The Anaheim Ducks booked their second straight trip to the NHL's Western Conference finals on Thursday with a double-overtime win over the Vancouver Canucks.
Scott Niedermayer scored four-and-a-half minutes into the second extra period, giving the Ducks a 2-1 victory and a four-games-to-one triumph in their best-of-seven second-round series.
The Ducks, who advanced to the conference finals for the third time in four seasons, await the winner of the series between Detroit and San Jose. The Red Wings and Sharks currently are even at two games apiece.
With grinders Brad May and Shawn Thornton working tirelessly to keep the puck in the offensive zone, Vancouver finally appeared ready to break up ice. But with his head down, rookie Jannik Hansen was steamrolled by Rob Niedermayer along the left wing boards, allowing the puck to slide toward the blue line.
At the left point, Scott Niedermayer wristed a shot that sneaked past goaltender Roberto Luongo and just inside the right goalpost, sending the Ducks and the capacity crowd at the Honda Center into a frenzy.
It was the 20th career playoff goal for Scott Niedermayer, who earlier in the week was named a finalist for the Norris Trophy along with teammate Chris Pronger and Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom.
Luongo, who looked distracted as Scott Niedermayer let go his shot, did his best to extend Vancouver's season, making 56 saves -- including 21 in the second period. However, the Hart and Vezina Trophy finalist had an equipment problem just before the start of the first overtime, forcing backup Dany Sabourin to start the extra session and make five saves in just over three-and-a-half minutes of action.
Giguere made 26 saves in improving his lifetime playoff overtime record to 10-1 for Anaheim, which improved to 5-1 at home in this year's playoffs.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
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