Michael Schumachers doctors have started the process of bringing the former Formula One champion out of the coma he has been in since a skiing accident a month ago, his manager said Thursday. The 45-year-old Schumacher suffered serious head injuries when he fell and hit the right side of his helmet on a rock in the French resort of Meribel on Dec. 29. The seven-time F1 champion has been in an induced coma in Grenoble University Hospital since then, although his condition stabilized following surgery after initially being described as critical. And now doctors are slowly trying to wake him up. "Michaels sedation is being reduced in order to allow the start of the waking up process which may take a long time," Schumachers manager, Sabine Kehm, said in a statement. One reason for reducing the sedation is to see if the swelling has gone down in the patients brain and to assess what level of functions has been retained. Kehm said she was only providing an update now on Schumachers condition to clarify media leaks, and that no further details would be provided. French newspaper lEquipe first reported on Wednesday that doctors had started waking Schumacher. "The family of Michael Schumacher is again requesting to respect its privacy and the medical secret, and to not disturb the doctors treating Michael in their work," Kehm said. "At the same time, the family wishes to express sincere appreciation for the worldwide sympathy. ... For the protection of the family, it was originally agreed by the interested parties to communicate this information only once this process was consolidated. Please note that no further updates will be given." Schumacher was being kept artificially sedated and his body temperature was lowered to between 34 and 35 degrees Celsius (93.2 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit), to reduce swelling in the brain, reduce its energy consumption and allow it to rest. Schumacher earned universal acclaim for his uncommon and sometimes ruthless driving talent, which led to a record 91 race wins. He retired from Formula One in 2012 after garnering an unmatched seven world titles. Schumi, as his fans affectionately call him, was famously aggressive on the track and no less intense away from driving. In retirement, he remained an avid skydiver, horseback rider, and skier. The accident happened on a family vacation in the Alps as Schumacher was skiing with his 14-year-old son. Discount Air Max 90 . -- Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno was admitted to the hospital Friday for observation due to minor complications from cancer treatments, his family said. Air Max 90 Mens Outlet . The third-ranked Lewis, a three-time winner this year on the LPGA Tour, had a 9-under 135 total at Emirates Golf Course in the Ladies European Tours season-ending tournament. http://www.outletairmax90cheap.com/outle...ns-cheap.html.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills have fired receivers coach Ike Hilliard. Air Max 90 China Wholesale . Catch the game on TSN starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. Tampa Bay currently holds the last of the Atlantics three automatic bids to the playoffs, but the Maple Leafs are just one point behind. Air Max 90 Ultra Outlet .C. - The Panthers will be without starting defensive tackle Star Lotulelei for Saturday nights NFC divisional playoff game against Seattle after undergoing surgery Wednesday to repair a broken bone in his foot.WASHINGTON -- Washington Capitals coach Adam Oates wants his team to focus less on power plays and more on even-strength situations. "Its tough to tell Ovi about that," Oates said. For one night, Oates will give Alex Ovechkin a reprieve. Ovechkin scored two goals, including one on a power play and assisted on Nicklas Backstroms game-tying power-player goal at 14:10 of the third. He also scored in a shootout, and the Washington Capitals rallied from an early three-goal deficit to beat the Calgary Flames 5-4 on Thursday night. Washington was 2 for 3 on the power play. Michal Neuvirth, who replaced an ineffective Braden Holtby, made 27 saves and stopped Sven Baertschi and Jiri Hudler in the shootout. "Youre looking for some sort of momentum change," Oates said of switching goalies after Calgary took a 3-0 lead in the first period. "The time it takes to do that, maybe a new guy, the guys start talking among themselves. Some coaches yell. I just kind of said things to guys. Youre just looking for them to re-group." Marcus Johansson assisted on all three second-period goals for Washington, which earned its first win after dropping the opener to the Blackhawks on Tuesday night. Connor Carrick and Nicklas Backstrom also scored for Washington. David Jones, Lee Stempniak, Hudler and Lance Bouma scored for Calgary. Karri Ramo made 35 saves. Calgary, which has missed the playoffs the past four seasons, has lost four straight season openers. "Very happy with the effort, obviously disappointed with the result," Flames coach Bob Hartley said. "I told the boys, Its one thing to play in the NHL, and there a different way to win in the NHL. "Were not going to start tonight on Game 1 saying, Oh, were young and this. Theres absolutely no excuse." The Capitals fought back in the second period, scoring three goals -- the second two by Ovechkin and first by Carrick, who got behind the Flames defence and had a clear path to the net. David Jones, acquired in an off-season trade with the Coloraado Avalanche, gave Calgary a 1-0 lead at 5:18 of the first period.dddddddddddd About three minutes later, Lance Boumas check left Washington defenceman Jack Hillen injured on the ice while Tom Wilson had a fight with Bouma. Wilson and Bouma both connected punches before Wilson flipped Bouma to the ice. Both received five-minute majors. Hillen, who suffered a lower-body injury and did not return, was helped up and off the ice by teammates. Ovechkin escorted Hillen, who leaned on a trainer, across the ice to the bench. Oates said Hillen was at the hospital "is going to be out for a bit." Stempniak made it 2-0 with the teams playing 4-on-4 midway through the period. Hudler added a power-play goal with a slap shot at 16:22 of the first. Oates said he believed his team was still reeling from its loss Tuesday, when Chicago earned a 6-4 win. "I think we were really flat coming out. I really do," Oates said. "I didnt expect it, but I really thought we were. And you know what? It was their first night. They were flying." Notes: Oates said Holtby would start when the Capitals play the Stars on Saturday. "Everybody has hiccups," Oates said. "Everybody." . The Capitals claimed defenceman Alexander Urbom off waivers from the New Jersey Devils and assigned centre Michael Latta to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League. Urbom, a native of Sweden, has two goals and nine penalty minutes in 14 career NHL games. He had 64 penalty minutes in 68 games with the AHLs Albany Devils last season. Latta made his NHL debut against the Blackhawks on Tuesday. ... The Olympic torch and outfit worn by Ovechkin during his portion of the torch relay in advance of the Sochi 2014 Olympics was schedule to be displayed on the concourse during the game. ... Three first responders from the Metropolitan Police First District, the area that includes the Capitol, received a rousing ovation when introduced before the national anthem. Earlier in the day, a Capitol Police officer was injured during a car chase from the White House past the Capitol. ' ' '