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VANCOUVER -- Trevor Linden hadnt spoken to Jim Benning in 25 years before interviewing his former teammate for the Vancouver Canucks vacant general managers position. Javy Guerra Jersey . It didnt take long for the pair to realize they shared a blueprint for what it will take get the franchise back on track. In his first significant hire since being named the Canucks president of hockey operations last month, Linden officially introduced Benning as the teams 11th general manager on Friday, two days after the club announced the move. "I wanted a builder with similar views that could help us set up the Vancouver Canucks for the next decade and beyond," Linden said at a press conference at Rogers Arena. "What really became apparent during our interviews is how much we connected on our vision and our values and how we see winning organizations in the National Hockey League." Linden and Benning played together with the Canucks for two seasons when the former was just starting his career and the latter was seeing his wind down. "Trevor was a teammate 25 years ago, but when I interviewed with Trevor, I thought we shared the same values and principles," said Benning, who has spent the last seven seasons as an assistant GM with the Boston Bruins. "Hes cut from the same cloth I am. Hes going to work hard, hes going to do everything that he can do to make the organization successful, so I wanted to tie myself to somebody that had the same thoughts and beliefs that I did." The Canucks fired president and general manager Mike Gillis and head coach John Tortorella in the wake of a nightmarish 2013-14 season that saw the club tumble down the standings and miss the playoffs for the first time in six seasons. Tortorella spent just one campaign behind the bench after his puck-pressure, shot-blocking style woefully failed to mesh with a Vancouver roster that had been more free-wheeling under former head coach Alain Vigneault. Apart from preparing for the NHL draft where the Canucks hold the sixth pick at the end of June, Benning will be looking to hire a coach that shares his and Lindens thought process on how the game should be played. "This organization needs to play an up-tempo, fast-skating, skilled game," said the 51-year-old Edmonton native. "Before last season, this team had almost a relentless attitude about them that they were going to skate and to wear teams down and to score, and for whatever reason that didnt happen last year." Benning was one of the architects of a Bruins organization that defeated the Canucks in seven games in the 2011 Stanley Cup final. He said he had never heard of the "Boston model" in terms of building a team before arriving in Vancouver, but added that he wants the Canucks to incorporate younger players into the lineup with a level of both physicality and skill. "We want to become a four-line team," said Benning. "You watch the playoffs now, the final four teams that are playing, they have four lines that contribute. We want our third and fourth lines to have an important role in the team winning. "We have some work to do there in getting to that point, but we want to be a four-line, six-(defencemen) complete team." Tortorella leaned hard on Vancouvers top players and it cost the team in the second half of season when injuries and fatigue started to pile up. With that in mind, Benning said he specifically wants more out of the clubs bottom-six forwards. "Im not talking about fighting, but Im talking about between the whistles getting in on the forecheck, hitting, playing with a little bit more grit to take some of the heat off the first two lines," said Benning. "Theyre skill guys and let them play, but when the third and fourth line plays, lets get some offensive zone time and spend some time in the other teams end." Tortorella criticized the Canucks roster as being "stale" and in need of new blood in his last press conference before getting axed by Linden, but Benning said that despite last seasons performance, he still believes the core group of veterans can be part of a quick turnaround. "Theyre high-character people. When Trevor did the exit meetings with them, they felt bad about what happened this last year," said Benning. "Were going to try and help them out by having more depth on our roster, playing four lines and (hiring the right coach). "Some of the players, for whatever reason, just didnt have a good year last year. Its a good team, its a talented team and I feel confident that these guys are going to have a good year next year." The Canucks have been criticized for a poor draft record in recent years, however Benning pointed to 2013 first-round pick Bo Horvat as an example of a player who might be ready to step in. "I think hes a player that is going to be an important guy around here for us going forward," said Benning. "Vancouver plays in maybe the toughest division in the league. To win our division and keep going, were going to have to go through the (L.A. Kings, Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks). "Theyre big heavy teams so when we talk to our scouting staff, one of our mandates is Lets try to get a little bit bigger, lets get a little more rugged so we can play both styles -- we can play a skilled skating style when need be, but when its a rugged physical game, we can play that game, too." Linden made a point of thanking the Bruins for allowing Benning to leave the club prior to the NHL draft, a situation that could have made for some uncomfortable conversations. "I was surprised that it wasnt a longer process. It actually moved quicker than I thought it would," said Linden. "I know it was not an easy situation to have someone knocking on your door wanting to talk to someone whos important to your organization." The Canucks job is Bennings first as a general manager and he said he has a type of coach in mind for his new team. While past success is key, experience in the league is not necessarily a prerequisite. "We want a coach thats firm but fair (and) has good communication skills so he can relate to the players," said Benning. "We want a coach thats going to play a structured style of game when we dont have the puck, but give the players the freedom to skate and create when they do have the puck." Meanwhile, a number of Canucks have no-movement clauses in their contracts, but Benning said those should not be an impediment to improving the roster. "Weve got to do whats right for the organization," said Benning. "If we feel that we need to approach a player about asking him to waive his no-trade clause, were willing to do that. "I want to do everything I can to make this team successful. Its a different style team than Boston, but that doesnt mean the recipe for building the teams going to be any different." Notes: Apart from helping to shape a Bruins Cup-winning team in 2011, Bennings managerial resume also includes 12 seasons with Buffalo Sabres, with eight of those spent as that clubs director of amateur scouting. ... Selected sixth overall by Toronto in the 1981 NHL draft, Benning played nine seasons with the Maple Leafs and Canucks, collecting 52 goals and 191 assists in 610 career games. Andrew Stevenson Jersey . PETERSBURG, Florida – Its been almost seven years since the Blue Jays last won a series at Tropicana Field. Matt Adams Jersey . Seth Smith hit a towering drive for a tying homer leading off the eighth and Chris Denorfia singled home two runs to give the Padres a 3-1 victory against the rival Dodgers in baseballs North American opener Sunday night. CHICAGO -- Starlin Castro is working hard to overcome the perception that he doesnt care. After making an error that led to three unearned runs in the first inning, the Chicago Cubs shortstop was determined to atone for the mistake. "I just wanted to try and pick up my teammates," Castro said. "Its my fault that I made an error." Castro went 3 for 4 with three RBIs to offset his miscue and help the Cubs outlast the New York Mets for a 5-4 win in a mistake-filled game that featured a combined 13 pitchers and 15 walks. "Starlin had a couple of nice at-bats making up," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said. "He was really upset that he wasnt able to make the play. He thought he should have made the play." Anthony Rizzo went 1 for 2 with two walks and two runs scored for the Cubs. Lucas Duda had a two-run double to lead a Mets offence that again failed to get the clutch hit. New York loaded the bases in the fifth and sixth innings without scoring. The Mets have dropped two straight after winning three in a row and are 8-18 in one-run games. Cubs starter Edwin Jackson (4-5) was victimized by his defence and his own lack of command, but managed to get through five innings, giving up five hits and five walks. Just one of the four runs he surrendered was earned. Hector Rondon pitched the ninth for his seventh save in eight chances. Mets starter Daisuke Matsuzaka didnt make it through the fifth, allowing four runs on four hits and five walks in 4 1-3 innings. Reliever Dana Eveland (0-1) gave up a run in 2-3 of an inning to take the loss. "We got off to a good start," New York manager Terry Collins said. "We just havent been able to add on. Weve had opportunities to put games away. We had the bases loaded several times and were getting guys on so its not like were not getting on base. Were just not hitting with guys on base, which has been the tune thus far the way we started the season." The Mets scorred three unearned runs in the first inning thanks to Castros error. Koda Glover Jersey . With two on and two out, Bobby Abreu hit a sharp grounder up the middle. Castro was playing behind second base in the shift, but booted the ball to allow a run to score. Duda then compounded the Cubs woes by doubling to left field to drive in two runs for a 3-0 lead. The Cubs answered in the bottom of the inning with a pair of runs. Castro plated the first with a run-scoring single and the next batter, Nate Schierholtz, drove in the other with a groundout to first. The Mets stretched the lead to 4-2 in the fourth when Ruben Tejada drilled a 2-0 pitch from Jackson six rows into the left-field bleachers. The solo shot was Tejadas second home run in less than a week. He homered Saturday in Philadelphia to snap a streak of 552 homerless at-bats, the longest active streak in the major leagues at the time. The Mets had a chance to tack on runs in the fifth after loading the bases with two out, but Anthony Recker popped out to first base to end the threat. Jackson threw 110 pitches and was happy that he was allowed to finish the fifth. "When the coaches have an opportunity to come pull you out and the bullpen is ready and they leave you out there," he said, "you feel like you kind of owe it to them -- whatever the situation -- to get through it." The Cubs then pushed across three runs in the bottom of the inning for a 5-4 lead. Fittingly, the winning run scored on a wild pitch from reliever Jeurys Familia. The Cubs bullpen then made it hold up as six relievers combined to keep the Mets scoreless in the final four innings. NOTES: After the game, the Mets designated RHP Buddy Carlyle for assignment. OF Andrew Brown arrived in Chicago on Wednesday and will be activated on Thursday. . Renteria was ejected in the third inning by home plate umpire Todd Tichenor for arguing balls and strikes from the dugout. It was Renterias fourth ejection of the season. ' ' '

HOYLAKE, England -- Rory McIlroy looked as though he had just thrown a knockout punch at the British Open, and it was only Saturday. Wholesale Braves Jerseys . When he rolled in a 10-foot eagle putt on the final hole for a 4-under 68, he straightened his back, stared defiantly at thousands of fans crammed into the horseshoe arena around the 18th green at Royal Liverpool and lightly pumped his fist. He went from being tied for the lead to six shots ahead of Rickie Fowler in just over an hour. And suddenly, the biggest challenge facing the 25-year-old from Northern Ireland was reminding himself that he had one more round left. McIlroy cant afford to picture his name etched on the base of that silver claret jug. He cant think about what it will be like next April to drive down Magnolia Lane at Augusta National with a shot at becoming the sixth player to capture the career Grand Slam. "Im not taking anything for granted," McIlroy said. He knows that from experience, good and bad. He blew a four-shot lead at the Masters in 2011 and shot 80 in the final round. He had an eight-shot lead at the U.S. Open two months later and set two scoring records to win by eight. And just two months ago, McIlroy came from seven shots behind to win by seven. It looks like a lost cause for Fowler, Sergio Garcia and anyone else trying to chase down a guy who has won both his majors by eight shots. The six-shot lead was the largest at The Open since Tiger Woods led by six at St. Andrews in 2000. Even so, McIlroy was doing his best to preach caution. "A lot can happen," he said. "And Ive been on the right side of it and Ive been on the wrong side of it. You cant let yourself think forward. Youve just got to completely stay in the moment, and thats what Im going to try to do for all 18 holes tomorrow." History is on his side. No one has ever lost a six-shot lead in the 121 years that The Open has been contested over 72 holes. Boy Wonder would not seem to be a candidate. "What you have with him is hes just so explosive," Jim Furyk said after a 71 left him 10 shots behind. "He won the U.S. Open by eight shots. He obviously doesnt have any issue as the front-runner, and has no issue trying to extend that lead, much like Tiger used to." McIlroy was at 16-under 200. "If Im able to go out and get off to a good start, maybe I can put a little bit of pressure on him," Fowler said after a 68. "Because hes definitely in control of the golf tournament right now." Fowler tried to do his part on a cloudy Saturday with occasional rain, but not nearly what the R&A expected when it went to a two-tee start of the first time in history. Fowler, who was six shots behind going into the third round, ran off three straight birdies to start the back nine and shared the lead when McIlroy made bogey on No. 12. It all changed so quickly. Fowler made a bogey on the 14th hole. McIlroy, playing in the group behind, drilled a 35-foot birdie putt that put his lead back to two shots. "Rickie was just getting close to me," McIlroy said. "I could hear the cheers in front of me. I just wanted to get ahead. To hole a putt like that was huge." And thats when he turned it on. McIlroy blasted a drive on the par-5 16th hole and hit 4-iron from 252 yards over a pot bunker to the left side of the green and made a 15-foot eagle putt. That restored his lead to five shots, for Fowler had driven into a pot bunker and made a bogey. Fowler recovered with a superb shot out of the pot bunker on the 18th to tap-in range for birdie. That put the American into the final group for the second straight major, both times a long way out of the lead. He trailed Martin Kaymer by five shots going into the last day of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. Fowler didnt get closer than four shots from Kaymer in the final round. Garcia, who played in final group with Woods at Royal Liverpool in 2006, certainly had his chances. He was only three shots behind at the turn until missing a short birdie putt on No. 12 and failing to convert so many other chances. Garcia had a 69 and was seven shots behind, along with Dustin Johnson (71). "Its going to be difficult," Garcia said. "But well give it a shot." David Hearn (71) of Brantford, Ont., was tied for 31st at 2-under par. This was Rorys show, just like it was at Congressional, just like it was at Kiawah Island when he won the 2012 PGA Championship. And yet the biggest crowd belonged to Woods, the sports biggest star who is playing his first major since back surgery four months ago. Woods narrowly made the cut on Friday, opened with two straight birdies and that was about all the excitement. He made another double bogey, another triple bogey and shot 73. Woods was 19 shots out of the lead. The biggest challenge for McIlroy might be to avoid looking ahead. It was hard. Asked what it would mean to be one major away from a Grand Slam at 25, McIlroy said, "It would mean a lot of hype going into Augusta next year." "Id be in pretty illustrious company," he said. Anthony Swarzak Braves Jersey .A. Dickey earned an American League Gold Glove on Tuesday to become the first Toronto Blue Jays pitcher to win the award. Billy Hamilton Braves Jersey . The Nuggets leading scorer, Lawson is characterized as day to day by the team. Hes averaging 17.9 points and 8.9 assists. Lawson suffered the injury late in Denvers win Sunday at Sacramento.MIAMI -- David Beckhams architects and advisers have recommended the Port of Miami as the stadium site for the Major League Soccer expansion team that will be owned by the former English national team captain. The plan announced Monday would have an open-air stadium with views of the bay and the downtown skyline. The capacity could be as low as 21,000 or as high as 35,000. The operating premise is about 25,000. "Miami is all about the water, all about the culture," said Beckham, speaking from a rooftop terrace on the Wolfson Campus of Miami Dade College, located just a few blocks from the Port of Miami. "I dont think people see that enough. "Our site is all about the skyline. It opens up to that. And thats what we want people to see that all around the world." More than 30 sites were evaluated for the stadium. In addition to the recommended site, Marlins Park, Florida International University and a site near the citys airport remain under consideration for the team. There is no year set for the team to start play. John Alschuler, chairman of the consulting firm HR&A, said the earliest the new stadium could be ready was 2018. If the team starts play earlier, it would have to play in a temporary home, such as Marlins Park or FIU. Alschuler said a stadium at the Port of Miami would be built without the use of taxpayer money and that fans could drive there by using the Port of Miami tunnel and seeking limited parking spaces. However, Beckham said he was headed to Tallahassee on Tuesday to lobby the state legislature for money. "We will be funding the money ourselves, but as an organization, we want to be treated like every other (spoorts franchise)," Beckham said. Ralph Garr Jersey . "Were not asking for anything more or anything less." Beckham was asked if he could make it work without state funding. "I dont think it would be fair to say we could or couldnt," he said. "We just want to be treated like every other franchise. Its not an ideal world, but this is what we would like to have happen." Beckhams group envisions perhaps as many as 4,000 fans per game making a "seven- or eight- minute walk" across the bridge from where the Miami Heat plays its NBA home games at AmericanAirlines Arena. "The March to the Match is a soccer tradition common in Europe and in certain parts of the United States," Alschuler said. "They hang out in bars and march to the match." To ease traffic and parking concerns, the proposed MLS team has said it would not schedule home games on the same nights the Heat plays. Beckham said he has never played in a stadium that doesnt have traffic issues and views that as a good problem because it would mean, in his view, that the team is playing to a "full house." Alschuler said Beckhams group would pay "fair market" value for the land at the proposed site and would make a $200 million investment in creating jobs and economic activity downtown. "We want a site that can feed off of the incredible energy that is developing downtown. We believe we can contribute to that," Alschuler said. "We want to be the most significant asset we can be to the economy of South Florida create jobs, create tax revenue and contribute to the economic balance sheet of the Port of Miami." ' ' '

Anaheim Ducks Winger Corey Perry (knee) is close to returning to the lineup and will be a game-time decision tonight. Fake Vans SK8 . - Orange County Register Defenceman Tim Jackman may not play tonight after suffering an injury on Monday night. - Team Website Arizona Coyotes Winger Lauri Korpikoski (lower body) will be back in the lineup tonight. - Craig Morgan, FoxSportsArizona Goaltender Devan Dubnyk will start tonight. - Team Twitter Buffalo Sabres The team has recalled centre Mikhail Grigorenko. - Team Twitter Goaltender Jhonas Enroth looks to be the starter tonight against the New York Islanders. - Team Twitter Winger Matt Moulson (illness), centre Cody McCormick (lower body) and defenceman Mike Weber (knee) will all return tonight. - Team Website Calgary Flames Forward Josh Jooris will not play tonight. - Team Twitter Goaltender Jonas Hiller will start in net tonight against the Edmonton Oilers. - Randy Sportak, Calgary Sun Chicago Blackhawks Centre Brad Richards (upper body) and defenceman Michal Rozsival (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup tonight. - Tracey Myers, CSN Colorado Avalanche Goaltender Calvin Pickard is scheduled to face the Chicago Blackhawks tonight. - Team Website Columbus Blue Jackets Winger Scott Hartnell (finger) will return to the lineup tonight. - Team Twitter Goaltender Anton Forsberg has been recalled. - Team Twitter Goaltender Curtis McElhinney will start tonight against the Boston Bruins. - Team Twitter Dallas Stars The team has recalled defenceman Cameron Gaunce. - Team Twitter Detroit Red Wings Centre Stephen Weiss (head) will be in the lineup tonight. - Team Website Goaltender Jimmy Howard will start tonight against the Ottawa Senators, goaltender Tom McCollum has been reassigned. - Team Twitter Edmonton Oilers Goaltender Viktor Fasth is expected to start tonight against the Calgary Flames. Winger Matt Hendricks (illness) could return to the lineup tonight. - Edmonton Journal Defenceman Nikita Nikitin (back) will not return tonight. - Team Twitter Los Angeles Kings The team has recalled defenceman Jeff Schultz. - Team PR New Jersey Devils Winger Michael Ryder has the mumps. - Team Twitter Goaltender Scott Clemmensen also has the mumps. - Tom Gulitti, The Record Forward Patrik Elias has the mumps and has been placed on the injured reserve. Forward Martin Havlat (illness) is on the injured reserve and will not play tonight. - Team Website Winger Tim Sestito has been recalled. - Tom Gulitti, The Record Forwards Dainius Zubrus (leg) and Jacob Josefson (groin) will be in the lineup tonight. Tom Gulitti, The Record New York Islanders Goaltender Jaroslav Halak has been placed on the injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 20 and the team has recalled goaltender Kevin Poulin. - Team Twitter Poulin will start in net tonight. - Team Twitter Pittsburgh Penguins Centre Brandon Sutters mumps test came back negative and he will play tonight. - Team Twitter Defenceman Robert Bortuzzo (upper body) is a game-time decision. - Team Twitter Tampa Bay Lightning Goaltender Ben Bishop will start tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes. - Bryan Burns, Team Twitter Defenceman Jason Garrison (undisclosed) is doubtful to return tonight. - Michelle Gingras, Tampa Bay Lightning Toronto Maple Leafs Winger Carter Ashton has joined the team on the road from a conditioning stint in the AHL. - Jonas Siegel, TSN Vancouver Canucks The team has recalled defenceman Bobby Sanguinetti from the AHL. - Team Twitter Washington Capitals Goaltender Braden Holtby gets the call between the pipes tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins. - Team Twitter Fake Vans Old Skool . Crawford hit his slam off Pirates starter Edinson Volquez to give San Francisco a four run lead in the fourth and they never looked back. Brandon Belt had three runs batted in as well. Bumgarner pitched all nine innings and allowed just four hits. Cheap Fake Vans . The Blueshirts hope to stay alive once again when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins in Sundays Game 6 battle at Madison Square Garden. CASABLANCA, Morocco -- Eighth-seeded Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain beat third-seeded Benoit Paire of France 7-5, 7-6 (4) on Friday to reach the semifinals of the Grand Prix Hassan II. Garcia-Lopez served for the match after breaking Paire for the fifth time, but the Frenchman broke straight back to force a tiebreaker. Garcia-Lopez prevailed, however, and next faces qualifier Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain, who defeated Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia 6-4, 6-2. Also, fourth-seededd Marcel Granollers of Spain had nine aces as he rallied to beat Pablo Carreno Busta 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-0 in an all-Spanish match, breaking his opponents serve six times. Fake Vans Outlet . He next faces No. 6 Federico Delbonis of Argentina, who beat Victor Hanescu 7-6 (5), 6-3, breaking the Romanian players serve four times. Kuznetsov earned 15 break points against Carballes Baena but only converted one of them, and had his own serve broken four times against the Spaniard. ' ' '