career shutout in the New York Islanders 3-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night.Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - James Harden nearly recorded a triple-double and the Houston Rockets used a fast start to take down the Oklahoma City Thunder, 112-101, on Thursday night. Harden led six Rockets in double figures with 31 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. Trevor Ariza totaled 17 points and Donatas Motiejunas had 14 for Houston, which has won five of its last six. Dwight Howard, Patrick Beverley and Josh Smith each contributed 13 points to the victory. Kevin Durant paced the Thunder with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Russell Westbrook, Dion Waiters and Reggie Jackson scored 16 points apiece in Oklahoma Citys third loss in four games. Both teams shot under 30 percent in the last meeting, a forgettable 69-65 Rockets victory on Nov. 16 in a game Durant and Westbrook were absent from the OKC lineup. Houston used relentless effort during a strong opening quarter in this one and jumped all over the Thunder from the onset. Harden looked to get a lift playing his former club, scoring the first seven points for the Rockets as part of a 23-2 run early in the first. Oklahoma City made the first two field goals of the game, then did not register another successful basket until the newly acquired Waiters hit a bank shot at 5:20 which closed the gap to 23-9.dddddddddddd Harden netted 15 points in Houstons highest-scoring quarter of the season as it grabbed a 40-18 advantage entering the second. Durant scored 15 of his 16 first-half points in the second quarter and helped the Thunder cut a 26-point deficit to 64-53 at the break. The Rockets maintained a double-digit lead throughout the third and brought an 88-75 edge into the fourth. Houston led 88-78 early in the fourth when Smith converted a pair of buckets inside during a 12-0 run that put the game out of reach. Game Notes OKC has been held under 100 points in four straight games on the heels of reaching the century mark in three straight -- two wins ... The win was Rockets coach Kevin McHales 200th career ... Durant had a game-high three blocks ... Serge Ibaka finished with 13 points and seven rebounds in the loss ... Houston shot 16-of-36 from beyond the arc. ' ' '