Four days after being praised as a hero for helping Russia win its first gold at the Sochi Olympics, Evgeni Plushenko was taking criticism Friday for dropping
out of the mens figure skating.
Bill
Melton White Sox Jersey . Plushenkos strong performance in the team event
brought wide accolades for his determination to overcome injury. But on Thursday
he withdrew before the mens short program, complaining of severe spinal pain
during the warmup. Plushenko was Russias only men singles skater in Sochi. He
won the slot in a closed exhibition skate that cut out Maxim Kovtun, who beat
him in the Russian nationals. Among his critics was longtime rival Alexei
Yagudin, the 2002 Olympic gold medalist. He told the R-Sport news agency he
supports "people who go to the end." "I think Zhenya will understand my words,"
he said, using the familiar version of Plushenkos name. "We always competed
through the pain." The choice of Plushenko as the sole Russian man was
debatable. Although he was the dominant skater the past 15 years, with an
Olympic gold and two silvers before coming to Sochi, he is 31-years-old and
underwent back surgery a year ago. When he was selected, advocates argued his
long international experience made him a stronger choice than the 18-year-old
Kovtun. Decision comes under fire But that came under sharp questioning Friday.
"You should go when its time," Ruslan Nugmatullin, a former Russian national
soccer goalkeeper said on Twitter. "Kovtun earned the right to participate in
Sochi2014." Alexei Urmanov, the 1994 Olympic gold-medal winner, suggested that
Plushenkos hubris backfired. "Its on the conscience of Zhenya, the team and the
federation," he was quoted by R-Sport. To some politicians, Plushenkos
withdrawal was a blow to Russias national pride. "Perform through the pain for
the honor of the country," Igor Lebedev, a parliament member from the
nationalist Liberal Democrats, said on Twitter. Elena Vaitsekhovskaya, the
figure skating correspondent for Russias Sport-Express newspaper, seemed weary
not only of the intrigue behind Plushenkos selection but also of the appearances
of his flamboyant wife, Yana Rudkovskaya, in the mixed zone to support him. "All
of this was reminiscent of an incompetently directed stage show," she wrote. "It
became harder and harder to sympathize with the athlete." "The one-man show in
Sochi has concluded. Real sport has begun," she said in the newspapers Friday
edition. But more complaints may still come. "After Sochi, the federation will
have to answer for its choice," nationalist lawmaker Vladimir Zhirinovsky said.
Mookie
Betts Red Sox Jersey . -- The Phoenix Coyotes have won three in a row for
the first time in 4 1/2 months, and theyve done it just in time for the stretch
run to the playoffs.
Kyle
Schwarber Cubs Jersey . Sam, who joined the Cowboys in early September,
has spent the entire season on the practice roster.
http://www.chinanfljerseyswholesale.biz/white-sox-30-david-robertson-grey-new-cool-base-stitched-mlb-jersey.html . Steve has built a solid reputation throughout the years - first as a hockey
player, then as an NHL general manager and now as a scout.The Arizona Coyotes
found their scoring touch in their last game, and theyve had no problem
finishing chances over a sustained stretch against the Edmonton Oilers. The
Pacific Division stragglers meet Sunday night in Edmonton with the Oilers trying
to put an end to their streaky ways. The Oilers (6-9-2) have been especially
up-and-down this season with wins and losses coming in bunches. Their scoring
has followed that streaky trend lately. Thursdays 4-3 overtime loss to Ottawa
kicked off a five-game homestand with a second straight defeat, though escaping
with a point was a bonus after falling behind by three in the first period for a
second straight game. Its good that we didnt just throw in the towel and say
they can just have this one, said Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who had a pair of
assists. We battled back hard (in Tuesdays 3-2 loss at Nashville) and we did the
same tonight. We got a point out of this tonight. We showed some good things
there for sure, but those things cant happen, we cant go out there and get down
three. The 20 first-period goals the Oilers have allowed are tied with Arizona
for the most in the Western Conference. The Oilers will have star forward Taylor
Hall in the lineup for tonights game. His first game action since injuring his
MCL on Nov. 1. Coach Dallas Eakins said Hall would likely play on a number
lines. Goalie Ben Scrivens has suffered from that with a 0-3-1 record and 3.76
GAA in his last four starts. He allowed six goals in the first meeting with
Arizona and fell to 1-2-1 with a 3.16 GAA in the matchup. Viktor Fasth has been
no better against the Coyotes with a 0-1-1 mark and 3.89 GAA. Arizona (7-9-1)
ended a three-game losing streeak with Fridays 5-0 win at Vancouver.
Mike
Lowell Red Sox Jersey. Martin Hanzal scored the first three goals before
five minutes had passed in the second period, and Shane Done and Keith Yandle
completed the dominant night. Hanzal had been held without a point during the
losing streak with a minus-4 rating, and his importance hasnt been lost on the
teams captain. Obviously, our most important player is Martin Hanzal, Doan said.
When hes rolling, were a better team, and he got rolling tonight. Continued
power-play production could help move things along. Yandles goal came with the
advantage, and the Coyotes are 2 for 5 in their last two games after a 0-for-18
stretch. Theyre 2-6-0 when they go without a power-play goal and 5-3-1 with at
least one. It was also their first shutout, providing a much-needed boost for
their goaltending. Devan Dubnyk made 35 saves and improved to 3-0-1 with a 2.54
goals-against average in his first start since allowing five goals on Nov. 2 in
Washington. While Dubnyk is yet to face his former team, starter Mike Smith
certainly has and is 9-0-1 with a 2.46 GAA in his last 11 starts against the
Oilers. This season has been considerably more trying as Smith has gone 4-9-0
with a 3.43 GAA, including three straight losses and nine goals allowed in his
last two. Arizona hasnt suffered a regulation loss in Edmonton since Nov. 23,
2009, going 8-0-1 in that span. Overall, Arizona is 16-1-3 in the series since
that loss with 3.7 goals per game. The Coyotes nearly doubled that in a 7-4 home
win Oct. 15 to open the season series. Mikkel Boedker had three goals and an
assist for the Coyotes and has 10 points on a five-game streak against Edmonton.
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