extend her lead two shots. She birdied five of the first seven holes on the back

VANCOUVER, BC – Thursday night in St. Louis, Alex Edler will play his 500th National Hockey League game. Cynics would suggest the big Swedish defenseman has played 250 good games for the Vancouver Canucks and has had 249 tough ones with no middle ground. That’s not entirely accurate although it does speak to the inconsistency that has plagued Edler’s nine years in the NHL – from shift to shift and from season to season. So it is safe to say that while Edler will reach the 500-game milestone tomorrow, questions remain about what is possible for the 28-year-old with the tantalizing combination of size, skill and skating ability. Throughout his career, Edler has teased the Canucks and their fans with glimpses of the kind of blueliner who can control games at both ends of the ice. When living up to his potential, he clearly has the ability to play with remarkable efficiency making quick and effective decisions with the puck. Edler has also brought a physical edge to his game leaving his mark on opposing forwards in open ice, in front of the net or in battles along the boards. But last season, Edler was none of those things. He was a shell of his former self enduring a disastrous season in which anything that could go wrong did – and far too often. Perhaps it was a new coach or a new system, maybe it was confusion caused by an early season suspension in which he was penalized for being a touch too aggressive or it may have been the weighty expectations that accompanied his six-year $30 million dollar contract extension which kicked in last season. Whatever the reasons, Edler’s 2013-14 was a write-off with just 22 points all the while saddled with the embarrassment that goes along with a league-worst -39. Paired with reliable partner Chris Tanev from the outset of training camp and in Willie Desjardins’ up-tempo system in which defenseman are encouraged to jump into the rush, Alex Edler finds himself in a situation to thrive. However, the early season results are mixed. He has a goal and two assists and leads all Canucks defensemen in scoring, but there have also been a handful of the kind of miscues that dogged him last season. Edler doesn’t have to be a super hero for the Vancouver Canucks, but given the amount he plays and the situations he finds himself in he certainly has to be an offensive contributor and a 40-point season shouldn’t be out of the question. But for his offensive numbers to matter, he has to be significantly better in his own zone than he was a year ago. The Canucks would love to see Edler take charge out on the ice, but for that to happen the soft-spoken Swede needs to ramp up his intensity. Far too often, he looks indifferent and at times as if he doesn’t really care. That’s probably an unfair criticism, and yet because he shies away from the media and isn’t heard from often, it’s hard to get a read on what’s going on in Edler’s mind. Reaching the 500 game mark is an accomplishment for any NHLer – and, in this day and age, to do it with the same organization makes it that much more significant. Edler’s is a remarkable story of a kid from a small town near the Arctic Circle making the big time and earning all the trappings that come along with it. But the big question is – and it’s a fascinating one – have the Vancouver Canucks already seen the best Alex Edler has to offer? Or is there still room for growth in his game? While unlikely to ever enter the Norris Trophy discussion in an era of so many elite defensemen, Edler possesses the tools to be an All-Star. But in recent years there have been too many nights where you wondered if he had forgotten how to play the game. This is a new season and Alex Edler’s trying his best to wipe the slate clean as he tries to recapture the talent he has displayed at times throughout his NHL career. Thursday in St. Louis is a milestone to be sure. The Canucks have to be hoping that it’s also a stepping stone to the best hockey the big defenseman has ever played. Air Max 90 Ultra SE Black White .C. - Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says Danny Granger, Chris Andersen and Udonis Haslem are still not ready to play and will miss Wednesday nights game against the Charlotte Hornets. Cheap Air Max 90 Ultra . The Rays hope to stay alive for the postseason and salvage the finale of this series Sunday at Rogers Centre, where they dropped a 7-2 decision Saturday. Chris Archer lasted 2 1/3 innings in the no-decision, charged with a run and five hits, and Alex Torres suffered the loss in relief. http://www.outletairmax90cheap.com/outlet-air-max-90-off-white-cheap.html . The actual winners on transfer deadline day are those clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City who were well prepared and managed to get their main incoming business done well ahead of the transfer window closing. Tottenham were able to add seven players by spending over 100 million pounds and also ensured maximum return for the Gareth Bale transfer to Real Madrid by managing the move superbly. Discount Air Max 90 Mens . Blatter also told reporters Saturday after meeting with Qatars emir that the decision to award the tournament to the desert nation is "not reversible." There have been calls to move the tournament because of Qatars intense heat. Cheap Air Max 90 Essential China . Thats 14 consecutive losses to the two-time defending champs, and most of them were over before they even began. Result notwithstanding, Sundays game had a very different feel to it.NEW YORK, N.Y. - Magic Johnson praised recent activism by professional athletes on Tuesday and called for more conversation among government, law enforcement and black leaders.The basketball Hall of Famer made his remarks a day after Cleveland star LeBron James and other players wore I Cant Breathe shirts before the Cavaliers 110-88 victory at the Brooklyn Nets.Theyre incredible stars that people will listen to, Johnson said at Michael Jordans restaurant in Grand Central Terminal. Im so happy theyre socially conscious ... and they want to use their platform and their voice.James, Kyrie Irving and four Brooklyn players said they were supporting the family of Eric Garner, who died in July after a New York police officer placed him in a chokehold while trying to arrest him for selling loose, untaxed cigarettes. Kobe Bryant and several of his teammates with the Lakers warmed up in the shirts on Tuesday night.A recording of Garners arrest showed him gasping I cant breathe during the fatal encounter, and thousands have protested a grand jury decision not to indict the officer since the announcement last Wednesday.When youre African-American, you grow up understanding that you can be next, Johnson said. So I think theyre doing it in a peaceful and mindful way.Chicago point guard Derrick Rose wore the same shirt Saturday night before the Bulls hosted the Golden State Warriors. Five St. Louis Rams players trotted onto the field in a Hands up, dont shoot! gesture before a Nov. 30 game against the Oakland Raiders in a show of solidarity for protesters and the family of Michael Brown in nearby Ferguson, Missouri.A grand jury on Nov. 24 declineed to indict a police officer in the shooting death of Brown, sparking nationwide protests.ddddddddddddThe great thing about it is nobody is saying that every police officer is bad, Johnson said. The majority are great and they protect us. They put their lives on the line. And not every young African-American kid is bad, either.Johnson said he didnt have negative experiences with police growing up in Michigan, but my friends had issues and my loved ones had issues. So, youve always been affected, even if it wasnt you directly.Young African-American males, its not just the killing, but also being abused and being incarcerated for not doing something wrong, he said. So weve got to correct that.Johnson, a co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, said beyond the protests, the next step is to find common ground among citizens and police. He would like to see a meeting of community and government leaders early next year.Leaders from all sides, the African-American, law enforcement and government side have to come together and say Hey, how can we make this better for all of us? Johnson said.The three-time NBA MVP attended the Steiner Sports event Tuesday in Grand Central, where there has been recent die-ins to draw attention to fatal encounters with police. Among those in attendance were Mookie Wilson, Larry Johnson, Frank Robinson and Dennis Rodman.Robinson, who won baseballs Triple Crown in 1966 and became the first black manager in the major leagues in 1975, said he didnt participate in the athlete activism during his playing days.I didnt get involved in it, my job was to play baseball, Robinson said, and thats what I did. ' ' '