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VIERA, Fla. Dan Carpenter Womens Jersey . - The Washington Nationals filled the last clear-cut need on their roster on the opening day of spring training, acquiring catcher Jose Lobaton and two prospects from the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday for pitcher Nathan Karns. Lobaton gives the Nationals insurance behind fellow Venezuelan Wilson Ramos, who has never played in more than 108 games in a season because of various injuries. "Hes a capable backup," general manager Mike Rizzo said, "in case something does happen with Wilson." Lobaton, 29, started 76 games for the Rays last season and batted .249 with seven home runs and 32 RBIs. He was expendable because the Rays re-signed catcher Jose Molina and traded for Ryan Hanigan. Rizzo said Lobaton has above average metrics on defence. A notable exception is a 16 per cent success rate throwing out would-be base-stealers. "We feel that he throws well enough that he should be better than 16 per cent," Rizzo said. It speaks volumes about the Nationals confidence in their talent-laden roster that a move for a backup can fill the last significant hole on the day that pitchers and catchers reported. Barring injury, Rizzo wont be shopping during spring training. "Theres not an obvious spot that we need to address," Rizzo said. "But, as we say, if an opportunity arises, well be aggressive and open-minded about it." The Nationals are giving up a top prospect in the 26-year-old right-hander Karns, who three made starts in his first taste of the major leagues last season, but theyre adding a pair of 22-year-olds from the Jays pool of talent: outfielder Drew Vettleson and left-handed pitcher Felipe Rivero. Karns would have been in a crowded race for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. The trade for a younger pitcher alleviates part of that logjam and helps the Nationals stagger their pitching prospects. To make room for the new players on the 40-man roster, Washington placed right-handed pitcher Erik Davis on the 60-day disabled list with a sprained right elbow. Bryce Brown Womens Jersey . Ronaldo pounced on a loose ball inside the area to net the 82nd-minute equalizer -- his 23rd goal of the season for the league leaders. Karim Benzema put Madrid ahead at the Vicente Calderon Stadium after three minutes but, instead of wilting, Atletico hit back with two goals to take the lead by halftime. Andre Reed Jersey . With the two sides making little progress over the last six months, however, it appears the players union is prepared for another deadlock. "The (PAs strike) ballots are ready to be mailed out," said a source with knowledge of the negotiations, but who spoke on conditions of anonymity. Sources have told TSN that the CFLPA has steadily prepared for the possibility of a strike vote for weeks, by accumulating addresses of its members, and reviewing labour laws in provinces with CFL teams. CHICAGO -- Edmonton coach Tom Renney hopes the NHL will take a close look at Daniel Carcillos nasty boarding penalty. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville made it sound like an accident. Everyone agreed it was a crucial play. Ryan Smyth and Taylor Hall scored power-play goals after Carcillo was ejected in the second period, and the Oilers held on for a 4-3 victory over Chicago on Monday night. Jordan Eberle had two assists for the Oilers, including a perfect backhand pass to Andy Sutton for the tiebreaking score in the second. Former Blackhawks forward Ben Eager added an insurance goal in the third as Edmonton snapped a three-game slide. "Thats the way we played at the start of the year," Sutton said. "I dont know whats so complicated about playing that way. Just dont turn the puck over. We were tenacious on the puck and the results speak for themselves." The Oilers trailed 1-0 when Carcillo launched Tom Gilbert into the boards 7:23 into the second, resulting in a major boarding penalty and a game misconduct. "I think the hit speaks for itself and the penalty does as well," Renney said. "At least to this point its been addressed and I hope it will be looked into even further." Gilbert had a step on Carcillo when the well-known agitator pushed the defenceman, sending him into the air and into the boards behind the Edmonton goal. Both went down after the vicious hit and had to be helped off the ice. "I can hear the ref screaming from the other corner to be careful, to lay up on him, and he comes in contact and throws him off balance 5 feet from the boards," Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk said. "I mean, thats got to be one of the most dangerous plays in hockey for sure, and both guys end up injured out of it." Gilbert left with a lower-body injury. The Oilers also lost prized rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to an upper-body injury earlier in the game, and Renney said he wasnt sure when either player would return to the ice. Nugent-Hopkins, the top overall pick in last years draft, began the day leading NHL rookies with 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists). Carcillo appeared to be favouring his left leg when he was helped off. "Im not going to argue the call," Quenneville said. "He beat him to the counter-hit. It wasnt intent. Both guys went for the same type of a play and he beat him, had better position on the guy. Its unfortunate what happened." Jonathan Toews, Andrew Brunette and Jimmy Hayes scored for Chicagoo, which had won three of four and 10 of 13. DaNorris Searcy Womens Jersey. The Blackhawks were looking to avenge a 9-2 loss at Edmonton in their previous meeting Nov. 19, but were hurt by Carcillos costly penalty in the second. "Not happy, thats for sure," Chicago star Patrick Kane said. "Its a team we should beat. Giving up two on the 5-minute penalty kill changed the momentum of the game. But we still shouldnt (have) lost to a team like that." Hayes first career goal in his second game trimmed Edmontons lead to 4-3 with 3:49 left. The Blackhawks then got a power-play opportunity when Ryan Jones was sent off for goalie interference, but Dubnyk made a couple of big stops to preserve the victory. Dubnyk finished with 39 saves. Corey Crawford had 26 stops for Chicago. "Its one where we think we should have gotten points out of," Crawford said. "It didnt happen." Smyth tied it at 1-1 just 16 seconds into the five-minute power play, whacking the puck in from the right post for his 15th goal. Edmonton then caught a break when Hall appeared to knock down Blackhawks defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson with a stick to the face minutes later. Hjalmarsson appeared to be disoriented while he scrambled to find his stick, and Hall skated to his side and beat Crawford to give the Oilers a 2-1 lead with nine minutes left in the period. Hjalmarsson got a measure of revenge when his slap shot from just inside the blue line was tipped in by Brunette at 12:39, but the Oilers went in front again four minutes later. Eberle made a nice move to find a wide-open Sutton, whose shot from right in front of the goal went into the upper left corner for his second goal. Chicago dropped to 14-1-1 when scoring first. It also was the fourth regulation home loss for the Blackhawks this season. The Blackhawks struck first during an evenly played first period. Carcillo stole an Edmonton pass just outside the blue line in the Oilers end and fed Toews, who slid the puck past a screened Dubnyk for his team-leading 22nd goal at 12:54. Jones had a breakaway opportunity late in the period, but Crawford made a pad save to keep Chicago in front. NOTES: The Blackhawks signed first-round draft picks Mark McNeil and Phillip Danault, announcing the three-year deals with the 18-year-old centres before the game. McNeil was the 18th selection in last years NHL entry draft, and Danault was the No. 26 pick. ... Blackhawks D Steve Montador was scratched with an upper-body injury. He had played in every game this season. ' ' ' |
