Yale caps miracle run with first-ever NCAA title

Thanks to USCHO.com

by Bob Herpen
Phanatic Hockey Editor

Jeff Malcolm celebrated his 24th birthday by stopping all 36 shots he faced, as Yale topped Quinnipiac, 4-0, to claim the Ivy League school's first men's hockey championship in the 2013 NCAA final from CONSOL Energy Center.

Charlie Orzetti, Andrew Miller and Jesse Root scored in a three-goal final period for the Bulldogs (22-12-3), who vanquished Minnesota, North Dakota and UMass-Lowell to reach the championship game for the first time in school history.

Clinton Bourbonais broke a scoreless deadlock late in the second for Yale, which hadn't reached the national semifinals since 1952 but became the lowest overall seed to win it all.

"(The message) was the same as always, just keep playing good hockey for the next 20 minutes," Yale forward Kenny Agostino said of the remarks from head coach Keith Allain at the second intermission. "He had a goal, we all bought into it. We played as a team, got closer as the year went on."

Hobey Baker finalist Eric Hartzell surrendered three goals on 30 shots for the Bobcats (30-8-5), the top overall seed and ECAC regular-season champion, who also progressed further than any other team in program annals.

The Bulldogs tallied with 3.5 seconds left in the second, as Bourbonais deflected a Gus Young drive past Hartzell -- who had cleared the puck up the boards in an attempt to kill the remaining time in the period.

"I was ready. I got back to my net, didn't see the release of the shot but I saw the deflection," Hartzell said. "By the time I picked it up, it was going to my left pad, but there was a funky bounce and it came back between my legs."

It was 2-0 for Yale with 3:35 played in the third, when Orzetti followed up his own rebound on the left wing and scored from a sharp angle.

“I think obviously he’d love to have that second one back,” Quinnipiac head coach Rand Pecknold said of Hartzell's positioning which led to the score. “It’s part of the game.”

Miller's low shot on a breakaway at 9:06 provided a three-goal margin, then Quinnipiac pulled Hartzell with 7:19 left during a 4-on-4 situation and Root hit the empty cage inside of seven minutes left.

“What really epitomized it was we get the goal late in the second. They come out and they’re really pushing in the first three minutes of the third period," Allain admitted. "They were getting chance after chance and he held the fort for us. It was after an extended [Quinnipiac] chance that Charles [Orzetti] broke it out for us and came down and scored on the transition.”

In a scoreless first period, 20 combined shots and as many quality scoring chances failed to result in a score.

Both Malcolm and Hartzell kept each side at bay for most of the second period despite often frantic action in either offensive zone.

Notes: Yale became the first ECAC team to win the championship since Harvard in 1989, while Quinnipiac became the first ECAC team to be runner-up since Colgate in 1990...With the campuses less than 10 miles apart between New Haven (Yale) and Hamden (Quinnipiac), it's the closest for two teams in the national final since Boston College and Boston University met in 1978...Malcolm is the first goaltender to record a title-game shutout since John Muse in 2010 for Boston College (5-0 vs. Wisconsin ...Quinnipiac won the first three meetings this season by a combined 10-3 count...The Bobcats finished with a school-record 30 wins this season.
 

McInerney salvages point for Union

By John McMullen

CHESTER, Pa - Jack McInerney's stoppage time goal salvaged a point for Philadelphia as the Union settled for a 1-1 tie against Toronto FC despite dominating action throughout.

The real star of the game, however, was Toronto goalkeeper Joe Bendik, who kept the Union (2-2-2) at bay time and time again with some brilliant saves.

Toronto (1-2-3) capitalized on a defensive lapse to take the lead in the 71st minute.

Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath's goal kick was intercepted by TFC's Ashtone Morgan, who lifted it over the top of a sleeping Philadelphia defenders Ray Gaddis and Amobi Okugo, enabling Robert Earnshaw to run it down and chip it past a stunned MacMath, who didn't see all that much action in the match.

Later a desperate Philadelphia team brought on new Designated Player Kleberson for his Union debut and the Brazilian World Cup veteran paid immediate dividends, creating a number of chances for his side.

Kleberson himself put one on goal with a left-footed half-volley that looked to be heading for the bottom left corner before Bendik made a diving save.

Philadelphia kept pressing and it paid off in stoppage time when switching to a three-man back line finally made Bendik flinch.

Sheanon Williams tossed one of his trademark long throw-ins into the box and the ball bounced around  before Conor Casey got control and slid it to a wide-open McInerney, who put it home for his fourth goal of the season.

The Union nearly won it moments later when Kleberson put through speedy sub Antoine Hoppenot but Bendik made a match-saving stop.

Bills claim LB Dowtin from Eagles

Orchard Park, NY – The Buffalo Bills today have been awarded linebacker Marcus Dowtin off of waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dowtin, a 6-foot-2, 226-pound North Alabama product, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets in 2012.

He appeared in three games with the Jets after being elevated from the Practice Squad on October 17th. Dowtin was signed to a reserve/future contract with Philadelphia on December 31, 2012 before being released on April 11.

Browns awarded Rau

BEREA, Oh - The Cleveland Browns have been awarded linebacker Ryan Rau off waivers from the Eagles.

Originally signed by Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent in 2012, Rau appeared in four regular season contests last year and totaled three special teams tackles. He spent the first 13 weeks of the season on Philadelphia’s practice squad.

A four-year letterman at Portland State (2008-11), Rau registered 287 career tackles and led the team in that category each of his final three seasons. He also added eight career sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Born July 30, 1990, the 6-1, 230-pound Rau is a native of Folsom, California, where he attended Folsom High School.

LeBlanc wins 2013 Hobey Baker Award

by Bob Herpen
Phanatic Hockey Editor 

Pittsburgh, PA --  The Hobey  Baker  Memorial  Award Executive Committee  announced Friday  that St. Cloud State forward Drew LeBlanc was named the 33nd winner of college hockey's most prestigious individual honor.

Named  after a legendary  Princeton hockey player who died in World War I, the award recognizes strength of character in players both on and off the ice.

The 23-year-old center, a fifth-year senior, leads the nation with 37 assists in 42 games, and ranks seventh in the country with 50 points. His 13 goals were the lowest ever for a forward since the trophy was awarded in 1981.

Coming off a medical redshirt year due to a broken leg, LeBlanc was named a First Team all-conference in the WCHA this past season and attained a first in the 52-year history of the conference, being named both the Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year and the WCHA Player of the Year.

“There’s a lot of great players to come through here and lay the groundwork for our program,” said LeBlanc upon receiving the award, the first such honor in program history. “To be here representing something they built up is really something special. I’m sure there’s a lot of proud alumni out there and I’m proud to be the one to represent them.”

St. Cloud State reached the Frozen Four, but dropped a 4-1 decision to Quinnipiac on Thursday.

LeBlanc beat out sophomore forward Johnny Gaudreau of Boston College and senior goaltender Eric Hartzell from Quinnipiac University for the honor.

Minnesota-Duluth forward Jack Connolly took home the award in 2012, and with Blake Geoffrion's selection from Wisconsin in 2010, LeBlanc is the third player in the last four seasons to be named best player in the country from the WCHA.

Less than two hours later, the Chicago Blackhawks announced they have agreed to terms with LeBlanc on a one-year contract.

He departs for the pros having recorded 42 goals and 147 points in 171 games with the Huskies.

“This is great for our hockey program and our university but right now it’s all about Drew,” SCSU head coach Bob Motzko said. “My first thoughts have been on Drew and the fact that this validated his decision to come to St. Cloud State. He is one of the best kids I’ve been around in my time in coaching.”

NFL Mock Draft version 4.0

By John McMullen,

Philadelphia, PA - The recent game of quarterback musical chairs featuring Oakland, Arizona and Buffalo has shaken up the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft a bit, and could signal how the league's personnel people view this year's class of signal-callers, particularly West Virginia's Geno Smith.

Some, perhaps focusing on need, have Smith rated as a top-10 pick, while at
least one noted draft expert rated him as a fourth- or fifth-round selection.

The truth, as with most things, probably lies somewhere in between, but one
thing we do know is that "need" is regarded as the worst talent evaluator
there is in NFL circles.

The Raiders, of course, acquired the unproven Matt Flynn from Seattle and then
shipped the underachieving Carson Palmer to the Cardinals. Meanwhile, the
other quarterback-hungry team with a top-10 selection -- the Bills -- signed
ex-Arizona pilot Kevin Kolb.

None of those quarterbacks is going to conjure up visions of Joe Montana in
his prime and none is likely going to be the answer for their respective
tortured cities. What they do offer, however, is the ability to actually take
the exchange from center and that gives their teams options.

If no one is enamored with Smith or any of the other top quarterbacks in the
process, they can move in a different direction.

So, with that in mind, here are the results as The Sports Network rolls out
its
latest mock draft:


1. Kansas City Chiefs - Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M - With Alex Smith and his
new caddy, Chase Daniel, officially on board for new coach Andy Reid, the only
real choices here are trading down with a team enamored by Geno Smith or
deciding between Joeckel, the Aggies' left tackle who projects as a Matt
Kalil-like stalwart and Central Michigan's Eric Fisher, a Joe Staley-type with
a bigger upside. Joeckel remains the safest selection.

Previous Pick: Joeckel


2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon -  Jacksonville is a
true wild card in this draft. The Jaguars may be the least talented team in
the NFL and need help at nearly every position. Moreover a new brain trust has
taken over, led by general manager David Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley.
A
lot of the talk in Jacksonville has centered on disappointing quarterback
Blaine Gabbert and whether Caldwell is ready to cut bait on the former
Missouri
star just two years into his NFL career. Bradley, though, is a defensive-
minded
coach and needs to address the Jags' paltry pass rush, specifically off the
edges. Jordan has emerged from the pack as the best prospect off the edge.

Previous Pick: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State


3. Oakland Raiders - Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah - Flynn isn't going to generate
a ton of excitement, but his presence will enable the Raiders to stop thinking
about Smith and center on a pair of far bigger prospects, defensive tackles
Sharrif Floyd or Lotulelei. If the doctors keep giving Lotulelei a clean
bill of health, he's the choice. Star is a strong, physical player who fits
in playing multiple techniques and should develop into a solid player early in
his career. His left ventricle was pumping at below-normal levels at the NFL
Scouting Combine, but everything has checked out fine since.

Previous Pick: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia


4. Philadelphia Eagles - Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan - The Eagles want
Jordan, but his stock continues to rise so they will settle for Fisher, one of
the few can't-miss talents in this draft.

Previous Pick: Jordan


5. Detroit Lions - Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma - The Lions need to solve their
tackle situation because right tackle Gosder Cherilus left for Indianapolis in
free agency and veteran left tackle Jeff Backus called it quits after a solid
12-year career. With 2012 first-rounder Riley Reiff better suited for the
right side, Detroit would jump on Fisher if he somehow lasted to the fifth
overall selection. Oklahoma's Johnson, although probably not worthy of being
picked that high, has been moving and could be in play here.

Previous Pick: Fisher


6. Cleveland Browns - Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama - New Browns defensive
coordinator Ray Horton ran the 3-4 in Arizona, and Cleveland has been active
in free agency fortifying the front seven, inking edge pass rusher Paul Kruger
from Baltimore as well as ex-Raiders defensive tackle Desmond Bryant and
former Cardinal linebacker Quentin Groves. Milliner is the kind of player who
could team with Joe Haden to give Horton two top-tier corners and the ability
to get exotic with his defensive play-calling.

Previous Pick: Milliner


7. Arizona Cardinals - Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama - Arizona's draft prospects
changed markedly when the team acquired Palmer from the Raiders. Palmer may be
on the downside on his career and is certainly not the Pro Bowl player he once
was in Cincinnati, but he is a massive upgrade on the terrible triumvirate of
Kevin Kolb, John Skelton and Ryan Lindley which eventually cost Ken Whisenhunt
his job in the desert. Palmer may not be the long-term answer in Glendale, but
he's a nice stop-gap and one whom will enable the Cards to look past reaching
for a signal-caller. New head coach Bruce Arians is known for developing young
quarterbacks and will certainly get a developmental one at some point, but
rebuilding perhaps the worst offensive line in football trumps that as a
priority. The Cards would prefer a tackle, but with the big three off the
board, Warmack, perhaps the best player in the draft, should be the selection.

Previous Pick: Matt Barkley, QB, USC


8. Buffalo Bills - Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse - The Bills haven't reached
double-digit wins since 1999. Since the turn of the century, Buffalo's
high water mark was 9-7 in 2004, three years after bottoming out at 3-13 in
'01. With Ryan Fitzpatrick at the controls as its starting quarterback from
2009-12, Buffalo won six, four, six and six games. With Fitz now gone and Kolb
and Tarvaris Jackson as the only in-house options at quarterback, new coach
Doug Marrone will reach for what's familiar, his old college quarterback, Ryan
Nassib. The former Syracuse star has the big arm and may have a bright future
in a few years but shouldn't be in the conversation this early.

Previous Pick: Nassib


9. New York Jets - Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia - Those back-to-back trips to
the AFC Championship Game in the 2009 and 2010 NFL seasons are just distant
memories for the Jets, a team which enters this draft process as one of the
least talented in football. The popular theory is that Mark Sanchez will get
one final chance to prove he can be the answer at quarterback, but with Smith
falling, New York will take the leap.

Previous Pick: Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia


10. Tennessee Titans - Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida - The Titans addressed their
most glaring holes in free agency by signing highly regarded guard Andy
Levitre from Buffalo, inking strong safety Bernard Pollard from the Super Bowl
champion Baltimore Ravens, and getting running back Chris Johnson and young
quarterback Jake Locker backups by convincing Shonn Greene and Fitzpatrick to
leave the AFC East behind. Tennessee stills need to give Levitre more help on
the interior of the offensive line and fortify the defensive line, so Floyd
wins out over North Carolina guard Jonathan Cooper because he has the slightly
higher ceiling.

Previous Pick: Floyd


11. San Diego Chargers - Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina - The Chargers'
offensive line is in shambles and Cooper is the best prospect left. The UNC
guard is a a perfect choice for San Diego, which lost Louis Vasquez to AFC
West
rival Denver during free agency.

Previous Pick: Warmack


12. Miami Dolphins -  Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State - The perception in
South Florida is the Dolphins have gone all-in in an attempt to make things
tough on the New England Patriots in the AFC East. The Dolphins certainly made
the biggest splash early free agency, signing two of the best players
available
in speedy wide receiver Mike Wallace and Super Bowl-winning linebacker Dannell
Ellerbe. They continued the spending spree from there by bringing in wide
receiver Brandon Gibson and tight end Dustin Keller on the offensive side of
the ball, along with linebacker Phillip Wheeler and cornerback Brent Grimes to
help the defense. Here's the bad news, though: Miami had to release
linebackers
Kevin Burnett and Karlos Dansby and lost a solid tight end in Anthony Fasano.
The 'Phins also must replace their starting left tackle, Jake Long, their best
cover corner, Sean Smith, and a very versatile running back in Reggie Bush.
Rhodes could replace Smith and give Miami a terrific tandem if Grimes proves
to
be healthy.

Previous Pick: Johnson


13. Tampa Bay Bucs (Trade to New York Jets for cornerback Darrelle Revis) -
Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU - The Bucs have been the lead horse in the Revis race
since day one and things will get done here, putting the Jets on the clock
again. New York needs a 3-4 edge pass rusher and Ansah is a rangy Jason
Pierre-Paul type who will make Rex Ryan salivate.

Previous Pick: Rhodes for Tampa Bay


14. Carolina Panthers - Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri - The Panthers need
to sure up their run defense and Richardson is a boom-or-bust kind of guy.
When the motor is on, he looks like a top-five pick, so he's a good gamble
here
as a need pick.

Previous Pick: Lotulelei


15. New Orleans Saints - Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia  - Poor 40-yard dash
times will send Jones crashing out of the top 10, but the Saints, who are
switching to a 3-4, need edge players and Jones could be a Terrell Suggs-like
steal.

Previous Pick: Ansah


16. St. Louis Rams - Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia - The Rams shored up
left tackle with the signing of Jake Long but lost Danny Amendola, making
receiver even more of a need pick. Cal's Keenan Allen is the most NFL-ready
pass catcher, but slow 40 times have hindered him. Tennessee's Cordarrelle
Patterson is the top vertical threat and Austin is the slot star but is
undersized. The Rams will pick the biggest playmaker and that's Austin.

Previous Pick: Patterson


17. Pittsburgh Steelers - Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee - There is
plenty of work to be done in Pittsburgh as age has slowly crept up on the
Steelers. Pittsburgh has moved on from former NFL Defensive Player of the Year
James Harrison, will likely replace veteran nose tackle Casey Hampton and
really can't count on oft-injured safety Troy Polamalu. That said, with Mike
Wallace in Miami and fellow receiver Emmanuel Sanders likely to end up in New
England after signing a one-year offer sheet as a restricted free agent, the
Steelers need to get something outside and lean toward Patterson, a raw, rangy
big-play threat who needs to focus more

Previous Pick: Richardson


18. Dallas Cowboys - Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina - The 'Boys are
hamstrung by salary cap woes, so getting help with this pick is paramount,
particularly on the offensive and defensive lines. Williams edges out Florida
State offensive tackle Menelik Watson and Alabama OT D.J. Fluker as the best
option.

Previous Pick: Cooper


19. New York Giants - Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State - When the Giants have
succeeded, it has been all about the pass rush, and that part of their game
derailed in 2012. Werner was a top five-level prospect earlier in this
process,
but his closing speed has scared some teams off of him. He has the motor
to excel in the NFL, though, and Werner is a solid fit with Big Blue as the
replacement for Osi Umenyiora.

Previous Pick: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas


20. Chicago Bears - Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame - The Brian Urlacher era is
over in the Second City and taking Te'o, would accomplish a couple of things.
It gives Chicago an heir apparent and keeps him away from NFC North rival
Minnesota.

Previous Pick - Fluker


21. Cincinnati Bengals - Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas - The re-signing of
defensive end Michael Johnson and middle linebacker Rey Maualuga helped
solidify the front seven for Cincinnati, making safety the biggest position of
need, and Vaccaro is the best one available, a player who has the ideal
combination of size and athleticism to roam from sideline to sideline in
coverage.


Previous Pick: Matt Elam, S, Florida


22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins) -  Matt Elam, S, Florida - The
Rams could continue carpet-bombing the receiver spot or look for Steven
Jackson's replacement at running back, but their need at safety is just too
great and Elam is the safer choice over rising Florida International star
Jonathan Cyprien.

Previous Pick: Austin


23. Minnesota Vikings - Johnathan Banks, CB, Mississippi State - Greg
Jennings' presence makes receiver less of an issue in Minneapolis, but the
release of Antoine Winfield labels cornerback a priority and the Vikings
reportedly love Banks, a player they project as a starter early on. He could
team with Chris Cook and Josh Robinson in Minnesota to give the Vikings three
solid young corners, something you need in a division in which Aaron Rodgers,
Matthew Stafford and Jay Cutler play quarterback.

Previous Pick: Banks


24. Indianapolis Colts -  Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU - Chuck Pagano needs
to continue to build up his 3-4 defense in Indy and needs edge players because
Robert Mathis is aging and the team moved on from Dwight Freeney. Mingo was
once thought of as a top-10 pick, so getting him here is nice value.

Previous Pick: Mingo


25. Minnesota Vikings (from Seattle) - Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia - This is
Minnesota's pick acquired in the Percy Harvin deal. The Vikings let their
middle linebacker in 2012, the mediocre Jasper Brinkley, walk to Arizona, so
they need a mike. Minny general manager Rick Spielman has already hit big on
Notre Dame prospects in back-to-back years (tight end Kyle Rudolph and safety
Harrison Smith) and would love Te'o, but Ogletree will be a nice consolation
prize, a far more athletic player who is better-suited for the Vikings'
somewhat antiquated Tampa-2 base scheme.

Previous Pick: Te'o


26. Green Bay Packers - Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State - The Packers could
go running back (Alabama's Eddie Lacy), but it's hard to imagine Ted Thompson
valuing that position. Improving a mediocre offensive line is the far more
likely option and Watson, who played right tackle with the Seminoles, has the
athleticism to project on the left side. He's been racing up the charts and
his versatility is a fit here.

Previous Pick: Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford


27. Houston Texans - DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson - Even before they released
veteran Kevin Walter, the Texans badly needed a complement to Andre Johnson.
Keenan Allen's lack of speed will turn the team toward Hopkins, who is more of
a vertical threat, which is what Houston is looking for.

Previous Pick: Keenan Allen, WR, California


28. Denver Broncos - Margus Hunt, DE, SMU - The Elvis Dumervil fax fiasco put
defensive end in play for the Broncos and the 6-foot-8, 280-pound Hunt is the
type of raw talent you gamble with late in the first round. Most project him
as a 3-4 end, but Hunt certainly has the size and frame to hold up as a base
end in a 4-3 also.

Previous Pick: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame


29. New England Patriots - Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington - Although the
Patriots got Aqib Talib and Kyle Arrington back in free agency, snaring a
possible starter at corner this late is hard to pass up on.

Previous Pick: Robert Woods, WR, USC


30. Atlanta Falcons - Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State - The Falcons replaced
the aging but always productive John Abraham with Umenyiora, a talented but
far less consistent player. Meanwhile Troy Biermann is a high-motor player on
the other side who is probably best-suited for fewer reps. They could put
Carradine in the picture, a player on the rise after ACL surgery.

Previous Pick: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA


31. San Francisco 49ers - Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame - Yeah, they have
Vernon
Davis, but Delanie Walker left in free agency, so why not develop a left coast
alternative to the Rob Gronkowski-Aaron Hernandez tandem that has somewhat
revolutionized offensive football.

Previous Pick: Trufant


32. Baltimore Ravens - Kevin Minter, MLB, LSU -  With Ray Lewis retiring and
Dannell Ellerbe exiting to Miami, Baltimore badly needs an inside linebacker
and Minter is a solid tackler who can hit the ground running in the NFL.

Previous Pick: Te'o


ROUND TWO:


33. Jacksonville Jaguars - Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford

34. San Francisco 49ers (from Kansas City) - Jesse Williams, NT, Alabama

35. Philadelphia Eagles - EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State

36. Detroit Lions - Keenan Allen, WR, California

37. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland) - Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama

38. Arizona Cardinals - Matt Barkley, QB, USC

39. New York Jets - Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

40. Tennessee Titans - Larry Warford, OG, Kentucky

41. Buffalo Bills - Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas Pine-Bluff

42. Miami Dolphins - Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia

43. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M

44. Carolina Panthers - Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International

45. San Diego Chargers - D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

46. St. Louis Rams - Eric Reid, S, LSU

47. Dallas Cowboys - Justin Pugh, OG/OT, Syracuse

48. Pittsburgh Steelers - Corey Lemonier, DE/OLB, Auburn

49. New York Giants - Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State

50. Chicago Bears - Phillip Thomas, S, Fresno State

51. Washington Redskins - Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State

52. Minnesota Vikings - Robert Woods, WR, USC

53. Cincinnati Bengals - Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State

54. Miami Dolphins (from Indianapolis) -  Kyle Long, OG/OT, Oregon

55. Green Bay Packers - John Jenkins, DT, Georgia

56. Seattle Seahawks - Chase Thomas, LB Stanford

57. Houston Texans - Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

58. Denver Broncos - Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State

59. New England Patriots - D.J. Swearinger, S, South Carolina

60. Atlanta Falcons - Khaseem Greene, LB, Rutgers

61. San Francisco 49ers - D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston

62. Baltimore Ravens - Datone Jones, DE, UCLA


Notes:

Cleveland exercised its second-round pick in last year's supplemental draft.

New Orleans forfeited its second-round pick due to the Bountygate scandal.

Flyers sign overage junior from QMJHL

Lost in yet another frustrating defeat and an airing of the grievances with the media, was that the Flyers signed forward Petr Straka to an entry-level deal on Thursday evening.

The 20-year-old winger completed his season with Baie-Comeau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League having scored 41 goals with 82 points in 55 regular-season games, complemented by eight goals and 10 assists in eight playoff contests.

He departs the Q after four seasons (three with the Rimouski Oceanic) having tallied 97 goals and 111 assists over 212 games.

Though tempting to think, he is of no relation to former NHLer and native of the Czech Republic, Martin Straka.

Pushed to the limits, Bryz strikes back

That's all he can stands. He can't stands no more.

While he didn't down a can of spinach in microseconds, didn't have steam coming out of his ears, and his muscles didn't unnaturally bulge out of his arms to the terror of his enemies, Flyers goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov definitely had his Popeye moment last night.

Following Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on home ice, Bryz did what we all would have liked to see last year, and unloaded collectively on the Philly media regarding one of the slimiest bits of "news" to come down the pike. 

"You know guys, to be honest, I don’t know where you get this information. Be honest, did you read yourself what you wrote? That’s embarrassing. You have to prove your sources. That was never happening. You became not professional journalist, it’s embarrassing, seriously. You’ve got to do your job better. I’m only pointing at guys who were involved in this because it’s really embarrassing and you have to be better. Step up, guys. Prove your information, find a reliable source.” 

The 32-year-old netminder referred to "Sleepgate," a collection of reports, stemming from Crossing Broad's alleged "well-placed source," which stated on Wednesday that Bryzgalov was benched in favor of Steve Mason on Tuesday at Uniondale because he fell asleep in a team meeting.

If that wasn't bad enough, 97.5 The Fanatic picked up and reported on that rumor in the persons of Tony Bruno and Harry Mayes, with the latter directly referencing that salacious tidbit with a tweet from his account strongly implying Bryzgalov did what he was accused of doing.

If that wasn't bad enough, one local mainstream outlet took off with the piece and published. 

Things spiraled out of hand so fast that not one, not two, but three independent Flyers veterans had to personally refute any and all insinuations, while captain Claude Giroux was forced to have a face-to-face meeting with the unlucky beatnik who went public.

Whether you think he should be here next year or not, whether you believe the compliance buyout should be used to rid the club of that $51 million, eight-year albatross, there is no way Bryzgalov or any other member of the Flyers should be subject to this kind of TMZ crap win or lose.

Bravo, Bryz. You finally took your head out of the cosmos and put together your most lucid statement since you've arrived from Phoenix. Don't let the bastards grind you down, and let's hope you unleash the Tiger a little more often to preserve the integrity of the locker room.

Laughton gets called up to Phantoms

Scott Laughton's days of junior hockey have come to a close.

On Thursday,  the organization pressed the “up” button on his elevator and announced he will spend the remainder of the season with the Phantoms on an amateur tryout contract.

A Flyers insider first reported the news this morning.

It’s a bit of a whirlwind for the youngster, who on Monday was given a five-game suspension by the Ontario Hockey League for an illegal hit while playing for the Oshawa Generals.

Laughton, who made the Flyers’ roster off an abbreviated training camp before being sent back to juniors, was given the ban for a check-from-behind resulting in injury to Barrie’s Zach Hall in Game 2 of their playoff series.

The Colts swept the series and as a result, Laughton was free to advance in his career.

The AHL later cleared Laughton to begin playing immediately.

The 18-year-old center, who only weeks prior was named the top player of the week in the OHL, finished the regular season with 23 goals and 56 points in 49 games along with a plus-22 rating.

He failed to record a point with Philadelphia, but added seven goals and 13 points in seven postseason games. Oshawa topped Mississauga in the first round of the OHL playoffs.

Laughton leaves Oshawa -- the junior home to one Eric Lindros -- having recorded 56 goals and 132 points in 176 regular-season games for the Generals since 2010.

Adirondack has six games remaining on its 2012-13 schedule.

Eagles acquire LB Acho

PHILADELPHIA - The feud between Joe and Howie has died down a bit to where they can at least do business.

The Eagles completed a trade with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, acquiring inside linebacker Emmanuel Acho in exchange for little-used running back Dion Lewis.

Originally a sixth-round selection of the Browns in 2012, Acho (6-foot-1, 240) missed the entire 2012 season after being placed on injured reserve on Aug. 27 with a knee injury.

Acho, 22, appeared in 48 games at the University of Texas, where he recorded 280 tackles, eight sacks, seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions. He started 13 games as a senior in 2011, garnering All-Big 12 first-team honors after leading the Longhorns with 131 tackles while adding three sacks, one interception and one forced fumble. While at Texas, he was twice honored with the Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholarship Award, which recognizes minority student-athletes who are committed to both education and athletics.

Lewis played 24 games over two seasons with the Eagles and rushed for 171 yards on 36 carries with a pair of touchdowns. The Eagles selected the Pittsburgh product in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

“Dion is a back who runs with very good quickness and vision,” said Browns Head Coach Rob Chudzinski. “He is a promising young player who will add depth, which is extremely important at that position.”

“Dion had an extremely productive college career and responded well in his limited chances with the Eagles,” added Browns CEO Joe Banner. “We felt this would be a good opportunity for him and us, and we are happy that Dion is now a member of the Browns.”

The Known Unknowns: 2013 Frozen Four preview

by Bob Herpen
Phanatic Hockey Editor 

It's the year of the underdog, as four schools which have never before won an NCAA Division I championship comprise the field for the 2013 Frozen Four, set to kick off Thursday afternoon at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh.

Of the four programs vying for supremacy -- Yale, UMass-Lowell, St. Cloud State and Quinnipiac -- only the Bulldogs of New Haven have reached the semifinal round before, and that was 61 years ago.

In the early semifinal, the Hockey East regular-season and playoff champion faces off against an Ivy League stalwart.

UMASS-LOWELL (28-10-2)
HEAD COACH: Norm Bazin (52-23-3); Captain: Riley Wetmore

After years of slogging through the intense competition in Hockey East, playing second fiddle to the likes of Boston College, Boston University, Maine and New Hampshire, Bazin finally has the River Hawks rising to the challenge. Incredibly, they've done it without the flash of larger, more bankable programs.

It begins with netminder Connor Hellebuyck -- who has rolled to an impressive 20-2-0 record. The freshman backstop leads all of Division I with a 1.31 goals against average and .953 save percentage, while tying for tops in the nation with six shutouts alongside Niagara junior Carsen Chuback.

No UMass-Lowell forward ranks in the top 10 in any single offensive category, but the program ranks third of all conference teams in total scores with 121. The school which calls Tsongas Arena home has outscored their playoff opponents 17-5, with two whitewashes, dating back to the Hockey East quarterfinals.

For his efforts in just his second year behind the bench at his alma mater, Bazin was selected as one of the seven finalists, then was given the Spencer Penrose Award as the best coach in Division I hockey this season.

Then known simply as Lowell, the Chiefs won three titles at the Division II level, in 1979, 1981 and 1982.

YALE (20-12-3)
HEAD COACH: Keith Allain (136-84-19); Captain: Andrew Miller

Allain led his Elis to the NCAA Tournament in three straight years from 2009-11, but ran into roadblocks each time which prevented advancement to the Frozen Four. He's trying to prevent further misfortune by directing his young defense to cut off passing lanes and generally make life miserable for opposing teams that like to skate through the middle of the ice, along with a healthy dose of shot blocking and puck movement in transition from turnovers.

The Bulldogs finished third in the ECAC during the regular season, then swept St. Lawrence before falling to eventual playoff champion Union. That defeat fresh in mind, Yale shocked Minnesota in the West Regional Opener, scoring the fastest overtime goal in tourney history -- six seconds -- in a 3-2 decision against the Golden Gophers. What followed was a 4-1 win against perennial powerhouse North Dakota in the regional final to reach Pittsburgh.

Junior forward Kenny Agostino leads the way with 40 points, while Miller has added 16 goals and 37 points. Senior goaltender Jeff Malcolm clocks in with an 18-6-2 record, 2.35 GAA and two shutouts. Yale has lost just three times since December 1, after beginning the year an inauspicious 5-7-1.

The River Hawks lead the all time series 8-3-0, but the schools have not met since 1999.

The nightcap features a new ECAC powerhouse against a surprise finisher from the WCHA.

QUINNIPIAC (29-7-5)

HEAD COACH: Rand Pecknold (366-237-57); Captain: Zack Currie

The Bobcats enter new territory this week, thanks to the efforts of East Regional MVP Matthew Peca, who struck for four goals and one assist in victories over Canisius and Union. Prior to those contests, Quinnipiac had only appeared in one previous NCAA Tournament game, a 6-1 loss to Cornell in 2002.

But Pecknold, now in his 19th season guiding the program and also a Penrose finalist, has his kids ready for prime time after an unexpected rise to the top of the national rankings in the latter half of the regular season.

Once again, success starts in the crease, as Hobey Baker Award finalist Eric Hartzell ranks third in the country with a career-best 1.55 GAA, is tied for second in the nation with five shutouts and leads all of D-I with 29 victories. His job in the net has been made easier by the country's best penalty-killing unit, which has clicked at a 90.6 percent success rate thus far.

An offense averaging better than three goals per game is fueled by balance: five players have posted double-digit goal totals, led by Jordan Samuels- Thomas' 16 and Peca's 15 tallies, while Peca and Jeremy Langlois are tied atop the points list with 30 -- two of the 16 skaters to reach double-digit point totals. In addition, Quinnipiac can win the close ones, going 10-3 this season in games decided by one score.

ST. CLOUD STATE (25-15-1)
HEAD COACH: Bob Motzko (162-124-35); Captain: Ben Hanowski

The Huskies enter championship weekend sporting the second-best offense in the country -- no surprise given they skate on an Olympic-sized rink rather than one with North American regulation dimensions -- thanks in large part to Hobey finalist Drew LeBlanc, who has racked up 50 points in 41 games, placing second in the country with 37 assists. The fifth-year senior winger is joined by linemate Nic Dowd (38 points), 22-goal scorer Jonny Brodzinski and captain Hanowski, who is second on the club with 17 markers.

 Sophomore Ryan Faragher has taken some heat for his performance, and despite the fact that he holds the highest GAA of any of the four remaining goaltenders at 2.24, his 24-14-1 record while competing in the high-octane WCHA is nothing to take lightly.

In his eighth year at the helm, Motzko may not have his most talented club on the threshold of a championship, but this will be his best shot to win after three previous trips to the national postseason (2007, 2008, 2010) ended with early exits.

These programs have met just four times previously, with SCSU having won three of them, including the last matchup in December of 2010.

The National Championship will be decided on Saturday evening, with the presentation of the Hobey Baker Award to come on Friday night.

Islanders continue surge to playoff spot by downing Flyers

Uniondale, NY -- John  Tavares and  Casey Cizikas scored 28 seconds  apart  late  in  regulation  to help  the  New  York  Islanders  down the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1, at Nassau Coliseum on Tuesday night.

Matt Moulson and Michael Grabner also tallied, while Evgeni Nabokov stopped 26 shots  for the  Islanders, who surged to  their seventh win in their last nine contests.

New  York,  which hasn't seen  postseason hockey  since 2007, moved two points ahead of the idle Rangers into seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

"We  played like we wanted it more. I think that's why we got the two points," Nabokov  said.  "Everything is positive  right now,  but you can't get carried away because you know that it's such a fight for the playoffs with eight games left.  You can find yourself very quickly the other way. You just want to keep
the focus and intensity at the same level, win or lose."

Jakub  Voracek's first-period  strike was the sole offense for the Flyers, who have lost two in a row after winning four straight.

The Orange and Black are still five points out of a playoff spot, as the idle Rangers remained in eighth place in the East with 37 points.


Steve  Mason's first  Philadelphia start  didn't  go as  planned, despite  the former Columbus netminder stopping 28 pucks.

"It's frustrating," Flyers forward Scott Hartnell said. "You can't just expect to score one goal and win a game. You got to continue to push it. Mason played great for us. He was really solid back there."

Bad  luck  struck the  visitors  with  1:37  left  in regulation.  Mason  fell backwards  in his crease  to stop a Tavares chance, and the rebound kicked out to Moulson -- who completely missed the puck -- but the disc slid off the body of  defenseman Erik  Gustafsson and over the goal line with the score credited
to Tavares to make it 3-1.

"I just tried to get the rebound," Moulson said. "I didn't touch it. I kind of pushed Gustafsson toward the net and luckily it went off him and in."

Soon  after Mason was  pulled for an extra skater, Cizikas found the empty net to seal it for the hosts.

Voracek opened the scoring at 6:18 of the first period, taking a Claude Giroux lead  pass on  a breakaway and beating  Nabokov through the pads with the puck accompanying the Isles netminder as he slid backwards over the goal line.

"I tried to square [Nabokov] up and slide the puck past him," Voracek said. "I was  a little  lucky that it was early  in the period because if it was at the end of the period I don't think he would have slid in with it."

Moulson  evened the  score with 4:24 left  in the period, beating Mason to the short side from between the circles.

Mason  stopped Grabner from  the left side on a partial breakaway early in the second,  then  closed off the  left post  with his pad  on a clean Kyle Okposo break-in later in the period.

But  Grabner managed  to slip one home  from the right wing with 2:18 left and New York went to intermission up 2-1.

"I never saw it," Mason said, referencing an attempt by one of his defensemen, Luke Schenn, to block the shot which ended up providing a screen.

Notes: The  Islanders posted  their first home victory against the Flyers since a 6-4 decision on April 1, 2010, snapping a seven-game losing skid on Long Island to their  Quaker City  counterparts ...  Despite the  loss, Philly  is 15-3-0  at Uniondale  since  the start of  the 2007-08  season ... Tuesday marked Mason's
first  start  since March  29 at Calgary,  while he still  played for the Blue Jackets.

DeSean Jackson’s game-winning 65-yard punt return against NYG voted greatest play in NFL history

DeSean Jackson’s 65-yard punt return for a touchdown versus the New York Giants on Dec. 19, 2010 has been voted the greatest play in NFL history via the second annual NFL ‘Bracketology.’

Jackson’s game winning return for a touchdown was the final play in the Eagles a 38-31 win and capped a 28-point fourth quarter which erased a 21-point deficit.

The second annual NFL ‘Bracketology’ began with a 64-play field which was determined by an NFL.com/NFL Network editorial panel. Starting on March 18 and continuing through April 9, fans voted in the six-round, bracket-style tournament to determine which play was the greatest in NFL history.  Jackson’s walk-off punt return defeated San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young’s 1988 winding touchdown run vs. the Minnesota Vikings in the finals of NFL ‘Bracketology’ by receiving 57.8% of the votes in their matchup.

The plays in which Jackson’s walk-off punt return defeated throughout the course of NFL ‘Bracketology’ are the following:

Round 1

Jackson received 67.2% of votes

o   Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick’s OT touchdown run vs. Minnesota Vikings in 2002

Round 2

Jackson received 65.8% of votes

o   Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Billy “White Shoes” Johnson’s Hail Mary touchdown catch in 1983 vs. San Francisco 49ers

Round 3

Jackson received 61.6% of votes

o   Detroit Lions Barry Sanders’ touchdown run vs. New England Patriots in 1994

Round 4

Jackson received 82.8% of votes

o   San Francisco 49ers ‘The Catch’ -  Quarterback Joe Montana’s touchdown pass to tight end Dwight Clark in 1982 vs. Dallas Cowboys

Round 5

Jackson received 88.7% of votes

o   Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu’s flying tackle vs. Tennessee Titans in 2010

Final

Jackson received 57.8% of votes

o   San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young’s winding run vs. Minnesota Vikings 1988

Video: Amazing NJ crowd in Dolph Ziggler's WWE world title win

Flyers prospect Laughton suspended by OHL

The Ontario Hockey League announced on Monday a five-game suspension to Oshawa Generals forward Scott Laughton.

Laughton, who made the Flyers' roster off an abbreviated training camp before being sent back to juniors, was given the ban for a check-from-behind resulting in injury to Barrie's Zach Hall in Game 2 of their playoff series.

Barrie has won all three contests, by 4-1, 4-3 and 4-0 counts, and can eliminate the Generals in Game 4 at Oshawa on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old center, who only weeks prior was named the top player of the week in the OHL, finished the regular season with 23 goals and 56 points in 49 games.

Mason re-upped by Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers signed goaltender Steve Mason to a one-year contract extension on Monday.

No  financial terms  were disclosed by the club, but multiple reports state it is for $1.5 million.

Mason  was acquired  at  Wednesday's  trade deadline  from  the Columbus  Blue Jackets  in  exchange for goaltender  Michael Leighton and a third-round draft pick in 2015.

"It's definitely something to look forward to and something to be excited for, but I've got to work for it at the same time," said Mason in a media assemblage. "There's no better organization to be in and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to play in front of the Philadelphia fans. You look at this team, we get everybody back from injuries and it's a great team all around. My goal is to be the best goaltender I can be and in my opinion, that's the #1 goaltender. I know that's going to take a lot of work. 

The  24-year-old  made his Philly debut  in the third period of Saturday's 4-1 loss at Winnipeg.

Mason was due $3.2 million this season before becoming a restricted free agent in  July. Prior to the deal, he was 3-6-1 with a 2.95 goals-against average in 13 games for Columbus this season.

Jets soar past Flyers with second-period blitz

Winnipeg, MB -- Grant Clitsome, Kyle Wellwood and Evander Kane scored in a 2:06 span during a four-goal second period which lifted the Winnipeg over the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1, at MTS Centre on Saturday afternoon.

Bryan Little also tallied during the deciding frame and Blake Wheeler added a pair of assists for the Jets, who snapped a five-game losing skid.

Ondrej Pavelec stopped 30-of-31 shots for the win.

"It's funny, but when you focus on the team game and you focus on the accomplishment of winning, how the scoring looks after itself, and the individual scoring takes care of itself," Jets head coach Claude Noel said of his club, which has been battling Washington for Southeast Division supremacy in recent weeks.

Ruslan Fedotenko's tip of a Kent Huskins shot was the lone offense for the Flyers, who saw their four-game win streak and a chance to reach the .500 mark for the first time all season fall by the wayside.

Ilya Bryzgalov was pulled after allowing four scores on 16 shots in two periods. Steve Mason made his Philadelphia debut and turned away all nine Winnipeg chances in the third.

"The second period was bad. The first period was competitive, the third period was competitive," said Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette. "We could have scored a couple goals in the third period to get back in it. Whether we win or lose tonight we have to win the next game, and then we have to win the next one after that."

Clitsome tied the game on a wrister from between the circles with 7:22 left in the second, and Wellwood snuck a shot home from inside the crease only 27 seconds later for a 2-1 Jets edge.

It was a two-goal margin for Winnipeg when Kane walked out in front from the right of Bryzgalov, picked up his own rebound and lifted it home at 14:44.

A shot from the left wing by Little eluded Bryzgalov with 54 seconds left and the hosts hit intermission ahead 4-1.

"That first one kind of gave us momentum and we were flying from there," Little said. "To get that fourth one, it was a bit of a cushion for us and I thought we did a good job protecting it."

Pavelec made 13 saves in the third to hold the visitors at bay, which included a pair of short-handed situations.

Huskins' floater from the left point near the boards hit the back of the net thanks to a Fedotenko tip with 8:53 remaining in the first period.

Under a minute prior to the score, Jets captain Andrew Ladd missed a breakaway chance by shooting wide.

"I just think we shut it down for the second period," Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds admitted. "It wasn't the defense, it wasn't the goaltending, it was everybody."

Notes: The Jets improved to 8-14-1 this season when allowing the first goal, and the Flyers fell to 12-5-2 this season when scoring the first goal of the game...Despite the loss, the Flyers won two of three in the season series...Philadelphia hasn't won five in a row since March 1-10, 2012...Flyers forward Brayden Schenn played in his 100th NHL game (91 w/Philly)...Bryzgalov made his 22nd straight start, most for a Flyers netminder since Pelle Lindbergh started 24 in a row during the 1984-85 season...Fedotenko extended his point streak to five games (3G, 2A)...Mason became the second right-handed catching goaltender to suit up in Orange and Black since Stephane Beauregard in 1992-93 and is just the fourth player in franchise history to have won a Calder Trophy before arriving in Philadelphia (Brit Selby, Dale Hawerchuk, Peter Forsberg).

Report: Flyers sign Minnesota's Alt

According to one source on Friday afternoon, the Flyers inked defenseman Mark Alt to a contract. That has been confirmed by the Post Star on Saturday morning.

Alt, who was dealt to the Flyers in mid-January in the deal that also grabbed Brian Boucher back from the Carolina Hurricanes, finished his junior season with the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

The 21-year-old native of the Twin Cities totaled seven assists in 39 games, as the Gophers were eliminated in their first NCAA tournament contest by Yale in a 3-2 overtime thriller.

In three collegiate seasons, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Alt compiled seven goals and 39 points in 127 appearances.

Villanova's Yacoubou to transfer

VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova sophomore guard Achraf Yacoubou has informed the team's coaching staff that he plans to transfer.

“Ash has been a valued member of our Villanova Basketball family for two years,” stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright. “He is looking for a more prominent role. We are grateful to Ash for the two outstanding years he spent with us as a member of the Villanova Basketball family.”

Yacoubou appeared in 31 games for the Wildcats in 2012-13 and averaged 2.9 ppg. He connected on 21-of-53 attempts (.396) from beyond the 3-point arc last season. On Dec. 8, he contributed 13 points and six rebounds to a victory over Penn at the Palestra.

In two seasons as a Wildcat, Yacoubou appeared in 57 games and earned three starting assignments while posting a 2.6 ppg average.

Yacoubou will complete the spring academic semester at Villanova.

Eagles announce preseason sked

The Philadelphia Eagles open the 2013 preseason schedule against quarterback Tom Brady, head coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots at Lincoln Financial Field, a schedule that opens with back-to-back home games.

In Week 2 of the preseason, Carolina comes to town to play at Lincoln Financial Field before the Eagles take to the road to play at Jacksonville and the New York Jets.

The exact time and dates of the preseason games is to be determined. The 2013 NFL regular-season schedule is expected to be released later this month. 

PRESEASON SCHEDULE

DATE	OPPONENT	LOCATION
Week 1	New England	Lincoln Financial Field
Week 2	Carolina	Lincoln Financial Field
Week 3	at Jacksonville	EverBank Stadium
Week 4	at Jets	MetLife Stadium

REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE OPPONENTS, LOCATIONS

HOME	AWAY
Dallas Cowboys	Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants	New York Giants
Washington Redskins	Washington Redskins
Chicago Bears	Denver Broncos
Detroit Lions	Green Bay Packers
Arizona Cardinals	Minnesota Vikings
Kansas City Chiefs	Oakland Raider
San Diego Chargers	Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Curran tops Shamhalaev to keep Bellator featherweight crown

Atlantic City, N.J. (The Phanatic Magazine) – Bellator featherweight champion Pat Curran defended his title by besting Shahbulat Shamhalaev with a guillotine choke in the first round at the Revel Resort in Atlantic City on Thursday night.

“Thanks for Shahbulat and taking the fight on short notice," Curran said. "This was a big opportunity for him and I thank him for stepping up to the fight."

Doug Marshall overwhelmed Brett Cooper with a first round TKO to win the Bellator middleweight tournament championship, while Frodo Khasbulaev earned the lightweight tournament title with a unanimous decision victory over Mike Richman, winning all three rounds on all three scorecards (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Marshall and Khasbulaev each earned a $100,000 tournament prize and a guaranteed title shot. 


"When I entered this tournament I was the dark horse and now I am $100,000 richer and I have a title shot coming," Marshall said. "I am really looking forward to the fight against (middleweight champion) Alexander (Shlemenko). Thank you very much for this opportunity.”


Khasbulaev will now face highly-regarded lightweight kingpin Michael Chandler, a former All-American wrestler at the University of Missouri.


In a welterweight feature fight Rick Hawn knocked out former UFC star Karo Parisyan via strikes in the second round.

“Thank you Karo for taking this fight and it has been a long time coming," Hawn said.  "I respect him as a fighter and this wasn’t an easy fight. I am happy to get the win and I wish him the best of luck in the future.”

“I don’t want to make any excuses," Parisyan countered. "This is the fourth time Bellator has given me a shot. I felt obligated to take the fight, but I felt like I was in the right place to take it. He is a great competitor and I respect him as an athlete. Hopefully I will be back and I can prove myself one more time.”


In other matches welterweight Lyman Good defeated Dante Rivera via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27,30-27); in a catchweight bout at 173 pounds Sam Oropeza topped Shedrick Goodridge via TKO (strikes) in round 2; Tom DeBlass beat Carlos Brooks via doctor stoppage in the second round of another catchweight encounter at 188.

 Lightweight Phillipe Nover won a unanimous decision over Darrell Horcher (29-28,30-27,30-27);  Jimmie Rivera earned a 140-pound catchweight win beating Brian Kelleher via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28,29-28); featherweight Will Martinez KO'd Brent Hess in the first round; Kevin Roddy used an armbar to stop Brylan Van Artsdalen in another featherweight bout and light heavyweight Liam McGeary destroyed Anton Talamantes with elbows and punches just 1:18 into the fight.

Video: Bellator MMA highlights from Atlantic City

WrestleMania XXIX Press Conference

Sexual assault charges against Cousins, two others withdrawn

Things are looking up for Flyers prospect Nick Cousins, whose path towards continuing his professional career took a huge upswing on Thursday.

In a Sault Ste. Marie courtroom this morning, according to Northern Ontario sportswriter Brad Coccimiglio, all charges stemming from an alleged sexual assault this past Summer have been dropped.

In addition, Soo Today reported the three men  "agree to keep the peace, not communicate with the alleged victim or come with in 500 metres of her home, place of work or place of school."

Also in the clear are Soo Greyhounds forward Andrew Fritsch and Ottawa 67's forward Mark Petaccio.

As The Phanatic reported back in late August, the trio were arraigned in the small Ontario town directly north of its Michigan counterpart on charges by a female which was known to all parties.

On Wednesday, Cousins' teammate Brandon Alderson signed an ATO with the Adirondack Phantoms and reported to Glens Falls after clearing up outstanding visa issues. According to the Post-Star, Cousins is flying into Toronto tonight and will know more about his potential arrival in Glens Falls tomorrow, according to texts from Alderson.

The 19-year-old Belleville, Ontario native has lit up the OHL this season, striking for 76 assists and 103 points in 64 regular-season games. He is expected to join the Phantoms as early as this weekend.

Fritsch put together a 27-goal, 52-point effort with the situation hanging over his head this year, while Petaccio, a Sicklerville, NJ native who was shipped from The Soo to Ottawa during the year, combined for seven goals and 10 points in 50 contests.

Cousins provided confirmation on his Twitter account, saying "Obviously the Soo Greyhounds organization for the support along the way. As well as my lawyer Bruce Wilson . I will never forget my time in Sault Ste Marie. Best hockey town to be apart of. Now off to Adirondack to join the Phantoms !!!"

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Card shaping up for April 19 fight night at Harrahs Philadelphia

CHESTER, PA - A Pennsylvania State Light Heavyweight title bout between champion Dhafir Smith and Anthony Caputo-Smith headlines the next night of boxing at Harrahs Philadelphiaset for April 19.

Smith, an Upper Darby native, often tackles tough competition and has a deceiving record of 26-23-7 with four knockouts. He won the Pennsylvania state title with a ten round unanimous decision over Tony Ferrante on May 4, 2012 and in his last bout, Smith dropped a ten round unanimous decision to Umberto Savigne (9-1) on November 30, 2012.

Caputo-Smith of Kennett Square has a record of 13-1 with ten knockouts and has developed into a fan favorite in the Delaware Valley area. He turned pro in 2009 and the 27-year-old won his first thirteen bouts before being stopped by Kevin Engel on August 31, 2012.

In a six round co-Feature, Victor Vasquez (16-7-1, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia takes on Chazz McDowell (6-3, 1 KO) of New York in a lightweight contest.


Other bouts include junior middleweights DeCarlo Perez (9-2-1, 3 KOs) taking on Julius Kennedy (7-4-1, 3 KOs) and Chester junior welterweight bout, Julio DeJesus (7-3-3, 4 KOs)  battling Ariel Duran (7-3-1, 4 KOs) of New York.

Undefeated Javontae Starks (6-0, 5 KOs) of Minneapolis takes on an opponent to be named in a six round junior middleweight affair and welterweight Anthony Prescott (1-1-1, 1 KO) of Cherry Hill squares off with Terrell Boggs (0-5) of Philadelphia.

Others bouts scheduled include Althea Saunders (3-0-1) of Atlantic City, NJ taking on an opponent to be named in a four round junior welterweight bout;  Tyrone Crawley Jr. (3-0) of Philadelphia meeting Korey Sloane (2-6-2) of Philadelphia in a four round welterweight bout;  Arthur Parker (1-8-1, 1 KO) of Lancaster against the debuting Drew Aguillar of Philadelphia in a four round super bantamweight tilt and
Alex Barbosa (4-1-1, 1 KO) of Philly boxing Jose Del Vale (0-1-2) in a four round super bantamweight bout.

Rounding out the card will be the much anticipated pro debut of amateur standout Damon Allen taking on fellow debuting lightweight Joseph Ahaamid of Philadelphia

Big East rebrands as American Athletic Conference

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The current Big East Conference has announced that it will be renamed the American Athletic Conference and will rebrand as such across all platforms, associations and media at the conclusion of the 2012-13 sports seasons. 

“We worked with our institutions, sports marketing experts, media partners, and also solicited opinions and reactions from collegiate sports fans to create a compelling list of names,” said commissioner Mike Aresco.  “Versions that included the word ‘American’ led every list.  American Athletic Conference represents a strong, durable and aspirational name for our reinvented Conference."


Beginning with the 2014-15 academic year, the American Athletic Conference will consist of the University of Central Florida, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Connecticut, East Carolina University, the University of Houston, the University of Memphis, Southern Methodist University, the University of South Florida, Temple University, Tulane University and the University of Tulsa.

The U.S. Naval Academy will become a football-only member in 2015.    With 12 football schools in the fold by 2015, it will play a football championship game.

“The American Athletic Conference is a brand that suggests a national scope and quality membership,” said Burke Magnus, Senior Vice President, College Sports Programming, ESPN. “It is an exciting time for the new conference and ESPN looks forward to our future together.”

“We congratulate the American Athletic Conference on the selection of a terrific new name for college sports,” added Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports. “We look forward to partnering with The American as they introduce their new brand and increase their presence as a conference going forward.”

A full set of marks for the American Athletic Conference will be presented in the coming weeks.

Back to the Bay Area for Asomugha

PHILADELPHIA - The San Francisco 49ers officially signed former Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to a one-year deal on Wednesday.


A four-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection, Asomugha (6-foot-2, 210) has played in 154 games (130 starts) and recorded 417 tackles, 15 interceptions, two sacks, two forced fumbles and 82 passes defensed in his 10-year NFL career. In 2012, he tallied 59 tackles, one interception and 12 passes defensed with the Eagles.

“We are very pleased to add Nnamdi to our defense,” said 49ers General Manager Trent Baalke. “Throughout his career, Nnamdi has accomplished a great deal on the field and in the community. We look forward to his contributions to our team and the Bay Area.”

Asomugha was originally selected in the first round (31st overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft by Oakland. He went on to play eight seasons for the Raiders before signing with the Eagles on July 29, 2011. After spending two very disappointing seasons in Philadelphia, Asomugha was released on March 12.

Shorthanded Flyers deal Canadiens a crushing loss

Thanks to Led Redkoles/TSN of Canada

by Bob Herpen
Phanatic Hockey Editor

Their backs to the wall, knowing that no additional help on the front or back line would come by the trade deadline earlier in the afternoon, the Philadelphia Flyers turned the season on its ear and rewarded their GM's steady hand with a 5-3 decision over the Northeast Division-leading Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night.


Wayne Simmonds, Erik Gustafsson and Jakub Voracek tallied late in the third period to erase a one-goal deficit, while Sean Couturier scored his first since late January. Ilya Bryzgalov made his 34th start in 36 games, and though it was tenuous, did enough to win thanks to 14 saves.

The Flyers, once thought dead and buried in the East, have won three in a row and vaulted over idle Carolina and Buffalo to take over 10th place, four points out of a playoff spot. They finished a five-game homestand 3-1-1 and head back out on the road tomorrow with the knowledge that Paul Holmgren did not embrace a seller's stance.

"That's nothing we talk about. We can't worry about that stuff. We hear so many rumors about so many guys. It's beyond our control and we have to pay attention to what we're doing," said Flyers captain Claude Giroux, who must lead his club into battle again at Toronto with trade speculation now past.

Carey Price was under siege for most of the final 40 minutes of regulation, and took the loss despite 30 stops.

“They got four pretty lucky goals in my opinion and that’s the difference. But I don’t think we played well enough to win that game, regardless of the bounces,” Price admitted. “I think we definitely could have played better collectively as a group. We just didn’t have our legs under us."

Brandon Prust and David Desharnais scored in a 20-second span late in the second period and Montreal appeared to have things in control, but let two valuable out-of-division points slip from its grasp.

Alexei Emelin added a first-period marker for the visitors.

Simmonds came to the rescue again as time began to slip away. He outmuscled a Canadiens defender in front of Price to get position atop the crease, and Bruno Gervais' right-point shot caromed into the net off Simmonds' back leg for a 3-3 game with 5:06 remaining.

Gustafsson then pinched deep along the left wing to snag a puck, and his intended dish to Matt Read either hit the second-year player's stick or deflected off a Montreal defender 90 seconds later to give the hosts yet another lead, this time 4-3.

In any case, the 24-year-old Swede was later credited with his first career game-winning goal.

"I think that's part of my game. I was going to shoot it first, but their guy was coming out right into my shooting lane," Gustafsson explained. "So, I faked it and tried to put it in front for 'Reader,' and I think Jake (Voracek) was coming too. You never know what can happen. It was a lucky bounce."

With Price on the bench, expert work in the defensive zone resulted in Read getting the puck at center ice and dishing to Voracek for the insurance empty netter.

The Canadiens ended the first period ahead by a goal, but it could have been two.

In between minors to Mike Knuble and Kimmo Timonen, the Habs found time to take the lead, as a Voracek turnover inside the defensive zone found Max Pacioretty's stick, and after a back pass to the point, Emelin's floater found space through a screen of Read, Kent Huskins and Luke Schenn and inside the left post with 6:47 left.

PK Subban fired away on a series of one-timers from the point on both Canadiens' advantages, but one at even strength in the final 30 seconds could have done the most damage if not for the right post getting in the way. Bryzgalov was beaten cleanly, and looked back to see the low, hard drive skitter away after hitting iron.

Just after the two-minute mark of the period, consecutive bouts broke out, pitting Simmonds against Travis Moen and Zac Rinaldo against Brandon Prust. The passion displayed in both seemed to ignite a spark in the Orange and Black, something of which the head coach took notice.

"I really think it turned at the start of the second period, when our guys fought," Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette said. "I thought that the second period, 90 percent of the play went our way and that continued into the third.

The Flyers evened the game with 4:47 gone in the second as Couturier's intended cross-crease pass for a waiting Simon Gagne deflected off Subban's leg and settled into the net inside the right post -- ending a 27-game goal drought for the sophomore.

Gagne made it 2-1 with 4:17 left in the second. Oliver Lauridsen's blast from the right point sailed well wide of the net, but it made for a perfect carom off the back boards, where the veteran slammed it home from the left side. For the young Dane experiencing his initial NHL call up, the play resulted in his first career point.

However, Prust made it 2-2 only 46 seconds after Philly took the lead, and Desharnais put Montreal ahead 20 seconds after that when his offering from the right side changed direction off Schenn's stick blade and sailed past a ducking Bryzgalov.

"We just didn't match their intensity, it's just that simple," said Montreal head coach Michel Therrien.

Notes: Philly improved to 2-11-0 when trailing after two periods this season...Couturier's last score came in a 5-1 loss at Tampa Bay on January 27...The season series is evened at one game apiece, with one more game scheduled between the clubs, on April 15 at Montreal...The Flyers have won five straight on home ice against the Canadiens and six of the last seven, squaring their all-time home record against the Habs to 36-36-16...Rinaldo left the game in the second period and did not return with a lower-body injury...Montreal forward Tomas Plekanec also saw an early exit, which was later reported to be a groin issue...Defenseman Davis Drewiske made his Habs debut after being acquired from the Kings earlier this week...The Flyers acquired goaltender Steve Mason from the Columbus Blue Jackets for goalie Michael Leighton and a 2015 third-round draft pick, also snagged forward Adam Hall off waivers from the Lightning, announced that defenseman Kurtis Foster cleared waivers, and revealed that Sault Ste. Marie forward Brandon Alderson signed an ATO with the Phantoms...The Canadiens also inked former North Dakota forward Danny Kristo to a two-year deal....Injured Flyers Chris Pronger, Braydon Coburn, Jody Shelley and Danny Briere gathered in the press box during the second period...Montreal mustered only six shots in the last two periods while allowing 26 Philadelphia offerings to reach Price.
 

Flyers hoping Mason can start rebuilding career as backup

by Bob Herpen
Phanatic Hockey Editor

Paulie Paulie Paulie has done it again!

On Wednesday, just ahead of the 3 PM trade deadline, Paul Holmgren decided to make the goaltending situation a little bit more drama-tinged by acquiring Steve Mason from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The same Mason who lost his starting job this season to...wait for it...ex-Flyer Sergei Bobrovsky, who has become a sensation in Columbus for seemingly coming out of nowhere to lead the club to the cusp of respectability and a playoff berth.

The price was sending little-used backup/organizational yo-yo Michael Leighton plus a third-round pick in 2015 to Ohio's capital.

Leighton, you may recall (and even if you don't, nobody would blame you) had just one start this season, a disastrous 5-1 loss at Tampa Bay on January 27 which promptly sent Ilya Bryzgalov back into the crease until Peter Laviolette tired of seeing him there.

But back to Mason for a second. He's a reclamation project who the organization, I presume, hopes to kick into gear with a little more pressure as Bryzgalov's backup for as long as he's in Orange and Black.

"I'm extremely excited, really looking forward to a fresh opportunity," Mason said in an interview with TSN of Canada upon announcement of the transaction. "I'm going to a great organization with some players I have some history with them from World Juniors. Just really looking forward to meeting the new guys and starting off fresh."

To put it another way: All in all, he's just another brick in the wall and not The Man anymore. That may be what the 24-year-old needs at this point in his career.

Mason came on like a house afire four seasons ago, earning the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie after going for a 33-20-7 record, 2.29 goals-against average and franchise-record 10 shutouts for a Jackets club that reached the postseason for the first time.

That was under Ken Hitchcock, whose leaning on veterans to impart his message and meticulous attention to the defensive zone aided Mason's gaudy numbers. He won 20, 24 and 16 games, respectively, in the last three full NHL seasons, then only could muster a 3-6-1 mark with a 2.95 GAA and .899 save percentage in 13 appearances with Columbus this year.

Meanwhile, Bobrovsky has become a folk hero going 12-8-6 with a 2.13 GAA and a trio of shutouts -- his first in North America -- all coming in his Herculean month of March that gained him the NHL's Third Star.

Whereas Bobrovsky's lightning-quick adaptation to the NHL two seasons ago forced the club to accelerate his ascension to the spotlight, Mason's lights have long since faded, and that's OK.

Out of fear of losing valuable points in a truncated schedule, Laviolette has had to do everything but glue Bryzgalov to the posts in order for the Flyers to have chance to make the postseason in a down year.

Mason's acquisition alleviates some of that fear, but perhaps only as far as using next season as a starting point. With the Eastern Conference playoff picture still hazy, and with the Flyers teetering precariously between the final playoff berth and dead last in the conference, it may not be wise to toss Mason into the fire and see what he can do with so much pressure on the team as a whole to make it work.

Still, with Mason being a restricted free agent, how the organization feels about the playoff chase will go a long way towards determining his use. If there's postseason in the offing late into the schedule, he'll most likely get spot duty. If no late Spring hockey is in the cards, easier for him to be showcased for potential offseason deals.

"We like Steve as a young goalie," Holmgren said to a media assemblage this afternoon. "We still think there's tremendous upside there. We'll bring him in and work with him and try to help him achieve his goals of becoming a better goalie, as well."

Each game where he's the man in goal is a brick by which Mason can continue to rebuild his technical skills and his confidence. And even that's up in the air, with the sudden change from Ian Clark's influence to that of Jeff Reese, who has not exactly engendered confidence since he assumed control.

Nonetheless, professional pride and a little positive encouragement from a successful outfit like the Flyers can go a long way.

Flyers get Hall off waivers from Tampa

The first move of trade deadline 2013 has been made by the Flyers, and it's a big one: Adam Hall was claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Hall, a 32-year-old Michigan native, posted four assists in 20 games with the Bolts, after failing to record a point in six appearances with Carolina earlier in the season.

A 10-year NHL veteran who played collegiate hockey for Michigan State, Hall has totaled 65 goals and 147 points in 591 NHL games for Nashville, the Rangers, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Tampa and the Hurricanes.

Despite being a defensively-oriented forward with penalty-killing skills, Hall is a lifetime minus-60 with 259 penalty minutes. However, he is somewhat of a faceoff specialist, clocking in at 56.5 percent over the last three years.

His presence is a clear stop-gap measure to deal with the absence of Max Talbot, who is presumed to be lost for the season with a broken leg. Speaking of ex-Pens, Hall was part of Pittsburgh's 2008 Stanley Cup Finals team which lost to Detroit.

Hall has been given uniform #18, last worn by former captain Mike Richards from 2005-11.

With Pitkanen out, McBain may be off Flyers radar

A former Flyers defenseman may have wrecked the chances of one of his teammates coming to Philadelphia.

Last night, in a 5-3 Washington victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, Joni Pitkanen suffered a broken left heel when he crashed feet-first into the end boards while trying to win a race for a loose puck to get an icing call.

With Pitkanen now lost for the remainder of the season, what could possibly compel 'Canes GM Jim Rutherford from dealing young rearguard Jamie McBain, and what could make him do it with a conference rival that's scratching and clawing towards the final playoff spot in the East?

The 25-year-old has totaled a goal and five assists in 27 games, along with a plus-eight rating in his third complete NHL season.

Over four campaigns, all with Carolina, he's racked up 19 goals and 73 points in 193 appearances.

Another current Flyer, defenseman Kurtis Forster, knows all about that pain, having suffered a gruesomely broken leg years back when attempting a similar touch-up in a race with an opponent.

Now Foster had been a healthy scratch for Sunday's 5-4 overtime victory against the Caps, and his resting has many trying to put 1 and 1 together on this trade-deadline morning.

The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said there's "nothing hot" regarding deal conversations about McBain, or Keith Yandle from Phoenix, or Islanders captain Mark Streit.

Rutgers fires Mike Rice

Rutgers has fired embattled men's basketball coach Mike Rice.

"Based upon recently revealed information and a review of previously discovered issues, Rutgers has terminated the contract of Mike Rice," the university said in a statement.

Rice came under firer after an explosive video showed him physically and verbally abusing his players during practice surfaced.

Athletic Director Tim Pernetti first saw the video in December and suspended Rice for three games and fined him $50,000, an almost ludicrous under reaction.  Only after the video was leaked to ESPN and morphed into a national news story did Pernetti make the decision to fire Rice.


"I am responsible for the decision to attempt a rehabilitation of coach Rice," said Pernetti. "Dismissal and corrective action were debated in December and I thought it was in the best interest of everyone to rehabilitate, but I was wrong. Moving forward, I will work to regain the trust of the Rutgers community."

Rice was originally hired by the school in 2010, and his teams went 44-51 during his tenure, including a mark of 16-38 in the Big East.

Video: Rutgers' Rice Berates Players at Practice

Phils claim OF Carrera off waivers, designate Inciarte

PHILADELPHIA - The Phillies claimed outfielder Ezequiel Carrera off waivers  from the Cleveland Indians and designated outfielder Ender Inciarte for assignment to make room for Carrera on the 40-man roster.

Carrera, 25, hit .272 while scoring 20 runs in 48 games last season with the Indians after being called up by Cleveland on August 3. He also appeared in 68 games for Cleveland in 2011.

Last season with triple-A Columbus, Carrera hit .294 with 65 runs, 19 doubles, 6 triples and 26 stolen bases in 97 games. He also had a 20-game hitting streak from July 12-30 during which he hit .407 and was named Player of the Week by the International League, July 23-29.

A native of Guiria, Venezuela, Carrera hit .279 in big league camp this spring, with 11 stolen bases and a .367 on-base percentage in 20 games.

Phillies set TV ratings record in season opener

PHILADELPHIA – PHL17, the home of the Phillies, announced that Monday's 2013 Season Opener, 1 7-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves, achieved a record-breaking household rating for an Opening Day regular season telecast.

In Nielsen ratings, Monday's game averaged an 11.5 household rating, which is the highest Opening Day rating in the last 17 years. The broadcast was also the number one rated program in the Philadelphia market. Throughout each quarter hour of the broadcast, an average of 339,170 homes tuned in to watch the first game of the 2013 Phillies season.

Flyers acquire F Rosehill

PHILADELPHIA - The Flyers have acquired left wing Jay Rosehill from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for fellow LW Harry Zolnierczyk.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Rosehill, 27 has spent the season with Anaheim’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals.  In 33 games this season, he has four goals and four assists for eight points, along with 90 penalty minutes.

Before signing with Anaheim prior to this season, Rosehill spent 3 1/2 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.  He has appeared in 72 career NHL games, all with Toronto, contributing two goals and three assists while recording 198 PIM.

Rosehill has appeared in 360 American Hockey League games over parts of eight seasons, during which time he has 23 goals and 31 assists for 54 points along with 1,018 PIM.

Zolnierczyk, 25, signed with the Flyers as a free agent on March 8, 2011.  He appeared in 44 games for the Flyers, scoring three goals and adding four assists for seven points, along with 71 PIM. 

In 107 games over parts of three seasons with the Flyers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, Zolnierczyk registered 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points and 128 PIM.

Busted Flyer: Talbot has broken leg

It's getting worser all the time. 

The Philadelphia Flyers continued their streak of ill health this season, announcing on Monday that forward Max Talbot is out indefinitely with a broken left leg.

Talbot suffered the injury in the second period of an eventual 5-4 overtime win over the Washington Capitals on Sunday, the result of a knee-to-knee hit with a Caps defender.

He was taken off the ice bearing no weight on the leg and had to be carried into the locker room by team staff.

Talbot, 29, in the second year of a five-year contract worth $9 million, totaled five goals and five assists in 35 games this season.

Philadelphia, which is fighting for the final playoff berth in the East and to stay out of the conference basement, is already missing forward Danny Briere and defensemen Braydon Coburn and Andrej Mezaros due to long-term injuries. The trade deadline is this coming Wednesday. 

The club has also endured multiple absences due to injury with a half-dozen other players during this truncated 2013 schedule.

Video: Life Begins on Opening Day

Extra Points: Aztecs' Escobar in the mix with top tight ends

Extra Points: Aztecs' Escobar in the mix with top tight ends

Sixers bring in Jrue's big brother

Justin Holiday

PHILADELPHIA – The Sixers have signed guard Justin Holiday as a replacement for Jeremy Pargo, who was waived.

Holiday (6-foot-6, 180), the older brother of Sixers All-Star Jrue Holiday, appeared in 47 games with 42 starts for the Idaho Stampede in the D-League this season, averaging 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.43 steals and 1.17 blocks in 34.7 minutes per game while shooting 42.1 percent from the floor, 41.2 percent from 3-point range and 81.6 percent from the line.

At the time of his call-up, Holiday ranked tied for 14th in the D-League in scoring and first in steals.  In 15 games played in March, he averaged 23.3 points along with 2.5 3-pointers made on 46.3 percent shooting from behind-the-arc.


Holiday was not selected in the 2011 NBA Draft following his collegiate career at Washington.  He spent the 2011-12 season playing overseas for Generali Okapi Aalstar in the Belgian League.

This past July, Holiday played for the Sixers in the AirTran Orlando Pro Summer League and was second on the team in scoring with 11.8 points per game.  He also played for Cleveland in the 2012 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Holiday signed with the Cavaliers on Oct. 1 and took part in their training camp while appearing in one preseason game before being waived on Oct. 10.  He signed with Portland on Oct. 12 and played in two preseason games before being waived prior to the start of the regular season on Oct. 26.

Justin was born on April 5, 1989 while Jrue was born on June 12, 1990.  The brothers played basketball together at Campbell Hall, a private school in North Hollywood, Calif.  In Justin’s senior season, which was Jrue’s junior season, Campbell went 33-1 and won the California Division IV state title.

In 14 games played for the Sixers, Pargo averaged 4.9 points, 2.0 assists and 1.2 rebounds in 14.9 minutes per game.

Union can't solve Red Bulls again

Harrison, NJ – The Philadelphia Union lost a 2-1 contest against the New York Red Bulls Saturday afternoon at Red Bull Arena, as New York forward Thierry Henry provided the game winner after forward Conor Casey had equalized for the Union in the 63rd minute.

“I don’t think we did what we needed to do [to walk away with a point], but in the end it’s still tough to swallow,” said Union manager John Hackworth. “We’re going to be attack-oriented. We’re going to go for wins on the road. That’s what we were trying to do. It’s unfortunate that we fell behind before we made a couple changes there. It’s a frustrating, frustrating loss.”

After Dax McCarty scored for New York 10 minutes into the second half, Conor Casey equalized in the 63rd minute, just two minutes after entering the game for forward Sebastien Le Toux. Casey got on the end of a long throw in by Sheanon Williams and directed a header on frame and past New York goalkeeper Luis Robles.

Thierry Henry then provided the game winner in the 81st minute, giving New York its first win of the season and the Union their second loss of the 2013 campaign. In addition, the Union fell to 0-6 all-time at Red Bull Arena. However, Philadelphia still sits squarely in third place in the Eastern Conference standings, tied with Houston on six points (2-2-0, MLS; 3-2-0 overall).

It was a tale of two halves, as the Union kept the Red Bulls attack at bay on a few occasions in the first half. In the first half, the Red Bulls had seven attempts on goal, but zero were on target as thwarted chances from the Union defense coupled with New York inability to put a shot on frame killed their chances.

However, the second half saw a much different story as the Red Bulls found pockets in behind the defense and closed out with a goal from Henry in the 81st minute, taking a ball down in the box and slotting it past Zac MacMath to the far post.

He found himself free behind our two center backs, trapped it with his thigh and just turned and hit it,” said MacMath, postgame of Henry. “It’s tough because all the guys that played today were tough and put a lot of fight into it. To give up a goal like that and to go down like that late is very tough on the whole mentality of the team.”

The Union are on the road again next weekend as the club travels to Columbus, Ohio for an Eastern Conference matchup against Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium.

BOX SCORE

New York Red Bulls 2, Philadelphia Union 1

Saturday, March 30; 3:30 p.m. ET

Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ

SCORING SUMMARY

NY: McCarty (Steele), 55’

PHI: Casey (Williams), 63’

NY: Henry (Luyindula) 81’

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

PHI: Casey (caution), 92’

UNION STARTING 11

MacMath, Williams, Okugo, Parke, Gaddis, Carroll, Lahoud, M. Farfan, Cruz (Hoppenot 61’), McInerney (Daniel 80’), Le Toux (Casey 61’)

NEW YORK STARTING 11

Robles, Kimura, Olave, Holgersson, Pearce, Alexander (Sam 73'), McCarty, Juninho, Steele, Cahill (Henry 59'), Luyindula

Referee: Silviu Petrescu, Joe Fletcher, Daniel Belleau, Daniel Fitzgerald

Eagles take chance on Momah

PHILADELPHIA- The Eagles signed lengthy wide receiver Ifeanyi Momah over the weekend.

The 6-foot-7 Boston College product sat out the entire 2012 football season while recovering from a knee injury suffered in the 2011 campaign.

The 23-year-old Momah, who weighs 239 pounds, had 39 career receptions for 629 yards and six touchdowns in his collegiate career.

He recorded a career-best 8 catches for 157 yards in the team’s home opener in 2011 but missed the remainder of the season due to injury and did not play in 2012.

The Greenlawn, NY, native earned all-state honors as a senior wide receiver and defensive end at Elwood-John H. Glenn High School, while also competing on the school’s basketball and track teams.