ekansekans's blog: "df"

TORONTO -- The post-Olympic hangover lasted a long time for Kevin Martins curling rink. Eric Decker Womens Jersey . The team was drained after criss-crossing the country for speaking engagements and events in the year after winning gold at the Vancouver Games. After such a glorious high it was difficult to get the edge back last season, especially playing a reduced schedule. Martins team trained hard over the summer and is back in form this season, playing with a renewed focus and intensity. "You can see theres energy again," Martin said Monday. "There was very little energy last year. We were just a bunch of burnt-out guys." The Edmonton skip won Olympic gold with Ben Hebert, Marc Kennedy and John Morris. The rink took parts of last season off to recharge and is off to a solid start this season at 12-2. "This year you can tell that everybody -- in their eyes -- theyre enjoying it, getting on the ice and playing," Martin said. The veteran skip made a promotional stop at an east-end curling club Monday for the release of his new Kevin Martin Curling App. Hell return to Edmonton on Tuesday for a coaching assignment before heading to Portage la Prairie, Man., for this weekends Canad Inns Prairie Classic event. Martin said while hed like to see a decent winning percentage this season, his main goal is to build up the teams skills and performance leading into the 2013 Olympic trials in Winnipeg. "I would like to see us get stronger as the year goes on," he said. "And play really solid, consistent ... whether we win or not that doesnt matter because our goal is Sochi. "What we win this year is insignificant but in order to win there, youve got to be getting better and better and better, trying to peak next year at the Olympic trials." Martin made it to the semifinals at the Point Optical Classic in Saskatoon last month and followed it up with a win at the recent Westcoast Curling Classic in New Westminster, B.C. The team will have a busy schedule this season. And Martin likes the hunger his teammates are showing early on. "Its no different than a horse before a horse race," he said. "You can tell by the look of the horse if theyre ready to go or not. You can tell that with an athlete too ... by the look in their eye and how theyre acting, how theyre walking, how theyre moving and how theyre eating pre-game. You can tell by all of that. "You can tell that our team is ready to go again. We were not ready to go last year. You could tell, we were just not mentally sharp and you just have to be. Finally I can see that (look) again, which is good." Martin already earned a coveted qualification spot at the Olympic trials by winning the Canada Cup last year. Eight mens and womens rinks will battle for the Sochi spots at the trials -- the Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings -- from Dec. 1-8, 2013. "Were trying to ramp up," Martin said. "And in an exact way." Steve Atwater Womens Jersey . IndyCar announced the penalty Sunday morning. Jakes was set to start in the 19th spot, but will drop into the back of the 25-car pack for the race later Sunday. Eric Decker Pink Jersey . Radwanska, the younger sister of third-ranked Agnieszka, used a strong serve to beat the 394th-ranked Diatchenko 6-2, 6-2. After struggling in her opening round match, the 40th-ranked Radwanska broke Diatchenko three times in the first set and twice in the second set on her to an easy win. http://www.denverbroncosfansprostore.com/eric-decker-jersey . Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel preserved his sides clean sheet with a leaping catch of a shot by Martin Skrtel in the 54th minute. Brad Jones played the first half in goal for Liverpool and Peter Gulacsi took over after halftime. Kevin Vickerson Jersey . The team placed first baseman/designated hitter Adam Lind on the 15-day disabled list on Monday, and recalled first baseman David Cooper from triple-A Las Vegas. Peyton Manning Youth Jersey . -- Milos Raonic dominated his second-round match at the BNP Paribas Open.OAKLAND, Calif. -- Oakland Athletics pitcher Brandon McCarthy was in stable condition in the critical care unit of a Bay Area hospital on Thursday, a day after having surgery for a skull fracture and brain contusion caused by a line drive. McCarthy was hit in the right side of the head Wednesday by a line drive off the bat of Erick Aybar of the Los Angeles Angels. He was knocked down by the shot and hit his head on the ground. The 29-year-old McCarthy eventually walked off the field under his own power and was taken to the hospital for further tests and observation. A CT scan after the accident showed McCarthy had an epidural hemorrhage, brain contusion and skull fracture. McCarthy was transferred to another hospital and had a second CT scan. He then underwent two hours of surgery Wednesday night to relieve pressure in his head. A CT scan taken Thursday showed improvement from the previous scans and McCarthy is currently resting in the hospital. Thee As did not give a timetable for how long McCarthy will be out. Peyton Manning Womens Jersey. "Our first concern is Brandons health, and we are heartened to learn he has shown progress in his recovery after surgery," general manager Billy Beane said. "We are glad to report he is stable, awake and alert. The team will provide further updates as they become available in the coming days. ... Brandon remains in everyones thoughts as we wish him a speedy recovery." The As travelled to Seattle on Thursday where they will begin a three-game series on Friday against the Mariners. Oakland went into the day tied for the AL wild-card lead with Baltimore after being swept in a three-game series against the Angels. McCarthy is 8-6 with a 3.24 ERA in 18 starts. The As also announced on Thursday that third baseman Brandon Inge was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder. Inge will have season-ending surgery on the shoulder. ' ' '