The train rolled in NFL jerseys
to New York’s Penn Station, marking the half-way point of a journey between Boston and Baltimore. Out of the carry-bag came an old Walkman cassette player; a bulky reminder of how far we’ve come in the age of the IPod Touch.
In to the machine went the radio broadcast of a long-forgotten baseball game: the WGY "Radio 81" presentation of the Yankees and Tigers on May 26, 1971. In the booth are Bill White and Frank Messer. Around the fifth-inning, Phil Rizzuto shows up as if he’d been caught in a terrible traffic jam.
Detroit is the home team, and their starting pitcher is Canadian Mike Kilkenny. The Yankees have Mel Stottlemyre on the mound.
The broadcast is made spectacular by its simplicity, uncluttered by the maze of statistical information available today. There’s no mention of on-base percentage or walks-per-nine. No one mentions pitch counts or opponents batting average. Not that some of this could have found its way on to the air-waves; many of the statistics we’re accustomed to today had not been devised.
None of the balls were mashed, bashed, or hit all the way to Spanksville. The words "change-up", "splitter", or "slider" are never uttered. Everything is a fastball or curve. On once occasion, White notes that Stottlemyre is going to the "sinker" a little more often.
Scoreboard updates are frequent and basic:
"Boston leads Washington 3-2, Ray Culp is pitching for the Red Sox, Jerry Janeski for the Senators," says Messer.
And this gem:
"Houston is in San Diego. Al Santorini started the game, but he’s been replaced by Dave Roberts. We have no idea why."
Even the rudimentary commercial has an edge that clearly marks a less responsible time:
"Schaefer Beer. The one beer you want… when you want more than one."
"What’s going on here with all these knuckle berries?" yells Rizzuto.
When White tells him Martin has already made one mound visit and has to wait until the end of the at-bat to pull his pitcher, Rizzuto is floored.
"No kidding? Since when? Where was I when they changed this rule?"
In the end, Stottlemyre pitches a complete game, and the Yankees win 2-1. That ends Detroit’s seven-game winning streak. Not that many noticed; only 11,565 show up.
For this listener, an old tape of a meaningless game is a wonderful way to pass time, and perhaps gain a lesson in the value of simplicity.
The rapport between Messer and White is formal to the point of being dry. Rizzuto’s arrival changes that. When Tiger manager Billy Martin tries to pull Kilkenny with a 3-and-2 count on Roy White, home plate umpire Red Flaherty motions Martin back to the dugout.
2010年5月15日星期六
2010年5月14日星期五
The waiting game
But for 109 players time is standing still. Among them are former All-Stars, Cy Young Award winners and MVP's. They remain without teams, in free agent limbo as it were. If one were to put together a team from this long list, you could field a squad that might be very competitive.
What makes this whole exercise very intriguing is that for the first time in recent memory teams are not tripping over one another to overpay for aging former stars. This makes good financial sense, especially with the economy still staggering out of the recession. Low-base, high-incentive contracts seem to be the order of the day, after the top-level free agents found new teams. For teams trying to keep their financial houses in order, this seems to be the best way of going about their business.
Hard to believe that it's less than a week until pitchers and catchers start arriving at spring training sites in Arizona and Florida to begin ramping up for the 2010 season. Has it really been 100 days since the New York Yankees claimed their 27th World Series championship? Time truly does fly the older one gets.
It's not like players aren't still pulling in big contracts. Recently traded Roy Halladay will be making $20 million a season from 2011-13 from the Phillies after his old deal with the Blue Jays expires after this season. It's just that the era of players past their prime still making top dollar may have finally be behind us.
For rebuilding teams like the Blue Jays, excluding the for Vernon Wells' bloated deal, the change in the free agent landscape may work to their advantage. Although they are still on the hook for roughly $116.7 million over the next five seasons on the Wells deal, rebuilding the team from within while trading for prospects is the shrewdest and most fiscally responsible course of action. And if they can add the odd undervalued, (and desperate), free agent that may speed up the rebuild.
Carlos Delgado is also among that list of free agents getting little or no interest. Injuries held the former Blue Jays slugger to just 26 games with the Mets last season. There was a laughable rumour earlier this off-season that the Blue Jays were going to bring back the 37-year-old first baseman but that went against what rookie general manager Alex Anthopoulos is trying to accomplish. It sure feels like the next time we see Delgado at the Rogers Centre will be when they add his name to the Level of Excellence.
The one player who remains in the headlines despite not having found a new team is Johnny Damon. After earning $13 million last year helping the Yankees to their title, the 36-year-old outfielder hasn't exactly been overwhelmed with offers. He will not receive a deal anything close to the $52-million, four-year deal that he signed prior to the 2006 season. There's no denying that Damon still possesses vast skills, just not eight-figures worth. To date, no team has offered him a multi-year deal and it is rumoured that the Braves, Tigers and the White Sox are offering one-year deals in the $6-7 million range. Represented by super agent Scott Boras, the poster boy for getting his clients overvalued contracts, Damon is going to have to swallow hard and play for money in the range that he was receiving from the small-market Royals and Athletics back at the turn of the NBA Jerseys millennium. That might seem insulting to a 15-year veteran, but what he shouldn't forget is that he's already banked over $97 million during his career.
What makes this whole exercise very intriguing is that for the first time in recent memory teams are not tripping over one another to overpay for aging former stars. This makes good financial sense, especially with the economy still staggering out of the recession. Low-base, high-incentive contracts seem to be the order of the day, after the top-level free agents found new teams. For teams trying to keep their financial houses in order, this seems to be the best way of going about their business.
Hard to believe that it's less than a week until pitchers and catchers start arriving at spring training sites in Arizona and Florida to begin ramping up for the 2010 season. Has it really been 100 days since the New York Yankees claimed their 27th World Series championship? Time truly does fly the older one gets.
It's not like players aren't still pulling in big contracts. Recently traded Roy Halladay will be making $20 million a season from 2011-13 from the Phillies after his old deal with the Blue Jays expires after this season. It's just that the era of players past their prime still making top dollar may have finally be behind us.
For rebuilding teams like the Blue Jays, excluding the for Vernon Wells' bloated deal, the change in the free agent landscape may work to their advantage. Although they are still on the hook for roughly $116.7 million over the next five seasons on the Wells deal, rebuilding the team from within while trading for prospects is the shrewdest and most fiscally responsible course of action. And if they can add the odd undervalued, (and desperate), free agent that may speed up the rebuild.
Carlos Delgado is also among that list of free agents getting little or no interest. Injuries held the former Blue Jays slugger to just 26 games with the Mets last season. There was a laughable rumour earlier this off-season that the Blue Jays were going to bring back the 37-year-old first baseman but that went against what rookie general manager Alex Anthopoulos is trying to accomplish. It sure feels like the next time we see Delgado at the Rogers Centre will be when they add his name to the Level of Excellence.
The one player who remains in the headlines despite not having found a new team is Johnny Damon. After earning $13 million last year helping the Yankees to their title, the 36-year-old outfielder hasn't exactly been overwhelmed with offers. He will not receive a deal anything close to the $52-million, four-year deal that he signed prior to the 2006 season. There's no denying that Damon still possesses vast skills, just not eight-figures worth. To date, no team has offered him a multi-year deal and it is rumoured that the Braves, Tigers and the White Sox are offering one-year deals in the $6-7 million range. Represented by super agent Scott Boras, the poster boy for getting his clients overvalued contracts, Damon is going to have to swallow hard and play for money in the range that he was receiving from the small-market Royals and Athletics back at the turn of the NBA Jerseys millennium. That might seem insulting to a 15-year veteran, but what he shouldn't forget is that he's already banked over $97 million during his career.
2010年5月11日星期二
Orange you glad it's Tampa?
I'm covering my first World Series in five years and I decided to NBA Jerseys keep a running diary on Wednesday to allow everyone to see how Game 1 unfolded for me here in Florida.
9:32am - Flipping around the TV channels in Tampa and you can either watch coverage of the upcoming presidential election or the World Series. It's amazing to think that in two weeks from now, the Tampa Bay Rays could be World Series champions AND America could elect a black president. Five years ago, which did you think would happen first?
2:37pm - We pull into Tropicana Field. How come nobody ever calls this place "The Juice Box"? And does anyone ever say the Rays beat the pulp out of their opponent?
3:22pm - I watch the Backstreet Boys do a sound check for the national anthem on the field. A few moments later, Mitch Williams - who is now an analyst for Comcast Sportsnet - walks by. This has to be a bad omen for the Phillies: A World Series starting with Mitch Williams and a Carter on the same field.
4:06pm - Phillies bench coach Jimy Williams walks by me near the visiting dugout. Ummmm... shouldn't he be interviewing for a key job with the Blue Jays right now?
5:28pm - Rays fans start pouring into Tropicana Field, many of them carrying large banners and signs. Note to fans everywhere: Can we please officially ban those signs where people try and imitate those Mastercard commercials? "Game 1 Tickets - $250. Foam Finger - $25. Seeing Rays in World Series - Priceless." That is more lame and overdone than sports reporters trying to be comedians.
7:22pm - It dawns on me that if the Rays win the World Series, it would kind of be silly to get B.J. Upton to say, "I'm going to Disneyworld". Orlando is like an hour away from Tampa. That would be no fun for him, because it's in his backyard. Like if the Leafs won the Stanley Cup, would Vesa Toskala say, "I'm going to Canada's Wonderland?" Of course not. So I would like to hear a Rays player say, "I just won the World Series. I'm going to Six Flags, Darrien Lake."
8:27pm - MLB International announces that the World Series is being shown in 229 countries around the world. If people in America are lukewarm to the Phillies-Rays matchup, just imagine the ratings in Greenland and Bulgaria.
9:14pm We finally make our way into the Tampa clubhouse after the game and we have a prime spot in the massive media scrum with Evan Longoria. I want to ask him if he ever gets sick of people making jokes about Eva Longoria. Because I get really tired of people making Eva Mendes jokes to me. Perhaps asking him in the aftermath.
-10:24pm - Jason Bartlett just stole a base and it resulted in everyone in America getting a free taco on October 28th because of a wacky promotion with Taco Bell. It's ironic, because for years Taco Bell's food has been notorious for giving people the runs. Now because somebody runs, everyone gets a free taco.
11:33pm - I just read another note in our press package that said the largest crowd ever inside Tropicana Field was for a New Kids On The Block concert back in 1990. At this point, I should make some witty reference to an old NKOTB song. But doing so would only raise questions as to why I know so much about NKOTB.
As the game heads to the bottom of the 9th inning and the Phillies cling to a 3-2 lead, my cameraman and I start talking about our favorite Family Ties episode outside the Rays clubhouse. I'm not sure why we weren't focused on Brad Lidge warming up and the drama of a World Series game unfolding right in front of us. BTW - Consensus winner on our favorite episode: Alex turns the house into a motel for homecoming weekend and his parents come home to find a kangaroo in the living room.
9:32am - Flipping around the TV channels in Tampa and you can either watch coverage of the upcoming presidential election or the World Series. It's amazing to think that in two weeks from now, the Tampa Bay Rays could be World Series champions AND America could elect a black president. Five years ago, which did you think would happen first?
2:37pm - We pull into Tropicana Field. How come nobody ever calls this place "The Juice Box"? And does anyone ever say the Rays beat the pulp out of their opponent?
3:22pm - I watch the Backstreet Boys do a sound check for the national anthem on the field. A few moments later, Mitch Williams - who is now an analyst for Comcast Sportsnet - walks by. This has to be a bad omen for the Phillies: A World Series starting with Mitch Williams and a Carter on the same field.
4:06pm - Phillies bench coach Jimy Williams walks by me near the visiting dugout. Ummmm... shouldn't he be interviewing for a key job with the Blue Jays right now?
5:28pm - Rays fans start pouring into Tropicana Field, many of them carrying large banners and signs. Note to fans everywhere: Can we please officially ban those signs where people try and imitate those Mastercard commercials? "Game 1 Tickets - $250. Foam Finger - $25. Seeing Rays in World Series - Priceless." That is more lame and overdone than sports reporters trying to be comedians.
7:22pm - It dawns on me that if the Rays win the World Series, it would kind of be silly to get B.J. Upton to say, "I'm going to Disneyworld". Orlando is like an hour away from Tampa. That would be no fun for him, because it's in his backyard. Like if the Leafs won the Stanley Cup, would Vesa Toskala say, "I'm going to Canada's Wonderland?" Of course not. So I would like to hear a Rays player say, "I just won the World Series. I'm going to Six Flags, Darrien Lake."
8:27pm - MLB International announces that the World Series is being shown in 229 countries around the world. If people in America are lukewarm to the Phillies-Rays matchup, just imagine the ratings in Greenland and Bulgaria.
9:14pm We finally make our way into the Tampa clubhouse after the game and we have a prime spot in the massive media scrum with Evan Longoria. I want to ask him if he ever gets sick of people making jokes about Eva Longoria. Because I get really tired of people making Eva Mendes jokes to me. Perhaps asking him in the aftermath.
-10:24pm - Jason Bartlett just stole a base and it resulted in everyone in America getting a free taco on October 28th because of a wacky promotion with Taco Bell. It's ironic, because for years Taco Bell's food has been notorious for giving people the runs. Now because somebody runs, everyone gets a free taco.
11:33pm - I just read another note in our press package that said the largest crowd ever inside Tropicana Field was for a New Kids On The Block concert back in 1990. At this point, I should make some witty reference to an old NKOTB song. But doing so would only raise questions as to why I know so much about NKOTB.
As the game heads to the bottom of the 9th inning and the Phillies cling to a 3-2 lead, my cameraman and I start talking about our favorite Family Ties episode outside the Rays clubhouse. I'm not sure why we weren't focused on Brad Lidge warming up and the drama of a World Series game unfolding right in front of us. BTW - Consensus winner on our favorite episode: Alex turns the house into a motel for homecoming weekend and his parents come home to find a kangaroo in the living room.
2010年5月10日星期一
Things I've learned
But the most important lesson I've learned is #5 - Don't ever judge a hockey team in the MLB jerseys
midst of an extended streak - winning or losing. You need to look at the big picture to gain a little perspective.
Two weeks ago, the Senators were the toast of Ottawa. We wanted to plan the parade route down Bank Street. We were ready to say they were a better team without Dany Heatley. Heck, the city was ready to do the unthinkable and even embrace Alex Kovalev.
Fast forward to today and we're getting into crisis mode. The same Kovalev who was being lauded for his strong play before the break, is being tabbed as an overpaid floater by his harshest critics. Cory Clouston has gone from a Jack Adams candidate to a coach who can't seem to motivate his top players. The Sens have transformed from a team that was challenging for a division title to a team looking in the rear view mirror in the standings.
So what's happened to Ottawa in the past two weeks?
Truth be told, the answer is quite boring.
Nothing has really happened to the Senators.
They were never as good as we advertised during their 11-game winning streak. And the opposite is true right now: They are not as bad as we are making them out to be during this current dry spell.
It's not time to hit the panic button at all. It's time to look at the big picture and realize that the Sens have been one of the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference for most of the season. And they'll finish there as well, because their track record indicates they will probably win anywhere from five-to-seven of their final 12 games.
And there's one other rule I've learned as well: Looking at the big picture and trying to gain a little perspective is really boring.
Next week, I will try and spice up the blog by igniting a goalie controversy or at the very least, I will suggest that Alfredsson should be benched to send a message to the team.
If you look at the big picture, the 2009-10 Ottawa Senators have been a fairly consistent bunch. Here's a look at their record in 10-game segments so far this season:
And therein lies the greatest proof of how much the importance of goaltending has fallen in the NHL.
The Ottawa Senators fan base - who have been tormented by mediocre playoff goaltending in the past - would actually choose to face the best goalie on the planet in a seven-game series right now.
The only stretch that really jumps out, is the 9-1-0 stretch from games 51-60. Other than that, the Senators have been a fairly consistent team, hovering around .500. But that terrific run in mid-January caused inflated expectations, so that their current stretch of 3-6-1 hockey looks terrible. They seem like a team in a free-fall, when in reality, they are just going through a fairly typical 10-game stretch.
And when you look at the big picture, the Senators are exactly where many people thought they'd be at the start of the season. Are they as good as Washington or Pittsburgh? No. Are they better than Toronto and Carolina? Absolutely.
I would have no hesitation putting the Senators in the same grouping as Buffalo, New Jersey, Montreal, Philadelphia and Boston. The Eastern Conference playoff race has been punctuated by streaky teams and the Sens fit right into that mix.
Ottawa will make the playoffs. They might even win a round. But anything beyond that should be considered a bonus by the fan base in Ottawa. The external expectation levels for this team need to be adjusted. The 11-game winning streak clouded the judgement of media and fans alike, to the point where we prematurely put them on a pedestal. Just pretend that the streak never happened. What would your expectation levels be for the team then?
midst of an extended streak - winning or losing. You need to look at the big picture to gain a little perspective.
Two weeks ago, the Senators were the toast of Ottawa. We wanted to plan the parade route down Bank Street. We were ready to say they were a better team without Dany Heatley. Heck, the city was ready to do the unthinkable and even embrace Alex Kovalev.
Fast forward to today and we're getting into crisis mode. The same Kovalev who was being lauded for his strong play before the break, is being tabbed as an overpaid floater by his harshest critics. Cory Clouston has gone from a Jack Adams candidate to a coach who can't seem to motivate his top players. The Sens have transformed from a team that was challenging for a division title to a team looking in the rear view mirror in the standings.
So what's happened to Ottawa in the past two weeks?
Truth be told, the answer is quite boring.
Nothing has really happened to the Senators.
They were never as good as we advertised during their 11-game winning streak. And the opposite is true right now: They are not as bad as we are making them out to be during this current dry spell.
It's not time to hit the panic button at all. It's time to look at the big picture and realize that the Sens have been one of the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference for most of the season. And they'll finish there as well, because their track record indicates they will probably win anywhere from five-to-seven of their final 12 games.
And there's one other rule I've learned as well: Looking at the big picture and trying to gain a little perspective is really boring.
Next week, I will try and spice up the blog by igniting a goalie controversy or at the very least, I will suggest that Alfredsson should be benched to send a message to the team.
If you look at the big picture, the 2009-10 Ottawa Senators have been a fairly consistent bunch. Here's a look at their record in 10-game segments so far this season:
And therein lies the greatest proof of how much the importance of goaltending has fallen in the NHL.
The Ottawa Senators fan base - who have been tormented by mediocre playoff goaltending in the past - would actually choose to face the best goalie on the planet in a seven-game series right now.
The only stretch that really jumps out, is the 9-1-0 stretch from games 51-60. Other than that, the Senators have been a fairly consistent team, hovering around .500. But that terrific run in mid-January caused inflated expectations, so that their current stretch of 3-6-1 hockey looks terrible. They seem like a team in a free-fall, when in reality, they are just going through a fairly typical 10-game stretch.
And when you look at the big picture, the Senators are exactly where many people thought they'd be at the start of the season. Are they as good as Washington or Pittsburgh? No. Are they better than Toronto and Carolina? Absolutely.
I would have no hesitation putting the Senators in the same grouping as Buffalo, New Jersey, Montreal, Philadelphia and Boston. The Eastern Conference playoff race has been punctuated by streaky teams and the Sens fit right into that mix.
Ottawa will make the playoffs. They might even win a round. But anything beyond that should be considered a bonus by the fan base in Ottawa. The external expectation levels for this team need to be adjusted. The 11-game winning streak clouded the judgement of media and fans alike, to the point where we prematurely put them on a pedestal. Just pretend that the streak never happened. What would your expectation levels be for the team then?
2010年5月9日星期日
Sharks survive chippy 3rd to beat Canucks 4-2
The Sharks survived the NHL jerseys penalty-filled third period to beat the Canucks 4-2 on Thursday night and move a step closer to clinching the top spot in the Western Conference.
San Jose had a 4-0 lead after two periods and held on for the key victory after a third period that featured 76 penalty minutes, including 56 in a 38-second span.
That led to a comical situation where the Sharks had six players in a penalty box so crowded that Devin Setoguchi and Scott Nichol needed to stand. A seventh player, Niclas Wallin, was in the locker room after getting a fighting major, a rouging penalty and a 10-minute misconduct.
"We perhaps lost our composure a little bit," San Jose coach Todd McLellan said. "What I liked about it was there was emotion. It's probably good for both teams heading into the playoffs. Both teams stood their ground. Instead of cruising through the night, we were still involved in the game."
Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Manny Malhotra and Logan Couture scored for the Sharks, who lead Chicago by two points heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
But the Blackhawks have two games remaining and the tiebreaker edge to just one game for San Jose, meaning the Sharks still need help to be assured of the No. 1 seed when the playoffs start next week.
"We still have something to play for," Pavelski said. "This is what you play all year for. You want to step up and play and be ready. It's an exciting time of year for us."
While the game was of big importance to the Sharks, the Northwest Division champion Canucks are locked in as the third seed for the playoffs and gave goalie Roberto Luongo and defenseman Sami Salo the night off. The only remaining drama for Vancouver is whether Henrik Sedin will be the first Canucks player to win the NHL scoring title.
Sedin had an assist, giving him 108 points on the season _ two more than Washington's Alex Ovechkin. But Ovechkin has two games remaining, while Sedin finishes the season at home against Calgary on Saturday night.
The Sharks committed three minor penalties in a 57-second span early in the third period, starting the rush to the penalty box. Evgeni Nabokov responded with his best stretch of his 30-save night, helping kill off 2 full minutes of a two-man advantage.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - The biggest indication of how chippy the third period got between San Jose and Vancouver came when the referee screamed at Ryane Clowe to sit down in the Sharks penalty box.
When Clowe yelled back there was no space left because five of his teammates were also in the box, he was told: "Sit on the guy's lap."
He robbed Daniel Sedin with a pad save and made a glove save on Kevin Bieksa's shot from the point. Then with 57 seconds left in the final power play, Alex Burrows was called for interference on Thornton, setting off another stretch of penalties.
Thornton had the prettiest of the goals off a perfect setup from Dany Heatley, a change from the usual script for two of San Jose's top players. Heatley fed Thornton from the boards and Thornton converted on an easy one-timer for his 20th goal of the season and first since March 23.
"The cards weren't completely aligned for us tonight," Raycroft said. "We're a little short on the back end and we were trying not to get hurt. We could have mailed it in but the guys kept battling."
NOTES: One of Vancouver's best scoring chances came on a delayed penalty against the Canucks. A backpass by the Sharks trickled down the ice as Nabokov skated to the bench. Nabokov did not play the puck in case it would have been a penalty for too many men on the ice and the puck barely wet wide. ... Vancouver has lost six straight games in San Jose. ... The Sharks suited up seven defensemen, using Jason Demers as a forward at times.
The Canucks finally got on the board with goals from Pavel Demitra and Andrew Alberts that cut San Jose's lead to 4-2 but couldn't get any closer.
"There was a lot of chirping back and forth, but that's fine," Henrik Sedin said. "The refs are doing everything they can. It's up to me and the team in here to take care of things. I have nothing to complain about."
The Sharks broke the game open with a three-goal second period against Andrew Raycroft. The Canucks were hurt by losing Shane O'Brien to an undisclosed injury in the first period.
San Jose had a 4-0 lead after two periods and held on for the key victory after a third period that featured 76 penalty minutes, including 56 in a 38-second span.
That led to a comical situation where the Sharks had six players in a penalty box so crowded that Devin Setoguchi and Scott Nichol needed to stand. A seventh player, Niclas Wallin, was in the locker room after getting a fighting major, a rouging penalty and a 10-minute misconduct.
"We perhaps lost our composure a little bit," San Jose coach Todd McLellan said. "What I liked about it was there was emotion. It's probably good for both teams heading into the playoffs. Both teams stood their ground. Instead of cruising through the night, we were still involved in the game."
Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Manny Malhotra and Logan Couture scored for the Sharks, who lead Chicago by two points heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
But the Blackhawks have two games remaining and the tiebreaker edge to just one game for San Jose, meaning the Sharks still need help to be assured of the No. 1 seed when the playoffs start next week.
"We still have something to play for," Pavelski said. "This is what you play all year for. You want to step up and play and be ready. It's an exciting time of year for us."
While the game was of big importance to the Sharks, the Northwest Division champion Canucks are locked in as the third seed for the playoffs and gave goalie Roberto Luongo and defenseman Sami Salo the night off. The only remaining drama for Vancouver is whether Henrik Sedin will be the first Canucks player to win the NHL scoring title.
Sedin had an assist, giving him 108 points on the season _ two more than Washington's Alex Ovechkin. But Ovechkin has two games remaining, while Sedin finishes the season at home against Calgary on Saturday night.
The Sharks committed three minor penalties in a 57-second span early in the third period, starting the rush to the penalty box. Evgeni Nabokov responded with his best stretch of his 30-save night, helping kill off 2 full minutes of a two-man advantage.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - The biggest indication of how chippy the third period got between San Jose and Vancouver came when the referee screamed at Ryane Clowe to sit down in the Sharks penalty box.
When Clowe yelled back there was no space left because five of his teammates were also in the box, he was told: "Sit on the guy's lap."
He robbed Daniel Sedin with a pad save and made a glove save on Kevin Bieksa's shot from the point. Then with 57 seconds left in the final power play, Alex Burrows was called for interference on Thornton, setting off another stretch of penalties.
Thornton had the prettiest of the goals off a perfect setup from Dany Heatley, a change from the usual script for two of San Jose's top players. Heatley fed Thornton from the boards and Thornton converted on an easy one-timer for his 20th goal of the season and first since March 23.
"The cards weren't completely aligned for us tonight," Raycroft said. "We're a little short on the back end and we were trying not to get hurt. We could have mailed it in but the guys kept battling."
NOTES: One of Vancouver's best scoring chances came on a delayed penalty against the Canucks. A backpass by the Sharks trickled down the ice as Nabokov skated to the bench. Nabokov did not play the puck in case it would have been a penalty for too many men on the ice and the puck barely wet wide. ... Vancouver has lost six straight games in San Jose. ... The Sharks suited up seven defensemen, using Jason Demers as a forward at times.
The Canucks finally got on the board with goals from Pavel Demitra and Andrew Alberts that cut San Jose's lead to 4-2 but couldn't get any closer.
"There was a lot of chirping back and forth, but that's fine," Henrik Sedin said. "The refs are doing everything they can. It's up to me and the team in here to take care of things. I have nothing to complain about."
The Sharks broke the game open with a three-goal second period against Andrew Raycroft. The Canucks were hurt by losing Shane O'Brien to an undisclosed injury in the first period.
2010年5月7日星期五
Long overdue, NHL set to eliminate hits to head
NEW YORK (AP) - The dazed and distant look on Brent Seabrook's face after the Chicago Blackhawks defenseman got crushed against the soccer jerseys boards cried out for a head shot ban _ in time for the third period.
The sight of Boston Bruins star Marc Savard out cold on the ice after a vicious hit March 7 sent a message about the need for attention to player safety, too. And it followed the forced retirements in recent years of Eric Lindros, Keith Primeau and others who suffered multiple, debilitating concussions.
The NHL deserves credit _ against a backdrop of congressional hearing on sports head injuries _ for recognizing the danger of reckless hits and moving to create a rule that will forbid head contact against unsuspecting skaters. But some wonder what took so long.
The NHL Players' Association proposed a rule last June that would protect the league's most important asset _ its players _ by eliminating hits to the head. General managers initially had been cool to the idea of a blanket ban.
Now, there's some urgency to the issue.
One day after Savard had his season ended Wednesday by a blindside hit from Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke, GMs began three days of scheduled meetings that concluded with the recommendation that head shots be removed.
Not only are new guidelines for penalties coming, they are coming soon. DVDs have been sent out explaining the parameters of what will and won't be legal. Supplemental discipline could potentially be meted out for hits to the head before next season.
"I hope they do it. I think the players want it as much as anybody else," St. Louis Blues president John Davidson said. "There are maybe 1 percent of people who don't want it. I love it. Let's stop.
"It's everybody's responsibility to protect players because there are some players that are just doing things across the line. We've just got to get the attention of these people. It's just not worth careers."
NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell took several days to review Cooke's hit and decided that current rules didn't forbid the shot he delivered to the unsuspecting Savard. The umbrella of attempt to injure could have been applied. By not suspending him, Campbell determined that wasn't Cooke's intention.
Backlash ensued, and then came the case of Anaheim Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski.
Wisniewski launched himself into his former teammate Seabrook, who never touched the puck, and sent his helmeted head smashing into the glass. Wisniewski didn't hit Seabrook in the head, but his charging infraction was dangerous. Seabrook has already missed one game, and the repeat offender Wisniewski will sit out eight with a suspension.
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville called it, "the most dangerous hit in the history of the game."
"You hit a guy without the puck, you can kill a guy," Quenneville said. "He tried to hurt him. If that's not intent ... that's as bad a hit as you can ever have in the game."
"I've never gone around and just hit people without the puck," Wisniewski countered. "It's not football. It's not like I thought I was doing that at the time. It's a fast game. It happened in a split-second. I thought he played the puck, you finish your hit.
"When I saw that he actually didn't play the puck, he was right beside it, then you lose sleep over it."
It's not that the executives didn't want to protect players, or that they didn't believe concussions were a problem. The concern was how new rules would be enforced. Hits by shoulders are legal in the NHL, regardless of where they make contact with an opponent.
Sometimes the shoulder of a big defenseman like Philadelphia's Chris Pronger would be head high against a smaller player. Should Pronger be penalized for being tall, or be thrown out of a game because his target ducked when he saw him coming?
And what responsibility does a player have in absorbing a hit? It has always been part of hockey chatter that once you make a pass, don't get caught admiring it.
The players' association said it has been in regular contact with the NHL since the GM meetings last week. The league sent the union the proposed rule, and on Friday the union received the video outlining hits that would be illegal and legal if the new rule passes through the competition committee and is approved by unanimous vote by the league's board of governors.
The sight of Boston Bruins star Marc Savard out cold on the ice after a vicious hit March 7 sent a message about the need for attention to player safety, too. And it followed the forced retirements in recent years of Eric Lindros, Keith Primeau and others who suffered multiple, debilitating concussions.
The NHL deserves credit _ against a backdrop of congressional hearing on sports head injuries _ for recognizing the danger of reckless hits and moving to create a rule that will forbid head contact against unsuspecting skaters. But some wonder what took so long.
The NHL Players' Association proposed a rule last June that would protect the league's most important asset _ its players _ by eliminating hits to the head. General managers initially had been cool to the idea of a blanket ban.
Now, there's some urgency to the issue.
One day after Savard had his season ended Wednesday by a blindside hit from Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke, GMs began three days of scheduled meetings that concluded with the recommendation that head shots be removed.
Not only are new guidelines for penalties coming, they are coming soon. DVDs have been sent out explaining the parameters of what will and won't be legal. Supplemental discipline could potentially be meted out for hits to the head before next season.
"I hope they do it. I think the players want it as much as anybody else," St. Louis Blues president John Davidson said. "There are maybe 1 percent of people who don't want it. I love it. Let's stop.
"It's everybody's responsibility to protect players because there are some players that are just doing things across the line. We've just got to get the attention of these people. It's just not worth careers."
NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell took several days to review Cooke's hit and decided that current rules didn't forbid the shot he delivered to the unsuspecting Savard. The umbrella of attempt to injure could have been applied. By not suspending him, Campbell determined that wasn't Cooke's intention.
Backlash ensued, and then came the case of Anaheim Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski.
Wisniewski launched himself into his former teammate Seabrook, who never touched the puck, and sent his helmeted head smashing into the glass. Wisniewski didn't hit Seabrook in the head, but his charging infraction was dangerous. Seabrook has already missed one game, and the repeat offender Wisniewski will sit out eight with a suspension.
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville called it, "the most dangerous hit in the history of the game."
"You hit a guy without the puck, you can kill a guy," Quenneville said. "He tried to hurt him. If that's not intent ... that's as bad a hit as you can ever have in the game."
"I've never gone around and just hit people without the puck," Wisniewski countered. "It's not football. It's not like I thought I was doing that at the time. It's a fast game. It happened in a split-second. I thought he played the puck, you finish your hit.
"When I saw that he actually didn't play the puck, he was right beside it, then you lose sleep over it."
It's not that the executives didn't want to protect players, or that they didn't believe concussions were a problem. The concern was how new rules would be enforced. Hits by shoulders are legal in the NHL, regardless of where they make contact with an opponent.
Sometimes the shoulder of a big defenseman like Philadelphia's Chris Pronger would be head high against a smaller player. Should Pronger be penalized for being tall, or be thrown out of a game because his target ducked when he saw him coming?
And what responsibility does a player have in absorbing a hit? It has always been part of hockey chatter that once you make a pass, don't get caught admiring it.
The players' association said it has been in regular contact with the NHL since the GM meetings last week. The league sent the union the proposed rule, and on Friday the union received the video outlining hits that would be illegal and legal if the new rule passes through the competition committee and is approved by unanimous vote by the league's board of governors.
2010年5月6日星期四
Crosby's 3 assists lead Pens past Flyers 4-1
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Sidney Crosby set up three goals, goalie Marc-Andre Fleury played a strong game after allowing an early soft goal and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the soccer jerseys rival Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 on Saturday, the final regular season game in Mellon Arena between the longtime rivals.
Scoring more than three goals for the first time in 10 games, the Stanley Cup champion Penguins ended a three-game losing streak and clinched a berth in the Eastern Conference playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
The Penguins also took over the Atlantic Division lead, although New Jersey could go past them by beating Montreal on Saturday night.
The Flyers generated little offense after Arron Asham's attempted pass was misplayed by Fleury into a goal 1:02 into the game, and they lost their fifth in a row and seventh in eight games. They have lost five of six to the Penguins, who eliminated them in the playoffs the last two seasons.
Fleury regrouped to make 26 saves as the Penguins improved to 7-0-3 in their last 10 games in Mellon Arena.
Pascal Dupuis put the Penguins ahead 2-1 with his 18th goal, putting in a rebound after Crosby carried the puck into the Flyers zone and drove to the net against rookie goalie Johan Backlund at 6:03 of the second.
Matt Cooke and Ruslan Fedotenko scored in the third period against Brian Boucher, with Crosby assisting on both goals and Fedotenko getting an assist on Cooke's goal.
Backlund made 22 saves in his NHL debut _ he became the fourth starting goalie used by the Flyers this season _ before leaving after two periods with an unspecified lower body injury.
The Penguins will go to their new arena next season with a 58-44-2 home-ice record against the Flyers, one that is much better than the Flyers' 132-85-31 overall record since both franchises entered the league together in 1967.
The Flyers and Penguins tied 1-1 in their first game in Pittsburgh on Nov. 4, 1967, when slightly more than 4,300 showed up at what was then known as the Civic Arena. Nearly four times that many _ 17,132 _ were on hand Saturday for what might have been Philadelphia's final game in an arena that visiting players will remember for its cramped visitors dressing room and noisy fans that sit much closer to the ice than those in the more spacious newer arenas.
Remarkably, the two in-state rivals managed to play a fight-free game, although Scott Hartnell and the Penguins' Brooks Orpik briefly tussled midway through the third period before being sent off with roughing penalties.
The sellout crowd was more subdued than usual for a game against arguably the Penguins' most-disliked opponent, perhaps because there were long stretches without good scoring chances or offensive flow.
The fans managed one last "Go Home, Flyers" chant shortly after Fedotenko scored on a power play at 14:31 of the third _ only the second Pittsburgh power play goal in 43 chances with Evgeni Malkin sidelined. He missed his fifth game in his last six with a bruised right foot.
Chris Kunitz tied it at 1 for the Penguins in the final minute of the first period, putting a rebound of Jordan Leopold's shot past Backlund 1 second after a power play ended.
NOTES: The Flyers were 0 for 4 on the power play. ... Pittsburgh, opening a six-game homestand, is 20-1-1 at home in March and April the last three seasons. ... Crosby, who began the day tied for the NHL lead with 45 goals, failed to score a goal for a seventh consecutive game.
Scoring more than three goals for the first time in 10 games, the Stanley Cup champion Penguins ended a three-game losing streak and clinched a berth in the Eastern Conference playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
The Penguins also took over the Atlantic Division lead, although New Jersey could go past them by beating Montreal on Saturday night.
The Flyers generated little offense after Arron Asham's attempted pass was misplayed by Fleury into a goal 1:02 into the game, and they lost their fifth in a row and seventh in eight games. They have lost five of six to the Penguins, who eliminated them in the playoffs the last two seasons.
Fleury regrouped to make 26 saves as the Penguins improved to 7-0-3 in their last 10 games in Mellon Arena.
Pascal Dupuis put the Penguins ahead 2-1 with his 18th goal, putting in a rebound after Crosby carried the puck into the Flyers zone and drove to the net against rookie goalie Johan Backlund at 6:03 of the second.
Matt Cooke and Ruslan Fedotenko scored in the third period against Brian Boucher, with Crosby assisting on both goals and Fedotenko getting an assist on Cooke's goal.
Backlund made 22 saves in his NHL debut _ he became the fourth starting goalie used by the Flyers this season _ before leaving after two periods with an unspecified lower body injury.
The Penguins will go to their new arena next season with a 58-44-2 home-ice record against the Flyers, one that is much better than the Flyers' 132-85-31 overall record since both franchises entered the league together in 1967.
The Flyers and Penguins tied 1-1 in their first game in Pittsburgh on Nov. 4, 1967, when slightly more than 4,300 showed up at what was then known as the Civic Arena. Nearly four times that many _ 17,132 _ were on hand Saturday for what might have been Philadelphia's final game in an arena that visiting players will remember for its cramped visitors dressing room and noisy fans that sit much closer to the ice than those in the more spacious newer arenas.
Remarkably, the two in-state rivals managed to play a fight-free game, although Scott Hartnell and the Penguins' Brooks Orpik briefly tussled midway through the third period before being sent off with roughing penalties.
The sellout crowd was more subdued than usual for a game against arguably the Penguins' most-disliked opponent, perhaps because there were long stretches without good scoring chances or offensive flow.
The fans managed one last "Go Home, Flyers" chant shortly after Fedotenko scored on a power play at 14:31 of the third _ only the second Pittsburgh power play goal in 43 chances with Evgeni Malkin sidelined. He missed his fifth game in his last six with a bruised right foot.
Chris Kunitz tied it at 1 for the Penguins in the final minute of the first period, putting a rebound of Jordan Leopold's shot past Backlund 1 second after a power play ended.
NOTES: The Flyers were 0 for 4 on the power play. ... Pittsburgh, opening a six-game homestand, is 20-1-1 at home in March and April the last three seasons. ... Crosby, who began the day tied for the NHL lead with 45 goals, failed to score a goal for a seventh consecutive game.
Sabres rout Lightning 7-1 to clinch playoff spot
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Patrick Lalime won his 200th career game and the Buffalo Sabres clinched their first playoff berth in three years with a 7-1 rout of soccer jerseys the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night.
Lalime, who made 22 saves, had been 0-4-1 with a no-decision since posting win No. 199 against Pittsburgh on Dec. 29. He is the 66th goalie in NHL history to reach the milestone.
Derek Roy scored his fourth career hat trick and added an assist for Buffalo, which hadn't reached the playoffs since the 2007-08 season.
Paul Gaustad, Jochen Hecht, Jason Pominville, and Adam Mair also scored for the Sabres, who have won five of their last six.
Steve Downie scored for Tampa Bay, which lost for the sixth time in eight games. Antero Niittymaki gave up three goals on six shots in the game's first 8:52 and was replaced by Mike Smith, who made 16 saves.
Gaustad opened the scoring at the 2:24 mark, redirecting a Craig Rivet slap shot while stationed in front of Niittymaki.
Buffalo then broke the game open with a pair of power play goals during a 5-minute advantage. Tampa Bay captain Vincent Lecavalier was assessed a major _ along with an automatic game misconduct _ for spearing Tim Kennedy. Roy and Hecht scored in a 50-second span to put the Sabres up 3-0.
In the second period, Pominville redirected a pass at the corner of the goalmouth seven minutes in, and Roy notched his second of the night on a backhand flip less than 3 minutes later. Mair then scored with 8:44 left, duplicating Pominville's positioning and tapping in an easy goal.
Roy completed his hat trick with a power play goal 6 minutes into the third period. He connected on a slap shot from between the faceoff circles.
Rookie Tyler Ennis, who scored in his only other NHL game Nov. 14 at Philadelphia, had two assists.
NOTES: Buffalo played without C Tim Connolly and RW Patrick Kaleta. Connolly injured his foot about a week ago and it flared up. Kaleta has an upper body injury. ... Tampa Bay remains six points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. ... Pominville, with a goal and two assists, surpassed the 300-point milestone for his career. ... The Lightning recalled D Vladimir Mihalik from AHL Norfolk, and he made his season debut. He played in 11 NHL games last year.
Lalime, who made 22 saves, had been 0-4-1 with a no-decision since posting win No. 199 against Pittsburgh on Dec. 29. He is the 66th goalie in NHL history to reach the milestone.
Derek Roy scored his fourth career hat trick and added an assist for Buffalo, which hadn't reached the playoffs since the 2007-08 season.
Paul Gaustad, Jochen Hecht, Jason Pominville, and Adam Mair also scored for the Sabres, who have won five of their last six.
Steve Downie scored for Tampa Bay, which lost for the sixth time in eight games. Antero Niittymaki gave up three goals on six shots in the game's first 8:52 and was replaced by Mike Smith, who made 16 saves.
Gaustad opened the scoring at the 2:24 mark, redirecting a Craig Rivet slap shot while stationed in front of Niittymaki.
Buffalo then broke the game open with a pair of power play goals during a 5-minute advantage. Tampa Bay captain Vincent Lecavalier was assessed a major _ along with an automatic game misconduct _ for spearing Tim Kennedy. Roy and Hecht scored in a 50-second span to put the Sabres up 3-0.
In the second period, Pominville redirected a pass at the corner of the goalmouth seven minutes in, and Roy notched his second of the night on a backhand flip less than 3 minutes later. Mair then scored with 8:44 left, duplicating Pominville's positioning and tapping in an easy goal.
Roy completed his hat trick with a power play goal 6 minutes into the third period. He connected on a slap shot from between the faceoff circles.
Rookie Tyler Ennis, who scored in his only other NHL game Nov. 14 at Philadelphia, had two assists.
NOTES: Buffalo played without C Tim Connolly and RW Patrick Kaleta. Connolly injured his foot about a week ago and it flared up. Kaleta has an upper body injury. ... Tampa Bay remains six points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. ... Pominville, with a goal and two assists, surpassed the 300-point milestone for his career. ... The Lightning recalled D Vladimir Mihalik from AHL Norfolk, and he made his season debut. He played in 11 NHL games last year.
2010年5月5日星期三
Advantage Chelsea
Chelsea claimed a significant advantage in the NHL Jerseys English Premier League title race on Sunday after defeating Manchester United 1-0 to extend the Blues lead to five points at the top.
Captain John Terry scored the decisive goal in the 76th minute after a resolute performance down back alongside the impressive Ricardo Carvalho to cap a man-of-the-match game from the big defender.
And the victory gives Chelsea a major boost ahead of the international break, with the Londoners taking box seat in the title race.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who have won every game at Stamford Bridge under the Italian, are certainly looking title favourites too.
While last season, when Chelsea finished third some 7 points behind the Red Devils, the Blues dropped 18 points at home, this campaign has been dramatically different with no points dropped at the fortress that is becoming Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea actually haven’t conceded a goal at Stamford Bridge in all competitions this season since the opening day 2-1 victory over Hull City.
And Ancelotti appears to have his side firing with Didier Drogba a fine example of a player flourishing under the Italian as he is enjoying arguably the best form of his career.
The 1-0 victory over United wasn’t a classic, but for Chelsea the tactics taken by the visitors said plenty about where these two clubs are at.
The Red Devils packed the midfield to try and prevent Chelsea expressing themselves. United’s tactic left Wayne Rooney to fight a difficult lone battle up front and while he battled manfully, ultimately his efforts proved fruitless.
It suggested the visitors would be happy to leave London with a draw, which is definitely not the norm for the champions.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti isn’t getting carried away despite the numerous positives, stating; "We have to continue because during the season there will be other strong matches like this.
“It's important we've started the season very well, we have 30 points from 12 games.
"But the season is very long and we know that. We have to stay focused for the next matches."
Indeed, there will be a tricky spell for Chelsea after the turn of the year when several stars, including Michael Essien and Drogba, head off for the African Cup of Nations.
Some good news for the Blues is the fact their transfer ban has been lifted and their fixture list during the African tournament is kind on them.
But there’s no doubt United will typically launch another assault on the title.
Rooney, as mentioned previously, fought hard on Sunday in a role he wasn’t totally comfortable with yet he caused plenty of trouble for Chelsea with a second-half missed chance a major moment in the match.
But Rooney’s inspired form this season, in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Real Madrid, suggests the Red Devils have a man capable of guiding them to the title.
Nevertheless, Ronaldo’s direct replacement in midfield, Luis Antonio Valencia, has proved a good addition but far from the Portuguese’s quality and a change like that leaves a lot for other players to shoulder.
Valencia was presented with arguably United’s best chance to equalize late in Sunday’s contest, but the Ecuadorian screwed his effort wide, symbolizing the Red Devils need for cutting edge.
Ryan Giggs has been sensational this season but he struggled against Chelsea and that’s a concern for Sir Alex Ferguson.
But the Scottish boss seems to be more concerned with the referees, with several rants directed at the officials already this season, suggesting plenty of frustration at the Old Trafford camp.
Indeed, some of the body language and protesting late in Sunday’s game by United’s players and coaches hinted at worrying signs for a club who need to focus with a challenger ready to rival them this season.
But no title is ever won in early November and there’s plenty of hurdles to come, although Sunday’s victory for Chelsea puts them a step or two ahead of their rivals from Manchester and that’s a handy advantage.
Captain John Terry scored the decisive goal in the 76th minute after a resolute performance down back alongside the impressive Ricardo Carvalho to cap a man-of-the-match game from the big defender.
And the victory gives Chelsea a major boost ahead of the international break, with the Londoners taking box seat in the title race.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who have won every game at Stamford Bridge under the Italian, are certainly looking title favourites too.
While last season, when Chelsea finished third some 7 points behind the Red Devils, the Blues dropped 18 points at home, this campaign has been dramatically different with no points dropped at the fortress that is becoming Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea actually haven’t conceded a goal at Stamford Bridge in all competitions this season since the opening day 2-1 victory over Hull City.
And Ancelotti appears to have his side firing with Didier Drogba a fine example of a player flourishing under the Italian as he is enjoying arguably the best form of his career.
The 1-0 victory over United wasn’t a classic, but for Chelsea the tactics taken by the visitors said plenty about where these two clubs are at.
The Red Devils packed the midfield to try and prevent Chelsea expressing themselves. United’s tactic left Wayne Rooney to fight a difficult lone battle up front and while he battled manfully, ultimately his efforts proved fruitless.
It suggested the visitors would be happy to leave London with a draw, which is definitely not the norm for the champions.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti isn’t getting carried away despite the numerous positives, stating; "We have to continue because during the season there will be other strong matches like this.
“It's important we've started the season very well, we have 30 points from 12 games.
"But the season is very long and we know that. We have to stay focused for the next matches."
Indeed, there will be a tricky spell for Chelsea after the turn of the year when several stars, including Michael Essien and Drogba, head off for the African Cup of Nations.
Some good news for the Blues is the fact their transfer ban has been lifted and their fixture list during the African tournament is kind on them.
But there’s no doubt United will typically launch another assault on the title.
Rooney, as mentioned previously, fought hard on Sunday in a role he wasn’t totally comfortable with yet he caused plenty of trouble for Chelsea with a second-half missed chance a major moment in the match.
But Rooney’s inspired form this season, in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Real Madrid, suggests the Red Devils have a man capable of guiding them to the title.
Nevertheless, Ronaldo’s direct replacement in midfield, Luis Antonio Valencia, has proved a good addition but far from the Portuguese’s quality and a change like that leaves a lot for other players to shoulder.
Valencia was presented with arguably United’s best chance to equalize late in Sunday’s contest, but the Ecuadorian screwed his effort wide, symbolizing the Red Devils need for cutting edge.
Ryan Giggs has been sensational this season but he struggled against Chelsea and that’s a concern for Sir Alex Ferguson.
But the Scottish boss seems to be more concerned with the referees, with several rants directed at the officials already this season, suggesting plenty of frustration at the Old Trafford camp.
Indeed, some of the body language and protesting late in Sunday’s game by United’s players and coaches hinted at worrying signs for a club who need to focus with a challenger ready to rival them this season.
But no title is ever won in early November and there’s plenty of hurdles to come, although Sunday’s victory for Chelsea puts them a step or two ahead of their rivals from Manchester and that’s a handy advantage.
Advantage Chelsea
Chelsea claimed a significant advantage in the NHL Jerseys English Premier League title race on Sunday after defeating Manchester United 1-0 to extend the Blues lead to five points at the top.
Captain John Terry scored the decisive goal in the 76th minute after a resolute performance down back alongside the impressive Ricardo Carvalho to cap a man-of-the-match game from the big defender.
And the victory gives Chelsea a major boost ahead of the international break, with the Londoners taking box seat in the title race.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who have won every game at Stamford Bridge under the Italian, are certainly looking title favourites too.
While last season, when Chelsea finished third some 7 points behind the Red Devils, the Blues dropped 18 points at home, this campaign has been dramatically different with no points dropped at the fortress that is becoming Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea actually haven’t conceded a goal at Stamford Bridge in all competitions this season since the opening day 2-1 victory over Hull City.
And Ancelotti appears to have his side firing with Didier Drogba a fine example of a player flourishing under the Italian as he is enjoying arguably the best form of his career.
The 1-0 victory over United wasn’t a classic, but for Chelsea the tactics taken by the visitors said plenty about where these two clubs are at.
The Red Devils packed the midfield to try and prevent Chelsea expressing themselves. United’s tactic left Wayne Rooney to fight a difficult lone battle up front and while he battled manfully, ultimately his efforts proved fruitless.
It suggested the visitors would be happy to leave London with a draw, which is definitely not the norm for the champions.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti isn’t getting carried away despite the numerous positives, stating; "We have to continue because during the season there will be other strong matches like this.
“It's important we've started the season very well, we have 30 points from 12 games.
"But the season is very long and we know that. We have to stay focused for the next matches."
Indeed, there will be a tricky spell for Chelsea after the turn of the year when several stars, including Michael Essien and Drogba, head off for the African Cup of Nations.
Some good news for the Blues is the fact their transfer ban has been lifted and their fixture list during the African tournament is kind on them.
But there’s no doubt United will typically launch another assault on the title.
Rooney, as mentioned previously, fought hard on Sunday in a role he wasn’t totally comfortable with yet he caused plenty of trouble for Chelsea with a second-half missed chance a major moment in the match.
But Rooney’s inspired form this season, in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Real Madrid, suggests the Red Devils have a man capable of guiding them to the title.
Nevertheless, Ronaldo’s direct replacement in midfield, Luis Antonio Valencia, has proved a good addition but far from the Portuguese’s quality and a change like that leaves a lot for other players to shoulder.
Valencia was presented with arguably United’s best chance to equalize late in Sunday’s contest, but the Ecuadorian screwed his effort wide, symbolizing the Red Devils need for cutting edge.
Ryan Giggs has been sensational this season but he struggled against Chelsea and that’s a concern for Sir Alex Ferguson.
But the Scottish boss seems to be more concerned with the referees, with several rants directed at the officials already this season, suggesting plenty of frustration at the Old Trafford camp.
Indeed, some of the body language and protesting late in Sunday’s game by United’s players and coaches hinted at worrying signs for a club who need to focus with a challenger ready to rival them this season.
But no title is ever won in early November and there’s plenty of hurdles to come, although Sunday’s victory for Chelsea puts them a step or two ahead of their rivals from Manchester and that’s a handy advantage.
Captain John Terry scored the decisive goal in the 76th minute after a resolute performance down back alongside the impressive Ricardo Carvalho to cap a man-of-the-match game from the big defender.
And the victory gives Chelsea a major boost ahead of the international break, with the Londoners taking box seat in the title race.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who have won every game at Stamford Bridge under the Italian, are certainly looking title favourites too.
While last season, when Chelsea finished third some 7 points behind the Red Devils, the Blues dropped 18 points at home, this campaign has been dramatically different with no points dropped at the fortress that is becoming Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea actually haven’t conceded a goal at Stamford Bridge in all competitions this season since the opening day 2-1 victory over Hull City.
And Ancelotti appears to have his side firing with Didier Drogba a fine example of a player flourishing under the Italian as he is enjoying arguably the best form of his career.
The 1-0 victory over United wasn’t a classic, but for Chelsea the tactics taken by the visitors said plenty about where these two clubs are at.
The Red Devils packed the midfield to try and prevent Chelsea expressing themselves. United’s tactic left Wayne Rooney to fight a difficult lone battle up front and while he battled manfully, ultimately his efforts proved fruitless.
It suggested the visitors would be happy to leave London with a draw, which is definitely not the norm for the champions.
Nevertheless, Ancelotti isn’t getting carried away despite the numerous positives, stating; "We have to continue because during the season there will be other strong matches like this.
“It's important we've started the season very well, we have 30 points from 12 games.
"But the season is very long and we know that. We have to stay focused for the next matches."
Indeed, there will be a tricky spell for Chelsea after the turn of the year when several stars, including Michael Essien and Drogba, head off for the African Cup of Nations.
Some good news for the Blues is the fact their transfer ban has been lifted and their fixture list during the African tournament is kind on them.
But there’s no doubt United will typically launch another assault on the title.
Rooney, as mentioned previously, fought hard on Sunday in a role he wasn’t totally comfortable with yet he caused plenty of trouble for Chelsea with a second-half missed chance a major moment in the match.
But Rooney’s inspired form this season, in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Real Madrid, suggests the Red Devils have a man capable of guiding them to the title.
Nevertheless, Ronaldo’s direct replacement in midfield, Luis Antonio Valencia, has proved a good addition but far from the Portuguese’s quality and a change like that leaves a lot for other players to shoulder.
Valencia was presented with arguably United’s best chance to equalize late in Sunday’s contest, but the Ecuadorian screwed his effort wide, symbolizing the Red Devils need for cutting edge.
Ryan Giggs has been sensational this season but he struggled against Chelsea and that’s a concern for Sir Alex Ferguson.
But the Scottish boss seems to be more concerned with the referees, with several rants directed at the officials already this season, suggesting plenty of frustration at the Old Trafford camp.
Indeed, some of the body language and protesting late in Sunday’s game by United’s players and coaches hinted at worrying signs for a club who need to focus with a challenger ready to rival them this season.
But no title is ever won in early November and there’s plenty of hurdles to come, although Sunday’s victory for Chelsea puts them a step or two ahead of their rivals from Manchester and that’s a handy advantage.
2010年5月4日星期二
CSKA vs. Wolfsburg: CL Betting Preview
CSKA Moscow and Wolfsburg meet in the NHL jerseys Russian capital on Wednesday to decide who joins Manchester United in the last 16 and I take the Bundesliga side’s quality to tell.
CSKA, three points adrift of their German opponents in Group B, must win to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive but time and again we see teams shorter than they deserve to be based on their need to emerge victorious and this looks another good example of the desperate being underpriced.
Being able to field against the hosts at around the 2.20 mark is presumably based on their excellent showing at Old Trafford last time out, when holding the 2009 runners-up to a 3-3 draw, but the Premier League champions weren’t at the races that night and the Russian club’s defending was woeful when under the cosh late on.
The hosts enter Wednesday’s fixture with just one domestic game left to play, they were 3-2 winners at rivals Spatak last time out, but lie miles off the pace of newly crowned champions Rubin Kazan and 10 defeats already this season tells its own story.
CSKA were comprehensively outplayed on opening night when thrashed 3-1 in Germany and a similar score line once again wouldn’t surprise.
The hero for Wolfsburg back in September was Brazilian forward Grafite but he misses out through suspension for the return clash. Coach Armin Veh has a number of attacking options however and former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins is tipped to get the nod.
Martins still has plenty to offer, even at the highest level, and the Nigerian should have no trouble teaming up with the Bosnian pairing of Edin Dzeko and Zvjezdan Misimovic to form an enviable front three.
Wolfsburg were unbeaten in seven matches before succumbing to a last minute defeat on home soil to Nurnberg on the weekend but a point will be enough for them to qualify and I expect them to avoid consecutive losses with relative comfort. CSKA must cope without the influential Deividas Semberas, also suspended, and coach Leonid Slutski has his work cut out if he is to conjure up a win.
CSKA were extremely limited in their efforts going forward in front of their own fans when Manchester United came to town and while Wolfsburg will not be treated with the same respect it is asking an awful lot of the in-form Tomas Necid to do it all on his own. He’s a talent, no doubt, but CSKA are readily opposed at the prices and an away win is far from out of the question.
CSKA, three points adrift of their German opponents in Group B, must win to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive but time and again we see teams shorter than they deserve to be based on their need to emerge victorious and this looks another good example of the desperate being underpriced.
Being able to field against the hosts at around the 2.20 mark is presumably based on their excellent showing at Old Trafford last time out, when holding the 2009 runners-up to a 3-3 draw, but the Premier League champions weren’t at the races that night and the Russian club’s defending was woeful when under the cosh late on.
The hosts enter Wednesday’s fixture with just one domestic game left to play, they were 3-2 winners at rivals Spatak last time out, but lie miles off the pace of newly crowned champions Rubin Kazan and 10 defeats already this season tells its own story.
CSKA were comprehensively outplayed on opening night when thrashed 3-1 in Germany and a similar score line once again wouldn’t surprise.
The hero for Wolfsburg back in September was Brazilian forward Grafite but he misses out through suspension for the return clash. Coach Armin Veh has a number of attacking options however and former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins is tipped to get the nod.
Martins still has plenty to offer, even at the highest level, and the Nigerian should have no trouble teaming up with the Bosnian pairing of Edin Dzeko and Zvjezdan Misimovic to form an enviable front three.
Wolfsburg were unbeaten in seven matches before succumbing to a last minute defeat on home soil to Nurnberg on the weekend but a point will be enough for them to qualify and I expect them to avoid consecutive losses with relative comfort. CSKA must cope without the influential Deividas Semberas, also suspended, and coach Leonid Slutski has his work cut out if he is to conjure up a win.
CSKA were extremely limited in their efforts going forward in front of their own fans when Manchester United came to town and while Wolfsburg will not be treated with the same respect it is asking an awful lot of the in-form Tomas Necid to do it all on his own. He’s a talent, no doubt, but CSKA are readily opposed at the prices and an away win is far from out of the question.
2010年5月2日星期日
Inter Want Antonio Candreva
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 -- Italian champions and current Serie A leaders Inter Milan are interested in signing the Livorno midfielder Antonio Candreva, according to reports.
Il Corriere Dello Sport reports that Inter are looking to reinforce their midfield in January and are looking to sogn Candreva from relegation threatened Livorno. Inter's weakness so far this season has been their lack of creativity in the midfield and coach Jose Mourinho is eager to compensate for that by signing new players next month.
Il Corriere Dello Sport reports that Inter are looking to reinforce their midfield in January and are looking to sogn Candreva from relegation threatened Livorno. Inter's weakness so far this season has been their lack of creativity in the midfield and coach Jose Mourinho is eager to compensate for that by signing new players next month.
No 5. Unbeatable records In 2003-2004 season, Arsenal set a national record by becoming the first club to win the premiership title without losing a
In 2003-2004 season, Arsenal set a national record by becoming the first club to win the premiership title without losing a single match. Whether playing home or away they managed to remain unbeaten for 49 straight games. The same season the gunners set this amazing record, Chelsea, on the other hand, had begun their quest of setting a home record. From March 2004 to October 2008 the blues never conceded a defeat at home for soccer jerseys a startling 86 games.
2010年5月1日星期六
Five Must-See Football Matches This Weekend
This weekend offers plenty of exciting football matches from Istanbul, Porto, Milan and Liverpool but here's Sports Pundit's pick of the bunch.
Sports Pundit's Game of the Weekend
Real Mallorca v FC Sevilla
Spanish La Liga NFL jerseys
Saturday, 10pm (CET)
While the title race appears a two-horse race and Valencia look destined for third spot, the race for the fourth and final UEFA Champions League place remains wide open with 5th placed Mallorca and 4th placed Sevilla likely to battle it out.
Mallorca boast a wonderful home record with ten wins out of ten on the island in La Liga this season, which gives them a major advantage. But Sevilla, who are part of the last 16 in the current Champions League edition, are a very strong side on their day.
Manchester City v Liverpool
English Premier League
Sunday, 4pm (CET)
This game is another for Champions League spots with fourth-placed big-spenders Man City entertaining fifth-placed Liverpool. City are undefeated at home in the league this season, but Liverpool had been in-form before their loss to Arsenal last time out. With a point separating both sides, they both want the win.
VfL Wolfsburg v Schalke 04
German Bundesliga
Sunday, 5.30pm (CET)
This match marks the first return of Felix Magath to the Volkswagen Arena since his move from champions Wolfsburg to Gelsenkirchen club Schalke. Since then Wolfsburg have fallen from grace sitting in 12th, while Schalke are in the title race in third, three points behind the leaders. Magath needs the points here, but it will be an awkward game.
PAOK v Panathinaikos
Greek Super League
Sunday, 6pm (CET)
Leaders Panathinaikos travel to impressive third-placed PAOK this Sunday. Pana are in the middle of a little slump having won just one in four, so this is a crucial clash with second-placed Olympiacos and PAOK closing in. But the Greek leaders will be buoyed by a stirring midweek Europa League win over AS Roma
Unirea Urziceni v CFR Cluj
Romanian Liga I
Monday, 4.30pm (CET)
The Romanian league resumes after their long winter break with the top two going head-to-head. Unirea and CFR Cluj are the last two champions of Romania and with both sharing the lead at this stage, you fancy either of them for this season's title. It builds for a big clash.
Sports Pundit's Game of the Weekend
Real Mallorca v FC Sevilla
Spanish La Liga NFL jerseys
Saturday, 10pm (CET)
While the title race appears a two-horse race and Valencia look destined for third spot, the race for the fourth and final UEFA Champions League place remains wide open with 5th placed Mallorca and 4th placed Sevilla likely to battle it out.
Mallorca boast a wonderful home record with ten wins out of ten on the island in La Liga this season, which gives them a major advantage. But Sevilla, who are part of the last 16 in the current Champions League edition, are a very strong side on their day.
Manchester City v Liverpool
English Premier League
Sunday, 4pm (CET)
This game is another for Champions League spots with fourth-placed big-spenders Man City entertaining fifth-placed Liverpool. City are undefeated at home in the league this season, but Liverpool had been in-form before their loss to Arsenal last time out. With a point separating both sides, they both want the win.
VfL Wolfsburg v Schalke 04
German Bundesliga
Sunday, 5.30pm (CET)
This match marks the first return of Felix Magath to the Volkswagen Arena since his move from champions Wolfsburg to Gelsenkirchen club Schalke. Since then Wolfsburg have fallen from grace sitting in 12th, while Schalke are in the title race in third, three points behind the leaders. Magath needs the points here, but it will be an awkward game.
PAOK v Panathinaikos
Greek Super League
Sunday, 6pm (CET)
Leaders Panathinaikos travel to impressive third-placed PAOK this Sunday. Pana are in the middle of a little slump having won just one in four, so this is a crucial clash with second-placed Olympiacos and PAOK closing in. But the Greek leaders will be buoyed by a stirring midweek Europa League win over AS Roma
Unirea Urziceni v CFR Cluj
Romanian Liga I
Monday, 4.30pm (CET)
The Romanian league resumes after their long winter break with the top two going head-to-head. Unirea and CFR Cluj are the last two champions of Romania and with both sharing the lead at this stage, you fancy either of them for this season's title. It builds for a big clash.
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