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Feeling Good, Duke Ihenacho's Ready To Ball Again
Posted 1 hour ago
Stephen CzardaAssociate Writer@Redskins
Described as an "aggressive player" who "hates to be away from the ball,"Duke Ihenacho is fully healthy and waiting for his chance to compete again.
Claimed off of waivers by the Redskins just one week before the regular-season opener against the Houston Texans last season, safety Duke Ihenacho barely had the chance to showcase his talents before going down with a season-ending fracture in his left foot.
VIEW GALLERY | 9 Photos
Redskins Acquire Duke Ihenacho
A frustrating chapter in the young safety’s career, Ihenacho said he was cleared about three months ago, but has felt healthy even longer than that.
“I felt healed during the season, so my rehab process was, I was in a boot, I was in a cast for like seven to eight weeks, then I started the rehab process,” he told Redskins.com “So I just would come in, do a lot of strengthening and stuff like that while I was in a cast I was still lifting and just doing what I could.”
Once the cast was removed, it was “very easy to make that transition” back to football activities.
“Sometime around late-November, I started feeling really good and I was just starting a little jogging and stuff in the bubble,” he said. “And after that I just started pushing it a little more ever since. After, I got cleared, I went to L.A. and it was a little different getting on my feet and coordinating, but right now I feel great. I feel great so I feel like rehab has paid off and I’m beyond it now.”
Before appearing in three games for the Redskins last season, Iheancho was key member of a Denver Broncos defense that made the Super Bowl two seasons ago.
In 15 regular-season games with 14 starts, the San Jose State product recorded 73 tackles with six passes defensed and three forced fumbles.
Against the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl, Ihenacho recorded a personal playoff-high nine tackles.
For Redskins fans that may have not had a chance to see him do work with the Broncos, Ihenacho is self-described active worker who likes to be around the ball at all times.
“I hate to be away from the ball,” he said. “I hate to just sit back and just stay deep. I like to be around the ball and I’m a very aggressive player. I like to take risks sometimes. In the past, I’ve won more than I’ve lost. But I’m a very aggressive, instinctive player that just loves to be around the football and I have fun out there and I think it’s evident when you see me play that I’m having fun.”
Throughout the offseason, it is expected that the safety positon – which was boosted in recent weeks by the signing of Jeron Johnson and the acquisition of two-time Pro Bowler Dashon Goldson via trade – will be one featuring a lot of competition.
Head coach Jay Gruden believes the starting jobs will be won by play on the field during the next few months, and Ihenacho is most certainly in the mix.
“I think we have some people in the building that can compete and hopefully, with another year under their belt and a new system, some guys will rise to the occasion and make some plays — whether it’s in our building or maybe we have to go out and get one,” he said at the NFL Annual Meetings. “But we have Johnson, we have Duke still, we have Phillip Thomas. We have some guys here — Trenton Robinson, obviously;Akeem Davis — we have some safeties here that are going to get a shot at it, get a crack at it. We’ll see how they do.”
Canucks Beat Flames, Still Down In Series 3-2
April 24
Vancouver Sun
"The Vancouver Canucks did something they haven’t in three years: they won an elimination game Thursday against the Calgary Flames. Now, they need to win another. Actually, they need to win two more elimination games, but that sounds a little daunting, so we’re going to stick with one. That’s the way the Canucks are approaching Game 6 Saturday night in Calgary after beating the Flames 2-1 at Rogers Arena. “We strongly believe we can win the series, not just make it a long series,” Canucks defenceman Dan Hamhuis said after setting up Daniel Sedin’s goalmouth game-winner at 1:47 of the third period. “We won’t be satisfied just forcing Game 6 or Game 7 if we lose. The whole idea is to win the series and anything short of that, we won’t be satisfied.” He’s right. There are no moral victories in the National Hockey League playoffs. There isn’t time for them. You win or you don’t. Still, given the quickness with which the Canucks were tossed out of the Stanley Cup tournament in 2012 and 2013 — the last two years they made it — it was impressive to see their resolve and backbone Thursday when they dominated a Flames team that may finally feel a little pressure on Saturday. Even after falling behind early, quieting an already uneasy crowd, the Canucks played with confidence and assertiveness. They outshot the Flames 43-21 and were undeterred when it looked for most of the game that Calgary goalie Jonas Hiller might single-handedly send them into another early summer. Nick Bonino, who scored Vancouver’s tying goal, said team captain Henrik Sedin gave a rousing pre-game speech, telling teammates how the Canucks have been down before 3-1 in a series and rallied to win. Sedin must have also discussed the offensive-zone faceoff play with his brother that allowed Daniel to make it 2-1 when Hamhuis swooped in to collect the puck from Henrik’s draw and sent a pass to the top of the crease. “We try different things, but nothing has worked so far,” Danny said. “Tonight it did at the right time. “We want to win this series — it’s not about playing well in (an elimination) game. We felt we could get back in the series and we’re going to go to Calgary to play Game 6.” “Just go and play a good road game,” defenceman Kevin Bieksa said. “We didn’t get too far ahead of ourselves. We didn’t go out trying to win three games in one. We wanted to have a good start. We won the second period and we won the third.” And they held off a Flames team that made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2009 on grit and resilience, including an ability to surge from behind in the third period. That’s how they won Game 1 last week. But on Thursday, the Canucks held the Flames to just five third-period shots and one sparkling scoring chance for Joe Colborne, who was stopped in the low slot by Vancouver goalie Ryan Miller. “I don’t think we ever underestimated these guys,” Bieksa said. “We knew they were one of the best third-period teams in the league. It just so happened they came back on us in the first game. Tonight we were able to hold them.” Struggling to make a mark in the series, Nick Bonino slammed a huge dent in Calgary at 13:31 of the second period when he tied it 1-1 with a bullet shot into the top corner from a sharp angle. The play began with Bonino taking a hit to get to the puck first on a shoot-in, then receiving a pass back from Radim Vrbata, who had also been largely invisible through four games. ..."
BLOG: Barons take game one against Rampage, 5-2
Thursday, 04.23.2015 / 10:10 PM MT
By Chris Wescott - edmontonoilers.com / Inside the Oilers
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MORE: First Round Schedule | | Boxscore | Barons TV Video Recap
A big third-period goal by the Barons captain helped spark Oklahoma City to a 5-2 win over the San Antonio Rampage, giving them the 1-0 series lead in the American Hockey League’s Western Conference Quarterfinal.
“I thought overall, our game was good,” said Barons Interim Coach Gerry Fleming. “The chances that we created or gave them, I think we created ourselves. We just turned the puck over. Then we started managing the puck and sticking to the game plan, and our special teams were good tonight. We were fortunate, got some bounces and hopefully we’ll get some guys rested up and ready for Saturday.”
The Barons scored on a power play at 12:04 of the opening period for the 1-0 lead. Although Brad Hunt was credited with the goal, it may have been tipped in front.
Vincent Trocheck tied it up at 15:56, assisted by Shane O’Brien and Garrett Wilson.
The Rampage outshot the Barons 12-8 in the opening period, but OKC led 38-31 in that category at the final buzzer.
Oilers prospect Laurent Brossoit made 29 saves for the Barons.
“It’s a lot of emotion. We’re very happy, but at the same time we’re trying to stay as even-keeled as possible,” said Brossoit. “You don’t want to have your emotions ride high and low too much. You’re trying to keep it even. I was just glad that I was seeing the puck, and when they did come I made a couple timely saves and I’m glad I contributed.”
A turnover at the Rampage blueline went the other way and San Antonio potted their second of the game to take a 2-1 lead. That goal, at 8:01 of the second, came off a tip by Rocco Grimaldi, assisted by Jonathan Racine and Quinton Howden.
Hunt fired a great chance off the crossbar later in the period that could have tied things up.
OKC did tie the game following the midway point of the third. Barons Captain Ryan Hamilton toe dragged out in front of the Rampage net, forcing Greg Zanon to take a slashing penalty at 9:33 of the third. Winquist walked in from the point to the top of the circle and fired a wrist shot past Dan Ellis at 10:22, on the power play, to tie the game at 2-2. Hunt and Andrew Miller each earned assists.
Hamilton put home his own rebound with a great individual effort, with 5:55 remaining in the third, giving the Barons a 3-2 lead.
Unfortunately, a questionable hit would take the Barons captain out of the game shortly after. Hamilton beat Shane O’Brien to the puck behind the net by a wide margin and the Rampage forward sent him into the boards with a heavy hit. O’Brien took a boarding penalty and a game misconduct, and was escorted off the ice. Hamilton had to be helped off by teammates.
Connor Jones scored on the empty net at 18:39 of the final frame for some insurance.
The Barons, visibly upset by the O’Brien hit, engaged in some pushing and shoving in the game’s final minute.
With 7.6 seconds left in the game, Matthew Ford potted a second empty-net goal for the 5-2 win.
“I don’t think we went into this series thinking they’re a better team than us,” said Brossoit of the team’s confidence, following the win. “They beat us more (in the regular season) than we beat them, but I honestly think it was because we were short staffed and had injuries and all that. When we’re a full lineup and we’ve got all our players back I think we have the edge.”
Canucks recall Baertschi from Comets
Tuesday, 04.21.2015 / 9:34 AM PT / News
Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the Canucks have recalled forward Sven Baertschi from the AHL Utica Comets.
Baertschi, 22, has appeared in three games with the Canucks this season, registering two goals (2-0-2) and four penalty minutes. He also split time this season between the Utica Comets, the Calgary Flames and the Adirondack Flames. With Utica, he has collected 15 points (7-8-15) in 15 games. Prior to joining Utica, Baertschi played 15 games with the Calgary Flames this season, recording four assists (0-4-4) and six penalty minutes. He has also appeared in 36 games with the Adirondack Flames, collecting 25 points (8-17-25) and six penalty minutes.
The Bern, Switzerland native has appeared in 69 career NHL games split between Vancouver and Calgary collecting 30 points (10-20-30) and 26 penalty minutes.
The 5’11”, 190-pound forward was originally selected by Calgary 13th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by Vancouver from the Calgary Flames in exchange for Vancouver’s second round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft on March 2, 2015.
Connor Hellebuyck Added to U.S.A National Team
Friday, 04.24.2015 / 9:39 AM CT / News Articles
Winnipeg Jets
Comment
In conjunction with USA Hockey, the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club is proud to announce that Connor Hellebuyck has been named to the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for the 2015 IIHF World Championship in the Czech Republic from May 1-17.
Hellebuyck, 21, was selected by the Jets in the fifth round, 130th overall at the 2012 NHL Draft and will join team U.S.A. at the world championship for the second consecutive year after finishing sixth last spring in Belarus.
Hellebuyck, from Commerce, MI, just completed his first professional season with the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps before being recalled by the Jets on Apr. 10. He was named to the 2015 AHL All-Star Game and was named AHL First Star of the Week on November 23. He will join Team U.S.A this weekend.
Connor Hellebuyck
Goalie
Born May 19 1993 -- Commerce, MI
Height 6.04 -- Weight 200
Selected by Winnipeg Jets round 5 #130 overall 2012 NHL Entry Draft
Game Preview: Senators @ Canadiens - Game 5
Friday, 04.24.2015 / 10:00 AM ET / News
canadiens.com
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SENATORS @ CANADIENS – Game #5 (Montreal leads the series 3-1)
The Canadiens get another opportunity to eliminate the Senators on Friday, this time at home for Game 5 at the Bell Centre.
On Wednesday in Ottawa, Craig Anderson stopped all 28 shots he faced to blank the Habs and send the series back to Montreal. Mike Hoffman was the game's lone goalscorer, beating Carey Price with a wrist shot midway through the third following a turnover.
Hoffman’s goal marked the fourth time in as many occasions that the Senators scored first during the opening round series, this time holding onto the lead for good.
Michel Therrien hinted on Thursday that Friday’s lineup should be similar to that of Wednesday. Greg Pateryn, who had to leave Game 4 momentarily with a cut near his eye, should be back in uniform.
Senators head coach Dave Cameron meanwhile will make a single change to his lineup, replacing Chris Neil with Alex Chiasson. Anderson will be making a third-consecutive playoff start since replacing Andrew Hammond in goal after Game 2.
During the 2013 playoffs, Anderson won two of his three starts at the Bell Centre.
The Canadiens currently boast a perfect 27-0 record when leading a series 3-1. The last time Montreal held a 3-1 series lead was in 2008, when the team went on to drop Games 5 and 6 before ultimately winning the series at home in Game 7.
Stone earns Calder nomination
Thursday, 04.23.2015 / 6:53 PM ET
By Craig Medaglia - OttawaSenators.com / Inside the Senate Blog
Comment
After a whirlwind first season, Sens rookie Mark Stone has been named as one of three players nominated for the 2015 Calder Trophy.
Stone finished the season tied for the rookie lead in points with Flames forward and fellow nominee Johnny Gaudreau at 64. His 26 goals tied him for second among first year players and trailed only teammate Mike Hoffman among rookie goalscorers. His +21 rating was also tops among rookies.
Stone talked briefly about his season earlier today but wasn't quick to point out that he wasn't finished just yet.
"I'm happy with the way my season went especially the last 3 months." said Stone. "It felt like I played some good hockey and helped my team win quite a few games. At the end of the day though, I'm just worried about Friday night."
From the NHL...
Mark Stone, Ottawa Senators
Stone, a sixth-round selection (178th overall) by Ottawa in 2010, recorded 26-38—64 to finish first in the rookie scoring race. That featured 14-21—35 dating to Feb. 10 (31 GP), including a rookie club record nine-game point streak to end the season (8-5—13). Stone capped his performance with two goals in the season finale to help the team complete its successful playoff drive. He also led all rookies in plus-minus (+21) and shared first in the League in takeaways (98). The 22-year-old Winnipeg native would become the second player in franchise history to win the Calder, joiningDaniel Alfredsson in 1996.
Incredibly, Mark Stone also ended the regular season tied with Avalanche forward Ryan O'Reilly for the league lead in takeaways with 98, something that fellow Senators rookie Curtis Lazar says was a goal he had set for himself prior to this year.
"We were kind of joking around a bit and he said 'It'd be pretty cool if I could lead the league in takeaways' and low and behold, he did it. That just shows the type of player he is."
Lazar and Stone had briefly crossed paths in their junior careers out West before becoming teammates in Ottawa and Stone's high hockey IQ was apparent even back then.
"My first year in the Western Hockey League was his last and he put up like 120 points or so. You watched him play and it's his smarts back then that really stood out." said Lazar. "To see him piece it all together this year and get his skating figured out...he's worked so hard for what he's been able to accomplish."
"I can't think of anyone else who deserves the Calder more than him."
The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 24, during the 2015 NHL Awards from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Former Sens captain Daniel Alfredsson is the only Calder Trophy winner in franchise history as he laid claim to the award back in 1996.
Capitals Announce Game Time for 2015 Stanley Cup Quarterfinal Game 6
Friday, 04.24.2015 / 12:59 AM ET / News
Washington Capitals
Comment
ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Hockey League announced today the start time for Game 6 of the series between the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders has been set for 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. In the U.S., the game will be broadcast on NBC. In Canada, the game will be televised on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
All Capitals playoff games are also broadcast on CBS Radio (WJFK 106.7 The Fan) and Hubbard Radio (WFED 1500) as well as on WashingtonCaps.com and on Caps Mobile apps. In addition to broadcasting the game, both stations will carry complete pre- and postgame shows. All games can also be heard on the new 24-hour radio channel, Caps Radio 24/7, devoted specifically to the Capitals and NHL. Caps Radio 24/7 will also have a two-hour pregame show before Game 6.
By
Rob Oller
The Columbus Dispatch
Series: PGA Tour
Published: Thursday, April 23, 2015 | 11:09 a.m.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Jack Nicklaus takes Tiger Woods at his word that the former world's No. 1 golfer will play the Memorial Tournament on June 4-7 at Muirfield Village Golf Club.
Nicklaus said Woods told him two weeks ago at the Masters that he would compete in Dublin. Masters champion Jordan Spieth also is expected to tee it up.
"(Tiger) says, 'See you in May. I'll be at the Memorial,' " Nicklaus said today at the Legends Luncheon presented by Nationwide fundraiser at the Ohio Union. "So that's nice to have Tiger back."
Woods, a five-time winner of the Memorial, last played the tournament in 2013, when he finished 65th.
After a nine-week layoff to work on shaky chipping, Woods tied for 17th at the Masters. He has not played since and has given no timetable when he will tee it up again.
Nicklaus also heard from Spieth that he will play the Memorial.
"Jordan Spieth said he's going to be here. Most of the guys are going to be here," Nicklaus said.
Woods and Nicklaus chatted about family and golf form during their visit at Augusta National Golf Club.
"It's as much conversation as I've ever had with Tiger. ... He's been struggling. We talked a little about that, but we talked more about his kids and events that are going on and what he's been doing with his preparation," Nicklaus said. "I've said many times, 'He'll be fine.'"
This article was written by Rob Oller from The Columbus Dispatch and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.
BARCELONA OPEN BANC SABADELL 2015
NISHIKORI CLOSES IN ON BARCELONA FINAL
Barcelona, Spain
by ATP Staff
|
24.04.2015
© Getty ImagesTop seed Kei Nishikori will face Martin Klizan in Barcelona's semi-finals.
Defending champion Kei Nishikoriis one match win away from reaching the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell final.
Nishikori is 19-1 when a top seed at an ATP World Tour tournament, including title runs in 2014-15 Memphis, 2014 Kuala Lumpur and a runner-up finish at Acapulco in February.
The top-seeded Japanese star beat seventh seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 for a place in the semi-finals. Nishikori, who also beat the Spaniard in the second round here last year, hit 25 winners and saved one of the two break points he faced in the one hour, 40-minute match.
"I’m really happy with the way I’m playing right now, especially in the third set," said Nishikori. "It was a really tough match."
He will next play No. 14 seed Martin Klizan, who beat 2004 champion and ninth seed Tommy Robredo 7-6(5), 6-4 for a spot in the semi-finals.
In their first ATP World Tour meeting, the Slovakian hit 24 winners and saved all six break points faced in the one hour, 37-minute match.
With a semi-final berth, Klizan achieved his best showing so far in his third appearance at this ATP World Tour 500-level tournament. The 25 year old hoisted his third tour-level title two weeks ago in Casablanca (d. Gimeno Traver).
Nishikori and Klizan have clashed once before, in the first round of last year'sRoland Garros, which Klizan won in straight sets.
Later, third seed David Ferrer will face No. 12 seed Philipp Kohlschreiber for a semi-final spot and No. 13 seed Fabio Fognini, who knocked out Rafael Nadalon Thursday, will take on Pablo Andujar for a place in the final four.
Second Seeds Ousted
Marin Draganja and Henri Kontinen knocked out second seeds Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez 6-4, 1-6, 13-11 to reach the semi-finals. The Croatian/Finnish pair fired nine aces and saved six of nine break points faced in the 86-minute match.
HALEP FIRST INTO STUTTGART SEMIFINALS
No.2 seed Simona Halep became the first player into the semifinals of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix after a 6-4, 6-4 win over Sara Errani.
Published April 24, 2015 12:13
Simona Halep
STUTTGART, Germany - Simona Halep became the first player into the semifinals of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix after a hard-fought win over Sara Errani on Friday afternoon.
Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Stuttgart right here on wtatennis.com!
In a match where both players struggled to hold onto their serve, it was Halep that maintained her composure at the death, adding the coup de grâce to her 6-4, 6-4 triumph, skipping around her backhand to uncork one final return winner.
Halep went into the contest with a WTA-leading 25 wins to her name in 2015 and she made a bright start in pursuit of number 26, threading a backhand down the line for a 2-0 lead.
Errani, though, loves nothing more than a dogfight and was soon dragging Halep into the trenches. Yet despite breaking the Romanian's serve four times in the opening set, her failure to hold onto her own proved costly.
This pattern continued into the second, before Halep finally punctuated the run of breaks in the seventh game to edge her way into a semifinal meeting with Caroline Wozniacki after she ran out a surprisingly comfortable 6-0, 6-3 winner over Carla Suárez Navarro.
The clay court season is a marathon, not a sprint, and Halep is grateful for the workout provided by Errani and her three set win over Garbiñe Muguruza in the previous round. "I'm happy because I need matches at the beginning of the clay season," Halep said. "So, it was good that I had a tough opponent in the first round who was hitting the ball very strong, and today I had a different one.
"Errani's balls are very heavy to play. She's hitting a little bit higher and you know the balls are jumping a lot and it's difficult to finish the point. She's moving really well and her serve is not that powerful but it's really tough to attack it. But I think I did a great job today with my return and I stayed very close to the baseline, and I just tried to open the court more and to finish the balls, to make winners. I couldn't too many but it was a good match I think."
Masters legends to vie for 2015 USATF 10 km National Championships
4/24/2015
DEDHAM, Massachusetts -- Masters legends Christine Kennedy (Los Gatos, California) and Kathryn Martin (Northport, New York) will meet for the first time since Kennedy joined Martin’s 60-64 age group earlier this year.
At the beginning of the year, Martin, now 63, held virtually every 60-64 age group record from 5 kilometers to the marathon. At the USATF 8 Kilometer Championship in Brea, California, Kennedy took one of those away as she lowered Martin’s record by over 50 seconds.
The 10 km is a race that Martin runs often and Kennedy runs rarely. Kennedy is a marathon champion who notes that one of her 2015 goals is to become first woman in the world, aged 60 or over, to break 3 hours for the marathon. Martin’s 10 km record was set on this same championship course at Dedham a year ago in 40:10, but she also ran a 40:17 at Joan Benoit Samuelson’s challenging Beach to Beacon 10K. Kennedy’s fastest recent 10 km appears to be a 39:30, which she ran at the USATF 10 km championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan, when she was 57. If Kennedy can come close to that performance, she should have another record to add to her sterling resume. However, she will have to beat Martin in the race, and that will be no easy task.
Two other legends in the making, Doreen McCoubrie (Malvern, Pennsylvania) and Marisa Sutera Strange (Pleasant Valley, New York), teammates at the Athena Track Club, will go head-to-head again. Last year at these Championships, Sutera Strange held the edge, taking first place while McCoubrie settled for second. McCoubrie had the edge for the circuit, however, as she took the 2014 USATF Individual Grand Prix title for the age group.
On the men’s side two legends in their own right continue their comebacks, though not in the same age group. Brian Pilcher (Ross, California), 2012 USATF Male Masters Road Runner of the Year and 2013 Masters Athlete of the Year, continues his comeback from injury sustained in 2014. He took a second in his age group, 55-59, at altitude in Boulder, Colorado, in early February. However, he stormed back in late February to take first place in the USATF 8 km Championship at Brea. The favorite in the 70 to 74 category is Jan Frisby (Grand Junction, Colorado). A USATF 50-54 and 55-59 Runner of the Year in the 1990s, nagging injuries slowed him down and kept him from competing as consistently through the 2000s. But it appears he is now back on his game as he concludes his first year in the 70-74 age group. Earlier this year, he finished first at Boulder and first at Brea.
Francis Burdett (Worcester, Massachusetts) looks to continue his streak in the 50-54 category, going for his third victory in a row in 2015. Lloyd Hansen (Salt Lake City, Utah), USATF Male 65-69 Runner of the Year in 2014, would be the favorite for that category in Dedham, but he is being honored by the Road Runner Clubs of America this weekend at their National Convention in Des Moines, Iowa.
Contributed by Paul Carlin, National Media Coordinator
USATF Masters LDR
317.372.0267
therunningprof@gmail.com
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