Medizin-Forum » were 100 per cent ready at the puck drop. They

HAMILTON - Hes a multiple all-star, been the recipient of outstanding lineman and Canadian nominations and last year was named the top centre in the Hamilton Tiger-Cats illustrious CFL history. But on Sunday, Marwan Hage will experience a career first: playing in an East Division final. The Ticats face the defending-champion Toronto Argonauts at Rogers Centre with the winner advancing to the Grey Cup game in Regina on Nov. 24. "You just have to cherish the opportunity and give it the best shot youve got every time because it might not come around for another five-to-10 years," Hage said Thursday. "I can attest to that." Hamiltons back in the East Division final for the first time since dropping a 19-3 decision to Winnipeg in 2011. But the six-foot-two, 291-pound Hage didnt play in that game due to injury. A healthy Hage certainly enhances Hamiltons chances for success Sunday. The 32-year-old centre is responsible for calling the offensive lines blocking assignments. Hage must recognize defensive fronts and quickly figure out how to best neutralize the rush or oncoming blitz packages. Thats a challenge most games but becomes even more difficult when facing a Toronto defence headed by Argos defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones. Jones has a well-earned reputation of being very imaginative in designing blitzes to pressure opposing quarterbacks. "Hes going to switch looks on you, hes going to bring blitzes from a lot of angles and put pressure with a lot of fronts and a lot of looks," Hage said. "I rely a lot on my experience and what Ive seen. "Ive faced (Jones) a lot in the past, I study the tapes every time we play him but I have the utmost respect for his defence and some of the crazy stuff you see out there." Its easy to understand why Toronto would want to attack the Ticats offence. The unit surrendered a CFL-high 65 sacks this season and pressuring league passing leader Henry Burris could help ground the leagues second-ranked aerial attack (299.7 yards per game). But Hamilton coach Kent Austin said the sack total is deceiving. "We were obviously not good early and some of that had to do with trying to figure out what was the best lineup," Austin said. "Weve modified what weve done offensively to play more to the strengths of those guys, identify what we dont do as well and stay out of those situations as much as we can. "Just like other positions, weve improved over the course of the season. Theres a lot of reasons why (sacks) occur and theyre not all due to just one position." Austin said having a veteran like Hage at centre certainly anchors the offensive line. "Hes got a ton of experience, hes very bright," Austin said. "He gets our guys in position to be successful, he makes all the calls for us. "Hes a good, veteran, savvy presence that plays well." Austin has been innovative in designing Hamiltons offensive gameplan, using all three quarterbacks — starter Henry Burris and backups Dan LeFevour and Jeremiah Masoli — at different times of games. But Hage said having multiple players under centre hasnt created challenges for Hamiltons offensive line. "Were used to all the quarterbacks . . . it works very well for us," he said. Hamilton and Toronto have been long-time CFL rivals but will meet in the East Division final for the first time since 86. Many of Hages current teammates werent even born then. "I understand the rivalry, Ive been part of it for along time," Hage said. "But we cant play the past . . . we play for the present. "The important thing is to get to the dance, get to the championship. The Argos are the team weve got to face . . . right now, I see us doing what we have to do to try to get to the championship game." Custom Cincinnati Reds Nike Jerseys . 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The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer. Custom Arizona Diamondbacks Nike Jerseys . - Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis said Wednesday hes "nodded off" during meetings, but he said its something every player does. ANAHEIM, Calif. -- When the Los Angeles Kings are on top of their formidable defensive game, they revel in the silence they can create in a frustrated road arena. Although theyre not used to the cheers and chants that filled Honda Center while Jonathan Quick composed his latest shutdown symphony Monday night, they plan to ride that momentum right back up the freeway. Quick made 36 saves, Marian Gaborik scored his third goal in two games, and the Kings beat the Ducks 3-1 to take a 2-0 lead in their second-round series. Alec Martinez also scored for the Kings, who opened their first playoff series against their local rivals with two victories at a road arena packed with their own fans. The Ducks faithful had almost nothing to cheer during a remarkable effort by the NHLs best defensive team. "It doesnt even feel like being on the road," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "We played really good in this building in the regular season. It was the same for us tonight." Game 3 is Thursday at Staples Center. Dwight King added an empty-net goal for Los Angeles, which has won six straight post-season games and is halfway to its third straight trip to the Western Conference finals. Less than two weeks ago, the Kings were down 0-3 in their first-round series against San Jose. The Kings defence is just that good -- and theyre also scoring just enough goals to beat even the high-powered Ducks. "We could only dream of this, really," said Kings defenceman Drew Doughty, who played more than 26 minutes. "They might say we dont deserve it, but we won two games here, and that was our goal." Los Angeles didnt need any last-minute heroics from Gaborik, who scored in the opening minute instead. Martinez added another first-period goal, and King scored after a bad pass by Cam Fowler with an extra Anaheim attacker. NHL post-season scoring leader Anze Kopitar had another assist for the Kings, who followed up their overtime victory in the opening game of the first post-season Freeway Faceoff with a methodical defensive performance against the high-flying Ducks. Los Angeles managed just nine shots in the final two periods, but Quick comfortably sat on a one-goal lead for more than 46 scoreless minutes until Kings empty-netter. "We found a way to squeak one out tonight because we have the best goalie in the world," captain Dustin Brown said. Patrick Maroon scored a power-play goal and Jonas& Hiller stopped 14 shots for the Ducks, who couldnt crack the Kings NHL-best defence despite controlling play for long stretches.dddddddddddd The Kings played without injured defencemen Robyn Regehr and Willie Mitchell, yet still kept the Ducks offensive stars largely on the perimeter. Hart Trophy finalist Ryan Getzlaf was held to one assist, while Corey Perry still hasnt scored a point in the series. "Im ticked off right now," Getzlaf said. "Were in playoff time now, and there are no excuses for anything. Weve got to be better, Ive got to be better, and I expect my group to respond." The game didnt look like a defensive struggle in the opening minutes when Gaborik continued his post-season scoring spree with his third goal in roughly 13 minutes. The Slovak right wing, acquired from Columbus near the trade deadline, scored the tying goal in Game 1 with 7 seconds left in regulation before getting the overtime winner. Gaboriks line broke out on an odd-man rush on the opening shift of Game 2, and he turned the corner on defenceman Ben Lovejoy to skate in alone on Hiller for a short-side shot. Kopitar, the NHLs playoff scoring leader, set it up with his 10th assist of the post-season, giving him a point in every Kings game. "Its tough for you to have almost a half-breakaway for your first shot," Hiller said. "They were 100 per cent ready at the puck drop. They were just a little sharper, especially early. The first period wasnt our best. We kind of found our game later, but cant expect to come back every night." The Ducks evened it during 4-on-3 play midway through the period, with Maroons pass attempt deflecting off Kings defenceman Jake Muzzins stick. Los Angeles reclaimed the lead less than 2 1/2 minutes later when Martinezs shot from the point deflected off Anaheims Jakob Silfverberg, giving the Kings two goals on their first five shots. NOTES: D Jeff Schultz replaced Regehr in the Kings lineup, playing nearly 20 minutes. Schultz, the longtime Washington defenceman who spent this season in the AHL, is the fourth player to make his Kings debut in a post-season game, joining a club that includes current teammate Tanner Pearson, who did it last season. ... Doughty limped to the dressing room late in the second period after an unpenalized slash by Francois Beauchemin, but returned a few moments later. ... Getzlaf, Fowler and Perry had minus-2 ratings. ' ' '