It usually involves that kid who was in a wheelchair on Degrassi or some hashtag I dont understand or something to do with Disney Jr. But the word "beard" drew me in, and on upon further investigation I discovered that "peak beard" was about contemporary popular cultures threshold for beard wearing, and the notion that the age of the beard may be over. This seemed sacrilegious to me, because here in late April we sit on the precipice of the climax of beard season: winter is slowly receding and the NHL playoffs bring with them the greatest sports tradition of all-time, the playoff beard. Peak beard in April? Pfft. Thats like writing of December that weve hit "peak Santa", or of AC/DC weve hit "peak guitar", or of a wedding weve hit "peak open bar". As we settle into the first round of the playoffs, beards among NHLers are about to take form. We are awash in the infancy of stubble. In two months whichever teams are left battling will look like theyre en route to Bonnaroo post-pucks. It should be noted that Ive worn a beard since puberty allowed it, and a razor has insulted my cheeks just once in the past twenty years. I revel in playoff beards. They make me feel at home. I wear a playoff beard in August. And as we got through the first weekend of the playoffs a few days ago, which was also Easter, Id be remiss if I didnt mention the best playoff beard ever: Jesus. Dude rocked his beard into the post-post season, and according to scripture will still be rocking the playoff beard when he comes back. The story of the playoff beard is well known: It started some thirty years ago during the New York Islanders dynasty of the 80s. (For our younger readers the Islanders were once a good hockey team, before fishermen logos, Charles Wang, and Alexei Yashin.) No one is quite sure of its specific genesis, however. Some attribute it to two Swedish Islanders who were trying to emulate tennis star Björn Borgs custom of not shaving during Wimbledon. Some say that Islanders defenceman Ken Morrows beard led the charge. Whatever the story, the playoff beard has come to symbolize team unity, a badge of honour, and the fact that youve made a deep enough run to sport a thick brush from which you can hang livestock. In my years as a hockey fan, a few playoff beards standout. Scott Niedermayers greying old man beard, Mike Commodores ginger madness, and Lanny McDonalds wild west stache accompaniment immediately come to mind. In recent years, rules concerning the playoff beard seem to have turned lax. Shaving after a loss in effort to change a teams luck is seemingly allowed. Goatees, the beards answer to the haiku, are tolerated. Professional trimming is apparent (Im looking at you, Sedin twins.) Back in the day, when men were men and the Oilers made the playoffs, the rules for the playoff beard were simple: 1. Stop shaving.2. Win Stanley Cup or get eliminated.3. Start shaving again. In todays NHL, a new challenge faces beard-growing players. In the salary cap era, inexpensive young talent on entry-level contracts are important to the balance of a competitive team. Eighteen, nineteen, and twenty year-olds are key parts of many playoff teams lineups. Early in the first round, all players beards are equal. Its like a grade 8 dance. But come rounds two and three, how will Nathan MacKinnon, Olli Maatta, and Ryan Murray look should their teams be fortunate enough to make it that deep? Of course, a teams playoff longevity doesnt necessarily guarantee a healthy bearded player. When Tomas Kaberle won a Cup with Boston in 2011, the former Leafs defencemen still looked like a pre-pubescent child despite two months without shaving. Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews has won two Cups without any discernible upper lip growth, and Sidney Crosby still owns his "Sid the Kid" moniker with his patchy-coat-of an-electrocuted-dog fuzz. We cant all be Duck Dynasty-esque, but at 26 Crosbys beard is just plain sad. I have a better beard in my junior prom photos. Hell, my prom date has a better beard. And then theres the beards well never know. Can Dion Phaneuf even grow a beard? Can Phil Kessel? Can the Edmonton Oilers? We know they can schedule vacations for early April, play in the World Championships, and pick in the early first round of the draft, but theyll need to see past round one of the playoffs before we can judge their facial hair prowess. Sadly, methinks well never know. For now, I will rebel against notions peak beard, despite what Cosmo and The Daily Guardian are writing. The grand tradition of the playoff beard is just one of the many facets of the fight for the Stanley Cup that makes the NHLs postseason more compelling, more rich in narrative, and more entertaining than any other sport. 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BALTIMORE -- A reversed call got the uprising started. Then came a walk after the Detroit Tigers were down to their last strike. That forced Tommy Hunter to go up against Miguel Cabrera, perhaps the last person a struggling closer wants to face with the outcome hanging in the balance. Cabrera hit a hanging curveball over the centre-field wall for a three-run homer, and the Tigers rallied past the Baltimore Orioles 4-1 on Tuesday night. After being held scoreless on three hits over the first eight innings, the Tigers improved to 1-12 when trailing after eight innings. "You never know in baseball," Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. "When the top of our order swings the bat, we can score some runs quickly." Hunter held a 1-0 lead before giving up a leadoff single to Alex Avila. Pinch-runner Rajai Davis was called out trying to steal, but Ausmus challenged the call and after looking at the replay, umpires called Davis safe at second. "The instant replay was probably the turning point, I guess," Ausmus said. Hunter (1-1) got two straight outs before working the count on Torii Hunter to 1-2. The at-bat ended in a walk. "You cant let arguably one of the best hitters in the game come to the plate," Tommy Hunter said. "Youve got to throw a strike right there and I missed." Two pitches later, Cabrera connected. "Its a chance that we win or were going to lose," Cabrera said. "You dont have to think too much of it. Youve got to go out there and try and see what happens." Victor Martinez followed Cabreras sixth home run with a shot to right that landed on Eutaw Street beyond the scoreboard in right field. Justin Miller (1-1) pitched one inning to earn his first big league win and Joe Nathan got three outs for his ninth save. Nathan has seven saves and a 0.00 ERA in his last eight outings. Adam Jones hit a first-inning homer for the Orioles, who have dropped three in a row following a five-game winning streak. Jones has five home runs, four in the last seven games. Baltimore starter Ubaldo Jimenez gave up three hits, walked two and struck out seven in seven innings. After going 0-4 with a 6.59 ERA in April, the right-hander is 2-0 with a 0.46 ERA in May. Jimenez, who signed a four-year, $50 milllion contract as a free agent in February, permitted only one runner past first base.dddddddddddd All three hits against him were singles, and on each occasion the runner was erased trying to steal. Darren ODay worked a perfect eighth, but Hunter couldnt preserve the lead. He left the mound to jeers from fans who minutes earlier were standing in anticipation of the final out. Hunter has 11 saves, but his job as closer could be in jeopardy. "Im not going to get in to handicapping, this means that and that means this," manager Buck Showalter said. "Well constantly see what gives us the best option to pitch nine innings, and be competitive and continue to be in first place. And thats what well do." Said Hunter: "Its my job today. Well see." Detroit starter Drew Smyly allowed five hits over six innings and matched a season high with seven strikeouts. In his previous three outings against the Orioles, all in relief, Smyly gave up two hits and struck out eight in eight shutout innings. Detroit trailed 1-0 in the seventh when Hunter led off with a single and Cabrera walked. After Jimenez bounced a curveball, rookie catcher Caleb Joseph quickly found the handle on the loose ball and threw out Hunter trying to take third. Martinez bounced into a 4-6-3 double play. Baltimore catchers were 4 for 29 in throwing out would-be stealers before Joseph went 3 for 4. The rookie also got his first major league hit, a fourth-inning single. NOTES: RHP Kevin Gausman will be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to start Wednesday for the Orioles. The move was designed to give starters Wei-Yin Chen and Miguel Gonzalez an extra day of rest. Gonzalez will be available in the bullpen for Wednesdays game. Baltimore also announced it optioned RHP Preston Guilmet to Norfolk after the game. Guilmet made two scoreless appearances totalling 1 2/3 innings after being recalled before Mondays game. ... Ausmus said RHP Anibal Sanchez (finger laceration) will come off the DL to start Sunday against Boston. ... Detroits Rick Porcello, who left Mondays game with a tightness in his side, remains on schedule for his next start Saturday. ... Showalter said starter Chris Tillman had some groin soreness after his start Sunday, but the right-hander appears to have recovered. <a href="http://www.chinawholesalejerseysnfl.com/">Wholesale Jerseys</a> ' ' '
The Calgary Flames have traded forward Alex Tanguay and defenceman Cory Sarich to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forward David Jones and defenceman Shane OBrien. "This trade adds needed size up front and grit on the back end while also allowing us to get younger." said Flames General Manager Jay Feaster in a statement. "We like the fact that Jones plays a north-south game, drives hard to the net, kills penalties and is a right hand shot. OBrien is a hard guy to play against, knows how to get under the skin of the opposition and stands up for his teammates. We are pleased to add both of these players to our organization." The deal sends the 33-year-old Tanguay back to the city where he started his career. Drafted by the Avalanche in first round (12th overall) in 1998, Tanguay played his first six seasons for Colorado before being traded to the Flames in June, 2006. Tanguay played two seasons in Calgary and had stops in Montreal and Tampa Bay before again signing as an unrestricted free agent with Calgary in July, 2010. Tanguay had 11 goals and 16 assists in 40 games for the Flames last season. Sarich, 34, had two assists in 28 games for the Flames this year. The veteran has also skated for Buffalo and Tampa Bay in his 14 NHL seasons. In Jones, the Flames receive a 28-year-old who struggled with three goals and six assists in 33 games last season. But the Guelph, Ontario native had much better seasons in the previous two years, where he had 20 goals in 2011-12 and 27 goals in 2010-11. He has 70 goals and 126 points in 272 games, all with Colorado. OBrien, 29, is a physical blueliner who had four assists and 60 penalty minutes in 28 games last season. 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Chris Heisey connected for his first grand slam and Devin Mesoraco homered and drove in a career high-tying four runs as Cincinnati took advantage of Tampa Bays depleted pitching staff for a 12-4 victory on Sunday. <a href="http://www.cheapwizardsjerseyssale.com/kids-otto-porter-wizards-jersey/">Otto Porter Jersey</a>. -- Oakland Athletics third baseman Scott Sizemore has undergone surgery on his left knee to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. <a href="http://www.cheapwizardsjerseyssale.com/kids-sam-dekker-wizards-jersey/">Sam Dekker Jersey</a>. Numbers Game looks at the As getting Jon Lester from Boston, sending Yoenis Cespedes to the Red Sox along with a deal involving the As and the Minnesota Twins. The Athletics Get: LHP Jon Lester, LF Jonny Gomes, OF Sam Fuld and cash.LONDON -- Manchester Uniteds slump has jeopardized some players chances of making Englands World Cup squad, coach Roy Hodgson has warned. United won the Premier League by 11 points before Alex Ferguson retired last year, but the players have mounted a feeble title defence under David Moyes, who was fired last month. Sunderland inflicted the seventh-place teams 12th loss of the league season on Saturday as the instant feel-good factor following Ryan Giggs appointment as interim manager evaporated. Hodgson wants to take players high on confidence to Brazil rather than those who have been underperforming domestically, with the coach highlighting Uniteds miserable campaign. "Theyre one of the few teams that have had a lot of English players, but football players have to accept unfortunately their England careers are tied up with their club careers," Hodgson said. "If its not going well in their clubs and its not going well for them in their clubs, and other players are doing extremely well in their clubs, it does put your position as a national team player under some sort of threat. "Im pretty certain that the Man United players will understand that, that theres no God-given right that because theyve played in a few games up to now, theyll play all the games in the future." While Wayne Rooney can be certain of a place at the World Cup if he is fit, the strikers United teammates could face an anxious wait before Hodgson announces his 23-man squad on May 12.dddddddddddd. Among Uniteds England contingent are defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, midfielders Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley, winger Ashley Young, and striker Danny Welbeck. "Its up to me to pick who the best players for the job are at any given moment," Hodgson said. "Now that doesnt mean to say youll choose a player for the national team every time he scores a goal, but it does mean you are judging over a relatively short period of time." England opens its World Cup campaign against Italy in Manaus on June 14, following a week-long trip to Miami to play friendlies against Ecuador and Honduras. Hodgson has told his players not to complain about boredom while away on World Cup duty. "I dont think its our job to keep them occupied," Hodgson said. "Once you sign up for (the World Cup), you shouldnt then be saying, Oh, Im missing my family, oh, Im bored. Or what can you do to help me? because theres nothing we can do to help you. "Its like a soldier saying, Ill sign up for the army but I dont want to see any action. Im a bit bored here sitting around these barracks, every day with nothing to do," Hodgson added. "They must have plenty of boredom in their lives." <a href="http://www.chinawholesalejerseysnfl.com/">Wholesale Jerseys</a> ' ' '
Syracuse, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Syracuse freshman Chris McCullough will miss the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the school said Monday. The 6-foot-10 forward was injured in the first half of Sundays 70-57 win over Florida State. He was averaging 9.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in 16 games for the Orange (12-4) this season. <a href="http://www.officialcowboysnflauthenticshop.com/">Elite Cowboys Jerseys</a>. After Mondays comments by Coach Claude Noel that its work first and skill second, and that more “A” games are needed, the Jets responded with a 47-shot effort. If not for terrific goaltending by Braden Holtby the Jets would have had two points in regulation. <a href="http://www.officialcowboysnflauthenticshop.com/?tag=connor-mcgovern-gear">Connor McGovern Gear</a>. Catch the action live on TSN2 at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Wild lead the Northwest Division and look to get back into the win column after having a season-high seven-game winning streak cut short with Tuesdays 2-1 loss at Winnipeg in the finale of a five-game road trip (4-1-0). http://www.officialcowboysnflauthenticshop.com/. - Alex Dostie scored two goals and assisted on another to lead the Gatineau Olympiques to a 5-3 victory over the Drummondville Voltigeurs in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action on Sunday. <a href="http://www.officialcowboysnflauthenticshop.com/?tag=tony-pollard-gear">Tony Pollard Gear</a>. A criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court said his girlfriend told police they got into the argument early Thursday at his suburban Minneapolis home. <a href="http://www.officialcowboysnflauthenticshop.com/?tag=trysten-hill-gear">Trysten Hill Gear</a>. His apology came before a pregame ceremony in which the team honoured its 2004 team that won Bostons first World Series championship since 1918. "I realize that I behaved bad in Boston," Ramirez said.OSLO - Anders Konradsens late goal saw Russia held to a 1-1 draw by Norway in its penultimate World Cup warmup game in Oslo on Saturday. Konradsens 77th-minute header off Morten Gamst Pedersens cross cancelled out Oleg Shatovs opener for Russia in the third minute. Russia could have scored more if not for Norway defender Vegard Forren, who twice cleared off the line with goalkeeper Rune Jarstein beaten.dddddddddddd. The draw continued the low-key World Cup preparation by Fabio Capellos Russia team. It beat Slovakia 1-0 in a friendly on Monday and takes on Morocco in Moscow on Thursday in its final tuneup before departing for Brazil. Playing at the World Cup for the first time in 12 years, Russia will take on South Korea, Belgium and Algeria in Group H. <a href="http://www.chinawholesalejerseysnfl.com/">Wholesale Jerseys</a> ' ' '
SALT LAKE CITY -- New Jazz head coach Quin Snyder has completed his staff. The team announced Tuesday that Brad Jones, Antonio Lang, Alex Jensen, Mike Wells and Johnnie Bryant have been named as assistant coaches. Jones and Bryant are each returning for their third seasons with the team. Jensen is entering his second season as a member of the Jazz coaching staff. Lang was most recently a head coach in Japans National Basketball League. Wells, whose background includes stints on the staffs of the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, was most recently at the University of Toledo. <a href="http://www.hockeyavalanche.com/authentic-adam-foote-avalanche-jersey/">Adam Foote Jersey</a>.Mihajlovic was sent off minutes from the end of Thursdays 2-0 win over Brescia and has been punished for using a disrespectful expression toward the fourth official and throwing the contents of a bottle of water at him, thus assuming an intimidating attitude. <a href="http://www.hockeyavalanche.com/customized/">Custom Colorado Avalanche Jerseys</a>. 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell. http://www.hockeyavalanche.com/authentic...he-jersey/. Though the 26-year-old said he was able to participate, coach Dwane Casey kept Johnson out as a precaution. <a href="http://www.hockeyavalanche.com/authentic-lanny-mcdonald-avalanche-jersey/">Lanny McDonald Jersey</a>.C. -- After turning Tobacco Road into "Raleigh Top," Tennessee is headed to the round of 16. <a href="http://www.hockeyavalanche.com/authentic-teemu-selanne-avalanche-jersey/">Teemu Selanne Jersey</a>. Pironkova, who was ranked outside the top 100 despite reaching the Wimbledon semifinals in 2010, beat three top 10 players in Sydney, 2012 French Open finalist Sara Errani, 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and Kerber.The Denver Broncos have completed a trade for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez. Sanchez joins the Super Bowl champions for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and instantly becomes the most experienced quarterback on their roster.The 29-year-old will be entering his eighth season in the NFL, having been selected with the fifth overall pick of the 2009 draft by the New York Jets. Sanchez started all but two games in his four seasons with the Jets, with his fifth year completely ruined by injury before he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.He made 10 starts in two seasons in Philadelphia, two of those in 2015 when he played as backup to Sam Bradford, but with the Eagles signing free agent Chase Daniel on Thursday, Sanchez became available.TThe Broncos had been left with only Trevor Siemian - who didnt throw a pass in his rookie season - on their quarterback depth chart, after Peyton Mannings retirement and Brock Osweilers decision to sign with the Houston Texans.ddddddddddddenver general manager John Elway confirmed the signing on Twitter, but hinted Sanchez would not be the last signal-caller signed this off-season.He wrote: Acquired QB Mark Sanchez for a conditional 17 pick. He brings veteran leadership & will compete. This is the first step in our process. Also See: Free Agency: Winners and losers What next for Manziel? 10 big free agent signings Free Agency live updates <a href="http://www.chinawholesalejerseysnfl.com/">Wholesale Jerseys</a> ' ' '
BEREA, Ohio -- Browns defensive end Desmond Bryants season has ended because of an irregular heartbeat that will require surgery. Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. Bryant played in Sundays game against Jacksonville and was credited with four pressures on Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne. The Browns said Bryant will undergo "a minor heart procedure" this week. He is expected to make a full recovery and resume his playing career. Bryant was taken out of an Oct. 3 game against Buffalo in the third quarter complaining of shortness of breath. He was hospitalized overnight at The Cleveland Clinic with an irregular heartbeat. It was the second such episode for Bryant, who left a game last year with Oakland and was hospitalized for an irregular heartbeat. Both times Bryant returned to play in the next weeks game. "Its a pretty scary feeling," Bryant said after returning to practice in October. "Your heart wont calm down. Fortunately, weve got a great staff on hand and theyve got me doing the right things I need and Im now back to normal." Bryant indicated he had made some changes to guard against a recurrence. "Were doing some things to prevent it from happening again," he said. "I need to try to cut out anything that may start this up, as well as taking some medication to help prevent it." The 27-year-old Bryant started all 12 games this season for the Browns and made 45 tackles with 3 1-2 sacks. He had a career-high 10 tackles and two sacks in the season opener, but his production has steadily dropped and he has not had a sack in nine games. The Browns placed him on the reserve/non-football illness list. Bryant played the previous four seasons with the Raiders, who signed the 6-foot-6, 310-pounder as an undrafted free agent from Harvard in 2009. Bryant was not on the practice field Wednesday and coach Rob Chudzinski did not disclose why he would not be participating before the workout. To fill Bryants roster spot, the Browns promoted wide receiver Brian Tyms from the practice squad to the active roster. Also, the Browns the released linebacker Justin Staples from the practice squad. <a href="http://www.officialhoustontexansfootball.com/authentic-sammie-coates-jersey-womens">Sammie Coates Jersey</a>. -- Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer, Colby Rasmus drove in two runs and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Detroit Tigers 9-4 on Saturday. <a href="http://www.officialhoustontexansfootball.com/authentic-andre-johnson-jersey-womens">Andre Johnson Jersey</a>. -- Michael Frazier II scored 21 points, Dorian Finney-Smith added 11 and No. http://www.officialhoustontexansfootball...sey-womens. -- Two nights after losing to the Eastern Conferences worst team, the Phoenix Coyotes handled the best. <a href="http://www.officialhoustontexansfootball.com/authentic-zach-fulton-jersey-womens">Zach Fulton Jersey</a>. - After three days of light, make that very light, workouts, Team Irvin and Team Carter are ready for tonights Pro Bowl. <a href="http://www.officialhoustontexansfootball.com/authentic-aaron-colvin-jersey-womens">Aaron Colvin Jersey</a>ZURICH, Switzerland -- World Cup winner Germany is still No. 1 in the FIFA rankings despite losing to second-place Argentina in a friendly rematch of their final this month. Colombia climbs one place to No. 3 even though it lost to Brazil in a friendly, and trades places with the Netherlands which lost both its matches this month. Belgium stays at No. 5 and Brazil climbs one spot to No. 6. Uruguay is No. 7, followed by Spain. France and Switzerland, which lost to England in a European Championship qualifier, trade places to complete the toop 10.dddddddddddd Costa Rica is ahead of Mexico and the United States, with the three CONCACAF nations grouped from Nos. 15-17. Canada, which beat Jamaica earlier this month, moved up two spots to No. 120 but still fell to 15th spot overall in CONCACAF as others leapfrogged it. The Canadian men were ranked ninth in North and Central America and the Caribbean last month at No. 122. England climbs two spots to No. 18. Algeria leads African nations at No. 20, up four. Iran also rises four as the top Asian nation at No. 44. <a href="http://www.chinawholesalejerseysnfl.com/">Wholesale Jerseys</a> ' ' '
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Chris Bosh scored 21 points, and Dwyane Wade added 16 as the Miami Heat defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 104-98 on Friday night in the preseason finale for both teams.The Heat controlled the game after halftime, building the lead to 17 early in the fourth quarter as both teams played their reserves down the stretch.Memphis battled back within 94-91 on a jumper by Jon Leuer near the 4-minute mark, but the Grizzlies got no closer.Norris Cole finished with 14 points for Miami, while Mario Chalmers added 11. Shawn Williams and rookie James Ennis scored 10 each for the Heat.Leuer led the Grizzlies with 21 points, while Vince Carter added 13, including connecting on all three of his 3-pointers. Zach Randolph was the only Memphis starter in double figures with 12 points. Rookie Jordan Adams also had 12 points. <a href="http://www.officialtennesseetitansfootball.com/authentic-customized-womens">Custom Tennessee Titans Jerseys</a>. Now he has a complete game. Scherzer tossed a three-hitter in his 179th career start for his first complete game and Victor Martinez hit his 16th homer to lead the Detroit Tigers a 4-0 win over the Chicago White Sox. <a href="http://www.officialtennesseetitansfootball.com/authentic-ben-jones-jersey-womens">Ben Jones Jersey</a>. Orlov, who scored two goals in the game, was assessed a major penalty for boarding on the play. The Flyers scored once on the power play and again with the extra attacker with 65 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime. http://www.officialtennesseetitansfootba...sey-womens. -- Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer, Colby Rasmus drove in two runs and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Detroit Tigers 9-4 on Saturday. <a href="http://www.officialtennesseetitansfootball.com/authentic-steve-mcnair-jersey-womens">Steve McNair Jersey</a>.com) - The Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors are back in the great white north for a brief moment and will host the Dallas Mavericks Friday night from Air Canada Centre. <a href="http://www.officialtennesseetitansfootball.com/authentic-kamalei-correa-jersey-womens">Kamalei Correa Jersey</a>.The Los Angeles Lakers star passed Michael Jordan for third on the NBAs career scoring list Sunday night in a 100-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Over their 13 seasons, the Columbus Blue Jackets have wilted at the finish a lot of times. They did again on Tuesday night, giving up a tying goal in the waning seconds of regulation. But they more than made up for it later. Ryan Johansen took a stretch pass from James Wisniewski and scored on a wrist shot at 3:33 of overtime to lead the Blue Jackets to a 4-3 win over the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday night, tying a franchise record for wins. "It could have been one of those oh-no moments," Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards said of the Coyotes Oliver Ekman-Larssons tying goal with just 14.6 seconds left in regulation. "But credit to the guys. We went out and found a way to win." When Johansen, a 21-year-old, notched his 32nd goal, a roaring crowd of 16,289 was so loud it was deafening. "I was sitting on the bench just admiring it," Johansen said with a grin. "It was loud. It was pretty cool to watch. Its great we could finish it out for them and make them even happier." Not only did Johansens goal provide the Blue Jackets 41st victory to match their most, but it also pushed them even closer to a spot in the playoffs. They retain the second wild-card spot in the East and moved just two points back of third-place Philadelphia in the Metropolitan Division. "It was huge for us," said Blake Comeau, who had given the Blue Jackets a 3-2 lead with just over 6 minutes left. "Everyone knew how important these points are this time of year. We could let off the gas and gotten down on ourselves after that late goal. But the guys did a great job of rallying." The Blue Jackets improved to 41-31-7, matching the victory total set in 2008-09 -- the only time the club has made the playoffs. Sergei Bobrovsky had 29 saves, Boone Jenner and Mark Letestu also had goals and Artem Anisimov added two assists for Columbus, which heads out on the road to close the regular season. "We go on this three-game road trip now feeling a little better about our game and ourselves," Johansen said. The Blue Jackets had taken a 3-2 lead with 6:18 left when Comeau pulled up on a rush and snapped off a shot from the top of the left circle that got past goaalie Thomas Greiss.dddddddddddd "I just tried to fire it on net, to be honest, as hard as I could," Comeau said. With the crowd cheering every play down the stretch, the Coyotes silenced them by tying it. Ekman-Larsson circled at the point and ripped a shot that flew through heavy congestion in front to get past a surprised Bobrovsky. "(Mike Ribeiro) got it up to me and I just walked the line and tried to shoot the puck and I was lucky it went in," Ekman-Larsson said after his 15th of the season. After a Phoenix turnover, Wisniewski sent a long pass to Johansen who raced in from the left wing with one defender back and tucked a hard wrist shot inside the far post against Greiss, who had 26 saves. "It was a roller-coaster," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. "Our effort was really strong. Our execution, well, it was a choppy game. A team would turn over the puck and the other team would score and get the advantage." Martin Erat and Shane Doan also had goals for the Coyotes, who have lost five in a row (0-2-3). They came in with 86 points, just a point back of Dallas which holds the second wild-card spot in the West. "It was a nice shot by their guy," Doan said. "This is a tough place to play. Bobrovsky is a great goalie. They have some great young players who go to the net hard and they play hard. We wanted to find ways to get to the net and we did. We just needed to make one more play." In the end, Columbus got the puck onto the stick of the right guy. "We got one of our most talented players in a position to make a play," Richards said. "And he made the play." Notes: After the game, Columbus left for a game at Dallas on Wednesday for the resumption of a suspended game from last month, then will play back-to-back games at Tampa Bay and Florida on Friday and Saturday. ... Nathan Horton played one shift in the second period for the Blue Jackets after missing four games and then left with an apparent recurrence of a lower-body injury. ... Phoenix RW Radim Vrbata assisted on Erats goal to reach 50 points in a season for the third time (07-08, 11-12). ... Erat has 17 goals and 42 assists in 62 career games against Columbus. <a href="http://www.chinawholesalejerseysnfl.com/">Wholesale Jerseys</a> ' ' '
London, England (SportsNetwork.com) - World No. 1 stars Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams were selected as the International Tennis Federations world champions for 2014. Djokovic captured the award for a fourth time, while Williams is now a five- time recipient. Djokovic titled at Wimbledon for his seventh career Grand Slam singles championship and reclaimed the No. 1 ranking from Rafael Nadal. Williams captured the U.S. Open for her 18th major title and was the No. 1 player throughout the entire year. Americans Bob and Mike Bryan won the mens doubles award for the 11th time in 12 years, while Italys Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci claimed the womens honor for the third straight season. <a href="http://www.officialbullsfanstore.com/kids-john-paxson-bulls-jersey/">John Paxson Jersey</a>. Vincent Lamar Carter is no longer the lean, athletic dynamo who dazzled Raptors fans with eye-popping dunks that posterized even the leagues best defenders. <a href="http://www.officialbullsfanstore.com/kids-zach-lavine-bulls-jersey/">Zach LaVine Jersey</a>. - Olympic champion Marielle Thompson accomplished her mission of defending her skicross World Cup title at Nakiska Ski Area on Saturday. http://www.officialbullsfanstore.com/kid...ls-jersey/. “Momentum is only as good as the next days starter,” the long-time Baltimore Orioles manager famously quipped. <a href="http://www.officialbullsfanstore.com/kids-bobby-portis-bulls-jersey/">Bobby Portis Jersey</a>. Three days after falling to Hamilton, Abbotsford scored three goals in 53 seconds en route to a convincing 5-1 win over the Bulldogs Saturday in American Hockey League play. <a href="http://www.officialbullsfanstore.com/kids-jabari-parker-bulls-jersey/">Jabari Parker Jersey</a>. They actually finished with a better record in ‘07 than they did in ‘06 but only marginally, going from 61 victories to 66.SAO PAULO, Brazil -- UEFA has relaxed Champions League sanctions imposed on Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain for overspending after accepting a request from players union FIFPro. UEFA said Wednesday that the champions of England and France only have to include five home-trained players in their 21-man squads next season instead of the expected eight. Only one of the five players needs to be trained by the club itself. The other four can have been trained at another club within Man Citys or PSGs home country. The UEFA ruling allows clubs to rely more on expensively signed players instead of promoting its own young players. Gianni Infantino,, UEFAs general secretary, said it accepted FIFPros request made last month in Lisbon, Portugal.dddddddddddd City and PSG were fined 60 million euros ($82 million) spread over three years. They are required to limit their Champions League squads to 21 instead of 25 senior players after violating UEFAs financial fair play rules. "We looked at it and it was felt appropriate there for the number (of home-grown players) to be proportionally reduced as well," Infantino said. UEFA said no appeals were filed in the cases of nine clubs which violated financial fair play rules in the first round of sanctions announced last month. <a href="http://www.chinawholesalejerseysnfl.com/">Wholesale Jerseys</a> ' ' '
BOSTON -- Mark Buehrle got his major league-leading eighth win with a big boost from Torontos powerful lineup. Neither was surprising. "Look what hes done all year," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said after a 7-2 win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday. "Whos pitched better in baseball?" Buehrle (8-1) has eight wins through May for the first time since 2002 and an ERA of 2.16. He gave up two runs in the first two innings, but by then Toronto had seven, starting with homers on consecutive pitches by Melky Cabrera and Jose Bautista in the first inning. That gave the Blue Jays a major league-high 67 homers and gave Buehrle a big cushion. The 15-year veteran lefty blanked the Red Sox for his final five innings and allowed seven hits and no walks while striking out five in seven innings. Dustin McGowan pitched two shutout innings as the Blue Jays took a half-game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East. "Its nice, obviously" to lead the majors in wins, "but Ive always said you can go out your next eight starts and (stink) and be under .500," Buehrle said. "I try to throw it out the window and get ready for my next start." Toronto improved to 8-2 in its past 10 games, while Boston lost its seventh straight. The Red Sox went 0-6 on their homestand, the first time since June 1994, when they also lost six in a row at Fenway Park, that they were winless on a homestand of at least six games. "Were in a stretch of games here where were giving up too many runs early and were scuffling to score runs," Boston manager John Farrell said. "Thats a dangerous combination." Red Sox ace Jon Lester (4-6) had his worst outing of the season, allowing seven runs and seven hits through 1 1-3 innings. Then he settled down and retired 12 straight batters before giving up a single to Kevin Pillar with one out in the seventh. But Pillar was caught stealing. Lester left with one out in the seventh after allowing 10 hits and striking out just three. He had averaged an AL-best 10.83 strikeouts per nine innings. "The list goes on and on of things that I just flat out didnt do," Lester said. "I just wasnt able to do it with anything. Pick a pitch, I wasnt able to do it." Buehrle retired 11 of his last 12 batters. He began the day tied with Zack Greinke, Rick Porcello and Adam Wainwright with seven wins each. The Dodgers Greinke was scheduled to pitch against the New York Mets on Thursday night. Buehrles only loss came at home against Boston on April 25 when he allowed seven runs in an 8-1 loss. Lester retired the first batter of the game, Jose Reyes, on a grounder. But Cabrera hit a 1-0 pitch for his eighth homer and Bautista followed with his 12th. "You never anticipate that because (Lesters) one of the best," Gibbons said. In the second, six of Torontos first seven batters reached base on five hits and a walk. Steve Tolleson and Pillar singled and moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Anthony Gose. Reyes doubled in both runners and stole second. Cabrera walked and Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion followed with RBI singles. Bautista came across when Brett Lawrie grounded into a forceout at second, making it 7-1. The inning ended when centre fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. made a diving catch on a fly ball by Dioner Navarro. Boston scored in the first on a leadoff double by Dustin Pedroia and a single by Jonny Gomes then added a run in the second on Xander Bogaerts third homer. NOTES: Toronto manager John Gibbons lost a challenge in the sixth when the on-field ruling that Pillar was caught stealing was upheld. ... Bautista has reached base in 48 of his 49 games. ... Boston has been outscored 37-16 in its seven-game losing streak, its longest since dropping its last eight games in 2012. ... The Red Sox open a three-game series against Tampa Bay on Friday night with John Lackey (5-3) facing Chris Archer (3-2) of the Rays. Toronto returns home to start a three-game set with Oakland, with Liam Hendricks (0-0) pitching against Scott Kazmir (5-1) of the Athletics. The Blue Jays called up Hendricks on Thursday from Triple-A Buffalo, where he was 5-0. R.A. Dickeys start was moved from Friday to Saturday. <a href="http://www.authenticwildpro.com/Eric-staal-wild-jersey/">Eric Staal Jersey</a>. Felton was in court as the Manhattan district attorneys office outlined the agreement, which would resolve a gun case that arose amid the breakup of his marriage. Hes expected to admit June 30 to at least one charge, attempted criminal possession of a weapon -- he wont have to come to court to do so -- and get a $5,000 fine and 500 hours of community service. <a href="http://www.authenticwildpro.com/Devan-dubnyk-wild-jersey/">Devan Dubnyk Jersey</a>. The Nuggets leading scorer, Lawson is characterized as day to day by the team. Hes averaging 17.9 points and 8.9 assists. Lawson suffered the injury late in Denvers win Sunday at Sacramento. http://www.authenticwildpro.com/Customized/. "He came up to me and said, I want to train," said Toronto coach Ryan Nelsen. The 26-year-old midfielder is expected to play Saturday night when Toronto hosts D.C. United, returning to his Major League Soccer squad with mixed feelings about the Americans World Cup run -- sad that it ended when it did but proud of his teams performance. <a href="http://www.authenticwildpro.com/Luke-kunin-wild-jersey/">Luke Kunin Jersey</a>. The Reds will host the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight in the opener of a four-game series at Great American Ball Park, and the debut matchup will feature a pair of pitchers whose recent resumes have included a fair number of bases-clearing hits. <a href="http://www.authenticwildpro.com/">Minnesota Wild Jerseys</a>. -- The Orlando Magic have made no secret that the future of their franchise will depend on how well they can develop their young players. DETROIT -- After scoring 39 goals in their first eight games, the San Jose Sharks proved they can play pretty well defensively, too. Logan Couture scored in the shootout and San Jose beat the Detroit Red Wings 1-0 on Monday night. The Sharks (8-0-1) are the NHLs last team without a regulation loss. "We scored a lot of goals in our first eight games. Were not going to keep scoring like that," Couture said. Each goalie got a shutout for not allowing a goal in 65 minutes. Antti Niemi -- who got his 24th career shutout -- made 24 saves for San Jose and Jimmy Howard, who earned his 17th shutout, stopped 27 shots. "Not much space out there. It was very playoff like," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said. "Both teams a prevent-type game. ... It was a chess match, theres no doubt about it. Even on the power play and penalty kills, the teams didnt get a lot of looks." Howard praised the way his team played without the puck. "I thought we did a good job on their top guys. We didnt give them a lot of room and space. Another thing that was a positive was we didnt give up a lot of odd-man rushes," Howard said. "Thats been an Achilles heel of late for us. We did a great job of keeping the third man high in the offensive zone, making them come 200 feet. We didnt turn pucks over. Its a good sign." It was Niemis third shutout against Detroit. He also stopped Todd Bertuzzi on Detroits final shootout attempt with a spectacular pad save. It was the first game of a four-game Eastern road swing for San Jose. Detroits Brendan Smith hit the outside of the goal post with 4:57 remaining in regulation. Niemi made an outstanding save on Daniel Alfreddssons shot from the bottom of the right circle 7:31 into the second period.dddddddddddd San Jose outshot Detroit 7-4 in a scoreless opening period, in which the Red Wings killed off two penalties. "There was two pretty good teams there tonight. I thought our young D played pretty good. There wasnt much in the way of scoring chances either way," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "Both teams played real tight. I thought it was a good game. Just no room for either team. I think both teams checked really well. Not a lot of freedom for guys." NOTES: After the game, the Sharks acquired forward Mike Brown from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a fourth-round section in the 2014 draft. ... Detroit D Niklas Kronwall missed his second game with a concussion suffered on Thursday night in Colorado. It was on a hit from behind by Cody McLeod, who was suspended for five games on Monday by the NHL. Kronwalls defence partner, Jonathan Ericsson, also didnt play because his wife went into labour on Sunday night. D Xavier Ouellet was recalled from the Wings AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids. ... San Jose recalled forwards Freddie Hamilton and John McCarthy from its AHL affiliate in Worcester. The team also assigned F Matt Pelech to the same team. ... Red Wings G Jonas Gustavsson is the NHLs First Star for last week. Gustavsson posted a 3-0-0 record with a 1.67 goals-against average and .953 save percentage in three Detroit wins. ... Sharks LW Patrick Marleau was the leagues Third Star with three goals and six points. ... Tampa Bay Lightning GM, Canadian Olympic GM and former Red Wings Hall of Fame player Steve Yzerman was at the game. <a href="http://www.chinawholesalejerseysnfl.com/">Wholesale Jerseys</a> ' ' '
(SportsNetwork.com) - The undefeated Memphis Grizzlies will resume the best start in franchise history when they visit the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday night at the Bradley Center. Memphis is 6-0 so far and one of only three unbeaten teams in the NBA, joining Houston and Golden State. The Grizzlies are coming off Fridays 91-89 triumph in Oklahoma City, as Mike Conley scored 20 points and Courtney Lee added 17 points. Zach Randolph finished with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Marc Gasol was held to eight points and nine boards. Oklahoma City was playing without superstars Kevin Durant (foot) and Russell Westbrook (hand), and still gave the Grizzlies fits. (The Thunder) have good players, Grizzlies coach David Joerger said. Thats a good team and were lucky to get out of here with the win. Memphis sank 9-of-18 3-pointers and made 42 percent from the floor. After the Grizzlies close their three-game road trip tonight, they will return to FedEx Forum for four straight games. The Bucks have lost two straight and fell to 2-4 on the season following a 98-95 setback at Detroit Friday night. Rookie Jabari Parker scored 18 points and Brandon Knight added 17 for Milwaukee, which made 46.8 percent of its shots and hit only 5-of-20 from 3- point territory. Knight also had nine assists and six rebounds. It wasnt enough. Id rather take a game where I score four points and we win the game, said Parker. Its just all about winning. I didnt do enough. Its just about how you finish more than you start. Giannis Antetokounmpo had nine points in the loss. Memphis won both meetings with Milwaukee in 2013-14 and is unbeaten in the last seven games in this series. The Grizzlies have prevailed in each of their last four trips to Brew City. Paul Krause Jersey . Boston is making its first appearance in the ALCS since 2008. For Detroit, its a third straight trip to the ALCS and its fourth in eight years. John Randle Jersey .com) - Tony Parker scored 17 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a comfortable 99-85 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. http://www.authenticvikingspro.com/Randy...gs-jersey/. Reimer is winless (0-2-1) since returning from a six-week absence due to concussion-like symptoms. The Maple Leafs dropped a 4-2 decision to the hosting Washington Capitals on Friday. Custom Minnesota Vikings Jerseys . 4 jersey of former defenseman Rob Blake this coming season. The ceremony will take place prior to the Kings January 17 game against Anaheim. Brett Favre Jersey .Michael Briscoe is serving a life sentence for sexual assault, kidnapping and first-degree murder in the death of 13-year-old Nina Courtepatte in 2005.LONDON -- Former Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins expects to miss this years race, complaining that his team is focusing on his bitter rival and defending champion Chris Froomes title defence. Wiggins, who became the first British rider to win cyclings showpiece two years ago, was not selected to compete with Froome at the Criterium du Dauphine, the tuneup event for the Tour. It was a clear indication that he was unlikely to line up in Yorkshire on July 5 for the Tours start in England. Speaking to the BBC Breakfast program on Friday, the 34-year-old multiple Olympic gold medallist voiced his disappointment at being left out by Team Sky despite a recent surge in form and his victory at the Tour of California last month. "I am gutted," Wiggins said. "I feel I am in the form I was two years ago. Now if I want to go to the Tour again, the reality is that I might have to go elsewhere. I also understand that cycling is a team sport and it is all about Team Sky winning and Chris is defending champion." Wiggins contract with Sky expires at the end of the season. Although Wiggins told French newspaper LEquipe there is still a chance he may make the Tour if Froome picks up an injury at the Dauphine from June 8-15, its unlikely Wiggins will be riding in France this summer. "Having missed the Tour again this year, I wouldnt likee to leave it there," said the former pursuit specialist, who could now turn his focus on competing on the track at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, in August.dddddddddddd "Id love to go back at some point so there is the chance that I would go back to the Tour next year." Froome will warm up for the Tour at the Dauphine while Wiggins is still expected to compete at the Tour de Suisse. Froome, who also won the weeklong Dauphine in France last year as part of his dominant season, will be surrounded by a team made of strong climbers in the mountainous event, including last years Dauphine runner-up Richie Porte, Vasil Kiryienka, David Lopez, Mikel Nieve, Danny Pate, Geraint Thomas and Xabier Zandio. Froome and Wiggins have endured a frosty relationship over the past few years. Tensions first arose during the 2012 Tour, with Froome sometimes looking the stronger rider in the climbs but being ordered by the team to support Wiggins rather than attack. Last year, after suggesting he would seek to defend his title and upset Skys plans of making Froome its leader, Wiggins missed the race because of health issues and Froome easily won the 100th edition of the race. Froome recently said his relationship with Wiggins was back to normal, and Wiggins was adamant he would support his younger teammate if he was selected. 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