Sports Quote of the Day:
"It's not the will to win that matters--everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters." ~ Paul "Bear" Bryant, Legendary Alabama Football Coach
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks-Oilers Preview and chasing the President's Trophy!!!!!
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks-Oilers Preview and chasing the President's Trophy!!!!!
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NFL draft: 10 things to watch for during draft.
By
Since 1936, the NFL has picked the best of college football to join the pro league. From the very first pick — Jay Berwanger, who also was the first bust, never playing a down in the NFL — to last year's No. 1, Andrew Luck, the draft has always offered plenty of intrigue for teams and fans.
Here are 10 things to watch for during the three-day NFL draft beginning Thursday night:
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COMMISSIONER HUGGY BEAR
How many hugs can Roger Goodell endure from all the burly offensive and defensive players expected to be selected in the first round? Last year, he embraced many first-round picks who took the stage and was nearly hugged into submission by the likes of Fletcher Cox, Dontari Poe and Melvin Ingram.
COMMISSIONER HUGGY BEAR
How many hugs can Roger Goodell endure from all the burly offensive and defensive players expected to be selected in the first round? Last year, he embraced many first-round picks who took the stage and was nearly hugged into submission by the likes of Fletcher Cox, Dontari Poe and Melvin Ingram.
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SHOW ME A QUARTERBACK
Will any quarterbacks be taken in the first round? Possibilities include Geno Smith, Matt Barkley and EJ Manuel, but this is far from the glamour year of 2012, when QBs were huge: Luck, No. 1; Robert Griffin III, No. 2; Ryan Tannehill (No. 8); Brandon Weeden (No. 22). The last time no quarterback was taken in round one was 1996 (Tony Banks was a second-rounder, No. 42, by the Rams); the last time only one was taken was 2001 (Michael Vick, first overall) and the last time two were taken was 2010 (Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow).
SHOW ME A QUARTERBACK
Will any quarterbacks be taken in the first round? Possibilities include Geno Smith, Matt Barkley and EJ Manuel, but this is far from the glamour year of 2012, when QBs were huge: Luck, No. 1; Robert Griffin III, No. 2; Ryan Tannehill (No. 8); Brandon Weeden (No. 22). The last time no quarterback was taken in round one was 1996 (Tony Banks was a second-rounder, No. 42, by the Rams); the last time only one was taken was 2001 (Michael Vick, first overall) and the last time two were taken was 2010 (Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow).
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FASHION STATEMENT
FASHION STATEMENT
Fashionistas surely will be tracking the expensive, colorful designer suits, hairstyles (think dreadlocks) and even socks of the draftees as they take the stage after being selected. (Think Griffin, the Redskins' top pick in 2012, who wore a baby blue jacket, checkered-patterned shirt, purplish tie with horizontal stripes, and burgundy and gold socks with the words "GO CATCH YOUR DREAM."
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TE'O TIME
When that will be exactly is anyone's guess. Some analysts have Notre Dame's All-American linebacker Manti Te'o back to being a first-round cinch, even after a great season was marred by a poor game against Alabama followed by the hoax involving a deceased "girlfriend." He did not perform well at the NFL combine, but did better at pro day in South Bend.
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BEEFING UP EARLY
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TE'O TIME
When that will be exactly is anyone's guess. Some analysts have Notre Dame's All-American linebacker Manti Te'o back to being a first-round cinch, even after a great season was marred by a poor game against Alabama followed by the hoax involving a deceased "girlfriend." He did not perform well at the NFL combine, but did better at pro day in South Bend.
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BEEFING UP EARLY
Watch for all the beef early in the first round. There's a chance seven of the first 10 picks could be really big fellas. Among them are offensive linemen Luke Joeckel (306 pounds), Eric Fisher (306), Chance Warmack (317), Lane Johnson (303) and Jonathan Cooper (311); and defensive linemen Sharrif Floyd (297) and Ziggy Ansah (271).
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WILL TIDE ROLL AGAIN IN 1ST ROUND?
A year ago, the national champions had four players picked: RB Trent Richardson (No. 3), SS Mark Barron (No. 7), CB Dre Kirkpatrick (No.17) and LB Dont'a Hightower (No. 25). National champs again, there are five that could end up as first-rounders: Warmack, cornerback Dee Milliner, offensive tackle D.J. Fluker, defensive tackle Jesse Williams, and running back Eddie Lacy.
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FAMILY TIES
Every year, a slew of players with family ties to the NFL are draft eligible. This year is no exception, with a few dozen all-in-the-family connections. Among them are QBs Nate Montana (son of Joe Montana) and Jordan Rodgers (brother of Aaron Rodgers), Jake Ryan (son of Pat Ryan), Duron Carter (son of Cris Carter), Luke Tasker (son of Steve Tasker), Kyle Long (son of Howie Long, brother of Chris Long) and Baker Steinkuhler (son of Dean Steinkuhler).
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HALL OF FAME PICKERS
A total of 32 former NFL players will be announcing second- and third-round picks for teams, including newly elected Hall of Famers Jonathan Ogden (Ravens), Warren Sapp (Buccaneers) and Dave Robinson (Packers). Others making picks for their former teams include Deion Sanders (Falcons) and Larry Little (Dolphins).
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BEST STORYLINES
Houston cornerback D.J. Hayden and South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore.
Hayden was moments from death last November after an on-field collision with a teammate tore a blood vessel off the back of his heart. He was taken to a hospital, underwent lifesaving surgery, and now could be a first-round pick. He ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at Houston's pro day in March, and now he'll wait to see if a team believes his talent and speed is worth the risk.
In 2011, Lattimore tore the ACL in his left knee midway through the season. He returned last year, and in October, the star running back suffered a horrific injury to his right knee against Tennessee — it was dislocated and ligaments were damaged as he was tackled. He had surgery a month later, continued rehabbing, and at South Carolina's pro day recently he impressed NFL scouts so much they applauded after his workout. He says he's confident he'll be ready to play when the 2013 season starts.
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MR. IRRELEVANT
As the draft draws to a close Saturday, the fun revs up with the final pick, aka Mr. Irrelevant. As they did last year, the Colts have the honor at pick No. 254. Last year, they went for Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish (Andrew Luck was the Colts' other QB pick — at No. 1 overall). The last pick will be awarded the Lowsman (opposite of Heisman) Trophy during a weeklong celebration at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, Calif. In 2012, Harnish's first trip to California included golf at Big Canyon Country Club, a visit to Disneyland and parties galore. The founder of Irrelevant Week is Paul Salata, a former USC and NFL receiver. The first Mr. Irrelevant was WR Kelvin Kirk in 1976.
Danica Patrick told, ‘shut up and race’.
By Jay Busbee
Danica Patrick. (Getty Images)
WILL TIDE ROLL AGAIN IN 1ST ROUND?
A year ago, the national champions had four players picked: RB Trent Richardson (No. 3), SS Mark Barron (No. 7), CB Dre Kirkpatrick (No.17) and LB Dont'a Hightower (No. 25). National champs again, there are five that could end up as first-rounders: Warmack, cornerback Dee Milliner, offensive tackle D.J. Fluker, defensive tackle Jesse Williams, and running back Eddie Lacy.
___
FAMILY TIES
Every year, a slew of players with family ties to the NFL are draft eligible. This year is no exception, with a few dozen all-in-the-family connections. Among them are QBs Nate Montana (son of Joe Montana) and Jordan Rodgers (brother of Aaron Rodgers), Jake Ryan (son of Pat Ryan), Duron Carter (son of Cris Carter), Luke Tasker (son of Steve Tasker), Kyle Long (son of Howie Long, brother of Chris Long) and Baker Steinkuhler (son of Dean Steinkuhler).
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HALL OF FAME PICKERS
A total of 32 former NFL players will be announcing second- and third-round picks for teams, including newly elected Hall of Famers Jonathan Ogden (Ravens), Warren Sapp (Buccaneers) and Dave Robinson (Packers). Others making picks for their former teams include Deion Sanders (Falcons) and Larry Little (Dolphins).
___
BEST STORYLINES
Houston cornerback D.J. Hayden and South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore.
Hayden was moments from death last November after an on-field collision with a teammate tore a blood vessel off the back of his heart. He was taken to a hospital, underwent lifesaving surgery, and now could be a first-round pick. He ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at Houston's pro day in March, and now he'll wait to see if a team believes his talent and speed is worth the risk.
In 2011, Lattimore tore the ACL in his left knee midway through the season. He returned last year, and in October, the star running back suffered a horrific injury to his right knee against Tennessee — it was dislocated and ligaments were damaged as he was tackled. He had surgery a month later, continued rehabbing, and at South Carolina's pro day recently he impressed NFL scouts so much they applauded after his workout. He says he's confident he'll be ready to play when the 2013 season starts.
___
MR. IRRELEVANT
As the draft draws to a close Saturday, the fun revs up with the final pick, aka Mr. Irrelevant. As they did last year, the Colts have the honor at pick No. 254. Last year, they went for Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish (Andrew Luck was the Colts' other QB pick — at No. 1 overall). The last pick will be awarded the Lowsman (opposite of Heisman) Trophy during a weeklong celebration at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, Calif. In 2012, Harnish's first trip to California included golf at Big Canyon Country Club, a visit to Disneyland and parties galore. The founder of Irrelevant Week is Paul Salata, a former USC and NFL receiver. The first Mr. Irrelevant was WR Kelvin Kirk in 1976.
Danica Patrick told, ‘shut up and race’.
By Jay Busbee
Danica Patrick. (Getty Images)
Danica Patrick isn't a terrible driver. She's ranked 25th right now in the Sprint Cup series, ahead of notables such as Juan Pablo Montoya and Bobby Labonte, within sight of names like Jeff Burton and Tony Stewart, and ahead of the David Cabal: Ragan, Reutimann, Gilliland and Stremme.
However, Patrick receives attention far out of proportion to her actual racing statistics, and for that reason, she tends to draw more heat (and notice) than most drivers. So when she gets to talking, other drivers aren't always willing to listen.
Case in point: Sunday's Kansas race, where Patrick finished a disappointing 25th. According to USA Today, she was not pleased with fellow twentysomething David Gilliland: "He tries to take me out every time," Patrick told her team during the race.
"Tell his spotter that I'm coming after him if he does it again. In fact, I might just do it right now."
"Tell his spotter that I'm coming after him if he does it again. In fact, I might just do it right now."
She didn't carry through on her threat to break out the chrome horn, however. Nor did she give any postrace interviews at the track. Gilliland, who finished 23rd, had a simple message for Patrick, delivered through his PR rep:
"Shut up and race."
You know, that's solid advice right there, not just for the track, but for life. David Gilliland, speedway philosopher.
NHL outdoor games for 2013-14 worth $180 million.
By The Sports Xchange
The six planned outdoor NHL games for the 2013-14 season are valued at $30 million apiece and the extra $180 million generated will be split evenly between the league and the players, CBC reported Monday.
Since the salary cap is scheduled to decrease next season, players are concerned about the NHL's escrow. However, the outdoor games are part of a three-year strategy that will allow the league to make an additional $1 billion.
The plan includes gaining revenue from a World Cup, sponsorship, TV revenue and merchandise.
CSN Philly, however, reported that the plan is a "quick fix" to make up for revenue shortages caused by the 2012-13 lockout.
Manchester United wins record 20th league title.
By
With 75,000 delirious Manchester United fans chanting "Champions! Champions!" at full voice, Rio Ferdinand tugged the back of Robin van Persie's jersey near the forward's number and shouted: "No. 20! No. 20!"
Twenty was the number at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Van Persie's first-half hat trick helped Manchester United produce a performance of style and swagger, a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa that clinched the club's record 20th English league title with four matches to spare.
"It is a great feeling," the Dutch forward said. "It is a fantastic team and fantastic players. It is a championship for every single one of them."
Signed from Arsenal last summer, Van Persie put United ahead 83 seconds with a shot from close range. He doubled the lead with a volley in the 12th minute and completed his hat trick in the 33rd minute with his league-high 24th goal of the season.
Manchester United (27-4-3) has a 16-point lead over Manchester City (20-5-8), which has five games left. United will receive the trophy after its last home game of the season, against Swansea on May 12.
United manager Alex Ferguson's decision to buy Van Persie last summer from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for 24 million pounds ($36 million) — a hefty price for a player who had been injury prone — proved to be pivotal in the race against City, a team Ferguson once dubbed "noisy neighbors."
As Ferguson walked into the center circle moments after the final whistle to soak up the atmosphere, he was soon embraced by Van Persie, who left Ferdinand and the rest of his teammates celebrating in front of fans and made a beeline for the Scot.
"I remember Arsene Wenger saying he's a better player than you think," Ferguson said after securing the 49th trophy of his managerial career. "I think he could be right. In terms of impact, I think it's as big as anyone I can remember."
Ferguson and United have won 13 of the 21 Premier League titles. This is the earliest a club has clinched the Premier League since Manchester United on April 14, 2001, according to STATS. With victories in its last four matches, United would break the points record of 95 set by Chelsea's in 2004-05.
"It is sweet. It doesn't matter when you win it," Ferguson said. "The consistency has been phenomenal. We have lived up to the expectation."
United wasted an eight-point lead with six games to play last season, and City edged United on goal difference in the season's final minute with two goals in second-half injury time against Queen Park Rangers. That gave City its first title since 1968 and just its third overall.
"When you lose it in the manner that we did last year, it's always special to win it back," said Ryan Giggs, United's 39-year-old midfielder. "We did it in style."
Van Persie's second goal will rank among the best this season, with Van Persie connecting from the edge of the penalty area as the ball dropped over his shoulder following Rooney's perfectly weighted pass. As the net rippled, Van Persie sprinted along the sideline.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's the goal of the season," Ferguson said. "Technique, head over the ball. Magnificent strike."
Giggs played a key role in Van Persie's other two goals. Giggs' cushioned volley along the face of the 6-yard box that Van Persie tapped home in the second minute.
For his third goal, Van Persie took Giggs' short cross, rounded American goalkeeper Brad Guzan and shot into the top corner from 7 yards.
"I'm very happy, but it's weird," said the 29-year-old Van Persie, who spent three seasons at Feyenoord and eight at Arsenal. "I had to wait for so long for my first title."
College playoff gets simple name.
By The Sports Xchange
The new name of a four-team college football playoff, which begins after the 2014 regular season, is simply College Football Playoff.
This is the final year of the Bowl Championship Series , and league commissioners desired an easy name for the new playoff.
The announcement was made at a news conference on Tuesday night at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, Calif., during BCS meetings.
The name was submitted last week to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
"We decided to call the playoff what it is - the College Football Playoff. We think the new playoff will be the most dynamic improvement to college football in a generation, executive director Bill Hancock said. "Certainly it's what the fans want.
"We also invite everyone to vote online to select the logo and help us kick off the new College Football Playoff."
BCS commissioners are expected to announce playoff sites and selection criteria later this week.
This is the final year of the Bowl Championship Series , and league commissioners desired an easy name for the new playoff.
The announcement was made at a news conference on Tuesday night at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, Calif., during BCS meetings.
The name was submitted last week to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
"We decided to call the playoff what it is - the College Football Playoff. We think the new playoff will be the most dynamic improvement to college football in a generation, executive director Bill Hancock said. "Certainly it's what the fans want.
"We also invite everyone to vote online to select the logo and help us kick off the new College Football Playoff."
BCS commissioners are expected to announce playoff sites and selection criteria later this week.
NBA-Highlights of Tuesday's NBA playoff games.
Reuters
Highlights of Tuesday's National Basketball Association playoff games.
- - -
Heat 98, Bucks 86
Dwyane Wade scored 21 points and Chris Andersen sparked a big run at the start of the fourth quarter as Miami took a 2-0 lead over visiting Milwaukee.
LeBron James collected 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists and Andersen scored eight of his 10 points in the fourth as the Heat picked up their 10th straight win going back to the regular season. The best-of-seven series shifts to Milwaukee for Game 3 on Thursday.
The Bucks closed to 68-65 at the beginning of the fourth quarter but Andersen got things started for the Heat with a pair of offensive rebounds and a three-point play that began a 12-0 run and put the game out of reach.
Ersan Ilyasova scored 21 points and Mike Dunleavy added 16 to lead Milwaukee.
- - -
Knicks 87, Celtics 71
Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points and hosts New York used another dominant second half to take a 2-0 series lead.
J.R. Smith scored 19 points off the bench and Raymond Felton added 16 for the Knicks, who erased a six-point halftime deficit by limiting the Celtics to 23 points in the second half - a franchise playoff low for Boston.
Paul Pierce had a team-high 18 points and foul-ridden Kevin Garnett added 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics. The series shifts to Boston for Game 3 on Friday.
The Celtics led by as many as nine points in the second quarter before settling for a 48-42 halftime edge.
Iman Shumpert opened the third quarter with a pair of three-pointers and Anthony had nine points in a 24-4 burst as New York stormed ahead by 14 and took a 74-59 lead into the fourth.
- - -
Warriors 131, Nuggets 117
Stephen Curry scored 30 points and had 13 assists as visiting Golden State evened the first-round Western Conference series with Denver at one game apiece.
Jarrett Jack joined the starting lineup with David Lee (torn hip flexor) out and contributed 26 points and seven assists for the Warriors, who host Game Three of the best-of-seven series on Friday.
Golden State shot 64.6 percent from the floor.
Ty Lawson recorded 19 points and 12 assists and Corey Brewer scored 19 off the bench for the Nuggets, who lost at home for the first time since Jan. 18.
The game was tied at 42-42 with 7:18 left in the first half when Curry scored nine and Harrison Barnes added the other five during a key 14-3 burst.
- - - (Editing by Peter Rutherford/Patrick Johnston)
NBA-Highlights of Monday's NBA playoff games.
Reuters
Bulls 90, Nets 82
Luol Deng had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Carlos Boozer added 13 points and 12 rebounds as Chicago beat hosts Brooklyn to even up the Eastern Conference first-round series.
Kirk Hinrich scored 13 points and Joakim Noah had 11 points and 10 rebounds as the Bulls rebounded from a Game 1 loss and held the Nets to 35.4 percent shooting from the field.
Game 3 is on Thursday in Chicago.
- - -
Clippers 93, Grizzlies 91
Chris Paul drove for the winning bank shot with one-tenth of a second remaining to cap a 24-point effort as Los Angeles edged visiting Memphis to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.
Blake Griffin had 21 points and eight rebounds and Jamal Crawford tallied 15 points for the Clippers, who notched the victory when Paul was able to shed the tight defense of Grizzlies guard Tony Allen and float up the decisive shot.
Game 3 is Thursday in Memphis.
Mike Conley had 28 points and nine assists for the Grizzlies. Marc Gasol added 17 points, Allen had 16 points and 10 rebounds and Zach Randolph scored 13 points.
Five straight points by Memphis' Darrell Arthur tied the score at 89 with 1:37 remaining. Paul put Los Angeles ahead 17 seconds later and the Grizzlies again tied the contest on Gasol's dunk with 13.9 seconds left.
- - - (Editing by Peter Rutherford)
NASCAR to use group qualifying at road courses.Reuters
Highlights of Tuesday's National Basketball Association playoff games.
- - -
Heat 98, Bucks 86
Dwyane Wade scored 21 points and Chris Andersen sparked a big run at the start of the fourth quarter as Miami took a 2-0 lead over visiting Milwaukee.
LeBron James collected 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists and Andersen scored eight of his 10 points in the fourth as the Heat picked up their 10th straight win going back to the regular season. The best-of-seven series shifts to Milwaukee for Game 3 on Thursday.
The Bucks closed to 68-65 at the beginning of the fourth quarter but Andersen got things started for the Heat with a pair of offensive rebounds and a three-point play that began a 12-0 run and put the game out of reach.
Ersan Ilyasova scored 21 points and Mike Dunleavy added 16 to lead Milwaukee.
- - -
Knicks 87, Celtics 71
Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points and hosts New York used another dominant second half to take a 2-0 series lead.
J.R. Smith scored 19 points off the bench and Raymond Felton added 16 for the Knicks, who erased a six-point halftime deficit by limiting the Celtics to 23 points in the second half - a franchise playoff low for Boston.
Paul Pierce had a team-high 18 points and foul-ridden Kevin Garnett added 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics. The series shifts to Boston for Game 3 on Friday.
The Celtics led by as many as nine points in the second quarter before settling for a 48-42 halftime edge.
Iman Shumpert opened the third quarter with a pair of three-pointers and Anthony had nine points in a 24-4 burst as New York stormed ahead by 14 and took a 74-59 lead into the fourth.
- - -
Warriors 131, Nuggets 117
Stephen Curry scored 30 points and had 13 assists as visiting Golden State evened the first-round Western Conference series with Denver at one game apiece.
Jarrett Jack joined the starting lineup with David Lee (torn hip flexor) out and contributed 26 points and seven assists for the Warriors, who host Game Three of the best-of-seven series on Friday.
Golden State shot 64.6 percent from the floor.
Ty Lawson recorded 19 points and 12 assists and Corey Brewer scored 19 off the bench for the Nuggets, who lost at home for the first time since Jan. 18.
The game was tied at 42-42 with 7:18 left in the first half when Curry scored nine and Harrison Barnes added the other five during a key 14-3 burst.
- - - (Editing by Peter Rutherford/Patrick Johnston)
NBA-Highlights of Monday's NBA playoff games.
Reuters
April 22 (Sports Direct) - Highlights of Monday's National Basketball Association playoff games.
- - -Bulls 90, Nets 82
Luol Deng had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Carlos Boozer added 13 points and 12 rebounds as Chicago beat hosts Brooklyn to even up the Eastern Conference first-round series.
Kirk Hinrich scored 13 points and Joakim Noah had 11 points and 10 rebounds as the Bulls rebounded from a Game 1 loss and held the Nets to 35.4 percent shooting from the field.
Game 3 is on Thursday in Chicago.
- - -
Clippers 93, Grizzlies 91
Chris Paul drove for the winning bank shot with one-tenth of a second remaining to cap a 24-point effort as Los Angeles edged visiting Memphis to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.
Blake Griffin had 21 points and eight rebounds and Jamal Crawford tallied 15 points for the Clippers, who notched the victory when Paul was able to shed the tight defense of Grizzlies guard Tony Allen and float up the decisive shot.
Game 3 is Thursday in Memphis.
Mike Conley had 28 points and nine assists for the Grizzlies. Marc Gasol added 17 points, Allen had 16 points and 10 rebounds and Zach Randolph scored 13 points.
Five straight points by Memphis' Darrell Arthur tied the score at 89 with 1:37 remaining. Paul put Los Angeles ahead 17 seconds later and the Grizzlies again tied the contest on Gasol's dunk with 13.9 seconds left.
- - - (Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Canadian Championship: All you need to know about the 2013 tournament.
MLS
Another spring, another title to play for. While the CONCACAF Champions League is already in the rearview mirror of MLS teams for this year, three MLS teams and an NASL team, all from Canada, have their sights firmly set on the Amway Canadian Championship, which will not only hand the winner a national title and the bragging rights that come with it, but entry into the CONCACAF Champions League for the 2013-14 edition.
The ACC is a relatively young competition, having only been founded in 2008, though the Voyageurs Cup trophy (above), awarded to the top team in Canadian soccer, is slightly older, having first been awarded to the Canadian side with the best record in the then-USL First Division (then the second tier of North American soccer) since 2002.
Though the competition initially started as a round-robin tournament, it has been contested as a knockout competition – essentially Canada's domestic cup – since 2011, when the NASL's FC Edmonton brought the total of Canada's professional teams to four. A team from Ottawa will join the NASL in 2014, though there is no word as of yet as to how this will affect the competition.
The competition could even grow beyond five teams in the future, as recently elected Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani stated upon taking office his interest in an expanded cup competition including semi-professional and amateur teams, though prohibitive travel costs have so far provided a roadblock to that goal.
Turning back to the past for a second, the Montreal Impact maintained a firm grasp on the Voyageurs Cup from its inception until the legendary draw vs. Toronto in the 2008 edition that secured the then-second division Impact the title at the expense of the MLS side.
Since Montreal claimed the 2008 title, though, the ACC has been all Toronto FC. Even after the Vancouver Whitecaps joined MLS in 2011, and Montreal in 2012, the Reds have maintained a stranglehold on the trophy despite some fierce pushes from the 'Caps, and a controversial incident in the 2011 when Vancouver were 2-1 up on aggregate with 30 minutes to play in the second leg of final, only for the game to be called off due to weather conditions and replayed in full, with Toronto winning.
And of course, nowadays, winning the ACC also wins you more than national bragging rights – it also provides Canada's much-coveted spot in the CONCACAF Champions League, where Canadian teams have had their fair share of success.
After their historic win in 2008 the Impact lost just one game in a four-team group containing eventual champions Atlante, and defeated Santos Laguna 2-0 at home in their quarterfinal tie before falling 5-2 in Mexico – one goal short of what would have been an upset of enormous proportions, not to mention a semifinal berth.
In the 2011-12 edition, Toronto FC did their Canadian rivals one better, emerging out of their group at the expense of FC Dallas and scoring an upset of defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy in the quarterfinals before bowing out to Santos Laguna in the semifinals.
And as Canadian sides make a marked improvement in MLS play – Vancouver became the first to qualify for the postseason in 2012 and Montreal currently sit in the upper echelons of the Eastern Conference – there should be a belief that these positive showings can translate into stronger showings and build upon earlier performances in the CCL, which adds extra importance to the Canadian Championship.
After all, wouldn't it be a huge accomplishment for Canadian soccer if one of their teams, as opposed to a US-based club, became the first MLS team to claim the CCL crown in its current incarnation?
So gear up, another edition of the Amway Canadian Championship is set to begin, and with it, another chapter in Canadian soccer history.
Fans in Canada will be able to catch all the action on Sportsnet, and you can find the tournament schedule below (home team listed first):
Semifinal, Leg 1
- April 24: Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact, 7:30 pm ET
- April 24: FC Edmonton vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 9:30 pm ET
Semifinal, Leg 2
- May 1: Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 pm ET
- May 1: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. FC Edmonton, 10 pm ET
Final
- Leg 1: May 15, time TBD
- Leg 2: May 29, time TBD
R&A won't 'bully' clubs to take women members.
AP
Just because the home of the Masters now has female members, the Royal & Ancient Golf Club has no plans to pressure the all-male clubs in the British Open rotation to change its membership policies.
The British Open is being played this summer at Muirfield, which has no female members.
‘‘There is nothing wrong under UK legislation with a single-sex club as long as they behave under the equality act as far as guest access is concerned, which Muirfield certainly does,’’ R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said Tuesday. ‘‘And to think the R&A might say to a club like Muirfield, ‘You are not going to have The Open anymore unless you change your policy,’ is frankly a bullying position that we would never take.’’
Attention on all-male clubs that host golf tournaments has shifted across the Atlantic Ocean to the oldest championship. Muirfield, Royal St. George’s and Royal Troon as the three clubs in the Open rotation that do not have women as members.
Augusta National, for the first time in its 80-year history, invited two women to join the club last summer. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore were seen in their members’ green jackets at the Masters two weeks ago.
Dawson said only 1 percent of golf clubs in Britain have single-gender policies, most of them in Scotland. He noted that Muirfield has twice held the Curtis Cup — matches between female amateurs from the U.S. and Britain and Ireland — and that the British Women’s Amateur will be held next year at Royal St. George's.
‘‘Muirfield has a huge history when it comes to The Open Championship and this will be the 16th time that is has been played there, and who are we to say what they should do as they are behaving perfectly legally,’’ Dawson said.
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