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KAMLOOPS, B.C. -- As backup quarterbacks go, hes not an obvious choice. Thomas DeMarco completed only nine of 13 passes for the B.C. Lions in 2012, but other than starter Travis Lulay, he has more experience with the CFL club than any other signal-caller on the roster. Exactly one season. So DeMarco, a second-year pro, has the inside track on the Lions No. 2 quarterback position -- for now. "Ive got a headstart with that," he said Sunday as training camp opened. "Anyone whos been here for a little bit should be a little bit farther ahead." DeMarco is listed as No. 2 on the depth chart, but he and coach Mike Benevides stopped short of saying the backup job is his to lose. "I would never say that," said DeMarco. "But I would say that, as a competitor, when that spot is open, the first thing youre thinking about is that I wanna be that guy." Hes vying for the backup spot with Joey Elliott, who spent three seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers until he was released. Chris Hart, a product of Florida-based Webber International who signed in April, is also vying for a job behind Lulay. Benevides says DeMarco has as an edge on Elliott as the former Blue Bomber learns the B.C. offence. "Certainly, (DeMarco) has got the inside track," said DeMarco. "Theres no doubt about it. But I am not going to commit to that -- either way -- for a long time. I need more information. I want go through the pre-season games." The No. 2 spot became vacant when former backup Mike Reilly was traded to the Edmonton Eskimos in January. Reillys departure, inevitable after Lulay signed a lucrative new contract, makes the backup QB battle the most compelling storyline at training camp. "Theres no doubt that this game, this league is about the quarterback," said Benevides. "You need strength at the backup position. Normally, they are called upon at some point in the season, and we have to find who that guy is. "Theres a lot of important decisions to make, but the quarterback position is, certainly, the one thats going to get the most attention, and is important to the quality of our depth." Reilly excelled on the field in Lulays absence, but the former Lions backup was also a strong sideline presence. He bounced ideas off the No. 1 signal-caller and gave him feedback. A loose, talkative character who was quick with a jab, Reilly had a close relationship with Lulay, both professionally and personally. Lulay believes DeMarco can fill the role, with the No. 1 quarterback noting that his understudy has become more assertive as he approaches his second season. DeMarco agreed with the assessment, adding more of his personality will be displayed as the season unfolds. "The biggest thing is, last year I didnt want to speak up or say things unless I knew (the offence)," he said. "I want to make sure Im teaching the guys the right way. Otherwise, I was very quiet ... Now that I know, Im a bolder person in general." DeMarco wants to provide the same "supporting act" as Reilly did, while still being himself. "You definitely have to balance," he said. "This is Travis team. As a quarterback, youre used to having your team, coming from college. Its a humbling experience to understand that guys have been doing this for a long time. "Firstly, I have to learn to be a backup. Its not something that Ive ever done, and its going to take a little bit of getting used to whats helpful for Travis. Im a different player from him." Benevides says that Elliott, whose obvious appeal is his CFL experience, also has a loose personality, similar to Reilly, that can suit the team well. Stressing that all of the quarterbacks are simply learning from Lulay, Elliott adds he can provide a calm presence when called upon. Based on his brief time with the organization, Hart faces long odds to stick with the team. He joined the Lions in April following former NFLer Rudy Carpenters release. Benevides says Hart likely would not be at camp if Carpenter had stayed around longer. The Lions will go with three QBs on their active roster, but Benevides is still deciding whether he will keep one more on the practice roster. B.C. also has new quarterbacks coach Jarious Jackson, a former B.C. and Toronto backup who retired after helping the Argonauts win the Grey Cup last season. "For me, I saw the relationship that Mike Reilly had with (Lulay), and that quarterback position is extremely critical and vital, and it needs constant eyes," said Benevides. "Adding (Jackson) to that is going to really help Travis Lulay do better." Note: Defensive lineman Adrian Awasom, acquired from Toronto in the Khalif Mitchell trade, was suspended on the weekend because he did not make it to camp due to a passport issue. Benevides says the move was just "paperwork" and Awasom still figures in the clubs plans. 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Wholesale Custom Lakers Shirts .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Canada took advantage of overtaxed Sweden for a 3-0 win at the IIHF World Championship on Thursday, and felt they should have done more damage. "We didnt finish some opportunities wed like to finish that could have put them down early in the first," Canadian coach Lindy Ruff observed following the game. "Youre thinking boy, we left a lot on the table." Buffalo Sabres goaltender Jhonas Enroth robbed Canadians on several excellent looks in the first two periods. It was Canadian Mike Smiths turn for heroics in the third. The Phoenix Coyotes goalie stopped 17 shots in the period en route to a 33-save shutout and his first win of the tournament. "If not for their goalie, we would have won about seven or eight nothing, I think," forward Matt Duchene said. "We had a great performance in goal by Smitty and we had a lot of chances." Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Luke Schenn and Carolina Hurricanes Jordan Staal scored goals in the first two periods for Canada. Matt Read of the Flyers had two assists in front of an announced sellout of 12,500 at the Globe Arena. Canada (3-0-1) vaulted over Sweden into second spot in the Stockholm pool. Unbeaten Switzerland led with 11 points followed by Canada with 10 and the Swedes with nine. Norway was fourth with six. Canada faces Belarus (1-2) on Friday for a second game in as many days. The Czech Republic (1-2-1) got by Denmark 2-1 in a shootout, but remained fifth in the Stockholm pool with five points. France shocked Russia 2-1 in the Helsinki pool with Antoine Roussel of the Dallas Stars scored winning goal in the second period. The Russians remained tied with the United States for first at nine points each. Finland was second with eight points ahead of France and Slovakia tied with six apiece. Latvia downed the Slovaks 5-3 on Thursday. The top four teams in each pool of eight qualify for the quarter-finals in each city. Canada lost quarter-final games the last three years at the world championship despite finishing first in its group the last two. Ranked No. 4 in the world, Sweden was No. 5 Canadas highest-ranked opponent yet. The Swedes were getting their feet back under them with three wins after an opening loss to the Swiss. But after beating Norway 5-1 the previous day, the Swedes were slow to get into the game against Canada. The Canadian attack poked holes in their defence and left Enroth exposed several times. "Canada won this game, in my opinion, a little bit too easy," Swedish coach Par Marts said. "It could be the game yesterday, I dont know. "But I dont see that we competed with them and if youre going to compete with that good team youre going to need as close to 100 per cent from every player.ddddddddddddI didnt see that today." The Swedish fans grew restless during the game and there were boos in the final minutes Canadas special teams were integral in the victory Thursday. The Canadians scored first with a power-play goal by Stamkos and held the Swedes scoreless on three chances with an extra attacker. The Canadian power play was an unimpressive 14 per cent going into the game, but that first goal was a work of art. Justin Schultz, Brian Campbell and Claude Giroux snapped the puck around the offensive zone with precision and Stamkos finished it with a one-timer from his right knee. Enroth foiled Stamkos, Duchene, Taylor Hall and Eric Staal on juicy opportunities even strength in the first period. After 22 saves on 25 shots, Enroth was replaced with just under 10 minutes remaining in the third period by Jacob Markstrom, because of dehydration. Ruff coached Enroth in Buffalo until the Sabres fired the Canadian coach in February. "I thought he was fabulous," Ruff said of the Swede. Canada had just three practices prior to this tournament because the NHLs lockout-shortened regular season ended three weeks later than usual. The team took another step forward in its adjustment to the wider, international ice Thursday. Staal scored his first goal of the tournament on odd-man rush with Ryan OReilly of the Colorado Avalanche. "Ive been fighting the puck a little bit the first few games," Staal, the younger brother of Canadian captain Eric Staal. "Its always nice to chip in and get that big insurance goal for our team." Reads feed from the opposite boards to Schenn in full stride off the blue-line resulted in Canadas second goal of the game. "After you play two or three games and watch a little video, things kind of start clicking," Read said. "You dont have to think anymore. You let your natural talents take over." Sweden is anticipating the arrival of Vancouver Canucks forwards Daniel and Henrik Sedin and defenceman Alex Edler. Marts expects them to play in Swedens final preliminary-round game Tuesday against Denmark. Ruff said there would be discussions later Thursday on adding Canucks to the Canadian roster, which is at 22 of the maximum 25. Canucks defenceman Dan Hamhuis won a gold medal in 2007 and silver medals in 2008 and 2009 with Canada at world championships. Notes: Canada has faced Sweden more than any other country in 62 world championship meetings and has a record of 32-25-5 . . . The Czech Republic added Winnipeg Jets goaltender Ondrej Pavelec to its roster Thursday. He was in net for the shootout win over the Danes. ' ' '