ve when Alex Bayer took Johnsons short pass on fourth-and-1 and turned it into a 29-yard | Forum

MONTREAL – James van Riemsdyk shakes his head with a growing grin and hearty chuckle when talk of 30 goals comes up in conversation. http://www.redbullsmlsshop.com/Authentic-Damien-Perrinelle-Jersey/ . "Im not going to give up that number," he laughed of setting a hard goal for the upcoming season. van Riemsdyk fronts a class of young Leafs looking to scale new heights this season. The 24-year-old American winger managed 18 markers in 48 games last season – a 30-goal pace for an 82-game schedule – his first in Toronto, demanding the spotlight yet again with an explosive playoff against the Bruins. What follows this season could be a very pronounced step toward elite status at the power forward position, a realizing of potential for the player picked second in the 2007 Draft. "Obviously I had some success last year, but it was a 48-game season," said van Riemsdyk, ahead of the season opener in Montreal on Tuesday. "This will be a full season to really, I dont know if prove myself is the right word, but just keep continuing to take strides as far as consistency. "I think thats the big thing you find that separates guys in this league is their consistency. If youre able to be consistent night in and night out I think thats what makes you a better player and more reliable player so thats what Im going to continue to try to do." Just as Nazem Kadri, Cody Franson and James Reimer thrived with breakout campaigns in the lockout-shortened schedule of 2013, van Riemsdyk too will be challenged with demonstrating similar production over 82 games this winter. With an imposing stature, speedy wheels and easy hands, the tools are certainly there for him to become a dominant power winger, an evolution Joffrey Lupul realized in totality upon his arrival in Toronto. "With his size and his skill, he can score that pretty goal where he dangles a [defender] and goes in and snipes, but he also gets a lot of greasy goals; battling in front, hes not afraid to stand in there," James Reimer observed. Leafs coach Randy Carlyle prodded van Riemsdyk to put those to gifts to use with greater consistency early last season, preaching that he establish a Holmstrom-like presence around the net. Evident in stretches a year ago, the test will be to become more consistent in that regard this season. "Hes impressed me," said David Clarkson, who faced off against van Riemsdyk as a Devil. "I think you dont really see what a player has until you practice with him. "Hes got the size, hes got the hands and hes shown what he can do in this league." While conceding that he has more to offer in the future, van Riemsdyk also suggested that his performance in Toronto last season was more a by-product of opportunity after being wedged behind a talented group of forwards with the Flyers for the three seasons prior. "…in my time in Philadelphia I showed when I was given the opportunity that I was able to produce and here I got a more consistent opportunity and I think I was able to consistently produce a little bit more," said van Riemsdyk, who averaged upwards of 19 minutes last season, substantially more than the 15 or so he garnered in Philly. Taking full advantage of the increased ice-time at the outset, van Riemsdyk scored 12 goals in his first 22 games as a Leaf before cooling down the stretch with only six snipes in the final 26 games. When the playoffs began, however, it was the playoff-tested van Riemsdyk that emerged to the forefront once more. He was perhaps the lone player in blue who appeared at home in a chaotic Game 1 loss. Much like the tease he offered in the 2011 playoffs – 7 goals in 11 games – van Riemsdyk showed signs of domination against the Bruins over the course of the first round matchup, finishing with seven points in what proved a heartbreaking 7-game series. Inked to what now looks to be a cap-friendly deal stretching beyond the 2016-2017 season – $4.25 million annual cap hit – van Riemsdyk is in line to take another leap this season, perhaps even adding responsibility on the penalty kill for Carlyle. "I got an opportunity last year to play in some key roles and some key minutes and I think I was able to take advantage of that and now Im going to have to continue to do that this year," he said. Whether the Leafs can climb to another level this season will in part lie in how the class of emerging youth in the lineup rises or falls. Can van Riemsdyk knock down the door with 30 goals? Can Kadri and Franson re-establish impressive 2013 production over a full 82-game slate? Can Jake Gardiner regain his rookie form and inject a whirling offensive force on the back-end? Can Jonathan Bernier realize the pedigree and potential he offered in glimpses with the Kings? And what of Reimer, can he stave off a challenger to the crease and cast aside doubts once more? Answers to those questions will help determine whether the Leafs can build on a surprising 2013 and climb new heights this season. http://www.redbullsmlsshop.com/Authentic-Felipe-Jersey/ .J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his left knee. http://www.redbullsmlsshop.com/Authentic-Marius-Obekop-Jersey/ . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. http://www.redbullsmlsshop.com/Authentic-Leo-Stolz-Jersey/ .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check.DETROIT -- The way James Conner and Tyler Boyd played in their first post-season game, its no wonder Pittsburgh coach Paul Chryst is excited about next season. With a pair of freshmen leading the way -- and breaking some long-standing school records in the process -- the Panthers edged Bowling Green 30-27 on Thursday night in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. Conner rushed for 229 yards. Boyd caught eight passes for 173 yards and also scored on a punt return. "We obviously have some great young talent and thats why we are so confident about the future of this program," Chryst said. "We think were in great shape going forward." Conner broke a Pittsburgh bowl record for yards rushing held by Tony Dorsett, and Chris Blewitt kicked a tiebreaking field goal with 1:17 remaining. Conner even played a handful of snaps on the defensive line. Boyd gave Pitt (7-6) a boost with his versatility as well. One star the Panthers will have to replace is Aaron Donald, their All-American on the defensive line. Donald, a senior, helped thwart any last-ditch comeback with a sack deep in Bowling Green territory in the final minute. "They were without question the most physical team we faced all season," said Adam Scheier, Bowling Greens interim coach. "The offensive line was tough, the running back was obviously a bear to tackle and the whole defensive line was disruptive. We knew we had to keep Donald and their other guys out of our backfield, but we couldnt do it." Scheier took over after Wake Forest hired coach Dave Clawson away from the Falcons. Scheier coached the bowl, but now Dino Babers takes over. Dorsett rushed for 202 yards in Pitts win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 1977. The schools receiving record for a bowl came the next season. In a Gator Bowl win over Clemson, Gordon Jones had 163 yards receiving. Both marks fell Thursday. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Conner rushed for 165 yards in the second half, helping Pitt overcome the loss of quarterback Tom Savage, who didnt play after halftime because of a rib injury. Conner and the Panthers drove 51 yards in seven plays late in the fourth quarter to set up a 39-yard kick by Blewitt, who haad missed from the same distance earlier. http://www.redbullsmlsshop.com/Authentic-Ronald-Zubar-Jersey/. Then Conner was back on the field on defence, helping the Panthers protect the lead. "After the last game, coach told me they wanted to unleash me on both sides of the ball, so Ive been getting a lot of reps both ways," Conner said. "I was pretty tired by the end, but I wasnt going to tap out. They kept giving me the ball, so I just kept running." Chad Voytik relieved Savage and put Pitt ahead 27-20 with a 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, but the Falcons -- who upset Northern Illinois in Detroit in the Mid-American Conference title game earlier this month -- tied it on Matt Johnsons 15-yard strike to Ryan Burbrink with 4:42 to play. Boyds 54-yard punt return gave the Panthers a 17-3 lead in the second quarter. Bowling Green (10-4) rallied, tying it at 17 on a 94-yard kickoff return by BooBoo Gates to start the second half. Bowling Green appeared to catch a break on the kick return by Gates. A tussle behind the play drew a flag as Gates approached the goal line, but officials ruled that the touchdown stood, with offsetting penalties after the play. The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl faces an uncertain future now that the Detroit Lions have decided to get in the bowl business and will host a game next season. If this game vanishes from the bowl lineup, this was an entertaining finale. Conner put Pitt ahead 7-3 with a 15-yard scoring run near the end of the first quarter. Boyd nearly lost his balance trying to stay inbounds at the end of his punt return, but he was able to reach the end zone. "I knew I had to stay inbounds, because Im not in the goal-line package," Boyd said. "So if I stepped out, I wouldnt get a chance to score." The Falcons rallied thanks in part to an ill-timed loss of discipline by Donald, who picked up an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty with Bowling Green about to punt from its own territory. The Falcons ended up scoring on the drive when Alex Bayer took Johnsons short pass on fourth-and-1 and turned it into a 29-yard touchdown to make it 17-10. Savage completed eight passes in the first half. Seven of them went to Boyd, for 111 yards. Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Authentic China Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NHL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys ' ' '