Nxwh's Blog – June 2014 Archive (202)

MANCHESTER, England -- Statement released by David Moyes on Wednesday, a day after being fired by Manchester United after less than a season in charge. "To have been appointed as manager of Manchester United, one of the biggest football clubs in the world, was and remains something of which I will always be incredibly proud. "Taking charge after such a long period of continuous stability and success at the club was inevitably going to be a significant challenge, but it was one which I…

INDIANAPOLIS -- Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle provided a spark, and his team played just as he hoped. Monta Ellis had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Dirk Nowitzki added 18 points as the Mavericks handed the Indiana Pacers their third home loss of the season, 81-73 on Wednesday night. "Coach got on us pretty good this morning," Nowitzki said. "I thought we responded. We battled them and tried to make it tough on them." The Mavericks (32-22), who have won six of seven, finished a…

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek denied Bob and Mike Bryan their record 12th Grand Slam doubles title, beating the American twins 7-6 (1), 6-2 in the final of the Australian Open. The Woodies could probably sleep a little easier Saturday night. The 33-year-old Bryans were attempting to secure their place as the most decorated doubles team since the Open Era began in 1968. The brothers remain level on 11 major titles with the Australian duo of Mark Woodforde and Todd…

TORONTO - The Toronto Maple Leafs may juggle their lines this week even though they have opened the regular season with three straight victories. Coach Randy Carlyle made some changes at practice Monday as the team prepares for three games against Western Conference opponents. He went back to what worked in Saturdays 5-4 shootout victory over the Ottawa Senators and made a few other tweaks to his lineup. Joffrey Lupul, Dave Bolland and Mason Raymond practised together and are expected…

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Vancouver Canucks will try to win two straight games for the first time since mid-January on Monday night as they play host to the struggling New York Islanders. The Canucks are coming off just their second victory in 13 games, having bested the Calgary Flames 2-1 on Saturday. That improved Vancouver to just 2-10-1 since Jan. 26. Eddie Lack settled down to finish with 22 saves after giving up the first goal of the game early in the second period on a slap shot…

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Eastern Conferences top team just got more imposing. On Saturday, the Pacers added size and scoring punch to their roster by signing mercurial free agent centre Andrew Bynum for the rest of the season. Team officials did not release additional details about the contract and said Bynum was expected to join the team sometime next week. "We are obviously happy to have him join our team," Larry Bird said in a statement issued by the team less than 12 hours before…

PARIS -- Finally, the Tour de France is giving women a more visible role than just congratulating the male riders. On July 27 cyclings best-known race will host "La Course by Le Tour de France" -- a one-day womens competition staged hours before Tour riders race on the same circuit to finish the three-week event on Paris Champs-Elysees. The International Cycling Union announced the innovation Saturday as part of its 2014 racing calendar. Tour organizers, the Amaury Sport Organization,…

MANCHESTER, England -- Statement released by David Moyes on Wednesday, a day after being fired by Manchester United after less than a season in charge. "To have been appointed as manager of Manchester United, one of the biggest football clubs in the world, was and remains something of which I will always be incredibly proud. "Taking charge after such a long period of continuous stability and success at the club was inevitably going to be a significant challenge, but it was one which I…

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Chris Crawford hit a 3-pointer with 1:36 left to put Memphis ahead to stay, and the 21st-ranked Tigers beat seventh-ranked Louisville 72-66 Saturday, sweeping the season series from the Cardinals. Memphis (22-7, 11-5 American Athletic Conference) trailed 65-57 with 4:45 left when Michael Dixon Jr. scored six straight, jumpstarting the Tigers who scored 15 of the final 16 points. Louisville (24-5, 13-3) snapped a seven-game winning streak by going cold after taking its…

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- While much of the nation is buried in snow, glazed by ice or just plain shivering in the cold, its time to play ball in the desert. Spring training officially began Thursday when Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers and catchers reported, with their first workout set for Friday. On the other side of suburban Phoenix, in Glendale, Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers and catchers report on Saturday. Full-squad workouts for both teams begin next week. The Diamondbacks and Dodgers…

MINNEAPOLIS -- While the rest of the NBA and their own fans clamour for the Minnesota Timberwolves to hire a coach and make a move with Kevin Love, the organization is remaining patient with two decisions that could determine the fate of their franchise for the next five years. The team is letting the search for a replacement for the retired Rick Adelman play out and has yet to see any potential trade talks involving Love, who can opt out after next season, or any of its other players…

TORONTO -- Canadian international Dwayne De Rosario is happy to be back home, saying he has unfinished business with Toronto FC. "This is my city," the Toronto native said upon his arrival Wednesday night. And the 35-year-old former league MVP says he is hoping to making 2014 a memorable year. "Im really looking forward to it," De Rosario told The Canadian Press. "I like the vision that (MLSE president) Tim Leiweke has. Its along the same lines and goals that I had when I came here the…

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president and CEO Tim Leiweke has big plans for Toronto FC, and its going to start with a search for two premier strikers. Speaking to TSNs Brian Williams, Leiweke outlined some of his short-term plans to improve the club in time for the 2014 season. "Im going to be in Europe in the next few weeks to find two world class strikers for that soccer team once and for all - stop the chatter and perform and deliver." Williams asked Leiweke if there is a…

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Eastern Conferences top team just got more imposing. On Saturday, the Pacers added size and scoring punch to their roster by signing mercurial free agent centre Andrew Bynum for the rest of the season. Team officials did not release additional details about the contract and said Bynum was expected to join the team sometime next week. "We are obviously happy to have him join our team," Larry Bird said in a statement issued by the team less than 12 hours before…

MINSK, Belarus -- Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin has recovered from a right leg injury and is in action for Russia against France in the quarterfinals of the hockey world championship (Live NOW on TSN2). Ovechkin missed the final group match against Belarus on Tuesday after injuring his right leg in a collision during Russias game against Germany. The forward needed hospital treatment Sunday after taking a hit to his right knee from Marcus Kink midway through the third…

FALL RIVER, Mass. -- Prosecutors in the murder case against former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez want the judge to recuse herself because, they said Wednesday, she and the lead prosecutor have a public history of antagonism and she has shown bias. Bristol County Assistant District Attorney William McCauley wants Judge Susan Garsh to remove herself from the case, he said during a hearing in Fall River Superior Court. McCauley did not detail his reasons in court, but a new filing…

NORTH SYDNEY, N.S. - Luke Kirwan scored two goals to lead the United States to gold with a 4-0 victory over Pacific at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Colin White had a goal and an assist for the U.S., and Christian Fischer also scored. Jeremy Bracco recorded three assists. Canadas Zach Sawchenko was constantly tested in net, stopping 48 of 52 shots in the losing effort. American goaltender Michael Lackey, meanwhile, made just 12 saves for the win. Pacific defeated Russia 7-3 on…

ST. LOUIS - Michael Wacha doesnt mind a little bad weather. Wacha had to wait out yet another lengthy rain delay, Matt Carpenter drove in three runs and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 6-4 Sunday. St. Louis took two of three from the Cubs and has won four of six. Chicago has lost three of four. Rain has figured in all three of Wachas starts this season. He actually seemed to embrace a third-inning downpour that halted play against the Cubs for 46 minutes. "Im used to it,"…

Indianapolis, IN (SportsNetwork.com) - Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger is expected to make his season debut on Friday after missing the teams first 25 games with a left calf strain. Granger appeared in just five games last season before a lingering left knee injury required season-ending surgery. While attempting a comeback in early October, Granger pulled a calf in the same left leg. "Theres no way to simulate game intensity," Indiana head coach Frank Vogel said of Grangers…

MADRID, Spain -- Xabi Alonso is set to play his first game since last season when his Real Madrid hosts Sevilla on Wednesday in the Spanish league. The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries. Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti says "Xabi is available. Hes training and I think that tomorrow he will be on our bench and Ill try to give him a few minutes." Alonso had back surgery and after…