LONG BEACH, Calif. Tom Brady Jersey . - Canada is one win away from its first Olympic mens volleyball berth in 20 years. Canada advanced to the final of the NORCECA qualifying tournament with a five-set win over Puerto Rico in semifinal action Friday. Set scores were 22-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-23 and 15-11. Canada will face the United States, the defending Olympic gold medallist, in Saturdays championship match. With a victory, Canada would compete in mens volleyball at the Olympics for the first time since 1992. "In the past, theres no way we wouldve won that match," said captain Fred Winters, who led Canada with 18 kills. "We let them have the confidence in the beginning of the match. I dont think we got the momentum back too many times, and we still won. Im proud of our team." Canada coach Glenn Hoag viewed the win as a major milestone. "For our program, its huge," Hoag said. "We dont have a volleyball culture in Canada but weve been building this group for the last six years with a very systematic approach and young players. Its a learning process." The third set proved pivotal. Hoag made three substitutions. Setter Dustin Schneider replaced Joshua Howatson, Adam Kaminski came in for Steve Brinkman and Dallas Soonias relieved Gavin Schmidt. Howatson, Brinkman and Schmidt had played all of Canadas nine sets in group play, and Schmidt was the teams leading hitter with 42 kills. "They were containing Gavin," Hoag said. "I told Dallas to start hitting cross-court to throw Puerto Rico a little off. Dustin stabilized a lot of things at setter." With the substitutes help, Canada broke an 8-8 tie in the fourth set and built a 22-16 lead. Soonias led the rally with four kills and Kaminski added two kills and a block assist. Puerto Rico narrowed its deficit to 24-23 but Toon Van Lankvelts tip at the net secured the victory. Soonias played a key role in the fifth set. With the score tied 9-9, Soonias combined with Brinkman on a block, then pounded a kill to help Canada move ahead, 12-9. Puerto Rico drew within 12-11 but a service error extended Canadas lead to 13-11. Then Brinkman killed a free ball and joined Soonias on a block to end the match. Schmidt added 13 kills and Justin Duff had 10 kills and three blocks. Puerto Ricos Juan Figueroa finished with 27 kills and Ezequiel Cruz had 17 kills and three blocks. Wayne Gretzky Jersey . The First Four game was between the last two at-large programs selected in the now 68-field tourney, but the affair was completely one-sided. The Tigers won their first NCAA Tournament game since 1997 by making 52 percent from the field and forcing 19 turnovers to win going away and earn a No. Stanley Cup New York Rangers Jersey . After a work-stoppage that threatened to end the season altogether and an abbreviated pre-season schedule, the 2011-12 NBA season is set to tip off on Christmas Day. Sheldon Brown Jersey . Charles Carmouche chipped in with 13 points and five steals and Wesley Witherspoon supplied 12 points and five boards for the Tigers (2-0), who have won seven of the 12 all-time meetings between the two schools. Durand Scott led all scorers with 20 points while Malcolm Grant had 18 points and seven rebounds for the Hurricanes (1-1), who opened their season with an 89-77 win over Jacksonville on Friday. Mike Richards Kings Jersey . CAPTAIN SERIOUSBlackhawks captain Jonathan Toews got off to a mediocre start, at least in terms of point production, scoring nine points in the first 15 games this year, but in nine games since, he has eight goals, eight assists and is plus-8. Stanley Cup Anze Kopitar Jersey . Toronto enters this eight-game trip, which also includes stops in Arizona and Anaheim, with an impressive 24-17 record and victories in 12 of their past 16 tilts. A powerful offense that leads the majors with 65 homers and ranks third overall with 212 runs scored has played a big part in the teams strong surge, and the Blue Jays flexed their muscles once again in an 11-2 rout of American League Central leader Minnesota on Tuesday.With only one win in their last four games and losers of five straight at home heading into play Tuesday, there has been plenty of discussion in Vancouver whether the Mats Sundin saga has become a distraction in the Canucks locker room. While head coach Alain Vigneault refused to place the blame on the shoulders of their prize free agent signing, he admitted that the constant media barrage surrounding Sundin has caused issues. "Its pretty obvious that since the day we signed him and the day that he arrived in Vancouver that there has been a lot of focus and attention paid to him and his progression," Vigneault told reporters.  "In my mind it has had some effect, but not to the extent to put the blame on that were not winning now as much as I think we should." Vigneault also added that he believes the constant speculation in the media as to the condition of All-Star netminder Roberto Luongo has also contributed to his teams recent lackluster play. "A lot of days (werre asked) how close is Roberto? Is he going to play?  Is he ready?  Is he 100%?  Are you guys pushing him too much?  Are you bringing him back too soon?  I think all those dynamics have played a little bit into the equation, but they are not the reason that we are on a slide right now. Mike Richards Jersey. quot; Luongo declared himself fit to return on Monday after missing the past 23 games with a groin injury.  He stated that he hopes to be back between the pipes for the Canucks Thursday against the Phoenix Coyotes.  Heading into play Tuesday, the Canucks are 9-11-3 since Luongo was hurt One of the teams biggest problems is getting scoring from off-season free agent acquisition Pavol Demitra.  The three-time All-Star signed a two year, $8 million contract with the team prior to the season has scored only 12 goals this season.  He has found the back of the only once in his last seven games and was demoted to the fourth line at practice Tuesday. ' ' '