chenmo31
38 posts
Dec 27, 2011
12:08 AM  |
CHICAGO -- Winning the Central Division was almost anti-climatic for the Chicago Blackhawks, even if it was high on the teams to-do list. Authentic LaDainian Tomlinson Jersey. Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist, and the Blackhawks beat the Calgary Flames 4-1 on Sunday, shortly after clinching their first division title since winning the Norris Division in 1992-93. The Blackhawks, winners of three straight, were handed the Central Division minutes before the puck was dropped when Detroit lost at Philadelphia. "Id be lying to you if I said it wasnt our goal at the start of the year," Kane said. "It was been long time coming. I was four-years-old the last time we won the division. Its a good accomplishment, but its not really the accomplishment you want. The big goal is the big award at the end of the year." Antti Niemi made 25 saves for Chicago, and Tomas Kopecky, Troy Brouwer and Dustin Byfuglien also scored. Brent Seabrook had a pair of assists. The Blackhawks reached 49 victories to tie the team record set in 1970-71 and matched in 1990-91 -- before ties were broken in shootouts. It was their eighth straight regular-season victory over the Flames, and they improved to 105 points while closing within one of first-place San Jose in the Western Conference. The Blackhawks seem to be turning up their game and pace just in time for the playoffs. Prior to their current winning streak, they had lost three straight and were 2-5-2 in their previous nine. "We knew we could be better," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "We had more speed than a week ago. It makes a noticeable difference in the game." Chicago forward Patrick Sharp, who had several prime chances Sunday, noted the same improvement. "It was always a goal of ours to win the division and we feel good about that," he said. "But we want to play our best hockey going into the playoffs. Lately, were beginning to do that." Ian White scored for the Flames, whose three-game winning streak ended. They are ninth in the Western Conference, two points behind Colorado for the final playoff spot with three games left. The Avalanche have four games remaining. "The reality is we need to get help," Calgary coach Brent Sutter said. "Its not too hard to figure out the mathematics here." If the Flames cant control their fate, its partly because they werent in charge at any time against Chicago. "We didnt help ourselves a bit," Flames forward Craig Conroy said. "We kind of just got behind the 8-ball early. "We had chances, but I give them credit," he added. "Their goalie played well today. He made some big saves. Now weve got to win all three (games) and we need a lot of help." Niemi was solid in his fifth straight start and ninth in Chicagos last 11 games, while Calgarys Miikka Kiprusoff blocked 27 shots. The Blackhawks jumped ahead 2-0 in the first period when Niklas Hjalmarssons shot narrowly missed the left side of the net, bounded off the back boards and to Kopecky, who tucked in a backhand shot from the right edge of the crease. Brouwer cut across the crease and backhanded a rebound of Seabrooks shot with 54 seconds left in the period to make it 2-0. Kane extended Chicagos lead to 3-0 with 4:28 left in the second when he beat Kiprusoff high on the stick side on a 30-foot shot from the slot, and after White replied 62 seconds later. Byfuglien completed the scoring with 2:46 left in the third with a goal from the slot. NOTES: The Blackhawks Central Division championship is their first title since moving into the United Center in 1994-95. ... Kane has 84 points, the most for a Blackhawk player since Tony Amonte in 1999-2000. ... Chicago D Kim Johnsson missed his 11th game with concussion-like symptoms. RW Adam Burish and D Nick Boynton were healthy scratches. ... Calgarys Christopher Higgins missed his 11th game and LW Curtis Glencross missed his ninth because of lower-body injuries. Flames C Daymond Langkow missed his seventh game and RW Brian McGrattan missed his third with upper-body injuries. Authentic Charles Woodson Black Jersey. The agreement focuses primarily on information exchange between local authorities on tourism and special cultural events, with relevant news to be posted on the websites of both cities. Troy Polamalu Youth Jersey. But the league will still have to engrave a new name on the Art Ross Trophy for its leading scorer. Dustin Keller Replica Jersey. By 2012, more than 90 percent of enterprises in China should have trade unions which would represent more than 92 percent of the nations workers, said Wang Yupu, ACFTU vice-chairperson, at a meeting here. Michael Oher Jersey. After leaving 11 men on base in Fridays series-opening loss, the Yankees bounced back on Saturday to post a 5-4 win. A.J. Burnett (4-1) gave up four runs and nine hits over six innings, striking out four and walking none before handing the ball to the bullpen. Jordy Nelson Kids Jersey. Anze Kopitar had two goals and an assist, Dustin Brown scored on a penalty shot and the Kings handed the New York Islanders their 10th straight loss with a 5-1 victory Saturday night. Los Angeles won its first seven home games in 1975-76 and 1980-81 at the Inglewood Forum. Authentic Matt Schaub Red Jersey. Ferraris Massa won the race in front of his home crowd, but it wasnt enough to erase the seven-point lead Hamilton held entering the season-ending race. Just one year after Hamilton lost the title by one point after starting the final race with a seven-point lead over eventual champion Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari, the 23-year-old Briton passed Toyotas Timo Glock on the last lap to win the championship. Authentic Clay Matthews White Jersey. The Tigers took over sole possession of first place in the division for the first time since last July behind a spectacular effort from Justin Verlander in Tuesdays opener, as the right-hander had a no-hitter going through 7 1/3 innings until Orlando Cabrera laced a single into center field to break it up. DeMarcus Ware Kids Jersey. McIlrath, the No. 10 pick, and the rest of the Rangers 2010 NHL Entry Draft class were treated to a tour of Madison Square Garden Monday, as well as a tour of "The Transformation Room" which previews what will become of the Garden while undergoing renovation over the next three to four years.Two years into his time in Denver, Ryan Smyth is once again on the move. The Colorado Avalanche have traded Smyth to the Los Angeles Kings for puck-moving defenceman Kyle Quincey, blueliner Tom Preissing and a fifth-round pick. Smyth, who posted 26 goals and 33 assists in 77 games last season, said hes excited about heading to L.A. "They have great young players," he said. "Ive always thought the world of (Anze) Kopitar since playing against him at the World Championships in Austria where he dominated. To play with him and Drew Doughty and (Dustin) Brown...these are great young players and Im excited about that." "Ryan is the type of player who fits with our team," Kings general manager Dean Lombardi said in a statement. "He fills an important need as he is a competitive, gritty scoring left winger, and he fits with the overall identity we continue to build here." The 33-year-old spent most of the first 12 seasons of his career with the Oilers, but after failing to reach a contract agreement, he was dealt to the New York Islanders at the trade deadline in 2007. In that off-season he signed a five-year, $31.25 million deal with the Avalanche. "As a family, weve really enjoyed Colorado," he said. "Its been a great place to play and a great place to live and I reallyy think if our team had been healthy over the last two years we would have been a lot better. Authentic Matt Hasselbeck Jerseyquot; Smyth said he wasnt surprised when his agent Don Meehan called to present the offer and ask if he was willing to waive no-move clause. "With management and coaching changes, I didnt know, but there was talk of rebuilding and moving salary, so I wasnt surprised." Smyth, also know as Captain Canada for his long resume of playing internationally, was invited to Canadas Olympic orientation camp set for the end of August. In 920 career games, the Banff, Alberta native has 310 goals and 350 assists. Quincey finally got a shot to play on a regular basis and thrived last season, posting four goals and 34 assists. The 23-year old was stellar on the power-play where he notched 27 of his points. The 30-year old Preissing played 22 games for the Kings last season, recording 3 goals and 4 assists. The addition of Quincey should help the Avalanche offence, which had the lowest goal total of any team in the league last season, as well as their 25th ranked power play. "We are pleased to be adding two quality NHL defensemen," Avalanche general manager Greg Sherman said in a statement. "Kyle and Tom are both versatile players who can contribute at both ends. They will add defensive depth to our lineup." ' ' ' |