Clan-Members » L Rising Star this year.3

SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- Look no further than Jason Pominville for evidence that things are going better offensively for the Minnesota Wild under new coach Bruce Boudreau.Heading into his third game of the season Thursday night vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pominville already has his first goal notched. Last season, thats a feat that took more than 20 games as Pominville slogged through one of the worst offensive seasons of his career.I felt good, Pominville said after scoring in Minnesotas 6-3 home win over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, which lifted them to a 2-1-0 record. Ive been shooting good in practice. Ive missed a couple, actually one in the first game, one in the second but yeah, its nice to be able to get one early and hopefully get going in the right direction. I dont have to worry about it now and just go out and play.Thats the freedom Boudreau has given the Wild, encouraging them to just play, move the puck, shoot the puck and have fun. After a rough season-opening loss in St. Louis, the Wild have put together back-to-back home wins over the Winnipeg Jets and the Kings, and now are prepping for the arrival of Maple Leafs rookie Auston Matthews and the accompanying circus.After scoring four times in his NHL debut, Matthews -- the Arizona kid picked first overall by the Maple Leafs in June -- has quieted down offensively. His assist on Wednesday night in Torontos 5-4 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets was his first point since the season-opener. Thats a fact not lost on opposing fans, who have quickly made Matthews the object of their razzing. That was the case Wednesday, when the Maple Leafs (1-0-2) lost in Winnipeg after leading 4-0. When Jets rookie Patrik Laine, the second overall pick behind Matthews last summer, completed his first career hat trick in overtime, just seconds after Matthews had been stopped on a breakaway, it prompted a chant of Laines Better from the Winnipeg audience.As players, you dont really think about it much, Matthews said on Wednesday of the rivalry with Laine. Its not really a comparison, its your team against theirs. You obviously want to better your team in any way possible, whatever it takes to win.The Wild have owned their games with the Maple Leafs recently, winning five straight in the series, including both meetings last season. But four of those five Minnesota wins have been by one goal, and the all-time series is knotted 8-8-0.Although its a non-conference game, and one of only two meetings between the Maple Leafs and Wild this season, it could have some special meaning for Boudreau. Hes a Toronto native who played pro hockey both in Minnesota of the WHA and in 134 games with the Maple Leafs over the course of six seasons. Two of Boudreaus assistant coaches, John Anderson and Darby Hendrickson, are also former Maple Leafs.Bucks Jerseys China . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Cheap Bucks Jerseys . Peter Gammons, an analyst for Major League Baseballs network and website, drew the ire of hockey fans on Sunday when he criticized the two NHL teams on Twitter for their physical game the night before. https://www.cheapbucksonline.com/ .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. Bucks Jerseys 2020 . Down by seven with 90 seconds left in regulation, thats where they looked comfortable. Bucks Jerseys 2019 . Los Angeles star goalie survived those perilous gymnastics with no problem, and he eventually backstopped the Kings to a skid-snapping win. Quick stopped 27 shots in his return from a 24-game injury absence, Jeff Carter scored the tiebreaking goal with 7:55 to play, and the Kings snapped their five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.Western Bulldogs player profiles ahead of Saturdays AFL grand final against Sydney at the MCG:1. Matt SucklingAge: 28. Ht: 187cm. Wt: 80kg. Games: 119. Goals: 58. Finals: 11. Grand finals: 3.Elite distributor by foot whose grand final experience will be important. Missed the preliminary final with an Achilles injury.4. Marcus BontempelliAge: 20. Ht: 192cm. Wt: 91kg. Games: 62. Goals: 58. Finals: 4. Grand finals: 0.Star midfielder who can swing a game off his own boot. Has an uncanny knack of stepping up in key moments when his side needs him.5. Matthew BoydAge: 34. Ht: 184cm. Wt: 88kg. Games: 281. Goals: 83. Finals: 15. Grand finals: 0.His poise and leadership across half-back have been crucial in the absence of injured skipper Bob Murphy. All Australian for a third time this year.6. Luke DahlhausAge: 24. Ht: 179cm. Wt: 77kg. Games: 114. Goals: 34. Finals: 4. Grand finals: 0.Important midfield runner who has averaged 26 possessions a game this season. Missed six weeks with a knee injury suffered in round 12.7. Lachie HunterAge: 21. Ht: 183cm. Wt: 80kg. Games: 61. Goals: 26. Finals: 4. Grand finals: 0.Key cog in the Dogs midfield. Has played every game this season, averaging 28 disposals, with a career-high 44 touches against North Melbourne in round six.9. Jake StringerAge: 22. Ht: 192cm. Wt: 92kg. Games: 72. Goals: 135. Finals: 4. Grand finals: 0.At his best the full-forward is a game-changer but he has been unable to produce at a high level consistently this year. Kicked 41 goals in 2016.10. Easton WoodAge: 27. Ht: 187cm. Wt: 87kg. Games: 106. Goals: 15. Finals: 4. Grand finals: 0.Elite defender and intercept mark specialist who has stood in as skipper in Bob Murphys absence. Missed a month with an ankle after round 10.11. Jack MacraeAge: 22. Ht: 191cm. Wt: 83kg. Games: 76. Goals: 19. Finals: 4. Grand finals: 0.Fought back from a hamstring injury suffered in round 19 to be a key finals contributor. Dominated in the semi-final win over Hawthorn with 39 touches.12. Zaine CordyAge: 19. Ht: 192cm. Wt: 83kg. Games: 10. Goals: 7. Finals: 3. Grand finals: 0.Developing tall forward who broke into the side for his first game of the season in round 19. Kicked two goals in the preliminary final.14. Clay SmithAge: 23. Ht: 182cm. Wt: 83kg. Games: 46. Goals: 34. Finals: 3. Grand finals: 0.Has played 12 games this year after coming back from his third knee reconstruction. Kicked four first-half goals in the preliminary final.15. Tom CampbellAge: 24. Ht: 200cm. Wt: 106kg. Games: 35. Goals: 21. Finals: 0. Grand finals: 0.Unlucky with injury this year but is an important player in coach Luke Beveridges plans at his best. Had a career-high 34 hitouts against Melbourne in round eight.16. Toby McLeanAge: 20. Ht: 180cm. Wt: 78kg. Games: 18. Goals: 15. Finals: 2. Grand finals: 0.Has proved a valuable finals contributor after being left out of the elimination final side. Will be hard to dislodge after an excellent preliminary final performance.17. Tom BoydAge: 21. Ht: 200cm. Wt: 103kg. Games: 37. Goals: 34. Finals: 3. Grand finals: 0.High-profile ruck-forward spent a large portion of the season in the VFL but has shown glimpses of his best since returning in round 17.dddddddddddd18. Fletcher RobertsAge: 23. Ht: 196cm. Wt: 90kg. Games: 36. Goals: 0. Finals: 2. Grand finals: 0.Tall defender came in for his first final against the Giants but was outpointed by Rory Lobb on a few occasions.20. Josh DunkleyAge: 19. Ht: 189cm. Wt: 85kg. Games: 16. Goals: 9. Finals: 3. Grand finals: 0.Rising Star nominee who will play against the team that could have had him as a father-son recruit. Powerful midfielder has had an impressive debut season.21. Tom LiberatoreAge: 24. Ht: 183cm. Wt: 83kg. Games: 97. Goals: 32. Finals: 3. Grand finals: 0.Looked in big trouble when he badly rolled his ankle in round 19 against Geelong but has returned to play a key role in the Dogs midfield set-up.23. Jordan RougheadAge: 25. Ht: 200cm. Wt: 99kg. Games: 41. Goals: 7. Finals: 3. Grand finals: 0.The mobile ruckman is a key part of Luke Beveridges fleet-footed midfield. Left the preliminary final with an eye injury after copping a ball to the face.24. Shane BiggsAge: 25. Ht: 187cm. Wt: 84kg. Games: 41. Goals: 7. Finals: 6. Grand finals: 0.Mid-sized defender has enjoyed a breakout season, playing all 25 games. Had a career-high 35 touches against Fremantle in round one.29. Tory DicksonAge: 28. Ht: 184cm. Wt: 85kg. Games: 78. Goals: 135. Finals: 4. Grand finals: 0.Mid-sized forward who is usually an excellent set-shot for goal but was uncharacteristically wayward in first two finals before an important four-goal effort against the Giants.30. Joel HamlingAge: 23. Ht: 194cm. Wt: 90kg. Games: 22. Goals: 0. Finals: 4. Grand finals: 0.Dour tall defender worked his way back into the side in round 19. Doesnt get big numbers but plays his role in stifling Dogs defence.35. Caleb DanielAge: 20. Ht: 168cm. Wt: 71kg. Games: 33. Goals: 17. Finals: 4. Grand finals: 0.Diminutive midfielder who makes excellent decisions under pressure and disposes of the ball at elite level. Second to Sydneys Callum Mills in AFL Rising Star this year.38. Dale MorrisAge: 33. Ht: 190cm. Wt: 91kg. Games: 229. Goals: 3. Finals: 13. Grand finals: 0.Evergreen defender continues to attack any task hes given with great vigour. Is capable of playing on Cyril Rioli one week and Lance Franklin the next.39. Jason JohanissenAge: 23. Ht: 180cm. Wt: 80kg. Games: 63. Goals: 18. Finals: 3. Grand finals: 0.Missed a large chunk of the season with a serious hamstring injury but lost none of his dash and flair after returning in round 15. Was important when it counted in the preliminary final.42. Liam PickenAge: 30. Ht: 184cm. Wt: 83kg. Games: 175. Goals: 60. Finals: 10. Grand finals: 0.Once-dour tagger who continues to enjoy a career rejuvenation up forward. Kicked a career-high three goals in the semi-final win against Hawthorn.46. Lin JongAge: 23. Ht: 188cm. Wt: 88kg. Games: 39. Goals: 25. Finals: 2. Grand finals: 0.Tall midfielder who broke his collarbone in the elimination final but won the Norm Goss Medal for best on ground in Footscrays VFL grand final win less than three weeks later. ' ' '