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BEIJING -- Kevin Koes Calgary rink inched closer to a playoff spot at the mens world championship of curling, improving to 7-3 in the round-robin portion of the tournament with a 11-5 rout over Germany on Thursday. Alex Smith Womens Jersey . Koe took an early 9-1 lead through four ends and sailed home with the win over Germanys Johnny Jahr to assure at least a tiebreaker berth on the final day of round-robin play. The Canadians will complete the round robin with a game against Scotlands Ewan MacDonald (3-6) later Thursday. A win in that game would nail down, at worst, a berth in the Page 3-4 game. A victory, combined with a loss from Japans Yusuke Morozumi (7-3) would put Canada in the Page playoff 1-2 game against Norways Thomas Ulsrud. "Its good news," said Koe. "Weve come through the three-four game a few times with this team (including the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier and the 2014 Alberta mens championship). We just have to get in there. And once we get in there, thats usually when our best games show up. "Were pretty much down to our last life here, so we have to come out against a good Scotland team thats probably going to be playing pretty loose, and take care of business." Canada took control early on against Germany. Koe made a precision come-around tap to sit four and block off the path to the four-foot. German last-rock thrower Felix Schulze needed to make a hit-and-roll for a single, but he wrecked on a guard to give Canada a stolen four-ender. "That nice little hack-weight shot Kevin made in the second, that was good for his confidence," noted lead Nolan Thiessen. "Weve wrecked a few times on those, so to make one and really put the pressure on him to make a really good shot against four early in the game is good. "Youll get mistakes when that happens, and it got us a little bit of mojo and hopefully we can carry it over this afternoon." After Germany was forced to a single in the third, Canada put the victory away with Koe drawing for four in the fourth end. The Germans would cut into the lead with three in the fifth and one more in the sixth, but Canada scored two in the seventh to prompt handshakes. The Germans (4-6) are out of playoff contention. Norway locked up first place Thursday morning with a 6-4 win over Pete Fenson of the United States (3-7), while Sweden (6-4) took an 11-4 win over Japan. A Japanese victory would have all but locked up a spot in the one-two game. In the other game, Russias Evgeny Arkhipov (2-8) took two in the 10th end for a 6-5 win over Denmarks Rasmus Stjerne (2-8). Alex Smith Authentic Jersey . The victory strengthened Schalkes hold on third place and pulled it even on points with second-place Borussia Dortmund ahead of its match at Bayern Munich. Phillip Gaines Chiefs Jersey . -- The Detroit Lions have released defensive back Brandon McDonald and signed defensive tackle Jovan Haye.PEORIA, Ariz. -- Chase Headley is confident the Padres will spend what it takes to become a contender. Its just that so far they havent offered him enough money to ensure hell stay in San Diego. A healthy and confident Headley was upbeat in the clubhouse Wednesday after the retooled Padres held their first full squad workout of spring training, even as the third baseman acknowledged contract talks are going nowhere and hell likely become a free agent next winter. "Unless something drastically changes, I think were just going to focus on playing this year and reevaluate when the seasons over," Headley said. "I dont think either side is going to close the door, necessarily, but I think weve had enough discussion to understand that right now we havent found enough common ground to keep doing this." Headley, who declared himself fit after minor off-season surgery on his right knee, declined to say how long of a contact hes seeking or how far apart the two sides are on money. Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler was similarly tightlipped when asked if he thought a deal could be reached before the start of the regular season. "All Ill say is that discussions have taken place," Fowler said. "To put a timeline on us I think is not appropriate at this point." Fowlers tone Wednesday was a far cry from last May, when he said he was prepared to offer Headley a multi-year deal that would make him the highest-paid player in franchise history. Headley, though, quickly rebuffed the overture and said he wouldnt negotiate during the season. He then went on to hit just .250 with 13 homers and 50 RBIs. Headley acknowledged the trouble in the negotiations now is whether he should be paid for hitting .286 with 31 home runs and a National League-best 115 RBIs in 2012, or for last seasons mediocre numbers. "As a player youre always going to bet on yourself," Headley said. "I think Im a much better player than I showed last year. And I think in this coming year and the years to come Im going to be a better player. Alex Smith Gold Jersey. . So thats why we are where we are and we understand it." The two sides avoided arbitration in January when Headley agreed to a one-year deal for a team-high $10,525,000. Known for being thrifty in the past, the Padres also signed free-agent starting pitcher Josh Johnson to a one-year, $8 million deal and brought in setup man Joaquin Benoit for $15.5 million over two years. The Padres, who last made the playoffs in 2006, are expected to have a club-record payroll of about $87 million. "In business you budget for investment years, and Id call this the first of probably many investment years," Fowler said. Thats a key for Headley, who turns 30 in May and has yet to play in the post-season. "If the clubs not going to be willing to put the pieces on the field that you need, then I dont want to be part of that club," Headley said. "And I know thats not going to be the case here. "San Diego is all Ive ever known and I have a lot of strong feelings about the guys in this clubhouse, the coaching staff, the city. Perfect world? Absolutely, this would be the No. 1 choice." But Headley doubts a deal can be reached before the opener and vowed to again not negotiate during the season. And the Padres may want to wait to see if Headley rebounds from his subpar 2013. "Its kind of a difficult thing to judge," Headley said, "when youre coming off two seasons that were kind of polar opposites." NOTES: Fowler, who indicated 10-year-old Petco Park had been "neglected" recently, said a new sound system has been installed and a new video board is likely in 2015. "We want to put significant number of dollars in over the next five years and have Petco looking the way Petco should," Fowler said. . The Padres announced the opener March 30 against the Dodgers is a sellout and CEO Mike Dee said ticket interest is at a "five-year high." ' ' ' |
