WINNIPEG -- Hes certainly not what you would call reed thin but a trimmer Dustin Byfuglien says hes ready to do his part to make the Winnipeg Jets a
playoff team.
Javon Hargrave Steelers Jersey . The big blue-liner is a man of few words and shrugged off any suggestion he had worked a
lot harder to get in shape. "I was on the ice a little bit more, doing what I
had to do to come to camp ready to go," he said as Jets training camp opened
this week. "When I was on the ice I just did a little bit more skating ...
working on the edges and the stick handling and puck movement, just a little bit
more than I used to do." At six foot five and a listed weight of 265 pounds,
Byfuglien has a booming shot and is the kind of impact player that can make or
break the teams playoff hopes. Hes part of a core group of players the Jets have
kept together as they prepare for a full season in a new division and a new
conference. Byfuglien believes a strong foundation is key for the team to
succeed. "Its big, I mean you look at Chicago,`he said. "Theyve kept their core
together for a long time." Byfuglien has experience in the Windy City, winning a
Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010. He was drafted by Chicago in 2003 and
was dealt to the Atlanta Thrashers in June 2010, the year before they moved to
Winnipeg. Byfuglien was a defenceman when drafted but the Blackhawks tried to
turn him into a forward. He moved back to defence with the Thrashers and has
spent most of his time with the Jets in that role. In 2011-12, he was the second
highest-scoring defenceman in the NHL with 53 points in just 66 games. Last
season he came in at No. 11 on the list with 28 points in 43 games. He was also
one of four Jets invited to the U.S. Olympic hockey orientation camp this year
in advance of the Sochi Olympics. Coach Claude Noel said he`d like to see a
little more consistency from Byfuglien, although he adds that hes not the only
player who needs to work on that aspect of the game. Byfuglien said he
understands and that hes ready to work hard to be at his best in every game.
"Same as every year," he said. "Try to be at the top. Try to be the best player
I can be and try to take over games." Few players have the ability to take
control of the play the way Byfuglien can. He can use his size to great
advantage and has the versatility and scoring touch to make a big difference.
"When hes on top of his game hes one of the best in the league," said fellow
defenceman Zach Bogosian. "Hes a very special player." Last year there was the
pre-season distraction of an impaired boating charge in his home state of
Minnesota on top of an abbreviated camp and lockout-shortened season. Byfuglien
said its nice not to have any distractions this season. "Absolutely. Things
happen and youve got to deal with it." He added that there is really only one
formula for success this season if the Jets want to make the playoffs --
something the franchise managed only once in 2007 in Atlanta. "All 20 guys
playing every night and battling and knowing whats at stake and knowing that all
we want to do is make that first playoff round, and it all sets itself up from
there."
Dermontti Dawson Steelers Jersey . Pinch-hitter Tommy Medica singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and
the Padres beat the Seattle Mariners 2-1 in their first home game since Gwynn
died of cancer Monday.
Rocky Bleier Steelers Jersey . Braves reliever David Carpenter was also fined for throwing at Rockies outfielder
Corey Dickerson in the same game, which featured several ejections, including
Colorado manager Walt Weiss.(SportsNetwork.com) - The San Antonio Spurs will try
to even their series with the Dallas Mavericks Monday night when the two teams
collide at American Airlines Arena for Game 4. The Mavericks took a 2-1 lead in
their Western Conference first round series with a dramatic 109-108 home win
Saturday. The venerable Vince Carter nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give
the Mavs the lead in a series they could easily be up 3-0 if not for a major
drought at the conclusion of Game 1. Catching an inbound pass from Jose Calderon
on the left sideline, Carter pump- faked Manu Ginobili in the corner and let the
shot fly as he fell out of bounds. After it went in, Carter stomped on the court
and was mobbed by teammates. Dirk Nowitzki put him in a headlock. Mavericks
owner Mark Cuban rushed to give him a hug. However, Dallas is already focusing
on Game 4. "I think its behind us now," Carter said following Sundays practice.
"It was just a great opportunity. I mean, it was just great to come in and
everybody was like, Hey, man, it still was a great shot. But once practice
started we kind of put that past us and we prepped ourselves for tomorrow,
because this is just as big as Game 3." Carter finished with 11 points on
Saturday. Monta Ellis led the Mavericks with 29 points, followed by 18 from
Nowitzki. Calderon chipped in 16 and Samuel Dalembert gave Dallas a lift with 13
points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots. Tim Duncans 22 led the way for the
Spurs. Tony Parker netted 19 and Kawhi Leeonard finished with 17.
Antonio Brown Steelers Jersey. Tiago Splitter registered a double-double with 14 points and 13 boards, while Ginobili managed
12. As focused as the Mavericks are for Game 4, the Spurs were as pragmatic
about what happened at the end of Game 3. "Vince made a shot. Manu guarded him,
he did it well and Vince made a shot," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. "Give
him credit. There was no breakdown or anything like that. Manu was right there
and he did everything he could. Vince knocked it down." Ellis, who had 12 points
in the fourth quarter, hit a 3-pointer to give Dallas a lead with 6 1/2 minutes
left, then a jumper the next time down the court. Later, another jumper cut San
Antonios lead to one. Ellis three-point play after he was fouled on a baseline
shot tied the score at 102-102 with 70 seconds remaining. Boris Diaw knocked
down a baseline jumper for the Spurs but Ellis came through for the Mavericks
again, tying the game with 24.9 ticks remaining on a one- handed runner.
Ginobili drove around Shawn Marion at the other end and made his go-ahead bank
shot over Dalembert. Then, Carter made his 3-pointer to give Dallas the win. The
Spurs had won 10 in a row over the Mavs prior to the Game 2 loss. Now, theyre
staring at a very difficult situation, should they lose Game 4 on Monday night.
San Antonio could be the sixth No. 1 seed to lose to an eighth seed in the first
round. The Spurs fell to the Memphis Grizzlies in this situation three years
ago. Game 5 will be Wednesday night in San Antonio.
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