DETROIT (AP) - Goaltender Jimmy Howard has a shot to be the first Detroit Red Wings player in four-plus decades to win the Calder Trophy as the best rookie in the NHL.
Howard, soccer jerseys though, is more interested in helping the storied franchise extend the longest streak in sports with a 19th straight trip to the postseason.
"First and foremost here, it's about getting into the playoffs," he said. "I'm not saying I wouldn't like to win it because I definitely would love to win the Calder, but it's secondary."
Howard is making quite a case for himself to be the Red Wings' first rookie of the year winner since Roger Crozier in 1965. He is ranked among the NHL's top 10 in victories, goals-against average (2.29) and save percentage (.924) after winning his 30th game on Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues.
If Howard finishes in the top 10 in those categories, he will join a list of 10 rookies who have pulled off the feat since the 1982-83 season when save percentage became a league stat, according to STATS LLC. Four of the 10 won the Calder, including New Jersey's Martin Brodeur in 1994 and Ed Belfour in Chicago in 1991.
Howard has been a key reason Detroit will be in a position to pad its lead for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs Friday night _ his 26th birthday _ at home against Minnesota.
"He has helped keep us in the race," general manager Ken Holland said.
Detroit has surged from being out of the race to having a realistic shot to finish as high as fifth in the conference, winning six of its last seven and going on a 9-2-1 streak since the Olympic break.
Howard said it has simply been fun.
"We've been playing playoff hockey for a while here, having to get points every single night," Howard said.
Detroit coach Mike Babcock said Howard will be in net against the Wild, making that his 21st straight. The last Red Wings rookie goalie to start that many games in a row was Roy Edwards, when he had 23 straight during the 1967-68 season.
"When you're a kid, you're fresh and it's your first year in the league, you just want to play," Babcock said. "And when you're playing well, you're not thinking and you just want to get in the net."
Howard played in only one game for Detroit last season, four the previous year and four games during the 2005-06 season.
Holland acknowledged he didn't envision Howard having the year he's had, but points to the only rookie on the roster as the latest example of how an "overripe" prospect produces in the league.
"Seven years in the minors and college helped get him ready for this opportunity," said Holland, a former goalie. "He got a chance to learn his craft and that's what we always like to do when we can with our draft picks."
Howard, who is from Syracuse, N.Y., insists he's not surprised by his success. He expected to be prepared him for his pressure-packed job in Detroit after four years of seasoning in the minors and three seasons at the University of Maine.
"I've been working hard for this my whole life," Howard said. "I knew if I just put the time in, everything would work out. It wasn't tough at all to play for four years in Grand Rapids because I knew it was time for me to come up here, I was ready to make an impact."
Detroit drafted Howard in the second round of the 2003 NHL draft. Howard worked out kinks in the American Hockey League while veterans Chris Osgood and Ty Conklin shared time in the net last season in Detroit after Osgood and Dominik Hasek did the previous two years.
Osgood was frustrated when Howard emerged as the No. 1 goalie this season, but now embraces his role as a mentor just two years after winning his second Stanley Cup as a starter.
"I'm happy for Howie," said Osgood, who has 396 career victories. "Sure, I want to play. But I played with a lot of older guys that were good to me, so I owe it to myself to be a good teammate and mentor for him. Howie knows how to play, I just tell him, `Just focus on stopping the puck.'
"All young goalies let their minds wander and sometimes I can tell when he's thinking about other things by his body language."
Howard has one season left on his three-year contract that will pay him $800,000 next year. If he keeps improving, that will be quite a bargain.
2010年5月7日星期五
2010年5月5日星期三
Colaiacovo nets winner for Blues against Stars
ST. LOUIS (AP) - Carlo Colaiacovo's 26th NHL goal, scored midway through the third period, was the difference in the St. Louis Blues' 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday night.
Colaiacovo's goal, soccer jerseys scored 8:14 into the third during a scramble in the crease, was his first in eight career games against the Stars and his first game-winner this season. The defenseman backhanded the puck into the near side past goalie Kari Lehtonen.
T.J. Oshie also scored his 17th goal for the Blues, who kept their slim playoff hopes alive. They moved within four points of Colorado and Calgary at the Western Conference's postseason cutoff. Chris Mason, who has won 11 of his last 16 starts, stopped 24 shots.
The Stars. clinging to fleeting postseason chances, got a power-play goal from Brenden Morrow. Lehtonen made 21 saves.
Oshie gave the Blues a 1-0 lead 4:19 into the game when he hammered in Roman Polak's shot from the point that Lehtonen couldn't handle. Andy McDonald forced a turnover along the wall to get the puck back to the point.
Morrow tied it 1-1 with 1:49 left in the second. He won a battle in the slot with defenseman Mike Weaver and banged a shot past Mason.
NOTES: Dallas C Brad Richards had six assists in four games against the Blues this season. ... Oshie has points in six straight games against the Stars. ... Blues C Keith Tkachuk and Stars C Mike Modano, who have hinted this season might be their last, have played in a combined 2,655 games, scored 1,094 goals, earned 1,326 assists and totaled 2,420 points. Tkachuk is in his 18th season. Modano is in his 19th. ... Blues LW Paul Kariya (lower body) and Colaiacovo (upper body) returned to the lineup after missing one game. D Barret Jackman (upper body) sat out. ... The Blues honored Kariya in a pregame ceremony for his recently scored 400th NHL goal.
Colaiacovo's goal, soccer jerseys scored 8:14 into the third during a scramble in the crease, was his first in eight career games against the Stars and his first game-winner this season. The defenseman backhanded the puck into the near side past goalie Kari Lehtonen.
T.J. Oshie also scored his 17th goal for the Blues, who kept their slim playoff hopes alive. They moved within four points of Colorado and Calgary at the Western Conference's postseason cutoff. Chris Mason, who has won 11 of his last 16 starts, stopped 24 shots.
The Stars. clinging to fleeting postseason chances, got a power-play goal from Brenden Morrow. Lehtonen made 21 saves.
Oshie gave the Blues a 1-0 lead 4:19 into the game when he hammered in Roman Polak's shot from the point that Lehtonen couldn't handle. Andy McDonald forced a turnover along the wall to get the puck back to the point.
Morrow tied it 1-1 with 1:49 left in the second. He won a battle in the slot with defenseman Mike Weaver and banged a shot past Mason.
NOTES: Dallas C Brad Richards had six assists in four games against the Blues this season. ... Oshie has points in six straight games against the Stars. ... Blues C Keith Tkachuk and Stars C Mike Modano, who have hinted this season might be their last, have played in a combined 2,655 games, scored 1,094 goals, earned 1,326 assists and totaled 2,420 points. Tkachuk is in his 18th season. Modano is in his 19th. ... Blues LW Paul Kariya (lower body) and Colaiacovo (upper body) returned to the lineup after missing one game. D Barret Jackman (upper body) sat out. ... The Blues honored Kariya in a pregame ceremony for his recently scored 400th NHL goal.
Will Mourinho pass the special test
Europe comes alive on the nights of 8th and 9th December when the NFL jerseys UEFA champions league resumes with match day six encounters being played across the continent. Out of the sixteen teams needed to qualify in the first round knock out phase, eight teams have already qualified leaving eight slots up for grabs.
The teams that are yet to qualify know quite well its now or never since match day six marks the end of the group stage. It’s on this fact that the results will ultimately decide which team will have its name among the ones appearing, in the last sixteen.
Among the nerve-racking encounters will be the game between Inter Milan and Rubin Kazan, which will be played on Wednesday at the intimidating San Siro stadium. Both teams have six points but Inter Milan have a better goal difference. If Inter Milan draws with Rubin Kazan they will hope that Dynamo Kiev, who have five points, doesn’t beat Barcelona, who are at the top with eight points. For the Italian champions, hope is the last thing they will want to add, after 90 minutes of play.
Inter Milan coached by the self proclaimed special one, Jose Mourinho, is really under pressure to avoid an early exit. The core reasons as to why the club’s president, Massimo Moratti, parted ways with Roberto Mancini and brought Mourinho, as his replacement in mid 2008, was to make sure the team is able to replicate its domestic dominance in Europe. Although Mourinho has continued with the same success Mancini had in Italy, in Europe the situation hasn’t improved that much.
Mourinho’s first season in Europe with Inter ended in the first knock out round, where Man Utd eliminated them. This season, pressure is really mounting on Mourinho to go at least a step further than last season. A win for the Italians will certainly resurrect the hopes of having better days in Europe while a loss will undeniably put Mourinho’s job up for debate.
After last week’s loss to Juventus, Inter’s biggest assignment this week is to overcome a very trick Russian side. The Russians are in their best form, they have lifted the Russian champions for the second year running and better still, defeated Barcelona at their Camp Nou stadium.
As usual Rubin Kazan will walk in San Siro as the under dogs but Inter Milan can only underrate them at their own peril. When the two met in Russia on match day two, the game ended on a barren draw. Something that can swing the game around is the players match fitness. Rubin Kazan are better fit since the Russian league ended last month while Inter will have had only three days to be fit. Whether its fitness, hope or sheer brilliance that carries the day, the game is indeed a special test for the special one.
The teams that are yet to qualify know quite well its now or never since match day six marks the end of the group stage. It’s on this fact that the results will ultimately decide which team will have its name among the ones appearing, in the last sixteen.
Among the nerve-racking encounters will be the game between Inter Milan and Rubin Kazan, which will be played on Wednesday at the intimidating San Siro stadium. Both teams have six points but Inter Milan have a better goal difference. If Inter Milan draws with Rubin Kazan they will hope that Dynamo Kiev, who have five points, doesn’t beat Barcelona, who are at the top with eight points. For the Italian champions, hope is the last thing they will want to add, after 90 minutes of play.
Inter Milan coached by the self proclaimed special one, Jose Mourinho, is really under pressure to avoid an early exit. The core reasons as to why the club’s president, Massimo Moratti, parted ways with Roberto Mancini and brought Mourinho, as his replacement in mid 2008, was to make sure the team is able to replicate its domestic dominance in Europe. Although Mourinho has continued with the same success Mancini had in Italy, in Europe the situation hasn’t improved that much.
Mourinho’s first season in Europe with Inter ended in the first knock out round, where Man Utd eliminated them. This season, pressure is really mounting on Mourinho to go at least a step further than last season. A win for the Italians will certainly resurrect the hopes of having better days in Europe while a loss will undeniably put Mourinho’s job up for debate.
After last week’s loss to Juventus, Inter’s biggest assignment this week is to overcome a very trick Russian side. The Russians are in their best form, they have lifted the Russian champions for the second year running and better still, defeated Barcelona at their Camp Nou stadium.
As usual Rubin Kazan will walk in San Siro as the under dogs but Inter Milan can only underrate them at their own peril. When the two met in Russia on match day two, the game ended on a barren draw. Something that can swing the game around is the players match fitness. Rubin Kazan are better fit since the Russian league ended last month while Inter will have had only three days to be fit. Whether its fitness, hope or sheer brilliance that carries the day, the game is indeed a special test for the special one.
Slovenia (1) v Russia (2), Maribor
Saturday’s 2-1 victory for NBA jerseys Russia in Moscow was greeted with headlines in the local press claiming "It was not enough!" Indeed, Slovenia’s late away goal could prove crucial but Russia boss Guus Hiddink isn’t getting caught up in the negativity.
Hiddink said, “We did not lose the first match, we won it! And there's no room for panic.
"I know that a very tough battle is waiting for us in Slovenia but we gave another proof that we can upset any opposing team regardless of how many goals they allowed in their qualifying group or how dangerous in general they are."
Slovenia skipper Robert Koren said, “Playing on grass and in front of our passionate fans will give us a distinct advantage. I think it will be a totally different match from the one we played in Moscow."
Hiddink said, “We did not lose the first match, we won it! And there's no room for panic.
"I know that a very tough battle is waiting for us in Slovenia but we gave another proof that we can upset any opposing team regardless of how many goals they allowed in their qualifying group or how dangerous in general they are."
Slovenia skipper Robert Koren said, “Playing on grass and in front of our passionate fans will give us a distinct advantage. I think it will be a totally different match from the one we played in Moscow."
2010年5月4日星期二
South American Fate: The World Cup Draw
The World Cup 2010 draw is out and the lines are set in stone. Teams have been told of their starting spots, their rivals and their paths to the finals. So with battle lines now drawn out, teams will move towards finalizing their strategy and plans to making this world cup as successful as can be.
However, there can only be one winner and it is extremely likely that that team may be one from South America. Let's take a look at how they fared at the draw and what the future will hold for NFL jerseys them.
However, there can only be one winner and it is extremely likely that that team may be one from South America. Let's take a look at how they fared at the draw and what the future will hold for NFL jerseys them.
2010年5月2日星期日
Five Must-See Football Matches This Weekend
With the weekend ready to roll, it is time for NBA jerseys another edition outlining what to keep an eye out for over the next few days in the world of football.
Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend
Estudiantes La Plata v FC Barcelona
Club World Cup Final
Saturday 5pm (CET)
The match which effectively decides the best club in the world takes place this weekend in the unlikely location of Abu Dhabi. Argentina’s Copa Libertadores winner Estudiantes take on Spain’s European champions FC Barcelona.
But the Argentine club will be fearing one of their own, with Lionel Messi hailed as the man to win Barcelona this elusive title. Barca boss Pep Guardiola praised the Ballon d’Or winner, saying, "He carries in his blood a competitive gene, to be the best, to settle matches." Indeed, Messi came off the bench to score in the semi-final win over Atlante.
Barcelona will be without star Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta due to a thigh injury although they’ve a strong squad with many able replacements. Estudiantes know this and skipper Juan Sebastian Veron praised them during the week claiming they were ‘the best team in the last two years’.
It is hard to see the South Americans toppling Barcelona, who play some unique and brilliant football, but perhaps there is hope with semi-finalists Atlante exposing a Barca weakness with the long-ball finding them often too square. But there’s not much else, so Barcelona must still be strong favourites.
Fiorentina v AC Milan
Italian Serie A
Saturday 8pm (CET)
A Saturday clash between two of Italy’s most powerful clubs, comes on the back of unexpected losses in Serie A for both last week. Milan had stormed up the table to second until they were beaten by Palermo, while Fiorentina are in a bit of a rut losing five of their last 8 league matches to sit ninth.
The Viola will be hoping to right their wrongs, while Milan can’t afford to lose further ground on leaders Inter. This will be a special match for Fiorentina’s ex-Milan man Alberto Gilardino and he could play a key role.
Hamburg SV v Werder Bremen
German Bundesliga
Sunday 3.30pm (CET)
The North-West German derby arrives with three points crucial for both clubs as they try to maintain their title ambitions just before the winter break. Werder currently sit fourth while HSV are down in fifth although both are just four points behind leaders Leverkusen.
Werder will be boosted by the news manager Thomas Schaaf has signed a new contract but having not won in three, the pressure will be on. Bruno Labbadia’s Hamburg, on the other hand, won 4-0 at Nurnberg last time out but hadn’t won in 7 in the league prior to that. Both sides need the points here and the stakes will be high, with local bragging rights up for grabs too.
Anderlecht v Club Brugge
Belgian Jupiler League
Sunday 8.30pm (CET)
Belgium’s top two go head-to-head on Sunday with Anderlecht hoping to establish an unassailable lead from second-placed Brugge, who are currently 7 points behind the leaders. Anderlecht hasn’t won the league title since 2006-2007 and seem determined to end that run.
Brugge, though, are their closest rivals but have been stuttering of late. Anderlecht have won their last eight in the league but their last slip-up was a 4-2 loss to Brugge. Still, the Brussels club might see this as the chance to reaffirm their champion status.
Benfica v FC Porto
Portuguese Liga
Sunday 9.15pm (CET)
Portuguese league leaders Benfica host champions Porto in a big clash in Lisbon late this Sunday. Benfica have only won 2 of their last 5 in the league to narrowly hold top spot from Braga and then Porto a further point back.
But the champions have won their last three Liga matches and seem to be beginning to mount a serious title challenge. Porto’s Silvestre Varela has been in good form of late, while Benfica’s Paraguayan striker Oscar Cardozo remains the league’s topscorer with 14. Both will be important.
Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend
Estudiantes La Plata v FC Barcelona
Club World Cup Final
Saturday 5pm (CET)
The match which effectively decides the best club in the world takes place this weekend in the unlikely location of Abu Dhabi. Argentina’s Copa Libertadores winner Estudiantes take on Spain’s European champions FC Barcelona.
But the Argentine club will be fearing one of their own, with Lionel Messi hailed as the man to win Barcelona this elusive title. Barca boss Pep Guardiola praised the Ballon d’Or winner, saying, "He carries in his blood a competitive gene, to be the best, to settle matches." Indeed, Messi came off the bench to score in the semi-final win over Atlante.
Barcelona will be without star Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta due to a thigh injury although they’ve a strong squad with many able replacements. Estudiantes know this and skipper Juan Sebastian Veron praised them during the week claiming they were ‘the best team in the last two years’.
It is hard to see the South Americans toppling Barcelona, who play some unique and brilliant football, but perhaps there is hope with semi-finalists Atlante exposing a Barca weakness with the long-ball finding them often too square. But there’s not much else, so Barcelona must still be strong favourites.
Fiorentina v AC Milan
Italian Serie A
Saturday 8pm (CET)
A Saturday clash between two of Italy’s most powerful clubs, comes on the back of unexpected losses in Serie A for both last week. Milan had stormed up the table to second until they were beaten by Palermo, while Fiorentina are in a bit of a rut losing five of their last 8 league matches to sit ninth.
The Viola will be hoping to right their wrongs, while Milan can’t afford to lose further ground on leaders Inter. This will be a special match for Fiorentina’s ex-Milan man Alberto Gilardino and he could play a key role.
Hamburg SV v Werder Bremen
German Bundesliga
Sunday 3.30pm (CET)
The North-West German derby arrives with three points crucial for both clubs as they try to maintain their title ambitions just before the winter break. Werder currently sit fourth while HSV are down in fifth although both are just four points behind leaders Leverkusen.
Werder will be boosted by the news manager Thomas Schaaf has signed a new contract but having not won in three, the pressure will be on. Bruno Labbadia’s Hamburg, on the other hand, won 4-0 at Nurnberg last time out but hadn’t won in 7 in the league prior to that. Both sides need the points here and the stakes will be high, with local bragging rights up for grabs too.
Anderlecht v Club Brugge
Belgian Jupiler League
Sunday 8.30pm (CET)
Belgium’s top two go head-to-head on Sunday with Anderlecht hoping to establish an unassailable lead from second-placed Brugge, who are currently 7 points behind the leaders. Anderlecht hasn’t won the league title since 2006-2007 and seem determined to end that run.
Brugge, though, are their closest rivals but have been stuttering of late. Anderlecht have won their last eight in the league but their last slip-up was a 4-2 loss to Brugge. Still, the Brussels club might see this as the chance to reaffirm their champion status.
Benfica v FC Porto
Portuguese Liga
Sunday 9.15pm (CET)
Portuguese league leaders Benfica host champions Porto in a big clash in Lisbon late this Sunday. Benfica have only won 2 of their last 5 in the league to narrowly hold top spot from Braga and then Porto a further point back.
But the champions have won their last three Liga matches and seem to be beginning to mount a serious title challenge. Porto’s Silvestre Varela has been in good form of late, while Benfica’s Paraguayan striker Oscar Cardozo remains the league’s topscorer with 14. Both will be important.
ITALY
It was a champion performance fromSoccer jerseys Italy's reigning champs Inter as they defeated their closest rivals (in every sense) AC Milan 2-0 despite being reduced to nine-men and conceding a penalty. The nature of the result really was a psychological blow which suggests Inter have the title won.
Elsewhere, Roma pushed forward their credentials with a 2-1 win at Juventus which leaves the Old Lady reeling down in sixth. Surely, Ciro Ferrara will be shown the door now. They've lost their last 3 Serie A matches and 6 of their last 8 in the league.
Another Italian heavyweight, Fiorentina, are also struggling down in ninth after a 3-0 loss to Palermo, who are flying at the moment with impressive centre-half Simon Kjaer instrumental. At the bottom, Siena snapped their losing run with a 1-1 draw against Cagliari but are still languishing way off the pace.
GERMANY
Leaders Leverkusen have maintained their supremacy at MLB jerseys the top of the Bundesliga despite the increasing pressure from Bayern, who've won their last eight matches in all competitions. Saturday's 3-2 win by the Bavarians in Bremen really shows they've got what it takes.
But Jupp Heynckes' Leverkusen remain top after another win, this time an impressive 3-0 win at Hoffenheim. Schalke's 2-2 draw at Bochum, after conceding twice late, sees them drop below Bayern.
Dortmund continue their winning streak after a brilliant 1-0 win over Hamburg, who've just signed Ruud van Nistelrooy. Elsewhere, Hannover fans will been concerned after their fourth straight loss, a 1-0 defeat at Mainz, while bottom club Hertha claimed another post-Christmas point.
Elsewhere, Roma pushed forward their credentials with a 2-1 win at Juventus which leaves the Old Lady reeling down in sixth. Surely, Ciro Ferrara will be shown the door now. They've lost their last 3 Serie A matches and 6 of their last 8 in the league.
Another Italian heavyweight, Fiorentina, are also struggling down in ninth after a 3-0 loss to Palermo, who are flying at the moment with impressive centre-half Simon Kjaer instrumental. At the bottom, Siena snapped their losing run with a 1-1 draw against Cagliari but are still languishing way off the pace.
GERMANY
Leaders Leverkusen have maintained their supremacy at MLB jerseys the top of the Bundesliga despite the increasing pressure from Bayern, who've won their last eight matches in all competitions. Saturday's 3-2 win by the Bavarians in Bremen really shows they've got what it takes.
But Jupp Heynckes' Leverkusen remain top after another win, this time an impressive 3-0 win at Hoffenheim. Schalke's 2-2 draw at Bochum, after conceding twice late, sees them drop below Bayern.
Dortmund continue their winning streak after a brilliant 1-0 win over Hamburg, who've just signed Ruud van Nistelrooy. Elsewhere, Hannover fans will been concerned after their fourth straight loss, a 1-0 defeat at Mainz, while bottom club Hertha claimed another post-Christmas point.
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