LONDON -- Swedish hockey star Nicklas Backstrom will receive an Olympic silver medal even though he was suspended from the final in Sochi after a positive drug test. The International Olympic Committee ruled Friday that Backstrom had not intended to enhance his performance, laying the blame for his positive test for pseudoephedrine on the Swedish team doctor. The Washington Capitals centre was suspended and pulled from the team just hours before the Feb. 23 gold-medal game, which Sweden lost 3-0 to Canada. The Swedes were outraged by the timing of the decision and said it affected the teams performance. The IOC defended the suspension, saying it was "fully justified" because of the positive test and noting that Backstrom conceded also taking the allergy medication on the day of the final. But the IOC ruled that the player should not be kicked out of the Sochi Games altogether, citing "mitigating circumstances." "There was no indication of any intent of the athlete to improve his performance by taking a prohibited substance," the IOCs three-person disciplinary commission said. "As a consequence, the athlete is entitled to receive the silver medal and diploma awarded in respect of the mens ice hockey event." Backstrom tested positive for excess levels of pseudoephedrine after Swedens win over Slovenia in the quarter-finals on Feb. 19. He said the stimulant was contained in "Zytec-D," a medication he had been taking for allergies. The IOC said the positive result in the "A" sample was confirmed on the morning of Feb. 23. A hearing with Backstrom and Swedish team officials was quickly assembled. Among those attending was Bjorn Waldeback, the Swedish hockey team doctor and chief medical officer of the Swedish Olympic Committee. The IOC said Backstrom had "nothing to hide" and explained he had been taking the allergy medication regularly for seven years on the advice of a doctor and had never produced a positive test. He said he had taken the medication earlier that day. The IOC said Backstrom told the panel he knew the medication contained pseudoephedrine but relied on Waldebacks advice that the dosage would not trigger a positive test. Waldeback said he was "at fault" for that advice. Backstroms backup "B" sample was tested later on Feb. 23 and also came back positive. The IOC ruled that Backstrom committed an anti-doping violation by having the banned substance in his system. But the panel said he had been "open and co-operative," had disclosed the medication on his doping control form and had relied on Waldebacks advice. The IOC ruled that Waldeback "made a serious error" by telling Backstrom his use of the medication would not result in a positive test. If the doctor applies for Olympic accreditation in the future, the IOC should "seriously consider" his role in the case, the panel said. The IOC said the decision "should in no way" be seen as taking away from the responsibility of athletes to be vigilant and ensure that no prohibited substances enter their body. Shaun Alexander Jersey . The Oilers will try to get back in the win column on Monday when they continue a four-game road trip with a battle against the Buffalo Sabres. Edmonton won its third straight game last Wednesday against visiting San Jose, beating the Sharks 3-0 as Scrivens stopped 59 shots to set an NHL record for saves in a regular-season shutout. Russell Wilson Jersey . The Raptors have been outscored 88-66 in the opening quarter over a three-game span to begin the month of February. Their most recent loss, 109-101 in Sacramento on Wednesday, was eerily similar to Saturdays defeat at the hands of the Trail Blazers. http://www.seahawksfansofficial.com/cortez-kennedy-jersey/. - The Denver Broncos kept rookie wide receiver Tavarres King from joining the Green Bay Packers by promoting him to their active roster Tuesday. Cody Barton Womens Jersey . Rinne had surgery on his left hip May 9 and recovered in time to start the season. He then had arthroscopic surgery on Oct. 24 because of a bacterial infection in his hip. Marquise Blair Womens Jersey .J. - Percy Harvin is ready to go, and theres no question in his mind hell be playing Sunday.TORONTO - He still has time to get a deal done, but Toronto Argonauts GM Jim Barker wont be surprised if quarterback Zach Collaros tests the CFL free-agent waters. Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal — Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division — but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day. The second-year player was especially sharp in a 38-21 win over B.C. on July 30, finishing 21-of-25 passing for 253 yards and three TDs. On Sept. 21, he completed 25-of-36 attempts for 330 yards and four touchdowns in a 33-27 victory over Calgary. An impressive body of work — 190-of-287 passing (66.2 per cent) for 2,316 yards with 14 TDs and six interceptions while running 59 times for 246 yards and five touchdowns — will no doubt attract attention when the six-foot-two, 216-pound Collaros becomes a free agent Feb. 15. Barker said its likely Collaros will want to gauge interest before deciding on his football future. "Wed like to have him back and were still working on it," Barker said Thursday. "But well have to see what happens." One team in need of a starting quarterback is Winnipeg, which had three different starters en route to posting a league-worst 3-15 record. This off-season, the Blue Bombers also hired former Argos special-teams co-ordinator Mike OShea as their new head coach. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats could be a darkhorse with veteran starter Henry Burris also slated to become a free agent. If Burris, 38, doesnt return, that would leave the defending East Division champion with youngsters Dan LeFevour and Jeremiah Massoli along with former NFLers Brian Brohm and Stephen McGee under contract. The expansion Ottawa Redblacks, who begin play this season, will undoubtedly look at Collaros if hes a free agent but theyll do that with most all players who become available Feb. 15. The franchise selected Calgarys Kevin Glenn and B.C.s Thomas DeMarco in last months CFL expansion draft and also has Matt Faulkner, who played collegiately at San Jose State, on the roster. On Tuesday, veteran Anthony Calvillo retired following 20 seasons in the CFL, but the Montreal Alouettes positioned themselves well for the announcement.dddddddddddd. In late December, they re-signed former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and youngster Tanner Marsh to extensions, although three-year veteran Josh Neiswanders contract expires Feb. 15. All three played last season as Calvillo, 41, spent most of 2013 on the sidelines with a concussion. Ideally, Barker would like Collaros to remain in Toronto in head coach Scott Milanovichs offence and continue being tutored by Ray, one of the CFLs best and most accurate quarterbacks. But other teams can entice Collaros with the chance to start — and earn a starters paycheque — which Barker cant with Ray under contract with the Argos through the 2015 campaign. Toronto carried five quarterbacks last season — Ray, Collaros, sophomore Trevor Harris and newcomers Josh Portis and Mitchell Gale. All but Portis saw playing time in 2013, something Barker said would bode well for the Argos if Collaros left. "If we lose Zach, were more than happy to have Trevor and the two other guys to compete with him to be No. 2," Barker said. "Trevor has shown he can play in our league while the other two are more than capable." Collaros isnt the only prominent CFL player poised to become a free agent next month. Among those with expiring contracts whove yet to re-sign with their present clubs include: Montreal offensive lineman Josh Bourke and linebackers Shea Emry and Kyries Hebert; Hamilton linebackers Jamall Johnson and Simoni Lawrence; Winnipeg cornerback Jovon Johnson and linebacker Henoc Muamba; Saskatchewan slotback Weston Dressler, running back Kory Sheets, defensive back Craig Butler and kicker Chris Milo; Calgary defensive lineman Cordarro Law and offensive lineman Dimitri Tsoumpas; Edmonton linebacker Domaso Munoz; and B.C. receiver Nick Moore and defensive lineman Keron Williams. Collaros is one of 10 potential Toronto free agents, a list that includes kicker Swayze Waters, linebacker Robert McCune and cornerback Pat Watkins. Barker isnt sure if hell be able to re-sign any of those players before Feb. 15. "Were trying," he said. "But they all want to go look at it and you have to let them." ' ' '