Steven Stamkos injury was not enough to prevent him from being named to the squad as Canada general manager Steve Yzerman is fully aware of what the 23-year-old can do when healthy. Cheap Nike Kyrie Irving Basketball Shoes China . Fielding questions after the announcement, Yzerman noted that the brain trust had to take a chance on Stamkos being healthy, since they would be unable to add him to the roster later on. "If hes healthy hes one of the 25 best players, obviously, in Canada," Yzerman said after the roster announcement. "His rehab and recovery are going very well," Yzerman said. "The doctors are pleased with what they see on X-ray and I think every day people see the updates of him skating and whatnot. Hes pushing himself extremely hard." Stamkos is still skating on his own as he recovers from a broken leg. The native of Markham, Ontario has been out of action since crashing into a goal post in Nov. 11. Still, Yzerman stressed that his team is willing to be patient with Stamkos. "Well see how this X-ray goes. Hell continue to work and well wait and well make that decision when we get closer to the Olympics." The announcement was not as kind to Stamkos linemate Martin St. Louis. The 38-year-old has managed 38 points this season despite playing the majority of it without Stamkos. Still, the Canadian brain trust made the decision to leave the veteran off the roster, despite Yzerman having a long look at St. Louis as Tampa Bay Lightning general manager. "I guess we thought with Steve Yzerman being the executive director of Team Canada and the general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning and with Marty St. Louis playing as well as he did, especially after Steven Stamkos went down with injury that he would be there," TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie said. "But we also sensed all along that the coaching staff might not have been as big on Marty St. Louis as the management team or as Steve Yzerman might have been." St. Louis meanwhile, voiced his disappointment after Tampa Bays 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets Tuesday. "For Team Canada, you guys can imagine how I feel, obviously, Im extremely disappointed and Ill just leave it at that," he said, refusing to speak more about the issue. In the end, it put Yzerman in a difficult professional position. "Youve got to hand it to Steve Yzerman," McKenzie said. "Thats a personally – and even professionally, with the impact that this could have with the Tampa Bay Lightning – a huge blow to St. Louis and his psyche right now." Lightning head coach Jon Cooper says that despite being a veteran, being cut is still hard on a player like St. Louis. "Hes a human, so I dont care if hes one year in the league or 20 years in the league, Im sure hes extremely disappointed, as we all are," said Cooper. "Knowing Marty, this is probably going to motivate the snot out of him." St. Louis is not expected to address the media until after the Lightnings game Tuesday night in Winnipeg. Cheap Nike Paul George Basketball Shoes China . The German has taken the pole for three straight races -- winning the first two. Hes aiming for a third consecutive win at the Yeongam circuit and, most importantly, a fourth consecutive F1 championship. Cheap Nike Kobe Bryant Basketball Shoes China .Jeff Green, playing in his second preseason game after missing the first four because of a calf strain, had 18 points. The Celtics (3-3) shot 47.2 per cent from the floor and made 15 of 37 3-point attempts. http://www.cheapbasketballshoesstore.net/ . Ellis had a season-high 37 points and two key assists late, Dirk Nowitzki led a fourth-quarter rally with 14 of his 35 points, and the Mavericks spoiled Howards best offensive night in Houston with a 123-120 victory over the Rockets on Wednesday night. PHILADELPHIA -- By the time he stepped to the plate in the seventh inning, Cody Asche had seen enough of Mike Minor to know that the Atlanta Braves left-hander had his best stuff. That didnt stop the rookie third baseman from swinging away on the first pitch he saw, belting a two-run homer to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 2-1 victory Friday night. The go-ahead blast was all Cliff Lee needed to outduel Minor in a matchup of two of the leagues premier southpaws. "I definitely thought he didnt want to fall behind in that situation," Asche said. "I think on my first at-bats, he threw some good pitches first pitch. So I was looking for a strike, something up on the zone and something I could put some good wood on and drive." After surrendering a homer to Andrelton Simmons leading off the third inning, Lee (12-6) didnt allow a hit through eight innings. He finished with 10 strikeouts without a walk, giving up just two hits. In his first time facing the Phillies this season, Minor (13-6) allowed four hits and two earned runs in seven innings, striking out nine and walking one. "It was a pretty darn good pitching matchup," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Both were throwing strikes with all of their pitches. . Lee is one of the top pitchers in the majors. If hes on, its going to be a tough night." Asche, who was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on July 31, hit his fourth homer of the season and is 7 for 11 with five RBIs in his last three games. He boosted his average to .287 despite starting out his major league career on a 1-for-17 streak. Asche made a sharp bare-handed play at third in the ninth to help Jonathan Papelbon record his 25th save of the season. "I wouldnt say my nerves have dissipated," Asche said of his recent hot streak. "I just think you learn to control them." Asche wasnt the only Phillie at his best in the field. Lee, who had allowed eight runs combined in his previous two starts against the Braves, was backed up by some impressive defensive plays all night. Wholesale Basketball Shoes Shop. In the sixth inning, second baseman Chase Utley made a sprawling catch to rob Justin Upton of a base hit. And two innings before that, centre fielder Cesar Hernandez ran a long way to track down a shot in the gap from Evan Gattis. "I think it helps when Im throwing strikes and working fast," Lee said. "Im not trying to take credit because the guys were making great plays. But it all kind of goes hand in hand." Simmons homered to left field to lead off the third inning. It was the 14th homer of the season for Simmons and the league-leading 161st for the Braves. Simmons made a big defensive play at shortstop, going deep in the hole and firing a rocket to first to nab the speedy Jimmy Rollins to end the sixth. Rollins got the Phillies first hit of the game with a bloop single to lead off the fourth but was thrown out trying to extend it into a double. No Phillie got into scoring position until Asches homer in the seventh. "It looked like (Minor) made one mistake to Asche there, just like I made one mistake to Simmons in the third," Lee said. "It came down to one swing of the bat." NOTES: Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee told reporters before the game that Ethan Martin would move to the bullpen with Tyler Cloyd replacing him in the rotation. A former first-round draft pick who was traded to the Phils for Shane Victorino last year, Martin went 2-4 with a 6.90 ERA in seven starts since getting called up from Triple-A. ... At 2 hours and 14 minutes, Fridays game marked the shortest nine-inning game for the Phillies this season. ... The Braves dipped to 34-35 on the road this season. They are 51-20 at home. Atlanta had won eight of its last 10 and was 29-10 in their last 39 games before Fridays loss. ... Eight of Simmons last nine hits have gone for extra bases. ... Lee has given up 19 homers, the most on the Phillies staff. ... Atlantas Alex Wood (3-3) opposes Kyle Kendrick (10-12) on Saturday. ' ' '