|
GLENDALE, Ariz. Tedy Bruschi Patriots Jersey . -- Coming off a four-game losing streak, the Toronto Maple Leafs put an emphasis on getting off to better starts. Theyve been doing just that and its led to their longest win streak in seven years. Jonathan Bernier stopped 39 shots and the Maple Leafs used a fast start to kick off another big scoring night, beating the Phoenix Coyotes 4-2 Monday for their first five-game winning streak since 2007. "It feel great and feels great for a goalie too," Bernier said of getting off to fast starts. "Thats our main focus; we know if we score the first goal in this league, you have a good chance to win." With Bernier making some tough saves early, Toronto jumped out to a 3-0 lead by early in the second period. The Maple Leafs withstood a flurry of shots by Phoenix, thanks to some tough saves by Bernier and some near-misses by the Coyotes, and pulled away to win five straight games for the first time since Jan. 27-Feb. 6, 2007. Phil Kessel had a goal and an assist to extend his points streak to six games. Jake Gardiner and Nazem Kadri also had a goal and an assist, and Carl Gunnarsson scored his first goal in nearly a year. Buoyed by their fast starts, the Maple Leafs have scored 20 goals during their winning streak. "We feel this group can continue to grow and play to a higher level -- enough talking about it," Toronto coach Randy Carlyle said. "Action speaks louder than words and we have to continue to challenge this group to play better and become a playoff team." The Coyotes had plenty of chances. Most of them were turned away by Bernier, a few by the goal posts and numerous others just missed the mark, leading to a frustrating loss. Phoenix matched a team record by scoring a power-play goal in eight straight games when Mike Ribeiro scored early in the third period and Antoine Vermette added a short-handed goal. "Its disappointing," Vermette said. "We felt out there we had a lot of great scoring chances and we had a good night, but it went to them." The Maple Leafs followed their four-game losing streak by pouring in goals during a four-game winning streak. Toronto kept it rolling against the Coyotes, scoring two goals in 2:02 late in the first period. After both teams traded good scoring chances, Gardiner scored by gathering a loose puck out front and beating Mike Smith from close range. Phoenix defenceman Zbynek Michalek went to the penalty box for sending the puck over the glass in his own end and then Kessel capitalized on the ensuing power play, scoring his 24th of the season with help from a screen by James van Riemsdyk out front. Gunnarsson made it 3-0 with his first goal since Jan. 24, 2013, controlling a pass from Dion Phaneuf with his foot and beating Smith to the stick side. The first two periods were filled with near-misses for the Coyotes: Lauri Korpikoski hit the crossbar in the first period, Oliver Ekman-Larsson the post in the second and Shane Doan couldnt corral a stretch pass for a breakaway. Phoenix had numerous other shots just miss the goal and Bernier made some spectacular saves, including a sliding stop on a one-time by Ekman-Larsson on a power play. The Coyotes had 27 shots on goal and 16 other shots through the first two periods. "Their goalie was playing well," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. "I think he was fortunate to have a few pucks hit the crossbar and things like that, but when youre having a night we were, those bounces go the other way." They finally broke through on a power play early in the third period, when Keith Yandle found Ribeiro at the side of the net and he knocked it in past Bernier. The Coyotes had a slew of penalties after that and Kadri cashed in on the third one with his first goal in 12 games to put the Maple Leafs up 4-1. Vermette scored Phoenixs first short-handed goal of the season after that, but the Coyotes couldnt get anything past Bernier, who is 3-0 against Phoenix. Notes: Coyotes C Martin Hanzal, tied for the team lead with 14 goals, did not play and is listed day to day with a lower-body injury. ... Kessel and Coyotes RW David Moss, who are cousins, played against each other in the NHL for the eighth time. ... Toronto won at Phoenix for the first time since 2003, a span of four games. ... Yandle extended his points streak to four games with his assist on Ribeiros goal. Patrick Chung Jersey . Play hard, play tough and play rough. The philosophy has been a lesson in frustration for opponents. Jamie Collins Patriots Jersey .Va. -- Drew Brees stood on the sideline throughout the Saints first scrimmage of training camp on Saturday, resting a strained abdominal muscle on his left side and likely watching with envy as his backups cashed in on the big-play potential of rookie receiver Brandin Cooks.LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The last time Anderson Silva clowned around in the octagon, Chris Weidman dropped him on his back and took away his UFC middleweight title. Although Silva is serious about getting his belt back in the main event at UFC 168 on Saturday night, the Brazilian wont say whether hell drop the carefree style that has defined his career. At UFC 162 last July, Silva (33-5) was pretending to be hurt when Weidman (10-0) actually cold-cocked him for a stunning victory. The result upended the MMA hierarchy, catapulting Long Islands Weidman to stardom and ending Silvas near seven-year title reign. "Maybe I have the chance to change things," Silva said at his gym in Torrance, Calif., this month. Silva believes he can reverse the result in the rematch, but he wont swear off the taunting and goofiness that has become his signature alongside his unmatched striking abilities. In fact, Silva doesnt even see his style as anything less than serious. "When I go inside the ropes for a fight, I dont joke," said the fighter known for standing with hands on hips and chin protruding, daring opponents to hit him. "I train hard mentally for this fight," Silva added. "I watched the last fight, and I see my technique, and I talk to my friends and coach. I dont train too much. My mental (approach), I change. It was bad." The 38-year-old Silvas attempt to right a late-career mistake is the most intriguing aspect of the UFCs traditional year-end show at the MGM Grand Garden, but its hardly the only attraction on a stacked pay-per-view card. Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey will be nothing but serious when she returns to the cage after a 10-month absence for a rematch with Miesha Tate, her despised rival. Veteran heavyweights Josh Barnett and Travis Browne also meet on the main card. While Rousey (7-0) is one of the UFCs biggest stars, she already beat Tate (13-4) with her signature armbar in the Strikeforce promotion lasst year. Shane Vereen Patriots Jersey. All eyes in Vegas will be focused on Silva, an even bigger star who put his career at a crossroads with his loss to Weidman, a formidable wrestler who proved his striking skills with that left hook to Silvas head. Yet Ed Soares, Silvas longtime manager, doesnt expect Silva to fight stiffly or formally in the rematch. "Why would he change? He wouldnt change," Soares said. "Its him. Its like asking Kobe not to shoot a certain way." Under normal circumstances, the method of Weidmans victory — a second-round knockout of a long-reigning champ — would have cemented the Hofstra alumnus as a major star. And while Weidman has grown in stature, Silvas silly mistake got even more attention than the man who forced it. Yet Silva isnt among those discounting Weidmans achievement and expecting Silva to resume his spot on top of the middleweight division. "Chris is the champion, and people need to respect that," Silva said. "Hes a good man. Has a great family. Hes a great champion." Silva trained at his gym in an industrial corner of Torrance. Although tucked into a quiet office park behind a refinery next to auto body shops and a telescope manufacturer, Silvas American home base can be spotted by the Bentley out front next to the big photos of himself. After two years of training in his self-created American base, Silva clearly has a comfortable life. He could walk away from a victory at UFC 168 with his legacy secure and enough money to watch his children grow up in style. Silva doesnt appear to be thinking about retirement, repeatedly mentioning he has eight fights left on his UFC contract. Yet he also recognizes the dangers of his chosen sport when asked whether he would allow any of his children to follow his path into MMA. "I dont like the idea of my sons fighting," Silva said. "Its too much danger. I dont have the heart for this. Im an old man." ' ' ' |
