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losses over their last nine games
Topic Started: May 9 2013, 08:36 AM (6 Views)
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PLYMOUTH, Mich. Wholesale Jerseys From China . -- Henrik Zetterberg has learned how to lead from Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidstrom, two of best captains in hockey history. Now its his turn. The Detroit Red Wings are expected to officially name Zetterberg their captain soon, a role the Swedish forward has already assumed during practices this week. He has deflected questions about the honour everyone in the Motor City knows hes about to get. Zetterberg will open up only a little bit about how much he learned from his former captains -- Yzerman and Lidstrom -- but makes it clear that a "rah-rah" approach isnt suddenly going to become his style when theres a C on his red sweater. "I will pick my spots to speak up," Zetterberg said Tuesday after practicing at Compuware Arena. "The good thing with this team is weve always had a lot of leaders and we still do. It isnt just the captain that leads around here. "I dont think Ill need to do a lot more than I did before, so itll be an easy transition." The 32-year-old Zetterberg has been an alternate captain for the team and couldve been one again this season if Lidstrom took Red Wings general manager Ken Holland up on an offer. Holland asked Lidstrom if he wanted to postpone his retirement because the 42-year-old Swede would have to play just 48 games during the lockout-shortened regular season. Lidstroms reply? Thanks, but no thanks. "I told him Im happily retired and enjoying my time with the family," Lidstrom wrote in an email to The Associated Press this week. Lidstrom started wearing the captains letter in 2006 after Yzerman retired, ending a two-decade run that made him the longest-serving captain in NHL history. Both former captains led by actions first and spoke second. Zetterberg will as well, but his teammates expect to hear more from their new captain. "Hes definitely going to be more vocal than Nick," goaltender Jimmy Howard said. "Nick was quiet, only spoke when he needed to and led by example. Z is a little bit more vocal throughout the room. "I think hes going to transition very easily." Another teammate, and fellow Swede, agrees that Zetterberg is ready for his new role. "I think hes going to be the same guy, the hardest-working guy, who leads by example and isnt afraid to speak up in the room," Niklas Kronwall said. "Hes been groomed to be our leader for many, many years. "He just needed the opportunity. Hes the perfect captain." It helps that hes pretty talented. Zetterberg led the team last season with 69 points -- two more than Pavel Datsyuk -- to extend a string of consistent production. Zetterberg, Joe Thornton, Henrik Sedin and Eric Staal, according to STATS, are the only NHL players with at least 68 points in each of the seven seasons since the last lockout. When Zetterberg helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup in 2008, he had 27 points in the post-season and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP for his two-way play. His biggest contribution during the series mightve been when he locked down Sidney Crosbys stick at the side of the net to prevent him from scoring during Pittsburghs critical 5-on-3 power play to help the Red Wings win Game 4. He was rewarded with a 12-year, $73 million deal that keeps him under contract until 2021. Not bad for a player Detroit drafted 210th overall in 1999. Zetterberg, though, is determined to have more team success as a part of his legacy as Detroits on-ice leader. He wants the Red Wings to extend the longest post-season streak in North American major professional sports to 22 straight seasons this year and hopes to help them win their fifth Stanley Cup since 1997 before his career is over. "Nobody ever wants the team to not be as good on their watch -- believe me," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. Wholesale Jerseys China . The next team up is the Montreal Canadiens. Get the lowdown on their off-season and the issues they face this season. Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping . While the feeling had slowly been creeping up on her, it was then the Olympic medallist and former world champion realized she was ready to embrace life after speedskating. http://www.wholesalenfljerseyschinashop.us/ . Missing Thursdays practice were wide receiver Malcom Floyd (hip), nose tackle Antonio Garay (hip), outside linebacker Shaun Phillips, right guard Louis Vasquez (ankle), left tackle Marcus McNeill (stinger), reserve guard Tyronne Green (hand) and cornerback Marcus Gilchrist (hamstring). Cheap Jerseys . That philosophy worked for the Ottawa Senators on Sunday. Filip Kuba scored the game-winner with 1:11 to go in regulation as the Senators staged another dramatic comeback to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 6-4. NFL Jerseys China . A.J. Pierzynski hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning and the Chicago White Sox held on to beat the Minnesota Twins 4-3.WASHINGTON -- The setting and the situation were so similar, Pete Kozma couldnt help but recall what happened six months ago. "I can think of one game," he said, more mischief in his words than in his deadpan facial expression. With two runners on, No. 8 hitter Kozma came to bat for St. Louis in a tight game against the Washington Nationals, the Cardinals pitcher on deck. When that happened the last time these teams played a game that counted, it was Oct. 12, in Game 5 of an NL division series, and Washington pitched to Kozma, who delivered a go-ahead, two-run single. On Monday night, the Nationals chose to intentionally walk Kozma -- something some fans surely wished the Nationals had done the other time -- and reliever Craig Stammen struck out Shelby Miller to end the inning. Earlier in the sixth, Yadier Molina drove in the tiebreaking run for St. Louis, backing Millers strong start, and the Cardinals beat the Nationals 3-2. "Before the game, I got to thinking about it a little bit here and there," Kozma said. He was booed during pregame introductions and again when his name was announced before his first plate appearance, in the third inning. He singled to right in that at-bat, the ball landing not too far from where his go-ahead hit landed in October. This time, it was part of a two-run inning, with Kozma and Matt Carpenter coming home on Allen Craigs double off the wall for a 2-0 lead. When Kozma came up for the final time Monday, in the ninth, he was the first batter faced by -- guess who? -- Drew Storen, who was Washingtons closer on Oct. 12. The Nationals led 6-0 after three innings that day, and were still ahead 7-5 with two outs in the top of the ninth, before Storen gave up a tying hit to Daniel Descalso and Kozmas hit that made it 9-7 and ended the Nationals season. After striking out Kozma on Monday, Storen got pinch-hitter Descalso to pop out to third base. "All of that did flash before my mind when it was all coming up," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. Storen, by the way, said October, the Cardinals and Kozma were not in his thoughts at all. "If it was," he said, "I shouldnt be out there." Miller (3-1) struck out eight in 6 2-3 innings, giving up two runs and four hits. "Hes got a different look than the majoority of the guys we have on our staff, and a lot of other guys in the league. Wholesale NFL Jerseys. Hes keeping people off balance with that," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "You cant go out there and try and teach somebody deception, necessarily," Matheny added. "The ball just comes out of his hand a little different." Edward Mujica pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save, and with Mitchell Boggs having blown two of four save chances, Matheny said hell figure out his bullpen roles game by game. All the Cardinals runs came against Dan Haren (1-3), who allowed six hits in five-plus innings. "I gave us a chance until the fifth," Haren said. "Then I got into a mess." In a span of three pitches. Haren plunked the innings first batter, Matt Holliday, and then served up first-pitch singles to Carlos Beltran and Molina, putting St. Louis ahead 3-2. Haren then walked David Freese, loading the bases with no outs, and was done. In came righty reliever Craig Stammen, who got Jon Jay to ground into a 3-2-3 double play before the walk to Kozma and strikeout of Miller. Miller departed after walking Kurt Suzuki to put two on with two outs in the seventh. Joe Kelly came on to face pinch-hitter Chad Tracy, who sent a sinking shot to right-centre but Jay raced over to make a nice grab. The Nationals didnt score against relievers Trevor Rosenthal or Mujica, either, and now have lost seven of their last 10 games, averaging only 3.3 runs in that span. "Were just in a rut," Washington first baseman Adam LaRoche said. "Lot of quick innings. Not a ton of baserunners. And five, six guys that arent swinging the bat real good. When it rains, it pours." NOTES: Cardinals 1B Matt Adams was removed from the lineup after feeling soreness in his right side during batting practice. ... The Cardinals have alternated wins and losses over their last nine games. ... Washington closer Rafael Soriano was away from the team because his wife gave birth. ... Washington 3B Anthony Rendon, called up from Double-A Harrisburg over the weekend to fill in while Ryan Zimmerman is on the DL, had his first major league hit and RBI -- doubling to right-centre to make it 2-all in the fourth. 23:42ET 22-04-13 ' ' '
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