Dein erstes Forum » gos of the Capitals and the Blackhaw

WASHINGTON -- Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis lobbying for a Winter Classic in his NHL teams home city began with an email sent to Commissioner Gary Bettman the moment the leagues first New Years Day game was played in 2008. "The first emails I see any morning, on any typical day, are from Ted on any of a variety of subjects but he has been both persistent and passionate in pursuit of this event," Bettman said at Nationals Park on Tuesday, when the Capitals unveiled the uniforms theyll wear when they host the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 1. "Were thrilled to be fulfilling his wish." On a sunny, start-of-autumn day with the temperature at about 70, Alex Ovechkin wore flip-flops and a borrowed pair of baseball pants, Nicklas Backstrom donned shorts, and Braden Holtby sported sunglasses while modeling the deep red jerseys with a blue "W," three white stars and the word "Capitals" across the chest. Hockey nets and boards showing the outline of a rink were set up across the back of the dirt diamond and the shallow outfield grass at the baseball stadium where the NL East champion Nationals play their home games. "One of the things I did for Commissioner Bettman a few years back (was) I had a rendering done of what the Winter Classic would look like here. So this is pretty cool to see," said Mark Lerner, son of the Nationals principal owner and a part-owner of the Capitals, as he looked at the setup. "Every time I saw him, I said, What about it? Ted and I were both on a mission since Jan. 1, 2008, that we wanted to have it in D.C." Leonsis called landing the game "a big moment" for hockey in Washington. "Our city deserves it, so it feels good to finally know that were going to drop the puck New Years Day," Leonsis said, "and Im just hoping for snow." He was asked how much snow. "Enough," Leonsis replied. "Just no rain." Tuesdays news conference came 100 days before the Winter Classic, which Bettman said "will be sold out, if its not already." "New Years Day used to be about college football," Leonsis said, "and now New Years Day is about hockey." The boards set up on the baseball field included logos of the Capitals and the Blackhawks. With the backdrop of the much-discussed appropriateness of the nickname of Washingtons NFL team, the Redskins, Bettman was asked Tuesday about "Blackhawks." "I dont think the two are analogous or comparable. The Blackhawks are accorded great respect, not just by the team that plays in Chicago but by the gentleman that first founded and owned them, naming them after his battalion that fought gallantly in World War I," Bettman said. "I dont think theres any comparison between the two names." Nike Sb Clearance Sale . Blown save in the ninth inning? No problem. Clearance Nike Sb . Watching them over the past year - and in some cases, two years - has given us a starting point for this seasons Craigs List. http://www.wholesalenikesbaustralia.com/. -- Michigan coach John Beilein is willing to give Nik Stauskas a little leeway when it comes to shot selection. Nike Sb Sale . -- The Jacksonville Jaguars are bringing back quarterback Chad Henne -- and making him the starter. Cheap Nike Sb Shoes Australia . Next week, hell try to add to the list. A Stanley Cup champion as a rookie, Seguin followed that up by becoming the youngest player to lead the Boston Bruins in scoring.Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri says the departure of midfielder NGolo Kante need not prove to be a crippling blow. The title-winning Foxes boss added that he is hopeful there will be no other significant losses and says money is available to strengthen the squad further if required.France international Kantes dynamic displays in the Leicester midfield played a huge part in their run to Premier League title glory last season. The 25-year-old was subsequently sold to Chelsea but Ranieri pointed out that Leicester are accustomed to dealing with the loss of influential midfielders.I think the same as it was last season with (Esteban) Cambiasso, said Ranieri. It was difficult to replace but we replaced. It is the same, football keeps going, doesnt stop.Football can lose me, Wes (Morgan, Leicester captain), everybody, but the other people will continue to play football. NGolo Kante has left Leicester to join Chelsea I think we are a very good squad and we will see, if something more we need, our chairman is ready to buy.Ranieri was speaking ahead of Leicesters International Champions Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain, which you can see live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 4.dddddddddddd30am on Sunday.And the Foxes were given a boost ahead of the game, Leicester stalwart Andy King having followed in the footsteps of Jamie Vardy and Ben Chilwell by committing his future to the club. Ranieri believes Riyad Mahrez is happy to stay at Leicester Ranieri says he hopes other key members of the squad such as goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and forward Riyad Mahrez will also remain.The club is working very well, said Ranieri. I think they want to stay with us. To try and to improve on last season we know is very difficult, but we are ambitious.It is important they sign, stay with us, have the experience of the Champions League, and then we will see. 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