Friday, November 12, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Asian Games 2010: China all set of the largest ever celebration

Posted: 12 Nov 2010 10:31 PM PST

It has been 16 years since the Asian Games were first held and this one organized in Guangzhou, China is the largest ever to be put together with some significant additions to the games, the competitions venues as well as the medals tally.

For the first time the game of cricket has been added to the list which already has 42 athletic events, shooting ones that are 44 and not to forget the 52 Aquatic events that will have sportspersons giving their heart and soul for. The most that are in the aquatic competitions are for both individual and team events.

Shooting will be another major thing to watch out for. The Asian champs of shooting will be at work once again and the medals tally for India definitely has expectations from the very able shooters we have. They did not dishearten us at the commonwealth games and Gagan Narang, Abhinav Bindra and some female shooters have raised the bar now.

Asian Games opening ceremony was held on 12th November and the new event of cricket will see 2 gold medals to be won. The dragon boat, weiqi, dancesport, and roller sport are the four new events also added for the very first time this year. An impressive opening ceremony has us hopeful for a good organization of the games this year and the closing will be on thwe 27th of this month.

The schedule of the games can be fund on the website too along with the games live score for those who cannot make it to China. There will be 45 Asian countries participating with their champions and the total of 476 events in 42 sporting competitions will find full participation this year.

Federer Advances, Djokovic Stunned In Paris

Posted: 12 Nov 2010 03:48 PM PST

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Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Paris, France (AHN) – Top-seeded Roger Federer, Australian runner-up Andy Murray and former No. 1 Andy Roddick advanced into the quarterfinals, while second-seeded and defending champion Novak Djokovic was stunned in the third round of the Paris Masters Thursday.

The former No. 1 Federer bolstered his quest to reach the semifinals of the event by demolishing 2004 Paris Masters runner-up Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic with clinical precision, 6-4, 6-3.

The Swiss master, fresh off his conquest of U.S. Open runner-up Djokovic in last week’s marquee finale in his hometown of Basel, displayed his winning form against the Czech veteran by unloading 11 aces and was never broken Thursday.

The 16-time major champ, who has never gone beyond the quarterfinals at this event, will next be tested by No. 11th seeded Austrian Jurgen Melzer, who eliminated seventh-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer on Day 5.

Last week’s Valencia champion Ferrer, along with Roddick and Tomas Berdych, claimed the last spots for the ATP World Tour Finals.

The final cast of the ATP Finals was completed after 12th seeded Gael Monfils dashed the hopes of sixth-seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, who needed to reach the Paris Masters final for a chance to qualify for the London tournament (Nov. 21-28).

Roddick also derailed Melzer’s London bid by reaching the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 7-6 (8) thrashing of Ernests Gulbis.

The rest of the eight-player field competing at the ATP Finals are top-ranked Rafael Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, Murray and Robin Soderling.

Djokovic was relegated to the sidelines after getting stunned by Michael Llodora at the final ATP Masters event of the year.

Djokovic, who dominated Monfils in last year’s finale, could not find that form against another French favorite, Llodora, who won 13 of the last 16 points against the Serbian star en route to a 7-6 (8-6), 6-2 triumph.

Llodora, who had not gotten beyond the second round in Paris, will next meet No. 10 Nikolay Davydenko, who toppled fifth-seeded Berdych.

Also advancing into Friday’s quarterfinals will be third-seeded British star Murray and Soderling, seeded fourth.

Murray will square off against 2009 Paris Masters finalist Monfils, while French Open runner-up Soderling will slug it out with Roddick.

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Red Wings Fire Out To 4-0 Advantage Over Oilers

Posted: 12 Nov 2010 03:48 PM PST

John Raffel – AHN Sports Correspondent

Detroit, MI, United States (AHN) – Danny Cleary scored two goals and Todd Bertuzzi added two assists while goalie Jimmy Howard has 15 saves to lift the Detroit Red Wings to a 4-0 lead over the Edmonton Oilers halfway through the second period Thursday night at Joe Louis Arena.

The Red Wings exploded for three goals in the first period for a 3-0 advantage.

The scoring barrage started when Valterri Filppula notched his fourth goal of the season on a pass from behind the net by Jiri Hudler at 7:29.

Tomas Holmstrom and Cleary added their fourth and fifth goals of the season later in the period.

Bertuzzi, Pavel Datsyuk, Hudler, Nicklas Lidstrom, Mike Modano and Henrik Zetterberg were credited with assists on the first three goals.

Detroit has a 20-15 advantage in shots.

Just 2:18 into the second period, Cleary scored again, his sixth of the season. After taking a pass from Bertuzzi, Cleary fired the puck into the net from just outside the crease.

Goaltender Jimmy Howard has 15 saves for Detroit while Nikolai Khabibulin has recorded 16 saves for Edmonton. Khabibulin stopped a penalty shot by Modano early in the second period.

The Red Wings entered the game 9-3-1 overall with a 5-1-1 home mark. The Oilers are 4-7-2 with a 2-2-3 record on the road.

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Montana To Retain Big Sky Affiliation

Posted: 12 Nov 2010 03:48 PM PST

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Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Missoula, MT, United States (AHN) – After a further study, the University of Montana has decided against a move to the Football Bowl Subdivision and decided that the Grizzly athletics will remain in the Big Sky Conference and the Football Championship Subdivision.

It was announced Thursday by Montana president Royce Engstrom, who indicated several key factors in the decision, including maintaining the cross-state rivalry between UM and Montana State University-Bozeman and the cost of transferring to the FBS.

According to Engstrom, who took over the duties as UM’s 17th president on Oct. 15, the cross-state football rivalry with Montana State is essential to the state’s cultural fabric.

Montana was considering a move to the Western Athletic Conference.

It would have placed its dominant football program into the much tougher FBS.

With Thursday’s decision, UM will instead compete in an expanded Big Sky Conference starting in 2012.

Early this month, UND and Southern Utah accepted the conference’s invitations to become core members of the Big Sky.

Also joining the conference as affiliate members are California Polytechnic State University and the University of California-Davis.

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Bodine Owns 230-Point Lead In Truck Series

Posted: 12 Nov 2010 03:48 PM PST

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Avondale, AZ, United States (AHN) – With two races left in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season, former champion Todd Bodine owns a 230-point lead over challenger Aric Almirola in the points race.

Bodine extended his points lead from 216 to 230 points last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway and is in the driver’s seat for a second title with just two races to go.

“There’s definitely a little relief with only two to go and having a big lead like this. We’re still not going to gloat just yet,” said Bodine. “Anything can happen in two races. Aric (Almirola) has been strong all year. They’ve had some bad luck and that’s what’s got them so far behind.”

Bodine has 3,645 points to Almirola’s 3,415. Rounding out the top-five in points are Johnny Sauter (3,341), Matt Crafton (3,237) and Austin Dillon (3,153).

Timothy Peters (3,107) sits sixth and in seventh is Ron Hornaday (3,059), followed by Mike Skinner (2,964), David Starr (2,898) and Jason White (2,813).

In positions 11-20 are: Ricky Carmichael (2,743), James Buescher (2,722), Justin Loftin (2,664), Kyle Busch (2,428), Ryan Sieg (2,417), Mario Gosselin (2,360), Jennifer Jo Cobb (2,140), Norm Benning (2,030), Stacy Compton (1,735) and Brent Raymer (1,734).

In points positions 21-30 is a group that includes: Donny Lia (1,500), Brett Butler (1,409), Ken Schrader (1,060), Dennis Setzer (1,049), Kevin Harvick (1,048), Mike Garvey (1,045), Tayler Malsam (1,022), Brian Ickler (980), Narain Karthikeyan (963) and Elliott Sadler (937).

In spots 31-40 are Rick Crawford (848), Mike Harmon (846), J.C. Stout (802), Chris Jones (769), Tony Jackson (744), Max Papis (738), Johnny Benson Jr. (735), Clay Greenfield (716), Chris Fontaine (714), Brad Sweet (705), Carl Long (687), Nelson Piquet (644) and Donnie Neuenberger (609).

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Cleary and Holmstrom Tally Goals; Red Wings Skate Past Oilers 6-2

Posted: 12 Nov 2010 03:48 PM PST

John Raffel – AHN Sports Correspondent

Detroit, MI, United States (AHN) – Danny Cleary and Tomas Holmstrom scored two goals each to lift the Detroit Red Wings past the Edmonton Oilers 6-2 Thursday night at Joe Louis Arena.

The Red Wings exploded for three goals in the first period for a 3-0 advantage.

The scoring barrage started when Valterri Filppula notched his fourth goal of the season on a pass from behind the net by Jiri Hudler at 7:29.

Holmstrom and Cleary added their fourth and fifth goals of the season later in the period.

Todd Bertuzzi, Pavel Datsyuk, Hudler, Nicklas Lidstrom, Mike Modano and Henrik Zetterberg were credited with assists on the first three goals.

Just 2:18 into the second period, Cleary scored again, his sixth goal of the season. After taking a pass from Bertuzzi, Cleary fired the puck into the net from just outside the crease.

Johan Franzen notched his seventh goal of the game and 100th of his career at 17:03 for a Wings’ power-play tally and a 5-0 Detroit lead.

Edmonton got on the scoreboard 58 seconds into the third period on a power-play goal by Dustin Penner, his sixth goal of the season. Holmstrom added his second goal of the game late in the period. Theo Peckham added a final goal for the Oilers.

Goaltender Jimmy Howard had 23 saves for Detroit while Nikolai Khabibulin recorded 28 saves for Edmonton. Khabibulin stopped a penalty shot by Modano early in the second period.

Detroit had a 34-25 advantage in shots.

The Red Wings are 10-3-1 overall with a 6-1-1 home mark. The Oilers are 4-8-2 with a 2-4-3 record on the road.

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Hamlin Leads NASCAR Cup Points With Two Races To Go

Posted: 12 Nov 2010 03:48 PM PST

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Avondale, AZ, United States (AHN) – It’s a three-horse race in The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship with two races left in the season.

With Texas out of the way, it’s a three-race battle between Denny Hamlin, four-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick.

Hamlin leads the points standings with 6,325 points and just 33 points ahead of Johnson (6,292), followed by Harvick (6,266), Carl Edwards (6,008) and Matt Kenseth (6,000).

Rounding out the top-12 among The Chase contenders are Jeff Gordon (5,994), Kyle Busch (5,986), Tony Stewart (5,962), Greg Biffle (5,953), Clint Bowyer (5,928), Kurt Busch (5,890) and Jeff Burton (5,852).

In positions 13-20 are: Mark Martin (4,107), Jamie McMurray (4,091), Ryan Newman (3,986), Joey Logano (3,974), Juan Montoya (3,945), David Reutimann (3,890), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (3,750) and AJ Allmendinger (3,734).

Kasey Kahne (3,733), Martin Truex (3,663), Paul Menard (3,594), David Ragan (3,408), Brad Keselowski (3,324), Marcos Ambrose (3,240), Elliott Sadler (3,076), Sam Hornish Jr. (3,056), Scott Speed (3,026) and Regan Smith (3,023) and make up the 21-30 positions.

Rounding out positions 31 through 45 are: Bobby Labonte (2,378), David Gilliland (2,308), Travis Kvapil (2,304), Robby Gordon (1,964), Kevin Conway (1,757), Casey Mears (1,418), Reed Sorenson (1,355), Joe Nemechek (1,321), Dave Blaney (1,309), Brian Vickers (1,158), Bill Ellliott (989), Mike Bliss (970), Max Papis (907), Michael McDowell (879) and David Stremme (825).

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Keselowski Wraps Up Nationwide Title With Two Races Left

Posted: 12 Nov 2010 03:48 PM PST

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Avondale, AZ, United States (AHN) – NASCAR Nationwide Series points leader Brad Keselowski wrapped up the points title with two races left in the season and owns a 465-point lead heading into Saturday night’s race at Phoenix International Raceway.

Keselowski owns a 465-point cushion in the standings over former champion Carl Edwards.

Currently Keselowski has 5,314 points to Edwards’ 4,849. Kyle Busch is third with 4,619 points and is followed by Justin Allgaier (4,402) and rounding out the top-five in points is Paul Menard (4,205).

Kevin Harvick (4,044), Trevor Bayne (3,765), Jason Leffler (3,743), Joey Logano (3,717), and Steve Wallace (3,688) make up the top-10 in points.

In positions 11-20 are: Brendan Gaughan (3,543), Reed Sorenson (3,463), Michael Annett (3,451), Brian Scott (3,286), Mike Bliss (3,253), Tony Raines (3,197), Ricky Stenhouse (3,116), Mike Wallace (3,055), Kenny Wallace (3,011) and Joe Nemechek (2,805).

Michael McDowell (2,685), Jason Keller (2,432), Colin Braun (2,252), Eric McClure (2,252), Josh Wise (2,161), Shelby Howard (1,907), Robert Richardson Jr. (1,779), Morgan Shepherd (1,710), Mark Green (1,665) and Willie Allen (1,605) make up positions 21-30.

Rounding out positions 31-45 are: Clint Bowyer (1,506), Brian Keselowski (1,460), Ryan Newman (1,393), Greg Biffle (1,368), Jeremy Clements (1,344), Scott Lagasse Jr. (1,328), James Buescher (1,250), Jamie McMurray (1,234), Tayler Malsam (1,045), Kelly Bires (1,019), Kevin Lepage (1,008), Danny O’Quinn Jr. (991), Parker Kligerman (966), John Wes Townley (866) and Danica Patrick (854).

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Indiana Prep Basketball Player Cody Zeller Opts For Hoosiers

Posted: 12 Nov 2010 03:48 PM PST

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Washington, IN, United States (AHN) – The Indiana University, which was having difficulty in landing in-state players to come to Bloomington, got a boost in rebuilding its basketball program Thursday after high-touted recruit Cody Zeller announced his intention to sign with the Hoosiers.

The highly-sought, 6-foot-10 Washington (Ind.) star, who led his team to the Indiana 3A title, made his announcement Thursday afternoon at the Washington High gymnasium.

Zeller, who is reportedly the last remaining uncommitted top players in the college basketball recruiting class of 2011, chose the Hoosiers over in-state rival Butler and North Carolina, where his older brother Tyler plays.

Zeller’s decision is expected to have a huge impact on the Hoosiers, one of the most storied college basketball traditions in the country, but has struggled the past two years under head coach Tom Crean.

Crean faced a daunting task when he arrived in Bloomington and took over the Indiana program that was embroiled in recruiting violations under former head coach Kelvin Sampson.

In his maiden season behind the Hoosiers bench, Crean steered Indiana to just six games in 2008. The Hoosiers then registered an improved 10 wins the following season.

Zeller, with his impressive stats from last season, is not the first elite in-state talent Crean has landed for IU, but he will be just the first to show up on campus.

Crean has reportedly secured commitments from Fort Wayne guard James Blackmon and forward Trey Lyles of Indianapolis, both high school freshmen will arrive in 2014.

Then there is also Hanner Perea, a power forward prospect in the 2012 class, who is prepping at La Lumiere School in LaPorte.

Last season, Zeller averaged 20.5 points and 11.1 rebounds a game.

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Red Wings` Offense Too Much For Oilers

Posted: 12 Nov 2010 03:47 PM PST

John Raffel – AHN Sports Correspondent

Detroit, MI, United States (AHN) – Tomas Holmstrom suspected that his Detroit Red Wings would face an early-game blitz from the Edmonton Oilers Thursday night.

But instead, it was Holmstrom and his Red Wings who exploded on offense in Detroit’s 6-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers at Joe Louis Arena.

Danny Cleary and Tomas Holmstrom scored two goals each to lift the Red Wings while Todd Bertuzzi and Henrik Zetterberg added two assists apiece.

Holmstrom was among the scorers in a 3-0 first period for Detroit. He now has five goals for the season.

Edmonton was coming off a 7-1 loss to Carolina on Tuesday and the Wings were expecting the Oilers to turn up their offense several notches in the early going against Detroit. But just the opposite happened.

“We surely knew they were going to come out hard, but we try to keep forechecking them and keep the puck down low and pucks to the net,” Holmstrom said.

Holmstrom was assisted on his first goal by linemates Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, two of Detroit’s leading scorers.

“It makes my life a lot easier for sure,” Holmstrom said of playing with his linemates. “Those two guys do magic and I go to the net and take care of the garbage there.”

The first period scoring barrage started when Valterri Filppula notched his fourth goal of the season on a pass from behind the net by Jiri Hudler at 7:29.

Holmstrom and Cleary added their fourth and fifth goals of the season later in the period.

Todd Bertuzzi, Pavel Datsyuk, Hudler, Nicklas Lidstrom, Mike Modano and Henrik Zetterberg were credited with assists on the first three goals.

Just 2:18 into the second period, Cleary scored again, his sixth goal of the season. After taking a pass from Bertuzzi, Cleary fired the puck into the net from just outside the crease.

Johan Franzen notched his seventh goal of the game and 100th of his career at 17:03 for a Wings’ power-play tally and a 5-0 Detroit lead.

Edmonton got on the scoreboard 58 seconds into the third period on a power-play goal by Dustin Penner, his sixth goal of the season. Holmstrom added his second goal of the game late in the period for Detroit Theo Peckham added a final goal for the Oilers.

Goaltender Jimmy Howard had 23 saves for Detroit while Nikolai Khabibulin recorded 28 saves for Edmonton. Khabibulin stopped a penalty shot by Modano early in the second period.

“It was a good game for our team,” said Detroit coach Mike Babcock. “As long as we keep shooting the puck, we’ll be fine.”

Detroit had a 34-25 advantage in shots.

The Red Wings are 10-3-1 overall with a 6-1-1 home mark. The Oilers are 4-8-2 with a 2-4-3 record on the road.

“It’s important to get off to a good start in this league,” Babcock said.

“We stated from the beginning of training camp that you want to get out of the gates quick in the NHL,” Howard said. “You measure yourself in the first 20 games. We want to establish ourselves at the top of the Western Conference.”

It’s still early in the season but Holmstrom acknowledged that the Wings are still hurting from an early exit in the Stanley Cup playoffs last season.

“It was a long summer and we were disappointed,” he said. “You know, you’ve got to be healthy too. I think that’s the most important thing.”

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