PioneerSkies

I went to the Avalanche game last night. The Blackhawks won in an overtime shootout. Jose Theodore continued his impressive play, giving up only one goal on 23 shots in 65 minutes of play. However, he gave up shootout goals to Patrick Kane and Robert Lang. Kane scored the Hawk's only goal in regulation too. Martin Havlat had a great cross-ice outlet pass that allowed Kane to get behind the Avs defense.

Aside from the shootout, the first ten minutes of the game were really the best part. Kane scored two and a half minutes in, then a minute later Ian Laperriere fought Adam Burish, and Andrew Brunette scored the Avs only goal about eight minutes after the opening faceoff. I was glad to see the fight, which Laperriere won. I've been thinking that I've seen too much college hockey, where there are no fights, this season. The game really bogged down, especially in the second period. Both teams had their chances, including some really close ones, to score and put the game away, but neither team could finish.

The Avs have a tough road ahead of them. Long term injuries have sidelined Joe Sakic, Ryan Smyth and Paul Stastny. With those three out of the lineup, the Avs will need to find another way to score goals. It's a good thing Theodore has started playing well, otherwise the season might be all but lost already. Another bright spot has been the play of Brett Clark. He has really stepped it up lately. Also, the Avs did very well on the penalty kill last night. The Blackhawks had five powerplay chances, but they didn't score on any of them. It's a tough division and a tough road ahead. Let's hope the Avs can take advantage of a lengthy home stretch.

http://www.sportsline.com/nhl/gamecenter/recap/NHL_20080118_CHI@COL

The Rockies have signed Matt Holliday to a 2 year $23 million deal. This covers his arbitration years. This is great news. It gives me hope that the Monforts will sign him to a long term deal instead of letting him depart to free agency. Still, a lot can happen in two years...
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10585235
DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies want to lock up Matt Holliday with a long-term deal. For now, they have settled on two years.
The All-Star left fielder agreed to a $23 million, two-year contract with Colorado on Friday, avoiding arbitration just hours before players and teams exchanged salary figures.
"This is the first step in a process we hope will lead to a long-term relationship with him," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said.
Holliday, runner-up for the NL MVP award last season, hit .340 with 137 RBI, becoming the third player since 1967 to lead a league in both categories. He also had 36 home runs and led the NL in hits (216), total bases (386) and doubles (50) while helping the Rockies to their first pennant.
He finished a close second to Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies in MVP balloting.
Holliday, who turned 28 on Tuesday, also earned the NL Championship Series MVP award after hitting .333 with two home runs and four RBI in a four-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
After making $4.4 million last season, Holliday gets $9.5 million this year and $13.5 million in 2009.
Colorado outfielder Willy Taveras also agreed to a contract, a one-year deal worth $1,975,000. Taveras can make $150,000 in performance bonuses; $50,000 each for 500, 550 and 600 plate appearances.
The 26-year-old Taveras provided speed at the top of the lineup for the Rockies last season. He hit .320 and stole 33 bases in 97 games.
"We are excited to come to agreements with both Matt and Willy," O'Dowd said.
The Rockies swapped figures with three players still in arbitration: third baseman Garrett Atkins, reliever Brian Fuentes and outfielder Brad Hawpe.
Atkins asked for $4.65 million while the club offered $4,125,000; Fuentes requested $6.5 million with Colorado countering at $5.05 million; and Hawpe asked for $4.35 million while the Rockies proposed $3,575,000.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2007-2008, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved

Apparently the status of Nene's tumor might not be clear. While there was a report yesterday that the tumor was benign (see the previous blog post), that news was pulled from Nene's personal site. Curious, I went to Nene's site myself to investigate the matter. Unfortunately, the website is in Portuguese. I should have figured as much. If any of you reading this can speak Portuguese and want to let me know what it says, please chime in!
Nene's site - http://www.nene31.com.br/publicsite/pt_home.php
Statement removed story - http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/10582798

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I'm happy to report that the Nuggets have found their winning ways once again. They beat the Utah Jazz 120-109 last night. Linas Kleiza dropped 41 points!! Way to go LK!!
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/gamecenter/recap/NBA_20080117_UTA@DEN

http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/10582798#
DENVER -- The testicular tumor removed from Denver Nuggets forward Nene was benign, according to a statement posted Thursday on the player's website.
The tumor was removed Monday at a Denver hospital.
"The joint medical team handling Nene's health has just released the results of the biopsy," the website said. "According to reports presented by doctors, the exams show that the tumor is benign."
Nene took an indefinite leave of absence Friday. There is no timetable for the Brazilian's return.
Dr. Fernando J. Kim, who performed the surgery at Denver Health Medical Center, said earlier that a "right testicular mass was found incidentally and it was managed surgically."
The tumor was found last week in an exam by team physician Dr. Saurabh Mangalik.
Nene had said the tumor was found at an early stage and indicated he expected to recover.
"I want to thank my fans, my teammates, the Nuggets organization and everyone that's been supporting me," he said in a statement released before the tumor was found to be benign. "My victory will represent their victory as well."
Nene is averaging 6.4 points and 6.4 rebounds. He missed 22 games earlier this season after undergoing left thumb surgery. He was out for all but one game of the 2005-06 season after tearing a knee ligament, and he was sidelined for 27 games the season before with a variety of ailments.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2007-2008, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
That's good news for Nene. Now begins a long recovery process. Best of luck, Nene.
now back to my admin reading...