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08
May 13

Athlete in Focus: Henrik Lundqvist

Lundqvist Focus

New York Rangers’s goalie Henrik Lundqvist stands across the goal against Anaheim Ducks during their ice hockey NHL season game at the Globe Arena on October 8, 2011 in Stockholm, Sweden. Anaheim Ducks wins against New York Rangers 2-1. JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images/Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: afplivefour084606

During the Stanley Cup playoffs the pressure on goaltenders gets tuned up to an astronomical level with their play often being the difference between winning and losing. As the New York Rangers look to surpass last year’s playoff success they have the luxury of one of the best between the pipes in Henrik Lundqvist. Still in search of his first Stanley Cup, the pressure won’t break Lundqvist who has already won with the pressure of Sweden on his shoulders. Continue reading →

Sports — No Comments
22
Feb 13

Athlete in Focus: Jonathan Toews

Jonathan-Toews

January 22, 2013: Chicago, IL. Blackhawk Jonathan Toews #19 before the NHL game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues at the United Center in Chicago, IL. Mike Wulf/Cal Sport Media/Newscom. License this from Newscom.com: csmphoto707757

When the NHL season finally got underway in January, everyone knew the Chicago Blackhawks would be good. No one thought they would go a third of the way through the season without a regulation loss.

But that is exactly what Jonathan Toews and his teammates have done. Chicago could realistically coast all the way into the playoffs, but Toews won’t let the team take their foot off the gas because he knows what it takes to win at every level. Continue reading →

Around the World — No Comments
23
Nov 12

8 Great Places to Hit the Slopes

man on skis jumping off cornice of mountains

Cornice jumping on Clayton Peak, Wasatch Mountains, Utah. James Kay / DanitaDelimont.com “Danita Delimont Photography”/Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: ddpphotos299259

With many resorts around the country and the world, starting up their ski lifts this week, white sandy beaches and warm swaying palm trees can move on over! Winter is here and those white flurries from the sky, have downhill enthusiasts waxing up their skis and zipping up their parkas. So grab a cup of hot cocoa, and wistfully gaze upon some of the best places to ski, snowboard, or just enjoy the majestic scenery while getting cozy by the fire. Continue reading →

Sports — 1 Comment
31
May 12

Athlete in Focus: Ilya Kovalchuk

Finals Yell

New Jersey Devils Ilya Kovalchuk reacts after scoring a goal in the first Period against the New York Rangers in game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on May 25, 2012. JOHN ANGELILLO/UPI/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: upiphotostwo161868

Ilya Kovalchuk has had a NHL career that has been marked by a great deal of regular season success but playoff struggles. The third time has proven to be the charm for the Russian Winger as he now finds himself in the Stanley Cup Finals with the New Jersey Devils after spending 10 years working for this opportunity.

Kovalchuk started his professional career in his native Russia with HC Spartak Moscow of the Russian Super League but after two seasons decided to enter the NHL draft where he was selected by the Atlanta Thrashers first overall in the 2001 draft. Kovalchuk joined the Thrashers in the fall along with other top rookie Dany Heatley who was the team’s second overall pick the year before but played one more year of college hockey before moving to Atlanta. Heatley and Kovalchuk were both named as finalist for rookie of the year in 2002 with Heatley edging out his teammate to take home the Calder Memorial Trophy. Continue reading →

Sports — 1 Comment
30
May 12

Athletes in Focus: Drew Doughty

Doughty Lockerroom

Kings defender Drew Doughty in Toronto as L.A. prepares to face the Leafs. ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: zumawirewestphotosthree170331

At the age of 22 Drew Doughty is already an Olympic Gold Medalist and now he is looking to help backstop the Los Angeles Kings to the first Stanley Cup in team history. The Kings have gone from last to first in seven weeks with timely goals and solid defense led by Doughty. They will look to continue the run for one more series as they travel to New Jersey to face the Devils in the Stanley Cup Finals. Continue reading →

Sports — No Comments
12
Apr 12

Athletes in Focus: Martin Brodeur

Pregame Focus

New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur (30) warms up prior to the game against the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. where the New Jersey Devils defeated the Washington Capitals, 5-0. Mark Goldman/Icon SMI 749/Mark Goldman/Icon SMI/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: iconphotosthree165644

Martin Brodeur doesn’t know why he chose to switch from forward to goaltender after his coach gave him the choice at the age of seven, but looking back he made the right decision. As a goaltender Brodeur has made his mark on the sport by not only recording the most games played, most shutouts, most regular season wins, scoring a game-winning goal but the NHL also added the “Brodeur Rule” following the lock out. As he nears the age of 40 he has continues to win. Continue reading →

Sports — No Comments
11
Apr 12

Athletes in Focus: Henrik and Daniel Sedin

Henrik Sedin

Vancouver Canucks FW Henrik Sedin (33) talks with brother and teammate FW Daniel Sedin. Matthew Manor/ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: zumasportsworldtwo086437

Vancouver Canucks fans are hoping to have a pair of Swedish twins when they start the playoffs but it is not the Swedish twins most sports fans would think of. They are hoping for Henrik and Daniel Sedin who make up two thirds of their top scoring line. Daniel has been out since March 21 after getting an elbow to the head. He did practice during the off time but the team will not say if he is a go or not. Henrik is good, but it is not quite the same seeing only one Sedin on the ice. Continue reading →

Holiday and Anniversary / Sports — No Comments
23
Feb 12

Curling is Cool Day

Manitobaa Curl

Manitoba skip Jennifer Jones (C) delivers a rock while her teammate lead Dawn Askin sweeps during their draw against British Columbia at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts curling championship in Red Deer, Alberta February 22, 2012. TODD KOROL/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom: rtrlfive083102

How often does the sport of curling cross your mind? Maybe once every four years when you watch hours of Olympic Curling as a guilty pleasure. Today would be a great day to break that cycle in observance of Curling is Cool Day. Continue reading →

Holiday and Anniversary / Sports — No Comments
18
Jan 12

Pictures of Figure Skating for National Skating Month

Czechoslovakian's Michal BREZINA performs during the men free skating program of the Eric Bompard trophy, International Skating Union, Grand Prix figure skating series and takes the 3rd rank in the final result at Paris-Bercy arena in Paris, France on November 19, 2011. Allaman Stephane/ABACA/Newscom. Find it at Newscom: abausaphotos619851.

Figure skating is easily one of my favorite competitions to watch. After a particularly good routine, my six-year-old self resurfaces and I find myself still sometimes slipping around on my linoleum floors pretending my socks are ice skates. The only difference is that now I make sure no one is watching. Oh, and I have no delusions about actually taking my sock-and-linoleum routines to the ice skating rink. It requires a lot of skill and practice to skate well, that much is apparent just from watching. Continue reading →