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zake201
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May 16 2014, 09:51 AM
Post #1
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MONTREAL -- Roberto Luongo saw it as a fitting moment when he and backup Cory Schneider skated out together as co-third stars of the Vancouver Canucks 6-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche this week. The two have weathered goaltending debates as Schneider took over the starting job when Luongo had a minor injury and played spectacularly, just as last seasons NHL Western Conference champions found their winning form again. Luongo made the first 13 stops against the Avs on Tuesday night before he was forced to leave when struck in the throat by a shot from rookie Gabriel Landeskog 3:48 into the second period. Schneider finished it off and then joined Luongo, who wasnt badly injured, for a joint bow to the crowd. "It was nice to both contribute to a win together and at the same time pitch a shutout," said Luongo. "Best buddies, going out there for the star. Cute. It was really cute," defenceman Kevin Bieksa added with a teasing smile. It was only a second start for Luongo since he suffered an undisclosed injury on Nov. 13. Even though he missed only two games, the 32-year-old was kept on the bench as Schneider ran off five straight wins in which he allowed only four goals, posting two shutouts. Luongo got back in when Schneider gave up three early goals in what would become a 6-5 loss at home to Nashville on Dec. 1. Luongo then started the next two games. But the play of the 25-year-old Schneider prompted the recurring goaltending angst in Vancouver, where not all fans are sold on Luongo and the 12-year US$64 million contract he signed ahead of the 2009-10 season. Schneiders 2.02 goals-against average and .934 save percentage is well ahead of Luongos 2.82 average and .899 save percentage, although the starting goalie for Canadas 2010 Olympic gold medallist team looks at last to be rounding into top form. And coach Alain Vigneault said Luongo has not been usurped as the starter just yet. "We have another young goaltender that obviously at some point is going to be a No. 1 in this league, but Robertos the No. 1 guy," he said. "Its a simple situation. "He was finding his rhythm, his groove, and then the kid went in and was phenomenal. So the kid kept playing. Now Robertos back and hes playing. Hes our goaltender. Theres no controversy in our dressing room." Luongo said he had no problem watching from the bench as Schneider excelled, no matter how much it delighted his detractors. "Like Ive said many times, Im not putting my personal agenda ahead of the team," he said. "Im all about the Vancouver Canucks and winning hockey games. Thats all that matters "Things are back to the way they were for now. I take it one day at a time. Theres no reason for me to feel frustrated. Ive been in this league a long time. Ive been through lots of things and Im still playing hockey in the NHL, so its all good." Schneider has shown in his two seasons in Vancouver he probably is able to be an NHL starter, but with Luongos contract extending far into the future and averaging $5.33 per season, its unlikely the two will spend the next decade as teammates. How that will shake down in the future no one knows, but for now, Schneider said hes content to return to backup duty. "He fully had my back when I played a few games in a row," he said of Luongo. "He never said a bad word or anything. "He waited his turn and now it looks like hes back on track. Were pulling for each other. People try to divide us and make it look like a rift, but were good friends. Were teammates. We enjoy each others success and thats all that matters." And after sharing a shutout, they underlined that sentiment by taking a post-game spin on the ice together. "Maybe it was a way to tell everyone that it shouldnt be so much a competition as a partnership, and that we both want the other to succeed," added Schneider. "A lot was made about this that was unnecessary. "He worked hard when he wasnt playing and now he is playing great. It was fun to go out together because thats how we felt all along." Vigneault also confirmed Luongo would start the opening game of a five-game road trip Thursday night in his home town of Montreal, which raised an interesting coincidence. In 2006, Luongo was hit on the throat by a Daniel Sedin shot in practice a day before a game in Montreal. He spent the night in an intensive care unit, but was released the next day in time to shut out the Canadiens. A former Canadien, Chris Higgins, made the trip but was not slated to play due to an infected cut in a foot. Vigneault said Higgins injury is healing but he is not yet ready to skate. The Canucks lost winger David Booth, likely for four to six weeks, after taking a knee on knee hit from Colorados Kevin Porter. The injuries opened the door for call-up Bill Sweatt to play his first NHL game in Montreal. http://www.authenticjaguarsshop.com/Luke-Joeckel-Jaguars-Jersey ." It was a little premature to be saying goodbye, but the Germans still left the Netherlands on the brink of elimination from the European Championship after beating their historic rivals 2-1 Wednesday in one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. http://www.authenticjaguarsshop.com/Cecil-Shorts-Iii-Jaguars-Jersey . Levante defender David Navarros elbow opened a gash above Ronaldos left eye that required treatment on the sideline before returning to the pitch. Ronaldo scored Madrids opener in the 21st minute but could not continue after halftime. http://www.authenticjaguarsshop.com/Chad-Henne-Jaguars-Jersey . Louis. Chris Carpenter had a solid 2012 debut and Pete Kozma swiped home for the go-ahead run, putting the Cardinals in position to extend their timely winning streak. http://www.authenticjaguarsshop.com/Geno-Hayes-Jaguars-Jersey . The four return-legs of the Euro 2012 qualifying play-offs will be played Tuesday to determine the final four teams to qualify for next years tournament. http://www.authenticjaguarsshop.com/Josh-Scobee-Jaguars-Jersey . Numbers Game breaks down the Wild signings of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The Wild Get: LW Zach Parise and D Ryan Suter.SAN DIEGO -- Will Venable made the most of one of the few at-bats he had over the weekend, and Everth Cabreras aggressiveness paid off again for the San Diego Padres. Venable drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and Cabrera had two hits and twice beat throws to the plate as the Padres beat the Colorado Rockies 3-2 on Sunday. "Its tough for me because its not something Ive been accustomed to or learned how to do yet," Venable said of substituting late in games. "It was nice to have that opportunity to get a big knock there." Venable has mostly face right-handers this season, having only 55 at-bats and a .213 batting average against lefties. "That was big for Will," Padres manager Bud Black said. "Will got a big knock, the biggest knock of the day. Will against (Matt) Reynolds, whos tough on lefties, got it done." Dale Thayer (2-2) pitched 1 1-3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the victory for the Padres, who have won seven of nine and three straight series for the first time this season. Huston Street retired the side in order in the ninth to convert his 16th save in as many chances. Cabrera, who stole home a week ago to tie a game in Los Angeles, singled to lead off the seventh against Adam Ottavino (2-1) before Colorado manager Jim Tracy brought in the left-handed Reynolds to face John Baker and Venable, both left-handed hitters. Baker sacrificed Cabrera to second and Venable, who had only three at-bats in the series and entered in the top of the inning as part of a double switch, singled to right as Cabrera beat Tyler Colvins throw home to put San Diego on top 3-2. Cabrera also scored the tying run in the fourth on a single by Baker and crashed into catcher Jordan Pacheco, who dropped the ball before the collision. Pacheco made his first start at catcher this season since Wilin Rosario was unavailable due to an ankle injury and backup Ramon Hernandez had caught two straight games. "Weve tallked about Cabby since we acquired him," Black said.dddddddddddd"There is an inherent aggressiveness to his game, especially on the basepaths. He is fearless. Good baserunners, good base-stealers, have that in them. Hes not tentative. He doesnt scare off. Hes not afraid of getting thrown out. He pushes it." Eric Young opened the game with a triple against Ross Ohlendorf and scored on Marco Scutaros single. San Diego answered in the bottom of the inning when Alexi Amarista scored on Chase Headleys sacrifice fly against Christian Friedrich. "They shut us down offensively today, thats what it boils down to," Tracy said. "We had four hits in the first two innings of the game and over the course of the next seven. When your (Nos.) 3, 4, 5 and 6 hitters dont get anything going, its going to make for a tough day offensively." Friedrich gave up two runs on three hits in five innings while striking out two and walking three. "I got a lot of 2-1 outs and 3-1 outs, which usually dont happen," Friedrich said. "But our plan was to go inside today and we stuck to it, but I just couldnt make adjustments to get back over the plate a little more." Ohlendorf yielded two runs and five hits over a season-high 6 2-3 innings. He struck out six and walked two. DJ LeMahieu had two hits and an RBI for the Rockies, who have lost four of five, and have dropped three consecutive series. NOTES: Tracy said Rosario is day-to-day and will likely avoid the disabled list. ... Rockies RHP Drew Pomeranz will miss his next start with soreness in his right arm. No decision has been made on who will start in Pomeranzs spot on Tuesday, according to Tracy. ... Newly acquired LHP Jonathan Sanchez will make his first start for the Rockies on Monday in Arizona against Ian Kennedy (7-8, 4.33). ... Clayton Richard (7-10, 3.86) will face Ryan Vogelsong (7-4, 2.31) when San Diego opens a three-game series in San Francisco. ' ' '
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