loose a little bit in between whistles and timeouts

TORONTO -- Jonathan Bernier tried to stretch at every opportunity. Tuesday night marked the Toronto Maple Leafs starting goaltenders first game back after missing five straight with a groin injury. Bernier managed to get through it despite facing 48 shots in a 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues. "A lot of work. But I felt OK," Bernier said. "It was a little sore obviously, but I was just trying to get it loose a little bit in between whistles and timeouts." Bernier aggravated the groin injury March 13 in the first period in Los Angeles. James Reimer relieved him and beat the Kings, then lost five straight starts. With the Leafs season looking like it was going off the rails after three straight losses, Bernier pushed himself too hard at Fridays practice with the hope of returning for the weekend. A setback at that point delayed his return. By Monday, Bernier felt better but needed Tuesdays morning skate to know for sure. When he experienced no soreness, the decision was made to start against the Blues. Asked if he wouldve done the same in the 10th game of the season and did not rush back, Bernier responded: "Ah, I mean you always want to be back as soon as possible." Bernier said he would be able to play back-to-back games moving forward. The Leafs visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday night before returning home to face the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night. The process of managing this groin injury, the first of his career, will be an ongoing process. "We got a good staff and obviously a lot of stretching and take care of my body -- lots of rest," Bernier said. Even in a losing effort, the Leafs were glad to get Bernier back because without him they mightve not even been in the game. "He was outstanding in there," winger James van Riemsdyk said. "He made big save after big save for us." Rollie Fingers Jersey . While he was away, it was the division-rival Baltimore Orioles conducting a little business of their own, scooping up Ubaldo Jimenez on Monday evening to a reported four-year, $50-million contract. Johnny Manziel Jersey . Viewers in the Canadiens region can watch the game on TSN Canadiens at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The game can also be heard on TSN Radio Montreal 690. The Calgary Flames will see if they can take their recent hot streak on the road when they shoot for a sixth consecutive win Monday night in Montreal. http://www.padresrookiestore.com/Padres-Hunter-Renfroe-Kids-Jersey/ . The (14-15-5) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 33 points. They trail sixth place Nashville and fifth place Dallas by two points. Randy Jones Jersey . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Defensive Depth TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun is reporting the Toronto Maple Leafs have considerable interest in unrestricted free-agent defenceman Dan Boyle. Craig Stammen Jersey . PAUL, Minn.HALLE, Germany -- The fifth-seeded Richard Gasquet and sixth-seeded Mikhail Youzhny both crashed out in the first round of the Gerry Weber Open on Tuesday. Robin Haase of the Netherlands defeated Gasquet 6-4, 6-4, and Ivo Karlovic of Croatia hit 22 aces on his way to a 6-3, 6-4 win over Youzhny. Haase next faces Colombias Alejandro Falla, who defeated Polands Lukasz Kubot 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, and Karlovic meets Lu Yen-hsun, who prevailed 7-6 (2), 6-7 (11), 7-6 (5) oover Croatian qualifier Mate Pavic.dddddddddddd Also, Steve Johnson beat French lucky loser Albano Olivetti 6-4, 6-2. Tommy Haas was due to play the American but withdrew on Monday with a right shoulder injury. Johnson next plays Russias Teymuraz Gabashvili, who defeated Ukrainian Illya Marchenko 6-7 (9), 6-4, 7-6 (4). Frenchman Gael Monfils beat Germanys Benjamin Becker 6-1, 7-5 for a second-round meeting with the fourth-seeded Kei Nishikori. ' ' '