01-02-2020, 06:09 AM
CHICAGO -- The swirling snow came down in waves, dancing around the upper deck before eventually descending to the temporary ice rink in the middle of a football field. Playing in a winter wonderland, Jonathan Toews showed his two-way game is perfect for any conditions. Toews had two goals and an assist at a picturesque Soldier Field, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 on Saturday night in the finale of the NHL Stadium Series. "We felt like we could find a way to score every time we got the puck," Toews said. "It honestly did feel like we were playing (pickup) hockey in the backyard." Patrick Sharp scored in the first period and Patrick Kane set up Kris Versteegs 100th career goal in the second, helping Chicago to its first win since Feb. 5 at Anaheim. The reigning Stanley Cup champions dropped their final game before the Olympic break, and then lost 2-1 at the New York Rangers on Thursday night. James Neal was credited with Pittsburghs only goal when Blackhawks defenceman Brent Seabrook sent the puck into his own net at 6:21 of the third. Marc-Andre Fleury had 35 saves in the Penguins third straight loss, matching a season high. "It wouldnt have mattered if we played this game inside or outside or it was snow or no snow," Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma said. "They were better and more prepared to play, whatever the conditions were." The crowd of 62,921, dressed from head to toe in several layers, usually topped by their favourite jersey, roared when the Penguins and Blackhawks emerged from separate tunnels before the game. The players were greeted by rows of fireworks and shooting flames that sent clouds of smoke into the falling flakes. The snow was heavy for most of the first period, and then died down at the start of the second before picking up in intensity again. The small ice crew tried its best to keep up, but it was fighting an impossible battle, and inches of snow piled up on the surface between breaks in the action. Blackhawks defenceman Duncan Keith tried to play the puck forward at one point in the first, but only got part of it and it sledded to a stop a few feet away. "One time, I was carrying it up the ice and had to look down three or four times just to kind of see where it was," Kane said. "You could feel the snow down there, so its obviously a little bit harder to push it." The snow and frigid temperatures -- it was 17 degrees when the puck was dropped for the opening faceoff -- made life difficult on the star-studded teams, full of Olympians and other All-Stars. It also provided a prime-time showcase for the considerable skills of Toews, who teamed with Pittsburgh centre Sidney Crosby to lead Canada to the gold medal in the Sochi Games last weekend. Toews and Crosby had never played against each other in an NHL regular-season game. First, Toews found Sharp for a slap shot that went over Fleurys right shoulder and off the left post at 15:35 of the first, giving Chicago a 1-0 lead. Then, Toews made an outstanding move on Pittsburgh defenceman Brooks Orpik before squeezing a backhander between Fleurys legs at 10:47 of the second. Toews celebrated his 20th goal by skating over to the Blackhawks bench and jumping into his delirious teammates. "I guess I definitely got caught up in it a little bit," said Toews, who got his nickname of "Captain Serious" for his stoic demeanour. Kane added his own flashy play, making a perfect pass to Versteeg for a goalmouth tip-in that made it 3-0 at 16:43. Versteeg ended an 11-game scoring drought by scoring at a third Chicago sports venue, joining Wrigley Field in the 2009 Winter Classic and the United Center. "Just drive the net and put your stick down and you know a guy like Kaner is going to find you when he can," Versteeg said. "It was just a great pass." Neal cut the lead to 3-1 in the third, but Bryan Bickell added his ninth goal at 13:57 before Toews finished the scoring with 2:08 to go. "Theyre a good hockey team and they outplayed us," Crosby said. "They had us trapped in a lot of the game." Corey Crawford had 31 stops for the Blackhawks, who lost forward Marian Hossa to an upper-body injury in the first period. It was unclear when exactly Hossa was injured. He took a hard hit from Penguins forward Craig Adams during Chicagos second power play of the first period. "Hossa might miss some time," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "Well get a better idea probably more on Monday, pretty good idea, but well know more in a couple of days. But not long term." NOTES: Its the Penguins third three-game losing streak of the season. ... The NHLs last outdoor game of the season is Sunday in Vancouver, when the Canucks play the Ottawa Senators in the Heritage Classic at B.C. Place Stadium. Will Smith Jersey . Winners of two straight, the Flames will try to become the first team in 25 years to go three consecutive games without taking a penalty Saturday night in San Jose. Brad Edelman Jersey . Lawries batting helmet hit an umpire during his ninth-inning outburst in the Jays 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday. The 22-year-old threw his helmet to the ground and it bounced up and hit home plate umpire Bill Miller on the right hip after Lawrie was called out on strikes for the second out. http://www.customsaintsjersey.com/custom...-992e.html . In this weeks Leaf Report podcast, James Mirtle and Jonas Siegel debate whether Toronto can continue their shootout dominance and discuss what Dave Nonis game plan should be heading into the trade deadline. Tom Dempsey Jersey .ca. Mr. Fraser, I think everyone would like to hear your opinion on what sort of suspension Zac Rinaldo should get. His comment after the game of I changed the whole game, man. Fred McAfee Jersey . Tottenham claimed top spot in Group K by winning 2-0 at Tromso after defender Adnan Causevic scored an own goal before Mousa Dembele put the result beyond doubt. Valencia made sure it will finish first in Group A with a 1-0 win at Swansea thanks to an early goal from Dani Parejo.KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Yankees President Randy Levine offered a succinct response when asked what he thought about the Marlins and outfielder Giancarlo Stanton breaking the record for richest contract that had been held by Alex Rodriguez for more than 13 years until last spring.Thank God, Levine said, laughing. Thank God.Not all executives are quite so pleased.As baseball executives gathered for two days of owners meetings in Kansas City, the flurry of pricy contracts that have already been offered this off-season was a topic of conversation.Along with Stantons record-setting $325 million, 13-year pact with Miami, the Blue Jays gave catcher Russell Martin an $82 million, five-year deal, and the Athletics agreed to give Billy Butler a $30 million, three-year deal to become their first baseman and designated hitter.More huge contracts are on the way.Outfielder Nelson Cruz, third basemen Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez are still on the market, and thats before you even get to starting pitchers Max Scherzer, Jon Lester and James Shields.Theres just been a couple of signings, special players. I think its too early to draw any conclusions, said Levine, whose Yankees still owe Rodriguez $61 million over the final three years of the $275 million, 10-year deal the third baseman signed in December 2007.Levine said organizations have to decide for themselves how best to build their rosters. In the case of Miami, owner Jeffrey Loria decided to build around Stanton, a once-in-a-generation star.Every team has to make a decision based on where they are at the time, where they are at the moment, Levine said. This is a great player. I think Jeffrey stood up, the Marlins stood up, and both of them are pleased with it. Good for them.Not necessarily good for the game, though.Kevin Brown was the first player to break the $100 million barrier in 1998, and Rodriguez became the first to top $200 million just two years later. But while escalation had seemingly slowed — it took 114 more years to produce baseballs first $300 million man — that doesnt change the fact that franchises are passing out record-setting contracts.ddddddddddddI am really surprised, Royals owner David Glass said, and its not just Stanton. Hes a great young man and a great player. But I dont understand how teams are going to be able to do this and do it within their economics, but well see. They obviously know what theyre doing.The small-market Royals, who won their first AL pennant in 29 years, ended the regular season 19th in payroll at $92.7 million. That was far below the $255.9 million payroll of the Dodgers.Might the Royals, in need of a starting pitcher and designated hitter, be tempted to chase their own big-money free agent, and nudge their payroll north of $100 million for the first time?I think if someone has a specific need and a specific player that fills that need, jump out there and do it, Glass said, chuckling at the notion the Royals might ever reach $150 million. But otherwise, there are a lot of deals that will be done that no one has even thought of yet.The Royals were mindful of their budget when they declined Butlers $12 million option for next season, and he became a free agent for the first time. They remained in contact with their longtime DH, but were unwilling to offer the kind of money on the table the As made available.Weve been an organization that has jumped out early on some players in the past. Sometimes their contracts look good in January, sometimes they dont, Kansas City GM Dayton Moore said. You deal with the information you have in front of you. We all know hindsight is 20-20.That is certainly true for the Yankees, who likely have a much different opinion these days of the deal they lavished on Rodriguez. Will the same be true for the Marlins and baseballs other big spenders when they have a chance to look back at this off-season?Were looking to see where everything goes, Levine said. Its still early. ' ' '