close situations, the Kings earned 55.4% of unblocked even-strength

BRADENTON, Fla. Ryan Grant Jersey . - Coming off their first playoff appearance in 21 years, the Pittsburgh Pirates were eager to start spring training. Several players have been training regularly at the Pirate City complex since early January. When 36 pitchers and catchers held their first official workout on Thursday, a half-dozen position players were there, too. The Pirates won 94 games last season and advanced to the NL division series, their first post-season berth since 1992. They were eliminated by the St. Louis Cardinals in the decisive Game 5. "Were still hungry," catcher Russell Martin said. "We did some special things last year, but everybody was disappointed with how it finished. I dont know what all the experts are saying, but I consider myself an expert and I think were going to do better than we did last year." They will have to do it without veteran right-hander A.J. Burnett, who has agreed to a one-year, $16 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Burnett made 61 starts and won 26 games over the past two seasons with the Pirates. After hearing that Burnett chose not to return to Pittsburgh, Martin sent a text message to his former teammate. "I wished him well," Martin said. "I hope he stays healthy and has a good season ... and, hopefully, well meet him in the playoffs and beat him." Many players admitted they were surprised and disappointed about Burnetts departure. Others preferred to look ahead. "Weve got to move on," reliever Mark Melancon said. "You cant live in the past. This is a new year and anything can happen." Even without Burnett, the Pirates have the makings of a solid starting rotation. Left-hander Francisco Liriano, who went 16-8 with a 3.02 ERA, is the likely opening day starter. Gerrit Cole (10-7, 3.22) and Charlie Morton (7-4, 3.26) also return. Wandy Rodriguez missed most of last season due to a sore left forearm. He is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday and is expected to be ready for the start of the season. "Physically, hes coming along very well," general manager Neal Huntington said. "Were going to take it slow with him this spring, so hes kind of on a different program than the other guys. But, hes healthy and feels good." New arrival Edinson Volquez, who signed a $5 million deal in December, and Jeff Locke could battle for the No. 5 job. The 26-year-old Locke won eight straight starts in the first half of the season and made the NL All-Star team. However, he went 2-5 with a 6.12 ERA over his final 12 starts and was shut down in September. "Making the playoffs last year meant a lot to us," Locke said. "The fans in Pittsburgh and the rest of the baseball world hadnt seen it in a while, but I know the 25 guys in our clubhouse knew it was something we could do. Were not under anybodys radar anymore, but I think the 25 guys this year will be up to the challenge." NOTES: The Pirates signed LHP Yao-Hsun Yang to a minor league contract, which includes an invitation to spring training. Yang, 31, made nine outings last year in the minor leagues in Japan. Ryan Grant Colts Jersey . Not to be outdone, Atletico Madrid bettered its title rivals by demolishing 10-man Getafe 7-0 with Diego Costa returning from injury to score with a brilliant bicycle kick. "It was an almost perfect night," Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. Kemoko Turay Colts Jersey . Ribery, who won UEFAs best player in Europe award for the 2012-13 season, helped Bayern Munich win the Champions League and Bundesliga and German Cup titles. Messi, winner of the last four Ballon dOr awards in voting by coaches, team captains and media, was injured late in the season and could not prevent Barcelona from being beaten by Bayern in the Champions League semifinals. http://www.nflcoltsgearsshop.com/Black-Braden-Smith-Colts-Jersey.html?cat=941 . They are back to a game above .500 on the year and back to .500 on the road. It was their 10th extra time game of the year, and only the second one that did not got to a shootout.Justin Williams buried the winning goal in overtime, giving the Los Angeles Kings a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers in Game One of the Stanley Cup Final. The goal gave Williams eight goals and 20 points, ranking fourth in goals and tied for third in points for the postseason. Rangers D Dan Girardi wore the goat horns on the winning goal, coughing up a soft clearing attempt after he initially fanned on the puck. Kings C Mike Richards intercepted the puck, sent it to Williams in the slot and that was the game. While Kings LW Kyle Clifford played fewer minutes (9:03) than any of his teamamtes, the bruising winger contributed a goal -- his first of the playoffs -- and an assist. Kings D Drew Doughty was, as usual, in the middle of the action. In the first period, Doughty was stripped of the puck in the Rangers zone, leading straight to Benoit Pouliots breakaway goal. In the second period, however, Doughty made up for that gaffe, taking a feed from Williams, deftly pulling it up through his legs as he danced around before snapping in the Kings second goal. Kings D Willie Mitchell was a possession beast in Game One, on for 25 5-on-5 shot attempts for and 10 against (71.4%), while the Kings only had 42.9% of the 5-on-5 shots when Mitchell was off the ice. In score close situations, the Kings earned 55.4% of unblocked even-strength shots on goal. Mitchell had five shots on goal, for the first in a game since time since January, 2012. Kings D Alec Martinez came in on the low end of the possession scale, on for 31% (nine for, 20 against) of the 5-on-5 shot attempts.. Marshall Faulk Jersey. On the Rangers possession chart, D Raphael Diaz led the way, on the ice for 13 shot attempts for and seven against, while the defence pairing of Marc Staal and Anton Stralman was on for 14 shot attempts for and 20 against. The Rangers second goal was scored by LW Carl Hagelin, whose speed was very effective throughtout the game, creating chances as he would burst past Kings defencemen that had trouble keeping up. Hagelin, who has seven playoff goals to lead the Rangers, led the Blueshirts with five shots on goal and tied Derick Brassard for the team lead with seven shots attempted. If there is something positive to take from this game for the Rangers it is that their forwards could use their speed to take advantage of the Los Angeles defence. Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist stopped 40 of 43 shots faced, and his .928 save percentage is best among goaltenders with at least six games played in this years playoffs. It was a relatively even affair through the first two periods, but the Kings dominated the third period, outshooting the Rangers 20-3, and asserting territorial control, even if it didnt result in a goal. This was a tough loss for the Rangers, who surrendered a two-goal lead and kept up with the Kings through two periods before fading late. When youre the underdog, its all the more difficult to pull off an upset when opportunities like an overtime game fall the other way. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Cheap NFL Gear Cheap NFL Jerseys Outlet Stitched Jerseys Disocunt Football Jerseys Cheap NFL T-shirts Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China ' ' '