ERIE, Pa. Billy Hamilton Jersey . -- The Erie Otters won their eighth straight game with a four-goal outburst in the third en route to an 8-4 win over the Sarnia Sting in Ontario Hockey League play Saturday. Brendan Gaunce, Michael Curtis and Andre Burakovsky each scored twice for Erie (52-14-2), with singles from Connor McDavid and Dane Fox. Nickolas Latta had a pair of goals for the league-worst Sting (17-44-7), while Nikolay Goldobin, on a penalty shot, and Nikita Korostelev chipped in with a goal apiece. Oscar Dansk got the start in goal for the Otters but was pulled after allowing three goals on 11 shots. He was replaced by Devin Williams, who made nine saves. Taylor Dupuis meanwhile stopped 41 shots for Sarnia. --- BULLS 7 WOLVES 4 BELLEVILLE, Ont. -- Charlie Graham finished with 44 saves for the Bulls in a win against Sudbury. Remi Eli scored twice for Belleville (23-38-7), with Andrew Ming, Jake Marchment, Stephen Harper, Niki Petti and Cameron Brace adding singles. Ray Huether, Nicholas Baptiste, Jacob Harris and Connor Crisp replied for the Wolves (32-24-11). Sudburys Franky Palazzese meanwhile stopped 34 shots. --- WHALERS 4 SPITFIRES 1 PLYMOUTH, Mich. --The Whalers scored four unanswered goals to blow past Windsor. Liam Dunda, Bryce Yetman, Gianluca Curcuruto and Vincent Scognamiglio scored for Plymouth (28-33-7). Ben Johnson had the lone goal for the Spitfires (37-28-3). Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 24 shots in net for the Whalers, while Spitfires goalie Dalen Kuchmey was far busier with 41 saves. --- KNIGHTS 6 SPIRIT 2 SAGINAW, Mich. -- The Spirit couldnt keep up with London in their first home game since the death of Terry Trafford. Owen MacDonald, Max Domi, Matt Rupert, Bo Horvat, Chris Tierney and Mitchell Marner each scored for the Knights (49-13-5), who went up 4-0 in the first period after a moment of silence and a video montage for Trafford to start the game. Justin Sefton and Kristoff Kontos scored for Saginaw (32-30-5), which wore "TT16" stickers on their helmets in honour of Trafford. He was found dead in a parked car Wednesday. Anthony Stolarz finished with 41 saves for London, while Jake Paterson stopped 24 shots for the Spirit. --- COLTS 6 PETES 3 BARRIE, Ont. -- Andreas Athanasiou scored twice for the Colts who went ahead with five goals in the third period. Tyson Fawcett, Brendan Lemieux, Mitchell Theoret and Garrett Hooey also scored for Barrie (37-28-3). Josh MacDonald, Steven Lorentz and Nelson Armstrong had a goal each for Peterborough (32-30-5). Barries Mackenzie Blackwood stopped just 19 shots for the win. At the other end of the ice, Andrew DAgostini stopped 26 shots while Jason Da Silva made one save in just over two minutes of ice time. --- ATTACK 2 STORM 1 (SO) OWEN SOUND, Ont. -- Jack Flinn made 44 saves and blanked three players in the shootout as the Attack held off league-leading Guelph. Kurtis Gabriel scored in the shootout and had the only goal in regulation for Owen Sound (31-29-8). Brock McGinn had the lone goal for the Storm (52-12-4). Justin Nichols made 13-of-14 saves in net for Guelph before Matthew Mancina took over to stop 24 shots. Nap Lajoie Jersey .com) - Oregon wasnt going to let Arizona ruin its national title dreams for a second straight season. Bake Mcbride Jersey .J. - The New Jersey Devils know the odds are against them as they chase a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.Roger Goodell doesnt want to stand pat with the PAT. Hes suggesting potential changes in the extra point that, well, might have some legs. The NFL commissioner says the extra point kick after touchdowns, which had a success rate of nearly 100 per cent, is too automatic. Sure is. And with few teams attempting 2-point conversion plays until desperation hits late in games, the old 1-pointer from 20 yards is the way coaches go. All that does is draw yawns. So Goodell wonders if the league can add excitement by making some major adjustments to the extra point, suggesting perhaps making a touchdown worth seven points instead of six, with teams having the option to run a play for another point. But failing on that play would cost them a point. Gimmicky, for sure. But if Goodell likes the idea ... A look at how changes to the extra point would affect football: HOW AND WHO? Passing any changes to the playing rules in the NFL is, unlike the extra point kick, no snap. The competition committee meets with the players union at the NFL combine in February, where any new proposals or ideas are discussed. Its not unusual for the players to have input in potential adjustments, as they did recently on defenceless player penalties. The powerful committee, chaired by Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay, meets for about a week in early March and comes up with any proposals, whether from the teams or union or, yes, the big boss. At the league meetings later in March, the committee presents potential changes for discussion by all 32 owners, who can either vote on them or table them. McKay said Tuesday: "We do anticipate the topic being discussed." KICKING AROUND? The idea of toying with the extra point is not entirely new. John Mara, owner of the New York Giants and among the most influential members of the competition committee, says "it came up for brief discussion in past meetings, but no action was taken." It took the NFL years to come around on the 2-point conversion, which can be a pass or run play from the 2-yard line -- and under Goodells apparent preference, could be worth one point if the kick is eliminated. The 2-pointer existed in the old AFL from 1960-69, and college football has had it since 1958. But it was defeated several times in NFL owners votes before it passed in 1994 as part of a package of changes to help the offences. Eric Bruntlett Jersey. YEA AND NAY Coaches will hate any changes, particularly ones that would mean more decisions for them to make. They so rarely go for the 2-pointers until the fourth quarter, and are reluctant to do so then because, well, theres nothing automatic about those attempts. Indeed, less than half (33 of 69) worked in 2013. "I will say this: Since 2000, I believe, over 99 per cent of the extra points are made," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "Its almost a given that it is going to be made. Im sure that the competition committee will address it. As a coach you have to play how the rules are." Short-yardage backs such as All-Pro fullback Mike Tolbert of Carolina shouldnt mind the elimination of PAT kicks. Nor should running quarterbacks such as Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick and Cam Newton, whose improvisational skills would be a huge advantage. Kickers? They probably will shrug and practice their field goals -- which is what they normally do regarding extra points anyway. WHO STAYS, AND WHY Rosters would get slight revamping, with teams likely keeping at least one power back active every week and having two on the roster. Often, those guys also play on special teams, so their presence wouldnt throw a lineup out of whack. PRACTICE WONT MAKE PERFECT Teams would work even more on their short-yardage packages, beginning in training camp. They would use their PAT offences in other situations on the field in games, too. While going for a fourth-and-2 near midfield is less rare than it once was, it might become all the more common when coaches know the more times they attempt such plays, the more seasoned their players will be when trying for the extra points. WILL IT HAPPEN? Its impossible to gauge the owners thinking, and a three-quarters majority is needed to pass any rules changes. "I know a lot of times when were at owner meetings, those things are brought up, and its great when youre in those meetings because you hear all the different opinions that are brought up with that," Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said. "Im sure there will be discussions about that. Im excited about hearing all those." Goodell doesnt get a vote. Then again, it sounds like he already has cast his. ' ' '
RSS Feed
RSS Feed