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NEW YORK -- Hockey rarely gets much attention in Norway, a skiing-obsessed nation that turns to soccer when the snow melts. Kyle Ryan Cubs Jersey . Mats Zuccarello is changing that. Zuccarello is only the seventh player from Norway to make it to the NHL, and hes the first to make it to the Stanley Cup finals. Now, "Zucca" has Norwegians staying up late to watch New York Rangers games and checking the stats to see if he scored. "A lot of Norwegians have fallen in love with Zuccarello," says Roy Kvatningen, sports editor for Norwegian online paper Nettavisen. "First and foremost because hes successful at what he does. He won the scoring title in Norway, he won the scoring title in Sweden, and now hes playing on the biggest stage in the world. "Hes also got a cool name and a good personality: confident, but down to earth." Former teammates of Zuccarello and his mother are being interviewed by Norwegian media. Downhill skier Kjetil Jansrud and players on the national soccer team have sent him congratulatory messages. In his fourth NHL season, all with the Rangers, Zuccarello notched 19 goals and 40 assists in 77 games. He added four goals and seven assists in 20 post-season games to help New York get to the finals for the first time in 20 years. "Some people, like my close family and friends that have been following me since I was young, are really excited," he said. "I told everyone its a huge opportunity for me to play, but at the same time nothing is won yet." The affable 26-year-old winger hopes his success will build up hockey at home, but he knows it will take a lot more than that. "I would love to be a role model for younger players back home and create some more buzz around hockey," he said. "Hopefully this can help. If I was Norwegian or not, I would be equally happy to play in the Stanley Cup finals." Norway finished last in the Sochi Olympic hockey tournament. Zuccarello believes a greater commitment is needed within the country before success outside of it can be reached. "We have 25 rinks. There is no ice in the rinks during the whole summer," he said. "... How are you supposed to be a good hockey player when you go four months with no ice?" Zuccarello says Norway hasnt made a commitment to hockey since Oslo hosted the 1952 Olympics. "Nothing," he said in a frustrated tone. "We have one new rink in Norway that is not from 52. They have renewed it a little bit, but our main rink in Oslo was built in 52, and thats not good enough. Its got to start from the top. Its going to cost money, but the government has money. Youve got to use it to get new rinks, get people excited to go to a hockey game with new seats. Norway is considered the "little brother" in hockey circles to Sweden and Finland. Sweden has 10 times as many rinks than Norway, Kvatningen said. Zuccarello was fortunate to attend a hockey-centric high school and then played three seasons in Norways elite league. From there he went to Modo in Swedens premier league before signing a free agent deal with the Rangers in 2010. He watched the Stanley Cup finals as a youngster in the early morning hours. The first one he recalls was the Colorado Avalanches victory over Florida in 1996 when he was 8. The Avalanche, with Swedish star Peter Forsberg, was Zuccarellos favourite team. They won that series in a four-game sweep -- ending it with Uwe Krupps goal in triple overtime. "I remember waking up. I was going to school, I turned on the TV and Uwe Krupp scored the overtime winner," Zuccarello said. "I didnt think it was live. I thought it was taped." He might be about to create a lot of sleepless nights for grown-ups and kids alike back home once this series against the Los Angeles Kings begins Wednesday. Family members and friends are planning to make the trip to New York to see him play live in Games 3 and 4. They will have to make room for other Norwegian tourists who are looking to make the trek, too. "I know already that more Norwegians have been travelling to New York to catch a game at Madison Square Garden," Kvatningen said. "Even if theyre not hockey fans, its a great experience for Norwegians to go over there and see a small Norwegian guy getting celebrated." Jonathan Lucroy Cubs Jersey . Still, Inter moved one point ahead of Parma in the race for fifth place and the final Europa League spot. Udinese remained 14th, 11 points above the relegation zone. Inter was beaten 2-1 by Atalanta at home on Sunday and has won only seven of 16 matches at the San Siro this season, as the squad seems to still be searching for its identity under new owner Erick Thohir and first-year manager Walter Mazzarri. Kyle Schwarber Cubs Jersey . Pinch-hitter Tommy Medica singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Padres beat the Seattle Mariners 2-1 in their first home game since Gwynn died of cancer Monday. https://www.cheapcubs.com/1810t-rod-beck-jersey-cubs.html . "This is my city," the Toronto native said upon his arrival Wednesday night. And the 35-year-old former league MVP says he is hoping to making 2014 a memorable year.Winston-Salem, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - Freshman Justise Winslow scored a season-high 20 points and No. 2 Duke pulled away down the stretch for a 73-65 win over Wake Forest on Wednesday night. After trailing for a total of 6 minutes and 13 seconds in its first 13 games, Duke found itself behind by two points with under five minutes remaining. But Quinn Cooks three-point play sparked a 9-2 burst that gave the Duke the lead for good. It was part of an overall run of 16-4 by the Blue Devils (14-0, 2-0 ACC). ACC scoring leader Jahlil Okafor had 12 points and 11 rebounds and Cook also scored 12 it Dukes tightest win of the season. The Blue Devils, who are 14-0 for the seventh time under Mike Krzyzewski, had won each of their first 13 games by double digits, Devin Thomas had 24 points to lead Wake Forest (8-8, 0-3) and Codi Miller- McIntyre scored 13. The Demon Deacons, coming off an 85-76 loss to No. 5 Louisville on Sunday, hosted back-to-back games against top-five teams for the first time in program history. Final Score: (3) Virginia 61, North Carolina State 51 Charlottesville, VA (SportsNetwork.com) - Justin Anderson posted 16 points and nine rebounds and No. 3 Virginia stayed unbeaten with Wednesdays 61-51 win over North Carolina State. Malcolm Brogdon gave 14 points and Anthony Gill had 12 with seven rebounds for Virginia, which was coming off a double-overtime win over Miami in its ACC opener last Saturday. Virginia (14-0, 2-0 ACC) entered Wednesdays tilt ranked second in the nation in points allowed, giving up just 50.8 per game despite its last two opponents scoring 72 and 80, respectively. It got back to form on Wednesday and caused fits for the Wolfpack, who had a six-plus minute scoreless stretch in each half. Ralston Turner led NC State (11-5, 2-1) with 14 points, and Kyle Washington tallied 13 with 10 rebounds. Final Score: (4) Wisconsin 62, Purdue 55 Madison, WI (SportsNetwork.com) - Frank Kaminsky scored 21 points to lead fourth-ranked Wisconsin to a 62-55 win over Purdue on Wednesday. Josh Gasser added 15 points and Traevon Jackson contributed 13 for the Badgers (15-1, 3-0 Big Ten), whose win streak reached a season-high eight games. The win was Bo Ryans 159th in conference play since arriving at Wisconsin, setting a new program record. Jon Octeus poured in 15 points to go with eight rebounds for the Boilermakers (10-6, 2-1), who have dropped four of their last six. A.J. Hammons picked up 11 points in a losing cause. Final Score: (5) Louisville 58, Clemson 52 Louisville, KY (SportsNetwork.com) - Chris Jones scored 22 points and helped key a huge Louisville run to begin the second half that lifted the fifth- ranked Cardinals to a hard-earned 58-52 victory over Clemson. Louisville (14-1, 2-0 ACC) was down 22-18 at halftime after shooting a woeful 22.2 percent over the first 20 minutes, but went on a 17-0 tear following the intermission and never trailed again in its first conference home game as an ACC member. Terry Rozier netted six of his 15 points during the pivotal spurt, while Jones had all but two of his points in the second half. Wayne Blackshear added 11 points for Louisville, but finished 3-of-13 from the floor. The Cardinals shot just 32.7 percent for the game, but held Clemson to a 30.8 percent success rate in a defensive slugfest. Clemson (8-6, 0-2), coming off a 24-point home loss to No. 18 North Carolina on Saturday, was led by Jaron Blossomgames 15 points. Damarcus Harrison finished with 12 in defeat. Final Score: (9) Utah 74, Colorado 49 Salt Lake City, UT (SportsNetwork.com) - Delon Wright had 13 points, six assists and four steals to lead No. 9 Utah in a 74-49 victory over Colorado on Wednesday. Brandon Taylor tallied 14 points and five assissts, while Dakarai Tucker added 11 points for the Utes (13-2, 3-0 Pac-12), who have won six straight games. Dillon Maples Cubs Jersey. Askia Booker had 12 points and six rebounds and Jaron Hopkins added 12 points for the Buffaloes (9-6, 2-1), who had won their previous two coming in. Final Score: Illinois 64, (11) Maryland 57 Champaign, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Malcolm Hills career-high 28 points helped Illinois overcome the loss of Rayvonte Rice and upset No. 11 Maryland 64-57 on Wednesday. Hill made four of Illinois seven made 3s and finished 9- for-18 from the floor. Nnanna Egwu added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Fighting Illini (11-5, 1-2 Big Ten). Rice, the leading scorer and senior leader for the Illini, was lost for 3-to-6 weeks with a broken hand. Final Score: (12) Kansas 56, (21) Baylor 55 Waco, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Jamari Traylor scored 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting as No. 12 Kansas opened Big 12 play with a 56-55 victory over 21st- ranked Baylor on Wednesday. Brannen Greene scored 12 points off the bench and Frank Mason III netted 11 with five assists for the Jayhawks (12-2, 1-0 Big 12), who have won 24 straight conference openers dating back to the 1991-92 season. Kenny Chery had a game-high 25 points and Rico Gathers supplied nine points and 13 rebounds for the Bears (11-3, 0-2), who were coming off a 73-63 loss to Oklahoma on Saturday. Wayne Selden Jr. scored seven points in a row for the Jayhawks as they took a 54-51 lead on his layup with 1:19 to play. Cherys jumper moments later pulled Baylor within a point. Final Score: (15) Wichita State 63, Bradley 43 Wichita, KS (SportsNetwork.com) - Darius Carter led the way with 19 points and seven rebounds as No. 15 Wichita State continued its dominant conference play with a 63-43 victory over Bradley on Wednesday. Ron Baker scored 12 points and Shaquille Morris chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Shockers (13-2, 3-0 MVC), who have won 21 straight games against MVC opponents. KaDarryl Bell finished with 11 points and Auston Barnes and Tramique Sutherland each netted 10 for the Braves (6-10, 1-2), who have dropped its last 10 games against Wichita State. Bradley shot just 4-for-22 from the field (18.2 percent) in the second half after leading at the break. Final Score: Xavier 69, (19) Seton Hall 58 Cincinnati, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Dee Davis had 14 points with six assists, Trevon Bluiett scored 13 with seven rebounds and Xavier posted a 69-58 win over No. 19 Seton Hall on Wednesday night. James Farr, Matt Stainbrook and Myles Davis each contributed eight points to help the Musketeers (11-4, 2-1 Big East) improve to 9-0 at home this season. Angel Delgado scored 12 points to pace Seton Hall (12-3, 2-1), which climbed into the Associated Press Top 25 after back-to-back wins over ranked opponents last week. The Pirates beat then-No. 15 St. Johns and then-No. 6 Villanova, the first time in 23 years that they won consecutive games against AP Top 15 teams. Sterling Gibbs, the reigning Big East Player of the Week, finished with eight points and seven assists in defeat. Final Score: (20) VCU 71, Davidson 65 Richmond, VA (SportsNetwork.com) - Treveon Graham had 15 points and 10 rebounds to guide No. 20 VCU to a 71-65 victory over Davidson on Wednesday. Terry Larrier and Melvin Johnson each gave 11 points, while Briante Weber had four points, four rebounds, six assists and four steals for the Rams (12-3, 2-0 A-10), who have won their past seven. Brian Sullivan scored 19 points, Tyler Kalinoski gave 16 with nine rebounds and six assists, and Jack Gibbs had 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Wildcats (10-3, 1-1), who have dropped two of their last three. ' ' '