Sunday, May 16, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Byfuglien`s Goal Difference As ‘Hawks Snag Game 1 From Sharks In West Finals

Posted: 16 May 2010 10:49 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

San Jose, CA, United States (AHN) – Dustin Byfuglien scored the tie-breaking goal late in the third period, which proved to be the difference, as the Chicago Blackhawks took the early series lead with a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals at HP Pavilion.

The Blackhawks, who prior to the contest had posted a better postseason mark on the road at 5-1 as compared to being host (3-3), got into the game midway into the second with Patrick Sharp’s goal.

Sharp’s tally made it a tied affair at 1-1.

After Chicago’s 22-year-old captain Jonathan Toews won a faceoff in the Shark’s zone in the third stanza, Patrick Kane got the puck and maneuvered to Byfuglien.

The 257-pound Byfuglien then beat Evgeni Nabokov with a wrist shot from the slot, giving the ‘Hawks a 2-1 edge at 13:15 in the period.

Chicago’s rookie netminder Antti Niemi, making his first career appearance against the Sharks, ended with 44 saves.

His counterpart Nabokov, who played a key role in the San Jose’s round two series against the Detroit Red Wings, also played well behind the pipes, finishing with 38 stops.

The second-straight Western Conference finals contender Blackhawks, who are targeting to reach their first Stanley Cup Finals since 1992, will aim to carry the momentum into Game 2 in San Jose Tuesday.

Last year, Chicago succumbed to the Red Wings in five games in the West finals.

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Celtics Prevail Over Magic, Hand Orlando First Postseason Loss

Posted: 16 May 2010 10:49 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Orlando, FL, United States (AHN) – Ray Allen scattered 25 points and Paul Pierce had 22 points and nine boards, as the Boston Celtics withstood a late Magic surge to snap Orlando’s 14-game win streak with a 92-88 rout Sunday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at Amway Arena.

Rasheed Wallace added 13 points off the bench for the Celtics, who used a smothering defense that forced 18 turnovers and limited the Orlando offense to 41.6 percent shooting.

Entering Sunday’s game with a perfect postseason record, the Magic trailed by as many as 20 points in the contest before battling back to draw within five in the final minute.

Dwight Howard, who logged 13 points and 12 boards, then pulled Orlando within three, 88-85, before Pierce converted two free throws to give the Celtics breathing space, 90-85, with 12 ticks left in the game.

The Celtics, who were coming off a second-round upset of the top-seeded Cavaliers Thursday, shot 44.6 percent in the game, including 6-of 14 from beyond the arc (42.9 percent).

Kevin Garnett had eight points and 11 rebounds, while Rajon Rondo also scored eight and dished out eight assists in the victory.

Vince Carter tallied a team-best 23 points and had five rebounds for the Magic, who suffered their first postseason setback after registering sweeps in the first two rounds.

Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is slated Tuesday in Orlando.

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Niese Leaves Game As Marlins Sweep Woeful Mets

Posted: 16 May 2010 10:49 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Miami, FL, United States (AHN) – Jonathan Niese was forced to leave the game in the third inning in a 10-8 loss to the Florida Marlins Sunday, adding to what has already been a dreadful stretch for the New York Mets.

Niese felt sore in the same area he tore his hamstring last August, and was forced to leave the game in the middle of Hanley Ramirez’s at-bat after feeling what he described as a sharp, scary pain.

His initial diagnosis is a right proximal hamstring injury, and the Mets have him listed as day-to-day.

The Mets (18-20), who once sat in first place, have now lost five in a row and 10 of their last 13 to plummet to last in the NL East.

Meanwhile, their rotation is in shambles after Oliver Perez’s four home-run outing Friday and John Maine starting off Saturday’s contest with 12-straight balls.

Perez was taken out of the rotation and Maine’s fate may be very similar. New York couldn’t even get a win in the battle of aces Thursday between Johan Santana and Josh Johnson.

Sunday, the Mets moved Reyes to the leadoff spot but to no avail as the Mets bullpen allowed seven runs. Chris Coghlan hit a three-run homer to lead Florida.

The Marlins (20-18) are now tied with the Nationals for second in the NL East, 3.5 games behind first-place Philly.

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Busch Scores Another Win At Dover

Posted: 16 May 2010 10:49 PM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Dover, DE, United States (AHN) – Kyle Busch came just that close to a unique NASCAR trifecta Sunday at Dover International Speedway.

The Las Vegas native, who dominated the Truck race but ran out of gas during the final green-white checkered finish Friday, won Saturday’s Nationwide Series event and then followed it up Sunday by winning the Sprint Cup Series race at The Monster Mile.

“It’s phenomenal. It feels really, really good. I can’t thank the guys enough. The whole M&M’s Camry team did such a phenomenal job. We just can’t say enough about all of the people behind us. It’s fortunate for us to be in this position and Dave Rogers (crew chief) working as hard as he does. Man, I don’t think you’ll outwork the guy, but you might beat him sometimes here or there,” said Busch. “Today we prevailed. That’s what it takes to win one of these deals. We came out right there at the right point and I think we were going to beat him (Jimmie Johnson), but I don’t know. The 48 (Jimmie Johnson) was really, really fast today.”

Busch, who led 131 laps, took advantage of a Jimmie Johnson speeding penalty to record his second Cup win in the last three weeks.

The driver/Truck team owner led 494 of a possible 809 laps over The Monster Mile over the weekend and walked away with two wins to show for it.

Jeff Burton took runner-up honors and was followed by Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin and David Reutimann. Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart and Joey Logano rounded out the top-10 finishers.

“It was a good run. Obviously, we didn’t think we were as good as the 48 most of the day. We had one run where I thought we were a little better than he was, but overall he was a touch better,” said Johnson. “I thought we were about even with the 18, a little better, and then he seemed to get a little better there late in the race. We had a good run, and we just need to keep knocking on the door.”

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Dixon Tallies 52nd Career NHRA Win

Posted: 16 May 2010 10:49 PM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Commerce, GA, United States (AHN) – Larry Dixon raced to his 52nd career win, tying Joe Amato for the second-most Top Fuel wins in history Sunday in the NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.

Also capturing class wins in the eighth of 23 events was Robert Hight, Jeg Coughlin and Andrew Hines.

Dixon scored his fourth win of the season and increased his points lead by topping Brandon Bernstein in the final round with a pass of 311.49 mph.

“(Brandon) took a shot at the Tree and went .003 red, but if he goes .003 green he has a chance to win the race,” Dixon said. “He has a good car and if you get eight-hundredths on a guy, there’s not eight-hundredths between our cars. We went up there with what we thought the track could take, and you have to hope it’s enough, and today it was. The car was flawless; we had a really tight package. To have seven runs between an .86 and a .91 that’s pretty stout, and then to have an .82 for the pole just adds to it.”

Hight, the defending Funny Car champ, tallied his second consecutive victory of the season when he topped second-generation driver Ashley Force Hood in the finals with a winning pass of 298.01 mph.

Hood’s father, John Force maintained his series lead despite a second round loss to his daughter.

Coughlin became the fourth Pro Stock racer to score 50 career wins when he topped Rickie Jones in the final round with a run of 207.21 mph.

“I was fortunate to eclipse the 50-win mark – including my Lucas Oil wins – a few years ago and thought I was done with 50 but was reminded here lately of the next plateau,” said Coughlin, who outran Ronnie Humphrey, V. Gaines and top qualifier Allen Johnson in earlier rounds. “To celebrate it here, in JEGS’ 50th anniversary year, I’m very happy.”

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, three-time world champ Hines raced to victory over defending series champ Hector Arana.

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Rumored Bulls Coach Jeff Van Gundy: LeBron Not Enough For Title Contention

Posted: 16 May 2010 10:49 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) – Jeff Van Gundy, who is rumored as a possible replacement for fired Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro, recently told a major media outlet he believes adding LeBron James to the current Chicago roster does not make the Bulls a title contender.

Van Gundy told ESPNChicago.com adding James to a complement of Derrick Rose and Loul Deng would not be enough to contend with teams like the Lakers, Magic and Celtics.

“A lot depends on how much they have to give up to get him, Van Gundy said. “If it’s a sign and trade, what other moves they’d make, but I would not think they would be a championship-caliber team right away. But I think they’ll be a top-3 or -4 team.”

The impending expiration of James’ contract July 1 has caused quite possibly the biggest hype of all time surrounding a free agent.

Many analysts agree that possible destinations fotr James include the Bulls, the New York Knicks or staying in Cleveland.

James, however, has declined to speak much about his free agency. The two-time NBA MVP and his Cavs were knocked out of the playoffs for the second year in a row despite owning the NBA’s best record.

Van Gundy hasn’t coached since he was fired from the Houston Rockets following the 2006-07 season. He has a 430-318 career coaching record in 12 season with the Knicks and Rockets.

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Adam Scott Surges To Capture Texas Open; Pak Dominates Playoff To Win LPGA Classic

Posted: 16 May 2010 10:49 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

San Antonio, TX, United States (AHN) – Australian Adam Scott, who began the final round in a tie for sixth place, completed a dramatic come-from-behind victory with a closing five-under 67 at the Texas Open Sunday.

It was the first PGA Tour victory in two years for the 29-year-old golfer, who finished at 14-under 274 for his seventh Tour win.

Scott, the 2008 Byron Nelson Classic winner, edged closest competitor Fredrik Jacobson of Sweden by a stroke.

Jacobson, who shot a 65 in the morning for a share at second place heading into the final round, finished with a 70.

He took second with a 13-under 275, one shot ahead of group headed by PGA Tour money leader Ernie Els.

The former top-ranked Els, who followed a third-round 69 with a 68, was tied for third at 12 under with Aaron Baddeley and Jimmy Walker.

J.B. Holes, who took the third-round lead early Sunday after firing a six-under 66, came back later in the day with a 76 to finish tied at eight under.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms that cancelled the second round Friday resulted in a 36-hole marathon finish Sunday.

Meanwhile at Mobile, AL Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak ended a three-year victory drought Sunday with a birdie to top a three-way playoff in the rain-shortened Bell Micro LPGA Classic.

It was the 25th career LPGA Tour victory for the 32-year-old South Korean, who outlasted Brittany Lincicome and Suzann Petersen in the playoff.

With victory, Pak now moves ahead of Donna Caponi and is one win behind Judy Rankin on the LPGA’s all-time wins list.

Pak, Lincicome and Petersen, who were third-round co-leaders, contended in the playoffs after sharing the 54-hole lead at 13-under par 203.

In the first playoff hole, all three made two-putt pars before Pettersen made a bogey from behind the 18th that knocked her out on second extra hole.

Pak shrugged off the pressure from Lincicome, who shot a 25-foot downhill putt as she hit her approach into a bunker fronting the green to secure a par in the third playoff hole.

A composed Pak, who last won in 2007 at the Owens Corning Classic, then hit a fairway bunker shot from about 170 yards to 10 feet to give herself the winning birdie opportunity.

Finishing two shots out of the playoff were Jee Young Lee, Na Yeon Choi and Azahara Munoz.

Defending champion Angela Stanford, who ruled the tournament the last time it was staged in 2008, finished ninth.

The event was not last year as the course was being renovated.

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Webber 2-For-2 In F1 After Monaco Win

Posted: 16 May 2010 10:49 PM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Monaco (AHN) – For the second straight Formula One race in a row, the driver won from the pole and this time it was Mark Webber, who captured the Monaco Grand Prix Sunday.

Webber’s win gave Red Bull to a 1-2 finish at the famous street race as he won his fourth career victory and moved atop the Formula One standings ahead of teammate Sebastian Vettel.

Both Red Bull drivers are tied at 78 points apiece after six races, but Webber holds the edge because he has won two races.

Robert Kubica took third and was followed by Felipe Massa and former F1 champion Lewis Hamilton.

Webber, who won from the pole last week in the Spanish GP, became the first Aussie in two decades to win back-to-back F1 races.

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Battle-Tested Flyers Torch Canadiens In East Finals Opener

Posted: 16 May 2010 10:49 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN) – Michael Leighton posted his first career playoff shutout, and the Philadelphia Flyers continued their impressive postseason run with a 6-0 demolition of the Montreal Canadiens Sunday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Leighton stopped all 28 shots he faced as he remained unbeaten since replacing starter Brian Boucher, who injured in Game 5 during the grueling series with Boston.

The Flyers, who had only one day off between the end of the Bruins series and the opener against Montreal, scored early and often, chasing Jaroslav Halak in the second frame.

James van Riemsdyk, Danny Briere and Simon Gagne each found the back of the net in the second period, giving Philadelphia a 4-0 advantage.

After Scott Hartnell extended it to 5-0 in the third, forward Claude Giroux capped the offensive explosion for the Flyers, who were perceived to have been drained after becoming just the third NHL team to win a series after trailing 3-0.

Philadelphia, seeded seventh, earned a conference finals spot by ousting New Jersey in five games in Round 1 before making history in their seven-game series conquest of the Bruins.

The Flyers are aiming to ride the wave Tuesday when they host Game 2 of the series.

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`Sour` Lou: Manager Piniella Vents About Inconsistent Cubs

Posted: 16 May 2010 05:19 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) – A frustrated Lou Piniella vented out on the struggles of the Cubs Sunday and indicated that winning is the only thing that matters for the Cubs manager.

At pregame press conference before Sunday’s game vs. the Pirates, Piniella, apparently tired of the same old questions, raised his voiced as he gave a spirited response to a question about the playing status of young outfielder Tyler Colvin.

Piniella said that apart from at-bats for people, the need to play and everything about it, there is the need to talk about “winning baseball games”, which he emphatically stressed is want he wants to discuss.

He further added: “Outside of that, I’d like to see people get hot, stay hot and win games,” reported the Chicago Breaking Sports.com

The consistencies Piniella is seeking could finally begin for the Cubs following Sunday’s 4-3 victory over Pittsburgh.

The win helped improved the Cubs record to 16-22 despite being ranked third in terms of payroll in the major leagues with about $146 million.

It was only the third triumph for the Cubs in their last 12 outings.

The Cubs, this month, are batting 16 points higher than what the team posted in April at .282.

Chicago’s ERA for May is 5.54 in contrast to April’s mark of 3.88 ERA.

Apart from helping improve the team’s campaign, the victory enabled Piniella to achieve a milestone by notching career win No. 1,800.

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