Panthers, Thrashers aim to get offenses going in Atlanta
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11/02/2008 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Both the Panthers and Thrashers have had trouble scoring
goals as of late. The two slumping clubs will clash this evening, as Atlanta
hosts Florida at Philips Arena.
The Thrashers have lost six straight contests for the first time since
dropping eight in a row from February 16-March 5 of last season. Each of the
last five setbacks for Atlanta have come in regulation, including yesterday's
6-1 loss to New Jersey.
Slava Kozlov scored in his second straight game and for the third time in four
contests, and Colby Armstrong and Marty Reasoner had assists for the
Thrashers, who are just 2-7-2 on the season.
Johan Hedberg started in net for Atlanta and turned aside 20 shots in two
periods of work. Ondrej Pavelec, recalled from Chicago of the American Hockey
League before the game due to netminder Kari Lehtonen battling flu-like
symptoms, made six saves in the third period.
The Thrashers have been outscored 16-3 in their last three games and are
winless on the road (0-4-2) this season. However, starting tonight Atlanta
plays back-to-back tests at Philips Arena, where it is 2-3-0 this year.
The Panthers have lost three in a row and have scored just three times over
that skid. Florida is averaging just 2.20 goals per game, 28th in the league
and ahead of only Edmonton and Tampa Bay.
Most of that output came in Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to Nashville. Martin
Erat beat Florida netminder Craig Anderson in the extra session, and Rostislav
Olesz failed to extend the shootout, as his backhander was stopped.
Karlis Skrastins and Olesz scored for the Panthers, who began a five-game road
trip with yesterday's loss and are just 1-3-1 as the visiting club this
season.
Anderson was solid in his third start and fourth appearance of the season,
making 30 saves. Tomas Vokoun has made seven starts for Florida this year,
going 3-4-0 with a 2.69 goals against average.
Vokoun made 31 saves in an overtime win over the Thrashers on October 11, with
David Booth netting the game-winning tally.
That win was Florida's sixth win in its last seven games versus Atlanta, which
has lost three in a row as the host to the Panthers after winning 11 straight
at home over the club.
<< Leafs try to bring scoring touch to Carolina
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Toronto needed a big, late rally to win its second straight
game on Saturday. The Maple Leafs will try to carry that offensive explosion
over to this evening's test against the Carolina Hurricanes at RBC Center.
The Maple
<< Thunder still searching for first win vs. Minnesota
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Oklahoma City Thunder return to the Ford Center Sunday
and welcome Minnesota to town in hopes of garnering the franchise's first win
since relocating from Seattle in the offseason.
The Thunder fell to a talented Housto
<< Knicks meet Bucks in Madison Square Garden
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Knicks try and get back on the winning track
Sunday when they welcome the Milwaukee Bucks into Madison Square Garden.
After edging Miami in their season opener in New York, the Knicks were
throttled by divisio
<< Sorenstam wins playoff in China
Suzhou, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Annika Sorenstam rallied with a seven-under
65 Sunday to force a playoff at the inaugural Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open.
Sorenstam then beat China's Li Ying Ye in a playoff to win the Ladies European
Tour event
<< Kung earns first win in five years
Incheon, South Korea (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Candie Kung carded a three-under 69
Sunday to win the Hana Bank - KOLON Championship.
Kung completed her first LPGA Tour title in five years at six-under-par 210.
"It's been a long time and I'm ju
Flyers go for fifth straight win in afternoon clash with Oilers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The suddenly-hot Philadelphia Flyers shoot for a fifth
straight win this afternoon, as they welcome the Edmonton Oilers to the
Wachovia Center.
The Flyers began the season with six straight losses (0-3-3), but have
respon
Nabokov, Sharks travel to Colorado to battle Avs >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov has been outstanding at
home this season, the 33-year-old netminder has had his struggles on the road.
The Sharks hope he can reverse that trend tonight, when they visit the
Colorado Avalanche
Streaking Flames try to solve Ducks in Anaheim >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - If the Calgary Flames are to extend their six-game winning
streak, they will have to do it against a team they haven't beaten on the road
in nearly five years.
The Flames will try to snap a seven-game road losing streak to
Red Wings wrap road trip in Vancouver >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Marian Hossa will try to extend his points streak to 10
games, as the Detroit Red Wings wrap a five-game road trip tonight with a
contest against the Vancouver Canucks at GM Place.
In his first year with the Red Wings, Hos
Report: D'Antoni wants Marbury waived >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni reportedly
wants the club to waive point guard Stephon Marbury.
The New York Post reported Sunday that D'Antoni, in his first season on the
bench for the Knicks after fo
Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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