efencemen. Nashville has lost three straight without him, | Forum

MADRID, Spain -- Real Madrid spoiled crosstown rival Atletico Madrids short honeymoon as Spanish leader by winning its Copa del Rey semifinal first leg, while Barcelona also took control of its series with a victory over Real Sociedad. Kony Ealy Panthers Jersey . Pepe, Jese Rodriguez, and Angel Di Maria all scored as Madrid won a bad-tempered crosstown derby 3-0 to humble Atletico on Wednesday, three days after it took the outright league lead, with only its second loss of the season and first in 23 matches. Barcelona did its part to increase the chances of a clasico in the April 19 final by beating 10-man Sociedad 2-0 at the Camp Nou. Pepe spent much of the game riling up Atletico striker Diego Costa after putting Madrid ahead in the 17th minute at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium where his shot deflected off defender Emiliano Insua past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The hosts dominated the tetchy derby as Courtois made a string of first-half saves before Jese Rodriguez broke through in the 57th as the young striker continued his impressive season by using a quick touch to guide Angel Di Marias pass under the Belgium keeper. Diego Costas frustrations got the better of him as a yellow card in the 61st means Atleticos leading scorer will miss the return leg next week, which leaves the attack depleted with David Villa also expected to be sidelined by injury. With Gareth Bale out for the second straight game and Cristiano Ronaldo strangely subdued, Di Maria capped a productive night with a goal from another deflected shot in the 73rd. It came just after Luka Modric cleared Diego Godins header off the goal-line for Atleticos lone scoring opportunity. Madrid has yet to concede in eight domestic cup matches this season. "Everybody was fantastic, we did everything very well," Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said after Madrid took a page out of Atleticos book and played with his pressure to keep the visitors from getting any time on the ball. "We showed we can excel in these types of contests." Atleticos first defeat since October came three days after it took over the league lead outright for the first time since 1996. "We didnt come through and play the kind of game we wanted to. Its unfortunate but there is still the return leg," Atletico midfielder Koke said. Sociedads intentions were clear as the Basque side sat back and tried to weather Barcelonas pressure and strike on the counter, but goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto kicked Carlos Velas shot as the Sociedad striker managed an attempt with Javier Mascherano dragging him to the ground. "It should have been a penalty, and it would have changed the whole outlook of the game," Vela said. "When (the referee) gives Barcelona an extra hand, its nearly impossible to beat them." Sociedad goalie Enaut Zubikarai did well to deny Cesc Fabregas and Lionel Messi before watching a ball skip through the area onto the foot of Sergio Busquets to bounce inside the post in the 44th. Sociedad was reduced to 10 men after Inigo Martinez was shown his second yellow card for protesting the goal. Barcelona exploited the extra space as Alexis Sanchez was played clear into the area in the 60th but shot off the post, with Gorka Elustondo mystifyingly clearing the loose ball back into the area where it came off Zubikarai into goal. "We should have scored more goals after going a man up," Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez said. "Both series look similar, although Madrid looks more in control of theirs." Like Ronaldo, Messi was also muted until Zubikarai saved his leaping volley effort near the close. Shaq Thompson Jersey . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . A.J. Klein Panthers Jersey .C. -- Chris Thorburn thinks one of the reasons the Winnipeg Jets have been successful under new coach Paul Maurice is that theyre playing together as a team. http://www.thepantherslockroom.com/women-stephen-curry-jersey/ . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss.NASHVILLE -- Predators captain Shea Weber says he feels lucky to be skating again a week after taking a puck to the face that left him unable to see much at all until the next morning. "Definitely very thankful and lucky that it wasnt worse," Weber said. "It could have been a lot worse and got a second chance here, and obviously hopefully it doesnt happen again." Weber took a puck off his face near his right eye Nov. 28 in a 3-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, dropped to the ice and then skated off straight to the locker room. He practiced Friday for the first time and also wore a visor to protect his eyes after an injury that had him worried because of the blood affecting his vision. "You cant see anything out of it and you wonder if its long term," Weber said. "I mean youre uncertain, so you just have to wait and listen to what the doctor says and the guys that ... have dealt with these things before you make any assessment. I mean its tough, but you dont want to jump to any conclusion." As a veteran, Weber has been among those players allowed to play without a visor. He has finished second twice in voting for the Norris Trophy given out to the NHLs best defenceman, and he won a gold medal with Canada in the 2010 Olympics. But he said he spent the first four or five days not allowed to leave the couch to allow his eye time to heal. He was able to see more the next day after the injury with his vision returning gradually. Now Weber is getting used to wearing a visor that he previously had worn only in tournaments like the Olympics. "Well see how it goes," Weber said about the visor. "I mean for right now definitely dont want to take any second chances and dont want to get hit again. So, hopefully I caan just get used to it and its not going to be an issue and I can wear it going forward. Kyle Love Panthers Jersey. " The Predators made a serious investment in the defenceman they drafted 49th overall in 2003 in July 2012 when they matched a 14-year, $110 million offer sheet by Philadelphia. The 6-foot-4, 234-pound defenceman also is a two-time All Star. Nashville coach Barry Trotz predicted that wearing visors probably will be mandatory in the NHL in a couple years anywhere and pointed out Weber will need it in the 2014 Olympics, too. Trotz said he thinks Weber realizes hes gotten a second chance after an injury that could have been disastrous. "He was able to avoid that, and obviously with that hes taken the right precautions by putting on the shield and having a very productive career and livelihood for a long, long time," Trotz said. "Thats our goal with him and for him, and thats what he wants." Weber accompanied the Predators on their trip, and Trotz said the defenceman may play Saturday night against the Washington Capitals. The Predators certainly need their captain back. Goalie Pekka Rinne has been out since needing arthroscopic surgery Oct. 24 to clean out a bacterial infection in his Oct. 24, and the Predators hope to pick up his activity from his rehab Dec. 20. But no date has been set for his return. Weber defenceman has missed three games and was their leading goal scorer when he was hurt. With seven goals, hes tied with Erik Karlsson of Ottawa, Torey Krug of Boston and Michael Stone of Phoenix for most by defencemen. Nashville has lost three straight without him, and is 7-0 when Weber scores this season. "Obviously, a tough stretch here and not playing the way we should be," Weber said. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '