ekansekans's blog: "df"

LOS ANGELES -- Soon, the tinkering will begin. Carlos Rogers Womens Jersey . The Vancouver Whitecaps headed home to potential change Friday after losing an historic playoff game a night earlier. The Major League Soccer club faces roster alterations designed to help them avoid a repeat of Thursdays heartbreaking first-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy. Captain Jay DeMerit said the 2-1 loss, which came after Vancouver held a 1-0 lead until the 69th minute, showed the quality of the Whitecaps. But it also demonstrated their need for improvement. "In order to beat the best, you have to be the best," said DeMerit following the game. The setback, he said, was another case of the Whitecaps being unable to hold on to a lead. Vancouver needs such experiences to make it a better team. Before the end of the year, the Caps are expected to hold a post-season evaluation camp at which the future of a number of players will be decided. Such camps are common in Europe, and Vancouver held a similar one heading into the last off-season. Coach Martin Rennie used the camp to make extensive changes to the expansion team that finished last overall in 2011 -- both before and during the just-concluded campaign. Fewer changes to the clubs core are expected this time, but some moves will still be significant. Midfielder John Thorrington said the Whitecaps must become more consistent. Although the team suffered from a dire lack of scoring at times, Thorrington said he would not single out offensive players. The increased consistency must be evident in all areas of the pitch. "Its frustrating, because we were so close to a huge victory for our franchise and to really help define the future of our franchise," said Thorrington late Thursday. Although the win was not to be, the Caps must remember how close they came to beating the defending MLS champions. "Unfortunately, it didnt happen," he said. "But the progress weve made from last year to this year, if we continue this progress, the organization is going to go places." The Whitecaps finished fifth with an 11-13-10 record and became the first Canadian team to qualify for the MLS post-season. But after a strong start, they fizzled during most of the second half. Vancouver posted just three wins in the final 17 matches of the 34-game schedule. Although the club was extremely strong defensively most of the season, the Caps only mustered 35 goals -- including just 10 on the road. As a result, moves to improve the clubs scoring are expected to top Rennies off-season acquisitions agenda. Scottish striker Kenny Miller, signed in mid-season, did not produce the offence expected of him, and his future in Vancouver is in question. Miller, who showed a willingness to face reporters questions at the toughest of times, including Thursday night, indicated he struggled because he did not have a pre-season in either Europe or Vancouver. "If you dont have that, youre always playing catch-up," said Miller, who recorded two goals and an assist in 13 games. Miller hopes to show better in 2013 once he has a training camp and exhibition games under his cleats. But it remains to be see whether the team will want him back, and he accepts a potentially reduced role. "Ive come here to play -- its as simple as that," said Miller, one of the teams designated players. "Ive never, ever been one to be happy sitting on the bench and playing a minor role. Its never been in my make-up." Miller, who had a $1.2 million salary this season, was on the bench at the start of Thursdays game, but came on in the second half after Darren Mattocks left because he was feeling stomach pains. Mattocks scored Vancouvers lone goal against the Galaxy, and led the team in scoring with seven goals, despite missing several games because of injuries, suspensions, and international duty with the Jamaican national team. His depature Thursday again demonstrated the teams over-reliance on him. The future of Scottish midfielder Barry Robson, who was also brought in to score, and produced three goals and two assists, is also under review. But during a mid-week conference call, Rennie said several mid-season changes, which included the arrival of Miller and Robson, did not have an overly negative effect. Midfield, where the club lacked creativity and flow for much of the season, is also likely to be evaluated extensively. Rennie said he was proud of his players for their performance Thursday and throughout the season. Whitecaps minority owner Jeff Mallett did not want to say where he thinks changes must be made, but indicated more scoring is necessary. "Weve improved vastly defensively," Mallett in the Home Depot Center media area before Thursdays game. "Thats why were standing here. ... (But) 25 goals is not going to cut it to be one of the elite teams in this league. "So, simple math tells us weve gotta create more chances and weve gotta finish more chances. (Its) really that simple." Mallett said the club accomplished most of its goals on and off the field. He praised Rennie for his work, but wants the coach to devote more attention to developing talent through the clubs residency and development teams now that he has had time to settle in. Mallett also wants the Whitecaps to develop, and draw from, more national team players. He said the club is disappointed with the state of the Canadian mens programs development infrastructure and wants to contribute more to it. "We should be like every elite nation, where you want to play for your national team," said Mallett. He added the club also wants the Whitecaps reserve team to get more action by having more games on its schedule. One move is already known. Midfielder Dane Richards will not be back, because he has signed to play with English side Burnley next season. Other potential moves include the departure of veteran goalkeeper Joe Cannon, who started the season strongly but was displaced by backup Brad Knighton late in the campaign. Meanwhile, steady defender Young-Pyo Lee indicated during the season that he will consider retirement in the off-season, even though he has two years to run on his contract. Ultimately, Rennies decisions are expected to determine the future of most players. "Most of the things (within the club) are improving, and (the playoff berth) is a step forward -- but its all about winning," said Mallett. Patrick Willis Jersey . The six-time Stanley Cup champion will take on the 42.2 kilometres Nov. 6 in the city where he captained the Rangers to their first title in 54 years. Ronnie Lott Jersey . David Krejci scored the winner in the final minute of the first in a 3-2 win over defending champion Finland on Sunday. Finland outshot the Czechs 14-1 in the last period but the Czech defence and goaltender Jakub Stepanek held on to finish with 34 saves. http://www.shopsanfrancisco49ersgear.com/womens-vernon-davis-nike-jersey/ . Coleman was 0-1 with a 7.32 ERA and allowed 13 earned runs in his last seven appearances. The right-hander gave up seven earned runs, his career-high as a reliever, in last Wednesdays 17-1 loss to the Reds. Kendall Hunter Womens Jersey . Quiroz was 2-under on his front nine and went on to post four birdies on his inward nine, finishing atop the leaderboard in only his second start of the year. Patrick Willis Limited Jersey .J. -- The Super Bowl-champion New York Giants and two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora have ended their feud.OReilly is making a difference for the Avalanche, line shuffling in Buffalo, Wild wings and more. MIDDLE MANWhile production and ice time has been hit-or-miss for Avalanche centres Paul Stastny and Matt Duchene this year, third-year pivot Ryan OReilly is making his mark. OReillys 18:02 average ice time per game ranks second on Colorado (behind Daniel Winnik, of all people) and nine points in the last five games gives OReilly a team-high 21 points for the season. In honour of Mr. Winnik, a look at the forwards with fewer than 10 points this season with the most ice time: RANK PLAYER TEAM POS. GP TOI PTS 1. R.J. Umberger Columbus LW 26 480:30 7 2. Daniel Winnik Colorado RW 26 479:55 8 3. Patrick Dwyer Carolina RW 28 440:23 7 4. Alexei Ponikarovsky Carolina LW 28 426:37 9 5. Eric Belanger Edmonton C 27 423:34 7 6. Jarret Stoll Los Angeles C 26 420:45 7 7. Ville Leino Buffalo LW 26 407:44 9 8. David Clarkson New Jersey RW 25 404:55 9 9. Dan Cleary Detroit RW 24 401:06 7 10. Wayne Simmonds Philadelphia RW 25 392:44 9 11. Jamie Langenbrunner St. Louis RW 26 390:39 8 12. Chris Stewart St. Louis RW 23 381:33 9 13. Mike Knuble Washington RW 25 375:44 7 14. Paul Gaustad Buffalo C 26 373:29 6 15. Michael Frolik Chicago RW 25 372:28 9 16. Dominic Moore Tampa Bay C 25 371:34 6 17. Samuel Pahlsson Columbus C 26 368:35 5 18. Lars Eller Montreal C 25 362:57 8 19. Nate Thompson Tampa Bay LW 25 360:24 5 20. Erik Condra Ottawa RW 25 355:46 9 SABRE RATTLINGThe lines have been changing in Buffalo, as good health and AHL call-ups have changed the personnel. Tyler Ennis returned from his sprained ankle to take up a spot alongside Derek Roy and Drew Stafford, scoring a goal on Saturday night. Brought up from Rochester of the AHL, power forward Zack Kassian has three points in five games with minimal ice time (11:26 ATOI), but his line with Luke Adam and Ville Leino seems to have sparked Leino a little. After managing five points in 22 games, Leino has four points and a plus-4 rating in the last four games. The Sabres top line now is Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville, centred by veteran Jochen Hecht. Hecht has three goals and a plus-3 rating in six games since he returned to the lineup, but is logging significant minutes, playing a seasno-high 20:35 on Saturday. WELL ENOUGHWild winger Casey Wellman bears watching as thhe team looks for secondary offence. Randy Moss Jersey. Signed as a free agent out of UMass-Amherst in the spring of 2010, Wellman managed six points in 27 NHL games with limited ice time over the last couple of seasons. After putting up 11 goals, 19 points and a plus-4 rating in 20 games with Houston of the AHL this year, Wellman got the call and he played a career-high 17:11 while recording a goal and an assist against Anaheim on Sunday. As long as Guillaume Latendresse is out, Wellman has a shot to make some noise on a line with Matt Cullen and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Part of the reason that the Wild can try Wellman on the second line is that Cal Clutterbuck, Nick Johnson and Kyle Brodziak have been productive on the third line too. Clutterbuck has a point per game over the last seven while Johnson and Brodziak each have a point per game in the last five. BOOTH REVIEWCanucks winger David Booth seems to be finding his form and not just because he tallied three points against Calgary on Sunday. Booth has 15 shots on goal in the last three games, his highest total over a three-game span since early March. Booth has 10 points in his last 12 games and is fitting nicely on a line with Chris Higgins, who has six points in his last four games, and Ryan Kesler, who has nine points in his last seven games. BLUE NOTESt. Louis LW David Perron returned to action Saturday, scoring a goal and playing 19:05 in his first game since suffering a concussion against San Jose on November 4, 2010. Perron skated on a line with Matt DAgostini and Patrik Berglund, while underachieving Chris Stewart was moved to a unit with Jason Arnott and Vladimir Sobotka. MCBAIN: ACTION HEROHurricanes D Jamie McBain has been a healthy scratch at times this season, including the first two games under new coach Kirk Muller (after playing a season-high 24:09 in Paul Maurices final game behind the bench) but scored his first two goals of the season Saturday. McBain was most impressive when he broke into the league, in the spring of 2010, averaging 25:47 of ice time while putting up 10 points in 14 games late in the season. Last year, the Hurricanes reined in McBain, giving him 19:06 ice time per game, while handing veterans Joni Pitkanen, Joe Corvo and Tim Gleason more minutes. That role hasnt entirely changed, as Pitkanen, Gleason and Jay Harrison are playing more on the Carolina blueline this year, as is rookie Justin Faulk when hes in the lineup (perhaps he should be grateful that Tomas Kaberle has struggled), but playing for a young team that should have an eye on the future, McBain should be able to establish himself in a top four role and put up some points for the Hurricanes along the way. EVANDER IS A KNOCKOUTJets LW Evander Kane has nine goals in his last nine games, giving him 14 in 25 games this season, not bad for a 20-year-old. More enticing for future production is that Kane has turned into a shots-on-goal beast, registering 50 in the last 10 games. Its enough to make one wonder what Kane did to deserve spotty ice time and subpar linemates for the first handful of games this season, because hes been a star ever since. RICHIE RICHLots of expectations come when you are the most sought-after free agent of the offseason and Rangers C Brad Richards started slowly in his new surroundings, putting up 13 points in 18 games out of the gate. Playing primarily with Ryan Callahan and Ruslan Fedotenko lately, however, Richards has scored nine points in the last five games, putting him much closer to his typical point-per-game numbers. TALE OF TWO BROTHERSSandwiched around a lower body injury that cost him three weeks of action, Canadiens LW Andrei Kostitsyn has four goals and six points in his last seven games, which is better than his brother in Nashville these days. Sergei Kostitsyn is sidelined with an uppper body injury, but even when hes been healthy, the production hasnt been very good. Sergei has three assists in the last 11 games, and all three of those assists came in one game against Toronto. SNIPER JONESOilers LW Ryan Jones made the most of his three shots on goal against Columbus on Friday, scoring on all three for his first career hat trick. They were Jones only shots on goal in the last four games. Oilers C Shawn Horcoff is returning to the ranks of productive playmakers, tallying 11 points in his last nine games. He suffered bruised ribs in Edmontons game on Saturday night, but Horcoff seems to have found a good line with Ales Hemsky and Sam Gagner on his wings. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. ' ' '