GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Aaron Rodgers has been cleared to return from a left collarbone injury, just in time to start Sunday for the Packers against the Chicago Bears in a game to decide the NFC North title. With no advance warning and little fanfare, the franchise quarterback received the long-awaited good news at the same time as the rest of his teammates Thursday. "This is a fun day for me, but I think the focus needs to be on this game and the opportunity we have to win the division," Rodgers said. Soon enough. But the spotlight for now is squarely on the return of one of the NFLs most irreplaceable players. Green Bay (7-7-1) is 2-5-1 since Rodgers went down during the first series of a 27-20 loss Nov. 4 to Chicago. The Packers have managed to hang on, with a shot to win a third straight division title with a victory Sunday at Soldier Field. "Ill start with the announcement that were preparing for the Chicago Bears with Aaron Rodgers as our starting quarterback," coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Thursday after practice. Win and Green Bay returns to Lambeau Field the following weekend to host a wild-card team in the first round of the playoffs. "Were in it. You know we have a chance against our rivals, and what a better way than to go down there and get some redemption and host a home playoff game," Rodgers said. The last two months have been filled with angst for Packers fans. Discussions about whether Rodgers should risk future injury or return to bolster Green Bays playoff chances have filled sports talk radio shows and holiday office parties. Now imagine what it was like for the Packers brass and team doctor. The organization made a big investment in Rodgers this past off-season, signing him to a five-year contract extension through the 2019 season worth as much as $110 million. "Every football player that plays in this game Sunday will have risk. I think we all understand that," McCarthy said. "So weve done our due diligence. Weve gone through all the evaluations and we feel it is time. Aaron is ready to play." Finally at 8:05 a.m. Thursday, McCarthy gave the official word at a team meeting. No rousing speeches or rounds of applause. "The scene? We were sitting in the team room and he told us," Rodgers said matter-of-factly. "That was the scene." Rodgers is returning just when pass-rushing linebacker Clay Matthews is leaving the lineup again with a right thumb injury. Green Bay also has gone the majority of the season without tight end Jermichael Finley (neck). Projected starting left tackle Bryan Bulaga went down in training camp. Defensive end Johnny Jolly (shoulder/neck) was the latest Packer to get knocked out for the year last week. Still, the Packers managed to start 5-2 despite the injuries with Rodgers leading the offence. Things changed drastically after the 2011 NFL MVP got hurt on a sack while scrambling out of the pocket in the Week 9 loss to Chicago at Lambeau Field. The Packers went on a five-game winless skid, shuffling through three more starting quarterbacks. Green Bay then won two straight with backup Matt Flynn before falling 38-31 last week to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Losses by Chicago and the Detroit Lions set up the winner-take-all finale Sunday with the Bears for the division. Rodgers impending return wasnt the only good injury news Thursday in Titletown. Rookie running back Eddie Lacy was held out of practice with a lingering ankle injury, though McCarthy expects his 1,100-yard rusher to play Sunday. Playmaking receiver Randall Cobb, out since Week 6 with a leg injury, is moving well in practice and appears to be getting closer to returning. While he wont make the final call, Cobb said "This week in practice Im going out and preparing to play." And now with Rodgers back, positive vibes are reverberating through the locker room. Rodgers has gained added perspective from having to watch from the sideline with a headset. Hes been there to help Flynn. He understands that every move he makes in Chicago will be dissected by armchair quarterbacks. "Its easy to talk about it with you guys and understand the risks," he said. "But when youre out on the field, its about performing and playing and not worrying about it." Vapormax España . Steve has built a solid reputation throughout the years - first as a hockey player, then as an NHL general manager and now as a scout. Nike Air Max Plus Tn Mujer .com) - The Oklahoma City Thunder will try to get back on track Monday night when they welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves to Chesapeake Energy Arena. http://www.vapormaxbaratas.com/vapormax-95-baratas-venta.html .C. -- The shot that would have beaten No. Air Vapormax Rebajas . Dwyane Wade followed a few days later. Nike Air Max Plus Tn Se Baratas .com) - St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko, Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk and Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury have been selected as the NHLs top players for last week.FORTALEZA, Brazil - With tears streaming down his face after being kneed in the back, Neymar was carried off the field on a stretcher. He wont be coming back. Not to this World Cup, anyway. The 22-year-old Brazil striker, the one with the hopes of a nation on his shoulders, was ruled out of the rest of the tournament after fracturing his third vertebra during Fridays 2-1 quarterfinal win over Colombia. "Its a big loss for us," Brazil midfielder Fernandinho said. "We need to find a way to stay together and become stronger after losing our greatest player. We will try to win this World Cup and for sure we will dedicate it to Neymar." Neymar is the biggest football star in Brazil, and one of the biggest at the tournament along with Argentina forward Lionel Messi. His face has been plastered on billboards and shown on television continuously, leading many of his staunchest supporters to copy his dyed-blonde fauxhawk. His millions of fans had expected Neymars World Cup to end with him holding the trophy, not being carried off the field in tears. Neymar was kneed by Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga late in the second half at the Arena Castelao. He was taken to a private clinic and was released a short time later. He was not expected to need surgery, Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said, but he will also not be able to face Germany on Tuesday in the Woorld Cup semifinals.dddddddddddd "He will not be in condition to play, he will need a few weeks to be fit again," Lasmar said. "He is very, very sad." About 50 Brazil fans, many still wearing the teams jerseys, crowded outside the clinic where Neymar was taken, while the ambulance that carried him remained parked in front, lights blazing. Neymar was hurt in the 86th minute, falling to the ground in pain after Zuniga jumped into him from behind. Brazil teammate Marcelo quickly called for medical assistance when he saw Neymar writhing in pain. Neymar stayed face down until team doctors arrived and put him on a stretcher. "Everybody knew that Neymar would be hunted," Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. "Its been happening in the last three matches and we had been talking about it. But nobody listens to us." Fridays match ended with 54 fouls in total — 31 by Brazil and 23 by Colombia. Scolari said Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo should have done more to take control of the match. According to Hulk, another of Brazils striker, Neymar needs more protection from the officials. "Every time is like this. Players always come after Neymar," Hulk said. "The referees need to do more to keep this from happening." ___ Associated Press video journalist Renata Brito contributed to this report. ' ' '

NEW YORK, N.Y. - The Chicago White Sox have recalled infielder Carlos Sanchez from Triple-A Charlotte to take the roster spot of recently traded second baseman Gordon Beckham. Sanchez is scheduled to start at second base and bat second for Chicago on Friday night in the opener of a series at the New York Yankees. Beckham was traded to the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday for a player to be named or cash. Manager Robin Ventura says Sanchez has shown the potential to play at the major league level. He was batting .293 with seven homers, 57 RBIs and 16 stolen bases in 110 games for Charlotte. Nike Vapormax In Offerta . Still, Encarnacion felt a sense of relief. He felt a pop just before crumpling to the ground after running out a groundball in the first inning of Saturdays game. It could have been worse. “Its going to take maybe two weeks,” said Encarnacion. “It depends how Im going to be and how Im going to be day after day, feeling better or not. Vapormax Saldi . Striker Dario Mandzukic scored the opener in the 22nd minute but was given a red card nine minutes later for a reckless tackle and left Croatia with 10 men for the remainder of the match. http://www.vapormaxscontateoutlet.it/ . "This is my city," the Toronto native said upon his arrival Wednesday night. And the 35-year-old former league MVP says he is hoping to making 2014 a memorable year. Vapormax Uomo Saldi . - Free agent defensive end Will Smith has signed with the New England Patriots. Vapormax Bianche Uomo . Advancing to the Champions League quarterfinals should be a formality after Lionel Messi scored a penalty and Dani Alves added a late second to secure a commanding 2-0 advantage over City in the round of 16 on Tuesday.And here are the individual team mascots.Again, be sure to check in next week for the Calgary and Hamilton mascots! ' ' '

CHICAGO -- Even with three errors, the Houston Astros managed to beat the Chicago White Sox 11-7 Sunday. Matt Dominguez hit a two-run homer and a tiebreaking RBI double, and the Astros tied their season high with 17 hits as they prevented a three-game sweep. Second baseman Jose Altuve made a pair of errors and first baseman Jon Singleton had one, with each infielder allowing a grounder through his legs. "Its part of the game," manager Bo Porter said. "Obviously, Altuve is a guy whos pretty sure-handed, but it happens. But its good to see the rest of the team pick those guys up." Altuve hit a two-run homer for the Astros (41-58), who find themselves 1 1-2 games ahead of last-place Texas in the AL West. "We battled through that game," said Dominguez, had three hits and four RBIs. "It was nice to go out there and get a win like that." Chicago fell behind 4-0 early and tied the score 7-all in the sixth on Alexei Ramirezs RBI double, Jose Abreus run-scoring single and a run-scoring two-out grounder by Dayan Viciedo that went Altuves legs for Houstons second error of the inning. Daniel Webb (5-3) allowed RBI doubles in the seventh to Dominguez and L.J. Hoes, and Marwin Gonzalez followed with a two-run single. Tony Sipp (2-1) pitched 1-1 scoreless innings as Houston stopped a three-game skid. Josh Fields and Chad Qualls got three straight outs each. Houstons Jarred Cosart allowed four runs, seven hits and four walks in five innings. John Danks lasted a season-low 4 1-3 innings, giving up a season-high 12 hits and seven runs. On May 18, he allowed eight runs -- seven earned -- and 10 hits over 4 2-3 innings in an 8-2 loss to the Astros. "Dug us a hole. These guys fought hard to get out of it," Danks said. "For whatever reason, Houston has beat me up this year, so fortunately, were done with that." Hoes filled in for Astros OF George Springer, who was held out because of soreness in his right knee and quadriceps. Springer will continue to receive treatment, and he expects be in the lineup for the opener of a three-game set against the Athletics in Oakland on Tuesday night. "Its fine," Stringer said. "Its just a little something. I just have to make sure Im all right, and well go from there. I can play through it." NOTES: Singleton was inserted in the lineup after 1B Jesus Guzman reported back discomfort in batting practice. ... Abreu extended his hitting streak to 11 games. He had at least one hit in 29 of his last 30 games. ... Manager Robin Ventura was noncommittal about the closer role, which Jake Petricka and Zach Putnam shared in recent weeks. Matt Lindstrom (left ankle surgery) could return next month, while Thompson also was a potential candidate. Prior to the game, Thompson was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, where he converted all six of his save chances. RHP Felipe Paulino was transferred to the 60-day DL. ... Ventura had a rooting interest in the upcoming Hall of Fame induction of Frank Thomas, his former teammate. "He was a dominant player in his era, and that will stand the test of time as far as his place with the White Sox," Ventura said. ... White Sox LHP Chris Sale is to make his first post-All-Star game start versus the Kansas City Royals on Monday night. Yeezy Boost 350 Deals .m. ET, CBSOPENING LINE — Falcons by 3 1/2RECORD VS. Cheap Adidas Nmd White . And on Sunday against the Houston Astros they were pleased to see his work finally pay off with his first win since May 24. http://www.nmdsneakerssale.com/ .J. -- After getting permission from his 7-year-old daughter, New York Giants offensive lineman David Diehl has retired after an 11-year career that included two Super Bowl championships. Yeezy Boost 350 China Wholesale . The Maple Leafs may not have had a pick until the third round, but they have made the biggest move of the second day of the Draft, dealing defenceman Carl Gunnarsson and a fourth-round pick in the draft to the St. Cheap Mens Nmd Shoes . Almost 40 years to the day, the two teams will meet again, this time at BC Place, to celebrate the past and try to earn important points for the present.Jay Feaster was just joking. The former Calgary Flames general manager raised some eyebrows on Wednesday night after tweeting his gleeful reaction to the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets. YEHHHH BABY!!! You can put it in the LOSS column, #Oilers! Entire time I was in Calgary all I heard was how far ahead they were of #Flames, Feaster wrote via his Twitter account. However, he told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun Thursday morning for an ESPN.com story that the tweet was meant purely in jest. All I have to do is tweet something about the Oilers and I get 100-plus new followers overnight, he said. I was just having some fun, he added. Its my personal twitter account and I was just having fun. I was there four years in Calgary but it did not take me four days to get tuned into the Battle of Alberta. Obviously, people get very wound up and upset about things. But it wasnt done in a hurtful or spiteful way.dddddddddddd Im just having some fun with it. Feaster was Flames GM from 2010 to 2013 and now serves as the executive director of community hockey development for the Tampa Bay Lightning. While acknowledging the tweet as a joke, Feaster did also tell LeBrun that the Battle of Alberta has stayed with him, despite being almost a full year removed from the fight. Its high times for the Flames right now, who sit third in the Pacific Division with 34 points while the Oilers - losers of 11 straight - sit last in the Western Conference with the second-fewest points in the NHL (17 through 26 games). Ive made the point in tweets before that the Battle of Alberta never leaves you, he said. Bob Hartley is a good friend of mine as you know. I have nothing but positive feelings about that group of guys and that team. Im happy for their success. ' ' '

The Pittsburgh Penguins have made the playoffs for eight years running, but losing in Game Seven of the second round this year caused them to clean house, firing GM Ray Shero and head coach Dan Bylsma. Off-Season Game Plan looks at a Penguins team that has a new general manager, Jim Rutherford, and is still looking for a coach, but will surely expect to ice Cup contender next season. Its a little difficult to forecast what next years Penguins club will look like, not knowing yet who will be coaching, but its safe to expect some significant turnover on the roster. Pittsburghs third and fourth lines were obliterated for much of last season and many of those players are unrestricted free agents, so thats a starting point for change. Then, pending free agent D Matt Niskanen is coming off a career year that should price him out of the Penguins cap, as will Brooks Orpik, so there will be openings on the blueline for young defencemen to step in and play. In goal, maybe the new regime sticks with Marc-Andre Fleury for the final year of his contract, or maybe they will be more aggressive and go for sweeping changes. If the Penguins are inclined to move Fleury or James Neal or Kris Letang, that would be a big-splash move. Given their lack of depth on defence, moving Letang would be risky, but if Rutherford is inclined to shake things up, maybe the Penguins will look different than they did in 2013-2014, and maybe thats not an altogether bad idea. The TSN.ca Rating is an efficiency rating based on per-game statistics including goals and assists -- weighted for strength (ie. power play, even, shorthanded) -- Corsi, adjusted for zone starts, quality of competition and quality of teammates, hits, blocked shots, penalty differential and faceoffs. Generally, a replacement-level player is around a 60, a top six forward and top four defenceman will be around 70, stars will be over 80 and MVP candidates could go over 90. Sidney Crosby finished at the top of the 2013-2014 regular season ratings at 87.12. Salary cap information all comes from the indispensable www.capgeek.com. CF% = Corsi percentage (ie. percentage of 5-on-5 shot attempts), via www.extraskater.com. GM/COACHJim Rutherford/Vacant Returning Forwards Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Cap Hit Sidney Crosby 85.72 80 36 68 104 53.0% $8.7M Evgeni Malkin 81.83 60 23 49 72 53.0% $9.5M James Neal 80.16 59 27 34 61 55.4% $5.0M Chris Kunitz 77.05 78 35 33 68 52.2% $3.85M Pascal Dupuis 69.79 39 7 13 20 53.6% $3.75M Beau Bennett 62.54 21 3 4 7 57.8% $900K Craig Adams 57.78 82 5 6 11 40.8% $700K Free Agent Forwards Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Class 13-14 Cap Hit Jussi Jokinen 72.52 81 21 36 57 54.8% UFA $3.0M Brandon Sutter 66.02 81 13 13 26 42.9% RFA $2.067M Lee Stempniak 65.58 73 12 22 34 47.5% UFA $2.5M Marcel Goc 64.31 74 11 14 25 50.8% UFA $1.7M Brian Gibbons 64.22 41 5 12 17 51.0% UFA $550K Joe Vitale 59.42 55 1 13 14 44.3% UFA $550K Tanner Glass 58.72 67 4 9 13 39.3% UFA $1.1M Taylor Pyatt 55.91 56 4 1 5 42.4% UFA $1.55M Healthy for the first time in four seasons, Sidney Crosby won his second scoring title and hes the runaway leader among active players in points per game (1.40). Sounds great, right? Well, it was up until the playoffs, when Crosby had a positively mortal showing, with one goal and nine points in 13 games. His possession numbers in the playoffs were still outstanding, but when the Penguins leave the playoffs earlier than expected, no one wants possession stats, they want goals. So, Crosbys rep takes a hit for that playoff slump, but hes still the best in the game so long as he stays healthy. Injuries have started to pose a problem for Evgeni Malkin over the past couple seasons, as hes missed 39 games in two years since he led the league in scoring 2011-2012. While Crosby has been the leagues top even-strength point producer over the past couple seasons, Malkin ranks 19th, which is good, but not befitting his skill level, which is right at the top of the league. Over the same time frame, hes more effective with the man advantage, ranking fifth in points/60 during 5-on-4 play. So long as the Penguins have those two, they have a chance to contend for the Cup but, as weve seen over the past five seasons, it cant be just those two. The supporting cast matters. Since the start of the 2011-2012 season, James Neal ranks fifth in goals (88) and tied for 17th in points (178) with strong possession stats, yet hes another player coming off a disappointing playoff performance (2 G, 2 A in 13 GP) and has been mentioned as a possible trade candidate if the Penguins are looking for a major shake-up. Neal is on a very reasonable contract, for the next four seasons, but maybe thats what makes him even more appealing and could yield the highest rate of return. Dealing a 26-year-old scoring power forward isnt an easy decision, but is an option available to new GM Rutherford. A 34-year-old coming off a career-best season, Chris Kunitz set career-best marks in goals (35), points (68) and played a career-high 19:09 per game. However, he faded down the stretch, with 13 points in 24 games from the start of February through the end of the regular season and he consistently gets leveled with criticism that his production is tied to his place on Crosbys wing. No matter with whom Kunitz has played, his possession numbers have always been excellent, so he warrants a top-six role, but as he hits his mid-thirties, its also reasonable to expect decline. Pascal Dupuis missed more than half of the 2013-2014 season after tearing his ACL, and while hes been a solid player alongside Crosby, theres a feeling that the Penguins could do better with a more skilled player in that spot. If Dupuis is back up to speed next season, he should have an opportunity to reclaim his old gig, but it wouldnt come as a shock if the 35-year-old, with one season of more than 50 points on his resumé, was placed into more of a checking/two-way role. A couple injuries, most notably wrist surgery, limited Beau Bennett to just 21 games in his second pro season and while his point production hasnt yet broken through, he had impressive possession numbers and saw regular time in a top-six role once he returned to the lineup. Going into next season, Bennett may have first crack at a spot on one of the Penguins scoring lines. Craig Adams has missed two games in the past five seasons and the durable checker doensnt cheat on the effort he gives night-in and night-out. He also scores remarkably little for as much as he plays -- the 12:28 per game he logged last season representing his highest average time on ice since 2003-2004. Thats probably too much ice time for a 37-year-old who has been getting obliterated in possession terms for a while now, but Adams is an inexpensive depth forward with two Stanley Cups to his credit. Similarly durable, Brandon Sutter has missed one game in the past four seasons and while he gets fed defensive zone starts as the Penguins No. 3 center, Sutter has been getting thumped possession-wise with the Penguins. Maybe thats a function of subpar linemates, and that could be improved with offseason additions, but Sutter could use a better season in 2014-2015 to establish his credentials as a two-way checking centre. The priority for the Penguins this offseason should be to upgrade their third and fourth lines. While that might be considered tweaking, adding three or four legitimate forwards to the roster is more than cosmetic change. How the Penguins fill out their forward vacancies will be hugely important, but its not going to be easy. Even with young, inexpensive defencemen on the roster, the Penguins have marquee players like Crosby, Malkin and Neal that take up a good chunk of the cap room and when the Penguins need to add as many bodies as they do, it would really help to find a bargain or two. Some options that could be of interest include: Nikolai Kulemin, Blake Comeau, Brian Boyle, Steve Ott, Steve Downie, Derek MacKenzie, Manny Malhotra, Jay McClement and Peter Regin; the Pegnuins also may want to re-sign Brian Gibbons, who showed enough in half a season to warrant a full-time role. Returning Defence Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Cap Hit Kris Letang 74.43 37 11 11 22 48.8% $7.25M Paul Martin 73.40 39 3 12 15 49.2% $5.0M Olli Maatta 66.91 78 9 20 29 50.5% $894K Robert Bortuzzo 61.14 54 0 10 10 45.4% $600K Rob Scuderi 55.52 53 0 4 4 43.9% $3.375M Free Agent Defence Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Class 13-14 Cap Hit Matt Niskanen 74.53 81 10 36 46 53.4% UFA $2.3M Brooks Orpik 63.71 72 2 11 13 46.2% UFA $3.75M Deryk Engelland 62.01 56 6 6 12 43.8% UFA $567K There are some complicated situations on this Penguins roster and none may be more challenging than Kris Letang, an elite puck-moving defenceman who has played more than 24 minutes per game for four straight seasons and was third in Norris Trophy voting in 2012-2013. However, Letang had quite a 2013-2014 season, marked by suffering a stroke which, combined with other injuries, contributed to his missing 45 games. When he did play, Letang finished with a career-high 11 goals, yet his relative possession stats were the worst of his career and he also had the lowest on-ice shooting percentage of his career, which is most likely a run of bad luck. With all that in the file, along with Letangs pricey contract extension kicking in, its possible that hes part of a major shake-up, though the stroke might make it difficult for another team to pull the trigger, no matter how well Letang has played when healthy. A broken leg and broken hand cost Paul Martin more than half of last season, and while Martin has handled a heavy workload for the Penguins -- nearly 25 minutes per game over the past couple seasons -- hes also seen his puck possession numbers dip, which could be function of others in the Pittsburgh lineup, but it doesnt reflect well on Martin. Hes 33 and heading into the final year of his contract, so an extension is possible, or maybe the new regime will be fine to let Martin play it out. Olli Maatta had a wonderful rookie season, earning a bigger role with his steady play. The 19-year-old was poised and not afraid to join the play -- his 29 points ranking fifth among teen defencemen since 2000 -- so while he arrived without too much fanfare last season, expectations will justifiably be higher for Maatta next year. It wont be easy, however, since hes not likely to be ready for the start of the year as he recovers from off-season shoulder surgery. A physical presence when hes in the lineup, Robert Bortuzzo saw action in a career-high 54 games last season and hes on the edge of a spot in the lineup. He doesnt move the puck well enough to climb the depth chart, but as a six or seven, hes probably a reasonable fit. Times get tough for defensive defencemen as they age, what with the wear and tear of constant battles and blocked shots, and so it goes with 35-year-old Rob Scuderi, a two-time Cup winner who was stuck in his own end a lot last season. The good news for the Penguins is that they have defence in the pipeline. Simon Despres, Brian Dumoulin, Derrick Pouliot (when healthy) are all prospects that should be able to help, very soon. Returning Goaltenders Player Rating GP W L OTL GAA SV% Cap Hit Marc-Andre Fleury 68.29 64 39 18 5 2.37 .915 $5.0M Jeff Zatkoff 63.85 20 12 6 2 2.61 .912 $600K Free Agent Goaltender Player Rating GP W L OTL GAA SV% Class 13-14 Cap Hit Tomas Vokoun UFA $2.0M Over the past four seasons, Marc-Andre Fleury has a .916 save percentage in the regular season, which puts him 14th among goaltenders with at least 150 games played, and thats entirely fine. He was even okay in this years playoffs, his .915 save percentage in the postseason was the second-best of his career. He has one year left on his current contract and its possible that the Penguins will let that play out, but maybe not. 27-year-old Jeff Zatkoff finally reached The Show, while Tomas Vokoun was out for the season, and Zatkoff was a serviceable backup for 20 games, earning a new contract that makes him a very inexpensive backup. Provided his play doesnt slip too far, Zatkoff could provide nice value. Top Prospects Player Pos. Team/League Stats Derrick Pouliot D Portland (WHL) 17-53-70, +40, 58 GP Simon Despres D Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) 6-17-23, +19, 36 GP Brian Dumoulin D Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) 5-16-21, +2, 53 GP Tristan Jarry G Edmonton (WHL) 2.24 GAA, .914 SV%, 63 GP Scott Harrington D Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) 5-19-24, +9, 76 GP Matt Murray G Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) 2.57 GAA, .921 SV%, 49 GP Jayson Megna RW Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) 9-6-15, +13, 25 GP Josh Archibald LW Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC) 29-14-43, +2, 37 GP Oskar Sundqvist C Skelleftea (SHL) 6-10-16, +6, 51 GP Philip Samuelsson D Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) 3-19-22, +17, 64 GP Jake Guentzel C Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC) 7-27-34, -2, 37 GP Anton Zlobin LW Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) 8-11-19, +15, 46 GP The eighth overall pick in 2012, Derrick Pouliot has a chance to a difference-maker on the blueline. An elite puck-moving defenceman who can run the power play and blast from the point, Pouliot had 102 points in 79 WHL (regular season plus playoff) games last season. His arrival in the NHL will be delayed as he recovers from shoulder surgery, but even if that means hes not an option for the first hallf of next season, theres a chance that Pouliot could contribute after that. A new regime may be just what the doctor ordered for Simon Despres, the 30th pick in the 2009 Draft, who has played well in his NHL opportunities, putting up 16 points in 85 career games, but also hasnt been able to lock up a regular spot. With free agents likely on the move and Pouliot recovering from surgery, Despres should have a very good chance to stick with Pittsburgh next season. Acquired from Carolina in the Jordan Staal trade, Brian Dumoulin had a strong season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and got into six games with Pittsburgh. He has good size, which he could use more, but can move the puck and handle big minutes in the AHL. Could be time for a longer look at the next level. Drafted in the second round last summer, Tristan Jarry backstopped Edmonton to the Memorial Cup, handling a heavy workload (84 games between regular season and playoffs). Hes a 19-year-old goaltender, so its going to take some time before hes ready to challenge for a spot. Picked in the second round in 2011, Scott Harrington had a solid first pro campaign and projects to be a shutdown defender when he reaches Pittsburgh. That day may not be too far down the road. Taken in the third round in 2012, Matt Murray had an excellent season with Saulte Ste. Marie of the OHL, an indication that perhaps hes starting to reach his potential. The 6-foot-5 tender needs to fill out and will have time in the AHL to further develop his game. Of course, having Jarry in the organization too ought to ensure that Murray isnt complacent as he climbs the ladder. Signed as a free agent out of Nebraska-Omaha, Jayson Megna split last season between the AHL and NHL, putting up nine pints (5 G, 4 A) in 36 games with Pittsburgh. He could have a chance to compete for a depth role next season. A sixth-round pick in 2011, Josh Archibald had 79 points in 76 games over his last two collegiate seasons and joined Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at seasons end. Hes small, but will get the chance to show that he can use his speed to create scoring opportunities as a pro. Two-way centre Oskar Sundqvist was a third-round pick in 2012 and played in the Swedish Hockey League for league champs Skelleftea last season. See how he adjusts to North America and go from there. There are a few blueliners ahead of Philip Samuelsson on the Penguins organizational depth chart, but the 2009 second-rounder has made steady progress, getting into five games with Pittsburgh last season. A smallish playmaker, Jake Guentzel was a third-round pick last summer and then had a strong freshman season at Nebraska-Omaha (same school as Megna and Archibald). With a few years to fill out and get stronger, hell have a chance to be a solid pro. It wasnt the easiest first pro season for Anton Zlobin, a sixth-round pick in 2012, who spent some time in the ECHL (scoring 11 points in 10 games), but he had 10 points in his last 17 regular season games, then 10 points in 15 playoff games. If he continues on that path next season, his production will get him noticed. Penguins advanced stats and player usage chart from Extra Skater DRAFT22nd - Josh HoSang, Ivan Barbashev, Jakub Vrana FREE AGENCYAccording to www.capgeek.com, the Penguins have approximately $55.1M committed to the 2014-2015 salary cap for 14 players. Check out my possible Penguins lineup for next season on Cap Geek here. Needs: An overhaul of their bottom six forwards, one top four defenceman, two more defencemen.What I said the Penguins needed last year: (apparently skipped this part for Penguins last year)They added: Olli Maatta, Robert Bortuzzo. TRADE MARKETJames Neal, Kris Letang, Rob Scuderi, Marc-Andre Fleury. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Cheap Air Max 97 All Red China .ca. Kerry, I hope you address Ron MacLeans comment during the second intermission of Game 4 in Montreal-Tampa series. Basically, he suggested that the NHL should not have used a referee from Quebec, following the Game 3 disputed non-goal, because the referee could be biased towards Montreal. Cheap Air Max 97 Yellow China . LeBron James and Chris Bosh didnt need any more. Williams scored 11 points in 10 minutes, Alan Anderson scored 17 points, and the Brooklyn Nets finished the exhibition season with a 108-87 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night. http://www.cheapairmax97fromchina.com/cheap-air-max-97-all-white-china/ . -- Antoine Bibeau bought the Val-dOr Foreurs valuable time at the Memorial Cup with his 51-save shutout Friday. Cheap Air Max 97 Red China . Span, Danny Espinosa and Adam LaRoche had two hits apiece as Washington won the final two games of the series. The Nationals improved to 3-7 against Atlanta. They increased their division lead over the Braves to 1 1/2 games. Cheap Air Max 97 Blue China . -- Theres something about playing on Orlandos floor lately that seems to bring out the best in the Dallas Mavericks.John Terry and Cesc Fabregas played for Chelsea Under-23s on Monday after being left on the bench for the first team in Sundays win over Middlesbrough. Highlights of Chelseas 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on Sunday, which sent them top of the Premier League Michy Batshuayi also featured in the experienced development side on Monday after missing out on first-team duties, which saw Diego Costas 10th Premier League goal this season help the Blues to a 1-0 win at the Riverside Stadium.Batshuayi, a £33m summer signing, scored twice in a 3-2 win over Southampton at Chelseas Cobham training ground in the Premier League 2, with Antonio Conte watching on from the sidelines. Conte: Costa one of the best Antonio Conte says Diego Costa is one of the best strikers in the world Terry, Fabregas and Batshuayi have not started a Premier League game for the senior side in almostt two months, and were included in the U23 game on Monday after a lack of playing time for the first team.dddddddddddd Terry played 70 minutes of the game alongside Kurt Zouma - who is continuing his recovery from injury - in a 3-4-3 formation. Terry has not started a Premier League game since September 11 Marco van Ginkel also played in the development side as one of three over-age outfield players permitted to feature alongside 35-year-old Terry and 29-year-old Fabregas. Chelsea have won their last six Premier League matches without conceding a goal having switched to a new formation. Sky Sports Black Friday sale Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price! David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta have formed a three-man defence which has left Terry unable to get back in the starting line-up despite having recovered from the ankle injury which ruled him out for a month in October. Fabregas was an unused substitute in Chelseas 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on Sunday Meanwhile, Fabregas has not started since Chelseas 3-0 defeat at the hands of his former club Arsenal on September 24. Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4! Also See: Luiz eyes top spot on final day Premier League grades Conte hails important win PL contenders highs and lows ' ' '

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- After losing out on Gordon Hayward, the Charlotte Hornets landed one of his former teammates with the Utah Jazz. The Hornets agreed to a $14 million, two-year contract with free-agent forward Marvin Williams, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Saturday on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been made public. The person says it will be signed next week. The 6-foot-9, 237-pound Williams has played nine seasons in the NBA with the Jazz and Atlanta Hawks. He averaged 9.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in 66 games for Utah last season, including 50 starts. The 28-year-old Williams is averaging 10.8 points and 5.1 rebounds for 626 career games. The deal for Williams comes on the same day the Jazz announced they decided to match Charlottes $63 million, four-year offer sheet to Hayward, a restricted free agent. Hayward posted to Twitter: "Officially back with the (at)utahjazz!!!! Wanna thank them and all of .jazznation for believing in me! Lots of work ahead..." The Hornets view Williams as a potential replacement for power forward Josh McRoberts, who previously agreed to a contract with Miami. Williams is also versatile enough to play small forward. McRoberts departure left the Hornets extremely thin at power forward and in need of some veteran help. Charlottes only two power forwards on the roster were Cody Zeller, who is entering his second season, and Noah Vonleh, the ninth overall pick in this years draft. Coach Steve Clifford said Friday the loss of McRoberts was a "big hit" for Charlotte, calling him a valuable "connector" for the team. "Not many guys of his size make the game easy for his teammates the way he does" Clifford said. "Not just offensively, but defensively, too. But Ive said to his (now former) teammates thats what this league is about. We have other good players and were still in the process of adding other players to our roster. "What it will mean is, particularly on offensive part of the floor, well have to do things in a different way. No question he was a big part of what we did. Doesnt mean we have to take a step back, but we have to change." Williams addition should be popular among area Tar Heel fans. Williams played college basketball at North Carolina, the same school as Hornets owner Michael Jordan, and helped the Tar Heels to a national championship as a freshman in 2005. He was the second overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft. Also Saturday, the Hornets announced they had acquired guard Scotty Hopson and cash considerations from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for centre Brendan Haywood, finalizing a draft-night deal. The Cavaliers received the draft rights to forward Dwight Powell, the 45th overall pick. The 6-foot-7 Hopson missed the entire 2013-14 season due to a stress fracture in his left foot. Nike Air Force 1 Salg .com) - After Tom Brady added to an already illustrious legacy, Malcolm Butler established his by leaving the Seattle Seahawks, well, deflated. Nike Blazer Norge . Next up, the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns in the AFC North. Baltimore Ravens In 2014, the 8-8 season that the Baltimore Ravens experienced was to be expected. http://www.airforce1norge.com/ . Obasi chested the ball past one defender, prodded it past another and then rounded the keeper before scoring from a tight angle in the 16th minute. Seconds after the restart, Obasi set up Klaas Jan Huntelaar for the Dutchmans 11th goal from 13 games this season. Air Force 1 Herre Norge . He will be practicing with the Norfolk Admirals (AHL) on a conditioning assignment. - @AnaheimDucks Corey Perry has a knee sprain and will miss the next three to four weeks. Nike Roshe One Norge . 3 Ohio State. Amedeo Della Valle had 15 points, Marc Loving scored a career-high 13 and the bench provided 38 points as the Buckeyes sprinted past Nebraska 84-53 on Saturday.B.C. Lions president and CEO Dennis Skulsky has guaranteed his team will on Sunday, when they host the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Speaking to TEAM 1040 Radio in Vancouver on Thursday, Skulsky called Sunday "guaranteed win night" at BC Place and promised the team will give fans attending the game tickets to one the Lions next four home games should they loose.dddddddddddd "Its a bold statement and I make it confidently because we have a message to deliver," Skulsky said. "This is our backyard, this is the home of the B.C. Lions and lets get it on. "Were gonna go and win and were guaranteeing it." The Lions are 5-3 this season, including a Week 3 win over the Roughriders. ' ' '

SEATTLE -- When Seattles Justin Smoak hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning Tuesday night, the Kansas City Royals chances for a win and perhaps a post-season appearance were in big trouble. Smoak hit an 0-2 fastball from Bruce Chen (8-4) for his career-matching 19th home run and the Mariners went on to a 4-0 victory, creating a bleak playoff picture for the Royals. Time is running out -- just five games remaining -- much distance needs to be covered and two teams need to be hurdled. The Royals three competitors for the two AL wild-card spots -- Tampa Bay, Texas and Cleveland -- all won Tuesday. The Royals, down four games in the loss column to Cleveland, need to win every game and hope that both the Indians and the Rangers completely collapse. "We just go till they say we cant win it," Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. "We go as hard as we can. Keep playing our best guys and staying after it." Mariners rookie left-hander James Paxton (3-0), making just his fourth major league start, worked a career-high seven innings, allowing four hits, walking none and striking out a career-high 10. "He looked real good. Big, tall kid, straight over the top, straight downhill action on all his pitches," Yost said. "Good fastball, I mean, over-powering fastball at times, got it up to 97, lot of life on it. But downhill pitches are tough to hit, especially fastballs. Good breaking stuff, good changeup, good curveball." Paxton said it didnt matter to him that the Royals had everything on the line. "I wasnt really paying attention to that. I was just focusing on executing pitches, one pitch at a time," he said. "It could be just the electricity. Being out there it just kind of raises your intensity up that much more. I think it helps me to get lock in." It was the 13th shutout for the Mariners and the ninth time the Royals have been shut out. Seattle touched Bruce Chen (8-4) for a run in the first when Brad Miller reached on an infield single followed by Abraham Almontes single to centre. Almonte has reached base in all his 18 games to start his career, 16 with a hit. With one out, Kendrys Morales singled to left, driving in Miller. Chen worked five innings, allowing seven hits and four runs. He walked three and struck out five. The Royals could not respond against Paxton. They put together two singles in the first inning but a double play eased him out of trouble. He didnt allow more than one baserunner in any inning after that and at one point he retired 12 straight. "That guy has a good fastball, slider, change," Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar said. "He got a lot of balls down, run in on the black. Great job for him today. Hes sneaky." The Mariners blew the game open in the fifth with three runs -- all with two outs. Morales, who had three hits, doubled to deep centre. Franklin Gutierrez walked and Smoak hit a 0-2 fastball over the wall in left field. "I tried to go up with the fastball and he made good contact," Chen said. "I was ahead in the count. I did not pitch right down the middle. It wasnt a strike. I tried to go up the ladder and he would chase it and keep my team in the ball game. (But) he got it. "I was just trying to do everything I could to help this team win. At that point it was a 1-0 game. That Paxton did a real good job. It unfortunate because today was a really big game for us." Smoak has 19 home runs but it was just his second right-handed. The other was Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels. "I hit it. I dont know if I looked straight into the lights or whatever but I didnt know where it went," Smoak said. "To be able to barrel one up, knowing the work Ive put in the last couple weeks, it is starting to show." The Royals play one more game with Seattle on Wednesday night, then close the season at the Chicago White Sox. "Were not quitting. Were not giving up," Chen said. "As long as we got a chance were going to give it everything we can. Today was big game for us unfortunately. But thats not going to stop us tomorrow." NOTES: Mariners LHP Danny Hultzen, the second player taken in the 2011 draft, has a problem with his left shoulder and will see Dr. James Andrews on Monday. "Ed (team doctor Ed Khalfayan) saw him and, quite frankly, doesnt like what he sees," GM Jack Zduriencik said. "He saw some damage that he was unhappy with. Its in the shoulder but not in the rotator cuff, more tendon area, labrum." . The club confirmed Zduriencik will return in 2014. . The Royals need one more win to match their win total from 1993 (84-78). ... Royals 1B Eric Hosmer had two hits, his ninth multi-hit game in September. He leads the AL with 59. LeBron James Shoes For Sale . "This is my city," the Toronto native said upon his arrival Wednesday night. And the 35-year-old former league MVP says he is hoping to making 2014 a memorable year. LeBron James Shoes Outlet . Every. Single. Game. Thats 1,230 in total to cover the regular season. The man is Corey Sznajder, a soft-spoken 23-year-old Salisbury University grad who lives in Annapolis, Maryland and has been charting zone entries and zone exits throughout the NHL. I love big projects, he said. No kidding. At the 2013 Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, I met Eric Tulsky, who presented research on the value of controlled zone entries (short answer: about twice as valuable to enter with control of the puck rather than dumping it in) and Sznajder had charted a couple hundred games that were included in that study. https://www.cheapshoeslebronjames.com/ . McCutchen hit his first home run in over a month, doubled twice and scored two runs to help the Pirates beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 on Sunday and take three of four from the defending NL West champions. Cheap LeBron James Shoes . Just ask last seasons Supporters Shield winners, the New York Red Bulls, who were resoundingly defeated last weekend by a rampant Vancouver Whitecaps in a match which produced two contenders for MLS Goal of the Week from Sebastian Fernandez and Pedro Morales. Wholesale LeBron James Shoes . Thats what he did over the past 2 1/2 years with the Washington Wizards. Wittmans approach helped turn the Wizards from pushover to playoff winners.With the second half of the season well underway and a two-and-a-half week Olympic break coming up, the NHLs Mar. 5 Trade Deadline isnt that far off and teams will be making decisions on whether to buy, sell and decide which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. Check out todays trade rumours and speculation from around the NHL beat. And follow TSN.ca through Deadline Day for all the updates. While the Windows Open After being extended by the Ottawa Senators through 2016, general manager Bryan Murray said he was ready to make moves to add the missing pieces for a Stanley Cup run. Speaking with TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LebBrun of ESPN.com, Murray said "I think we do have a good number of young people I would think other organizations would be interested in." Murray made it clear, however, that Curis Lazar - the teams 2013 first round draft pick - would not be traded by the team. The target for the Senators was narrowed down by Murray, "probably the one area that like a lot of teams we still need is another forward that has some impact, either in the scoring part of it or the physical part. Either/or, and I think that would address a need on our hockey team." Gateway to the Cup? Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal believes that the St. Louis Blues will try to upgrade their goaltending by the trade deadline and could target Buffalo Sabress goaltender Ryan Miller.dddddddddddd The Blues could offer goalie Jaroslav Halak and a prospect or young forward in exchange for Miller but will not trade winger Dmitrij Jaskin. Wheeling and Dealing Matheson also reports the Pittsburgh Penguins would like to acquire Winnipeg Jets winger Blake Wheeler to play with Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz on the teams first line. The main obstacle, according to Matheson, is that the Jets are not interested in accepting draft picks in exchange for core players. The Penguins are reportedly willing to trade defenceman Simon Despres, their 2009 first round pick. Blue Line, Blue Chip Addition? According to Matheson, the Anaheim Ducks are looking to upgrade their defence and would like to add Dan Girardi of the New York Rangers. The Ducks are willing to move Luca Sbisa, Sheldon Souray and their two first round picks in 2014 (their own and the pick they acquired from Ottawa in the Bobby Ryan trade). Girardi is slated to become anunrestricted free-agent at the end of the season. Not Good Enough Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun reports Flames forwards Mike Cammalleri, Matt Stajan and Lee Stepniak are negatively impacting their trade value with their recent poor play. All three forwards have been linked to trade talk and will be unrestricted free-agents at the end of this season. ' ' '

WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Jets have signed forward Mathieu Perreault to a three-year, US$9-million contract. Perreault spent least season with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring 18 goals and 25 assists. In 228 career games with Washington and Anaheim, the five-foot-10, 175-pound native of Drummondville, Que., has 51 goals, 62 assists and 106 penalty minutes. He was drafted in the sixth round, 177th overall, in the 2006 NHL draft. Fake Shoes UK . Fognini won 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 after Argentinas Carlos Berlocq had beaten Andreas Seppi 4-6, 6-0, 6-2, 6-1 on the outdoor clay surface. Doubles are set for Saturday with reverse singles on Sunday to decide which team reaches the quarterfinals. Wholesale Shoes UK .C. - NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick headlines this years electees into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. https://www.shoesukonline.com/ . Ashton scored a hat trick -- giving him 13 goals in 16 AHL games this season -- to power the Toronto Marlies to a 5-2 victory over the visiting Lake Erie Monsters in AHL action on Sunday. Shoes UK From China .m. ET, CBSOPENING LINE — Falcons by 3 1/2RECORD VS. Shoes UK Online Store . Carcillo was a little of both for New York in Game 3. Derek Stepan, Martin St. Louis, Dan Girardi and Carcillo scored goals, leading the Rangers to a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night.MONTREAL -- Montreal Canadiens winger Brandon Prust will be sidelined four weeks with a right shoulder injury. The team made the announcement Monday via Twitter. Prust suffered the injury in Saturdays 2-1 loss to the Nashville Predators when he crashed hard into the boards in the third period.dddddddddddd In eight games this season, Prust has two goals and an assist. Habs forward Daniel Briere also left Saturdays game with a concussion. The team has not said how long he will be out. ' ' '

(SportsNetwork.com) - Vancouver forward Daniel Sedin is scheduled to appear in his 1,000th career NHL game on Sunday night when the Canucks play host to the Chicago Blackhawks. Sedin has logged 311 goals, 514 assists and 825 points since being drafted second overall by the Canucks in 1999. His twin brother Henrik Sedin, taken one pick after Daniel, reached the 1,000-game milestone last season, posting 198 goals, 664 assists and 862 points in 1,030 games. Daniel and Henrik Sedin are tied for the club lead with 20 points, with Henrik logging five goals and 15 assists and Daniel Sedin posting four goals and a club-high 16 helpers. It will be emotional for myself, for sure, Daniel Sedin said of the milestone. To play this long for this franchise means a lot. Weve been through a lot, ups and downs. Weve been through everything. Vancouver is a little more up than down this season as it tries to rebound from missing the 2014 playoffs. The Canucks are third in the Pacific Division with a record of 13-6-1. They dropped a 4-3 shootout decision to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, falling to 3-1-1 in their past five games. Jannik Hansen and Radim Vrbata both scored and Bo Horvat added the first NHL goal of his career. Eddie Lack made 23 saves in defeat. You have to give the team credit, Vancouver head coach Willie Desjardins said. They came back. Its not that they didnt battle. Vancouver did suffer a blow when defenseman Dan Hamhuis was lost to a lower- body injury 1:27 into the game. His status is unknown, but he could reportedly be out for months with the ailment. Ryan Miller is expected to start in goal for the Canucks tonight and is 2-3-0 with a 2.53 goals against average and .925 save percentage in five starts against the Blackhawks. Chicago plays the third contest of a six-game swing, with the club on its annual Circus Trip. The Hawks have won the first two, beating Calgary two days before a 7-1 thumping of the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. Jonathan Toews scored twice and Marian Hossa added a goal and three assists in Chicagos third straight win and sixth in the past eight. Patrick Kane and Kris Versteeg each had a goal and an assist, while Duncan Keith and Marcus Kruger scored as well. I know weve been on the other end of games like this, said Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville. Its a lot better to be at the other side of this sort of game. Antti Raanta was slated to start last nights game, but was unable to go due to illness. No. 1 goaltender Corey Crawford stepped in and made 24 saves. It is unknown who will start for Chicago tonight. Crawford is 5-2-2 with a 2.08 GAA and .931 save percentage in his career versus the Canucks, while Raanta has faced them just once before and took a shootout loss after halting 22-of-24 shots faced. The Blackhawks won two of three versus the Canucks last season, picking up both victories in Vancouver. Clay Matthews Womens Jersey .Y. -- Dwane Casey admitted hed been concerned about his young Raptors team who had zero experience playing in close-out games -- what awaited them with the vastly-experienced Brooklyn Nets, and how theyd react. Jared Goff Youth Jersey . Hamels threw seven sharp innings to earn his 100th career victory, Domonic Brown had a career-best five RBIs and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Cincinnati Reds 12-1 on Saturday night to end a four-game losing streak. http://www.footballramsshop.us/authentic-aaron-donald-rams-jersey/ . According to the sportsbook BoDog, the Stampeders are 8/5 favourites to take home the Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on November 24. Andrew Whitworth Youth Jersey . It will mark the 22nd time the tournament has been held in this country and fourth in Atlanta Canada but will make its first appearance ever in played Nova Scotia. Kurt Warner Womens Jersey . Dallas also Monday recalled defenceman Aaron Rome from his conditioning assignment with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League and assigned goaltender Jack Campbell to the AHL squad.JARVENPAA, Finland -- Brayden Point of the Moose Jaw Warriors and Brendan Perlini of the Niagara IceDogs had a goal and an assist each as Canadas under-18 hockey team dropped a 3-2 exhibition loss to Finland on Friday. The contest was the first of two exhibitions the Canadians will play before they begin defending their world under-18 hockey tournament crown Wednesday against Sweden. It was also Canadas first game since breaking its mini training camp last week in Toronto. Head coach Kevin Dineen, who led the national womens team to Olympic gold in Russia in February, was happy with what he saw. "You can see the skillset," Dineen said. "They were getting themselves into some quality scoring positions and were deciding they wanted to be good buddies with their new teammates and make that extra pass. "I think you can take that as a critique but thats a sign we have some good character. Were a big, strong team. I like the way we skated in stretches of the game so thats a plus." However, with only 11 forwards dressed for the contest, Dineeen said fatigue eventually became a factor.dddddddddddd "We were getting a little ragged towards the end . . . we went from a fast team to a slow team quickly," Dineen said. "I think many of these players are used to playing a lot for their respective teams and sometimes that drags into shifts that are too long." Canada split its goaltending duties, with Mason McDonald of the Charlottetown Islanders not allowing a goal the first half of the contest. Brent Moran of the IceDogs came on and allowed all three Finnish goals. The Finns finished 1-of-5 on the power play while Canada was 0-for-5. Dineen said the team will take Saturday off and visit nearby Helsinki before practising Sunday. Canada faces Denmark in its final pre-tournament game Monday. "It was a good start for us," Dineen said. "Were disappointed not to get the win but at the end of it I think it was a very productive day. "It just gives us a little clearer picture of our personnel . . . it gives us an idea of what to work on as a team." ' ' '

Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - The Minnesota Timberwolves officially named Flip Saunders as the franchises new head coach on Friday. Saunders served as the Timberwolves bench boss for parts of 10 seasons from 1995-2005 and oversaw the most successful era of the franchises history, highlighted by trip to the Western Conference finals following a franchise- best 58-24 regular-season record in 2003-04. "After an exhaustive process and several thorough discussions with Flip, we came to the conclusion that he was the stabilizing force needed to lead our team," Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said in a statement. "Flip led us to our most successful seasons; he knows what it takes to win in the NBA as his track record speaks for itself." After struggling to a 25-26 record to start the 2004-05 season, the Timberwolves decided to dismiss Saunders, who returned to the organization in May 2013 as president of basketball operations. He also took a minority ownership stake in the team. "In talking to Glen, we came to the decision that this outcome would be the best for our franchise," said Saunders, who will continue to serve as the teams president of basketball operations. "I will work tirelessly to bring back the success our franchise experienced in the late 90s to early 2000s. To that end, I will assemble a diverse, experienced coaching staff that will bring out the best in our players." Saunders also spent time as head coach of the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards before his return to the Twin Cities. He has a record of 638-526 in parts of 16 seasons, including 411-326 with the Wolves. He replaces the retired Rick Adelman, who spent three seasons with the Wolves and 23 years as a head coach in the NBA. Adelman guided Minnesota to a record of 97-133, including 40-42 this past season. The Wolves missed the playoffs for the 10th straight year, but the 40 wins were the clubs most since a 44-38 mark in 2004-05. Teppo Numminen Jets Jersey . Felix Pie had an RBI double earlier in the inning, as Baltimore rallied for three runs to overcome a 3-2 deficit. J.J. Hardy had two hits and Matt Wieters chipped in with an RBI double for the Orioles, who pushed their winning streak to three games. Patrik Laine Jersey . Kalish got his first hit since Sept. 11, 2012, when he rapped an RBI triple in the first inning Sunday in the Chicago Cubs 8-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. http://www.jetsauthentic.com/authentic-dale-hawerchuk-jets-jersey/ . -- James Harden scored 31 points, including 25 in the second half, and the Houston Rockets dug out of a double-digit, first-half hole to beat the Orlando Magic 101-89 on Wednesday night. Laurent Brossoit Jets Jersey . The deal will pay Hainsey $3 million for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons and $2.5 million in 2016-17. Connor Hellebuyck Jets Jersey . Some will say that Martin is too sensitive while others will say that it is part of the way football is in the locker room. But to have to absorb what was said to him for any rational and intelligent person is too much.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Edmonton Oilers are coming off Tuesdays 6-2 home loss against Phoenix, but will look to rebound tonight at home against the Colorado Avalanche. Thursdays encounter is the first of three scheduled meetings between the Oilers and Avs this season. The Oilers have some lineup moves ahead of this game as defenceman Jeff Petry and Anton Belov will watch the game as healthy scratches. The Oilers also have claimed two straight, four of five and seven of their last 10 home games against Colorado, but Edmonton is just 3-9-0 at Rexall Place this season. Edmonton trailed the Coyotes by a slim 3-2 margin after two periods on Tuesday, but Phoenix scored three unanswered goals in the final stanza to breeze to the win. David Perron scored both goals for the Oilers, while Devan Dubnyk turned aside 27-of-33 shots. "We really unraveled there in the third," said Oilers forward Taylor Hall. "It was a close game at one point, 3-2. We let it slip away from us. That seems to be the kind of theme this year." With Ilya Bryzgalov still out with concussion-like symptoms, Dubnyk could get the start again on Thursday. Dubnyk is 7-3-1 with a 1.94 goals against average in 12 career games against Colorado, while current Oilers backup Jason LaBarbera is 2-6-0 with a 3.19 GAA in nine lifetime outings versus the Avs. The Avalanche swept a home-and-home series with Minnesota over the weekend and havent played since notching a 3-2 shootout win over the visiting Wild on Saturday. That vvictory came after Fridays 3-1 decision at Minnesota and the two-game winning streak allowed Colorado to close out November by winning five of six games.dddddddddddd Colorado also is carrying a three-game road winning streak into Thursdays tilt and the club has an impressive 9-2-0 record as the guest this season. On Saturday, Ryan OReilly beat Josh Harding through the legs in the shootout and Semyon Varlamov sealed the Avalanches 3-2 win over the Wild with a glove save at the other end. In the second game of a home-and-home, the Avalanche bounced back after giving up two goals in the last 3:27 of the third period, including Mikko Koivus tying goal with 5.7 seconds left. Koivu was one of three Minnesota skaters to be denied by Varlamov in the Avs first shootout of the season. Varlamovs glove save on Jason Pominville came after OReilly scored the shootouts only goal in the third round. Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon scored in regulation for Colorado, while Varlamov made 35 saves through overtime. It was the third time in the last five outings that the Avs have gone past regulation. They have won all three of those tilts, but Colorado doesnt want to make a habit of playing past regulation. "We have to do a better job of winning these games in regulation but at least we got the two points," said the rookie MacKinnon. "It was a good couple of games." The Avs will continue their road trip Friday in Calgary before capping the trek Sunday night in Vancouver. ' ' '

LIVERPOOL, England -- Everton defender Leighton Baines has fractured a toe on his right foot and has been ruled out for up to six weeks. The England left back was hurt in Saturdays 3-3 draw with Liverpool in the Merseyside derby when his foot was stepped on by Jordan Henderson. Baines had an X-ray over the weekend and Everton manager Roberto Martinez says "it could mean anything from missing six weeks to being back in 10 days because it depends how the fracture heals." Even if Baines is out until January, he wont miss any England games as the national team does not play again until March. Everton is seventh in the Premier League, a point behind fourth China Shoes Free Shipping . Orlandos Glen Davis tried to get in the way, only to be driven back into the padding under the basket as the Pelicans forward slammed home a windmill jam. Cheap Shoes From China . made a diving catch in left field for the final out in a 1-0 victory over the Miami Marlins in a regular-season finale Sunday. Zimmermann (14-5) allowed only two baserunners, finishing with 10 strikeouts and one walk in the fifth no-hitter in the majors this year. https://www.chinashoesshop.com/ . Less than 24 hours after the Wolves lost at home to the Mavericks, 100-98, NBA president of basketball operations Rod Thorn announced Tuesday that Kevin Love was fouled on his right arm by Shawn Marion in the closing seconds and should have been awarded two free throws. China Shoes Jordans . This week they discuss Russias mens hockey team, the ineptitude of the IOC handling the Nicklas Backstrom situation, John Tortorellas many apologies, and Canadas strong showing in curling. Fake China Shoes . Paire broke Giraldo twice and lost his serve once in both sets to wrap up the win in 1 hour, 10 minutes. He will next face Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain, who advanced when Jurgen Zopp of Estonia retired with an injury at 5-5 in the first set.GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Rod Hall stormed down the court, determined to send No. 7 Duke to another one-and-done at the ACC tournament. And then Tyler Thornton reached out and came up with the only defensive stop the Blue Devils needed. Duke held on to beat Clemson 63-62 Friday night in the ACC quarterfinals after Rodney Hood hit two free throws with 3.8 seconds left and Thornton came up with his timely stop -- the only one the Blue Devils managed in the last 5 minutes. "We wouldve lost that game a month ago, I think," Hood said. ACC rookie of the year Jabari Parker scored 18 points, and Hood had 17 for the third-seeded Blue Devils (25-7). They blew a 13-point lead with 12 minutes left before regrouping just in time to avoid joining No. 15 North Carolina and No. 11 Syracuse as ACC quarterfinal losers. Duke will play seventh-seeded North Carolina State in a semifinal Saturday. Hall scored 13 points to lead sixth-seeded Clemson (20-12), and his runner in the lane with 7.4 seconds left capped a late 15-5 run and gave the Tigers their only lead of the second half at 62-61. After Hoods free throws, Hall made it deep into the lane before Thornton stripped him a moment before the buzzer sounded. "He was coming so fast, and I was just trying not to hit him on the body," Thornton said. "And then I saw an opportunity to swipe at the ball when he went through, and I hit it." Clemson coach Brad Brownell and the rest of the Tigers staff erupted when no foul was called. Hall said he was hit "on both sides" by two defenders. "I mean, we wasnt getting calls throughout the game," Hall said. "So I didnt know how it was going to go out. Just trying to make a play." Rasheed Sulaimon added 14 points and Amile Jefferson had 13 rebounds for the Blue Devils, who narrowly avoided their third straight post-season loss at the Greensboro Coliseum. They lost their first ACC tournament game here last year to Maryland and before that were memmorably upset by 15th-seeded Lehigh in their NCAA tournament opener in 2012.dddddddddddd All-ACC guard K.J. McDaniels scored 12 points and Jordan Roper added 11 for Clemson, which trailed by nine points with less than 6 minutes remaining before its late run. "In the beginning of the second half, we kind of got a lot of stuff at the rim, and I think we shied away from that," Parker said. "We didnt really get to the line like we wanted to, and we allowed them to take advantage of our bad shots, and they would capitalize on offence when they got on the breaks because they took advantage of the bad shots we took." Damarcus Harrison and Hall hit back-to-back 3s to start the burst in which the Tigers scored on seven straight possessions. McDaniels hit a free throw with 47.7 seconds left to pull Clemson to 61-60. When Sulaimon missed a floater with about 15 seconds left, Landry Nnoko pulled down the rebound and kicked it out to Hall -- who hurried downcourt and hit his runner in the lane to briefly put the Tigers ahead. Hood then flew right back the other way, drew contact from McDaniels while attacking the basket and hit both ends of a one-and-one for the games final points. "I just got eye contact with him when he got the ball, and I said, Go," coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "I believe in Rodney. You sink or swim with him, and were still swimming. So thank goodness." Nnoko finished with 10 points for Clemson, which won the only regular-season meeting -- a 72-59 romp in January that dropped Duke to 1-2 in the league and caused a significant amount of soul-searching among the Blue Devils. The Tigers shot 67 per cent in the second half of this one to nearly knock them off again. "I couldnt be prouder of my players to show the resiliency we did throughout the game, especially the second half when it looked like we were dead again," Brownell said. "Our guys just had a lot of fight. They just kept coming." ' ' '