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the Canadian sports landscape. Canada has become a lea

in Here is your first Forum Thu Nov 21, 2019 1:09 pm
by sakura698 • 1.245 Posts

NASHVILLE -- Shea Weber and a couple of first-timers helped the Predators snap a home skid. Don Larsen Astros Jersey . Weber scored twice and Colton Sissons and Calle Jarnkrok each scored their first NHL goals to lead the Nashville Predators to a 6-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. Colin Wilson and Eric Nystrom also scored for Nashville, winners of three of four. Rasmus Ristolainen scored for Buffalo, which has lost 10 of its last 11 games. The Predators got off to a fast start, scoring four goals in the first, and ended a six-game home losing streak. "Weve talked about that the few games that we have to play better at home," Weber said. "Weve always been a team in the past that takes pride in winning at home and we havent done that lately. We need to change that." Sissons scored the games first goal at 6:26 of the opening period. From the left circle, Rich Clune sent a backhand on net. Buffalos Matt Hackett turned it aside, but Sissons pounced on the rebound at the left of the net and slammed it home for his first career NHL goal. "I cant really describe it," Sissons said. "Im on top of the world right now. Ive been working pretty hard and fortunately got a bounce there to get my first." Wilson struck at 11:44 of the first when he picked up a loose puck in the slot and beat Hackett for his eighth of the season. Just 9 seconds later, Jarnkrok beat Hackett with a snap shot from the slot to record his first career NHL goal. "Jarnkrok was good," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "Thats a goal-scorers goal. Hes very detailed. I love the way he plays. He plays on the right side of the puck every time." Weber completed Nashvilles first period barrage with a one-timer from the top of the right faceoff circle while the Predators had a 5-on-3 advantage. "Guys came out, and they didnt come out to play that first period," Buffalo coach Ted Nolan said. "In order to rebuild and retool, you rebuild and retool with the right people." Hackett was removed following the first period and replaced by Nathan Lieuwen. Ristolainen got Buffalo on the board at 2:06 of the second when he beat Carter Hutton with a slap shot from above the right circle. It was the rookies second career goal. "It was a goal, but a horrible hockey game," Ristolainen said. He was recalled earlier Thursday from the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis due to an injury to Tyler Myers. Weber struck again at 6:19 of the first with another slap shot from the top of the right circle. It was the captains 20th goal of the season, the second time in his career that he has reached that mark. NOTES: Wilsons goal was his first since Dec. 30, a stretch of 33 games . Twelve Predators recorded a point in the first period . Buffalo C Brian Flynn assisted on Ristolainens goal. He has assists in two of his last three games . The Sabres are 1-12-0 against Central Division teams this season. Craig Biggio Jersey . According to TSN Edmonton reporter Ryan Rishaug, agent Rick Valette met with Oilers senior VP of hockey operations Scott Howson and general manager Craig MacTavish on Monday to kick off the talks. Cesar Cedeno Astros Jersey .Y. -- As if the worst start in franchise history isnt bad enough, Buffalo Sabres President Ted Black braced his teams win-starved fans for potentially more tough times. https://www.cheapastros.com/2213o-zack-greinke-jersey-astros.html . Cavaliers shooting guard Craig Ehlo makes a solid play on the ball, but still Jordan hits the amazing shot.These have been trying times for Canadian Mens soccer. A struggling national team, and likewise Canadian Major League Soccer franchises have tested the patience of the most ardent support of the game in this country. Tuesday night at our National Soccer Stadium in Toronto told a different story: attractive play, highlight reel goals and a winning experience. The Canadian men gave head coach Benito Floro a winning home debut in a 3-1 victory over CONCACAF rival Jamaica. It was all-around a fun night for the Canadian faithful. Baby steps and hints of progress. To say its been a rough two years for the Canadian Mens National Soccer team would be an understatement. The players, program and supporters all deserved a night as such. A 16-match winless streak dating back to the 8-1 World Cup qualifying humiliation to Honduras in San Pedro Sula in October 2012 has cast a cloud of negativity over our Mens Soccer program. A seemingly never-ending goalless streak, soul searching and an absolute loss in confidence in the players and leadership has made for an all-time difficult time for the program. A losing mentality can be contagious. But that negative demeanour was nowhere to be found at Canadian camp over the last week heading into Tuesdays win. There was passion, energy and excitement around the team getting back at it for a long-anticipated home date. It was the mens first home date in 2014, and just the third match on home soil in the last two years. The players are well aware of all the negative talk about the team, individually and as collective. They felt they had something to prove. The win wont take away the sting of 8-1 but sets the tone of where this group plans to go. Its time to move forward. The players can now do so with confidence and reasoned belief in their new manager. The move by the CSA to bring in Floro was a calculated one; a man of vast experience looking for a new opportunity. How the marriage would work out was up for great debate. Much work was to be done, and many questioned whether Floro would be up for it. The initial returns are showing steps in the right direction. His players are speaking of tactics and compartmentalization in approach: something entirely different than recent years when survival and keeping heads above the water always seemed the goal. The new coach won over the crowd by bringing on Canadian and local soccer legend Dwayne De Rosario, as well as defender Karl Ouimette, who lost his sister to cancer earlier this month, for second half appearances – an appropriate touch and show of understanding by the manager. As for game-play, Floro has a clear vision how he wants his team to play. From attacking perspective, the initial returns speak to improvement. Its about making the most out of what he has. Canada will not win through individual ability: it must be a team approach, top-down. The intelligence and purpose of the Canadian attack against Jamaica was something unlike we have seen out of the Mens program for quite sometime. Canada may not be blessed with the natural goal-scorers of yester-year, but the team has pace. The ability to attack down the wings and move off the ball accordingly was refreshing. Tosaint Ricketts led the line well and looks a much more active player than in the past. His goal came off a mistake from goalkeeper Andre Blake, but the Canadiann striker put himself in position to finish. Michael Brantley Jersey. It was a standout performance from the Israel-based player. Ricketts goal was the clincher after Canada scored three unanswered en route to victory. The other two goals were of the highest quality. Patrice Berniers corner finding David Edgar on the top of the 18, who volleyed home for a spectacular goal, rivaling Terry Dunfields wonder-strike against Ecuador in 2011. Marcel de Jong scored the other on a picture perfect free kick. Top goals, no matter what league or side youre watching worldwide. Atia Hutchinson remains the pulse of the team, outstanding again Tuesday night. The Besiktas player is a step above, and can be argued he could start for any CONCACAF nation. Hutchinson stands of evidence this country can still produce players of such high quality and deserves any and all the praise he gets. The team with speed around him takes advantage of his poise, composure and overall gifted ability to read the game. Hutchinson remains the centerpiece, and with Julian de Guzman, Patrice Bernier and the absent Will Johnson around him, make for a formidable middle of the park. Perhaps the most pleasant surprise was the play of goalkeeper Milan Borjan. Multiple top saves and intervention helped keep Canada in a position to win on home soil. His positioning was sound and shot-blocking ability was equal to the task. The defensive line was shaky in front of him and will need work growing as a unit. Toronto FCs Doneil Henry played at right-back and provided size and strength on the outside. Henry needs more polish at the position but was an interesting look for a player used to playing centre-half. Borjan is without a club at present time. He, along with de Guzman and Adam Straith need club teams as soon as possible. It need not matter the inexperience in the Jamaican team or the lack of preparation time for the visitors. Its the result that matters. Its time to turn the corner from the negative narrative to developing something positive. That only comes through results. Belief in Benito and better days ahead for the program is paramount looking ahead to the Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying in the not-so-distant future. Its important for the Mens program to gain prominence on the Canadian sports landscape. Canada has become a leader in the womens game in terms of development and fan support. The success of the womens game has been a boon for the Canadian Soccer Association. But the Mens program on a global scale will always be the primary, long-term moneymaker and the barometer by which a countrys soccer success will be judged. It was unfortunate young boys club teams didnt flock out Tuesday night as girls club teams do for the womens program. It all comes from perception. When the perception of the mens program turns to one of success, we can expect similar fandom to follow. So some headlines the night before tickets went on sale for the 2015 FIFA Womens World Cup is well-taken by the CSA and the Canadian soccer community. Its a big year for Canadian soccer and there is no reason the Mens team cant be part of the headlines. The goal is all programs finding on and off-field success. Progress should be embraced as it comes. Tuesday was just that. More baby steps. Gareth Wheeler can be reached at:@WheelerTSNgareth.wheeler@bellmedia.ca ' ' '

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