PRAGUE - Veteran Czech centre Petr Nedved has retired from ice hockey, a month after playing in the Sochi Olympics. The 42-year-old Nedved made the announcement on Thursday after his White Tigers Liberec were knocked out of the Czech league playoffs. "I can hardly find anything as beautiful as hockey in my life," an emotional Nedved said. Nedved returned to the Olympics to play for the Czech Republic two decades after winning a silver medal in Lillehammer playing for Canada. He emigrated from then-communist Czechoslovakia in 1989 to start his NHL career in 1990 with three seasons for the Vancouver Canucks. In 1995-96, his best season, he scored 45 goals and had 54 assists for the Pittsburgh Penguins before adding 10 goals and 10 assists in the playoffs. In 982 NHL regular season games, Nedved scored 310 goals and added 407 assists. He also played for the St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Phoenix Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers. He returned home when he retired from the NHL after the 2006-07 season. Willians Astudillo Twins Jersey .Y. -- As if the worst start in franchise history isnt bad enough, Buffalo Sabres President Ted Black braced his teams win-starved fans for potentially more tough times. Jose Berrios Twins Jersey . Today, well look at five frontcourt players today, here from the Bay Area. 1. AMIR JOHNSON (Raptors): I cant figure out what the issue or problem is, but based upon what Im seeing, hes not right. http://www.twinssale.com/twins-max-kepler-jersey/ . Bjoergen pulled away from Swedens Charlotte Kalla on the final straight to win in 38 minutes, 33.6 seconds and defend her title from the 2010 Vancouver Games. Kalla was 1.8 seconds back. Heidi Weng of Norway took bronze. Byron Buxton Twins Jersey . -- Pelicans coach Monty Williams does not expect guard Eric Gordon to play in any of New Orleans final five games this season. Max Kepler Twins Jersey . Chris Heisey connected for his first grand slam and Devin Mesoraco homered and drove in a career high-tying four runs as Cincinnati took advantage of Tampa Bays depleted pitching staff for a 12-4 victory on Sunday.Raymond van Barneveld became the latest big name to tumble out of the World Matchplay after Brendan Dolan pulled off a shock 10-7 win. The Dutch legend was never able to break, missing four darts to win a leg against the throw, and paid a heavy price with a first-round exit in Blackpool, following James Wade out of the tournament.Dolan, No 21 on the PDCs order of merit, earned the biggest win of his year after failing to progress beyond the last 16 of any singles competition so far. Brendan Dolan (left) caused a shock by eliminating Van Barneveld The first nine legs went with the throw, with 11th-seed Van Barneveld unable to establish the dominance that his seeding suggested he should.Dolan broke to go 6-4 up and forced Barney to fiercely battle to hold his next throw - but the Northern Irishman eventually did enough to book a second-round match against Mervyn King.Phil The Power Taylor kept his hopes of a 16th Matchplay title alive by eliminating the spirited Robbie Green.The PDCs 56th-ranked Green gave Taylor plenty of trouble and forced the 15-time champion to fight for his 10-8 win until the bitter end. Phil Taylor andd Robbie Green miss a combined 25 darts at a double in a single leg… Taylor had cancelled out Greens early 2-0 lead but never looked likely to run away with the match - even when the underdog missed a dart to break for 7-7 he refused to wilt.ddddddddddddhe 16-time world champion was far from prolific on his doubles, hitting just 34 percent, but withstood Greens challenge to confirm a second-round match against Mensur Suljovic.Steve Beaton earned a surprise victory by eliminating the up-and-coming Jelle Klaasen after a 10-6 win. Jelle Klaasens darts got tangled at the crucial moment... The Bronzed Adonis reached the semi-finals of this tournament 15 years ago but, as No 26 on the PDCs order of merit, was never expected to topple the 10th seed Klaasen.Beaton opened a two-break lead to go 7-4 ahead and although Klaasen cranked up the pressure by breaking back, it was too late for the talented Dutchman.Seventh-seed Michael Smith wasnt overly troubled by the veteran Simon Whitlock, winning 10-6 against the two-time semi-finalist. Also See: Sky Bets darts odds On Sky TV Schedule/Results Features Get Sky Sports ' ' '