COMMERCE CITY, Colo.
[b]Mitchell Robinson Jersey[/b] . - Ethan Finlay took advantage of a defensive mistake to give the Columbus Crew a 1-1 tie with the Colorado Rapids on Friday night. In the 76th minute, Colorado midfielder Dillon Powers attempted a cross-field back pass to his defence, but Jairo Arrieta stole it and fed the trailing Finlay for a shot that rolled into the far corner. Immediately after the pass, Powers put both hands on his head. Colorado (7-5-5) scored in the 59th minute when Marvell Wynne curled in a cross to Vicente Sanchez that went in off Columbus defender Eric Gehrig for an own goal. Columbus (4-5-8) has played to four straight ties.
[b]Willis Reed Jersey[/b] . "I only want to go through this one more time," Crosby said Friday. The 24-year-old captain hasnt played since the symptoms resurfaced following a loss to Boston on Dec. 5. Doctors allowed him to return to full practice on Tuesday and while Crosby is pleased with the way his body is responding he refuses to put on his return.
[b]Allan Houston Jersey[/b] . Durant had 33 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, hit the tying 3-pointer late in regulation and made the go-ahead foul shots in overtime to lift the Thunder past the Wizards 106-105. John Wall missed a driving layup attempt at the buzzer for Washington, which was seeking its third straight win.BUFFALO, N.Y. - In seven-plus seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Josh Gorges faced the Toronto Maple Leafs 36 times. This past summer, the hatred he built up for Montreals arch-rival over the years changed the course of his career.When the Canadiens tried to trade the veteran defenceman to Toronto at the draft, Gorges said no. The Leafs were on his list of teams he wouldnt go to, and he wouldnt remove them.After being dealt to the rebuilding Buffalo Sabres, Gorges stands by his decision not to go to the Leafs because his heart wasnt in it. Thats what he told new team president Brendan Shanahan.I just said, Im a heart-and-soul player. Its the only reason I can be good at this level is I have to play and commit with my heart, Gorges said in an interview with The Canadian Press on Wednesday after practice at First Niagara Centre. And after playing against them for that many years of being our No. 1 rival, I just didnt think it wouldve been fair to them. I wouldnt have been the same player that they wouldve expected me to be.Over time I wouldve got there. But I just didnt think I could commit my heart to playing the right way.A tough, defensive defenceman, Gorges was just what the Leafs were looking for. When the feeling wasnt mutual, Gorges said Shanahan understood completely.What he said to me was, Thats why were trying to make a trade for you is you have that character where you give yourself to one team, Gorges recalled. He even said to me, If you wouldve been a guy that said, Oh yeah, sure Ill go to Toronto, like that, then youre obviously not the player that I thought you were. The fact that you have that built in you is why we like you as a player.Toronto turned its attention to Roman Polak, getting the stay-at-home right-hander from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Carl Gunnarsson. And as Gorges continued to ponder the possibility of being a Leaf, the Habs traded him to Buffalo for a second-round pick in next years draft.Things have a way of working themselves out, Gorges said.What the 30-year-old knew for sure was he wasnt going back to Montreal. Being asked to waive his no-trade clause was enough of a signal of the Habs intentions to Gorges.Knowing that they wanted to get rid of you, its hard to go on and play for a team that doesnt want you anymore, he said. But I dont think that was ever going to be an option, from my understandiing.
[b]John Starks Jersey[/b]. I wasnt coming back.In his conversation with Shanahan and again this week, Gorges said he respected the Leafs organization and that it was no slight to the city of Toronto that he didnt want to play there.His reasoning will no doubt be debated for a while, and his first regular-season game back at Air Canada Centre with the Sabres on Oct. 28 could be something of a circus. But Gorges said hes happy in Buffalo, where hes joined by former Habs captain Brian Gionta.Having a guy that you know, been with for a number of years, you kind of start this chapter off together, Gorges said. Probably most importantly is our wives are great friends. ... The fact that our wives can come together and get used to the city and figure out where to go for shopping and grocery shopping and kids and meet everyone together, it makes things a lot more comfortable for us.Off the ice, theres a comfort level, Gionta said recently at the NHL player media tour in New York City. On the ice, Gorges and Gionta will be counted on by coach Ted Nolan to help lead a very young team.The attitude in training camp has been tremendous, Nolan said. When that happens, you usually look in the room and who the players are to lead that parade. Josh Gorges is one of those guys for sure.Pre-season is a time for boundless optimism, and Gorges is certainly part of that. After going to the Eastern Conference final with the Habs, hell more than likely miss out on the playoffs entirely this season with the Sabres.But Gorges isnt wired to think like that.The great thing about being here is the excitement level and the potential to be good, he said. The fact that no ones giving us a chance, thats an opportunity for us to come together as a group and thats what I like about this situation is we can go and surprise some people. Itll be fun.Notes a€” The Leafs reduced their training-camp roster to 41 players by sending 13 players to the AHLs Marlies. Goaltenders Christopher Gibson and Cal Heeter, defencemen Eric Knodel, Andrew MacWilliam, Brendan Mikkelson and Tom Nilsson and forwards David Broll, Connor Brown, Jamie Devane, Greg McKegg, Carson McMillan, Brad Ross and Brady Vail were assigned to minor-league camp. Four goalies, 12 defencemen and 25 forwards remain. ... Toronto continues its pre-season schedule Friday night at the Sabres.---Follow @SWhyno on Twitter ' ' '
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