Galerie » m, but Schuerrle then ripped through the defen

WINNIPEG -- Two is better than one for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this season when it comes to kickers, at least when theyre both Canadians. Coach Mike OShea says they opted to stick with veteran Mike Renaud for punting and go with Canadian newcomer Lirim Hajrullahu for field goals and kickoffs. He says American Brett Maher was pretty much in a tie with the Canadians, and as an import he needed to win all three battles. "I said all along in that battle he had to win the job outright in all three phases and I think he drew even in all three phases," he said Monday after Maher was released. "I think it was a pretty even draw. . . And the way our roster shapes up, that wasnt necessarily good enough." But he says Maher is a quality kicker who should find a home if anyone watched what he did with the Bombers. Renaud is entering his sixth season with Winnipeg. Rookie Hajrullahu is a native of St. Catharines, Ont., whose 402 points and 72 field goals are records at Western, where he played for the Mustangs through 2013. Winnipegs roster issues when it comes to the import-Canadian balance werent helped any Monday with the news linebacker Graig Newman could miss the entire regular season, after suffering a serious ankle injury in their final pre-season game in Calgary. OShea held out some hope he might return earlier. "Graigs a guy we went after hard in the off-season and Im not saying hes done for the season," he said. "I know thats whats been said in the report but Im optimistic and sos he and well see him soon. Hes already in his mind figuring out his rehab and how hard hes going to work. . . Ask me again in a couple of months, three months possibly." Newman was scheduled for surgery Monday after dislocating and fracturing his ankle in their 23-20 loss to the Calgary Stampeders Saturday night, the Bombers second pre-season loss after bowing 24-22 to the Toronto Argonauts last Monday. "Graig is not only a great football player, but a great person, and our entire organization supports him throughout this process," general manager Kyle Walters said in a release. "We look forward to him beginning rehab and returning to the field as soon as possible." The six-foot-one, 195-pound native of Langley, B.C., had 18 tackles and one sack last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He also had one punt return for seven yards. "This is obviously very disappointing as I was really looking forward to being a part of all the new things going on in the Blue Bomber organization," Newman said in a statement issued by the team. "This is a great province to play football in, and I look forward to getting back out there as soon as possible." The Bombers also cut veteran Canadian offensive lineman Chris Kowalchuk on Monday. He was entering his sixth season, although he had only played a total of six games over the last two. They released three rookies as well, Canadian running back Errol Brooks and pair of imports, receiver C.J. Tarver and linebacker Kenny Tate. OShea says playing both pre-season games in less than a week was tough and he decided to give the players Monday off. "It makes it harder to practice right now," said OShea. "The guys had two games in six days, theyre tired and they need a little bit of a rest." He says its still training camp mode in terms of their practice shcedules, but theyre also getting ready for the CFL season opener, which will be played in Winnipeg against the Toronto Argonauts June 26. The break is timely, OShea said. "Our focus is cleaning ourselves up with the focus shifted to our opponent." He also said he has no worries about how the offensive line is shaping up, despite some criticism of the way they allowed Calgary to get to their quarterbacks on the weekend. "Theyre taking the techniques . . Theyre applying them in the game. . . By the time we roll into week one theyre all going to be better and theyre going to be better as a unit." He also said he wasnt worry about a defence that lost the battle in both pre-season games. "Im not concerned at all. I know what weve put in and I know that well keep working. The efforts there, the buy-in is there." Riley Dixon Giants Jersey . When a game is in the balance, however, they still have the personnel and the experience to end up with the two points. Kareem Martin Giants Jersey . With the union re-formed, negotiations with owners will resume Friday on the remaining issues that would be in the collective bargaining agreement, according to a person familiar with the plans. http://www.nygiantsfanaticshop.com/Black-Jonathan-Stewart-Giants-Jersey.html?cat=945 . Chelsea took until the second half to trouble the leagues bottom team, but Schuerrle then ripped through the defence with ease at Craven Cottage to keep Jose Mourinhos side on track for the title. Nate Solder Giants Jersey . No surprise there. Kershaw, who also earned the title after throwing his first career no-hitter in June, had a 1. Will Hernandez Jersey . Louis Blues are reportedly taking restricted free agent forward Vladimir Sobotka to arbitration.Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer gets the call in net as Canada opens up its World Championship group stage play on Friday against France. You can catch the action live on TSN at 9:30am et/6:30am pt. Coach Dave Tippett says he made the call of Reimer over Edmonton Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens, Reimers former teammate, strictly due to seniority. Its expected that both goalies will split time at the tournament in Belarus with Scrivens likely seeing action in Canadas next game on Saturday against Slovakia. Reimer last played for Canada at the 2011 World Championships in Slovakia, posting a 4-0 record in the group stage. Jonathan Bernier, now Reimers teammate with the Leafs, was preferred for Canadas quarterfinal game and dropped a 2-1 decision to Russia. This is Scrivenss first time representing Canada at any level. Meanwhile, Kevin Bieksa was named Team Canadas captain on Thursday. Coach Dave Tippett said Bieksa got the nod because hes outgoing but also plays hard and with passion. Jason Chimera is one alternate because he brings the experience of winning at this tournament before and Kyle Turris is the other because he bridges young and old on the roster. One thing Canadas leadership group has in common is a love for keeping things light on the ice. Thats part of what Bieksa thinks his role is, but he also expects his teammates to take the tournament seriously. "Just to keep guys loose having fun and then focused for the games," the Vancouver Canucks defenceman said. "Everybodys coming over here for a purpose. We didnt fly all this way just to have a good time. We flew here to win games and to continue on the standard that Canada set at the Olympics. Were going to come to compete." At 32, Bieksa is the fourth-oldest player on the team, younger than only Chimera (35), Joel Ward (33) and Alex Burrows (32). There are also a handful of very young players, including Nathan MacKinnon (18), Sean Monahan (19), Jonathan Huberdeau (20), and Mark Scheifele (21). Bieksa is in charge of helping meld this diverse group together. "Its been pretty seamless so far. Everybody brings something to the table," Bieksa said after practice at Chizhovka-Arena. "The young guys are young and (add) a new perspective and energy and the older guys, theres some guys that have played in this tournament a few times and they know what to expect and you lean on them for some advice. Its a good mix." Chimera is Canadas only player with an IIHF World Hockey Championship gold medal, won in 2007 in Moscow. His message to a lot of his teammates is that they never know when theyll be able to wear the Maple Leaf again. That could be true of Chimera, too, and if it is the Washington Capitals winger is making sure he enjoys it. Even with two children at home, his wife was supportive of him coming to Minsk to play in his third world championship. "Hockey keeps you young," said Chimera, whos 4 1/2 years too young to be able to play without a visor. "Its just awesome, you see these young kids, how talented they are, they keep it light.dddddddddddd. A lot of them were pretty nervous coming over here, but I try to keep it as light as possible." Thursdays first practice in Minsk following an exhibition game against Switzerland in Zurich was light but up-tempo. Tippett and assistants Paul Maurice and Peter DeBoer had plenty of teaching to do a day before Canada opens the tournament against France. James Reimer will start against France, while Ben Scrivens is set to start against Slovakia on Saturday night. "It goes solely off seniority," Tippett said. "Scrivens was upset because he thought he shouldve got the call because he had 19 seconds longer than Reimer the other day (in the exhibition game)." Reimer is playing at the world championships for the second time after going 4-0-0 in 2011 before being replaced by now-Toronto Maple Leafs teammate Jonathan Bernier. With Scrivens -- whos now with the Edmonton Oilers -- on board this time, Reimer is sharing the net with a former teammate. Come the start of the 2014-15 NHL season, he very well could have another goaltending partner if the Leafs trade the restricted free agent. Reimers season in Toronto didnt go as he planned, and its only natural for him to think scouts and general managers will be watching him in Minsk. "I assume so. I think theyre scouting everyone," Reimer said. "I think everyones taking a peek at whoever might have a contract up or might not, thats what theyre here to do. Any time youre playing, especially in a different situation, theyre watching to see how you react and respond. But in every NHL game theres scouts and GMs watching, too. Its just one of those things wherever youre playing competitively, people will be watching." Theres plenty for Tippett to watch for early in this tournament that could affect his plan going forward. On Thursday he kept the top line of Burrows, Turris and MacKinnon together from Tuesdays exhibition game and tinkered elsewhere. Nazem Kadri centred Cody Hodgson and Troy Brouwer, while Philadelphia Flyers teammates Brayden Schenn and Matt Read skated with Huberdeau. Chimera and Capitals teammate Ward remained together, and Tippett said hell keep an eye on having either Scheifele or Monahan between them. Because this tournament is such a "scramble" with so little preparation time, Tippett is just trying to get create some chemistry before the first puck drop. "Youve got to get your players in roles early," he said. "Always subject to change, but I think one of the most important factors of a tournament like this is you try to get everybody in their spots as quick as you can." That starts with establishing Bieksa as captain. Burrows voiced support for that choice because his Canucks teammate is good at bringing people together. "He keeps it fun, he likes to have a good time," Burrows said. "But at the same time when its time to work and do the right things, hes the first one to lead the way." Blackhawks Jerseys Store Cheap Wild Jerseys Cheap Red Wings Jerseys Cheap Maple Leafs Jerseys Penguins Jerseys Store Capitals Jerseys For Sale Blues Jerseys Store Cheap Kings Jerseys Adidas Lightning Jerseys Stars Jerseys For Sale Cheap Predators Jerseys Ducks Store Sharks Jerseys For Sale Cheap Sabres Jerseys Rangers Jerseys For Sale ' ' '