HAMILTON, Ont. -- The Hamilton Bulldogs are focused on keeping their composure period by period as their season winds down. Christian Thomass second-period goal stood as the winner and Dustin Tokarski made 27 saves as the Bulldogs defeated the Abbotsford Heat 2-1 on Wednesday in the American Hockey League. "Tonight we stayed composed, even when we thought we had another goal in the third period," said Hamilton head coach Sylvain Lefebvre. "We kept working, and we have to get used to playing those tight hockey games. "Thats what gets you to the playoffs, and thats what helps you win hockey games when you get there." A post-season berth is far from Hamiltons grasp, however. The Bulldogs remain 10 points back of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, with just 14 games to play. Mike Blunden and Gabriel Dumont also scored for Hamilton (27-30-5). Chris Breen had the lone goal for the Heat (34-23-7), who have lost 10 of their last 11 games. Aaron Dell stopped 36 shots. Michael Bournival made his debut for the Bulldogs on Wednesday, having been sent to the team by the Montreal Canadiens a day earlier on a conditioning assignment. After playing 50 games for Montreal in his rookie season, the forward suffered a concussion in a Feb. 6 game against the Vancouver Canucks, and was cleared for contact on March 14. His insertion in the Bulldogs lineup provided a much-needed boost to the top line, and the combination of Bournival, Sven Andrighetto and Thomas used its speed to great effect against the Heat in the first period. Thomas was very pleased with the lines first game together, and felt comfortable playing alongside Bournival, who he came across several times at the junior level. "Its always tough playing with a new guy, but (Bournival) fits in really well and brings a lot of speed," he said. "Ive known him for a long time, and grew up playing with him at world junior camps. "Ive seen him quite a bit, and obviously he has some NHL experience. But he plays a hard game and that always helps your line." Hamilton was getting the best of play, but it was Abbotsford that opened the scoring at 8:56. Ex-Bulldog Corey Locke controlled the puck below Hamiltons goal-line, and connected with the open Breen as he glided into the high slot. The defenceman released a mid-range wrist shot that Tokarski only partially connected with, and the puck trickled over the goal-line. It was Breens first goal of the season. Pressure did eventually pay off for Hamilton, as Blunden stole the puck from Abbotsford defender Shane OBrien to create an equalizing goal. The winger moved in alone on Dell and shifted from backhand to forehand before lofting a shot over the far shoulder of the goaltender at 17:55. Blunden nearly scored his second of the game with 10 minutes to play in the second period, as Dell kicked a Morgan Ellis slap shot from the point out to his right and the winger narrowly missed a tap in attempt at the post. Thomas did better with Hamiltons next scoring chance, as the Bulldogs took the lead at 12:42. After a period and a half of successful forechecking, Hamiltons top line got on the board when Bournival fought off a defender along the right wing and fired a low wrist shot that Dell knocked into the path of Thomas to his right. The rookie winger did the rest, slotting a quick shot past the sprawling goaltender from close range. Consecutive penalties to Nathan Beaulieu posed a late challenge for the Bulldogs, but their penalty killing unit responded well to hold the lead through 40 minutes of play. Hamilton entered play on Wednesday with an 18-0-1 record when leading after two periods. Tokarski did his part to preserve the lead, snatching a Max Reinhart wrist shot out of the air from point blank range with just under six minutes to play. His save was rewarded at the other end of the ice, as Dumont was awarded a penalty shot after being tripped with a clear path to the net, and made good on the chance. Slowly skating toward Dell, Dumont stopped abruptly and shifted to his forehand to tuck the puck in behind him at 16:01 of the third period. Neither team made use of their power plays on Wednesday, as Hamilton went 0 for 2 while Abbotsford was 0 for 3. . LOUIS -- The Atlanta Braves used a two-run rally in the ninth to end their road trip with a win. . Expensive. The NFL fined Tomlin $100,000 on Wednesday for interfering with Baltimores Jacoby Jones on a kickoff return in the third quarter of a 22-20 loss to the Ravens on Thanksgiving night.
http://www.patriotsauthenticshop.com/Pa ... ft-Jersey/. Footballs governing body said Tuesday that of the 2,577,662 tickets allocated for this years tournament, 1,041,418 have gone to people in Brazil. The U. . Campbell, playing on loan with Greek club Olympiacos, found the net with a left-footed shot in the 44th minute off a pass from second-half substitute Jorge Rojas to open the scoring at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica. . For Sweed, a second round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008, this will be his second go around in the CFL after previously having spent time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.Oakland, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Klay Thompson led five players in double figures with 22 points as Golden State pounded Denver by a 122-79 count on Monday. Stephen Curry went for 20 points and eight assists for the Warriors, who have won two in a row since a 12-point loss in Oklahoma City over the weekend and improved to 10-1 in their last 11 outings. Shaun Livingston and Leandro Barbosa each contributed 12 points and James Michael McAdoo had 11 in the rout as Golden State tied a franchise record with its 16th consecutive home victory. We have a deep lineup of guys, said Curry. Ty Lawson netted 19 points and six rebounds for the Nuggets, who have dropped three straight games after winning five in a row. Jameer Nelson totaled 14 points and dished out five assists in defeat. Its a shame, said Nuggets coach Brian Shaw. When youre playing the best team in the league right now and you play that way and you perform that way, I dont know, its tough to swallow. Curry scored nine points in the first quarter and Golden State led 25-15, then wrapped up the game by outscoring Denver 30-13 in the second quarter to take a 27-point edge to the break. Nelson hit a triple to begin the quarterr but the Nuggets didnt score again until a Lawson bucket with 5:31 remaining.dddddddddddd In between, the Warriors reeled off 15 straight points. Justin Holiday connected twice from long distance and Livingston scored four in the burst which ended on David Lees free throw to make it 40-18. Thompson was a force in the third quarter, at one point scoring 11 straight including three shots from beyond the arc -- the final one in the clip providing a 76-41 edge for the hosts. It was 89-60 after three. McAdoos bucket with 7:46 to play put the Warriors into triple digits at 101-68, and the hosts cruised to the buzzer. This is one of, if not the closest team Ive been on, said McAdoo. One through 15, everybody cheers for everybody. Game Notes Golden State has scored at least 100 points in 11 straight games, extending their season best streak ... The Warriors are the only team in the NBA to win more than one game by 40-or-more points ... Lee finished with six points but recorded a game-high 10 rebounds ... The Philadelphia Warriors won 16 in a row at home in 1959, and the Oakland-based club can set the record on Wednesday against Houston. ' ' '
