Blackhawks try to stop slide in Edmonton
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02/02/2012 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The return of two of Chicago's top forwards wasn't enough
to halt the club's losing streak last time out and the Blackhawks will try to
avoid matching their longest skid of the season tonight when they visit the
Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place.
The Blackhawks have lost three straight for the fourth time this year and
another setback tonight will tie Chicago's season-high skid that lasted from
Jan. 2-8. Chicago captain Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp both returned from
injuries on Tuesday, but that couldn't prevent the Blackhawks from dropping an
overtime decision in Vancouver.
The recent slump has dropped the Blackhawks into a tie with St. Louis for the
fifth seed in the West and third in the Central Division. Chicago is still
only four points behind Detroit for first in the division as well as the top
seed in the West.
The Blackhawks have lost two of three against the Oilers this season and
Chicago was thoroughly embarrassed the last time it visited Edmonton. The
Oilers slammed the visiting Hawks by a 9-2 score back on Nov. 19, as Taylor
Hall notched a hat trick. Ray Emery started in net for Chicago, but was pulled
after surrendering seven goals on 27 shots.
The Oilers, who are seeded 14th out of 15 teams in the West, have won four of
the last seven meetings with Chicago. The Blackhawks had won six straight in
Edmonton before getting routed back in November.
The Blackhawks have lost their last four road games and were dealt an overtime
setback Tuesday in Vancouver. The 3-2 setback kicked off a nine-game road trip
for Chicago, which is 10-9-3 on the road this year compared to a 19-6-4 mark
in the Windy City. The current swing is tied for the longest stretch of
consecutive road games in franchise history.
Daniel Sedin scored 3:37 into OT to give the Canucks the win over Chicago on
the first night of NHL action following the All-Star break. Jamal Mayers and
Viktor Stalberg scored for the Blackhawks, while Corey Crawford made 30 saves
in the loss.
"I felt like we definitely played well enough to win tonight," said Crawford.
"It's definitely frustrating."
Toews had missed one game before the break with an upper-body injury and had
one assist and five shots on net in Tuesday's loss. Sharp failed to record a
point in his first game back from an eight-game absence due to a wrist injury.
The Oilers posted a 4-7-2 record in January, but they did win two of three to
close the month. Edmonton posted a 3-2 win Tuesday against visiting Colorado,
as Taylor Hall's goal early in the third period proved to be the game-winner.
"It was nice to get that one and hold on in the end. Nice to get the win,"
Hall said.
Eric Belanger and Jordan Eberle also lit the lamp for the Oilers, while Devan
Dubnyk made 31 saves for the win.
Oilers rookie forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is close to returning from a left
shoulder injury that he suffered in Chicago on Jan. 2, but he isn't expected
to play tonight. The No. 1 overall pick from the 2011 draft is leading all
rookies with 35 points despite missing the last 12 games.
Edmonton is 13-8-3 as the host this year and is playing the middle test of a
three-game homestand tonight. The Oilers will complete the residency Saturday
against Detroit.
<< Avs host Wild in Northwest Division battle
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A key battle in the Western Conference playoff race is on
tap tonight in Denver, as the sliding Colorado Avalanche host the Minnesota
Wild at the Pepsi Center.
Despite posting just four wins in their last 20 games (4-12-4)
<< Hot Hawks kick off homestand vs. Grizzlies
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Hawks are back home after an impressive road
trip and will kick off a four-game residency this evening versus the Memphis
Grizzlies.
Hidden in all the hype by the likes of Miami, Chicago and Philadelphia in the
<< Fernandez-Castano takes lead in Qatar
Doha, Qatar (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano shot a six-under 66
on a windy Thursday to take the first-round lead at the Qatar Masters.
The Spaniard birdied four of his final five holes at Doha Golf Club to take a
one-shot le
<< Blazers crush Bobcats
Portland, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While they haven't been at their best on the
road, the Portland Trail Blazers have had almost no trouble winning at the
Rose Garden.
Jamal Crawford scored 24 points while Gerald Wallace netted 23 points
<< Clippers earn rare win in Utah
Salt Lake City, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It wasn't easy, but the Clippers picked
up their first win in Salt Lake City since 2003.
Los Angeles had lost 15 straight against the Jazz in Utah, but got a season-
high 34 points and 11 assists fr
Sharks, Stars renew hostilities in San Jose >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Jose Sharks turned in an impressive performance in
their first game following the All-Star break and the Pacific Division leaders
will aim for a third straight win tonight when they host the rival Dallas
Stars at HP P
Blazers visit reeling Kings >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The reeling Sacramento Kings will attempt to halt a five-
game losing streak when they entertain a Portland Trail Blazers club trying to
figure out how to get it done away from Rip City.
The Kings were competitive in their
Improved Clippers aim for another win over Nuggets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Clippers seem to grow more imposing by the
day and will aim get the best of Denver for the second time in less than a
week when the two teams square off at Staples Center.
The Pacific Division-leading Clips
Bruins try to solve visiting Hurricanes >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Try as they may, the Boston Bruins haven't been able to
solve the Carolina Hurricanes this season. They'll get one more chance tonight
as the two teams clash in Boston.
The Bruins and Hurricanes sit at opposite ends of the
Furman to visit Clemson, host five games in 2012 >>
Greenville, SC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A visit to Clemson and a Homecoming game
against Georgia Southern highlight the 2012 Furman football schedule announced
on Thursday.
Furman will play at Clemson on Sept. 15. The Paladins are Clemson's oldest
Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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