LeBron James scored a career-high 61 points as the Miami Heat defeated the Charlotte Bobcats 124-107 on Monday night at American Airlines Arena. In the process, James set a Miami Heat franchise record for most points by a player in game. It was previously set by Glen Rice when he poured 56 points in the final regular season game of the season at Miami Arena against the Orlando Magic on April 15, 1995.
James, who led Miami(43-14) to their eighth consecutive victory, had 24 points by halftime and added another 25 points in the third quarter for 49 points entering the final quarter. He broke the franchise record with 5:46 remaining in the third quarter. In addition, he set team records with most points scored in one quarter with 25 points in the third and most field goals made in a game with 22.
The game seemed closer than expected based on James performance as Charlotte(27-33) was down 29-26 after one quarter and 60-54 at halftime. The Heat went on a 29-15 run at the start of the second half to get a 20-point cushion 89-69 with 2:40 left in the third quarter. The Bobcats never came closer than 14 points for the rest of the way.
Chris Bosh had 15 points and seven rebounds for the Heat while Toney Douglas added ten points. Al Jefferson got a double-double for Charlotte as he contributed a team-high 38 points with 19 rebounds.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Bruins Blast Panthers
Among all the trades that the Florida Panthers made on Tuesday, they played a game in Boston and lost to the Bruins 4-1 at TD Garden. The Cats, who have now lost eight of their last ten games, acquired Roberto Luongo earlier in the day from the Vancouver Canucks for Shawn Matthias and Jacob Markstrom. They also traded away Mike Weaver to the Montreal Canadiens.
The first period belonged to Boston(39-17-5) as they got out to a two-goal lead. David Krejci snapped in an unassisted goal at 7:29 and Jarome Iginla put in a wrist shot from the right circle at 11:01.
In the final minute of the second period, the B's would extend their margin to 3-0 with 47.9 seconds remaining. Dylan Olsen was unable to clear it as Krejci passed the puck from the left wing to Kevan Miller on the right point. His slapshot was saved by Tim Thomas, but Krejci followed with a snap shot from the slot.
The shutout was broken by Florida(23-32-7) with 7:13 to go in the third period when Brian Campbell scored on a backhand shot with an assist from Sean Bergenheim. It was the sixth goal this season by Campbell.
Krejci would finish up with the hat trick as he scored his third goal of the game with 13.3 seconds left in the third as he put the puck into an empty net from the red line.
The first period belonged to Boston(39-17-5) as they got out to a two-goal lead. David Krejci snapped in an unassisted goal at 7:29 and Jarome Iginla put in a wrist shot from the right circle at 11:01.
In the final minute of the second period, the B's would extend their margin to 3-0 with 47.9 seconds remaining. Dylan Olsen was unable to clear it as Krejci passed the puck from the left wing to Kevan Miller on the right point. His slapshot was saved by Tim Thomas, but Krejci followed with a snap shot from the slot.
The shutout was broken by Florida(23-32-7) with 7:13 to go in the third period when Brian Campbell scored on a backhand shot with an assist from Sean Bergenheim. It was the sixth goal this season by Campbell.
Krejci would finish up with the hat trick as he scored his third goal of the game with 13.3 seconds left in the third as he put the puck into an empty net from the red line.
Panthers Acquire Roberto Luongo
Roberto Luongo is once again a Florida Panther as he was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday along with minor league prospect Steven Anthony for Jacob Markstrom and Shawn Matthias. Luongo was traded by the Cats with Lukas Krajicek to the Canucks in June 2006 for Todd Bertuzzi, Bryan Allen and Alex Auld.
Luongo played for the Panthers in his previous stint with the team from 2000 until 2006. He has franchise records for the club as a goalie with 108 wins, 26 shutouts, 35 wins in a season and seven shutouts in a season.
He led the Canucks to a Western Conference title in 2010-11. They lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. Luongo had a record of 19-16-6, a 2.38 goals-against-average and a .917 save percentage with Vancouver this season. He is currently second among active NHL goalies with 367 career wins behind Martin Brodeur with 683.
Markstrom was seen as their goaltender of the future for the Panthers and had limited time with the club this season as he went 1-6-3 in 12 games with a 3.52 goals-against-average. He appeared in a backup role for the past four seasons.
Matthias was picked up by Florida in a trade with Detroit Red Wings for Todd Bertuzzi in February 2007. He played seven seasons with the Cats as a center. His best season was in 2011-12 when the team made the playoffs for the first time in 12 years as he had a career-high 14 assists and 24 points. Matthias had nine goals and 16 points in 59 games this season.
Luongo played for the Panthers in his previous stint with the team from 2000 until 2006. He has franchise records for the club as a goalie with 108 wins, 26 shutouts, 35 wins in a season and seven shutouts in a season.
He led the Canucks to a Western Conference title in 2010-11. They lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. Luongo had a record of 19-16-6, a 2.38 goals-against-average and a .917 save percentage with Vancouver this season. He is currently second among active NHL goalies with 367 career wins behind Martin Brodeur with 683.
Markstrom was seen as their goaltender of the future for the Panthers and had limited time with the club this season as he went 1-6-3 in 12 games with a 3.52 goals-against-average. He appeared in a backup role for the past four seasons.
Matthias was picked up by Florida in a trade with Detroit Red Wings for Todd Bertuzzi in February 2007. He played seven seasons with the Cats as a center. His best season was in 2011-12 when the team made the playoffs for the first time in 12 years as he had a career-high 14 assists and 24 points. Matthias had nine goals and 16 points in 59 games this season.
Gatos Coach Sal DeRosa Dead
Former Miami Gatos head coach Sal DeRosa died on Tuesday at the age of 82. He was the first coach for the new North American Soccer League(NASL) squad when they moved from Washington D.C. in 1972. It was the first professional soccer team to be located in South Florida.
He had a record of 3-8-3 in his one-year stint with the team which finished last in the Southern Division. The club would be renamed the Miami Toros from 1973 to 1976 and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers from 1977 until 1983.
DeRosa won a NASL Championship and the NASL Coach of the Year Award in his first season as the head coach of the Rochester Lancers in 1970. It would be the only title for that franchise. He coached the Lancers in 1970, 1971 and 1973 with a regular season record of 26-23-18. He was moved up to assistant general manager from 1974 to 1975 and was promoted to the general manager post in 1976.
He had a record of 3-8-3 in his one-year stint with the team which finished last in the Southern Division. The club would be renamed the Miami Toros from 1973 to 1976 and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers from 1977 until 1983.
DeRosa won a NASL Championship and the NASL Coach of the Year Award in his first season as the head coach of the Rochester Lancers in 1970. It would be the only title for that franchise. He coached the Lancers in 1970, 1971 and 1973 with a regular season record of 26-23-18. He was moved up to assistant general manager from 1974 to 1975 and was promoted to the general manager post in 1976.
Craig Counsell Brewers Radio Voice
Craig Counsell has been named by the Milwaukee Brewers as a radio announcer for the team. He will mainly work road games that their primary radio play-by-play announcer Bob Uecker will not travel with the club and broadcast.
Counsell played for the Florida Marlins as a second baseman from 1997 until 1999. He scored the winning run in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series to give the Marlins their first championship. He had two stints with the Brewers in 2004 and from 2007 to 2011.
Counsell played for the Florida Marlins as a second baseman from 1997 until 1999. He scored the winning run in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series to give the Marlins their first championship. He had two stints with the Brewers in 2004 and from 2007 to 2011.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Panthers Rally Over Islanders
The Florida Panthers scored four goals in the third period and overcame the New York Islanders 5-3 on Sunday at Nassau Coliseum. The win stopped a four-game losing streak for the Panthers as it was their first victory since February 4 at home against Toronto.
The first period belonged to New York(23-32-8) as Thomas Vanek scored two goals for them. He snapped in a shot at 6:45 then scored a power-play goal at 7:39 for his 20th and 21st goals this campaign.
It looked like Florida(23-31-7) was back in the game when they cut the deficit down to 2-1 with 1:45 left in the second period. Lubomir Visnovsky turned the puck over when he advanced it and Matthias passed it to Marcel Goc in the right circle. His slapshot was saved and Matthias put in the rebound beyond Anders Nilsson. The Isles moved the gap up to two goals again when Dylan Olsen was unable to clear the puck out and Ryan Strome snapped a shot from the left of the crease by Tim Thomas with 46 seconds left in the second.
In the third period, the Cats scored four goals to take the eventual lead. Goc fired a shot from the top left circle to make it 3-2 at 3:16 for his 11th goal. The Islanders committed another turnover in their defensive zone as Matthias scored his second goal of the game on a backhand shot from the low slot at 4:18.
Scottie Upshall got the go-ahead goal to make it 4-3 at 10:31 as he scored on a rebound to the right of the crease following a right circle shot by Matthias. Upshall added another tally during the power play on a wrist shot from the slot area with 4:34 to go in the third for his 12th goal this season. He received the feed from Olsen in the right circle.
The first period belonged to New York(23-32-8) as Thomas Vanek scored two goals for them. He snapped in a shot at 6:45 then scored a power-play goal at 7:39 for his 20th and 21st goals this campaign.
It looked like Florida(23-31-7) was back in the game when they cut the deficit down to 2-1 with 1:45 left in the second period. Lubomir Visnovsky turned the puck over when he advanced it and Matthias passed it to Marcel Goc in the right circle. His slapshot was saved and Matthias put in the rebound beyond Anders Nilsson. The Isles moved the gap up to two goals again when Dylan Olsen was unable to clear the puck out and Ryan Strome snapped a shot from the left of the crease by Tim Thomas with 46 seconds left in the second.
In the third period, the Cats scored four goals to take the eventual lead. Goc fired a shot from the top left circle to make it 3-2 at 3:16 for his 11th goal. The Islanders committed another turnover in their defensive zone as Matthias scored his second goal of the game on a backhand shot from the low slot at 4:18.
Scottie Upshall got the go-ahead goal to make it 4-3 at 10:31 as he scored on a rebound to the right of the crease following a right circle shot by Matthias. Upshall added another tally during the power play on a wrist shot from the slot area with 4:34 to go in the third for his 12th goal this season. He received the feed from Olsen in the right circle.
Blue Jackets Cover Panthers
The Florida Panthers began a three-game road trip on Saturday and fell to the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-3 at Nationwide Arena. The Panthers have lost seven of their last eight and play on Sunday against the New York Islanders.
Columbus(30-25-5) scored on the power play at 7:42 of the first period for a 1-0 lead. James Wisniewski took a shot from the top right circle that was saved by Scott Clemmensen. R.J. Umberger was on the doorstep and put in the rebound.
The Blue Jackets added another power-play goal at 11:04 as Florida was down 2-0. Cam Atkinson scored on a deflection from a slapshot by David Savard.
The Panthers pulled to within one goal with 6:10 left in the first. Shawn Matthias skated into the Columbus zone on the left side, through the left circle and sent a wrist shot by Sergei Bobrovsky from the left of the crease. It was an unassisted goal and his seventh tally this season.
Nick Bjugstad tied it up for Florida(22-31-7) at 6:54 of the second period on a backhand shot for his 14th goal of the season. The Blue Jackets regained the lead when they converted on their third power play of the day as Savard scored on the backhand at 10:50. The Cats would make it 3-3 as Sean Bergenheim tipped in the puck at 11:30 fot his 14th goal this year. Artem Anisimov scored an unassisted goal with just 10 seconds left in the second to gain momentum.
In the third period, the game was put away by two empty-net goals by Columbus as Nick Foligno scored with 1:01 to go and Matt Calvert added one with 37 seconds remaining.
Columbus(30-25-5) scored on the power play at 7:42 of the first period for a 1-0 lead. James Wisniewski took a shot from the top right circle that was saved by Scott Clemmensen. R.J. Umberger was on the doorstep and put in the rebound.
The Blue Jackets added another power-play goal at 11:04 as Florida was down 2-0. Cam Atkinson scored on a deflection from a slapshot by David Savard.
The Panthers pulled to within one goal with 6:10 left in the first. Shawn Matthias skated into the Columbus zone on the left side, through the left circle and sent a wrist shot by Sergei Bobrovsky from the left of the crease. It was an unassisted goal and his seventh tally this season.
Nick Bjugstad tied it up for Florida(22-31-7) at 6:54 of the second period on a backhand shot for his 14th goal of the season. The Blue Jackets regained the lead when they converted on their third power play of the day as Savard scored on the backhand at 10:50. The Cats would make it 3-3 as Sean Bergenheim tipped in the puck at 11:30 fot his 14th goal this year. Artem Anisimov scored an unassisted goal with just 10 seconds left in the second to gain momentum.
In the third period, the game was put away by two empty-net goals by Columbus as Nick Foligno scored with 1:01 to go and Matt Calvert added one with 37 seconds remaining.
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