smile's blog: ""

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Monday that Dallas Eakins has signed a three-year contract extension to remain head coach of the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. Aaron Rodgers Pink Jersey . Eakins assistant coaches Gord Dineen and Derek King have also signed contract extensions to continue with the Marlies. Both are completing their third season with the Marlies in 2011-12. The extension allows Eakins the flexibility to seek an NHL head coaching job after next season. "Dallas is a wonderful teacher for our players in the American Hockey League," said Leafs GM Brian Burke in a statement. "He has a great understanding of the game and what it takes to be a successful professional player, both on and off the ice. Hes a huge contributor to our overall hockey organization and we are pleased to have Dallas and the entire coaching staff under contract." The Marlies captured the Sam Pollock Trophy as the winner of the AHLs North Division in 2011-12. Under Eakins guidance, the team has ranked first in the AHL in penalty-killing in 2010-11 and 2011-12. Toronto surrendered a league-low 175 goals in 2011-12 and finished with a record of 44-25-5-3 and 96 points which is the 2nd best total in team history. As the second playoff seed in the AHLs Western Conference, the Marlies this spring eliminated Rochester, Abbotsford and first place Oklahoma City on their path to the 2012 Calder Cup Final. Eakins has spent the last seven seasons in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization in various roles. He was the clubs Director of Player Development in 2008-09, served as an assistant coach with the Maple Leafs from 2006 to 2008, and was an assistant coach with the Marlies during the 2005-06 AHL season. The Dade City, Florida native was originally drafted by the Washington Capitals in the 10th round, 208th overall, in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. Eakins played in 120 games for Winnipeg, Florida, St. Louis, Phoenix, the New York Rangers, Toronto, the New York Islanders and Calgary. He also suited up in 609 AHL games, registering 134 points (27 goals, 107 assists) and 1051 penalty minutes. He retired from professional hockey following the 2004 season with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL. Brett Favre Packers Jersey . Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., now heads to the U.S. Open after losing his first meeting with Wawrinka 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4. The 21-year-old came to the court leading the tournament with 54 aces and added 17 in his losing effort over nearly two and a half hours. Aaron Rodgers Black Jersey . The Spain midfielder fell to the ground clutching his right foot following a tackle by Keith Andrews in the second half of Thursdays 4-0 victory over Ireland at the Arena Gdansk. http://www.shopgreenbaypackersgears.com/womens-charles-woodson-nike-jersey/ . Alvarez hit his 30th homer, connecting for his first career shot in the city where he was a prep star and leading the Pittsburgh Pirates over the New York Mets 10-6 on Tuesday night. Randall Cobb Womens Jersey . In a surprising deal about 3 1/2 hours before the game, Seattle sent Suzuki to the Yankees for a pair of young pitchers. After leaving the only major league team hed ever played for, the 10-time All-Star held an emotional news conference and then joined his new teammates in the other clubhouse at Safeco Field. Jordy Nelson Blue Jersey . -- The rarest shot in golf can happen any time Bubba Watson has a golf club in hands. BOSTON -- All the off-season work, rehab starts and minor league outings finally paid off for Daisuke Matsuzaka. Matsuzaka returned from the disabled list with his best start of the season and Cody Ross drove in three runs, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 5-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Monday. Starting the season on the DL after Tommy John surgery in June, Matsuzaka (1-3) earned his first big league win since May 16 of last season. The Japanese right-hander made eight rehab starts before he rejoined the rotation in June, but went back on the DL in early July with a strained neck muscle. Then it was back to the minors for another five starts. "I tried back in June and I didnt get the results I wanted. I didnt feel like Id be able to come back strong again this season," he said through a translator. "I went back to my final two rehab starts and threw the ball really well. I knew if I could do that up here the results would come." Matsuzaka gave up an unearned run and five hits, walking two and striking out six over seven innings in just his sixth start of the season. The Red Sox took three of four in the wraparound series and won for the second time in three games since trading Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Carl Crawford to the Dodgers on Saturday in a salary-dumping, nine-player deal. "Obviously hes going to get another start -- two, three, four or five," Boston manager Bobby Valentine said. "He might finish strong throwing like that." Jacoby Ellsbury had a solo homer and a double for Boston, which opens a nine-game West Coast trip Tuesday night against the Los Angles Angels. It was the first time Matsuzakas pitched more than six innings. "When I had to go back on the DL in July it was very disappointing, especially when I didnt expect my body to react the way it did," he said. "But the encouraging part was it wasnt my elbow. I didnt know if Id be able to come back strong this year, but I felt better than I did before I had Tommy John." The Red Sox won for just the seventh time in 19 games. "He threw his slurvy slider inside on right-handers really well," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "I mean he really executed that pitch well a number of times. So when youre sitting, looking out, away on him and he throws that slider that starts at you and breaks back on the corner of the plate, it keeps you off-balance really well, and thats what he did." Luke Hochevar (7-12) took the loss, giving up five runs and eight hits in his second complete gamee this season. Jordy Nelson Pink Jersey. Boston broke a 1-1 tie on Ross two-run single in the third. Scott Podsednik and Dustin Pedroia each singled before Ross hit a drive high off the Green Monster, but he was thrown out trying to stretch it on Alex Gordons throw. In the sixth, the Red Sox added two runs off Hochevar. Ross had an RBI double off the left-field wall. He beat Gordons throw, sliding into second before scoring when newly acquired James Loney singled to make it 5-1. Loney went 1 for 4 in his second game after coming in the trade with Los Angeles. Matsuzaka, in the final year of a six-year, $52 million contract, mostly spotted his fastball with a slider and cutter to keep the Royals hitters off balance. He was most impressive when he worked out of a first-and-third, one-out jam in the sixth, getting Mike Moustakas swinging on a tailing 94 mph fastball to end the inning. "He was throwing a good cutter," Kansas City designated hitter Billy Butler said. "He was locating and had pretty good velocity on his fastball whenever he needed it." The Royals took advantage of an error, scoring a run without a hit to take a 1-0 lead in the first. Jarrod Dyson opened the game with a walk, stole second and advanced when second baseman Pedroia was charged with an error when he didnt catch a somewhat high throw. Gordon followed with a sacrifice fly. Ellsburys homer in the bottom half, a drive that bounced on the top of a short right-field wall and into the stands, tied it 1-all. NOTES: Valentine said he expects to see reliever Alfredo Aceves with the team on the West Coast trip Tuesday. He was suspended on Saturday for three games for conduct detrimental to the team. "I guess its just being responsible for your actions and understanding that all actions have consequence," Valentine said before Mondays game. "Its just a simple rule. I dont have a lot of rules, but one of the rules I stated early on was you dont do anything to embarrass yourself, your teammates or your organization. Thats a rule." ... Gordon went 2 for 3, getting two hits in all four games. ... Boston placed DH David Ortiz back on the 15-day DL because of lingering problems with his strained right Achilles, but he hopes to play again this season. OF Ryan Kalish was recalled from Pawtucket to take his spot. ... The Royals begin a 10-game homestand Tuesday against Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers. ... Despite some media reports that the streak might end, it was the 782nd consecutive sellout at Fenway Park. ' ' '