EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Oilers returned to the ice Wednesday after 12 days off for the Olympic break, several of them with red faces either from sun tanning or the hard bike riding that was part of the mini training camp/conditioning session they were put through. "It feels a lot shorter than it was," said veteran defenceman Andrew Ference, who spent part of the break with his family in Canmore, Alta., visiting former Olympians Thomas Grandi and Sara Renner. "But its a really good chance to get rid of all the little aches and pains." Ference said it has to be remembered that with back-to-back condensed seasons - last year because of the lockout - players need the break both mentally and physically. "The last calendar year I think I played 110 or 120 games, so its a much welcomed break." It was a break that came with the Oilers suddenly having found their game in the midst of another disastrous, non-playoff season. They went into the Olympic break having won five of their previous seven games - one of the losses was in overtime - and outscoring their opponents 18-12. Their previous 10 games before the break - the statistic the NHL keeps - showed them at 5-3-2, a record that put them in the middle of the pack, unlike the 29th place they are in with their overall record of 20-33-7. "It is tough from that aspect," forward Jordan Eberle said of the untimely break. "Some of the GMs around the league have been complaining, some of the teams were going well and then you get this break. Its almost like a new season starting. "But, for me personally, I feel you get re-energized, with a little more jump and a little more excitement to play, like you did in camp. I feel really energized and ready to play." Like many of the players, Eberle took a vacation away from the game, away from Edmonton and away from winter. But not away from working out. "Yeah I went away but I definitely worked out," he added. "I knew today was going to be a tough day. It was just a bit of a skate but most of the stuff was in the gym and it was tough." Ference said the players were put through a tough physical that included a hard bike ride but said everybody looked fine. "Nobody was puking." Veteran Ryan Smyth said it would have been nice to be playing in the Olympics again, but he appreciated the great family time he had in Mexico. And as a player turning 38 on Friday, he said "any time you get some rest for the body to recuperate, it will really help." While players made sure they stayed physically active and in shape, they were able to mentally turn off the game and enjoy some rare family time. "Your mind is a little off on vacation so you give yourself a break there," said Eberle, second on the Oilers scoring with 45 points. "But as far as your body you have to make sure youre still able to come back and play 22 games. So everyone took their mind away from the game, which is a good thing. "I went on vacation somewhere hot and your mind is so out of it that you think, wow, I have to come back and play hockey? But as soon as you get to Edmonton, see the snow on the ground, it changes pretty quickly. I got on the ice, felt pretty excited to get back. Its almost like a new season here." The Oilers resume play Feb. 27 at home against the Minnesota Wild. 20:11ET 19-02-14 Cheap Balenciaga Sneakers Uk . Calgary finished atop the CFL standings with a 14-4 record and earned the right to host the West Division final at McMahon Stadium on Nov. Balenciaga Sneakers Discount .J. Mayo made seven three-pointers and scored 25 points, Ersan Ilyasova added 20, and the Milwaukee Bucks placed seven players in double figures in a 130-110 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers, who lost their 11th straight game on Monday night. http://www.balenciagaoutletuk.com/ .Those stars, most notably the top line of James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel, struggled against the Montreal Canadiens and must be better as the Leafs look ahead to facing the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers this weekend. Balenciaga Sneakers Buy Uk . Mickelson shot a 2-under 70 after opening with a 77 -- his worst score of the season -- on TPC San Antonios AT&T Oaks Course. Lefty was 11 strokes behind leader Steven Bowditch, the Australian who had a 67 to reach 8-under 136. Balenciaga Sneakers Wholesale .C. -- Gleason Fournier scored the shootout winner as the Grand Rapids Griffins defeated the Abbotsford Heat 4-3 Friday in American Hockey League action.The Green Bay Packers keep absorbing the hits on the offensive line.But as far as the linemen are concerned, better that they take the blows than quarterback Aaron Rodgers.Front fives dont usually draw much attention. The Packers highlight reel is typically filled with pinpoint passes from Rodgers to receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, and pinball runs by Eddie Lacy.But its difficult to overlook how the Packers front has performed this season, especially with injuries nagging the line.The five that play together practice together each and every week give you the chance to be the most cohesive group, coach Mike McCarthy said. He pointed to a combination of talent, ability and continuity on the practice field as keys to success.They havent all been full participants at practice, though, for about six weeks.T.J. Lang is playing with an ankle injury, while fellow guard Josh Sitton has a left toe injury. Theyve either missed practice, or been limited at times since each player got hurt in the 44-23 loss on Oct. 26 at New Orleans.Right tackle Bryan Bulaga left last weeks 21-13 loss at Buffalo with a concussion. He did not take part in practice Thursday, though he was at least at the practice facility — usually a positive sign that things are going well.Yeah, when (trainers) let him out of the building and go down to the Hutson Center, thats a good thing, McCarthy said.The injuries started in the preseason, when swing tackle Don Barclay, who would have likely been the first lineman off the bench, had a season-ending knee injury.J.C. Tretter was slated to start at centre after last years starter, Evan Dietrich-Smith, signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent. But Tretter injured an ankle two weeks before the season started, forcing rookie Corey Liinsley into the starting lineup.ddddddddddddIt turned out not to be a concern.The Packers have allowed 28 sacks in 14 games, which ranks 13th. But there have been just seven sacks in the six games since the loss to the Saints in late October.Similarly, after a sluggish start, the running game has picked up.Green Bay ran for 179 yards on 30 carries two weeks ago against Atlanta, and 158 on 24 carries last week against Buffalo. They are the two highest rushing totals of the season.The cohesiveness just in the run blocking improves. The course, the footwork and course of the backs, its better, theyre playing a little faster, McCarthy said. All those things — I just think when teams have a chance to continue to work each and every day together, you improve.The fifth member of the starting unit is second-year left tackle David Bakhtiari, who has improved as the season has worn on.Timing is definitely everything, Lacy said about the running game. Its about the way (defenders) angle to the blocks, where the defence flows, and there (are) a lot of different factors.That includes the five beefy Packers on the offensive line.NOTES: Lacy was limited in practice for a second straight day with eye irritation, which McCarthy said wasnt related to football. Lacy said the eye started bothering him this week after taking out a contact lens. Lacy said he plans to wear contacts again on Sunday, but would rather not have to wear goggles. ... Cobb, in the last year of his contract, said he doesnt know of any talks about an extension, that he was focused on helping the Packers secure a playoff spot. Cobb is having a career year with 76 catches for 1,076 yards and 10 touchdowns.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '