Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
Chelsea was dominating but the Sp
Topic Started: Dec 7 2012, 02:37 PM (15 Views)
lingzi

Now that the Los Angeles Kings have taken a three-games-to-none lead over the New Jersey Devils in the Stanley Cup Final, after a 4-0 win on home ice in Game Three, there is little doubt about the end result of the Best-of-Seven. Malcom Floyd Jersey . There is a theory that there is no such thing as momentum from one game to the next in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but that theory runs into difficult when it comes to this years Cup Final because the Los Angeles Kings, while holding the edge in play, are running away with the series more decisively than their territorial edge would suggest. How this plays into the momentum theory is that, after two overtime losses to the Kings in the first two games of the series, the Devils needed to mount some sort of an attack in Game Three to get back into the series. For the first half of the game, they did, holding an edge in play even when though they surrendered the first goal of the contest five minutes into the second period, when Alec Martinez banged in a puck that Devils G Martin Brodeur thought he had covered (and he may have) with his left leg pad. Nearly 10 minutes later, however, Kings C Anze Kopitar scored the second goal, beating Zach Parise to the net then finishing off a tic-tac-toe passing play with linemates Justin Williams and Dustin Brown. That goal took the air out of the Devils and they didnt mount a serious offensive threat for the rest of the night, registering a total of 22 shots on goal and going 0-for-5 on the power play. New Jerseys power play is 0-for-11 in the series. If the Devils werent already down 2-0 in the series, falling behind 2-0 in Game Three wouldnt have been so crushing but, considering the Devils have managed two goals in three games, needing three to secure the comeback seemed like a daunting task -- and the Devils knew it. Third period power plays goals by Jeff Carter and Justin Williams locked the game, and the series, down for the Kings. A two-point game gives Kopitar 18 points in the playoffs, moving him into a tie with New Jerseys Ilya Kovalchuk, who has been stuck on 18 points since the Final began. Its entirely possible that Kovalchuk is hurt, which would at least help justify his performance (no points, five shots on goal in three games). On the other hand, Kopitar has really come into his own this postseason. Hes been a productive player since arriving in the league in the first place, but hes in surprisingly rare company, ranking fifth in the league in points (230) over the last three seasons and now has 23 points in 23 career playoff games. He turns 25 this summer, so theres a lot more of his story waiting to be told. Veteran winger Simon Gagne returned to the lineup for the Kings, playing his first game since suffering a concussion against Phoenix December 26. He wasnt much of a factor, playing a team-low 6:39 and taking a slashing penalty, but he did manage to tie for the team lead with three shots on goal in his limited ice time. Former Kings, and current Devils, defenceman Peter Harrold continues to play a big role for New Jersey. He played 61 AHL games and 11 NHL games during the regular season, but has played 21:19 per game in the Final and part of the reason could lie in the advanced stats, as his plus-18 Corsi from Game Three was the best mark among all skaters (per www.timeonice.com). The Kings are now 15-2 in this years playoffs, a dominant run, so while the Devils are still alive for at least one more game, the odds are off-the-charts against them somehow winning the next four games. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Louis Vasquez Jersey . -- Rory McIlroy tends not to play a tournament the week before a major. Jeromey Clary Jersey . -- Los Angeles Angels placed Dan Haren on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his 10-year career on Thursday because of stiffness in his lower back. http://www.shopthesandiegochargers.com/ryan-mathews-jerseys . -- The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired right-hander Ryota Igarashi from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday for a player to be named and cash. Antonio Gates Youth Jersey . -- The Oakland Raiders have signed offensive lineman Ed Wang to a contract. Lance Alworth Jersey . Giavotella hit a two-run double off Matt Thornton in the seventh inning and Jeff Francoeur belted his first homer of the season, leading the Royals to a 9-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. "We were dead and (Giavotella) put up a huge at-bat against a guy whos not easy to hit and throws 97," Francoeur said.MONTE CARLO -- Atletico Madrid striker Falcao scored three goals and the Spanish side beat Champions League winner Chelsea 4-1 in the European Supercup on Friday. The Colombian scored all three goals in a mesmerizing first half, and hit the post twice. It was his second hat trick in five days, after scoring three times in a 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Monday. Miranda completed the scoring for Atletico just after the hour mark. Chelsea dominated the possession but produced little of note, until defender Gary Cahill grabbed a consolation goal 15 minutes from time. Falcao scored twice in last seasons Europa League final to help Atletico to a 3-0 win against Athletic Bilbao, sealing its place in the European Supercup. Its the second time Atletico has won the trophy. The 26-year-old Falcao looked dangerous immediately, and almost gave Atletico the perfect start. Filipe Luis made a superb run down the left flank and crossed in toward Falcao, whose diving header crashed off the crossbar, with Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech stranded. Falcao did get off the mark in the sixth minute, though, collecting the ball from Gabi and drawing Cech towards him before firing the ball in off the far post. David Luiz tried in vain to clear off the line. Chelsea almost restored parity immediately but Frank Lampards fierce shot from about 25 yards was blocked by Juanfran. It could have been worse for Chelsea as Mario Suarez found Adrian Lopez who streaked away from defender Branislav Ivanovic, but his shot was well blocked by Cech. The Chelsea goalkeeeper had no chance in the 19th minute when Koke picked out Falcao, who cut inside into the right side of the penalty area and curled an unstoppable left-footed shot into the top left corner. Philip Rivers Jersey. . Gabi could have extended Atleticos lead following a surging run, but Cech again did well to block. Atletico seemed certain to score again 10 minutes from halftime. Arda Turan broke down the right flank and sent a ball across the face of the goal which eluded everyone before falling to Lopez, who scuffed his shot. Falcao then headed the loose ball against the post and Chelsea managed to scramble it clear. Chelsea was dominating but the Spanish side looked dangerous on the counter. And it was from one of its speedy breaks that it scored again in first-half stoppage time. Atletico cleared the ball following a Chelsea corner and Turan raced about 60 yards before slotting the ball to Falcao, who lashed it home for his 37th goal in 40 European matches. Former Atletico idol Fernando Torres -- who got a rousing cheer from the Spanish fans when his name was announced before the match -- almost scored against his former club five minutes after the break, but he fired wide of the left upright. More woeful Chelsea defending helped Miranda put the game out of sight on the hour mark. Suarez knocked a free kick into Mirandas path, he chipped it over Cech and the ball crossed the line despite Cahills efforts. Chelsea scored in the 75th minute when Cahill fired in a low shot through a crowded penalty area following Lampards corner. ' ' '
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · General Discussion · Next Topic »
Add Reply