07-30-2019, 12:57 AM
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A few days off paid off for the Pittsburgh Penguins.Blake Comeau and Kris Letang scored early in the first period to lead the Penguins to a 3-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Friday night.We had three days without games, so we tried to get into the game as quickly as we could, said defenceman Letang, who returned after a five-game absence because of a groin injury.Rob Klinkhammer got his first goal with Pittsburgh to help the Penguins beat the Flames for the eighth straight time. Pittsburghs last loss to Calgary was on Dec. 3, 2005. Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 saves to improve to 6-1 all-time against the Flames.Johnny Gaudreau had the only goal for the Flames, who have lost four in a row.We had a tough start, Calgary coach Bob Hartley said. We knew against a team like the Penguins theyll make you pay for it.The Penguins played without defending NHL scoring champion Sidney Crosby, who also will miss Saturdays game at Columbus while he awaits results from medical tests for an illness that caused the right side of his face to swell. Though there have been more than a dozen cases of mumps around the NHL, Crosby doesnt believe he has that illness.Crosby missed Thursdays practice because he was wasnt feeling well. He returned for Pittsburghs game-day skate and afterward declared himself fine for the game against the Flames, noting that he would not be at the arena if he had mumps.However, the swelling was pronounced. Reports and images of the swelling caused a widespread Internet buzz, and by late afternoon the Penguins announced his two-game absence based, they said, on the recommendation of medical specialists.There is no indication at this time that this is the mumps, but we are going to hold him out as a precaution, General Manager Jim Rutherford said in a release. Well have additional test results in a few days.Crosby is among the league leaders with 35 points and had not previously missed a game.Pittsburgh coach Mike Johnston insisted Crosby is not dealing with mumps.All of our players have been tested, he said. There have been no tests that come back and show anything different. We were just being cautious. You saw the swelling of his face, and the doctors just thought, Lets be cautious. Lets just be careful. Thats why hes not playing.Both teams finished 0 for 5 on their respective power plays.It was not a good night for both power plays, Hartley said. I think we did a good job on our penalty killing, and so did the Penguins on theirs.The Penguins, who had not played since Monday, looked rested and energetic early.Comeau, on a 2-on-1 break with Jayson Megna, gave Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead 48 seconds into the game with a shot that sailed over the blocker of Calgary goalie Jonas Hiller.Letang tipped in a shot from the right point by Simon Despres at 4:43 of the period during a 4-on-4 play for a 2-0 Penguins lead.Four-on-four, you try to find open space, try to give time to other players. I was already on the rush, Letang said. When I saw the puck going to Simon, I just tried to find a spot where he could shoot it at me.The Flames closed to 2-1 with 7:45 left in the opening period when Gaudreau jumped on the long rebound of a shot by Markus Gralund and put the puck in a near-open net with Fleury caught near the right post.Klinkhammer then scored off a pass from Steve Downie with 2:47 left in the third period.They put up two goals early and were fighting our way back. Its tough, Calgary winger Curtis Glencross said. We have to be ready to go from the get go, and the other team, they came out hungry and (Comeau) made a great shot on their first goal, 40 seconds in or whatever. And got that 4-on-4 goal right after that.NOTES: In addition to Letang, Pittsburgh RW Patric Hornqvist returned after missing two games because of an unspecified injury. ... C Evgeni Malkin had two assists, giving him at least one point in 23 of the Penguins 28 games. ... Pittsburgh winger Zach Sill left in the first period after slamming into the end boards. Johnston declined to divulge the nature of Sills injury but said he will probably miss a couple of weeks. ... Gaudreau, the Hobey Baker Award winner last season, helped Boston College win the Three Rivers Classic last December at Consol Energy Center. ... Calgary D Deryk Engelland played against his former club for the first time. Ante Zizic Jersey . Alen, 28, hit .315 with five home runs, 59 RBI and a career-high nine stolen bases for the Goldeyes last season. He is the longest serving catcher in Goldeyes history, having already spent five seasons with the organization. Shaquille ONeal Cavaliers Jersey .Y. - Major League Soccer is prepared to start its season this weekend even if there isnt a labour deal with its referees and other on-field officials. http://www.cavaliersbasketballpro.info/b...rs-jersey/. -- The Sacramento Kings have claimed forward Travis Outlaw off waivers under the NBAs new amnesty provision, filling out the frontcourt with another veteran. Larry Nance Jr. Cavaliers Jersey . Zimmermann became the National Leagues first 16-game winner, pitching seven solid innings to lead the Washington Nationals past the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 Wednesday night. Channing Frye Jersey . It certainly isnt a coincidence that Dwight Howard has scored at least 20 points in each game of the winning streak.Before NCAA Selection Sunday, there are this weeks conference tournaments. For some schools, these tournaments act as final tune-ups before March Madness to get their teams into gear before the Big Dance actually starts. For others, the conference tournament is the last chance to prove to the selection committee that their team belongs among the field of 68. And yet for others, far on the outside looking in, winning their conference tourney is the only chance they have to enter this years tournament. Now, some of the smaller conference tournaments are either already underway or already over, but the bigger conferences tournaments dont get started until Wednesday. This will act as a primer for each of the bigger tournaments to give you an idea of whos involved, whos favoured and which Canadians to watch out for this week. Already qualifed for the NCAA tournament: Mercer (Atlantic Sun), Coastal Carolina (Big South), Delaware (Colonial), Harvard (Ivy), Manhattan (MAAC), #2 Wichita State (Missouri Valley), Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley), Mount St. Marys (Northeast), South Dakota State (Summit) and Gonzaga (West Coast) American Athletic Conference Top 25 teams in tournament: #5 Louisville, #13 Cincinnati, #19 Memphis, #21 Connecticut and #25 SMU Overview: Only three games separated these five times in the regular season (with the Cardinals and Bearcats sharing the regular season crown,) so there isnt a lot separating this group in a very competitive conference. All five of these teams will be headed to the tournament, but likely only this quintet. If any outliers in the conference want in, theyll likely have to win the AAC tournament to get there. Chances are, though, thats not happening. Projected winner: Cincinnati Atlantic Coast Conference Seeded teams: #5 Duke, #6 Virginia, #11 Syracuse and #15 North Carolina Overview: After the dissolution of the traditional Big East, Syracuse makes its tournament debut in the conference traditionally dominated by schools from the Carolinas. That said, Virginia is the tournaments top seed for the first time in 33 years. Teams should be on the lookout for upsets with both North Carolina State and Pittsburgh capable of grabbing a scalp, but smart money picks one of the top four seeds to take the title. Led by freshman phenom Jabari Parker, Duke is the odds-on favourite heading into this week, but, even after petering out a bit coming down the stretch, Brampton, Ontarios Tyler Ennis and the Orange are still the team to beat. Projected winner: Syracuse Atlantic 10 Conference Top 25 teams in tournament: #18 Saint Louis and #23 Virginia Commonwealth Overview: The story here isnt what happens with the top teams, but what goes on with those schools who still arent locks to make the tournament. With Saint Louis and VCU most certainly in, its up to the likes of St. Josephs, UMASS and George Washington to ensure participation in this years March Madness. Having five teams coming out of the Atlantic 10 certainly isnt outside the realm of possibility, but its not a likelihood just yet. Projected winner: VCU Big East Conference Top 25 teams in tournament: #3 Villanova and #14 Creighton Overview: Though still being held at Madison Square Garden, this years Big East tournament certainly doesnt carry the cache that it once did with traditional powers like Syracuuse, UConn and Pittsburgh having moved on.dddddddddddd Still, tournaments implications are huge here with the likes of Providence, Georgetown, Xavier and St. Johns fates for the Big Dance unknown with that quartet likely needing multiple wins for a selection. As for the final, Creighton has beaten Villanova handily in both meetings this season and should again if the top seeds end up meeting. Projected winner: Creighton Big 10 Conference Top 25 teams in tournament: #8 Michigan, #12 Wisconsin, #22 Michigan State and #24 Ohio State Overview: Like the regular season, this Big 10 tournament should be nothing short of a battle with a lot riding on the line. Nik Stauskas and the Wolverines were able to open a three-game gap on MSU when it was all said and done, but only four games separated Wisconsin in second from Indiana in ninth. Its the teams in that range that need a good tournament here. Up to seven teams could come out of the Big 10 and while the seeded teams are virtual locks, the likes of Nebraska and Minnesota need to impress to secure their positions come Sunday. Projected winner: Michigan Big 12 Conference Top 25 teams in tournament: #10 Kansas, #16 Iowa State and #17 Oklahoma Overview: This tournament has the potential to be the best of the bunch and a very deep conference means its ripe for upsets. Its conceivable that any team that finds itself in the quarterfinals has a shot to win the tournament. Oh, and theres a ton of Canadian content here with Kenny Chery and Brady Heslip of Baylor, Iowa States Melvin Ejim and some kid named Wiggins on Kansas. The Big 12 prides itself as the best conference in the nation in 2014 and having the most tournament bids would go a long way to prove that. Having eight teams in the tournament is not a stretch. This will be a dogfight and not having Joel Embiid will really hurt the Jayhawks. Projected winner: Oklahoma Top 25 teams in tournament: #4 Arizona Overview: Oregon came out of nowhere to win this tournament last year, so the Pac-12 tournament is far from a foregone conclusion as a Wildcats triumph. Still, theyre the overwhelming favourite. Arizona is among a handful of teams here secure in its place in the tournament and, barring a quarterfinal blowout loss, the Wildcats are on course for a #1 seed on Sunday night. With UCLA, Colorado and the Ducks seemingly set for a tournament spot, Arizona State is the team with the most to prove here. Without a strong tournament, dont look for the Sun Devils name to be called on Sunday night. Projected winner: UCLA Southeastern Conference Top 25 teams in tournament: #1 Florida Overview: Outside of the Gators, who will look at this tournament as an opportunity to solidify their claim for the top overall seed in the tournament, this hasnt exactly been a banner season for the SEC with the nations preseason #1 Kentucky falling well short of expectations. John Caliparis Wildcats are in no danger of missing the tournament, but will view the SEC tourney as a means to get some positive momentum going into it. Mizzou, Tennessee and Arkansas are all likely bubble teams right now and could certainly use a positive showing to prove their credentials. This is Floridas tournament, though. They were undefeated in the conference during regular season play and shouldnt look back now. Projected winner: Florida ' ' '