Dein erstes Forum » at UFC 167, St-Pierre fully planned to

ANAHEIM – It will be their longest and most arduous road trip of the season. Five games in 10 days for the Toronto Maple Leafs with stops in some of the NHLs most unforgiving terrain. Theres the impending swing through the treacherous California triangle followed by clashes with playoff chasers in Washington and Detroit. Just a hair up on the Lightning for third spot in the Atlantic division, points will be harder to come by in the days ahead for a Toronto squad thats lost just three times in regulation in the past 19 games. “Its a good measuring stick for us,” said Joffrey Lupul, securing his teams 13th win since Jan. 12 with the overtime winner against Philadelphia over the weekend. Two times a Duck himself, Lupul and the Leafs will start their grueling sprint through the California triangle with a Monday date in Anaheim. Almost unbeatable at home – they went 22 games before losing their first game in regulation at the Honda Center – only the Blues have been better this season than the league-best Ducks, who square off with Randy Carlyle, their former bench boss, for the first time since his dismissal in Dec. 2011. From SoCal to NorCal, the Leafs get right back at it a day later in San Jose. Just a smidge behind the Ducks, Blackhawks and Blues for tops in the West, the Sharks – like the Ducks – are dominant at home. Theyve lost just four times in regulation at the SAP Center and are amongst the top defensive teams in the league this season. Following that hearty challenge the Leafs will conclude their stay in Cali opposite a stingy Kings team thats won seven straight and gives up fewer goals than any other team. Itll be the first visit to Staples Center for Jonathan Bernier since he was dealt to Toronto last summer. The Leafs have already faced each of these clubs once this season, managing a single victory over the Ducks at the ACC in late October. They lost to both the Sharks and Kings at home in December, currently 12-8-2 opposite Western opponents this year. It was in December that they endured a similar three-game test; one that saw them dealt the Kings, Blues and Blackhawks in a four-day stretch. Beaten by L.A. and St. Louis on a hellacious back-to-back, the Leafs managed to stun the defending champions at home on a Saturday night. Theyll need to raise their game to a similar level to survive Californias best. “Weve got to understand that theres a certain style of game that we have to play when we get out on the road,” said Carlyle. “We have to skate. Were a skating hockey club.” Winners in 11 of 14 before the Olympic break, Toronto has been a different team in the days after. Theyve lacked the same zip and have fumbled away third period leads in four of the five games – twice against the Flyers – splitting the difference with a pair of wins and pair of losses in overtime. Whether they get lost or not in the California triangle, the Leafs will continue their season-long road swing with a Sunday stop in D.C. against Alex Ovechkin before ending the trip once and for all at Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday. The Capitals and Wings sit just outside of a playoff spot currently, chasing the likes of Toronto for entry. Though in good standing at the moment for their second straight postseason berth with 17 games to play the Leafs have an opportunity to assert their worth against some of the leagues elite while pushing Montreal for second spot in the division. “Five big games coming up here,” said Troy Bodie. “We need some points out there. Theres not many left to be had.” Authentic Chandler Jones Jersey . 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"Train this hard for this long, its such a long camp and I see my title shot disappear," said Thomson, who fought most of the fight with a broken right hand. Authentic David Johnson Jersey .com) - Matt Beleskey has helped give the Anaheim Ducks some scoring depth and hell look to stay hot on Wednesday night when his club hosts the struggling Philadelphia Flyers.TSN.cas MMA staff including James Lynch – TSN.ca (@lynchonsports), John Pollock – TSN Radio 1050 (@iamjohnpollock) and Jordan Cieciwa – TSN Radio 1290 (@FitCityJordan), take a look at some of the hottest issues in mixed martial arts. With Jordan away in Thailand this week, fellow TSN 1290 “Weigh-In” co-host “Big” Marv Timog fills in. 1) How did you score the Georges St-Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks fight at UFC 167? James Lynch – TSN.ca (@lynchonsports) I was extremely vocal on Twitter after the scorecards were announced at UFC 167 when in fact Georges St-Pierre had taken home the split decision. I actually tweeted the words “Huge Robbery” and now I regret making that statement, although to be fair I was running on dose of pure emotion. It wasnt a robbery, but it wasnt the right decision. If you want an example of a fight that was a “robbery” look at Phil Davis victory over Lyoto Machida at UFC 163 earlier this year. Even after re-watching this fight, I still scored the first round for Hendricks, which seems to be the round that pundits have been debating the last 48-hours. While St-Pierre did secure the early takedown, I thought with Hendricks landing more shots throughout the remainder of the round earned him the nod. To clarify, I gave rounds 1, 2 and 4 to Hendricks and GSP rounds 3 and 5. Im not alone either, 13 other media members scored the fight for Hendricks over at MMADecisions.com including our own John Pollock. Big Marv” Timog – Co-host TSN 1290s “The Weigh-In” (@BIGMARV204) Count me as one of the people shocked to see GSPs hand raised at the end of their fight. I had to re-watch the fight to figure out how bad the decision was. GSP clearly wins rounds 3 and 5, while “Bigg Rigg” clearly wins rounds 2 and 4. That leaves us with round 1, which is the round to watch and determine who truly won. It was a close round, I can now see how some would score it for GSP, but I had it for Hendricks. Overall, I give the fight to Johny Hendricks, although I think it was closer than I had originally thought. A bit off topic, but I also hate when people use the amount of damage to the face as a way to judge a fight. John Pollock – Host TSN 1050s “The MMA Report” (@iamjohnpollock) I scored the fight 48-47 for Johny Hendricks on first viewing, re-watched the first round the following day and still feel Hendricks landed the most effective shots during the opening round. For me the key was the short uppercuts Hendricks connected with while St-Pierre went for his single and then put Hendricks up against the cage and absorbed the elbows clean to the side of his head. Each had a takedown and neither was able to do anything with the other when they took them down. It was a close round but I was confident Hendricks won the first round. 2) How should Dana White handle St-Pierres extended leave from the promotion? Lynch Honestly with everything St-Pierre has done for the promotion, Dana should give GSP some time and space to let him decide for himself in the coming months. Neither fighter will be back in action at least for another six months anyways due to injuries. In addition, we should also see who wins the upcoming fight next month between Carlos Condit and Matt Brown and where Robbie Lawler fits into the title piicture.dddddddddddd If bantamweight champion Dominck Cruz can be out with an injury and remain champion for close to two years, then the promotion can give St-Pierre the same leeway. Even if St-Pierre hasnt made up his mind on if hes retiring for good, no harm in creating an interim belt during his vacancy. That, by the way, should not be decided today or this week. Consider that St-Pierres UFC debut was back in January of 2004 and has remained champion since 2008, he deserves more respect. Big Marv Dana White needs to get a definitive answer from the welterweight champion. If Georges St-Pierre is retiring he needs to make it clear. Should he step away for a while, he needs to provide a timeline and if its a year or longer off, then the title should be vacated. GSP has to know he cant hold the division hostage while he sorts through his issues. Pollock It all depends on St-Pierre and where his head is at and what his time table is for fighting again. If St-Pierre needs a mini-vacation and can fight in the summer then all is fine and Hendricks could even wait for the rematch. If St-Pierre is leaving for an indefinite period of time, you have to start looking at an interim title situation, which no one is a fan of. White is very confident St-Pierre isnt leaving for a prolonged period of time, but until we know what the issues are and how St-Pierre plans to tackle them, were just throwing darts in the dark in terms of a remedy scenario. 3) Whats next for Johny Hendricks? Lynch Once Dana White gets an indication of how long GSP will be out, then we can determine whats next for Hendricks. I really think even if its close to a year from now, well see the Hendricks vs. St-Pierre rematch in a neutral location (not Vegas, Texas, Montreal or Toronto). If St-Pierre intends to be out longer than that and Matt Brown defeats Carlos Condit, then you see Hendricks vs. Brown for the interim (or perhaps vacant) welterweight title. However if Condit defeats Brown at UFC on FOX 9, then perhaps you see Robbie Lawler (who defeated Rory MacDonald this past Saturday) as the next potential contender. Im of the belief that prior to Saturdays encounter at UFC 167, St-Pierre fully planned to retire had he dominated Hendricks like he expected to. Because it was a much closer fight, he didnt fully commit to retirement because he wanted to leave the door open. If St-Pierre decided to retire today, vacate the title, Id be content with that because hes done enough for the sport. Big Marv Johny Hendricks gets the next title shot, period. Its the right thing to do. To appease the fans alone, you need to make this happen. Should it be a rematch against GSP? Absolutely, but, I cant be the only one who thinks forcing an unmotivated GSP into another Hendricks fight is a good thing. I say vacate the championship, and Hendricks takes on the winner of Matt Brown and Carlos Condit. And yes I say “vacate” not “interim” Pollock Like the last question its dependent on St-Pierre. If he can fight by next summer then Hendricks should wait and get an immediate rematch. If not, he has a number of options from Robbie Lawler to the winner of Matt Brown / Carlos Condit (though Condit makes little sense for him to fight again other than staying busy). My instinct suggests the rematch with St-Pierre will be his next fight. ' ' '