Herausforderungen » will be good to have a little rest, get a little tim

The Washington Capitals held their season-ending media availability at the teams practice facility on Thursday, less than 48 hours after being eliminated by the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. And no one could have been more honest about their season than forward Brooks Laich. "These days suck," he told reporters. "Theres no way to polish a turd." The Rangers beat the Capitals 5-0 in the seventh and deciding game of their series on Monday night, eliminating Washington for the second year in a row. Mondays early exit was the sixth career postseason defeat for Hart Memorial Trophy finalist Alex Ovechkin, who voiced his frustration to Slava Malamud of the Russian newspaper Sport-Express following the loss. "I am not saying there was a phone call from (the league), but someone just wanted Game 7," he told the paper on Monday. "For the ratings. You know, the lockout, escrow, the league needs to make profit. I dont know whether the refs were predisposed against us or the league. But to not give obvious penalties (against the Capitals), while for us any little thing was immediately penalized." Capitals general manager George McPhee said he "didnt like the refereeing" in his teams first-round playoff series and said the way calls went "sure didnt feel right." Meanwhile, Rangers head coach John Tortorella felt the Capitals may not have been in the best mindset for the series. "Weve got everybody and their brother whining out there in Washington about what happened in that series and I think thats a big reason they lost that series," said Tortorella. Ovechkin added that the team should also make re-signing Mike Ribeiro a priority, words that flattered the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. "To hear it from him is nice," said Ribeiro. "Hes a powerful player. He can score. Hes a young player who can still learn a lot about the game, and how to play it." Ovechkin was held scoreless for the final five games of the first round series and was held to a single shot on goal in Game 7. He had just one goal and one assist in the series. He led the NHL in power-play goals during the regular season (16), shots on goal (220) and tied teammate Ribeiro for the league lead in power-play scoring (27 points). First-year head coach Adam Oates spoke of Ovechkins comments and said that it showed the kind of person his star player is. "He does take it very hard. Thats a great sign of character," said Oates. "He texted me 20 times until 2am after Game 7. He was very upset." Forward Nick Backstrom didnt mince words about the teams first round exit from the playoffs. "It sucks," he said flatly. "I dont like standing in front of you guys telling you about losing because obviously it sucks. We played better than them. They had a good goalie...hockeys not always fair." Authentic Joel Iyiegbuniwe Jersey . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday. Cheap Chicago Bears Jerseys . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. http://www.cheapbearsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-roquan-smith-jersey . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he was not going to trade Jonas Hiller despite the fact hes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, some sources have told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that Murray might be willing to move another goalie. Authentic Anthony Miller Jersey . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Wholesale Chicago Bears Jerseys . LOUIS -- Roman Polak was celebrating even before Alexander Steen scored the winning goal in Saturdays 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- A marquee matchup turned into a lopsided win for Oklahoma, and the Sooners now only have rival Oklahoma State in the way of back-to-back Big 12 titles.Those playoffs hopes? Still a long shot for Oklahoma.Baker Mayfield threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more scores and No. 9 Oklahoma scored four times off turnovers to beat No. 14 West Virginia 56-28 on Saturday night.In the first meeting of Top 10 teams in the Big 12 this season. Oklahoma (9-2, 8-0 Big 12, No. 8 AP) dominated from the start, building a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter before the Mountaineers tried a late comeback.It was really a good way to come out, really focused, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. Thats how you want to start an important game on the road.Now the Sooners have two weeks to prepare for the 13th-ranked Cowboys. The title will be decided in Norman on Dec. 3.It will be exciting to be on our field playing for a Big 12 championship, Stoops said. Its as good as it gets.West Virginia (8-2, 5-2, No. 10 AP) was eliminated from the conference race. The Mountaineers entered the game with the leagues top scoring defense but had too many weapons to cover and made far too many miscues.Samaje Perine ran for 160 yards and two TDs, Joe Mixon had 147 yards and a score, and Dede Westbrook had 100 yards receiving, including a 75-yard TD. After Oklahomas hot start, the Sooners kept the ball mostly on the ground. Mayfield finished 9 of 15 for 169 yards, all season lows.West Virginias Justin Crawford rushed for 331 yards, the third-highest total in school history. Skyler Howard threw for two TDs and ran for two more scores. His 37-yard TD toss to KaRaun White pulled the Mountaineers within 41-28 with 10 minutes left in the game. But West Virginia got no closer.I thought we were ready to play, West Virginia coach Dana Holgorseen said.dddddddddddd You cant make mistakes against a good football team.THE TAKEAWAYOklahoma: The Sooners improved to 2-2 against ranked opponents. Whether or not they make a move in the playoff standings after the convincing win remains to be seen, although the leagues top prize remains theirs for the taking.Obviously, it will be good to have a little rest, get a little time off, get everybodys bodies right before that big game, Mayfield said. Were right where we want to be right now.West Virginia: With a chance to make a statement against the first ranked team theyve faced this season, the Mountaineers came out flat on both sides of the ball and never recovered.I dont know if it was too big of a game and too much hype into it that our guys just ... I dont know, West Virginia defensive coordinator Tony Gibson said. I dont know if everybody was just trying to make a play instead of playing defense.TURNOVERS APLENTYWest Virginia made too many errors to give itself a chance. After the opening series, Gary Jennings couldnt handle a punt in a swirling wind that may have hit a teammate first. Oklahoma recovered at the Mountaineers 34 and eventually scored.Crawford and Howard fumbled the ball away inside the Oklahoma 5 on consecutive second-quarter series. The Sooners went the length of the field to score touchdowns after both turnovers.Oklahomas Jordan Evans returned an interception 80 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter. A week ago he had two interceptions in a win over Baylor.UP NEXT:Oklahoma: Bedlam on Dec. 3. Both the Sooners and Oklahoma State are off next weekend.West Virginia: Plays at Iowa State next Saturday, followed by the regular-season finale at home against Baylor. ' ' '