Tuukka Rask leaves game in pain
Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask appeared to suffer a lower-body injury Saturday against the New York Islanders while making a split save 9:01 into the second period.
He immediately fell to the ice in pain, and the game was stopped. He was unable to put any weight on his left leg as he was helped off the ice. Tim Thomas replaced him in net.
Rask had stopped 11 of 12 Islanders shots at that point and left with the score tied 1-1. The Bruins eventually lost 3-2.
Coach Claude Julien confirmed to the media before Sundays game at New York against the Rangers that Rask was not with the team and will not be making the road trip to Toronto for Tuesday nights game. Julien had no update on the exact injury and after the game the team said a full medical evaluation would not be made until Monday.
Its really hard to watch, teammate Tyler Seguin said following Saturdays game. (Rask) is one of the hardest working players on our team with practices and what not and even if hes playing on a game day, hes still taking shootouts after practices. To see a bad bounce like that and see him go down and have to come out of the game isnt something any teammate wants to see.
I mean as soon as he went down, you know as a goalie, Im at least coming in right away this game, you never know about things sometimes, Thomas said. Things could look terrible on the ice and they dont end up taking a lot of time out to recover, or there is a lot of times you dont even see the injury and then its something that ends up being really long term. So, I dont know, thats not my area.
Also, Daniel Paille suffered an undisclosed injury in the third period and did not return. Paille was not available Sunday, with Julien saying he is day to day.
The Bruins recalled goalie Michael Hutchinson and forward Lane MacDermid from the AHLs Providence Bruins and both were dressed for Sundays game.
The Bruins received some good news on the injury front with the return of Johnny Boychuk. Boychuk returned to the lineup from a mild concussion Saturday and felt good for the 20:24 he played in the loss.
It felt pretty good, just to get back into the groove of things, said Boychuk, who suffered the concussion after a Chris Neil hit in Ottawa last Saturday. To just get out there and do the simple things.
Boychuk was under strict orders to leave the game if he sensed any symptoms at all, but fortunately that didnt happen.
They told me if I felt any symptoms at all, then to get off, said Boychuk. And if I had to sit out another week, it would be fine, because we have enough guys to fill in. But no symptoms at all after warm-ups. And after the first period, same thing, no symptoms the whole game.
Julien was relieved Boychuk came back after missing only two games.
The most important thing is the fact that it wasnt a long-term thing, he said. He felt good before the game. He felt good during the game. As far as I know, there havent been any issues at all. So, hopefully thats the way its going to continue.
ESPNBoston.coms James Murphy contributed to this report.
Kings-Lakers Game Review
Kings-LakersGame Review
Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) – For a second straight game, Kobe Bryant didnt let a broken nose and concussion stop him from producing big offensive numbers.
Bryant scored a game-high 38 points and pulled down eight rebounds, as the Los Angeles Lakers rolled to a 115-107 win over the Sacramento Kings.
Bryant, playing with a protective facemask after suffering a broken nose and concussion in Sundays NBA All-Star Game, went 13-of-24 from the field and 11- of-14 from the foul line. Andrew Bynum added 19 points and 15 rebounds for the Lakers, who were coming off a 104-85 win at home against Minnesota on Wednesday. Bryant had 31 points in that contest.
Next up for the Lakers, a Sunday afternoon matchup with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the rest of the Miami Heat. The Heat won at home over the Lakers on Jan. 19.
Im still tired, but weve got to keep working, Bryant said. Sunday is a big game to see how weve improved since we played them in Miami.
Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace each contributed 15 points for the Lakers, who have won seven of nine overall and 10 of 12 against the Kings.
Francisco Garcia scored 18 for Sacramento, which has dropped its last two contests. DeMarcus Cousins totaled 10 points and 13 rebounds in defeat.
Bryant scored 13 in the opening quarter, helping the Lakers to a 31-26 lead, and they continued to be on the positive side of the scoreboard in the second. Garcias three-pointer in the waning seconds had the Kings within 65-58 at the half.
A layup from Tyreke Evans in the opening minute of the third had the Kings within 65-62, but the Lakers scored the next 10, capped by a Gasol hook shot. Bryants layup finished a quarter-ending 7-0 burst for a 92-74 difference.
Sacramento made one last push, getting within 100-95 on Jimmer Fredettes three-pointer with five minutes remaining.
Were an inconsistent team right now, but in a few years, if we stay together, well win these games, Fredette said.
The Lakers countered with a 10-2 burst, started by a World Peace three-ball and ended with Bryants turnaround fadeaway jumper, to seal the outcome.
It seemed like a big shot, but throughout the game, everybody did something to help, World Peace said of his three-pointer.
Waiting game for goalline technology
GOALLINE technology, supported by the majority of fans, players, managers and even referees, moved a vital step forward yesterday but is unlikely to be introduced until the season after next not in the SPL anyway.
After years of foot-dragging, football’s lawmakers approved “optional not obligatory” technology in principle and although the first system could be in place in FIFA competitions by the end of this year – and definitely by the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup – it will take a while longer to be implemented by Europe’s leagues and clubs.
At its annual meeting, the International FA Board (IFAB) approved final tests on two systems: British company Hawk-Eye – widely used already in cricket and tennis – and GoalRef, a German-Danish firm – ahead of an ultimate decision the day after the end of the European Championship in July. Six other systems were ruled out after a series of experiments by scientists in Switzerland.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been a reluctant convert to technology ever since the international outcry over Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal, in the 2010 World Cup second round tie for England against Germany. UEFA president Michel Platini is firmly opposed, as is Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer who heads FIFA’s Task Force on ways of improving the game. Platini favours the system of two extra goal-line assistants, used in all major European international competitions.
There is now a serious chance of both systems ending up operating side by side in what is surely a case of overkill. Optionality, as English FA general secretary Alex Horne put it. But while FIFA ideally plans to employ goalline technology for the Club World Cup in Japan in December, Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan said the SPL were likely to wait, along with the English Premier League, until the 2013-14 season – but only if the price was right.
Two instances of goals not being given in the SPL this season, despite TV replays clearly showing ball had crossed the line, have both gone Celtic’s way. In December, Rangers’ Lee Wallace’s seventh-minute header crossed the line but was over-ruled in their 1-0 defeat in the Old Firm fixture. Last month, during their 4-0 defeat, Hearts’ Stephen Elliot headed the ball over the line with the game goalless but again it wasn’t given.
“Next season is probably too soon and the costs are unknown,” said Regan. “I think, over time, technology will advance and prices ultimately will come down and there will come a point at which the SPL can enter this market. There is a demand for goal-line technology in the SPL and once the companies have passed the tests we would certainly be keen to try it.”
Hawk-Eye is a camera-based system while GoalRef uses a magnetic field around the goal with a special ball to identify a goal situation.
The final phase of testing will take place between now and June to make sure each system is robust enough to remain accurate in a match situation and, when implemented, a signal can be sent to the official within a second of the ball crossing the line. Like Regan, Horne doubted whether an approved system could be imported into the Premier League in time for next season.
“I would doubt it. You would need to wait until July for the decision, then go through procurement and installation of equipment for 20 clubs. That would not be a one-day job.”
The ultra-conservative IFAB, comprising FIFA and the four home associations, rarely if ever reverses previous decisions. But they had a change of heart when making an exception by lifting the ban on the Islamic headscarf being worn, pending final ratification by a health and safety working group.
FIFA’s youngest and most progressive executive committee member Prince Ali of Jordan had led the campaign to overturn the ban on the hijab on safety grounds and gave a persuasive demonstration on new Velcro-designed headscarves deemed 100 per cent safe.
It was a significant victory for Prince Ali, who had been supported by a bullish social media campaign and even the United Nations, not only for Islamic women players worldwide but also in terms of his own status as FIFA’s latest vice-president. The issue first arose in a junior league in Canada and came to a head following a number of controversies involving Muslim women teams. Last year Iran were prevented from playing their 2012 Olympic second round qualifying match against Jordan because they refused to remove their hijabs before kick-off. Iran had topped their group in the first round of Olympic qualifiers but were handed 3-0 defeats as a penalty, ending their dreams of qualifying for the London Games.
Prince Ali’s case rested on a belief that a change of attitude would empower many more women to play football in the Islamic world. “I am deeply grateful that the proposal to allow women to wear a headscarf in football was unanimously endorsed by all members of IFAB,” he said after yesterday’s hearing. “I am confident that once the final ratification in the July Special Meeting of IFAB takes place, we will see many delighted and happy players returning to the football field and playing the game that they love.”
Approval was also granted to the English FA’s proposal to have a two-year experiment on rolling substitutes in amateur football. A recommendation to allow a fourth substitute to be used during extra-time was thrown out but lawmakers did agree that players red-carded for denying a goalscoring opportunity should not necessarily be suspended.
Game thread: UCLA at Washington
HUSKIES WIN: Washington won 67-59 behind 22 points and 11 boards from Rogers. McGuff credited all of the seniors of the victory, Mo-Will grabbing eight boards in the second half, Argens adding 11 and Barlow collecting five. It helped UW outrebound UCLA 48-37, shooting 32.3 percent from the field in the game. Walker led the Bruins with 20 points, 17 boards, and five rebounds. Aside from the Washington seniors, freshmen Aminah Williams responded nicely from a flub against USC to score five points with six rebounds in 22 minutes on Saturday. Again, she seemed to get minutes over Barlow. McGuff said he was going with the hot hand when it happened on Thursday. On Saturday, the focus was the seniors final regular-season game. The players cried during a well-edited video tribute and the crowd of 2,634 stayed to honor the honor the players. But did McGuff check his cell at one point? Anyway, the class was thankful for the ceremony after the game. I knew (my mother) was going to cry and when she cries, it makes me cry, said Rogers, whos baby cousin clung to her and boyfriend offered support. There were so many emotions in that, going after the game was probably better. I dont want to be crying through out the game. Its too hard to play. UW held a banquet on Saturday night for seniors with everyones family. McGuff said the players will have Sunday off and the team is expected to travel to Los Angeles on Monday to begin transitioning to the Pac-12 tournament. UW (16-12, 8-10) finished eighth in standings and will play Oregon in the opening round at noon on Wednesday. The winning of that game plays No. 2 Stanford (21-1, 17-0) on Thursday. UCLA (14-15, 9-9) finished fifth in standings, winning the head-to-head tiebreaker against Oregon State (18-11, 9-9). The Bruins will play Arizona (14-16, 3-15) in the opening round.
BREAK TIME: Leaving the blog to write the newspaper story. Ill be back later with a wrap of the game. UW is up 42-37 after a monster play by Rogers in the paint. Theres 10:45 remaining in the game.
SCOREBOARD II: Arizona State defeated Arizona 70-63 and Southern California ended its regular season on a six-game win streak with a 65-64 win against Washington State. Utah is up 49-27 on Oregon, meaning Washington would likely be the eighth seed if it wins against UCLA. The Utes defeated the Huskies in overtime earlier this season, clinching the head-to-head tiebreaker. Despite lulls, UW is up 35-33 with 14:14 on the clock.
TIME!: McGuff isnt happy with how the Huskies started the second half, calling a timeout after UCLA pulled within 31-30 on a 5-0 run. Theres 17:36 remaining in the game. UW is 0-for-3 shooting in the second half.
SCOREBOARD: While Nikki Caldwells former Bruins struggle, her current LSU squad is capping off a major upset against No. 9 Kentucky. The Tigers lead 70-59 with 36 seconds left in the game.
HALFTIME: Washington leads 31-25 at the break. Rogers leads with nine points and Davis added eight, but UW isnt showing its normal fight and energy. An injury-plagued UCLA is sinking behind 32.1 percent shooting. Otherwise the Bruins only have nine turnovers to the Huskies 13 and received 10 points off its bench. Its clearly UWs game to lose. Corinne Costa leads UCLA with eight points while Walker has seven.
OFFICIAL WORD: The celebration delay actually isnt McGuffs choosing. Because there are five players and set amount of time pregame, the ceremony was pushed to after the game so nothing is rushed.
CELEBRATION DELAYED: Guess McGuffs style is to do the senior nod after the game because it didnt happen before. UW is up 28-23 with 1:36 before halftime, Davis getting a fast break layin with a little help from a Wetmore screen.
ROBBED: Argens finally capped a sweet pass with a smooth layin…but the officials saw her two steps as a travel. Hec Ed didnt run a replay of the call, so I wont know. Washington is up 24-21. There were a lot of sloppy passes early, leading to 12 turnovers by UW. Both teams have cleaned it up, a little, with 3:17 remaining in the opening half.
WARMING UP: UW is on a 8-3 run to pull ahead 19-14 with 7:26 left in the first half. The Huskies are using a 15-10 rebounding advantage to help keep the Bruins out of the game. UW is also shooting an improved 35 percent.
ICE, ICE BABY: Rogers said shed be nervous for this final regular-season game at Hec Ed and it must have spilled into the offense for the entire UW team. The Huskies are shooting 3-for-14 from the field. The positive is UCLA isnt much better and UW now leads 11-10 with 10:42 on the clock.
CHANGE UP: Its not having the same affect as when Skylar Diggins switches her hairstyle, but Davis has pulled her curly locks back into a low bun. UCLA has gone on a 6-0 run in the meantime, though, and Davis remains 0-for-3 from the field. The game is tied (6) with 13:35 left in the first half.
Its the one day in NCAA hoops where tears are accepted: Senior Night. Make it Senior Matinee for Washington as the program bids adieu to five players — Center Regina Rogers and forwards Mackenzie Argens, Charmaine Barlow, Mollie Williams and Liz Lay — in 2 pm tip against UCLA. Lay suffered from chronic knee injuries and had to retire from playing in September 2010, she current provides the color commentating for UWTV (Channel 27).
Theres supposed to be a pregame ceremony where families of the players join the players to be recognized. Im also told there will be a special video presentation for each player.
The group is remarkable, especially given the adversity theyve overcome in four to five years at the school. This is their first winning season, an experience they could have stalled if it werent for positive attitudes. Instead of giving first-year coach Kevin McGuff the cold shoulder, the upperclassmen embraced his change in philosophy and culture to become better players.
Of course the hard part was losing guard Kristi Kingma, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during a summer trip to Europe. Shes expected to be awarded a medical red-shirt and return next season.
We really dont really talk about it a lot because its still emotional for her, said Barlow of not playing with Kingma for their senior seasons. It was a hard downfall for our seniors. Me and Kristi have been close the past three years, but I just told her that Im going to come and support her next year. Shes a phenomenal player so theyll still do good next year.
Washington (15-11, 7-9 Pac-12) can still do well this season. If it defeats UCLA (14-14, 9-8), its not even crazy to think it could win a game in the one-and-done conference tournament format.
That would put UW back in position for postseason play and maybe another game at Edmundson Pavilion via the WNIT. But despite UCLA losing to stumbling Washington State on Thursday, the Bruins arent an easy matchup. Junior wing Markel Walker is versatile, totaling 11 double-doubles this season. Senior Rebekah Gardner has emerged lately, scoring in double figures in 15 of her past 16 games.
UCLA has won the past five games between the schools, including a 79-73 overtime decision in Los Angeles. UW calls it one of its toughest losses of the season. For four active seniors, this is the final time to get revenge.
Lets get it started with your starting lineups:
BRUINS
F Markel Walker
F Rebekah Gardner
C Rhema Gardner
G Mariah Williams
G Thea Lemberger
HUSKIES
F Charmaine Barlow
F Mackenzie Argens
C Regina Rogers
G Jazmine Davis
G Mercedes Wetmore
Todays officials are Robert Scofield, Alejandro Moreno, and Mazetta Garrett.
‘Game of Thrones’ new trailer: It’s war! — EXCLUSIVE
Youve been told that War is Coming this season on Game of Thrones.
Ready to see some of it?
EW.com has the exclusive new trailer for Thrones season two (links to the earlier trailers below). Theres fighting, theres romance, theres
Florence and the Machine!
For the first time, HBO has licensed a pop song to market Game of Thrones, selecting the indie track Seven Devils. I suspect some fans may be initially taken aback by the combination of a modern tune and the land of Westeros. By the end of the trailer, I think youre going to really dig it (its waaaay better than, say, that Enya song slapped onto The Fellowship of the Ring). Heres your new trailer:
NBA game of the week: Miami at Lakers
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, drives on Miami forward Shane Battier during a game in January. The two teams meet again Sunday.
(Rhona Wise / EPA / January 19, 2012)
Glory Johnson, Tennessee advance to SEC title game
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Lady Volunteers have wanted to win in the postseason to honor their coach. Getting revenge on a few teams is just a bonus.
Tennessee (No. 10 ESPN/USA Today, No. 13 AP) beat South Carolina (No. 25 AP) 74-58 on Saturday to advance to its 21st Southeastern Conference championship game.
LSU tops Kentucky to reach SEC title game
Nashville, TN Courtney Jones scored 18 points, LaSondra 61, in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament on Saturday.
Adrienne Webb added 11 points and Jeanne Kenney scored 10 for the fourth- seeded Lady Tigers (22-9), who will play in the final of the SEC Tournament for the first time since losing to Tennessee in 2008.
It will be LSUs ninth appearance overall in the title game. It never trailed and led by as many as 18 points with 6:23 remaining in the second half.
Tennessee and South Carolina are playing the other semifinal. The winner will face LSU on Sunday.
Top-seeded Kentucky (25-6) was led by 18 points from Adia Mathies and 17 from Keyla Snowden. The Wildcats scored 16 points in the first half — a season-low for any half.
Clippers-Suns Game Review
Clippers-SunsGame Review
Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) – Jared Dudley scored 22 points, including the game-sealing free throws with 13.3 seconds left in the contest, to go along with seven rebounds and four assists as the Phoenix Suns held off the Los Angeles Clippers, 81-78, at US Airways Center.
Marcin Gortat added 18 points and 14 boards, while Grant Hill contributed 14 points in the Suns second consecutive win to improve to 4-1 on a six-game homestand.
We have got to learn to grind out games and be able to win scoring 81 points, Suns head coach Alvin Gentry said.
Blake Griffin had 17 points and seven rebounds for the Clippers, who lost for the fourth time in six games. Chris Paul had 16 points and five assists as Los Angeles dropped its ninth straight game in Phoenix.
Phoenix scored a season-low 32 points in the first half behind a 28.9 percent shooting performance, but the Suns found their stroke in the third quarter to take control of the game.
The Clippers held a 35-32 advantage at the break, but Phoenix opened the second half with a 10-2 run to jump out to a 42-37 lead.
Pauls three-pointer put a stop to the run and sparked a 10-5 swing by the Clippers to knot the game at 47 with a little under five minutes left in the third.
Then the Suns took over, closing out the frame with a 16-5 run to take a double-digit lead, 63-52, into the fourth quarter. Phoenix made 52.6 percent of its shots in the third quarter, while the Clippers were held to a 31.8 percent shooting performance.
Los Angeles made a push in the fourth with an 11-2 run that tied the game at 70 on a Mo Williams three-pointer with 3:59 left. But Gortat recorded the games next four points to put the Suns on top for good.
Los Angeles stayed within two possessions for the remainder of the game and had a chance to tie at 74 with about a minute to go, but Griffins driving layup attempt was too strong.
Paul later closed the gap to 77-75 with 26.5 seconds left on a wide open three from the top of the arc, but Dudley made two clutch free throws on the Suns ensuing touch to seal the win.
I thought we got a little stagnant with some our offensive stuff, Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro said. We made a push in the fourth quarter, but we just couldnt capitalize.
After an early 6-0 spurt by the Clippers put them ahead, 6-2, Steve Nashs three-pointer sparked an 11-0 run by the Suns to give them a 13-6 advantage with 4 1/2 minutes left in the first quarter.
Los Angeles, though, closed out the frame with a 15-4 run that gave the Clippers a 21-17 lead after one.
Shannon Browns 17-footer was followed by a Robin Lopez dunk to close the gap to two, 23-21, almost three minutes into the second quarter, but the Clippers responded with a 10-1 swing to jump out to a double-digit lead, 33-22.
However, Los Angeles would not record another basket over the final five minutes of the half as Phoenix reeled of the games next 10 points until a pair of Paul foul shots gave the Clippers a 35-32 advantage at the break.
McLellan will miss a third game tonight, Blues coach on season series with …
Picking up where we left off . . .
UPDATED: Just learned that Todd McLellan will NOT be behind the bench tonight when the Sharks face the St. Louis Blues. He made it clear to us this morning that hes still having problems focusing when theres a lot of movement or motion, so this is neither a surprise nor, Im pretty sure, a setback. Prevailing wisdom, of course, is to be cautious in these matters. END OF UPDATE
To hear coach Ken Hitchcock tell it, the Blues have won all three games with the Sharks this season primarily because his team has been able to grab the lead.
It’s been the one determining factor, he said. We’re like anybody else. The game we played, the last one we won in our building, they were better than we were in the second half of the game but we had the lead and our goalie was good, especially in the third when they got all the power plays.
The other thing in playing in this building, he continued, having played here so much, it’s always about the next shift in this building. Where you lose games in this building is you don’t respond after the next shift.
Theres a big push coming and we all know that. It’s just that next shift. Whether we’ve scored or they’ve scored or there’s been a fight or whatever, it’s the response after the whistle.
That’s something we’ve warned the players about. We just have got to have a good response when that whistle blows.
So is that something peculiar to HP Pavilion? Hitchcock didnt exactly answer the question posed, but he did go on at length on what he likes about playing in San Jose.
This is one of the toughest buildings. Its a real hockey building, he began. I’ve said this before. You play on a Saturday night here, it’s a real hockey game. . . The fans feel like they’re on top of you. It’s very very loud. It’s naturally loud, it isn’t processed through the score clock like some other buildings are. It’s a good atmosphere here.
Hes not just blowing smoke. Having made the rounds over the past five years, he speaks the truth. Its the compact design as much as anything else, but there are few places that are as lively as HP Pavilion when theres something to get excited about.
*****Under Hitchcock, of course, the Blues play a hard fore-checking game ready to capitalize on any mistakes they can get the opposition to make.
And while we dont have a sense of how the Sharks lines will shape up because it was an optional morning skate, Hitchcock has mixed things up for the Blues after being shut out in Vancouver on Thursday night.
His top line against the Canucks David Perron, Andy McDonald and TJ Oshie is being split up in order to go to a more north-south game, Hitchcock said.
*****That Oshie reference reminds me. The Blues forward uses periods after the T and the J that passes for a first name, but new Sharks forward TJ Galiardi does not. And, for the curious, the San Joses TJ stands for Terry Joseph. Its not something he ever uses, however, and probably the last time youll see it here.
*****Back to the impending return of Logan Couture (very likely) and Douglas Murray (pretty likely) to the Sharks lineup tonight.
Couture skipped practice yesterday and said it helped to stay off whatever lower body part is ailing. He skated this morning, though, and said the mystery part of his anatomy passed the tests he put it through.
We’ll see what happens when I come to the rink, but I’m ready to play, he said.
Murrays situation is a little trickier as hes missed the past eight games more as a precaution than anything else because of that fractured Adams apple. Hes felt fine, just waiting for the green light from the medical folks that he wont be jeopardizing his ability to breathe if swelling should occur.
My guess is I’ll be playing pretty soon, Murray said, but I haven’t seen anything official.
He said hes gotten encouraging words from the doctor, but
that has been for a while. Until it’s 7:30, I don’t know anything.
Assistant coach Jay Woodcroft hedged as well.
We haven’t heard back yet from all the pieces of our medical staff, Woodcroft said, but he’s eager to play so we’ll see.
******Finally, back to Todd McLellan.
The Sharks have been very protective, limiting media access until today. Even then, we were told that the coach would make a brief statement this morning, but there were to be no questions.
McLellan, however, set his own rules, saying he really didnt have a statement to make, but was ready to field a few questions.
Most of what he had to say is in the previous post, but he also talked about being a little uncomfortable as the center of all this attention.
Yeah, it’s not about me. We’ve got to play a game tonight and find a way to win. We’re in a big battle and you guys are focused on me and thats not it, he said.
Let’s talk about Jumbo’s game and how Patty can have an impact and how our goaltender’s going to be good and how well St. Louis is playing. I think that’s where the focus has to be and not on me.
Earlier, he did flash a glimpse of the dark side of his sense of humor.
Asked whats bothering him the most as he deals with concussion symptoms, McLellan replied: Not winning very many games.
