FLIMS, Switzerland - Canadas Kelsey Rocque defeated the United States 8-4 to move into a first-place tie in the womens division at the world junior curling championships. Panthers Jerseys 2021 . Canada (5-2) is tied with Korea, Switzerland and Russia for top spot. Rocques rink from Edmonton led the Americans 6-4 after eight ends and scored two in the ninth to cement its third straight win. Canada finished the round-robin Sunday with games against Scotland (2-5) and Denmark (0-7). In mens action, Winnipegs Braden Calvert earned two wins, including a 6-5 decision over previously unbeaten Norway. "I guess well take the win after a game like that," said Calvert. "We got off to a bad start. I threw a really bad rock in five and we had to come back from that. "Luckily, we did and we pulled through." Canada gave up consecutive steals to tail 3-0 at the break. But Calverts rink rallied in the sixth as she made a tricky angle-raise double to score two. He followed that up with a steal of two in the seventh to go ahead. "That was huge in terms of the momentum we got from that shot," Calvert said of the sixth. "We gained a lot of confidence and basically got back at them." Canada also beat Switzerland 7-2 to improve its record to 4-3, leaving it in a three-way tie for third. "Were starting to get on a bit of a roll," said Calvert. "Were starting to gain some momentum and confidence. "We were really sharp out of the gate tonight and grabbed an early deuce. That was definitely the turning point in the game and we kept fighting and were able to pull it off. All the teams here are tough and each game is going to be a battle." Canada finishes the round-robin Sunday with games against the United States (2-5) and Austria (3-4). Florida Panthers Pro Shop . -- Marty Havlat scored three goals for the first time in nearly nine years, and the San Jose Sharks prevented Colorado from clinching the Central Division title with a 5-1 victory over the Avalanche on Friday night. Wholesale Panthers Jerseys . The announcement was made by the hall on Friday, March 14.  She joins Switzerlands Denise Biellmann as this years inductees to the Hall, based in Colorado Springs, CO.VANCOUVER -- After a frustrating season which saw his team miss the playoffs, Vancouver head coach John Tortorella was rather blunt Monday in his assessment of what the Canucks must change if they hope to return to the NHLs elite. While Tortorella took some of the blame, he also didnt pull any punches. He said the Canucks are getting old, the core group has become complacent and the team needs to get younger. "I felt from day one that its stale," said Tortorella. "Thats not their fault. This is a group that has been together for a long time. "It needs youth. It needs a change. The team needs to be retooled. Its a young mans game. Its certainly not a criticism of (the veterans). We need to surround them with some enthusiasm." After a promising start under Tortorella, the Canucks finished the year with a 36-35-11 record for 83 points. Vancouver managed just 13 wins in 41 games since Jan. 1 and settled for a 25th-place finish in the overall standings. The poor showing has already cost Mike Gillis his job as president and general manager. New president Trevor Linden -- the Canucks former captain -- still must decide Tortorellas fate. The two were scheduled to meet later Monday. Centre Ryan Kesler, who was the subject of trade rumours this year, said the players have to take responsibility for the season. "Were all flabbergasted right now," said Kesler, who led Vancouver with 25 goals. "Going into this year I would never think we would be sitting here in this situation." The Canucks ended their season with a 5-1 win over the Calgary Flames last Sunday but the victory was soured by an ugly incident late in the second period. Daniel Sedin was taken off the ice on a stretcher after being hit from behind by Calgarys Paul Byron. Sedin was taken to hospital and later released. After the hit, Sedin lay crumpled on the ice and couldnt raise his head. "I was scared," he said at Mondays season-ending news conference. "I tried to lift my head at first and couldnt get it off the ice. "The only thing I thought was lay still. I tried to move my hands and it felt good. I went to the hospital and everything looks good. I feel OK today." Tortorella said fans and management cant keep reminiscing about the Canucks loss in Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup final, but instead must concentrate on making the team better again. "Were not in 2011," said the man hired last year to replace the fired Alain Vigneault. "We have to stop talking about 2011. "The core needs to change." Canucks captain Henrik Sedin said the team was "really good" until hhalfway through the season when injuries became a problem. Custom Florida Panthers Jerseys. Both Sedins, Alex Burrows and defenceman Chris Tanev all missed a significant number of games with injuries. "You never want to use injuries (as an excuse but) we had a tough year," said Henrik. "We had guys playing out of position. We had guys playing more minutes than they were used to. "We had to play a different way and we werent able to win playing that way." Tortorella said during this period he made a coaching mistake by giving the room to the players. "I didnt get back in the room and continue to teach the details," he said. "I didnt stay on top of it. "I needed to be pounding away at the details. I think that hurt us in situational play. I think that hurt us in trying to understand how you change momentum. Thats not the team, thats me. Thats my biggest regret." A lack of scoring haunted Vancouver all season. The Canucks managed just 196 goals, leaving them tied for second fewest in the league. For the first time in a non-lockout season, Vancouver had just one 20-goal scorer in Kesler. Daniel Sedin finished the year with 16 goals and went through a stretch of 23 games without scoring. Henrik Sedin had just 11 goals. Burrows, who hadnt scored less than 25 goals in the last four full seasons, had just five. "People talk about we are playing too much defence," said Daniel. "Honestly we played as aggressively as we have been. "That has nothing to do with why our production is down. Its up to us to play like we can." Defenceman Alex Edler, who begins a US$30-million, six-year contract next season, finished the season at -39, the worst plus-minus in the NHL. "There was a lot of changes this year (in how we played in own end) and a lot of new things to get used to," said Edler. "I think I didnt have the year I should have had but I know I am a good player." The Canucks have had several distractions to deal with over the last year. Tortorellas hiring was a surprise. Goaltender Cory Schneider was traded during the summer, meaning Roberto Luongo was the Vancouver starter after believing he was gone. Luongo was eventually traded to Florida. Tortorella missed six games after being suspended for trying to get into the Calgary locker-room following a line brawl to open a Jan. 18 game against the Flames. The Canucks were 2-4-0 during that period, then 2-7-1 when Tortorella returned. "When you lose a head coach its never good," said Henrik Sedin. "I dont think it was specifically that incident that made us start losing." ' ' '

Maui, HI (SportsNetwork. Zydrunas Ilgauskas Jersey .com) - Aqeel Quinn finished with a career-high 22 points and came up big down the stretch as No. 15 San Diego State beat BYU 92-87 in double overtime in a quarterfinal game of the Maui Invitational on Monday. Trey Kell made two foul shots, stole the ball from Tyler Haws and sent it down the court to Dwayne Polee II, who went in for an uncontested dunk and an 80-76 lead. Haws briefly tied the game with a jumper, but Quinn knocked down a three at the other end. Quinns layup and Polees free throw made it an 86-82 game. BYU missed three shots from beyond on its next trip down the floor and Kell made two at the line to seal the win. Winston Shepard had 18 points and eight rebounds, Kell chipped in 14 and JJ OBrien finished with 13, nine rebounds and six assists for the Aztecs (4-0), who will play Pittsburgh in a semifinal game on Tuesday. Haws scored a game-high 26 points and Kyle Collinsworth supplied 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Cougars (3-1). Trailing 65-62, Haws layup made it a one-point game yet again with 2:49 to play and after Skylar Spencer restored the Aztecs lead to three with a layup, Haws sank a three to tie the game at 67 with 1:38 remaining. Spencer pulled down Haws missed jumper with 28 second to play. OBrien drove into the paint, but his offering bounced off the rim and the game went to overtime. Haws gave the Cougars their first lead of the game at 69-68 with two shots from the charity stripe. OBrien and Anson Winder traded 3-pointers and Collinsworths floater gave BYU a 74-71 edge with 2:25 left in overtime. Haws nailed a jumper, but OBrien grabbed an offensive rebound and put the ball back up to make it a 3-point game. Quinns 3-point attempt was blocked by Corbin Kaufusi, but he retrieved the ball and calmly knocked down a shot from beyond the arc to send the game to a second overtime with the teams deadlocked at 76. Shepard scored the first seven points as part of 11-0 game-opening run by the Aztecs. The Cougars fought back to draw even at 22, but San Diego State pulled away again and led 41-33 at halftime. Collinsworths layup with under 14 minutes to play ended a 7-0 run that pulled the Cougars to within one at 48-47. Game Notes San Diego State has won 124 straight games when leading with five minutes to play in regulation ... Haws became the fifth player in school history with 2,000 career points and has scored in double figures in 52 straight games ... Haws made 5-of-9 3-point attempts. Daniel Gibson Jersey . -- James Harden scored 31 points, including 25 in the second half, and the Houston Rockets dug out of a double-digit, first-half hole to beat the Orlando Magic 101-89 on Wednesday night. Cavaliers Jerseys 2020 .Brothers B.J. and Justin Upton each homered and had an outfield assist, and the Braves held on for a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night.Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers was selected as the 2014 NFL Most Valuable Player, chosen in voting conducted by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA). The PFWA also announced that Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray was selected as the 2014 Offensive Player of the Year, and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was named the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year. Rodgers, 10-year veteran who led a prolific Packers offense with 38 touchdown passes and 4,381 passing yards, is the 40th MVP honored by the PFWA. This the second MVP award for Rodgers, who also was selected in 2011. Rodgers started all 16 games in 2014 and completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 4,381 yards, 38 touchdowns and a 112.2 passer rating with a career-low five interceptions as the Packers went 12-4 in the regular season. Murray, in his fourth seeason, led the NFL and broke Emmitt Smiths franchise record (1,773 in 1995) for rushing yards with 1,845 on a club-record 392 carries, tied for the NFL lead with 13 touchdowns and averaged 115. Dion Waiters Jersey. .3 yards per game. He had 12 100-yard rushing games to set a Cowboys record, including a NFL-record eight straight games of 100 yards or more to start a season. Watt, in his fourth season, had 78 total tackles and 20.5 sacks. He led the NFL with 50 quarterback hits, 29 tackles for loss and five fumble recoveries. He ranked second in the league in sacks, tied for second in defensive touchdowns (two) and tied for third in forced fumbles (four). Watt also had one of the most-unique seasons in NFL history as he scored 32 points on three receiving touchdowns, a fumble return touchdown, an interception return touchdown and a safety. ' ' '

PRETORIA, South Africa -- Oscar Pistorius refused to look at a photo of his dead girlfriends bloody head wounds while testifying at his murder trial Wednesday as the prosecutor urged the star athlete to "take responsibility" for killing her. Stitched Golden Knights Jerseys . "Its time that you look at it," chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel said, setting the stage for a rigorous first day of cross-examination of Pistorius, the double-amputee Olympian charged with premeditated murder for shooting Reeva Steenkamp three times through a toilet door at his home. "I remember," Pistorius said of Steenkamps bloodied head, becoming distraught and then crying as he turned away from the gruesome image of the injuries he inflicted that were displayed next to him in a packed courtroom in South Africas capital. Nel said Steenkamps head "exploded" when it was struck by one of four hollow-point bullets that Pistorius fired through the door on Feb. 14, 2013 with his 9 mm pistol. The showing of the photograph on TV screens in the courtroom caused gasps among spectators, who included Steenkamps mother, June. The police photo showed a side view of the dead model and reality TV stars head, with a mass of blood and human tissue on the back and upper parts. Her eyes were closed. "I will not look at a picture where Im tormented by what I saw and felt that night," Pistorius said. "As I picked Reeva up, my fingers touched her head. I remember. I dont have to look at a picture, I was there." Pistorius, 27, says he shot Steenkamp in the pre-dawn hours on Valentines Day -- in the head, arm and hip -- by mistake thinking she was a dangerous intruder behind the door in his bathroom about to come out and attack him. Prosecutors charge he killed the 29-year-old intentionally, and Nel aggressively questioned Pistorius for the first time. "You killed her," Nel said. "You shot and killed her," and he asked Pistorius to say it. Pistorius would not, saying merely: "I did." Pistorius faces a possible prison term of 25 years to life if convicted of premeditated murder. Nel also showed a video, first broadcast by Sky News days before the trial started, of the celebrated athlete firing a gun at a watermelon at a shooting range. On the video, Pistorius can be heard saying the melon was "softer than brains" after it explodes when the bullet hits it, and calling the powerful .50-calibre handgun he was using a "zombie stopper." Referring to the watermelon, Nel said to Pistorius: "You know the same happened to Reevas head. It exploded." Defence lawyer Barry Roux objected to the gun video being shown, saying it was inadmissible character evidence and amounted to a legal "ambush" of the defence. After the dramatic start, prosecutor Nel also started to poke holes in details of Pistorius version of the events of the fatal night. The champion runner said that his claim in a court document a year ago that he went out onto a balcony at his home before the shooting was incorrect. Pistorius said he went to the edge of the balcony but not outside. The discrepancy could be significant because Pistorius says he heard a noise in the bathroom that alerted him to a possible intruder, which would have been harder if he was out on the balcony. Nel tried to pin down Pistorius on whether he meant to fire into the toilet cubicle door at a perceived intruder, or whether his gun discharged accidentally. Pistorius said he didnt intend to shoot "anyone" and that he fired "before thinking" because he thought his life was in danger, prompting Nel to accuse him of weighing the legal implications of the question before answering. The dogged prosecutor implied that Pistorius, who grew more agitated, was becoming emotional because he was faced with a difficult question. The judge noted that Pistorius had been emotional throughout the trial. Pistorius told his questioner that he was trying to be careful with his answers because the stakes were high. "My life is on the line," he said. Nel retorted: "Reeva doesnt have a life anymore because of what youve done." And Nel tried to dismantle a sympathetic image of Pistorius that the defence had sought to build up in three days of testimony, asking the athlete to explicitly acknowledge that he killed Steenkamp. "I made a mistake," Pistorius said. "What was your mistake?" Nel shot back. Pistorius then said he "took Reevas life." Nel also questioned the defences portrayal of Pistorius as a good role model. The prosecution depicts him as an angry hothead with a gun obsession. The prosecutor asked Pistorius if people looked up to him as a sporting hero, if he would hide anything and if he lived by Christian principles. "Im here to tell the truth, Im here to tell the truth as much as I can remember," Pistorius said. He also said: "Im human. I have sins." Vegas Golden Knights Shirts . Fielder ended 4-for-5 with a solo homer, while Avila was 4-for-4 with two runs scored for the Tigers, who put the brakes on a three-game skid and rebounded from a loss in Mondays opener. Victor Martinez and Austin Jackson both contributed two hits, an RBI and a run scored as Detroit maintained its healthy lead atop the AL Central. Vegas Golden Knights Pro Shop . - While he appreciates suggestions from Packers fans of remedies for his sore left calf, Aaron Rodgers is not necessarily going to listen to the advice.Phil Clarke looks back on a thrilling weekend of Super League action and picks his five favourite tries. First up are two tries from Thursdays semi-final at the Halliwell Jones Stadium where Warrington defeated St Helens.Jonny Lomax finished off a superb team move which was sparked by a fantastic break and pass by Jordan Turner, but the Wolves had the final say as Tom Lineham crossed in the corner on 64 minutes to clinch their place in the Grand Final. When John Bateman reacted quickest to Matty Smiths charged-down kick and weaved through the Hull defence to slide underneath the posts, Wigan were cruising towards Old Trafford.But Hull FC produced a stirring comeback and took the lead with 17 minutes remaining, and the Warriors had to produce a strong finish to book a fourth successive Grand Final appearance.The drama continued as the KC Lightstream Stadium on Saturday in what was an incrediblle finish to the Million Pound Game. Custom Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys. Trailing 18-10 with time almost up, Salford looked dead and buried but wingers Niall Evalds and Greg Johnson crossed for two tries in as many minutes to force extra-time, and Gareth OBriens stunning long-range drop-goal secured their Super League status. The 2016 Super League season reaches its climax on Saturday when Warrington Wolves face Wigan Warriors in the Grand Final at Old Trafford. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 5pm.You can watch the Super League Grand Final, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Houghton crowned Man of Steel WATCH: Stevos Grand Final farewell RFL calls ex-Marine Smith Rugby League on Sky ' ' '

PANAMA CITY -- Costa Ricas Alajuelense advanced to the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals with a 2-0 win over Panamas Arabe Unido on Thursday. Dallas Cowboys Store . The two teams played to a scoreless draw in the first leg of their quarterfinal earlier this month in Costa Rica. Jerry Palacios put Alajuelense ahead early with a right-footed shot to the corner of the net in the 6th minute. Jonathan McDonald headed in the second goal in the 58th. Alajuelense next plays Toluca, a 10-time Mexican champion, in the semifinals. Two other Mexican teams will meet in the other semifinal -- Tijuana and Cruz Azul. Stitched Cowboys Jerseys .S. international midfielder Michael Bradley is complete. Cowboys Jerseys China .Y. -- Florida Panthers captain Ed Jovanovski finally has something to show for all the pain he went through in overcoming a string of injuries that kept him sidelined for much of the past two years.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- DeMarcus Ware boarded the plane for Denver on Wednesday morning, looked in the row across from him and saw a sleeping Aqib Talib. Yep, the Broncos mean business. Before Ware even had a chance to sit down with Broncos boss John Elway, he saw exactly how serious the team was about fixing its defence. Ware became Denvers latest defensive addition in free agency, agreeing to a three-year, $30 million deal. Thats $110 million -- $60 million guaranteed -- for Ware, safety T.J. Ward and Talib, the last two of whom signed Tuesday. "Theyre trying to make a statement -- a statement were a team to be reckoned with," the 31-year-old Ware said. "Their mentality is a now mentality. Not looking forward to next season or the season after that, the time is now." Out of work less than 24 hours, Ware wasnt fully intending to agree to a deal right away with Denver when he flew into town. But he was persuaded by Elway, the Hall of Fame quarterback turned executive who stressed to Ware the Broncos commitment to defence even with a prolific offence led by Peyton Manning. Elway got his man -- again. He did so two years ago with Manning and last off-season with Wes Welker. Its really no surprise the Broncos are concentrating on defence in the wake of a 43-8 loss to Seattle in the Super Bowl last month. Ward thinks the trio of new players brings not only leadership but a level of physicality to the field. Denvers defence surrendered nearly 25 points a game last season, which was 22nd in the league. "I think you see with Seattles defence last year -- definitely defence wins championships," Ward said. "(Ware and Talib) are two great players. Im eager to get to work with them. I dont know them personally yet, but I know what they do on the field. Those are two players I admire. I think well work well together." Talib flew in from Dallas on the same flight as Ware, not even realizing it until halfway through the trip. He was ecstatic to later hear that Elway enticed Ware to join the Broncos. "Every year you just want to better your team," Talib said. "Mr. Elway decided to better his team on defence this year, since the offence looks pretty good." Ware was let go Tuesday by Dallas in a salary-cap move. He had a franchise-record 117 sacks for the Cowboys since being drafted in the first round in 2005. Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop. He had a career-low six sacks last season and missed games for the first time in his career because of a thigh injury. He underwent off-season surgery to fix his elbow. Now that Wares fully healthy again, hes "going to be able to get after the passer," Elway said. No doubt, especially playing opposite Von Miller. This was a rough season for Miller, beginning with a six-game drug suspension and ending with a torn ACL on Dec. 22. Ware said he has a good relationship with Miller and hopes to get the 2011 rookie of the year back on track by serving as a mentor. "Von is one of those incredible athletes," Ware said. "If you can really hone in on what you do best, and make yourself not think as much when youre out there, hell be an even better athlete." Talib said theres no bad blood between him and the Broncos after he tweaked his knee early in the AFC championship game against Denver when he was bumped by Welker on a crossing route. Maybe at first, but not anymore. Not after watching the replay "1,000 times." "Wes is a good friend of mine," Talib said. "I can tell you he didnt do it on purpose." Talib appreciated Patriots coach Bill Belichick sticking up for him after the game. Belichick called it "one of the worst plays" hed seen in nearly four decades of coaching. The leagues officiating chief later ruled it a legal hit by Welker. "I told (Belichick) thank you and I respected what he did," Talib said. As for Talibs balky hip, well, thats not an issue. Hasnt been since his days with Tampa Bay. "The Patriots have their way of reporting stuff," Talib said. "The injury I had was actually a quad injury, reported as a hip injury. Thats how they do things." Talib said he received some interest from Washington, New Orleans, San Francisco and, of course, New England, but liked the fit with the Broncos. "I think we all are guys who play with attitude on the field," Talib said. Ware couldnt agree more, especially with the Super Bowl loss being a motivator. "Theyre saying, Were going to act right now and not let that happen again," Ware said. ' ' '

CLEARWATER, Florida – Jose Bautista isnt getting worked up about his red hot spring training. Air Max Pas Cher Chine . After all, established players dont concern themselves with Grapefruit League statistics. "Im just trying to make sure I keep working on my game plan and my mental preparation for each at-bat and the situation that I have in front of me," said Bautista, before offering a glimpse into the extent of his own expectations. "Its been a little bit inconsistent but thats to be expected in spring training." After Thursdays 3-1 win over the Phillies, which marked the first time this season Bautista had played into the eighth inning, hes hitting .304/.465/.717 (1.182 OPS) with five home runs and 11 RBI. Hes looking to regain the form from 2010 and 2011 that catapulted him to superstardom. He led baseball with 54 and 43 home runs, respectively, in those two seasons and in 2011 led baseball with an otherworldly 1.056 OPS. Those are lofty standards and Bautista has battled injuries (wrist, hip) since then but he feels he still can be a consistent threat. "Overall, I feel pretty good about camp and Im seeing the ball well and I think Im staying within the strike zone," said Bautista. "Any time Im doing that I normally do well." Bautista has had a strong start in the field, too. Showing no ill effects from a jammed hip that cost him the final six weeks of last season, he made a great sliding catch on a Jimmy Rollins shallow fly ball in the first inning of Thursdays game; then in the third was credited with his fourth outfield assist of the season on a play at second base. There is legitimate concern about the state of the starting pitching heading into the regular season but Bautista believes improved defence will help the rotation. "Im healthy. So is Colby. So is Melky and the little bit of games he played (last year) he was hurt the whole time. Same with Brett; he started the season on the DL. Jose (got hurt) in the third week of the season and we missed him a lot," said Bautista. "We had two new guys getting used to the turf in Maicer (Izturis) and Bonifacio who struggled a little bit at second. Now, Maicer is more used to it; Goins is really good defensively and the rest of the infield is healthy and ready to go. We have Dioner (Navarro) at catcher. Thats different than J.P. (Arencibia) and J.P. didnt have his best defensive year last year and thats no secret. Not that hes bad defensively, he just didnt have a good year defensively. Overall, we should be better but at the same time we cant just be complacent and think that its going to automatically happen." Earlier this spring, veteran knuckleballer R.A. Dickey told TSN.ca he believed this incarnation of the Blue Jays could be "blown up" if it underperforms for a second consecutive season. Bautista, about to begin what would be his sixth full season in Toronto, said he doesnt dwell on negative thoughts. "Plus, thats a question better suited for Alex Anthopoulos, not me, because I cant make decisions when it comes to anything like that," he said. Bautista hopes to be spending his 34th birthday, on October 19, in a playoff setting. Nobodys found the tonic to slow down Father Time but Bautista has no more a sense of urgency to win now, in his mid-30s, than he did in his younger days. "Its always your number one driver is wanting to win," said Bautista. "I feel that this team is capable of winning, this organization is pretty close to accomplishing that. Let me just say theres nowhere else Id rather be than on this team." Bautista is aware that fans are anxious after the clubs relatively quiet offseason. He reads his Twitter account. "They have to trust the team," he said. "They have to be not only fans but they also have to love their organization and love the team and love their players. Hopefully theyve created some sort of bond with us over the last couple of years because a lot of us have been here for a while. Hopefully they get to know us as people, as athletes and they believe in us as much as we believe in ourselves. Were going to go out and leave it out on the field every single day and hopefully they can do the same either at home or at the stadium when they come out to support us." McGOWAN TO LONG RELIEF Dustin McGowan has been saying since late last season hed like to take one more shot, likely a final shot, at returning to the starting rotation. Manager John Gibbons has been hesitant to embrace the idea and with time running out in spring training, the focus is on building up McGowan to be one of the long men out of the bullpen. "Hes kind of in limbo there," said Gibbons. "We want to be able to stretch him out anyway. If hes in the pen for multiple innings that would benefit us quite a bit down there. We know he can do two. If he can do three that would do wonders for us." McGowan, who turns 32 on Monday, threw three scoreless innings against the Phillies in Clearwater on Thursday. He considered the accomplishment a milestone. "It felt good to finally go three innings," said McGowan. "Its been quite a few years since I reached that mark." After multiple shoulder surgeries which cost him the entirety of the 2009 and 2010 seasons, most of 2011 and all of 2012, McGowan returned in 2013 as a reliever, posting a 2.45 ERA in 25 appearances. "Im kind of interested to see how Im going to feel tomorrow," said McGowan. "The way I feel right now I think Im going to be just fine. I can usually tell right after I come out of the game how Im going to feel. Its one of those days I feel good." He won 12 games for the Blue Jays back in 2007. Gibbons managed that team. "We think hes beyond that kind of stuff and I thought he thrived in the bullpen," said Gibbons. "I thought that was a good role for him." McGowan was set back this spring by a stomach virus that kept him away for the club for a couple of days and resulted in him dropping eight pounds. The calendar isnt his friend. "He had desire to do it," said Gibbons of McGowan starting. "A lot of people had desire to see if he could do it but myself, personally, kind of had some reservations." THE RUNNING GAME The Blue Jays stole 112 bases last season, which tied the club for ninth with Colorado. More than half of those stolen bases, a combined 57, are gone with the departures of Rajai Davis (45) via free agency and Emilio Bonifacio (12), who was traded last August. Anthony Gose stole four bases last year and is expected to begin the season with Triple-A Buffalo. "Thats not one of our strengths," said manager John Gibbons. "Our speed has definitely dropped off. Thats now how the team is built." Toronto was fourth in the major leagues in home runs (185) last season, a number which figures to climb if the club gets injury-free seasons from Jose Bautista, Colby Rasmus and Brett Lawrie. "The teams built for those guys in the middle to drive in a bunch of runs, hit some home runs and Reyes to get things going. We think were strong. Weve got some pop. Weve got some guys that can produce some runs, top to bottom in the lineup." Still, Gibbons wants to mitigate the all-or-nothing approach he feels his team had too often last season. "Well cut down on the strikeouts a little bit I think will definitely help us and (hitting coach Kevin) Seitzers really good about that and hes working some game plans but that takes time," said Gibbons. "I think these guys have all been receptive to him." ROTATION JUGGLING Drew Hutchison has been dropped from his major league start on Saturday in favour of Todd Redmond. Redmond was scheduled to pitch against the Rays on Friday in Port Charlotte but has been pushed back a day. Aaron Sanchez will start on Friday, while Hutchison will pitch on Saturday but in a Triple-A game. While the Blue Jays havent confirmed publicly that Hutchison has made the team, the fact the coaching staff doesnt feel the need to see him versus major league talent this close to opening day bodes well for the 23-year-old. Air Max 90 Promo . Lineup news, Fantasy tips and more in Scott Cullen’s Statistically Speaking. HEROES Blake Comeau – The Penguins winger had a hat trick in a 4-3 overtime win against Toronto. Fausse Air Force 1 Pas Cher . According to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, the deal will pay Schenn $2.25 million in the first year and $2.75 million in the second year. In 82 games with the Flyers in 2013-14, Schenn scored 20 goals and added 21 assists.Zach Collaros was a coveted prize ahead of the CFLs upcoming free agency period on February 15. And the bidding season began early when the Toronto Argonauts chose to release their backup quarterback Wednesday. But, ultimately, the 25-year-old Cincinnati product came to a quick decision on his future, as Collaros signed a deal with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats that will have him in Steeltown through 2016. The team announced later in the day that they had released their incumbent QB Henry Burris, who has since been offered a substantial multi-year deal by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, according to TSNs Farhan Lalji. “I cant wait to work with [Hamilton head coach Kent Austin], and the talent [Hamilton] already have on their roster,” Collaros told TSN Thursday, before flying to Hamilton for a team physical and press conference Friday morning. Both Hamilton and Winnipeg contacted Collaros hours after he was released by the Argos. Collaros left the negotiations to his agents, Mike Simon and Greg Diulus, and decided to focus on discussing his potential place in both the Ticats and Bombers offence. Collaros said speaking with Austin, the Grey Cup-winning quarterback and head coach, was like revisiting his college recruitment process. After Austin first spoke to Collaros Wednesday, the quarterback told TSN he was leaning "heavily" toward signing with Hamilton. Collaros came to a decision Wednesday night. “It wasnt a long process. It was kind of a crazy 24 hours. I couldnt be happier where I am,” Collaros said. “Coach Austin is an unbelievable coach. “We talked pretty extensively, and he did a really good job of recruiting. Who hes worked with, obviously the numbers the quarterbacks under him have put up, and the success hes had winning games; it was kind of a no brainer when it came down to it.” Winnipeg was long considered the frontrunner to sign Collaros, especially after Ottawa Redblacks GM Marcel Desjardins insisted he would take no free agents during Decembers dispersal draft —opting instead for veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn, and B.C.s Thomas DeMarco - and Calgary re-signed both Drew Tate and Bo Levi Mitchell. Nevertheless, several CFL sources insisted Hamiltons interest in Collaros extended back before the Ticats advanced to the 101st Grey Cup.  And now that Austin has signed the player he wants, 38-year-old Henry Burris is looking for a new starting job, again. “The first thing I would say is [Burris] is a little sad,” Burriss agent Chris Gittings told TSN. Gittings said there had been discussions “off and on” between the Ticats and Burris about a new contract before the start of the 2013 season.  “[Burris] understands how professional football works, and coming up on free agency we were prepared that anything could happen. It jjust means in [Burriss] amazing career he is going to have a new chapter. Fausse Balenciaga Triple s . ” Austin spoke directly to Burris about his release Thursday morning, but the veteran pivot didnt share Austins reasoning, if any, to his agent. Burris threw nearly 5,000 yards in 2013, despite sharing snaps with Dan LeFervour and Jeremiah Masoli. But Gittings never heard Burris express any frustrations. “Kent does a good job in that system, and there is a lot to like about it in terms of rotating quarterbacks,” Gittings said. “I never heard any complaining from Henry about it. You just dont hear any complaints from Henry, period." After being traded by Calgary before the 2012 season, Burris threw 10,292 yards, tossing 67 touchdowns and 37 interceptions in two season in southern Ontario. “Look at how [Burris] has played over the last two years," Gittings said. "Look at how he played in the Eastern Final [against Toronto]. That doesnt lie. It is tough to say its an exaggeration. He has played among the top quarterbacks in the CFL year in and year out, and the last two years have been fantastic years from him.” Gittings did not deny widely-reported interest from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and insisted other teams have shown interest in Burris, although he would not name or number any other suitors. “For any team out there that is looking to get a starting quarterback or upgrade their starting quarterback position you would think they would be interested in Henry,” Gittings said. Nonetheless, Collaross arrival in Hamilton does not necessarily mean he is automatically the Ticats starter.  Austin did not explicitly tell Collaros where he falls on Hamiltons quarterback depth chart, which still includes LeFevour, and Masoli, as well as former NFLers Stephen McGee and Brian Brohm. “[Austin] really didnt discuss [who Hamiltons starter will be],” Collaros said. “It was just moreso:  ‘We want you here in Hamilton, and ‘We think its a good situation for you.” Although the market for starting pivots this CFL offseason was admittedly slim, Collaross stock rose with several impressive displays in 2013. With Toronto star quarterback Ricky Ray out with a knee then shoulder injury, Collaros started seven games, appeared in 14 games, and threw 2,316 yards with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. He led Toronto to a league-record four-game, road win streak between late August and late September. After his obligations in Hamilton Friday, Collaros will head back to his offseason home in Ohio, but will immediately commit time to return to Hamilton in the spring to start his work with Austin and Ticats offensive coordinator Tommy Condell. “Im looking forward to meeting anybody and getting to work,” Collaros said. ' ' '

There was something a tad naive about the voracity with which Toronto FC fans greeted the final whistle Wednesday night, as their team triumphed 2-1 over the Whitecaps. Air Max 97 Outlet .  If it was just an MLS regular season game, the reaction might have been warranted. Jermaine Defoe and Michael Bradley, Torontos two superstars scored on either side of half-time in top dollar fashion... with cool, composed precision. On any other day, that would have been three points with the two highest profile players justifying their worth. But this was not just a game, this was the first leg of two-game total goals series, in which away goals count as the first tiebreaker.   And Torontos opponent wasnt a full-fledged MLS experienced squad, it was a team of kids including three 17-year-olds. A 19-year-old (Kekuta Manneh) came off the bench and bagged a critical goal in second half stoppage time, that puts the Whitecaps in pretty good shape heading home for that second leg next Wednesday at BC Place (7:30pm pt).  It was a Whitecaps team that averaged just over 22 years of age, or about five years younger per player than those in red. The average salary per player, well... that was about a 15-1 difference favouring TFC on the night.   And so the context of Wednesdays win should have garnered a different reaction from the home faithful. They should have been annoyed that TFC didnt capitalize on some of its gilt-edged chances in the first half, which might have seen a much wider scoreline at the break. And they should have been devastated at conceding a goal in the dying embers of the second half, having just been put in a great 2-0 position by Michael Bradleys marauding run and clinical finish minutes before. And all of that occurring at home, against a team that is still learning how to shave! The combatants Wednesday gave us an interesting illustration of two entirely different approaches to building a club. I, for one, have absolutely no problem with a team in Canada executing arguably the biggest off-season double swoop in MLS history. Its a top-down approach which has (its early, yes) seemingly paid off already. Interest has been renewed along with many season tickets, in a market that has been exceedingly tolerant of rebuilds. But theres a temporary feeling to that philosophy, much like BMO field itself. Built for today, not for tomorrow. (That, by the way, will change upon approval of an ambitious $100 million redesign to TFCs home.) To use a Mothers Day example, is it better to give Mom a beautiful store-bought bouquet or pick the ones you grew in your garden? If Moms happy either way, does the method matter? The Whitecaps are committed to growing their own. Perhaps thats the reason for so much enthusiasm in Vancouver right now; the sense of sustainability from a foundation built on youth. The tangible potential was there for everyone to see, even though the end product wasnt.   Time will tell which supporters will be cheering the loudest on final whistles to come as two Canadian clubs chart their courses into the future. But I get the feeling after Wednesday, Whitecaps fans are pretty optimistic about the ship theyre sailing on.  Cheap Jordan 1 Australia . "I never commented to anyone that I wanted out," he explained. "My heart is with this group and making the playoffs." Kesler added that the rumours are "completely false" that he asked to be traded - recently or ever. Discount Air Jordan 1 . -- Chris Jones and Louisville have done a tremendous job protecting the basketball this season and thats led to easy victories.VANCOUVER -- It was after Week 2 of the CFL season when the B.C. Lions were stumbling along winless and looking like a team with no chance at playing in a championship Grey Cup game that they are set to host. That feels like a long time ago now after quarterback Kevin Glenn had 301 yards and two touchdowns Saturday, as the Lions rolled over the Montreal Alouettes 41-5 for their second straight victory. Glenn was impressive, going 23-for-31 before leaving late in the third with a minor muscle strain that he says isnt serious. As for those critics coming after Glenn and his Lions after Week 2 -- when they lost 24-9 to the Als in Montreal -- the quarterback says everything is right on track. "Its a marathon, and you want to gradually get better every week," he said. "Last week we werent perfect and naturally this week we werent perfect, but we made plays when they were called upon. "We want to make sure were growing as a team till the end of the year when youre playing your best football." Wide receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux caught three touchdown passes, including both of Glenns, as the Lions moved to 2-2 after last weeks impressive 26-13 win in Regina. The Als (1-3), meanwhile, have just one win on the season -- against B.C. -- and it was a tough outing for Montreal quarterback Troy Smith, who finished with a scant 45 yards passing before being replaced in the fourth. "Its not what we are, but it was what we were tonight," said a downcast Als head coach Tom Higgins. "Credit the B.C. Lions, they did almost everything that they needed to do. We did not execute." The West Coast has rarely been kind to the Alouettes as theyve now been outscored 163-30 in their last four games in Vancouver. Their last win in B.C. was way back in 2010, when the Lions played in Empire Field for one season. But as easy as it is to point to Montreals damning history in Vancouver some of the credit must go to an improving quarterback in Glenn. The 35-year-old veteran, brought in in the off-season to back up injured started Travis Lulay, has been steadily improving as of late and feeling more comfortable with the Lions offense. "Thats what happens when youre a new guy on a new team -- it takes a little time to get comfortable and get going," said Glenn. "And everybody wants it to happen faster, but sometimes its just what happens. It takes a couple games to get in the groove and the game plan running your way." Glenn surpassed a milestone on the first play of the game. He ducked a hard tackle before throwing a 16-yard bullet down the middle to slotback Courtney Taylor that put him over 40,000 career yards. Glenn then found Andrew Harris, who carried it for a gain of 33 yards to put B.C. at the 23 and a ffirst down. Air Jordan 1 Australia. Two incompletes later and Paul McCallum kicked a 30-yard FG for the games first score. Glenn was efficient on the Lions next possession, getting his team to the 36 before heaving a 35-yard TD strike to wide receiver Arceneaux for an early 10-0 advantage. That drive took only five plays and 62 yards. The Als got on the board soon after as Brandon Whitaker took Montreal 41 yards on two rushes before a B.C. roughing the passer call put the Alouettes at the 35. After Troy Smiths pass was nearly picked off, Sean Whyte kicked in a 42-yarder to make it 10-3 at 4:31 of the first. McCallum kicked B.C. to a 13-3 lead at 3:48 of the second thanks to a drive by Glenn. He slung a 25-yard pass to slotback Shawn Gore before finding both Stefan Logan and Taylor to put B.C. inside the red zone. Glenn couldnt finish the drive, so McCallum kicked it in from 16 yards out. It got worse for Montreal minutes later when a blocked punt by Khreem Smith was recovered by defensive tackle Eric Taylor, who huffed it 19 yards to put the Lions back in scoring position. Courtney Taylors 7-yard TD was called back to the one, but backup QB Travis Partridge punched it in - his first pro TD - and the Lions had a 20-3 lead at the half. B.C. went right back to work in the third as a scampering Glenn found Arceneaux for a 35-yard gain and then again down the middle to put the Lions back in the redzone. From deep in the pocket it was once again Glenn connecting with Arceneaux as B.C. took control with a 27-3 lead at seven minutes. Smiths nightmare game continued on the next possession when rookie DE Alex Bazzie sacked him for a quick three and out. "Some of the challenges that people just dont know is theres times when its just not the quarterbacks fault," said Higgins. "(Smith) is standing there and someones not running where theyre supposed to. We need to examine all of those things." Lions backup John Beck came in for the third and picked up where Glenn left off, hitting Arceneaux with a 27-yard touchdown pass to make it 34-3 and put the game out of reach. That was Arceneauxs third major of the game. "Mannys an elite player," said Lions head coach Mike Benevides. "Hes a big time player. As hard as he works and as gifted as he is, Im not surprised at all (hes playing well). Im so grateful thats he on our team." Notes: The Lions honoured the 1994 Grey Cup Champion team at halftime ... Safety Matt McGarva left the game in the first quarter with a knee injury and did not return. ... The Als and Lions have split their season series 1-1 since 2007. ... The Lions continue their home stand in Week 5 with a visit from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-1). Montreal has a bye before hosting the Argos in Week 6. ' ' '

New York, NY (SportsNetwork. Blackhawks Jerseys China .com) - Major League Baseball has given Bud Selig the title of Commissioner Emeritus. Seligs retirement will become official on Jan. 25, the date Rob Manfred takes over as baseballs new commissioner. In his next role, Selig will advise Manfred and assist with special projects. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to stay connected to the game in this new capacity, said Selig in a statement. I will be proud to stand behind Robs vision for the future and to assist in any ways that he asks. Baseball is the greatest game in the world, and I look forward to seeing our sport flourish under Robs leadership. Manfred was elected to the position by a unanimous vote among baseball owners in August and agreed to a five-year contract in November. Commissioner Selig has had an unparalleled career of decorated service to the national pastime, and this role will allow the game to benefit from his unmatched institutional knowledge, experience and relationships, said Manfred in a statement Friday. I could not ask for a finer mentor during this transition process, and I am grateful that commissioner Selig will continue to be available to me as a resource. Selig will have spent 22 years as the sports commissioner. He assumed the leadership post in September 1992, initially on an acting basis following the resignation of Fay Vincent, and was given permanent duties in 1998. Custom Chicago Blackhawks Jerseys . - The Clippers have signed guard Dahntay Jones to a second 10-day contract. Fake Blackhawks Jerseys . J.J. Hardy drove in a run for the Orioles, who bounced back from an 8-4 loss in the series opener on Friday. Fresh off the 15-day disabled list, Derrek Lee went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Jake Arrieta (7-3) gave up three runs on five hits over six innings to pick up the win.CHICAGO -- Rick Renteria prefers positive reinforcement, usually taking the approach of building up his players. But following another loss and ho-hum effort on Friday, the new Chicago Cubs manager had seen enough and let the players know their intensity and focus was unacceptable. "I think when Ricky talks and shows emotion, it means something," Darwin Barney said. "He doesnt do it every often. We know hes got our back and hes on our side. When he shows a little fire, it usually works." It certain did Saturday. Barney and Welington Castillo hit two-run homers and Mike Olt added a solo shot as the Cubs broke out of a weeklong offensive funk and beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-4. The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Cubs. Since scoring four times last Sunday in St. Louis, the Cubs had managed just one run before beating the Reds. Cincinnati had won 16 of the last 17 at Wrigley Field. "I think the intensity was better," Renteria said. "Obviously, the results were better. But had the results not been there, I think the way they went about it was significantly better than yesterday." Emilio Bonifacio had three hits and scored a pair of runs for the Cubs. Junior Lake, Starlin Castro and Justin Ruggiano each drove in a run. Edwin Jackson (1-1) allowed two runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. "He battled and got into a little trouble there," Renteria said. "But all in all, he kept working. ... He showed some intensity and he showed some fight." Tony Cingrani (1-2) gave up three runs in five innings. Jay Bruce went 3 for 3 with a walk for the Reds. "Ive been battling myself the last couple of starts and Im just trying to find that command and my consistent mechanics," Cingrani said. "It just hasnt been working that well the lasst couple of starts. Chicago Blackhawks Store. " Bonifacio led off the bottom of the first with a single, went to second on a walk to Lake and came home on a single by Ruggiano. Olt stretched the lead to 2-0 when he led off the second with his third homer of the season, and Castro drove in Bonifacio in the third to make it 3-0. Jackson kept Cincinnati off the board until the sixth, when Devin Mesoraco doubled home Bruce. Zack Cozart made it 3-2 with an RBI grounder. Barney homered in the bottom of the sixth, the first shot of the season for the light-hitting second baseman. Lake added an RBI single later in the inning. An error by Olt at first base on a routine grounder helped the Reds score twice in the seventh. Castillo homered in the bottom half. "The guys hit the ball well when we needed it," Renteria said. "They picked us up a little bit." NOTES: Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo left the game in the eighth inning with back spasms. He said tweaked it stretching for a pickoff throw and has had similar issues in the past. "I felt a little bit of it (Friday)," he said. "With this, itll probably be gone tomorrow or the next day. Its weird." . Reds 2B Brandon Phillips was back in the lineup after leaving Fridays game in the third inning because of back spasms. "As far as I know he didnt have any lower back issues until he took that swing off (Jeff) Samardzija, so my feeling is once he gets past that he wont have to do anything to maintain it," manager Bryan Price said. ... Reds OF Ryan Ludwick sat out Saturday after fouling a ball off his left foot during Fridays game and sustaining a bruised toe. X-rays were negative, but Price is not certain when Ludwick will be able to play. ... Reds RHP Homer Bailey (0-1) faces RHP Carlos Villanueva (1-3) in the series finale on Sunday. ' ' '

St. Acheter Air Max 270 Pas Cher . Louis, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - Chandler Catanzaro made four field goals as the Arizona Cardinals moved closer to clinching a playoff spot despite not scoring a touchdown in a 12-6 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Thursday. The Cardinals (11-3) now own the leagues best record and can secure a postseason berth this Sunday as long as the Dallas-Philadelphia game doesnt end in a tie. Arizona can also clinch with a Detroit loss against Minnesota and a Green Bay win or tie in Buffalo. Arizona, however, suffered another injury at quarterback at the hands of the St. Louis defense as Drew Stanton left the game with a right knee injury in the third quarter. He was carted off to the locker room and did not return. Stanton, who was 12-of-20 for 109 yards before exiting, started his fifth straight game after Carson Palmer tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a 31-14 win over the Rams on Nov. 9. Ryan Lindley took over for Stanton and completed four of his 10 passes for 30 yards. Larry Fitzgerald (31 years, 102 days old) became the youngest player in NFL history to compile 900 career receptions after finishing with seven catches for 30 yards. Arizonas 11 wins ties a franchise record which was also set in 1925 and 1948. Fausse Air Max 270 Pas Cher .com) - The Vancouver Canucks recovered from a fluke goal early last time out to knock off one of the top teams in the league. Fausse Air Max 95 Pas Cher . Rodgers was ruled out on Friday by Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. Matt Flynn will make his second consecutive start for the Packers.Shanghai, China (SportsNetwork.com) - Graeme McDowell opened up with a first- round, 5-under 67 on Thursday and he holds a 2-shot lead at the WGC - HSBC Champions. McDowells last victory on the European Tour came at the Alstom Open de France earlier this year, while his latest PGA Tour win was at the 2013 RBC Heritage. U.S. Open champion Martin Kaymer, Rickie Fowler, Brandt Snedeker, Chris Kirk, Tim Clark and Tommy Fleetwood are tied for second at 3-under 69 at Sheshan International Golf Club. Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter, Adam Scott, Hyung-sung Kim, Bill Haas, Jordan Spieth, JB Holmes, Henrik Stenson, Jaco Van Zyl and Dawie Van Der Walt are all deadlocked at 2-under 70. McDowell, beginning his first round on the back nine, stormed out of the gate to grab the early lead and he never let go despite a couple miscues down the stretch. The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland quickly got into red numbers with a birdie on the par-4 first. Following a pair of pars on 11 and 12, McDowell drained four birdies in a five-hole stretch from No. 13, with a par coming on 15. After making the turn at 5-under with a par on 18, McDowell kept going strong with another par on one followed by a pair of gains on two and three. At 7- under through 12 holes, McDowell finally began to slow down as he dropped his first shot on the par-4 fourth. After a trio of pars from No. 5, McDowell bogeyed his second hole at eight, dropping him back to minus-5. He finished with a par at No. 9 to end there. Kaymer, also playing the back nine first, made the turn at minus-1 after making birdies on 13 and 16 to go along with a bogey on 17. Kaymers second bogey on one dropped him back to even par, but birdies on two and five had hhim back in red numbers. Vente Air Max 97. Kaymer made his third bogey on six, but a pair of birdies on seven and eight got Kaymer to minus-3. He rounded out his day with a par on No. 9. Fowler started off with two straight pars on 10 and 11 followed by another gain on 14. Fowler traded a bogey on 17 for a birdie on 18 to make the turn at minus-3. Birdies on two and eight were canceled out by bogeys on four and seven as Fowler finished his day tied for second at 3-under. Snedeker had a solid front nine with birdies on two and seven. He dropped two shots on the back nine at 12 and 15, but gains on 14, 16 and 18 were good enough to put Snedeker at minus-3 through one round. Kirk made his move up the leaderboard on his first nine with birdies on 10, 14, 16 and 18 to go along with a bogey on 17. Kirk played his final nine at even par with a gain on six and a bogey on five. Fleetwood made the turn at minus-1 following birdies on two and five along with a bogey on six. Fleetwood fell back to even par after a bogey on 10, but he finished strong with three birdies in a four-hole stretch from 13. Clark started off hot with three straight birdies from two, but bogeys on five and seven gave two of those shots back. Another birdie on nine was canceled out by a bogey on 10. Clark then made three birdies in four holes from 13. He also bogeyed 15. NOTES: Of the 80 players to tee off on Thursday, only 27 of them finished the first round under par ... McDowell has 10 top-10 finishes on the European Tour this year, including his win at the Open de France ... McDowells only other victory in Asia came at The Championship at Laguna National in 2008 ... Kevin Stadler and Graham DeLaet both withdrew during their first rounds. ' ' '

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. Milwaukee Bucks Shirts . -- Montee Ball acknowledges he was "a little bit" intimidated by Peyton Manning last year, something he says contributed to his slow start. Trying to please the famously meticulous quarterback is enough to unnerve any rookie, even one who ran for an NCAA-record 83 touchdowns at Wisconsin. "He did a great job of calming me down, though, keeping me comfortable, working with me after practice," Ball said. "But Im still a little nervous, of course. Im only human." A jittery Ball failed to win the starting job last year after he whiffed on Seattle middle linebacker Bobby Wagner in the preseason and Manning got squished. Then, after fumbling just twice in 924 carries in college, he matched that total in his first 31 runs in the NFL. Again, butterflies. "I was nervous, trying to do too much," Ball said. That Ball was a bundle of nerves around Manning came as somewhat of a surprise to offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase. "You dont usually hear anybody saying anything when theyre going through it. Now that were a year removed, Im sure hes kind reflects back and says, man, I felt like this. But if he was like that, he hid it pretty good," Gase said Friday. "I just kind of looked at it like he was a rookie and there were a lot of things going on and he just locked up a little bit. "And I watch him now and I feel like he can just play football now." Ball finally settled down and by December he had a tight grip on both the football and his role in Denvers record-breaking offence. He finished his rookie year with 559 yards rushing and four TDs. "The first half I was a little shaky in there," Ball said. "Im man enough to admit that I was making terrible mistakes early on. But it finally came along. Like they say, better late than never. And I took off from there." When Knowshon Moreno took his 1,586 all-purpose yards, 14 touchdowns and balky knees to South Beach this off-season, Ball assumed the featured role in the Broncos backfield. Money, health and Balls emergence all played a role in letting Moreno leave even though none of the Broncos remaining running backs had started an NFL game. Running backs coach Eric Studesville shrugged off the notion that heading into a Super Bowl-or-else season without any starting experience in the backfield is risky business. "Oh, the whole starting thing is hard for me, because really the guys that start the game are either on kickoff or kickoff return, you know?" Studesville said. "Thats kind of inconsequential to me." Gase also called it a non-issue, suggesting he could even start bruising tight end Virgil Green, who had a 6-yard run in the playoffs: "I never even think about it. Ill put Virgil out there. These guys are NFL players." Ball downplayed any concern, too, noting that by last seasons end, "it was pretty much 1A and 1B, Knowshon and me." "We felt good about both of them at the end," Studesville agreed. "We felt like we had two really good backs that we could trust in there at all times, and they were kind of interchangeable." Joining Ball in the backfield are third-year pro Ronnie Hillman and second-year C.J. Anderson, who have one combined career touchdown run, along with undrafted free agents Juwan Thompson, Brennan Clay and Kapri Bibbs. This youth movement has forced Studesville to alter his coaching style. "You cant say this is a veteran guy whos seen this for six years, so he knows what this is. No. Weve got to talk about everything from Square 1," Studesville said. "And that makes it fun to go back to the beginning because now youve kind of got to defend all of your techniques and all your philosophies and everything. And its good for me. Its rejuvenated me as a coach in a lot of ways just because I love going back and teaching the basics." Notes: LB Von Miller (ACL) is increasing his workload at practice. "My knee is not my issue when Im out there," he said. "Its just connecting the mind with the body and getting that reaction time down." Milwaukee Bucks Gear . But its also a smart game. Theres more to the Kings than banging bodies. They take a toll mentally on their opponents. Lucius Allen Jersey .com) - The Calgary Flames are spoilers once again.ALAMEDA, Calif. - Already down two starters due to season-ending injuries, the Oakland Raiders could be without cornerback Tarell Brown for Sundays game in Kansas City.Brown aggravated a foot injury and hurt his ankle while trying to break up a pass last week against San Francisco. He came out briefly then quickly returned and was able to finish the game.The veteran cornerback was held out of practice earlier this week and was limited in the teams light practice Friday. Brown is questionable to play against the Chiefs.It was a red zone day today and a short-yardage day so he was able to do whatever we needed him to do at this point, interim Oakland coach Tony Sparano said. We didnt ask him to do a whole lot but he was able to do enough.If Brown is held out, it would be a significant blow to the Raiders already thin defensive backfield.Safety Tyvon Branch has been out since Week 3 with a broken foot while cornerback Carlos Rogers joined him on the injured reserve list with a knee injury.Brown and safety Charles Woodson have been the two constants in Oaklands secondary. The two have started every game and are among the teams top tacklers.In Browns case, he has also been the Raiders most reliable player. He has taken all but eight of the teams 931 defensive snaps, including the three plays he sat out after getting hurt against the 49ers.Rookie TJ Carrie will start against Kansas City if Brown is held out.If T-Brown dont go, TJs going to be right in there, cornerback DJ Hayden said. Whoever gets called up, theyll be ready. I feel confident in our group, in everybody.Haydens progress this season has helped make up for the injuries.The 12th overall pick in 2013 who was beset by a variety of injuries during his rookie year, Hayden spent the first six weeks of this season on the phhysically unable to perform list after undergoing foot surgery during the off-season. Bucks Jerseys 2020. . He played in a reserve role his first two games back then inherited the starting left cornerback job when Rogers went down.Since then, Hayden has been on an upward climb. He has only one interception — coming in his first start of the year against Denvers Peyton Manning — and has graded out very well overall, according to ProFootballFocus.com.Hes right where he needs to go, and this week well see, Raiders defensive co-ordinator Jason Tarver said. We want him to stay in that passionate I can cover you, Im going to stay in my technique mode in another environment.Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie took a lot of heat when he drafted Hayden, who had suffered a near-fatal heart injury during his senior year in college. The criticism continued to build last year when Hayden went on injured reserve midway through the season.With Hayden finally showing signs of progress, that criticism has started to subside.Im comfortable, Hayden said. I feel like Im doing good. Im getting better each and every week. I just have to take care of the opportunities that come my way.Notes: One day after a heavy storm forced the team to move practice to a nearby indoor facility, the Raiders held Fridays workout on their own fields. Buses were on standby to move the team, just in case. ... RT Menelik Watson (foot/ankle), WR Denarius Moore (knee/ankle), S Larry Asante (shoulder/quad) and TE Brian Leonhardt (concussion) did not practice and will not play this week. DT Pat Sims (shoulder) and LB Sio Moore (hip) are questionable. WR Andre Holmes (shoulder), CB Chimdi Chekwa (shoulder) and CB Neiko Thorpe (hand) are probable.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '

To put it bluntly, were spoiled. Blackhawks Jerseys China . We really are. There have been 36 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships and Canada has won gold 15 times. No country has won more. We are used to greatness. We expect it as Canadian hockey fans. In the 10 years from 1988 to 1997, led by the likes of Eric Lindros, Scott Niedermayer and Jarome Iginla, Canada won eight gold medals, including five straight. Then, from 2005 to 2009, Canada won another five straight with teams featuring future NHL All-Stars in Dion Phaneuf, Carey Price and Sidney Crosby. But heres the rub: since that gold medal triumph in 2009 won by a team coached by the Pat Quinn and including PK Subban, John Tavares and Evander Kane, Canada has not won the tournament again. Sure, Canada has medaled in three of those four years (silvers in 2010 and 2011 and a bronze in 2012,) but for a country where hockey is king, you dont celebrate being anything but the best. Is it time to worry? Yes, there have been droughts before. Upon the WJHCs inception in 1977, Canada didnt win gold until its sixth year. Granted, in those days, Canada typically sent that years Memorial Cup champions to the tournament, rather than the teams filled with the nations best junior players that were used to seeing now. After Canadas five straight triumphs ending in 1997, the country went seven years without a gold. Even players the calibre of Vincent Lecavalier, Roberto Luongo and Rick Nash couldnt bring home the title. The nation fretted then and that unease is starting to return with this current dearth of titles. Is that fair, though? Every December, many assume these young men will bring home the gold. But if Brent Sutters team doesnt hear "O Canada" on January 5th of next year, it will be another six-year drought. As a Canadian hockey fan, how concerning is it that Canada hasnt won world junior gold recently? As always, its Your! Call. Custom Chicago Blackhawks Jerseys . Mission accomplished. Now the Royals will take the field on Saturday with a World Series lead for the first time in team history when they play Game 4 of the Fall Classic against the Giants at AT&T Park. Stitched Blackhawks Jerseys . MLB executive Joe Torre ruled on Tuesday nights game at Wrigley Field that was called after 4 1-2 innings. The Cubs were declared the winners by a 2-0 score. Now, it is instead a suspended game that will resume at 4:05 p.The latest on injured Avalanche forward Matt Duchene remains a mystery. On Sunday, head coach Patrick Roy said the teams leading scorer will skate at Mondays morning practice and the club will make a decision on his status for Game 6 at that point. Duchene has been out since damaging the MCL in his left knee when he ran into a teammate againstt San Jose on March 29. Blackhawks Jerseys 2020. . Hes been skating on his own all week, before joining the team Saturday hours before a pivotal game in a series tied at 2. Rookie Nathan MacKinnon says that knowing Duchene may return at some point is "definitely a huge momentum boost for us." Duchene had 70 points in the regular season. ' ' '

Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham need to add quality to the side in the coming transfer windows if they are to compete in the Champions League. Air Max Plus Tn Fake . Spurs were knocked out at the group stage with a 2-1 defeat by Monaco on Tuesday night, meaning Pochettinos first campaign in the competition ended in disappointment. Sky Sports Black Friday sale Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price! Speaking after the game, the Argentine admitted his side need to improve if they are to deal with the intensity of playing two games in a week. Pochettino said: It is good for us to learn from this for the future if we are going to be in the Champions League next season and try to compete in that and the Premier League, maybe we need to make changes.It was a good challenge for us to show the real level. Its true after two-and-a-half years we closed the gap between the top clubs. But to be competitive in the Champions League and Premier League we need to show more - and maybe to add real quality. Tottenhams goalkeeper Hugo Lloris shows his dejection I think its better to be in the Europa League, it would be good for the club. We are in a process and a period where we need to improve.To play Saturday then Tuesday-Wednesday is like you play the Premier League continuously. We struggled to be ready to compete in every game.Maybe we feel bad now, disappointed, but tomorrow is another day. We need to be optimistic in the club. We need to compete. Saturday will be a very big game, and go to Chelsea and try to win the game. Spurs were eliminated with a game to spare in the group stage Despite Harry Kane equalising for Spurs with a second-half penalty, Monaco went ahead barely 40 seconds later, and Pochettinos side failed to find the vital leveller again.The first half was a little bit open, it was a good game. Second half we concede the first goal, get back in with the penalty, and its hard to see how we conceded the second goal - thats a bit disappointing.Monaco was better after we conceded the second goal - we gave them more space. We struggled a little bit to manage the game, and concede a lot of chances to Monaco.It was a very competitive game like in Wembley. We didnt have enough luck, didnt show enough quality. We are now not in the next round of the Champions League so we need to forget and be ready for the next game against Chelsea.Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4! Also See: Monaco 1-2 Spurs As it happened Transfer Centre Paper Talk Wholesale Air Max 97 . According to a report from ESPN, sources said Manuels college coach Jimbo Fisher told teams he didnt think Manuel had the tools to be an NFL starter. Nike Vapormax Outlet . The Wild, playing their first game since leading scorer Mikko Koivu broke his ankle Saturday at Washington, have won three straight for the first time since Nov. 1-5. Koivu underwent surgery on Monday and is expected to miss at least four weeks.NEW YORK -- Former closer Neftali Feliz was recalled by the slumping Texas Rangers from Triple-A Round Rock, replenishing their taxed bullpen Friday for the opener of an interleague series against the New York Mets. Texas also optioned right-hander Ben Rowen to Round Rock and placed lefty Joe Saunders on waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. Feliz, an All-Star in 2010 and the AL Rookie of the Year, was the closer on two Rangers teams that went to the World Series. He was one strike from clinching the title for Texas in 2011 before St. Louis rallied in Game 6. The Rangers moved Feliz into the starting rotation two years ago, but he had Tommy John surgery on Aug. 1, 2012. Back in the bullpen, he struggled during spring training this year and was sent to the minors. Texas manager Ron Washington said Feliz will be used in whatever role is necessary, but Joakim Soria "unequivocally" remains the closer. "We needed a fresh arm, and Neffy is capable of giving us multipple innings right now," Washington said. Vapormax Plus Clearance. Feliz had been at Round Rock all season, going 1-1 with a 3.14 ERA in 24 relief appearances. He was 7 for 9 in save chances, with 31 strikeouts and eight walks in 28 2-3 innings. The right-hander picked it up lately, throwing nine scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and one walk over his last eight outings. Opponents batted .071 against him (2 for 28) during that span. Washington said he had a chat with the 26-year-old Feliz to pump him up Friday. The manager acknowledged that minor league reports have indicated Feliz was inconsistent at Triple-A. "He was the best option we had," Washington said. "At least he can give us multiple innings, and itll give Neffy a chance to stay in the big leagues." Rowen had a 4.15 ERA in eight relief outings after he was called up June 11 for his first stint in the big leagues. Saunders was designated for assignment Tuesday after going 0-5 with a 6.13 ERA in eight starts for Texas this season. ' ' '