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Knuckleballer R. Tedy Bruschi Patriots Jersey .A.�Dickey can pitch the Toronto Blue Jays to a three-game series sweep over the Houston Astros Thursday in the finale of the midweek set at Rogers Centre. Its the eighth start of Dickeys career against the Astros, who touched him for five runs on seven hits in six innings of their last matchup in Toronto last season. Dickey did not get a decision in the game, which the Blue Jays won, 12-6. Hes split a pair of decisions in two starts against other opposition thus far in 2014, allowing six runs in a 9-2 loss at Tampa Bay and going 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a 4-0 defeat of the New York Yankees. Dickey won the National Leagues Cy Young Award with the New York Mets in 2012, then was acquired by the Blue Jays in the offseason and began 2013 with consecutive losses before ultimately turning things around and winning 14 of 27 decisions across 34 starts. Houston counters with lefty Dallas�Keuchel, who took a 5-1 loss in his first appearance of the season on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He gave up four runs and eight hits in five innings of the outing. Keuchel was very effective against Toronto in two meetings in 2013, getting a win and no-decision while allowing six runs and 14 hits in 14 1/3 innings. On Wednesday, Brett�Lawrie stroked a two-run homer to help the Blue Jays to a 7-3 victory over the Astros. Melky�Cabrera, Maicer�Izturis, and Dioner�Navarro each supplied two hits for the Blue Jays, who have won three of their last four. Brandon�Morrow (1-1) allowed three runs on five hits with nine strikeouts in six innings to earn the win. Alex�Presley hit a two-run homer and Jose�Altuve tripled in Houstons third straight loss. Starter Lucas�Harrell (0-2) gave up five runs -- four earned -- with three walks over 4 1/3 frames. Toronto was 4-3 against the Astros last season. Jamie Collins Patriots Jersey . Louis Cardinals 5-3 on Friday night and tightened the top of the NL Central. The Reds moved within three games of the second-place Cardinals, who have won seven of their last nine games while staying right behind the division-leading Brewers. Rob Ninkovich Patriots Jersey . For Kyle�Lowry, its become an accepted reality. He will be traded. The question is, when and where? The Raptors point guard is widely believed to be next on general manager Masai Ujiris chopping block after the first domino - Rudy�Gay, Lowrys best friend - fell last week.John Gibbons and a curious bear.Jose Reyes and a ferocious lynx. Adam Lind with a wolf and an eagle.Theese should all be mounted on a cabin wall. Vince Wilfork Jersey. So majestic. (h/t @MacInTheB0x) ' ' '

Toronto FC defender Michael Bradley has been withdrawn from the United States national teams line-up for�a friendly scheduled Wednesday against Ukraine in Cyprus. Michael Sam Jersey . The U.S. team said in a release that Bradley "will stay behind to receive treatment for a minor issue." Bradley, who is preparing for his first season with Toronto FC, scored a goal in the clubs 4-2 exhibition loss to Brazilian Fluminese on Saturday. The 26-year-old was brought over to Toronto FC this off-season on transfer from Serie As AS Roma for a $10 million price tag. Bradley would have been the only MLS-based player to make the trip other than Seattles Clint Dempsey. Cheap Davon Coleman Jersey .Y. -- Trevor Cooney and C. Demarcus Lawrence Cowboys Jersey . The London club made the announcement in a statement, naming the German as its new manager on an 18-month contract. While Fulhams statement failed to mention Meulensteens fate, the Dutchman later told BBC Radio 5 that he had been relieved of his duties at Fulham. BALTIMORE -- A two-game series that was scheduled to end Wednesday stretched into early Friday morning before Matt�Wieters finally put an end to the rain-marred interleague matchup between the Pirates and Orioles. Wieters led off the 10th inning with a home run off Stolmy�Pimentel to give Baltimore a 6-5 victory and a doubleheader sweep Thursday night. In the opener, Steve�Pearce had three hits and two RBIs in his return to the Orioles, who got a home run from Nick�Markakis in a 5-1 win. The single-admission doubleheader followed consecutive rainouts Tuesday and Wednesday. The rain lingered long enough to delay the fifth inning of the opener by 21 minutes, and the start of the nightcap was stalled 46 minutes by rain. The second game lasted 3 hours, 57 minutes. By the time it ended, the clock had ticked well past midnight. "Its not a late night, its an early morning," said Orioles reliever Darren�ODay, who pitched in both games. As ODay spoke, the team had 30 minutes to get ready for a trip to Minnesota for a three-game series that was to begin Friday night. "It will be a happy flight," ODay said, "so that will make it a little easier." The second game marked the season debut of Orioles third baseman Manny�Machado, who had left knee surgery in October. After sitting out the opener, Machado received a warm ovation from the crowd of 28,290 before the second game and went 0 for 5. Baltimore trailed 4-0 in the nightcap before rallying with a four-run sixth. Adam�Jones doubled in a run and scored on a single by Wieters before Pearce chased starter Brandon�Cumpton with a double to right. Bryan�Morris entered and yielded a two-run double to J.J.�Hardy. Starling�Marte countered with an RBI single in the seventh for Pittsburgh, but Markakis tied it in the bottom half with a solo shot off Morris. Wieters won it in the 10th with a drive to right off Pimentel (2-1) that soared just inside the foul pole. Tommy�Hunter (1-0) got two outs for the win. Earlier, Baltimore ace Chris�Tillman struggled through a 49-pitch first inning that could be attributed in part to a seven-day layoff. The right-hander issued three walks, two with the bases loaded, before getting three outs. Pittsburgh ended Tillmans outing in the fifth when Andrew�McCutchen doubled and scored on a triple by Gaby�Sanchez for a 3-0 lead. Pedro�Alvarez had four hits for the Pirates, finishing a home run short of the cycle. But Pittsburgh stranded 15 and went 5 for 16 with runners in scoring pposition and lost for the 15th time in 19 games. Henry Melton Jersey. "We keep fighting and fighting, and we put ourselves in scoring position and we havent been able to cash in the way we need to," manager Clint Hurdle said. "But we keep showing up. The bats were better throughout the series. ... We had men on base throughout the game, and still looking for that big hit." The first game was all about Pearce, designated for assignment by Baltimore on April 22 and released five days later. After turning down an offer from Toronto, the first baseman was re-signed Monday after Chris�Davis went on the 15-day disabled list. Pearce singled in the third, fifth and sixth innings of the opener and was solid in the field. "Stevie gave us a real lift," manager Buck Showalter said. Alvarez had two hits and an RBI for the Pirates, who stranded 13 and went 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position. The defeat ended Pittsburghs nine-game road winning streak in interleague play. Trailing 1-0 when the rain stopped play, Baltimore regrouped during the break and sent nine batters to the plate in a three-run fifth. After a single, walk and an error loaded the bases against Charlie�Morton (0-4), Pearce hit an RBI single and Ryan�Flaherty grounded an opposite-field, two-run single to left field. Pearce singled in a run in the sixth, and Markakis hit his first homer of the season in the seventh for a 5-1 lead. Orioles starter Bud�Norris (2-2) allowed one run in 5 1-3 innings, and Hunter got the last out with runners on second and third for his seventh save. Morton started well but came unhinged after the rain delay and lost his fourth consecutive start. The right-hander permitted four runs, two earned, and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings. "I kept grooving fast balls to Steve�Pearce and he kept putting good swings on them," Morton lamented. NOTES: Pittsburgh returns home to face Toronto on Friday night. ... Orioles LHP Troy�Patton returned from a 25-game suspension before the second game. Baltimore also activated Machado from the DL, and optioned INF Steve�Lombardozzi and RHP Josh�Stinson to Triple-A Norfolk. ... The last time Pittsburgh played a doubleheader on the road was in July 2011, at Washington. ... Pirates LHP Wandy�Rodriguez (right knee inflammation) allowed three runs and four hits over 3 1-3 innings in a rehabilitation assignment for Double-A Altoona against Erie. ... Baltimores rainout against Tampa Bay on April 15 was rescheduled as part of a split doubleheader on June 27. ' ' '

Our young staffers were working long hours and weekends, and it seemed foolish to me to require them all to leave for lunch, order in, or bring a paper bag with food from home. Besides, access to the White House Mess implied UGG boots sale womens that they, too, were important. The mess was a wood-paneled room with good food prepared by navy personnel. I ordered lunch from it almost every day and enjoyed going down to visit with the young people who worked in the kitchen. Once a week they served Mexican dishes I especially liked. After I left office, the mess was again closed to all but senior staff. I believe our policy was good for morale and UGG boots sale clearance productivity.

With all the extra work and fewer people to do it, we would have UGG boots sale toddler to rely more than ever not only on those junior staffers, but also on the thousand-plus volunteers who put in long hours, some of them virtually full-time. The volunteers opened the mail, sent form replies when appropriate, filled requests for information, and did countless other tasks, without which the White House would have been far less responsive to the American people. All the volunteers got in return for their efforts, apart from the satisfaction of serving, was an annual thank-you reception Hillary and I hosted for them on the UGG boots sale usa South Lawn. The White House couldnt function without them.

Besides the specific cuts I had already decided on, I was convinced that with a longer-term systematic approach, we could save a lot more money and improve government services. In Arkansas, I had initiated a Total Quality Management program UGG boots cheap that had achieved positive results. On March 3, I announced that Al Gore would lead a six-month review of all federal operations. Al took to the job like a duck to water, bringing in outside experts and consulting widely with government employees. He kept at it for eight years, helping us to eliminate hundreds of programs and 16,000 pages of regulations, to reduce the federal workforce by 300,000, making this the smallest federal government since 1960, and to save $136 million in tax money.

While we were getting organized and dealing with the controversies in the press, most of my time in January and February was devoted to filling in the details of the economic Cheap UGGS outlet plan. On Sunday, January 24, Lloyd Bentsen appeared on Meet the Press. He was supposed to give nonspecific answers to all questions regarding the details of the plan, but he went a little further than that, announcing that we would propose a consumption tax of some kind and that a broad-based energy tax was Cheap UGGS for toddlers under consideration. The next day, interest rates on the governments thirty-year bond fell from 7.29 to 7.19 percent, the lowest rate in six years.

Meanwhile, we were struggling with the budget details. All the spending cuts and taxes that raised real money were controversial. For example, when I met with Senate and House leaders on the budget, Leon Panetta suggested that we have a one-time three-month delay in increasing the Social Security cost-of-living allowance. Most experts agreed that the COLA was too high, given the Cheap UGGS sale low rate of inflation, and the delay would save $15 billion over five years. Senator Mitchell said that the suggested delay was regressive and unfair, and that he couldnt support it. Neither would the other senators. Wed have to find that $15 billion elsewhere.

Over the weekend of January 3031, I brought the cabinet and senior White House staff to Camp David, the presidential retreat in Marylands Catoctin Mountains. Camp David is a beautiful wooded site, with comfortable cabins and recreational facilities, staffed by men and women Cheap UGGS with bow from the navy and the Marine Corps. It was the perfect setting for us to get to know one another better and talk about the year ahead. I also invited Stan Greenberg, Paul Begala, and Mandy Grunwald. They felt that they had been shut out of the transition, and that an obsession with the deficit had overtaken every other objective I had advanced in the campaign. They thought Al and I were courting disaster by UGG boots sale disregarding the deeper concerns and interests of the people who had elected us. I sympathized with them. For one thing, they hadnt been in on the hours of discussions that led most of us to the conclusion that if we didnt deal with the deficit, we couldnt achieve sustained strong growth and that my other campaign commitments, at least those that cost money, would die in the stagnant backwater of a sluggish economy.

I let Mandy and Stan start the discussion. Mandy outlined the anxiety of the middle class about jobs, retirement, health care, and UGG Boots uk kids education. Stan said that voters most important concerns were, in order, jobs, health-care reform, welfare reform, and then deficit reduction, and that if deficit reduction was going to require the middle class to pay more taxes, I had darn sure better do something else for them. Hillary then described how wed failed in Arkansas in my first term by doing too many things at once, without a clear story line and an effort to prepare people for a long, sustained struggle. Then she told them about the success wed had the second time around, by focusing on one or two issues every two years, and laying UGGS on sale womens out long-term goals, along with short-term benchmarks of progress against which we could be judged. That kind of approach, she said, enabled me to develop a story line people could understand and support. In response, someone pointed out that we couldnt develop a story line as long as we were awash in leaks, all of which concerned UGGS on sale cheap the most controversial proposals. After the weekend, the consultants tried to come up with a communications strategy that would take us beyond the daily leaks and controversies.

The rest of the retreat was devoted to more informal, personal conversations. On Saturday night there was a session, run by a facilitator who was a friend of Al Gores, in which we were supposed to bond by sitting in a UGGS on sale bailey bow group, taking turns telling something about ourselves the others didnt know. Though the exercise got mixed reviews, I actually enjoyed it, and managed to confess that, as a child, I was overweight Cheap UGGS and often ridiculed. Lloyd Bentsen thought the whole exercise was silly and went back to his cabin; if there was something about him the rest of us didnt know, it was intentional. Bob Rubin stayed, but said he didnt have anything to sayapparently such group unburdening wasnt the key to his success at Goldman Sachs. Warren Christopher did participate, probably because he was the most disciplined man on the planet and thought this baby-boomer version of Chinese water torture would somehow strengthen his already considerable character. All in all, the weekend was helpful, but the real bonding would come in the fires of the struggles, victories, and defeats that lay ahead.

On Sunday night, we were back in the White House to host the annual National Governors Association dinner. It was Hillarys first formal event as First Lady, and she was nervous, but it went well. The UGG Boots uk sale governors were concerned about the economy, which diminished state revenues, forcing them to cut services, raise taxes, or both. They understood the necessity of reducing the deficit, but didnt want it to come at their expense, in the form of responsibilities shifting from the federal government to the states without funds being provided to pay for UGG Boots uk on sale them.

On February 5, I signed my first bill into law, keeping another campaign commitment. With the Family and Medical Leave Act, the United States at last joined more than 150 other countries in guaranteeing workers some time off when a baby is born or a family member is sick. The bills principal sponsor, my longtime friend Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut, had worked for years to enact it. President Bush had vetoed it twice, saying it would prove too UGG Boots uk outlet burdensome for business. While the legislation had some strong Republican supporters, most Republicans had voted against it for the same reason. I believed that family leave would be good for the economy. With most parents in the workforce, by choice or necessity, it is imperative that Americans be able to do well both on the job and at home. People who are worried about their infants or their sick parents are less productive than those who go to work knowing theyve done right by their families. During my time as President, more than thirty-five million people would take advantage of the Family and Medical Leave law.

In the next eight years, and even after I left office, more people would UGG Boots uk cheap mention it to me than any other bill I signed. Many of their stories were powerful. Early one Sunday morning, when I came in from my jog, I ran into a family touring the White House. One of the children, a teenage girl, was in a wheelchair and obviously very ill. I greeted them and said that if theyd wait for me to shower and UGG Boots uk online get dressed for church, Id take them into the Oval Office for a picture. They waited and we had a good visit. I especially enjoyed my talk with the brave young girl. As I walked away, her father grabbed my arm and turned me around, saying, My little girl is probably not going to make it. The last three weeks Ive spent with her have been the most important of my life. I couldnt have done it without the family leave law.

In early 2001, when I took my first shuttle flight from New York to Washington as a private citizen, one of the flight attendants told me that both her parents had been desperately ill at the same time, one with cancer, the other with Alzheimers. She said there was no one to care for them in their last days except her and her UGG boots outlet store sister, and they wouldnt have been able to do it without the family leave law. You know, the Republicans are always talking about family values, she said, but I think how your parents UGG boots outlet online die is an important part of family values.

On February 11, as we worked to finish the economic plan, I finally got an attorney general, having decided, after a false start or two, on Janet Reno, the prosecuting attorney of Dade County, Florida. I had known about and admired Janets work for years, especially her innovative drug courts, which gave first-time offenders the chance to avoid going to jail if they agreed to undergo drug treatment and check in regularly with the court. My brother-in-law Hugh Rodham had worked in the Miami drug court as an attorney with the public defenders office. At his invitation, I had attended two sessions of the court myself in the 1980s, and was struck by the unusual but effective way the prosecutor, defense lawyer, and judge worked together to convince the defendants that this UGG boots outlet clearance was their last opportunity to stay out of prison. The program was very successful, with a much lower recidivism rate than the prison system, at far less cost to the taxpayers. In the campaign, I had pledged to support federal funding to establish drug courts based on the Miami model all across the country.

Senator UGG boots outlet uk Bob Graham gave Reno a glowing endorsement when I called him. So did my friend Diane Blair, who had gone to Cornell with her thirty years earlier. So did Vince Foster, who was a very good judge of people. After he interviewed Janet, he UGG Boots uk called me and said in his droll way, I think weve got a live one. Reno also was immensely popular with her constituents, based on her reputation as a no-nonsense, tough but fair prosecutor. She was a native Floridian, about six feet tall, and had never married. Public service was her life, and she had performed it well. I thought she could strengthen the often-frayed relationships between federal law enforcement and its state and local counterparts. It concerned me a little that, like me, she was a stranger to Washingtons ways, but in Miami she had had extensive experience working with federal authorities on immigration and narcotics cases, and I thought she would learn enough to get along.

Over the weekend, we worked hard to finish the economic plan. Paul Begala had come to work in the White House a couple of weeks earlier, in large measure to help me explain what I was about to do in a way that was consistent with my campaign message of restoring opportunity for the middle class, something he UGG Boots Clearance believed most members of the economic team didnt care enough about. Begala felt that the entire team should stress three points: that deficit reduction is not an end in itself, but the means to achieve the real objectiveseconomic growth, more jobs, and higher incomes; that our plan represented a UGG Boots Clearance for women fundamental change in the way government had been working, ending the irresponsibility and unfairness of the past by asking the wealthy big corporations, and other special interests UGG boots outlet online that had benefited disproportionately from the tax cuts and deficits of the 1980s to pay their fair share of cleaning up the mess; and that we should not say we were asking people to sacrifice but to contribute to Americas renewal, a more patriotic and positive formulation. Begala wrote a memo containing his arguments and suggesting a new theme: Its NOT the deficit, stupid. Gene Sperling, Bob Reich, and George Stephanopoulos agreed with Paul, and were glad UGG boots outlet to have some inside help in arguing the message.

While all this was going on in public, we were struggling hard with some big questions. By far the largest was whether to include health-care reform along with the economic plan in the omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. There was a compelling argument for doing so: first, the budget, unlike all other legislation, isnt subject to the filibuster rule, UGG boots outlet the Senate practice that allows just forty-one senators to kill any bill by debating it to death, blocking a vote until the Senate has to move on to other business. Since the Senate had forty-four Republicans, the probability that they would at least try to filibuster health care was high.

TORONTO � His teammates have said all the right things. Coby Fleener Jersey . Theyve defended him, branded the furious finger-pointing as unfair and claimed that they, not he alone, were responsible for the anxious beginnings of a slide that nearly and may still sweep them out of the playoff picture in the East. With Jonathan�Bernier sidelined for the remainder of the regular season � he has an MCL strain in his left knee and will be out three weeks � the Maple Leafs will turn once more to the beleaguered, doubted and frequently dissected James�Reimer in what may be his final days as a Leaf. But their�goal of reviving playoff hopes that simmer tepidly with four games left dont rest solely on his 26-year-old shoulders. "Now its about time we have his back and step up to the plate," said Nazem�Kadri defiantly after a much-needed overtime win against Boston on Thursday night. That wasnt the case the first time around. Reimer, who hasnt won a start in more than two and a half months, may have struggled badly in his first rescue attempt for Bernier last month � he posted an .871 save percentage in five starts (all losses) � but he was deserted on an island through much of the wreckage. Of the 18 goals he allowed in relief of his younger counterpart, four came via breakaway, two via odd-man rush and two more from the back-door with little to no opportunity for a save. "At that point when we were losing the team in front of him just couldnt bring it together and figure things out and obviously the goalies left out there to dry by himself," Kadri said. "We didnt play too good as a team," Carl�Gunnarsson concurred. "We didnt help him out." That will have to change, starting Saturday when the Leafs host the Jets in the final regular season game at the ACC this spring. Trailing Detroit and Columbus for the final two wild card positions in the East, their hopes cannot rest on Reimer alone � especially at a point when his confidence has sunk to its lowest at the NHL level. Improvement isnt likely to magically appear in the teams defensive play � a struggle from start to finish � but the glut of glaring and often fatal mistakes needs to be kept to a minimum. Errors like two-time Rocket Richard winner Steven�Stamkos being left alone to score three goals or Gustav�Nyquist burning away for a pair of breakaway markers on the same night. Until recently, Bernier proved an acrobat at masking such deficiencies, piling up eight wins when he faced more than 40 shots in a game this season. Those theatrics, however, have evolved into expectation in Toronto, an unfair burden that became Reimers to shoulder when Bernier went down with a groin injury last month. The situation may have bubbled over in Detroit on Mar. 18. It was after that game against the Red Wings � a 3-2 loss for the Leafs � that head coach Randy Carlyle described his struggling goaltenders performance as "okay, just okay", comments that ignited a firestorm back home. While he later downplayed the remarks � addressing them with Reimer personally a day later � Carlyles blunt post-game observation seemed to ignore the manner in which Reimer was beat that night � two of the three goals came via the Nyquist breakaway, the third circa the odd-man rush � and thereby singled out the goaltender on a night when he was left alone on far too many occasions. It was the culmination of doubt which has surrounded Reimer upon his landing in Toronto for good in January 2011. "Its a non-issue as far as were concerned," Carlyle said Friday of the since quieted controversy. Reimer hasnt won a start since Jan. 21. Like his teammates, his level will need to rise substantially from where its been for the Leafs to have any hope of spicing up a late season race. For all the follies of those around him during the spiral last month, he could not deliver the one or two timely, game-changing saves needed most nights for success. That will have to change in the days ahead. A restricted free agent and almost certainly playing elsewhere next season, Reimer wondered before Thursdays surprise relief appearance if he had seen his last game as a Leaf. Now comes one final (in all likelihood) opportunity to exit on a positive and perhaps even uplifting note � if he and the Leafs can somehow defy the odds and get into the playoffs. "Honestly right now theres lots of thoughts swirling in your head about a lot of things," he said ahead of a clash with the Jets, "but now its just time to stop the puck.� It doesnt really matter what transpires after the season or all that white noise per se. All Im trying to do is just play my best, get those two points (Saturday), and then go on to Florida. Try not to think about other stuff." "Ive had a lot of success in the past and had to carry the load in different scenarios and Ive been successful in that. I feel confident." Greg Toler Womens Jersey . Hoefl-Rieschs exit � from the downhill course into safety nets, then airlifted from the slope by helicopter � left Anna Fenninger of Austria favourite to win her first giant crystal trophy one month after becoming an Olympic champion. Erik Walden Womens Jersey . Almost 18 months after Armstrongs seven Tour wins were wiped from the record, an independent panel created by the new International Cycling Union leadership has begun work to discover the extent of the sports past problems. White Sox rookie first baseman Jose Abreu came to major league baseball with some hype, as many Cubans do, but there wasnt any expectation for the kind of first month that hes enjoying. 27-years-old with a power-hitters build (listed at 6-foot-3, 255 pounds), Abreu has roared into the majors, with 10 home runs, 31 RBI, a .262 batting average and .962 OPS in his first 26 games. As with any one-month sample, these numbers arent sustainable, but what is fair to expect from Abreu? For one thing, his batting average on balls in play is .246, which is well below average, so it would be fair to expect his batting average to go up as a few more balls fall in, but hes also had a major-league best 33.3% of his flyballs leave the park, which isnt going to hold. Over the past five seasons, there have been two seasons in which a player finished with more than 27% of his flyballs turning into home runs -- Adam�Dunn in 2012 (29.3%) and Chris�Davis in 2013 (29.6%) -- so Abreu is most likely to fall off his current 62-home run pace. No, seriously. What will bear watching with Abreu is how pitchers adjust to him as he makes his way through the league. He swings at a lot of pitches out of the strike zone and hes already seeing among thelowest percentage of strikes when hes at the plate, so pitchers are learning. Its also interesting to note that, thus far, while Abreu destroys fastballs and sliders, hes struggled with change-ups. If thats the scouting report, surely hell start seeing more change-ups, if just to affect his timing. At this point, 14.5% of the pitches Abreu has faced have been change-ups; it will be interesting to see if that number increases over the next month or more. None of this anticipated regression should come as a surprise, merely as a caution. Pat McAfee Jersey. Baseball tends to catch up to sluggers, especially ones that are willing to expand their strike zone by swinging freely. GOOD ADDS (available in at least 40% of TSN leagues) Nick�Castellanos, 3B, Detroit - 3 HR, 13 RBI, .258 AVG, 7 R, 66 AB (Available: 71.6%) Dioner�Navarro, C, Toronto - 1 HR, 14 RBI, .309 AVG, 11 R, 81 AB (Available: 89.6%) Alberto�Callaspo, 3B/2B, Oakland - 3 HR, 13 RBI, .272 AVG, 9 R, 81 AB (Available: 74.6%) Casey�McGehee, 3B, Miami - 0 HR, 16 RBI, .287 AVG, 5 R, 94 AB (Available: 75.8%) Dillon�Gee, RHP, N.Y. Mets - 2-1, 2.88 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 27 K, 40 2/3 IP (Available: 65.7%) Ian�Kennedy, RHP, San Diego - 2-3, 3.16 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 37 K, 37 IP (Available: 76.2%) CLOSER NOTES The Angels have demoted Ernesto�Frieri, leaving side-arming veteran Joe�Smith for the role. Smith, 30, recorded the first three saves of his career last season for Cleveland. While hes not the classic fire-balling closer, Smith has managed to miss bats this year, striking out 11 in 10 innings, the best rate of his career. Pirates closer Jason�Grilli is on the DL with a strained oblique. Mark�Melancon, who has 37 career saves, takes over. Melancon has been really good for the Pirates over the past couple seasons, posting a 1.41 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 84 games, striking out 79 in 83 innings. If the Pirates are in position to win games, Melancon is qualified to close them out. 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. ' ' '

Toronto FC defender Michael Bradley has been withdrawn from the United States national teams line-up for�a friendly scheduled Wednesday against Ukraine in Cyprus. Marques Colston Jersey . The U.S. team said in a release that Bradley "will stay behind to receive treatment for a minor issue." Bradley, who is preparing for his first season with Toronto FC, scored a goal in the clubs 4-2 exhibition loss to Brazilian Fluminese on Saturday. The 26-year-old was brought over to Toronto FC this off-season on transfer from Serie As AS Roma for a $10 million price tag. Bradley would have been the only MLS-based player to make the trip other than Seattles Clint Dempsey. Morten Andersen Womens Jersey . Sean�Monahan scored two goals, including the overtime winner, as the Flames snapped a two-game losing skid with a 2-1 victory over the Oilers in a game between two of the NHLs current lesser lights. Rafael Bush Womens Jersey . The Kings have gone 6-0-3 over their last nine games despite having been held to three goals or fewer in eight of 10 contests this month. Los Angeles has failed to score more than two goals six times in that span.The San Jose Sharks signed defenceman Jason�Demers to a two-year contract on Wednesday. The 26-year-old scored five goals and added 29 assists in 75 games with the Sharks last season. "Jason has been a solid, offensive defenseman and is coming off a good season," general manager Doug Wilson said in a statement.. Shayne Graham Womens Jersey. "His skill set and his age mesh well within our overall group and were happy to have him signed for two more years." In 280 career NHL games with the Sharks, Demers has scored 16 goals and tallied 75 assists. Demers was drafted in the seventh round, 186th overall, of the 2008 NHL Draft. ' ' '

BUFFALO, N. Fergie Jenkins Authentic Jersey .Y. -- Contract talks between the Bills and safety Jairus�Byrd were at a standstill on Sunday, a day before Buffalo faces a deadline to apply the franchise tag on the three-time Pro Bowl selection. People familiar with the situation told The Associated Press talks have stalled and no further discussions are scheduled after the Bills made a lucrative, multiyear offer to Byrd. Without revealing the full value and length of the offer, one person said Byrd would have been paid about $30 million over the contracts first three seasons. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because neither side has publicly discussed negotiations. Unless a deal is reached, the Bills have until 4 p.m. Monday to apply the franchise tag on Byrd and retain the players rights before he would be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on March 11. The Bills took that approach last off-season, which led to Byrd playing under a one-year, $6.9 million franchise tag. The price for Buffalo to do so again would increase to about $8.4 million this year. Byrd has been Buffalos best defensive back since being selected in the second round of the 2009 draft out of Oregon. He enjoyed a breakout season as a rookie, when he finished tied for the NFL lead with nine interceptions -- a rookie franchise record. Last year, Byrd finished tied for the team lead with four interceptions, and added a sack and a forced fumble despite missing the entire off-season before reporting to the team in late August, when he accepted his one-year contract. Byrd then missed the first five games of the season because of plantar fasciitis in both feet. Despite the time he missed, Byrd still earned his third Pro Bowl selection. Byrd has 22 interceptions and 11 forced fumbles in 73 career games. Ernie Banks Authentic Jersey . -- Amid stories about Jeremy�Lin and the upcoming all-star game, the Detroit Pistons have quietly become one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Andre Dawson Jersey . Ames was unanimously named for induction into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame on Wednesday, becoming the 74th member of the countrys golfs shrine.CHICAGO - Henry�Sims can see the growth and hes not referring to the stack of losses. The Philadelphia 76ers skid continued and so did their march toward the wrong kind of record. They have dropped 24 straight after losing 91-81 to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. But Sims can at least see some positives. "Were learning to play better with each other," he said. "Were learning to make better decisions down the stretch. Were growing right now, and thats the main focus right now. The games we have left, we want to keep growing." They wouldnt mind stopping the losing streak, either, but the Bulls werent about to let that happen. Joakim�Noah finished with 20 points, Jimmy�Butler scored 17, and Chicago handed the 76ers yet another loss to put them within two of the NBA record. The Sixers moved ahead of the Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-96), Denver Nuggets (1997-98) and Charlotte Bobcats (2011-12) for the second-longest, single-season losing streak. The Cleveland Cavaliers dropped 26 during the 2010-11 season, and Philadelphia would have to pull off an upset to avoid tying that. The next two games are at San Antonio and Houston. Drop them, and the Sixers could set the record at home against Detroit on March 29, particularly if they continue to shoot like this from the outside. They missed their first 18 3-pointers and were threatening a league record before Byron�Mullens made one early in the fourth. They wound up going 1 for 20. The mark for most 3-point attempts in a game without a conversion is 15. "We were 1 for 20 � what do you say?" coach Brett Brown asked. "Its going to be hard. I thought our defence was really quite good. Its always going to be hard if you cant make perimeter shots. This group has struggled doing that, and so, finding wins and finding ways to stay in games is always going to be a challenge." Despite that, they hung in until Taj�Gibson buried a jumper and D.J.�Augustin nailed a 3 with 2:30 remaining. That mmade it 91-79 and sealed the win for the Bulls, who moved into a tie for third in the Eastern Conference with Toronto. Welington Castillo Cubs Jersey. Noah and Butler each had eight rebounds, with Butler dishing out six assists. Gibson came on strong in the fourth quarter to finish with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Augustin added 16 points and six assists, and the Bulls came away with the win after losing at Indiana the previous night. "Its tough," he said. "(The 76ers) come out and they have nothing to lose. Basically, they just come out shooting whenever they feel and some of those shots go in. Its hard for anybody to play against a team thats losing, but theyre still a good team at the same time." Thaddeus�Young scored 28 for Philadelphia despite missing seven 3-pointers. Sims added 18 points and 15 rebounds, but the Sixers remained winless since Jan. 29. It didnt help that they were missing Tony�Wroten, one of their few bright spots in this lost season. He sprained his right ankle in Fridays one-point loss at home to the New York Knicks and did not travel with the team. "Theres a win in this group," Brown said. "We will continue to fight and continue to stay together. Im just thrilled, Im proud of their ability, their character, to stay together in whats clearly difficult times." Notes: Brown said Wroten will miss all three games on the trip. ... Brown had high praise for Noah before the game, saying he hopes Nerlens�Noel develops like him. "Every time I see Joakim, I hope I see what were going to get in Nerlens," Brown said. "Hes one of the prime examples I point to as we try and groom a young player." Noel was taken with the sixth pick in the draft last spring despite a torn ACL in his left knee. He has not played this season. ... Houston (at Orlando, March 30, 1991), Golden State (against Indiana, Dec. 6, 1996) and Milwaukee (against Phoenix, Jan. 22, 2002) share the record for 3s attempted without a conversion in a game. ' ' '

BUFFALO, N. Fergie Jenkins Authentic Jersey .Y. -- Contract talks between the Bills and safety Jairus�Byrd were at a standstill on Sunday, a day before Buffalo faces a deadline to apply the franchise tag on the three-time Pro Bowl selection. People familiar with the situation told The Associated Press talks have stalled and no further discussions are scheduled after the Bills made a lucrative, multiyear offer to Byrd. Without revealing the full value and length of the offer, one person said Byrd would have been paid about $30 million over the contracts first three seasons. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because neither side has publicly discussed negotiations. Unless a deal is reached, the Bills have until 4 p.m. Monday to apply the franchise tag on Byrd and retain the players rights before he would be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on March 11. The Bills took that approach last off-season, which led to Byrd playing under a one-year, $6.9 million franchise tag. The price for Buffalo to do so again would increase to about $8.4 million this year. Byrd has been Buffalos best defensive back since being selected in the second round of the 2009 draft out of Oregon. He enjoyed a breakout season as a rookie, when he finished tied for the NFL lead with nine interceptions -- a rookie franchise record. Last year, Byrd finished tied for the team lead with four interceptions, and added a sack and a forced fumble despite missing the entire off-season before reporting to the team in late August, when he accepted his one-year contract. Byrd then missed the first five games of the season because of plantar fasciitis in both feet. Despite the time he missed, Byrd still earned his third Pro Bowl selection. Byrd has 22 interceptions and 11 forced fumbles in 73 career games. Ernie Banks Authentic Jersey . -- Amid stories about Jeremy�Lin and the upcoming all-star game, the Detroit Pistons have quietly become one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Andre Dawson Jersey . Ames was unanimously named for induction into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame on Wednesday, becoming the 74th member of the countrys golfs shrine.CHICAGO - Henry�Sims can see the growth and hes not referring to the stack of losses. The Philadelphia 76ers skid continued and so did their march toward the wrong kind of record. They have dropped 24 straight after losing 91-81 to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. But Sims can at least see some positives. "Were learning to play better with each other," he said. "Were learning to make better decisions down the stretch. Were growing right now, and thats the main focus right now. The games we have left, we want to keep growing." They wouldnt mind stopping the losing streak, either, but the Bulls werent about to let that happen. Joakim�Noah finished with 20 points, Jimmy�Butler scored 17, and Chicago handed the 76ers yet another loss to put them within two of the NBA record. The Sixers moved ahead of the Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-96), Denver Nuggets (1997-98) and Charlotte Bobcats (2011-12) for the second-longest, single-season losing streak. The Cleveland Cavaliers dropped 26 during the 2010-11 season, and Philadelphia would have to pull off an upset to avoid tying that. The next two games are at San Antonio and Houston. Drop them, and the Sixers could set the record at home against Detroit on March 29, particularly if they continue to shoot like this from the outside. They missed their first 18 3-pointers and were threatening a league record before Byron�Mullens made one early in the fourth. They wound up going 1 for 20. The mark for most 3-point attempts in a game without a conversion is 15. "We were 1 for 20 � what do you say?" coach Brett Brown asked. "Its going to be hard. I thought our defence was really quite good. Its always going to be hard if you cant make perimeter shots. This group has struggled doing that, and so, finding wins and finding ways to stay in games is always going to be a challenge." Despite that, they hung in until Taj�Gibson buried a jumper and D.J.�Augustin nailed a 3 with 2:30 remaining. That mmade it 91-79 and sealed the win for the Bulls, who moved into a tie for third in the Eastern Conference with Toronto. Welington Castillo Cubs Jersey. Noah and Butler each had eight rebounds, with Butler dishing out six assists. Gibson came on strong in the fourth quarter to finish with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Augustin added 16 points and six assists, and the Bulls came away with the win after losing at Indiana the previous night. "Its tough," he said. "(The 76ers) come out and they have nothing to lose. Basically, they just come out shooting whenever they feel and some of those shots go in. Its hard for anybody to play against a team thats losing, but theyre still a good team at the same time." Thaddeus�Young scored 28 for Philadelphia despite missing seven 3-pointers. Sims added 18 points and 15 rebounds, but the Sixers remained winless since Jan. 29. It didnt help that they were missing Tony�Wroten, one of their few bright spots in this lost season. He sprained his right ankle in Fridays one-point loss at home to the New York Knicks and did not travel with the team. "Theres a win in this group," Brown said. "We will continue to fight and continue to stay together. Im just thrilled, Im proud of their ability, their character, to stay together in whats clearly difficult times." Notes: Brown said Wroten will miss all three games on the trip. ... Brown had high praise for Noah before the game, saying he hopes Nerlens�Noel develops like him. "Every time I see Joakim, I hope I see what were going to get in Nerlens," Brown said. "Hes one of the prime examples I point to as we try and groom a young player." Noel was taken with the sixth pick in the draft last spring despite a torn ACL in his left knee. He has not played this season. ... Houston (at Orlando, March 30, 1991), Golden State (against Indiana, Dec. 6, 1996) and Milwaukee (against Phoenix, Jan. 22, 2002) share the record for 3s attempted without a conversion in a game. ' ' '

Toronto FCs forward ranks may have taken a severe hit on Monday with Nigerian striker Bright Dike reportedly suffering a torn Achilles. Dwight Lowery Black Jersey . The 27-year-old suffered the injury while training with Toronto FC, according to Goal.com. The injury is expected to keep him out for the year and will prevent him from participating in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Although behind the likes of Jermain Defoe and Gilberto on FCs forward depth chart, Dike was believed to be an important bench piece for the newly-remodeled Toronto squad. He was a candidate for Nigerias World Cup team, having�been recalled for the teams World Cup qualification playoff against Ethiopia as well as having scored a goal in a November friendly against Italy.� Dike had previously suffered a similar injury just two years ago while playing with the Portland Timbers. He scored one goal in�seven appearances (five starts) with Toronto FC in 2013. Joplo Bartu Jersey . Ulissi made his move inside the final 300 metres, bursting out of the peloton to edge Robert Kiserlovski for a second stage win in the race. Wilco Kelderman was third on the 179-kilometre (111-mile) leg from Foligno to Montecopiolo, which had two category one climbs, including the final ascent to the finish. Tony Gonzalez Black Jersey .C. -- If this was Jabari Parkers last home game at Duke, what a farewell it was.The Montreal Canadiens seemingly swooped in at the final hour to acquire winger Thomas�Vanek in an effort to improve their playoff chances. Vanek is expected to make his Habs debut�tonight when the club looks to push its unbeaten streak over the Phoenix Coyotes to 15 straight games. Canadiens defenceman Josh�Gorges is returning to Montreal on Thursday to have�a hand injury reevaluated by team doctors. Watch the game live on TSN Habs tonight at 9pm et/10pm at. You can also listen to�the game live on TSN Radio Montreal 690. The Canadiens posted a 4-3 shootout win over the NHL-leading Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night hours after getting Vanek from the New York Islanders in exchange for prospect Sebastian�Collberg. Montreal will also part with a 2014 second-round pick should it make the playoffs while also getting a fifth rounder back from New York. That seems like a safe bet with Vanek in the fold. The 30-year-old Austrian winger is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer, but he could help Montreal in its push to the playoffs this spring. Vanek has 21 goals and 32 assists over 60 games this season with the Islanders and Buffalo Sabres. "The most important thing is to make the playoffs and right now I have a chance to do so. This is why we play," Vanek said on Montreals website. "Anything can happen in the playoffs, especially when you have a goalie like Carey�Price, who I think is one of the best in the league. Ive played with Ryan�Miller and Carey is just as good." Montreals win last night has the club in second place in the Atlantic Division with 77 points, three ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs and four up on the fourth-place Tampa Bay Lightning. While Vanek mentioned playing with Price, the Habs netminder has missed all five games since the league resumed action following a break for the Winter Olympics. Price aggravated a lower-body injury during that tournament and it is unknown when he will return to action. Peter�Budaj started the first four games in Prices absence and finally got a game off last night. Dustin�Tokarski made his first NHL appearance of the season and stopped 39 shots before halting four of the six skaters he faced in the shootout. Devin Hester Red Jersey. After Saku�Koivu failed on his attempt for Anaheim in the tiebreakers sixth round, Andrei�Markov fired a shot that beat Ducks goaltender Jonas�Hiller five-hole to improve the Habs to 6-1-1 in their last eight games. "He played unbelievable," Markov said of Tokarskis play. "He made great saves to keep us in the game." Brendan�Gallagher registered a goal and an assist, while Max�Pacioretty and Brian�Gionta also scored for the Canadiens, who were coming off a 2-1 setback in Los Angeles on Monday that opened a four-game road trip. The swing ends on Saturday versus San Jose. Budaj is likely to return to net tonight and is 8-3-3 lifetime versus the Coyotes with a 2.70 goals against average. Montreal will try to avoid its first loss in this series since a setback on the road on Dec. 9, 1998. The Canadiens have gone 11-0-0 with three ties in the 14 meetings since, winning five times and posting one tie in the desert over that span. The Coyotes can ill-afford to see that winless streak extended as they come in one point back of the Dallas Stars for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. Phoenix snapped a four-game slide on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Antoine�Vermettes 22nd of the season, scored in the first period provided Mike�Smith with the only support he would need, as the 31-year-old netminder turned aside 23 shots, 11 in the third period, to secure his third shutout of the season and 27th of his career. "It was kind of a sloppy hockey game, but we won," Phoenix head coach Dave Tippett said. "Thats all we need right now." The Coyotes finish off a three-game homestand tonight before hitting the road for four in a row and should have Martin�Erat in the lineup tonight after picking up the winger in a trade with the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. Erat notched one goal and 23 assists in 53 games with the Caps this season. Smith is 2-1-3 with a 2.22 GAA in seven career meetings with the Canadiens. ' ' '

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Texas A&M was finally back to full strength on Wednesday night. Jerraud Powers Cardinals Jersey . It wasnt enough to get past No. 4 Kansas. Elijah Johnson scored 21 points and Tyshawn Taylor made key plays down the stretch to help Kansas fight off a late run by the Aggies for a 66-58 victory. Kansas (23-5, 13-2 Big 12) led by as many as 21 points in the second half before a big run by the Aggies got them within striking distance. It was the first game in month where the Aggies played with top players Khris Middleton and Dash Harris, who both missed significant time this season with injuries. "It was just good to be out there tonight with my teammates," Harris said. "I just wanted to wait until I was healthy enough to do some of the things I do best, which is run the floor, play hard defensively. And I think I was able to do some of those things tonight." A 3-pointer by Harris cut the Kansas lead to four points, but Taylor made the first of two free throws to leave Kansas ahead 61-56 with about a minute remaining. Johnson added a free throw before Thomas Robinson fouled out on a technical he received Kevin Minter Jersey . Louis Cardinals 5-3 on Friday night and tightened the top of the NL Central. The Reds moved within three games of the second-place Cardinals, who have won seven of their last nine games while staying right behind the division-leading Brewers. Frostee Rucker Authentic Jersey . Kershaw allowed one run in 6 2-3 innings of a 3-1 victory over Arizona in the March 22 opener at Sydney. The two-time NL Cy Young Award In the process, the reigning NL Cy Young winner strained a back muscle and went on the DL for the first time in his major league career.DALLAS -- Patty�Mills is a shooter no matter when he goes into the game. The San Antonio guard showed it in yet another win over the Dallas Mavericks. Mills scored 26 points starting in place of Tony�Parker and the Spurs moved to the brink of the top seed in the Western Conference while likely forcing the Mavericks into a must-win situation with their playoff hopes by beating Dallas 109-100 on Thursday night. Making his second start of the season and seventh of his career with Parker nursing a bad back, Mills had 11 points and a pair of steals in the third quarter when the Spurs turned a two-point deficit into an 11-point lead. "Whether I start or come off the bench, theres a mentality," said Mills, who fell six points short of his season high on 25 shots -- one shy of the most hes taken this season. "Shooting shots is the same." The Spurs beat the Mavericks for the ninth straight time in the regular season, a streak that has lasted more than two years. Tim�Duncan had 20 points and 15 rebounds after leaving briefly in the first quarter because of a hyperextended right knee. Kawhi�Leonard added 16 points, a career-high 16 rebounds and five assists. Monta�Ellis led Dallas with 24 points and Dirk�Nowitzki had 19. Even with Parker back in San Antonio, the Texas rivals looked like the old playoff foes they are in an entertaining game with both teams trying to lock up their post-season plans. The Spurs are in, and the defending conference champions are just a win or an Oklahoma City loss away from securing the top seed in the West. The Mavericks (48-32) are in a scrum with Phoenix and Memphis -- their opponents in the final two games -- for the final two playoff spots a year after missing the post-season for the first time since 2000. Dallas is in a virtual tie with the Suns (47-31) and a game ahead of the Grizzlies (46-32). Both opponents have four games in the last six days of the season, with Phoenix coming to Dallas on Saturday night to finish a back-to-back that starts in San Antonio. "Obviously, Saturdays huge for us," said Devin�Harris, who had eight points but was just 1 of 8 from the field. "Weve got to come out witth that type of effort, knowing that our seasons on the line and its a game that we must have. Patrick Peterson Authentic Jersey. " The Spurs had a scary moment early when Duncan crumpled to the court holding his right knee and stayed down for a Dallas possession at the other end. When the Spurs got the game stopped with 5:58 left in the first quarter, he headed for a tunnel but emerged a few minutes later and returned to the game. "It really wasnt that bad," Duncan said. "It just scared me more than anything." Parker missed his second straight game after leaving early in a win over Memphis on Sunday. The Spurs trailed by as many as 28 points and never led in a 19-point loss to Minnesota without Parker, but Mills started in place of Cory�Joseph and took over against the Mavericks. Mills had eight points on an 11-0 first-half spurt that lasted just a minute and a half and answered a 14-2 run by Dallas to put San Antonio back in front by five. After Duncan, Leonard and Danny�Green keyed a 9-2 run to start the second half, Mills scored 11 of the next 13 San Antonio points capped by a 3-pointer for a 71-60 lead midway through the third quarter. "Hes always aggressive," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Hes not going to get a whole lot of rebounds or stop a whole lot of people, but hes going to shoot it. Thats what his skill is. Mills was 6 of 11 from 3-point range, and Green hit three from beyond the arc in the first 5 minutes and finished with 15 points as the Spurs matched their season high with 16 from long range on a season-high 34 attempts. "We just didnt find them quick enough," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "It was an area that was easily identifiable as one of the big keys of the game." Ellis scored 12 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter with the San Antonio lead hovering around double digits. He was just 5 of 16 from the field through three quarters. NOTES: Nowitzki got a standing ovation during a timeout after a video tribute to him passing Oscar Robertson for 10th on the NBA scoring list in a win at Utah on Tuesday. ... Actor Tobey Maguire ("Spiderman" and "The Great Gatsby") was in attendance. ' ' '

SOCHI, Russia -- Team Canadas best players brought their best game and left with gold. Calvin Johnson Elite Jersey . On the worlds biggest stage, Jonathan�Toews and Sidney�Crosby made good on their strong tournaments and controversial roster pick Chris�Kunitz sealed the victory as Canada won its second straight Olympic gold medal in mens hockey with a 3-0 win over Sweden on Sunday. Canada did not trail at any point in the final or over the course of the entire tournament and finished as the first undefeated gold medallist since the Soviet Union in 1984 in Sarajevo, beating Norway, Austria, Finland, Latvia, the United States and Sweden along the way. Until Sunday, Toews and Crosby were two of Canadas best players through the first five games but did not have a goal to show for it. Canadian coach Mike Babcock brushed off concerns about a lack of offence from his forwards, figuring they would come but hoping the stars wouldnt "run out of time." Toews, who opened the scoring with a deflection in the first period, and Crosby, who beat Henrik�Lundqvist on a breakaway in the second, delivered just in time. Putting up two goals meant Sweden would have had to score as many goals in the third period as Canada gave up in its first five games of the Olympics. That defensive dominance continued against Sweden, which was without first-line centre Nicklas�Backstrom, a late scratch. NHL stars accustomed to more offensive roles continued to display the kind of hard-working defensive intensity Babcock needed out of them, limiting Swedens scoring chances in the process. Goaltender Carey�Price made 24 saves for his second straight shutout to cap off his impressive tournament in which he allowed just three goals in five starts. By beating Sweden, Canada became the first back-to-back gold-medal winner since the NHL began sending its players in 1998. It was the first time Canada won gold in two straight Games since 1948 and 1952. And this didnt take a fortunate bounce Quality chances came fast and furious in the games first few minutes. Crosby generated the first one 57 seconds in when he batted the puck down and found Patrice�Bergeron for a shot from between the circles that Lundqvist got in front of. Canadas Jamie�Benn and Swedens Niklas�Kronwall traded shots before Bergeron picked off a pass from Johnny�Oduya three minutes in and shot it right into Lundqvist. Swedens best chance of the first period was a minute later, when Gustav�Nyquists shot from close range hit the left post behind Price. Canadas starter looked behind him to see the puck inches from the goal line before covering it up. Bergeron continued his tremendous start by shooting off the shaft of Lundqvists stick and hitting the post 11 minutes in. That helped Canada turn the tide after being on the receiving end for a handful of shifts. It was the line of Patrick�Marleau, Jeff�Carter and Toews that has been together the longest that got Canada on the board at the 12:55 mark. Carter skated down the right wing almost to the goal-line and found Toews streaking to the net. Able to keep his stick free from Patrik�Berglund, Toews got it on the puck and deflected it off the inside of Lundqvists right pad and in. With Martin�St.�Louis inserted onto the fourth line in place of Patrick�Sharp, Canada generated a couple of scoring chances and got a power play after Matt�Duchene drew a penalty on Swedish defenceman Jonathan�Ericsson. Unable to score in those two minutes, Canada went on the kill late in the first into the second after a Kunitz high-sticking penalty and got the job done. Canada had the lions share of chances throughout the second period, save for a couple of opportunities by Loui�Eriksson and Erik�Karlsson, who came into the day tied for the tournament lead in scoring. Karlsson also made a good stick check on Crosby to thwart the captain in open ice. But Crosby wasnt going to be denied at the 15:43 mark, when he poked the puck away from Ericsson at Canadas blue-line and blew right by Alexander�Steen to get a breakaway. Crosby had just enough time to think, go backhand and bank the puck off Lundqvists left pad an into the net. It didnt have the drama of Crosby beating Ryan�Miller for the golden goal in Vancouver four years ago, but as he raised his arms in the air it looked like Canada couldnt be beaten on this day. Kunitz, who made the team because of his natural chemistry with Crosby, did it all by himself to provide Canada with breathing room. Kunitz took the puck away from Daniel�Sedin, skated over the blue-line and beat Lundqvist clean at the 9:04 mark of the third period. Because Canada gave up just three goals all tournament, that set off quite the celebration on the bench. Eleven players, including backup goaltender Roberto�Luongo, won gold for the second straight Olympics. Crosby, Toews, Rick�Nash, Ryan�Getzlaf, Corey�Perry, Marleau, Bergeron, Duncan�Keith, Shea�Weber and Drew�Doughty got to celebrate twice. Some of the biggest contributors in getting Canada to the final came from newcomers, including Carter and Benn. But two of the three goal-scorers against Sweden -- Crosby and Toews -- were the same ones who scored to beat the United States in Vancouver in 2010. NOTES -- With Backstrom out, Sweden inserted defenceman Henrik�Tallinder into the lineup because it did not have an extra forward. The Swedes were already without captain Henrik�Zetterberg because of a herniated disk. ... Canada had no lineup surprises, scratching injured forward John�Tavares and healthy defenceman P.K.�Subban along with third goaltender Mike�Smith. ... Brad Jacobs gold-medal-winning mens curling team was among the 11,076 in attendance at Bolshoy Ice Dome and interviewed on the video screen at the first intermission. Cassius Vaughn Jersey . Canadas strong showing throughout the World Cup season has qualified it for the maximum number of spots in every short-track speedskating event at the Sochi Games in February. "With the beginning to the season that Ive had, beginning with the Canadian trials in August, I have nothing to doubt in myself. Matthew Stafford Jersey .ca in a 30 Teams In 30 Days tour of the NHL in preparation for the upcoming season.Just in case you missed the Dolphins and Saints videos from lastt season, here they are below. Ndamukong Suh Jersey. � ' ' '