Dein erstes Forum » level of humidity ensured play would continue

Nashville, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Colin Wilson registered a season high of four points thanks to two goals and two assists as the Nashville Predators downed the Vancouver Canucks, 5-1, at Bridgestone Arena. Craig Smith, Filip Forsberg and Mike Fisher also tallied for the Predators, the Central Division leaders who have won four in a row and six of their last seven. Pekka Rinne stopped 20-of-21 shots before exiting early in the third period. The Finnish netminder was knocked backwards into the end boards in a collision between Vancouvers Chris Higgins and defenseman Anton Volchenkov. He was listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Carter Hutton finished the final 17-plus minutes with 10 stops. Alex Edler supplied the lone offense and Eddie Lack stopped just 25-of-30 shots for the Canucks, who have lost three in a row. Forsberg provided the hosts with some breathing room at 13:32 of the third period. He swept a puck off the boards along the right wing in the neutral zone, dodged Edler, then managed to squeeze a shot between Lacks arm and body. Its disappointing because we battled back. That third goal is a save I have to make, Lack admitted. Fisher made it a three-goal margin only 1:59 later, when he beat a Lack pokecheck and flipped home a James Neal lead pass, and it was a 5-1 contest just over two minutes later on a power play after Smiths shot off a Seth Jones rebound clipped Wilson on its way into the Vancouver cage. Smith struck just after the four-minute mark of the first on the games initial power play and Wilson doubled the hosts advantage with 6:22 played by pumping home a shot from the right wing off a 2-on-1 break. Edlers blast pulled the Canucks within a goal at the 2:47 mark of the second period. Game Notes Wilson has posted 10 points over his last six games (4G, 6A) ... Vancouver had won three in a row and five of their last six in the Music City prior to Tuesday ... Neal picked up a pair of assists. Hyun-Jin Ryu Dodgers Jersey .One day after winning her record 63rd World Cup race, Vonn posted to her Facebook account Tuesday that she was happy Woods surprised her by coming to the race, and that she felt terrible that his tooth got knocked out. Kirk Gibson Youth Jersey . Finlands Kari Lehtonen made 26 saves to lead Dallas over the Phoenix Coyotes 2-1 Saturday night. He received plenty of help from the Stars defence and got goals from Ray Whitney and Russias Valeri Nichushkin. http://www.ladodgersprostore.us/Jackie-Robinson-dodgers-jersey/ . - Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis said Wednesday hes "nodded off" during meetings, but he said its something every player does. Kenta Maeda Womens Jersey . -- Arizona coach Bruce Arians says there "were obviously very, very many problems" with the officiating in the Cardinals 24-21 loss at Philadelphia. Walker Buehler Dodgers Jersey . Vargas (8-3) allowed four singles and two walks while striking out five, allowing only two runners from a diluted Twins lineup to reach second base. Mike Moustakas and Jarrod Dyson hit RBI singles in the second inning against Kevin Correia (4-10), and that was all Vargas needed.Nine players have withdrawn from the Australian Open through the first two days due to injury, including No. 12 Tommy Haas, No. 13 John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber. Thats five more players in two days than the entire 2013 U.S. Open in September of last year. While the final Grand Slam at the end of a gruelling season might be expected to have more impact on the health of players, the Australian Open is taking out competitors at an alarming rate to kick off the 2014 schedule. And although none of the nine players officially retired due to the roaring heat in Melbourne, one would think its played a part. Heat has always been an issue for this event but it seems to be getting worse. What should be done to make things better for the players? The average temperature in Melbourne in January - the first month of summer Down Under - is 25.9 C. The average temperature for the opening two days of the seasons first Grand Slam was 36 C. Despite any match-ending issues related to the heat, there is no shortage of players - and a ball boy - struggling to maintain their composure under the sun. But tournament organizers have not suspended any matches as yet. "I think its inhumane, I dont think its fair to anybody, to the players, to the fans, to the sport, when you see players pulling out of matches, passing out," Canadian Frank Dancevic told reporters after his first-round loss in which he collapsed on the sideline during the second set. "Ive played five set matches all my life and being out there for a set and a half and passing out with heat stroke, its not normal." The tourrnament has contingencies in place to deal with the heat, which was put into effect Tuesday by granting womens matches an extra 10-minute break between the second and third sets.dddddddddddd Stopping a match, however, is at the discretion of tournament director Wayne McKewen as part of a new rule instituted this year. "We have to reach a minimum threshold and have a forecast that it will be sustained for a reasonable time," McKewen said in a statement. "That didnt happen. While conditions were hot and uncomfortable, the relatively low level of humidity ensured play would continue." Organizers use the Wet Bulb Global Temperature composite, which factors in humidity and wind in an attempt to assess the conditions more accurately. On Tuesday, temperatures were expected to reach as high as 42 C. Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena are the only two venues with retractable roofs and air conditioning, but have yet to be utilized. All other courts remain at the mercy of the heat and the forecast is calling for high 30s on Wednesday and low 40s for Thursday and Friday. Two-time defending champion Victoria Azarenka said the court at Rod Laver was "like youre dancing in a frying pan." Is it time for organizers to provide more cooling options, including stopping matches before its too late? Could the tournament begin earlier or later and still comfortably sit between the U.S. Open in September and the French Open in May? What more can be done to combat the uncomfortable and potentially dangerous conditions at the Australian Open? As always, its Your! Call. ' ' '