Author Archives: ianbethune

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 1/20

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Women's Basketball links

Video: UConn Women Rout Rutgers, 94-64 [sox & dawgs]

UConn’s Hartley has fantastic finish at RAC [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

UConn’s performance leaves Stringer impressed [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Notebook: No holiday game for Huskies [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

UConn Saves One Of The Best For Last [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Hartley Scores A Career-High 30 In UConn Win [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Thoughts From The UConn Win: Stringer Loves What She Sees [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Stringer Has High Praise For Huskies [rich elliott – ct post]

UConn’s Run On MLK Day Comes To An End [rich elliott – ct post]

Hall of Famer puts current UConn squad in select company [jim fuller – new haven register]

No Martin Luther King Day game for UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

Hartley leads No. 1 UConn to rout of Rutgers [ct post]

In Stringer's view, this is UConn's best team [ct post]

Bria Hartley Takes Over, Powers UConn Past Rutgers [hartford courant]

For UConn Women, End Of An Era At Rutgers [hartford courant]

Huskies run over Rutgers, impress C. Vivian Stringer [new haven register]

UConn Men's Basketball links

Looking Ahead to Temple, UConn’s Next Opponent [dom amore – hartford courant]

The day after: Louisville slows UConn down [john silver – snyuconn.com]

An Up And Down Week For UConn Men [hartford courant]

For UConn to go places, it needs a consistent DeAndre Daniels [new haven register]

UConn Football links

First commitments during Diaco regime rolling in at UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

Paul Pasqualoni, now a Chicago Bears assistant, can't seem to get enough of those X's and O's [syracuse.com]

Other UConn related links

W. Ice Hockey. MacDonnell Pots A Pair In 3-2 Loss At New Hampshire [uconnhuskies.com]

Baseball. UConn Baseball Holds 2014 Preseason Dinner [uconnhuskies.com]

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@uconnfootball @uconnWBB @uconnMBB @uconnhuskies #bleedblue #riseup

Bridgeport Sound Tigers 5, Hartford Wolf Pack 1

Bridgeport, CT, January 19, 2014 – John Persson scored a goal and added two assists, and Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Chris Langkow had a goal and an assist apiece, to lead the Bridgeport Sound Tigers to a 5-1 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack Sunday at the Webster Bank Arena.

Hartford Wolf PackDanny Syvret scored the lone Wolf Pack goal.  Mike Halmo and Mike Cornell also scored for Bridgeport, and Parker Milner made 31 saves. 

The loss dropped the Wolf Pack (12-21-0-5, 29 points) to six points behind the fourth-place Sound Tigers in the Northeast Division.

The Wolf Pack drew five power plays in the first period and outshot the Sound Tigers 16-5, but it was Bridgeport that struck first, converting on the only Sound Tiger power play of the period at 3:46.

Rookie scoring leader Ryan Strome made the play on the first goal of the game, carrying the puck down right wing and putting on a burst of speed to get by Wolf Pack defenseman Aaron Johnson.  Strome fed a pass to an unchecked Halmo between the hash marks, and Halmo fired a shot past the catching glove of Hartford goaltender David LeNeveu (31 saves).

That lead lasted until there were 50.5 seconds left in the period, when the Wolf Pack finally converted on their fifth power play, which came courtesy of an interference call on Dallas Jackson at 19:09.

J.T. Miller worked the puck off the right-wing boards to Syvret at the middle of the blue line, and Syvret quickly released a slap shot that went through a Ryan Bourque screen and past Milner low.

The power plays swung the other way in the second period, with four straight man advantages going to Bridgeport, and the Sound Tigers cashed in on the last of those, after Arron Asham was called for hooking at 9:09.

The Wolf Pack failed to get the puck out of their zone near the blue line, and Persson was able to carry the puck across the slot from right to left.  Persson moved down left wing and fired a perfect shot over LeNeveu’s stick-side arm and into the top shelf.

Bridgeport would then make it a 3-1 lead with only 1.8 seconds remaining in the second, after a tremendous pressuring sequence.  LeNeveu made several sharp saves in quick succession, but after he kicked out a Riley Wetmore shot with his left toe, the rebound went right to Cornell at the right-wing faceoff dot, and Cornell was able to one-time the puck into the net.

The Sound Tigers tacked on two more late in the third period, first at 15:41, when Bouchard scored on a breakaway.  A Langkow pass sent Bouchard in alone, and Bouchard’s backhander went off of LeNeveu’s catching glove and up under the crossbar.

Then, Langkow made it a four-goal margin with his first goal of the season with 17.7 seconds left.  Persson cleared the puck to center with Langkow behind the Wolf Pack defense, and LeNeveu raced out in an attempt to beat Langkow to the puck along the right-wing boards.  Langkow won the race, however, and was able to stickhandle around LeNeveu and deposit the puck into the vacated net.

The Wolf Pack’s next action is at home this Friday, January 24, a 7:00 PM contest against the Springfield Falcons at the XL Center.  All Wolf Pack Friday-night home games feature $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period, presented by Marc’s Appliance Warehouse, located at 75 Prospect Ave., Hartford, CT.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2013-14 home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.  To speak with a representative about season or group tickets, call (855) 762-6451.

Hartford Wolf Pack 1 at Bridgeport Sound Tigers 5
Sunday, January 19, 2014 – Webster Bank Arena

Hartford 1 0 0 – 1
Bridgeport 1 2 2 – 5

1st Period-1, Bridgeport, Halmo 14 (Strome, Bouchard), 3:46 (PP). 2, Hartford, Syvret 3 (Miller), 19:09 (PP). Penalties-Bouchard Bri (hooking), 0:31; Kantor Hfd (boarding), 3:16; Stamler Hfd (fighting), 3:48; Vaughan Bri (fighting), 3:48; Milner Bri (delay of game), 4:50; Beach Hfd (fighting), 8:33; Halmo Bri (fighting), 8:33; Asham Hfd (fighting), 8:36; Gallant Bri (fighting), 8:36; Keenan Bri (roughing), 10:11; Cornell Bri (tripping), 11:44; Jackson Bri (interference), 18:26.

2nd Period-3, Bridgeport, Persson 6 (Keenan, Quine), 10:45 (PP). 4, Bridgeport, Cornell 3 (Persson, Wetmore), 19:58. Penalties-Miller Hfd (slashing), 1:55; Hughes Hfd (interference), 3:46; McIlrath Hfd (cross-checking), 6:20; Miller Hfd (fighting), 6:20; Cornell Bri (fighting), 6:20; Asham Hfd (hooking), 9:09; Bruton Bri (high-sticking), 11:03.

3rd Period-5, Bridgeport, Bouchard 5 (Langkow), 15:41. 6, Bridgeport, Langkow 1 (Persson), 19:42. Penalties-Kristo Hfd (slashing), 10:40; Yogan Hfd (unsportsmanlike conduct), 16:18; Wetmore Bri (high-sticking), 16:18.

Shots on Goal-Hartford 16-9-7-32. Bridgeport 5-16-15-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 1 / 6; Bridgeport 2 / 6.
Goalies-Hartford, LeNeveu 1-2-0 (36 shots-31 saves). Bridgeport, Milner 3-2-0 (32 shots-31 saves).
A-4,458
Referees-Chris Brown (86), Keith Kaval (40).
Linesmen-Jim Briggs (83), Derek Wahl (46).

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Video: Manning Leads Broncos Past Patriots, 26-16 For Super Bowl XLVIII Bid

Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots walks off of the field in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos during the AFC Championship game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 19, 2014 in Denver, Colorado.

Once Aqib Talib went down with an injury on pick play by his former teammate Wes Welker, the New England Patriots defense really had no answers for Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning.

Manning picked apart the Pats D for 400 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Broncos past the Patriots 26-16 to advance to Super Bowl XLVIII in New Jersey in two weeks.

Tom Brady was 24-of-38 for 277 yards and a touchdown. After basically plowing through opponents the past few games, the Broncos shut down LeGarrette Blount as he was held to six yards on five carries.

Julian Edelman led the Patriots with 10 catches for 89 yards.

Given how many injuries the Patriots suffered this year, I'm proud of this team.

They fought through adversity and almost made it to the big game. It will be interesting to follow the offseason of the Patriots to see how they build the team for 2014 and a run at their fourth straight AFC Championship Game and a trip to Super Bowl XLIX.

TABLET/MOBILE/ PC HIGHLIGHTS (FULL GAME)

Game Recap: Broncos 26, Patriots 16

Game Notes: Patriots vs. Broncos

Gamebook: Patriots vs. Broncos

Bill Belichick Postgame Press Conference Transcript

Tom Brady Postgame Press Conference Transcript

Patriots Postgame Quotes – 1/19/2014

Broncos Postgame Quotes – 1/19/2014

For more Patriots love, head on over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England,  ESPN Boston, Providence Journal and WEEI websites.

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photo credit:  getty images

Video: UConn Women Rout Rutgers, 94-64

Unless the two teams start a series after the Rutgers Scarlet Knights leave for the Big 10, the UConn Huskies women's basketball team made their final trip to the RAC on Sunday.

And while it may be sad that the Huskies won't go to one of the tougher environments in women's college basketball, UConn made sure they'd be remembered in their final visit (for now) there.

UConn Huskies guard Bria Hartley hoists a three-pointer in the second half at the Rutgers Athletic Center Sunday.Behind Bria Hartley's career-high 30 points, UConn beat the Scarlet Knights 94-64 in front of 6,480 and a nationally televised audience at the RAC.

UConn improves to 19-0 (6-0 American) while Rutgers falls to 13-4 (4-2).

Breanna Stewart added 23 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots. Stefanie Dolson had yet another double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds while Moriah Jefferson had 13 points and eight assists.

Tyler Scaife paced the Scarlet Knights with a career-high 22 points while Kahleah Cooper had 20. Despite not scoring any points, Christa Evans led Rutgers with five rebounds.

As it seems they do every game, the Huskies started out quickly opening with an 18-6 run. They'd build their lead up to 21 points at 41-20 before Rutgers would close out the half on a 9-2 run to make it a 14 point game at the half.

The Scarlet Knights would score the first basket of the second half to cut the lead to 12 but that's as close as they would get the rest of the way as the Huskies continued to build their lead to secure the win.

UConn is back in action on Wednesday night when they'll host the Memphis Tigers at the XL Center in Hartford, CT. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.

UConn Huskies @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights 1/19/14 box score

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photo credit: cloe poisson – hartford courant

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 1/19

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

It's game day for the UConn Huskies women's basketball team as they are in Chris Christie's state to take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at the RAC. Tip is scheduled for 3 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN2. You can also catch the game online at WatchESPN.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Women's Basketball links

UConn’s shooters playing the percentages [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

When It Comes To UConn, Perceptions Are Often Misperceptions [john altavilla – hartford courant]

As Expected, Hartley Responded To The Challenge [rich elliott – ct post]

Edwards can't wait to get to UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

Cardoza wins battle of former UConn assistants [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn set for final trip to the RAC [jim fuller – new haven register]

Getting back into playing shape work in progress for Mosqueda-Lewis [ct post]

Raucous Fans, Old School Gym: UConn Women Back At Rutgers [hartford courant]

Mosqueda-Lewis playing her way back into shape [new haven register]

UConn Men's Basketball links

Daniel Hamilton Says He’s Still ‘Rock-Solid, 100 percent’ About Going to UConn [dom amore – hartford courant]

Wrapping Things Up From Gampel [dom amore – hartford courant]

Daniel Hamilton's Not Signed (LOI), but Definitely Sealed and Delivered to UConn [david borges – new haven register]

Kevin Ollie Ejected; Ryan Boatright's Status for Temple Game Unsure [david borges – new haven register]

Reaction: Ollie ejected as UConn falls to Louisville [kevin duffy – ct post]

Post-game breakdown, video: Louisville [gavin keefe – the day]

Ollie’s comments on ejection [lee lewis – waterbury republican-american]

Two T’s, One L [neill ostrout – journal inquirer]

Report card: Cardinals too physical for Huskies [william paxton – ct post]

Postgame: Reviewing the call (Ollie’s Road Rage) [john silver – snyuconn.com]

No Show [uconn huskies basketball]

UConn falls to Louisville 76-64 [ct post]

UConn had no answer for Cards' big man Harrell [ct post]

Louisville Overpowers UConn, 76-64 [hartford courant]

Recruit Hamilton 'Rock Solid, 100 Percent' For UConn [hartford courant]

Kevin Ollie ejected as Huskies fall to Louisville [new haven register]

Daniel Hamilton not signed, but sealed and delivered to UConn [new haven register]

Cardinals too much for UConn [the day]

Second-half run pushes Louisville past UConn [usa today]

UConn Football links

UConn's Jesse Joseph goes out on top [jim fuller – new haven register]

St. Joseph OT Hashemi commits to UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

Other UConn related links

Manuel feels UConn in middle ground financially with power conferences [ct post]

As UConn Watches, NCAA's Power Five Rules [hartford courant]

W. Ice Hockey. Two-Goal Third Leads UConn Over New Hampshire, 3-1 [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Huskies Erase Three Goal Deficit for Tie at Mercyhurst [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 1/18

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

It's game day for the UConn Huskies men's basketball as they'll host the Louisville Cardinals at Gampel Pavilion. Tip is scheduled for 9 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN. You can also catch the game online at WatchESPN. ESPN's College GameDay is in the house and will be broadcasting from Gampel throughout the day.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Men's Basketball links

Video: UConn Men's Basketball – The Theory of Evolution [sox & dawgs]

Dickie V. Savors ‘Pure College Atmosphere’ of Gampel … Other Huskies Notes [dom amore – hartford courant]

UConn Hosts No. 18 Louisville At Gampel On Saturday Night [uconnhuskies.com]

UConn gears up for next tough AAC test — Louisville [ct post]

After Solid Win, UConn Has Huge Task With No. 18 Louisville [hartford courant]

Jeremy Lamb Growing Into Strong NBA Player In Oklahoma City [hartford courant]

UConn's next test is defending champion Louisville [new haven register]

Huskies get right back at it tonight [the day]

UConn Women's Basketball links

Four Huskies Appear on Wooden Award Midseason Top-20 List [sox & dawgs]

Tuck to miss Huskies’ game at Rutgers [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Samuelson stars; Will return for official visit [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Geno Auriemma On The Religion In Sports Issue [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Mosqueda-Lewis Admits She Still Has Some Work To Do [john altavilla – hartford courant]

UConn To Be Stretched On The RAC One More Time [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Tuck Will Not Play At Rutgers; Hartley Jams Thumb [rich elliott – ct post]

Jesus Will Not Be In Auriemma’s Huddle [rich elliott – ct post]

Kiernan Expected This Type Of Success From Mosqueda-Lewis [rich elliott – ct post]

Samuelson Put On A Show At HoopHall Classic [rich elliott – ct post]

UConn's Geno Auriemma keeps religion out of his daily coaching duties [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn's Hartley responds to challenge [jim fuller – new haven register]

High school coach's thoughts on UConn's Mosqueda-Lewis [jim fuller – new haven register]

Samuelson enjoys her visit to UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn recruiting target Samuelson a scoring machine [jim fuller – new haven register]

No. 1 UConn Visits No. 23 Rutgers For Sunday Matinee [uconnhuskies.com]

KML Steadily Getting Stronger; Tuck To Miss Rutgers Game [hartford courant]

Auriemma says he keeps religion out of coaching [new haven register]

UConn Football links

Rutgers De-Commit Set To Visit UConn This Weekend [desmond conner – hartford courant]

Florida Running Back Visiting UConn Football This Weekend [desmond conner – hartford courant]

Looks like no surprise departures at UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

SHU was first full-time chance for UConn assistant Reardon [ct post]

Diaco To See First Batch Of Recruits This Weekend At UConn [hartford courant]

Other UConn related links

M. Track. Men's Track and Field Wins Great Dane Classic [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Track. Women's Track & Field Wins Third Consecutive Great Dane Invite [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Huskies Battle Back for 2-2 Tie at First Place Mercyhurst [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Center Ice Features UConn Defenseman Ryan Segalla [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Ice Hockey. UConn And New Hampshire Set For Home-And-Home Series [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Red Sox Avoid Arbitration With Carp, Herrera, Tazawa

The trend continues for Boston Red Sox GM's avoiding arbitration as Mike Carp, Jonathan Herrera and Junichi Tazawa all signed one-year deals on Friday.

Boston Red SoxThis leaves LHP Andrew Miller as the only player who could go to arbitration. Miller is seeking $2.15 million while the Red Sox are offering $1.55 million.

So while a hearing while be scheduled, the Red Sox and Miller can negotiate on a contract to avoid arbitration and keep the streak alive that started with Theo Epstein and that has continued under Ben Cherington.

According to published reports, Carp will receive $1.4 million, Herrera $1.3 million and Tazawa $1.275 million.

Here's the full release from the Red Sox:

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox today agreed to terms with first baseman/outfielder Mike Carp, infielder Jonathan Herrera, and right-handed pitcher Junichi Tazawa on one-year, non-guaranteed contracts for the 2014 season, thus avoiding salary arbitration. Terms were not disclosed. 

Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.

Carp, 27, hit .296 (64-for-216) with 18 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 43 RBI, and 22 walks in a career-high 86 games in 2013. It was his first campaign with the Red Sox after being acquired from the Seattle Mariners last February. The left-handed batter reached base safely in 40 of his 56 starts between left field (31), first base (23), and right field (2). His .523 slugging percentage ranked eighth among American Leaguers with at least 200 plate appearances last season. He also appeared in six postseason games during Boston's run to the World Series title. Originally signed by the New York Mets as a ninth-round selection in the 2004 June Draft, Carp has hit .267 (203-for-761) with 46 doubles, four triples, 27 homers, and 114 RBI in parts of five major league seasons with the Mariners (2009-12) and Red Sox (2013).

Herrera is entering his first season with the Red Sox after being acquired from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for left-handed pitcher Franklin Morales and minor league right-hander Chris Martin on December 18, 2013. The 29-year-old posted a career-high .292 average (57-for-195) with seven doubles, two triples, one home run, and 16 RBI in 81 games with Colorado in 2013 while appearing defensively at shortstop (42 games), second base (22), third base (5), and left field (2). Signed by the Rockies as an international free agent in 2002, the switch-hitter has batted .265 (261-for-984) with 28 doubles, seven triples, eight homers, 66 RBI, 87 walks, and 14 stolen bases in 375 career big league games over parts of five seasons with the Rockies (2008, 2010-13). 

Tazawa went 5-4 with a 3.16 ERA (24 ER/68.1 IP), 72 strikeouts and a team-high 25 holds for the Red Sox last year, his first full season in the major leagues. The 27-year-old right-hander walked just 12 batters and ranked among AL relief leaders in strikeout-to-walk ratio (T-3rd, 6.0) and fewest walks allowed per nine innings (5th, 1.6). He appeared in 13 of Boston's 16 postseason games, allowing just one run in 7.1 innings for a 1.23 ERA. Tazawa is 8-8 with a 3.45 ERA (54 ER/140.2 IP) and 134 strikeouts compared to just 27 walks in 117 outings (four starts) over four major league seasons with the Red Sox (2009, 2011-13).

With today's agreements, left-handed pitcher Andrew Miller is the only remaining unsigned Red Sox player eligible for salary arbitration.

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Four Huskies Appear on Wooden Award Midseason Top-20 List

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The four Connecticut women’s basketball players who earned a spot on the Wooden Award Preseason Watch List have retained their status on the now-narrowed Top-20 Midseason List. The UConn Huskies quartet of Stefanie Dolson, Bria Hartley, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, and Breanna Stewart, who all average double figures for the Huskies, represent the American Athletic Conference along with Louisville’s Shoni Schimmel. UConn leads all universities with four selections, while three players hail from Notre Dame and two from Duke.

John R. Wooden AwardDolson has posted big numbers so far in her senior season, making history with UConn’s second triple-double against Oregon (26 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists) on Nov. 20. Dolson averages 13.2 points per contest and, against Houston, set a career-high with eight blocks. The senior then matched that performance with eight blocks in the team’s subsequent game against Temple. Dolson eclipsed 1,500 career points against Memphis on Jan. 4, joining fellow senior Bria Hartley and becoming the third set of UConn classmates to net 1,500 career tallies.

Hartley, who was just named to the 2014 Lieberman Award Watch List earlier this week, averages 13.9 points per game and 4.4 assists per game. The senior hsa scored 20-plus points in three contests this season, including a career-high tying 29 points against Penn State on Nov. 17 to help her earn Conference Player of the Week Honors from the American.

After suffering an injury that sidelined her for eight games, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis returned to the court against No. 2 Duke on Dec. 17 and wasted little time returning to form as the NCAA’s reigning 3-point shooter. The junior set a career-high by making seven 3-pointers, finishing with 21 total points against the Blue Devils. The California native is averaging 11.1 points and 1.5 assists per game.

Stewart leads the squad from a statistical standpoint, averaging 18.1 points per game and 2.7 blocks per contest. In what has been an excellent sophomore campaign she has tied her career-high in points (29 against then-No. 21 Cal), blocked shots (6 against Houston), and set a career-best with 13 rebounds against UC-Davis.  Stewart has recorded five double-double games and scored more than 20 points on seven occasions this season. She has been named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week twice (Dec. 23, Jan. 13), WBCA National Player of the Week (Dec. 24), and, for the second time in three years, received USA Basketball’s Female Athlete of the Year Award.

2013-14 John R. Wooden Award® Midseason Top 20 List, Women

Name Height Class Position University Conference
Natalie Achonwa 6-3 Sr. F Notre Dame ACC
Rachel Banham 5-9 Jr. G Minnesota Big Ten
Brittany Boyd 5-9 Jr. G California Pac-12
Hallie Christofferson 6-3 Sr. F Iowa State Big 12
Jerica Coley 5-8 Sr. G FIU Conference USA
Diamond DeShields 6-1 Fr. G North Carolina ACC
Stefanie Dolson 6-5 Sr. C UConn The American
Chelsea Gray* 5-11 Sr. G Duke ACC
Bria Hartley 5-8 Sr. G UConn The American
Jordan Hooper 6-2 Sr. F Nebraska Big Ten
Jewell Loyd 5-10 So. G Notre Dame ACC
Maggie Lucas 5-10 Sr. G Penn State Big Ten
Kayla McBride 5-11 Sr. G Notre Dame ACC
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis 6-0 Jr. F UConn The American
Chiney Ogwumike# 6-4 Sr. F Stanford Pac-12
Theresa Plaisance 6-5 Sr. F LSU SEC
Shoni Schimmel 5-6 Jr. G Louisville The American
Odyssey Sims# 5-8 Sr. G Baylor Big 12
Breanna Stewart 6-4 So. F UConn The American
Alyssa Thomas 6-2 Sr. F Maryland ACC
Elizabeth Williams 6-3 Jr. C/F Duke ACC

(Based on a midseason poll. Players listed alphabetically.)
# indicates player chosen to the 2013 Wooden Award All American Team
*Gray selected based on play prior to season-ending injury

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Hartford Wolf Pack 4, Adirondack Phantoms 2

Glens Falls, NY, January 17, 2014 – Andrew Yogan’s early third-period goal was the winner for the Hartford Wolf Pack Friday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center, in a 4-2 victory over the Adirondack Phantoms.

Hartford Wolf PackAfter the Wolf Pack had trailed 1-0 and 2-1, Yogan put the Wolf Pack ahead 1:24 into the third.  Yogan was allowed to step out from behind the net to the left of Adirondack goaltender Cal Heeter, and Yogan snapped a shot between Heeter and the goal post.

Ryan Bourque and Darroll Powe also scored for Hartford, and Jesper Fast had an empty-netter.  Aaron Johnson had three assists and J.T. Miller had a pair of helpouts.  David LeNeveu made 26 saves to get the win in his first Wolf Pack game of the year.

The victory snapped an 0-5-0-1 streak for the Wolf Pack, who improved to 12-20-0-5 for 29 points on the season.

“I thought it was a much better effort,” Wolf Pack head coach Ken Gernander said.  “We took some penalties that certainly we can’t afford to take, and we’ll have to address that, but by and large it was a pretty good effort and I liked a lot of things in the game.”

Jason Akeson had a goal and an assist for Adirondack, and ex-Wolf Pack Kris Newbury also scored for the Phantoms.

Power plays ruled the day in the first period, as the two clubs combined for three man-advantage goals, two by Adirondack.

The Phantoms grabbed the game’s first lead at 5:55 of the first frame, on an Akeson slap shot from the middle of the blue line.  Brandon Manning fed a pass to Akeson, whose shot got by the stick side of LeNeveu, who signed an AHL contract with the Wolf Pack Tuesday.

The Wolf Pack tied it at 9:20, with Zack FitzGerald in the box for interference.  Ryan Bourque scored his eighth of the year, and extended a point-scoring streak to a pro career-high five games, when he deflected the puck in from close range to the left of Adirondack goaltender Cal Heeter (33 saves), after Johnson snapped it at the net from the left circle.

Newbury put Adirondack back in front with 2:23 remaining in the period, after Micheal Haley picked up four minutes in penalties at 14:46.

Manning set Newbury up at the top of the right circle, and Newbury released his shot quickly and got it behind LeNeveu.

The Wolf Pack got the only goal of the second period, and it was the third in the last five games for Powe, at 6:02.  Johnson worked the puck off the left-wing boards to Powe at the top of the circle, and Powe unloaded a perfect shot that went off the post on Heeter’s stick side and into the net.

That came after Fast was awarded a penalty shot at 4:53, after he got behind the Phantom defense and was knocked off stride by Oliver Lauridsen.  Heeter, though, made a pad save on Fast’s penalty-shot attempt.

Yogan’s goal was part of a strong third-period effort by the Wolf Pack, who outshot Adirondack 15-8 in the third.  Fast put the final touch on the victory with 3.5 seconds left, taking a pass from Oscar Lindberg and sliding the puck into the empty net from just above the left-wing faceoff dot, after the Phantoms had pulled Heeter. 

The Wolf Pack’s next action is this Sunday, January 19, a 3:00 PM game in Bridgeport against the Sound Tigers.  All the action of that battle can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1410, and on-line at www.foxsportsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio.  Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.

The Wolf Pack’s next home game is Friday, January 24, a 7:00 PM contest against the Springfield Falcons.  All Wolf Pack Friday-night home games feature $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period, presented by Marc’s Appliance Warehouse, located at 75 Prospect Ave., Hartford, CT.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2013-14 home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.  To speak with a representative about season or group tickets, call (855) 762-6451.

Hartford Wolf Pack 4 at Adirondack Phantoms 2
Friday, January 17, 2014 – Glens Falls Civic Center

Hartford 1 1 2 – 4
Adirondack 2 0 0 – 2

1st Period-1, Adirondack, Akeson 13 (Gervais, Cousins), 5:55 (PP). 2, Hartford, Bourque 8 (Johnson, Miller), 9:20 (PP). 3, Adirondack, Newbury 12 (Manning, Akeson), 17:37 (PP). Penalties-FitzGerald Adk (roughing), 2:38; Haley Hfd (slashing), 4:55; FitzGerald Adk (interference), 8:36; Haley Hfd (roughing, slashing), 14:46; Bickel Hfd (holding), 19:46.

2nd Period-4, Hartford, Powe 6 (Johnson, Hensick), 6:02. Penalties-Kantor Hfd (fighting), 3:42; Mathers Adk (fighting), 3:42; Beach Hfd (roughing), 10:23; Kantor Hfd (misconduct, game misconduct – abuse of officials), 10:23; Straka Adk (roughing, fighting, match), 10:23; Johnson Hfd (tripping), 11:09; Kristo Hfd (slashing), 17:41; Manning Adk (diving/embellishment), 17:41.

3rd Period-5, Hartford, Yogan 3 (Johnson, Miller), 1:24. 6, Hartford, Fast 3 (Lindberg), 19:56. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Hartford 9-13-15-37. Adirondack 10-10-8-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 1 / 4; Adirondack 2 / 5.
Goalies-Hartford, LeNeveu 1-1-0 (28 shots-26 saves). Adirondack, Heeter 13-12-0 (37 shots-33 saves).
A-3,464
Referees-David Banfield (77).
Linesmen-Mike Emanatian (69), Steeve Lemay (64).

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2013 Red Sox World Series Trophy Heads to Japan

BOSTON, MA – Boston Red Sox bullpen members Junichi Tazawa and closer Koji Uehara will be joined by Wally the Green Monster in Tokyo to share the 2013 World Series trophy with baseball fans in Japan. The trophy will be in Japan January 20-22. The tour is part of a broader effort to share the World Series trophy with fans throughout New England, the U.S., and the globe.

Boston Red SoxThe schedule will include a visit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe at his residence on January 21. During that visit, Tazawa, Uehara, and Wally will present the trophy and a Red Sox jersey to the Prime Minister. 

The trophy will then be unveiled at Akasaka Sacas, the Tokyo Broadcasting System. The event is open to the public.

Later in the evening, the trophy is scheduled to appear at a reception at the residence of U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Bouvier Kennedy. In addition to Tazawa, Uehara, and Wally, Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa will be in attendance.

Baseball fans in Japan will have a chance to see the trophy on January 22 at a viewing at the MLB Café Tokyo.

Before making the trip to Japan, the trophy will first stop in California, today, January 17, where it will visit three popular gathering spots for Red Sox Nation residents living in Southern California, including Fat Face Fenner's Fishack in Hermosa Beach, The Garage in Los Angeles, and Sonny McLean's in Santa Monica.

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