While the early player moves could hardly be described as franchise altering - Jeremy Hermida from Florida to Boston for prospects; J.J. Hardy from Milwaukee to Minnesota for speedster Carlos Gomez; Canadian-born Mark Teahen from Kansas City to the White Sox for Josh Fields and Chris Getz and the White Sox buying out 2005 World Series MVP Jermaine Dye - it's an early indicator that this off-season could be a frantic one.
With the expected free agent market lacking the attraction of a year ago, where the Yankees rolled out a couple of Brinks armoured cars to secure CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and A.J. Burnett to lick-start their march towards an unprecedented 27th World Series title, it seems likely that the trade market might be the most prudent, certainly financially, way to restock the cupboard.
For the Toronto Blue Jays, coming off its most disappointing year in recent memory, the season ended with a player revolt(?) against manager Cito Gaston before the sudden dismissal of underachieving general manager J.P. Ricciardi. Now, the club sits at a crossroad. The fan base has been very vocal - at the box office, in the blogosphere and on the radio - letting the front office and the ownership that they aren't going to stand for mediocrity any longer. All one had to see was announced crowds in the 11,000 range - the lowest in the 20-year history of SkyDome/Rogers Centre - as the season drew to a close to recognize a severe level of disinterest towards this once-proud and successful ball club. This at a point in time where the Toronto sporting public is being force fed sub-standard professional teams at every turn.
The tarp had barely been pulled across the infield at Yankee Stadium, but the other 29 teams have wasted no time in positioning themselves to knock the world champions off its high perch in 2010.
In the early 90's, the Jays were the franchise. Solid drafting and trading had turned this team into perennial playoff team and the additions of Jack Morris and Dave Winfield, two stars in the twilight of brilliant careers were brought to put them over the top in 1992, which they did. Ditto in 1993 when Dave Stewart and Paul Molitor arrived to help deliver title No. 2. That's why at this time, free agency is not an option that GM AA can entertain. Drafting (especially extra picks obtained due to free agent defections) and trading have to be the foundation of the rebuild. The appointments of Dana Brown, Mel Didier and Mel Queen to advisory roles tells me that we won't have to worry about ego getting in the way of GM AA putting the team first. Much like the Gillick years where the baseball department was chock full of bright and respected baseball minds. And decisions, I would think, like the franchise-altering trade with the Padres that brought Robbie Alomar and Joe Carter to Toronto would have been made after long debates on the baseball department. I'm thinking that has not been the case since November of 2001.
There's a lot on GM AA's plate right out of chute. He has to see what free agent eligible starters Rod Barajas and Marco Scutaro are planning on doing. Same for shortstop Plan B John McDonald. Clearly, based upon the week old rumour that the Jays and Cubs might be talking about the framework of a Vernon Wells-Milton Bradley (seriously?) deal, the team is clearly going to investigate all options to jettison their centre fielder with five years left on a contract where he'll earn a reported average of $19.3 million through (gulp!) 2014.
And then there's this little problem about what to do with Halladay.
The options:
A) Trade him this off-season with the rebuild in mind, bringing in prospects to fill holes at catcher and short with a major league ready starter and another arm in return.
B) Trade him at the July 31st deadline to a contender for prospects. (Like the Indians and Phillies did with Cliff Lee).
C) Keep for the season, let him leave via free agency and receive two first round picks as compensation.
Or (and this seems like the longest shot):
D) Make enough moves this off-season to regain his confidence in the only organization he knows, and sign him to an extension during the season.
The first option seems most likely at the present time. But with what the Phillies got out of Lee, especially in the post-season, the trading partner may wait until the end of July. Letting Halladay go for draft picks is a gamble from a fans' point of view, but we have to reserve judgement until after next June's draft to see how GM AA and his new staff perform. The re-signing option is based upon moves this off-season, what the budget is for 2010 and if they can get Wells' contract off the books, a lot has to break before the aforementioned D)-option is even on the radar.
The promotion to general manager of 32-year-old, Canadian-born Alex Anthopoulos (from this point on referred to in my columns as GM AA to save my typing fingers and stave off carpal tunnel syndrome) is to be applauded on several levels -- most importantly a fresh approach after eight years of wheel-spinning. The re-modeling of the scouting department was long overdue.
Clearly this franchise is back in full rebuild mode, no matter the media reports. Outside of Aaron Hill, Adam Lind and hopefully Roy Halladay, this current gaggle of Blue Jays are average at best and not close to being a contender. Sorry for the bluntness but the days of candy-coating is long past. Going back to the fiasco that was the Tim Johnson era, the perception of the Blue Jays as a top notch franchise, one that the MLB jerseys best players would clamor to play for, is a distant memory.
2010年5月15日星期六
2010年5月13日星期四
EARLY CLOSER DEBATE
When putting together the MLB division previews for this 2010 World Cup Jerseys website, I predicted that the Jays would finish in the basement of the A.L. East. I'd like to change with humble apologies. After seeing the Jays sweep Orioles last weekend in Baltimore, there is no way they finish behind the O's. Not with the O's bullpen and certainly not with Dave Trembley as manager. Sure they have some good, exciting young players in Matt Wieters, Nock Markakis and Adam Jones, but they have a horrible pitching staff and he skipper who micro-manages like he's Carlos Tosca. Bad combo.
Following Frasor's second final inning hiccup of the season, I thought I'd dial up his and Kevin Gregg's career numbers when called on to save a game. Decide for yourselves, but the pure numbers tell me that Gregg should be getting ball to close out wins. And remember, I don't make these numbers up, I just report them.
Following Frasor's second final inning hiccup of the season, I thought I'd dial up his and Kevin Gregg's career numbers when called on to save a game. Decide for yourselves, but the pure numbers tell me that Gregg should be getting ball to close out wins. And remember, I don't make these numbers up, I just report them.
2010年5月11日星期二
Coke, Pepsi or Dr. Pepper?
But I'm wondering why nobody is really talking about Evgeni Malkin? The guy won the NFL jerseys Art Ross Trophy and could win the Hart too. But he gets no respect. In the Coke or Pepsi debate, Malkin is like Dr. Pepper - the vastly under-appreciated soda.
Now before I get way off track and start comparing Alexander Semin to some obscure soft drinks like Tahiti Treat or Wink, let me give you a run down of what I witnessed from my vantage point in Game 1.
12:52 p.m. - Reading some old press clippings before the game, I notice some columnists in Washington are really going after goaltender Jose Theodore. Apparently, his nickname in town is Jose Three-Or-More. And I thought the Canadian media was ruthless. Poor Jose is probably thinking the Montreal media is pretty tame.
1:22 p.m. - The Washington-Pittsburgh rivalry is alive and well, judging by some of the tasteless signs in the arena. One Caps fan had a sign that said "Crosby Has The Whine Flu."
1:33 p.m. - I notice that the press box at the Verizon Centre is packed. Media from all over North America are here to cover this historic series. And upon first glance, you might even think some of the international media from around the world is here. But that's actually just me and John Lu sitting in the corner of the press box.
1:55 p.m. - The first fight in the stands breaks out right next to me. Two fans go tumbling down the stairs. In the end, a Penguins fan wearing a baby blue Sidney Crosby jersey is thrown out of the arena. Here's a good rule of thumb: If you're going to start trouble at a sporting event, don't wear baby blue. You just look ridiculous when you get tossed.
2:12 p.m. - Looking down at the Penguins bench, I see that Mathieu Garon is the backup goalie. Remember when he was the heir apparent to Jose Theodore in Montreal? Now they are at the same level. In fact, perhaps it's a good-luck charm to have a former Habs goalie on your bench. Cristobal Huet seems to be helping out the Blackhawks. I predict the most highly sought-after free agent this summer will be Jocelyn Thibault.
2:24 p.m. - Simeon Varlamov lets in a terrible goal against Mark Eaton all the way from the blue line. Some mean-spirited Washington columnist is probably going to call him Some-Are-In Varlamov.
2:31 p.m. - During a TV timeout, I look up at the rafters of the Verizon Center and notice they don't have any championship banners hanging. Instead, they have banners commemorating lesser accomplishments. My favorite one? The banner celebrating the Washington Mysticks as the 1998 WNBA Attendance Champions.
2:37 p.m. - Varlamov just made a ridiculous save off Sidney Crosby. Hands down, it's the best save I've ever witnessed at an NHL playoff game (No Ottawa Senators goalie jokes here please).
2:51 p.m. - Game is tied at the start of the third period. The NHL is praying someone scores in the third period, so they don't have another series of "I can't believe NBC chose horses over hockey" columns to deal with if this game goes to OT.
3:07 p.m. - I just noticed Ruslan Fedetenko for the first time in this game.
3:11 p.m. - Tomas Fleischman scores the go-ahead goal. NHL and NBC executives planning a group hug and plan to give Fleischman seasons 1 & 2 of "The Office" if his goal stands up as the winner.
3:51 p.m. - Conducting my post-game interviews in the two dressing rooms after the Caps’ 3-2 win. You know it's playoff time when there are 27 people crowded around David Steckel.
Now before I get way off track and start comparing Alexander Semin to some obscure soft drinks like Tahiti Treat or Wink, let me give you a run down of what I witnessed from my vantage point in Game 1.
12:52 p.m. - Reading some old press clippings before the game, I notice some columnists in Washington are really going after goaltender Jose Theodore. Apparently, his nickname in town is Jose Three-Or-More. And I thought the Canadian media was ruthless. Poor Jose is probably thinking the Montreal media is pretty tame.
1:22 p.m. - The Washington-Pittsburgh rivalry is alive and well, judging by some of the tasteless signs in the arena. One Caps fan had a sign that said "Crosby Has The Whine Flu."
1:33 p.m. - I notice that the press box at the Verizon Centre is packed. Media from all over North America are here to cover this historic series. And upon first glance, you might even think some of the international media from around the world is here. But that's actually just me and John Lu sitting in the corner of the press box.
1:55 p.m. - The first fight in the stands breaks out right next to me. Two fans go tumbling down the stairs. In the end, a Penguins fan wearing a baby blue Sidney Crosby jersey is thrown out of the arena. Here's a good rule of thumb: If you're going to start trouble at a sporting event, don't wear baby blue. You just look ridiculous when you get tossed.
2:12 p.m. - Looking down at the Penguins bench, I see that Mathieu Garon is the backup goalie. Remember when he was the heir apparent to Jose Theodore in Montreal? Now they are at the same level. In fact, perhaps it's a good-luck charm to have a former Habs goalie on your bench. Cristobal Huet seems to be helping out the Blackhawks. I predict the most highly sought-after free agent this summer will be Jocelyn Thibault.
2:24 p.m. - Simeon Varlamov lets in a terrible goal against Mark Eaton all the way from the blue line. Some mean-spirited Washington columnist is probably going to call him Some-Are-In Varlamov.
2:31 p.m. - During a TV timeout, I look up at the rafters of the Verizon Center and notice they don't have any championship banners hanging. Instead, they have banners commemorating lesser accomplishments. My favorite one? The banner celebrating the Washington Mysticks as the 1998 WNBA Attendance Champions.
2:37 p.m. - Varlamov just made a ridiculous save off Sidney Crosby. Hands down, it's the best save I've ever witnessed at an NHL playoff game (No Ottawa Senators goalie jokes here please).
2:51 p.m. - Game is tied at the start of the third period. The NHL is praying someone scores in the third period, so they don't have another series of "I can't believe NBC chose horses over hockey" columns to deal with if this game goes to OT.
3:07 p.m. - I just noticed Ruslan Fedetenko for the first time in this game.
3:11 p.m. - Tomas Fleischman scores the go-ahead goal. NHL and NBC executives planning a group hug and plan to give Fleischman seasons 1 & 2 of "The Office" if his goal stands up as the winner.
3:51 p.m. - Conducting my post-game interviews in the two dressing rooms after the Caps’ 3-2 win. You know it's playoff time when there are 27 people crowded around David Steckel.
2010年5月10日星期一
GPNY Fun Racing Events Westchester
GPNY provides a challenging environment for the World Cup Soccer Jersey race enthusiast, but it's user-friendly and safe enough for any novice to arrive and Drive. You can get tips from one of their instructors, or you can avoid all sensible instruction and get right out on the track. With the two European-inspired race tracks, the finest equipment & the highest safety standards, you can be confident that every racing event at GPNY will be one to remember.
Tutorials or no, you’re kitted out with full race suits, helmets, and neck braces. The facility includes pool tables and video games to keep you occupied if there’s a crowd on the track, and there’s an onsite restaurant and bar for after-race socializing (drinking & driving is not allowed, and race bracelets ensure that you don’t sneak one in before hurling yourself onto the track).
Sebring Championship - This race format gives an opportunity for everyone to race for a championship. Each racer will participate in 2 qualifying races, and in the qualification rounds based on finishing positions the top racer would progress to the Feature race with the winner being the champion.
Open Track Race Off - This race format allows the group to use the track for a fixed amount of time with races scheduled in pre-set intervals and run approximately every 10 minutes. This is a great format for larger groups looking to have big.
For the people who are interested in developing their driving skills & experiencing the thrill of driving one of our 9HP Stratos Karts, GPNY offers private instruction for groups as small as 6 and as large as 9 drivers. The price is $300 per driver and will include up to 4 hours of track time learning the techniques used to control a faster kart with our in-house professional instructor. Private groups may only be scheduled during off-peak hours and must be booked directly through GPNY Competition Department.
Whether you are a racing enthusiast or would like to motivate your company in a team building exercise, or you simply want to introduce a new something new to your family, then check in at Grand Prix New York in Westchester just a 45-minute drive from New York City. From Arrive & Drive to racing leagues and beyond, GPNY offers simply unparalleled Racing Events. You can choose from many racing formats or work with their event specialists to create your own. They’ll assist you with every aspect of your event planning and help determine the best possible accommodations.
Tutorials or no, you’re kitted out with full race suits, helmets, and neck braces. The facility includes pool tables and video games to keep you occupied if there’s a crowd on the track, and there’s an onsite restaurant and bar for after-race socializing (drinking & driving is not allowed, and race bracelets ensure that you don’t sneak one in before hurling yourself onto the track).
Sebring Championship - This race format gives an opportunity for everyone to race for a championship. Each racer will participate in 2 qualifying races, and in the qualification rounds based on finishing positions the top racer would progress to the Feature race with the winner being the champion.
Open Track Race Off - This race format allows the group to use the track for a fixed amount of time with races scheduled in pre-set intervals and run approximately every 10 minutes. This is a great format for larger groups looking to have big.
For the people who are interested in developing their driving skills & experiencing the thrill of driving one of our 9HP Stratos Karts, GPNY offers private instruction for groups as small as 6 and as large as 9 drivers. The price is $300 per driver and will include up to 4 hours of track time learning the techniques used to control a faster kart with our in-house professional instructor. Private groups may only be scheduled during off-peak hours and must be booked directly through GPNY Competition Department.
Whether you are a racing enthusiast or would like to motivate your company in a team building exercise, or you simply want to introduce a new something new to your family, then check in at Grand Prix New York in Westchester just a 45-minute drive from New York City. From Arrive & Drive to racing leagues and beyond, GPNY offers simply unparalleled Racing Events. You can choose from many racing formats or work with their event specialists to create your own. They’ll assist you with every aspect of your event planning and help determine the best possible accommodations.
2010年5月9日星期日
Penguins' Crosby scores 50th and 51st goals
The 22-year-old superstar, who netted the MLB jerseys Olympic gold-medal winning goal for Canada at the Vancouver Games, thought he had his 50th of the season Thursday night at home against the Islanders. He was stripped of that one long after the game when a video replay showed it was scored by Bill Guerin.
Crosby added his NHL-leading 51st goal 55 seconds into the second period on Sunday to push the Penguins in front 4-1.
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) - Sidney Crosby scored his 50th goal again _ and this time it will stick.
The Pittsburgh Penguins captain hit the magic milestone for the first time in his five-year NHL career when he scored a power-play goal Sunday against the New York Islanders with 2:57 left in the first period to give his team a 3-0 lead.
Crosby added his NHL-leading 51st goal 55 seconds into the second period on Sunday to push the Penguins in front 4-1.
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) - Sidney Crosby scored his 50th goal again _ and this time it will stick.
The Pittsburgh Penguins captain hit the magic milestone for the first time in his five-year NHL career when he scored a power-play goal Sunday against the New York Islanders with 2:57 left in the first period to give his team a 3-0 lead.
2010年5月8日星期六
Halak lifts Canadiens past Capitals 2-1 in Game 7
A high-sticking penalty call against Montreal defenseman Ryan O'Byrne with 1:44 to go put the Capitals on the power play. But Halak was up to the task every time, and he was helped by a remarkably high total of 41 shots that Montreal's skaters were credited with blocking.
Halak's teammates piled on him at the final horn, while Ovechkin skated all alone toward the other end of the ice, his stick resting on his knees, and his head bowed. The league's two-time MVP has played in four career playoff series, and each has gone to a Game 7. The Capitals are 1-3 in those deciding contests.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Led by Jaroslav Halak's spectacular, acrobatic goaltending, the Montreal Canadiens slowed Alex Ovechkin and the rest of the Washington Capitals' high-powered offense to complete an unlikely comeback and eliminate the NHL's best regular-season team in the first round.
Halak made 41 saves, Marc-Andre Bergeron scored a 4-on-3 goal in the last 30 seconds of the opening period Wednesday night, and eighth-seeded Montreal held on to beat Washington 2-1 in Game 7, stunning the Presidents' Trophy winners by reeling off three consecutive victories.
"I'm in shock right now. I don't know what to say," Ovechkin said, his voice low, his eyes staring at the floor of the locker room. "It was great going up 3-1 in the series. But it's only one step. We didn't do it."
The Canadiens are the ninth No. 8 team to knock off a No. 1 in 32 matchups since the NHL went to its current playoff format in 1994 _ and the first to come back from a 3-1 series deficit.
"Before the series started, no one gave us a chance to win, not even one game," Halak said. "We proved (to) them they were wrong."
Dominic Moore made it 2-0 for the Canadiens with 3 1/2 minutes left, stealing the puck from defenseman Mike Green and beating goalie Semyon Varlamov. That silenced the home crowd _ but the Capitals didn't go quietly.
Brooks Laich cut Washington's deficit to a goal by poking home a shot while down on his knees after Ovechkin put the puck on net off a rebound. That made it 2-1 with 2:16 left, and the Capitals kept pushing frantically forward, pulling Varlamov for an extra attacker down the stretch.
"I thought we had a good chance to win the Stanley Cup this year," Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said, "and I would have bet my house that they wouldn't have beaten us three games in a row and we would have only scored three goals in almost 140 shots."
Montreal moves on to face Sidney Crosby and the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins in the second round, with Game 1 at Pittsburgh on Friday. The fourth-seeded Penguins were the only higher-seeded team to win a first-round series in the Eastern Conference.
Yes, that's right: All three division champions in the East are done already _ Washington, New Jersey and Buffalo.
All in all, this series represents a monumental collapse by Washington, which earned a third straight Southeast Division title, compiled the league's best record for the first time and led the NHL in goals.
This is also a club that preceded each home game against Montreal with a video display that included an image of the Stanley Cup and the words, "NOTHING ELSE MATTERS," while the Metallica song of that name blared.
The Capitals owned the best home record in the NHL during the regular season, but lost Games 1, 5 and 7 in Washington.
The Canadiens allowed more goals than they scored this season and qualified for the playoffs on the final weekend, but Halak was on their side.
Holding that lead, the Canadiens were often content to focus on defense, and they recorded only three shots in the second period. Overall, Montreal was outshot 42-16.
All of 24 seconds into the third period, Ovechkin put the puck past Halak on a shot from the left circle, but the goal immediately was waved off by an official because Washington forward Mike Knuble was in the crease, backing into Halak.
The Capitals _ and their red-clad, flag-waving fans _ did not realize at first the apparent goal did not count. Ovechkin did his customary slamming into the glass to celebrate, and his teammates mobbed him, while the crowd roared. But the call was announced, leaving Boudreau leaning over the boards, gesticulating and yelling, while spectators yelled full-throated insults at the official.
"It's a pretty tough one to take," Boudreau said after watching replays of the play. "I don't know how they could make the call."
Later in the third period, Montreal's Maxim Lapierre slammed into Varlamov in the crease, forcing the goalie and the puck into the net. There was no goal _ and, to Washington's frustration, no penalty, either.
NOTES: Washington's Alexander Semin, who scored 40 goals this season, wasted a great chance in the first period and finished the series without a goal. ... It's the second time Montreal won a series after trailing 3-1.
He was yanked during Game 3 in favor of Carey Price, who also started Game 4. But Montreal coach Jacques Martin went back to Halak for Game 5 _ a switch that worked out rather well. Halak made 37 saves in a 2-1 win in Game 4, 53 saves in a masterpiece of a 4-1 victory in Game 5, and then produced more of the same Wednesday. All told, Halak stopped 131 of 134 shots in the last three games.
And it was fitting that the series ended with an unsuccessful Capitals power play. They led the league in that category in the regular season by converting on 25 percent of man-advantage chances, but went only 1 for 33 against Montreal.
It was the Canadiens who scored on a power play with 29.1 seconds left in the first period, set up by a cross-checking penalty on Green, a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman. Bergeron _ a defenseman on the ice for only 1:25 in the period, less than any other player _ took a cross-ice pass from Scott Gomez and, all alone at the 2010 World Cup Jerseys top of the right circle, let fly a slap shot as he dropped to a knee.
Halak's teammates piled on him at the final horn, while Ovechkin skated all alone toward the other end of the ice, his stick resting on his knees, and his head bowed. The league's two-time MVP has played in four career playoff series, and each has gone to a Game 7. The Capitals are 1-3 in those deciding contests.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Led by Jaroslav Halak's spectacular, acrobatic goaltending, the Montreal Canadiens slowed Alex Ovechkin and the rest of the Washington Capitals' high-powered offense to complete an unlikely comeback and eliminate the NHL's best regular-season team in the first round.
Halak made 41 saves, Marc-Andre Bergeron scored a 4-on-3 goal in the last 30 seconds of the opening period Wednesday night, and eighth-seeded Montreal held on to beat Washington 2-1 in Game 7, stunning the Presidents' Trophy winners by reeling off three consecutive victories.
"I'm in shock right now. I don't know what to say," Ovechkin said, his voice low, his eyes staring at the floor of the locker room. "It was great going up 3-1 in the series. But it's only one step. We didn't do it."
The Canadiens are the ninth No. 8 team to knock off a No. 1 in 32 matchups since the NHL went to its current playoff format in 1994 _ and the first to come back from a 3-1 series deficit.
"Before the series started, no one gave us a chance to win, not even one game," Halak said. "We proved (to) them they were wrong."
Dominic Moore made it 2-0 for the Canadiens with 3 1/2 minutes left, stealing the puck from defenseman Mike Green and beating goalie Semyon Varlamov. That silenced the home crowd _ but the Capitals didn't go quietly.
Brooks Laich cut Washington's deficit to a goal by poking home a shot while down on his knees after Ovechkin put the puck on net off a rebound. That made it 2-1 with 2:16 left, and the Capitals kept pushing frantically forward, pulling Varlamov for an extra attacker down the stretch.
"I thought we had a good chance to win the Stanley Cup this year," Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said, "and I would have bet my house that they wouldn't have beaten us three games in a row and we would have only scored three goals in almost 140 shots."
Montreal moves on to face Sidney Crosby and the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins in the second round, with Game 1 at Pittsburgh on Friday. The fourth-seeded Penguins were the only higher-seeded team to win a first-round series in the Eastern Conference.
Yes, that's right: All three division champions in the East are done already _ Washington, New Jersey and Buffalo.
All in all, this series represents a monumental collapse by Washington, which earned a third straight Southeast Division title, compiled the league's best record for the first time and led the NHL in goals.
This is also a club that preceded each home game against Montreal with a video display that included an image of the Stanley Cup and the words, "NOTHING ELSE MATTERS," while the Metallica song of that name blared.
The Capitals owned the best home record in the NHL during the regular season, but lost Games 1, 5 and 7 in Washington.
The Canadiens allowed more goals than they scored this season and qualified for the playoffs on the final weekend, but Halak was on their side.
Holding that lead, the Canadiens were often content to focus on defense, and they recorded only three shots in the second period. Overall, Montreal was outshot 42-16.
All of 24 seconds into the third period, Ovechkin put the puck past Halak on a shot from the left circle, but the goal immediately was waved off by an official because Washington forward Mike Knuble was in the crease, backing into Halak.
The Capitals _ and their red-clad, flag-waving fans _ did not realize at first the apparent goal did not count. Ovechkin did his customary slamming into the glass to celebrate, and his teammates mobbed him, while the crowd roared. But the call was announced, leaving Boudreau leaning over the boards, gesticulating and yelling, while spectators yelled full-throated insults at the official.
"It's a pretty tough one to take," Boudreau said after watching replays of the play. "I don't know how they could make the call."
Later in the third period, Montreal's Maxim Lapierre slammed into Varlamov in the crease, forcing the goalie and the puck into the net. There was no goal _ and, to Washington's frustration, no penalty, either.
NOTES: Washington's Alexander Semin, who scored 40 goals this season, wasted a great chance in the first period and finished the series without a goal. ... It's the second time Montreal won a series after trailing 3-1.
He was yanked during Game 3 in favor of Carey Price, who also started Game 4. But Montreal coach Jacques Martin went back to Halak for Game 5 _ a switch that worked out rather well. Halak made 37 saves in a 2-1 win in Game 4, 53 saves in a masterpiece of a 4-1 victory in Game 5, and then produced more of the same Wednesday. All told, Halak stopped 131 of 134 shots in the last three games.
And it was fitting that the series ended with an unsuccessful Capitals power play. They led the league in that category in the regular season by converting on 25 percent of man-advantage chances, but went only 1 for 33 against Montreal.
It was the Canadiens who scored on a power play with 29.1 seconds left in the first period, set up by a cross-checking penalty on Green, a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman. Bergeron _ a defenseman on the ice for only 1:25 in the period, less than any other player _ took a cross-ice pass from Scott Gomez and, all alone at the 2010 World Cup Jerseys top of the right circle, let fly a slap shot as he dropped to a knee.
2010年5月7日星期五
Players may want to tweak proposed rule change
TORONTO (AP) - NHL players are looking to tweak the proposed rule on blindsided hits to the head in an effort to get it in place this season.
Competition committee member Jason Spezza said in Montreal on Monday that the NHL Players' Association is looking to make a counterproposal to the rule drafted by general managers earlier this month. However, soccer jerseys the players aren't seeking any major changes.
"It's very similar," Spezza said. "We're looking for a Band-Aid fix for the rest of the year in case something happens, but in the long term, we have to sit down together and find a better solution than just tweaking a little rule. It has to be something that's talked about. It can't just be sprung on.
"It's too bad because we've been talking for two years to try to get something in place, but it's hard to find the proper language and the right rule."
The NHLPA first expressed a desire to see a head-checking penalty in March 2009.
After meeting earlier this month in Florida, the league's 30 GMs proposed one that would give referees the ability to call a minor or major for any blindside hit where the primary point of contact is the head. It was intended to be implemented next season, but a series of recent incidents has prompted the league to look at fast-tracking the process.
The NHLPA received a DVD detailing the new rule on Friday night and held a conference call that evening with the five members who sit on the competition committee _ Spezza, Ryan Miller, Mathieu Schneider, Jeff Halpern and Brian Campbell.
Even though the group appears to have come up with a counterproposal for the league, a union spokesperson said Monday that one hasn't officially been made. It's expected to come as soon as Tuesday.
"We've talked about some things and we have to bounce it back off the league now," Spezza said. "We've come to a decision that we want to do something, but the league has to agree to what we want to do."
With less than three weeks left in the regular season, the players want to take a cautious approach.
"We've been trying as players for two years to get something in and the league has said there are rules already in place to protect against head shots, and now they want to make a change," Spezza said. "But we have to be careful. There are about 10 games left in the season and you don't want to make a change and put the refs in a bad position."
Any changes made to the rulebook require the approval of both the competition committee and NHL board of governors.
Competition committee member Jason Spezza said in Montreal on Monday that the NHL Players' Association is looking to make a counterproposal to the rule drafted by general managers earlier this month. However, soccer jerseys the players aren't seeking any major changes.
"It's very similar," Spezza said. "We're looking for a Band-Aid fix for the rest of the year in case something happens, but in the long term, we have to sit down together and find a better solution than just tweaking a little rule. It has to be something that's talked about. It can't just be sprung on.
"It's too bad because we've been talking for two years to try to get something in place, but it's hard to find the proper language and the right rule."
The NHLPA first expressed a desire to see a head-checking penalty in March 2009.
After meeting earlier this month in Florida, the league's 30 GMs proposed one that would give referees the ability to call a minor or major for any blindside hit where the primary point of contact is the head. It was intended to be implemented next season, but a series of recent incidents has prompted the league to look at fast-tracking the process.
The NHLPA received a DVD detailing the new rule on Friday night and held a conference call that evening with the five members who sit on the competition committee _ Spezza, Ryan Miller, Mathieu Schneider, Jeff Halpern and Brian Campbell.
Even though the group appears to have come up with a counterproposal for the league, a union spokesperson said Monday that one hasn't officially been made. It's expected to come as soon as Tuesday.
"We've talked about some things and we have to bounce it back off the league now," Spezza said. "We've come to a decision that we want to do something, but the league has to agree to what we want to do."
With less than three weeks left in the regular season, the players want to take a cautious approach.
"We've been trying as players for two years to get something in and the league has said there are rules already in place to protect against head shots, and now they want to make a change," Spezza said. "But we have to be careful. There are about 10 games left in the season and you don't want to make a change and put the refs in a bad position."
Any changes made to the rulebook require the approval of both the competition committee and NHL board of governors.
2010年5月5日星期三
Benn sends Stars to 6-3 win over Oilers
DALLAS (AP) - Rookie Jamie Benn scored twice, including the go-ahead goal early in the third period, and the Dallas Stars kept their faint playoff hopes alive with a 6-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night.
With the game tied at 3, soccer jerseys Benn's shot from the slot off a setup by Mike Modano trickled through goalie Devan Dubnyk's pads and over the line at 2:22.
Modano had two assists, including the 800th of his NHL career, as he returned to the lineup after missing nine games following an appendectomy.
Mike Ribeiro's goal at 8:35 of the final period stretched Dallas' lead to 5-3, and Benn's second of the night at 15:07 gave the Stars a three-goal advantage.
Brad Richards and Jere Lehtinen scored for Dallas during an 11-second span of the first period.
James Neal also had a first-period goal for the 10th-place Stars, who have four games remaining. Dallas is on the verge of missing the playoffs for the second straight season. That hasn't happened since 1987 and 1988 when the franchise was based in Minnesota.
Dustin Penner, Marc Pouliot and Ethan Moreau had second-period goals for the Oilers, who have lost four straight. Edmonton has 55 points and is assured of finishing with the NHL's worst record.
Neal converted Richards' centering pass at 3:51 of the first period to give Dallas early momentum.
Richards made it 2-0 with 4 seconds left on a power play at 16:42 of the opening period with a one-timer from the slot. Lehtinen provided Dallas with a three-goal pad at 16:53.
At that point, the game looked like a runaway against the uninspired Oilers.
But Edmonton came out more focused after the break and mounted a comeback. Penner notched his team-high 28th goal on a breakaway at 4:46 of the second period.
Pouliot made it 3-2 at 9:06 when he tucked Penner's goal-mouth pass into an open net, and Moreau tied it at 14:20 on a backhand shot that pinballed into the net off Modano's skate.
The Oilers got off to a similar start in their previous game Tuesday night, falling behind Detroit 4-0 before rallying to give the Red Wings a scare in Detroit's 5-4 victory.
NOTES: Edmonton C Gilbert Brule injured an ankle in the first period and didn't return. ... Benn has 21 goals this season. ... RW Krys Barch (leg) sat out for Dallas. ... Edmonton C Sam Gagner (hip) missed his fourth consecutive game. ... Dallas is 21-3-2 in its last 26 home meetings with Edmonton. ... The Stars are 7-8-2 since the Olympic break. ... The Oilers made the third stop of a four-game road trip. ... Edmonton is 0-8-1 in its last nine on the road.
With the game tied at 3, soccer jerseys Benn's shot from the slot off a setup by Mike Modano trickled through goalie Devan Dubnyk's pads and over the line at 2:22.
Modano had two assists, including the 800th of his NHL career, as he returned to the lineup after missing nine games following an appendectomy.
Mike Ribeiro's goal at 8:35 of the final period stretched Dallas' lead to 5-3, and Benn's second of the night at 15:07 gave the Stars a three-goal advantage.
Brad Richards and Jere Lehtinen scored for Dallas during an 11-second span of the first period.
James Neal also had a first-period goal for the 10th-place Stars, who have four games remaining. Dallas is on the verge of missing the playoffs for the second straight season. That hasn't happened since 1987 and 1988 when the franchise was based in Minnesota.
Dustin Penner, Marc Pouliot and Ethan Moreau had second-period goals for the Oilers, who have lost four straight. Edmonton has 55 points and is assured of finishing with the NHL's worst record.
Neal converted Richards' centering pass at 3:51 of the first period to give Dallas early momentum.
Richards made it 2-0 with 4 seconds left on a power play at 16:42 of the opening period with a one-timer from the slot. Lehtinen provided Dallas with a three-goal pad at 16:53.
At that point, the game looked like a runaway against the uninspired Oilers.
But Edmonton came out more focused after the break and mounted a comeback. Penner notched his team-high 28th goal on a breakaway at 4:46 of the second period.
Pouliot made it 3-2 at 9:06 when he tucked Penner's goal-mouth pass into an open net, and Moreau tied it at 14:20 on a backhand shot that pinballed into the net off Modano's skate.
The Oilers got off to a similar start in their previous game Tuesday night, falling behind Detroit 4-0 before rallying to give the Red Wings a scare in Detroit's 5-4 victory.
NOTES: Edmonton C Gilbert Brule injured an ankle in the first period and didn't return. ... Benn has 21 goals this season. ... RW Krys Barch (leg) sat out for Dallas. ... Edmonton C Sam Gagner (hip) missed his fourth consecutive game. ... Dallas is 21-3-2 in its last 26 home meetings with Edmonton. ... The Stars are 7-8-2 since the Olympic break. ... The Oilers made the third stop of a four-game road trip. ... Edmonton is 0-8-1 in its last nine on the road.
Portugal v Bosnia, Lisbon
The pressure is firmly on hosts Portugal and their boss Carlos Queiroz ahead of World Cup Jerseys the first-leg and without FIFA Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo and against up-and-coming Bosnia-Herzegovina, this could be a tricky tie.
Indeed, much of Queiroz’s focus this week has been on getting his side to play as a team despite Ronaldo’s absence.
And Queiroz told the press this week, "We have great players, individual and collective options. We have to focus our talents, virtues on the responsibility that lies ahead and get a good result in both parts of this play-off.''
Bosnian midfielder Emir Spahic also commented, “We would be satisfied with a score draw on Saturday. Let's say 1-1 would be okay.'' With guns like Edin Dzeko and Zvjezdan Misimovic, you just never know.
Sports Pundit prediction; Bosnia
Indeed, much of Queiroz’s focus this week has been on getting his side to play as a team despite Ronaldo’s absence.
And Queiroz told the press this week, "We have great players, individual and collective options. We have to focus our talents, virtues on the responsibility that lies ahead and get a good result in both parts of this play-off.''
Bosnian midfielder Emir Spahic also commented, “We would be satisfied with a score draw on Saturday. Let's say 1-1 would be okay.'' With guns like Edin Dzeko and Zvjezdan Misimovic, you just never know.
Sports Pundit prediction; Bosnia
2010年5月4日星期二
Arshavin Wants Tall Players At Arsenal
Saturday, December 5, 2009 -- Arsenal star Andriy Arshavin has urged the club to sign some tall players in order to fight the lack of height in the side.
Arshavin apparently thinks that the Gunners lack the steel for success and has asked the club to sign some strong and physically strong players. He has been quoted by Sky Sports as saying:
"The fact that we have lost against our direct rivals this season signifies that we are not very good.
"We are not good on set-pieces because we don't have many tall players - every other team has an advantage over us in this area.
"They were much stronger than us when it came to physical power. Had we possessed a tall player then things would have been better for us.
"We had nobody capable of holding on to the ball. We played good football against all these top teams but that is not enough.
"What we can change, only Arsene Wenger knows. He has been at the club for 13 years and knows the soccer jerseys problems better than anyone."
Arshavin apparently thinks that the Gunners lack the steel for success and has asked the club to sign some strong and physically strong players. He has been quoted by Sky Sports as saying:
"The fact that we have lost against our direct rivals this season signifies that we are not very good.
"We are not good on set-pieces because we don't have many tall players - every other team has an advantage over us in this area.
"They were much stronger than us when it came to physical power. Had we possessed a tall player then things would have been better for us.
"We had nobody capable of holding on to the ball. We played good football against all these top teams but that is not enough.
"What we can change, only Arsene Wenger knows. He has been at the club for 13 years and knows the soccer jerseys problems better than anyone."
2010年5月2日星期日
English and Spanish teams won’t meet in Round 16
The group matches of the UEFA champions league came to a remarkable end that NFL jerseys decisively saw 8 teams being dropped from European competition, 8 teams relegated to play in the Europa League and more importantly, leaving 16 teams to feature in the first round knock out phase.
Spanish and English teams dominated the group matches by winning all their respective groups. The teams’ superiority in the football is also evidenced in their domestic league standings due to the fact that they all feature among the top three. French Ligue 1 defending champions, Bordeaux, qualified for the first time to the knockout round in incredible style, they amassed 16 points, which was more than any other team.
The draw to decide how the teams will be paired in the first round knockout phase will be done on 18th December 2009. All the Spanish and English teams will avoid each other since the draw ensures that the winners from one group meet the runners-up from another group, the winners having the advantage of playing the second leg at home. At this stage teams from the same country and teams that featured in the same group cannot meet drawn together.
The following are the teams that make up the list that are on course of getting a ticket to Santiago Bernabéu stadium, where the final will be played on a Saturday, for the very first time.
England: Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd
Spain: Barcelona, Real Madrid and Sevilla
Italy: AC Milan, Inter Milan and Fiorentina
Germany: Bayern Munich and VFB Stuttgart
France: Olympique Lyon and Bordeaux
Russia: CSKA Moscow
Portugal: FC Porto
Greece: Olympiacos
Spanish and English teams dominated the group matches by winning all their respective groups. The teams’ superiority in the football is also evidenced in their domestic league standings due to the fact that they all feature among the top three. French Ligue 1 defending champions, Bordeaux, qualified for the first time to the knockout round in incredible style, they amassed 16 points, which was more than any other team.
The draw to decide how the teams will be paired in the first round knockout phase will be done on 18th December 2009. All the Spanish and English teams will avoid each other since the draw ensures that the winners from one group meet the runners-up from another group, the winners having the advantage of playing the second leg at home. At this stage teams from the same country and teams that featured in the same group cannot meet drawn together.
The following are the teams that make up the list that are on course of getting a ticket to Santiago Bernabéu stadium, where the final will be played on a Saturday, for the very first time.
England: Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd
Spain: Barcelona, Real Madrid and Sevilla
Italy: AC Milan, Inter Milan and Fiorentina
Germany: Bayern Munich and VFB Stuttgart
France: Olympique Lyon and Bordeaux
Russia: CSKA Moscow
Portugal: FC Porto
Greece: Olympiacos
Man Utd vs. Hull City: Premier League Betting Preview
A thoroughly underwhelming fourth round FA Cup draw and I’ve switched my attentions to soccer jerseys the only Premier League game taking place this weekend.
Despite dominating for much of the match at Eastlands on Wednesday in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg Manchester United were on the wrong end of a 2-1 score line. However, there were plenty of positives to take from their performance and I’m happy to side with Fergie’s men once again.
United let me down against their bitter rivals in midweek, when I thought they’d be good enough for at least a share of the spoils, but there is no way they should have lost that fixture and I expect the Red Devils to take their frustrations out on a struggling Hull City side.
Carlos Tevez's desire ultimately proved the difference between the two Manchester clubs in knockout football but Hull do not possess anybody of the calibre of the Argentine to trouble the defending champions and I expect them to triumph in style.
Nobody will get rich backing United in the match odds market, the hosts are around a 1.18 chance, but a place at the top of the Premier League is up for grabs and I expect them to take it.
Followers will be aware of my fondness for siding with long odds-on favourites in the Asian handicap markets but with Edwin van der Sar back between the sticks I think United can be backed in the correct score market to prevail by quite a margin and suggest you follow suite.
While Wayne Rooney was kept quiet for the majority of the opening exchanges on Wednesday his second half display was outstanding in taking the fight to Roberto Mancini’s men and I’m sure he’ll be eager to find the net once more. Rooney got one of the goals in United’s 3-0 win over Burnley last time out in the top flight and will have his eyes on Golden Boot honours this season.
United’s opponents on Saturday staged somewhat of a mini revival under Phil Brown a month or so ago, when the Hull chief looked destined for the chop, but they have slipped back into the relegation zone since the turn of the year and things now look bleak. Brown will have a hard time persuading any potential new signings to join the club in January and may well have to make do with what he has currently at disposal until the end of the season.
No away wins and just seven goals in 11 matches for Hull this season away from home tells its own story and while both Sunderland and Aston Villa, the latter claiming a victory, left Old Trafford having added to their points tally all other visitors have left well beaten and that trend looks set to continue.
With Jimmy Bullard absent again Hull will look to Boaz Myhill for inspiration in goal but his incredible performance at White Hart Lane last time out, when Hull earned a goalless draw, is unlikely to be repeated and United can take full advantage. The Premier League is still very much the prize Ferguson wants most and three points on Saturday will send his troops back to the summit.
Despite dominating for much of the match at Eastlands on Wednesday in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg Manchester United were on the wrong end of a 2-1 score line. However, there were plenty of positives to take from their performance and I’m happy to side with Fergie’s men once again.
United let me down against their bitter rivals in midweek, when I thought they’d be good enough for at least a share of the spoils, but there is no way they should have lost that fixture and I expect the Red Devils to take their frustrations out on a struggling Hull City side.
Carlos Tevez's desire ultimately proved the difference between the two Manchester clubs in knockout football but Hull do not possess anybody of the calibre of the Argentine to trouble the defending champions and I expect them to triumph in style.
Nobody will get rich backing United in the match odds market, the hosts are around a 1.18 chance, but a place at the top of the Premier League is up for grabs and I expect them to take it.
Followers will be aware of my fondness for siding with long odds-on favourites in the Asian handicap markets but with Edwin van der Sar back between the sticks I think United can be backed in the correct score market to prevail by quite a margin and suggest you follow suite.
While Wayne Rooney was kept quiet for the majority of the opening exchanges on Wednesday his second half display was outstanding in taking the fight to Roberto Mancini’s men and I’m sure he’ll be eager to find the net once more. Rooney got one of the goals in United’s 3-0 win over Burnley last time out in the top flight and will have his eyes on Golden Boot honours this season.
United’s opponents on Saturday staged somewhat of a mini revival under Phil Brown a month or so ago, when the Hull chief looked destined for the chop, but they have slipped back into the relegation zone since the turn of the year and things now look bleak. Brown will have a hard time persuading any potential new signings to join the club in January and may well have to make do with what he has currently at disposal until the end of the season.
No away wins and just seven goals in 11 matches for Hull this season away from home tells its own story and while both Sunderland and Aston Villa, the latter claiming a victory, left Old Trafford having added to their points tally all other visitors have left well beaten and that trend looks set to continue.
With Jimmy Bullard absent again Hull will look to Boaz Myhill for inspiration in goal but his incredible performance at White Hart Lane last time out, when Hull earned a goalless draw, is unlikely to be repeated and United can take full advantage. The Premier League is still very much the prize Ferguson wants most and three points on Saturday will send his troops back to the summit.
2010年5月1日星期六
Shanghai kicks off World Expo
The multi-billion-dollar 2010 World Expo has officially opened in Shanghai, China's commercial capital, soccer jerseys in what the country hopes will highlight its rising global influence.
More than 180 countries and 57 international organisations are expected to showcase their culture in the six-month long event themed around sustainable development.
Many are doing in so in pavilions with radical architecture.
Friday's opening ceremony was held amid tight security, featured a song by Hong Kong movie star Jackie Chan, Austrian waltz music, a performance by pianist Lang Lang and a rendition of Puccini's Nessun Dorma by Italian pop tenor Andrea Bocelli.
A barrage of fireworks along the Huangpu River and a light show followed.
More than 180 countries and 57 international organisations are expected to showcase their culture in the six-month long event themed around sustainable development.
Many are doing in so in pavilions with radical architecture.
Friday's opening ceremony was held amid tight security, featured a song by Hong Kong movie star Jackie Chan, Austrian waltz music, a performance by pianist Lang Lang and a rendition of Puccini's Nessun Dorma by Italian pop tenor Andrea Bocelli.
A barrage of fireworks along the Huangpu River and a light show followed.
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