TORONTO - Olli Maatta skated with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday for the first time since having surgery to remove a tumour in his thyroid gland that turned out to be cancerous. Athletics Jerseys 2020 . Maatta, a 20-year-old defenceman from Finland, insisted he felt normal and believes he could be back on the ice sooner rather than later. I want to come back tomorrow, Maatta said after practice. But Ive got to take it easy first. I have to make sure Im 100 per cent and can help the team when I come back. Maatta was able to continue playing hockey until his Nov. 4 surgery. The team said he would return within four weeks of the operation, which was performed by head and neck surgeon Dr. Robert Ferris at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Coach Mike Johnston said Maatta was ahead of schedule to return to game action. The way it looks right now, hell definitely be back before the four-week window, Johnston said. I would expect if he reacts positively to the skate today and the doctors take a look at him over the next day or so, he can be back any time in the next five, six days. Maatta brushed off concern about the tumour and its removal, saying there was nothing but a scar as a result. I look at it as a bump on the road, the 2012 first-round pick said. Its really good that we found it early. It hasnt really bothered me before. Its not going to bother me again. Its just another bump in the road. I got over it. I can start playing hockey again. Maatta skated on his own following the Penguins morning skate at Madison Square Garden in New York on Tuesday. This was another step in his road back. He took part in most of the drills, hes starting to build up, Johnston said. Well see how he reacts after this skate. I know they want to be cautious just for a few days just to make sure everythings fine with him. Oakland Athletics Gear .C., has been named Canadas top female official, winning the 2014 SOC Award of Excellence. Cranes career as a figure skating judge has spanned over 40 years. Athletics Jerseys 2019 . -- Syracuse was dangerously close to letting another less talented opponent pull off the upset when C. https://www.cheapathleticsonline.com/ .com) - Devan Dubnyk stopped all 30 shots fired his way and made several big saves down the stretch for his third shutout of the season as the Minnesota Wild beat the Calgary Flames 1-0 on Tuesday.HILO, Hawaii - A friendly bet between a high school coach and a wrestler has led to a suspension and a police investigation in Hawaii.Carla Fontes hadnt cut her hair since intermediate school, but her coach at Waiakea High School, Stan Haraguchi, thought the locks flowing below her waist were interfering with the sport.They bet if she lost a match, he would cut her hair. After a 3-0 start, Fontes lost her first match last week.She allowed the coach to cut her hair at a team meeting Monday, even though Fontes mother had expressly forbidden it. Fontes said she didnt relay that information to Haraguchi.The coach has been suspended, said Donalyn Dela Cruz, spokeswoman for the state Department of Education.Arlette Fontes was furious when her 15-year-old daughter came home with shoulder-length hair.Im shaking, the mother told Hawaii Tribune-Herald (http://is.gd/DswSSSq ). Stitched Athletics Jerseys. My daughters hair went all the way down her butt before. Now it looks like a rat has been nibbling on it. Thats a piece of her, gone. A piece of her body.Carla Fontes said she loves wrestling and wants the sport to lead to a college scholarship.It lets me take some of my anger out, she said of wrestling. She said she wishes that her hair wasnt cut, but it is what it is.Haraguchi declined to comment.In any educational situation, it is always best practice to receive parent consent before making any decision that directly affects a student, especially in a situation like this, Principal Kelcy Koga said in an email.Arlette Fontes said she will pursue charges against Haraguchi. Hawaii County police said the department started an investigation Tuesday.___Information from: Hawaii Tribune-Herald, http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/ ' ' '