Gaborik nets hat trick to lead Rangers past Avs
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01/31/2010 -
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Marian Gaborik notched his 10th career hat trick
and Chad Johnson posted his first NHL win behind 34 saves, as the New York Rangers took a 3-1 win from Colorado at the Pepsi Center.
Gaborik reached the 500-point plateau for his career with his first of the
game and now has 33 goals on the season. Vinny Prospal set up the next two
scores as Gaborik completed the natural trick 9:17 into the third period on a
breakaway to make it 3-0.
New York snapped a season-long, five-game losing streak in the process and has
just three wins in the last 11 games overall. Gaborik himself equaled the goal
production in the Blueshirts' previous four road games, all of which were
losses.
Cody McLeod got the lone score for the Avalanche, who equaled their longest
losing streak of the season with their third straight to follow a six-game win
streak.
Craig Anderson had 31 saves in the loss.
"I think we could have done a better job of getting bodies in front of the net
tonight. He (Johnson) did a great job, they were hungry and desperate, and
Gaborik just had a great game," McLeod said.
Gaborik opened the scoring at 13:53 of the first, whipping a quick wrist shot
just inside the left post, and made it 2-0 on a feed in front from Prospal
4:57 into the second.
"It's definitely better to play with that lead. It gave us a lot of
confidence and we got comfortable," Gaborik said. "We brought our energy
tonight."
Prospal's outlet pass from the neutral zone in the third sent Gaborik in solo
on Anderson, and he got off a rising shot past the blocker while being
harassed from behind by a trailing Avs defender.
McLeod's first goal in 30 games closed out the scoring with 7:21 left to play.
Johnson was peppered by 18 shots in the final 20 minutes but withstood the
attack to reach a personal goal.
"It's exciting, I wanted to get that first win to prove that I can play at
this level, It's a relief, now I just want to take it all in," said Johnson,
who was getting his second straight start in net for the flu-bitten Henrik
Lundqvist.
Game Notes
McLeod's last goal came on November 23rd against Philadelphia...Colorado's
Justin Mercier got his first NHL point...The Avs killed all six New York power
plays and are now 15-for-15 killing penalties in their last four
games...Colorado was also 0-for-6 on the man advantage...The Rangers' last win
in Colorado was December 31, 1998. They had lost in their last five trips to
Denver...It was Gaborik's first hat trick as a Ranger.
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Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
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Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
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In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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