Clan-Members » teammates as we go down the stretch,

USA Luge had a breakout season last winter, winning a team-record 18 medals on the World Cup circuit.Of those, only three came in Europe.Winning on familiar tracks in the U.S. and Canada was an important and considerable step forward for the program -- and now the Americans are hoping some of that success can be enjoyed more frequently on the other side of the Atlantic. The first chance at that comes Saturday, when the World Cup season opens in Winterberg, Germany.Our team had a lot of success in North America last year, U.S. mens veteran Chris Mazdzer said. We almost had a lot of success in Europe. We had a lot of fourth-place finishes. We were really close to medaling a lot of times ... and the goal is to take those fourth places and try to climb one or two spots on the ladder.Mazdzer had two of those three World Cup medals from European stops last season, including a silver in Winterberg in the circuits finale. That marked the third straight year of USA Luge leaving Winterberg with a medal, after Tucker West took bronze in the 2014-15 season and the Americans took silver in the team relay in 2013-14.Traditionally, German tracks havent been particularly kind to the Americans. Theyre hoping the trend of success in Winterberg continues this weekend.Were crossing our fingers for nice weather, said Erin Hamlin, the former womens world champion and the 2014 Olympic bronze medalist at the Sochi Games. But other than that, its keeping things rolling in the same direction theyve been going, getting equipment dialed in and staying healthy. And for me, enjoying it and getting the season started.Winterberg is the lone stop on this European trip, before the circuit comes back to the tracks the Americans know best.After this weekend, the next three World Cups are in Lake Placid, New York; Whistler, British Columbia; and Park City, Utah. On the two American tracks last season, the U.S. won 11 medals.So some early success could lead to plenty of momentum, as sliders start really ramping up for the 2018 Olympics in South Korea.Everyone starting right now is thinking Olympics, how to get there and how to be the best for that time, Mazdzer said. So even though, yes, theres World Cups every week, I think a lot of people are on an Olympic mindset. A lot of important decisions are going to be made in the next year and a half, and were going to have to push each other to be the best possible.That being said, the U.S. might not be at its best this weekend health-wise, particularly on the womens side.Emily Sweeney has been dealing with a wrist issue that is impeding the way she starts races -- and the start is critical in luge, though she still won some preseason races despite the injury. Summer Britcher, who was fifth and one spot behind Hamlin in the overall womens World Cup points standings last season, has been slowed by a shoulder problem.I dont know about Summer, but for myself, Im not expecting a huge number, Sweeney said. Id be happy with something less than what I would be expecting if I was healthy. For now, its more about just getting into that race atmosphere and feeling like the season is finally here.---This story has been corrected to show that the World Cup season opens in Winterberg, not Altenberg, Germany.Ben Gamel Brewers Jersey .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Brewers Jerseys 2019 . Jordan Lynch, the all-purpose Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois, failed to make it into that exclusive club. https://www.cheapbrewers.com/ . 24 Baylor in a Big 12 clash between teams trending in opposite directions. Andrew Wiggins made 10-of-12 from the foul line and scored 17 for Kansas (14-4, 5-0 Big 12), which capped a stretch of four straight games against ranked opponents unscathed. Chase Anderson Brewers Jersey . The injury bothered Bledsoe in the Suns victory over the Clippers on Monday and he sat out the teams home loss to Memphis on Thursday night. Rob Deer Jersey . Its sharpness matched my mind. This was no night to go to sleep.TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jude Adjei-Barimah has been suspended four games without pay for violating the NFL policy on performing-enhancing substances.The league announced Tuesday that the second-year pro whos primarily served as the Bucs nickel back this season will be eligible to return to the active roster on Dec. 19, the day after Tampa Bay visits the Dallas Cowboys.Adjei-Barimah was an undrafted college free agent out of Bowling Green, who started seven of 13 games he appeared in as a rookie in 2015. Hes started one of 10 games this season and has 22 tackles and two sacks.I take a lot of pride in the hard work and dedication that I put in all year in preparation for each season and that is why this situation is so difficult for me personally, Adjei-Barimah said in a statement released by the Bucs.As a member of this team, it is very disappointing to have to miss the next four games and not be out there battling with my teammates as we go down the stretch, the 24-year-old added.ddddddddddddI apologize to my family, the Bucs organization, my teammates, as well as the fans for this situation. I promise to stay focused and be ready for the last two games of the regular season.Meanwhile, the Bucs said offensive lineman Ben Gottschalk has been placed on injured reserve after being hurt during Sundays 19-17 road win at Kansas City. Offensive lineman Josh Allen and cornerback Javien Elliott were promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.The team also signed offensive lineman Mike Liedtke, cornerback Cody Riggs and wide receiver Myles White to the practice squad. Running back Russell Hansbrough was released from the practice squad.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '