AUGUSTA, Ga.
[b]Air Force 1 Off White Fake[/b] . -- Kevin Stadler might be playing in the Masters for the first time, but hes already showing his old man a thing or two. Such as the best way to get to the Augusta National media centre. Craig Stadler went through the main door for a joint news conference with his son Monday, which is actually the long way to go. Kevin, meanwhile, slipped in through a back entrance, like most players who turn up for interviews at the building alongside the first fairway. "Howd you come in?" Craig asked his son, looking a bit surprised when he turned to see Kevin standing behind him. "Through the door," Kevin replied dryly, very much the child poking fun at his dad. All kidding aside, the Stadlers are gearing up for a historic week at Augusta National. For the first time, a father and son will play in the same Masters -- Craig, who says hell probably be teeing it up for the 38th and final time, and Kevin, making his debut in the opening major of the season. "If and when I do ... bow out, I cant think of a better way to do it than playing with your son in the same tournament," the elder Stadler said. "Its awesome." Sixty-year-old Craig won the Masters in 1982, beating Dan Pohl in a playoff, and has been back every year since. Kevin, now 34, used to come each year as a child to cheer on his dad Now, hes got a spot of his own after winning at Phoenix two months ago for his first PGA Tour victory. "Its going to be really, really fun to be on the inside of the ropes," Kevin said. "I feel like I know this place pretty well but Ive never, ever played it. So its going to be a blast." Kevin, whose parents are divorced, has conceded the relationship with his father isnt as close as it once was, and there were times Monday when he seemed hesitant to turn this into a totally feel-good story. But the pair went out for a practice round -- which was cut short after only two holes when heavy rain brought a halt to play -- and theyre planning to play together again Tuesday, when the forecast called for much-improved conditions. And if theyre paired together in the first two rounds, that would be just fine with Kevin. "I wouldnt have any issues with that," he said, smiling. Besides, the younger Stadler is making a name for himself, after a lifetime of being compared with his father (right down to their matching physiques, with both listed as 5-foot-10, 250 pounds by the PGA Tour). Kevin won four times on the second-tier Nationwide Tour and appears poised for a breakout at the highest level. He has made the cut in 10 of 11 events this year, is 14th in the FedEx Cup, and has already eclipsed his career high for earnings in a season with nearly $1.7 million. "Hes become just a wonderfully consistent player and has his own identity and everything else, which he should," Craig said. "Hes worked hard for it and hes earned it. Good for him, and Im just going to kind of stand on the sidelines and watch, which is all I want to do, and just be supportive and root him on and hope more Phoenixes happen in the future. A lot more." In fact, the proud father wouldnt be at all surprised if Kevin made a serious run at the green jacket on his very first try. The younger Stadler is quite accurate with his irons, which should come in handy with all the dips and bumps on those tricky Augusta greens. "Thats why I actually love his game for this golf course," Craig said. "You do have to hit the ball high with the irons a little bit. And as far as Im concerned, and he might disagree, but I think hes just a wonderful iron player. I think thats definitely the strength of his game, and having your iron game down here makes this course so much easier." Even after getting just a taste of their practice round, father and son managed to trade some good-natured jabs. "I bogeyed 1 and birdied 2 and he parred them both," Craig said. "I was tied after two, so I was happy." "That birdie I made on 2 doesnt count, huh?" Kevin countered. "You didnt make that putt," Craig said. "Did you?" "Of course I did," Kevin said, drawing laughter from the room. Craig, who hasnt made the cut at Augusta since 2007 or been a serious contender in more than two decades, is certainly appreciative of the chance to end his Masters career with his son at his side. "Thanks to Kev here, I got back to the press room for the first time in about 20 years," the elder Stadler quipped. "Im so proud of the way hes played the last three, four years. Hes been close a zillion times and finally got it done, so its a very special week." Already, it seems, the Masters is smoothing out some of the bumps in their relationship.
[b]Air Force 1 Green Store[/b] . His right arm rested in a sling and was encased in a cast from above the elbow to his hand. "Im excited," Fernandez said with a grin.
[b]Air Force 1 Womens Fake[/b] . Erik Cole scored on a breakaway with 4:49 to play, and the Stars rallied to defeat the Minnesota Wild 4-3 on Saturday night.TORONTO – This was what Jonathan Bernier wanted all along. This is what he pined for as the backup in Los Angeles, stuck for years in the shadow of Jonathan Quick. And yet now that hes finally gripped hold of his first No. 1 job in the NHL, the 25-year-old knows that satisfaction is far from being attained. "Things can change," he said, mindfully. "You can be a No. 1 for 10 years and then next day, youre a backup. My goal is not to be a No.1 for a year or half a season, I want to be a good goalie for a long time, hopefully." Just 33 starts into that quest – by far the most of his NHL career – Bernier is off to a fine beginning. Starting for the 13th time in the past 17 games against the Lightning on Tuesday night, Bernier stopped 40 shots, including one of game-saving proportions on Martin St. Louis in the final moments. It was the kind of load-bearing performance that has become more norm than exception for Bernier, who is tied for sixth in the NHL in save percentage and fourth in even-strength save percentage among goaltenders with at least 20 starts. "When I got traded, I knew that was my chance to prove what I can do in this league," said Bernier, who is 5-1-0 in his last six starts. "My main focus was always to be a No. 1 guy and Ive still got a lot to learn, but I think Im moving towards that." He and James Reimer traded starts until mid-December before the crease eventually tilted in favour of the Laval, Quebec native. His performance month-to-month has rarely wavered – .933 save percentage in October, .923 in November, .932 in December and .915 so far in January. "I knnew Randy, the type of coach he was," said Bernier of head coach Randy Carlyle, "I knew I had to really battle to earn [the job] which is the good way.
[b]Air Force 1 Red Store[/b]. You dont want anything for free in life. [But] I didnt really focus on how many games I was playing, I think I was just focusing on getting better every day and every game and it just worked out that I started playing good and he kept me in." Maybe most notable in his year-long efforts has been his ability to withstand a nightly barrage of shots and chances, a far cry from the Kings, who were a constant amongst the NHLs best defensive teams. In fact, Bernier is facing 11 more shots per start this season with the Leafs (35) than a year ago in Los Angeles. He sits a sparkling 7-1-2 when challenged with 40 shots or more. "I think we can still improve as a team," he said honestly of the groups performance. "[Were] still giving up a lot of scoring chances, especially I thought last game wasnt our best one, but were coming out with wins. I think if we want to be successful in the playoffs – Ive been through that – youve really got to bear down defensively and be a good defensive team." Though the goalie competition has gradually evolved into a one-man job, Bernier understands that he is a long ways from proven as a No. 1 starter in this league. But he also carries a certain degree of pride and quiet confidence knowing that hes accomplished what he set out to do upon landing in Toronto. "Its not like I said yesterday I made it, Im a No. 1, I think youre just going day by day," he said. "Obviously, Im happy the way things turned out." ' ' '
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