Thursday, May 24 Sharp pain returns Forsberg to sidelines Associated Press DENVER – Peter Forsberg is becoming a tease. Forsberg Two weeks after surgery to remove his ruptured spleen, the Colorado Avalanche forward laced up his skates and took to the ice Wednesday, prompting more speculation he would return for the Stanley Cup finals. The immediate pain in his stitched-up abdomen indicated that a quick comeback remains unlikely. "Obviously he's doing very well," Avalanche coach Bob Hartley said Thursday after another practice without Forsberg. "He's burning to come back, but we have to go with common sense. Miracles could happen. It would take a miracle two see Peter Forsberg back in the lineup." Team doctors said Forsberg's season was over after his emergency splenectomy May 10, but softened that stance during a news conference Monday, saying a return this year was "highly unlikely." While the impromptu skate added more intrigue, Avs defenseman Ray Bourque discounted the theory that Forsberg could return if Colorado's series with the New Jersey Devils goes beyond five games. "Ain't gonna happen," Bourque said. The Avalanche are 4-1 since Forsberg was injured, relying on support from unheralded forwards such as Eric Messier, Shjon Podein, Dave Reid and Stephane Yelle. "As soon as we heard Peter would not come back, we closed the book on Peter," Hartley said. "Let's face it. He's not going to score the game-winning goal for us." Klemm confident of return Klemm Colorado defenseman Jon Klemm proclaimed himself ready for Game 1 after testing his bruised right knee during contact drills Thursday. "I'm ready to go," Klemm said. "I felt really good today. I've seen improvement every single day, which is great. Hopefully, I'll see even more improvement." Klemm injured his knee last Friday when it twisted under his body as he slammed into the boards. Gomez could bat 1.000 Gomez While many are pulling for Colorado defenseman Ray Bourque to win his first Stanley Cup in 22 seasons, New Jersey forward Scott Gomez is seeking his second title in two seasons. "There is going to be a lot of emotions in this series, he is going to be a man possessed," Gomez said. "As much we we'd like him to win the Cup, we want it to stay in New Jersey." Gomez said the Devils shouldn't have much trouble matching Colorado's intensity. "If you are not possessed at this time of year there is something wrong with you," he said. Hockey talk "After 14 years of coaching, there are no more nerves, only gray hairs left." -- Colorado coach Bob Hartley. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories

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