Little, Thrashers send Islanders to 10th straight loss

Hockey Betting Lines

12/23/2008 - Uniondale, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bryan Little scored twice, including the go- ahead power-play tally in the third period, as the Atlanta Thrashers beat New York, 4-2, sending the Islanders to their 10th consecutive defeat.

Mathieu Schneider and Colby Armstrong also scored for Atlanta, while Ilya Kovalchuk had two assists on a milestone night. Kovalchuk, playing in his 500th game, recorded points 500 and 501 in his career.

Johan Hedberg made 23 saves for the Thrashers, who have won two of their last three games overall and beat the Islanders for the third time in as many tries this season.

Andy Hilbert and Sean Bergenheim had the goals for the Islanders, who fell to 0-9-1 in their last 10 contests. New York is in the midst of its longest losing streak since dropping 10 straight from December 22, 1997 through January 10, 1998. Joey MacDonald made 23 saves for New York, which last won November 29 at home against Ottawa.

Little gave the Thrashers a 3-2 edge at 7:42 of the third as Atlanta took advantage of a Mike Comrie slashing penalty. Kovalchuk blasted the puck from above the left circle and Little was at the left side of the net for the successful rebound, also marking Kovalchuk's milestone 500th point.

The Isles couldn't take advantage of a power play later in the period following Eric Boulton's hooking penalty at 10:35, and Hedberg came up with a pair of saves on shots from Freddy Meyer in the final 1 1/2 minutes.

Armstrong then added an empty-net goal for the final margin.

Schneider, who played for the Islanders from 1994-96, gave the Thrashers the first-period lead. Boris Valabik fed a cross-ice pass to Schneider, who blasted a successful one-timer from above the right circle high and past MacDonald at the 8:54 mark.

Hedberg stopped all 10 shots he faced in the opening period, and the Thrashers gained a two-goal lead at 6:38 of the middle period. Ron Hainsey took a shot from the left point. Slava Kozlov and Todd White both couldn't capitalize on chances in front, but Little mopped up and scored from the left side of the net.

Kovalchuk hit the crossbar on a sharp angle midway through the second and then the Isles broke a long goal drought on Hilbert's eighth of the year with just 3:12 remaining in the stanza. Trent Hunter's shot from the right side squeezed by Hedberg and through the crease, but Hilbert was on the other side for the easy tap-in.

The Islanders, who were blanked 1-0 at Nashville on Saturday, posted a goal for the first time since the 16:32 mark of the second period of a 4-1 loss at Minnesota last Friday.

New York squared the contest 23 seconds into the third on Bergenheim's short- handed tally. Mark Streit was in the penalty box for high-sticking in the final minute of the second. Bergenheim outmuscled White for the disc in the left circle, spun and fired the puck into the net.

Game Notes

The Isles' last 11-game skid came from March 16-April 5, 1996. The team record skid is 12, established during the inaugural 1972-73 season and equaled during the 1988-89 campaign...The Islanders host Toronto on Friday, while Atlanta's next game is also Friday, at home against Carolina...Kozlov had two assists and has 27 points (13g, 14a) in his last 27 contests...The Islanders are 7-17-3 against the Eastern Conference this season, including a 1-6-1 record versus the Southeast Division. In 2007-08, the Islanders finished 10-7-3 against Southeast opponents...Kovalchuk has 12 points (3g, 9a) in his last nine contests...White has a seven-game point streak.

Ccaisno Hockey Betting News

<< Gagne, Flyers down Senators
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Simon Gagne had a goal and an assist as the Philadelphia Flyers downed the Ottawa Senators, 6-4, at Wachovia Center. Matt Carle, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Andreas Nodl and Joffrey Lupul each had a

<< Okafor, Bobcats use late push to beat Wizards
Charlotte, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Emeka Okafor led the way for Charlotte with 29 points and 18 rebounds, as the Bobcats pulled away late to beat the Wizards, 80-72. Gerald Wallace added 16 points and eight boards for the Bobcats, w

<< Johnson's triple-double carries Hawks over lowly Thunder
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Joe Johnson recorded his second career triple- double with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 99-88 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder at Philips Arena. Marvin Williams

<< Kessel's streak ends, but Bruins blank Devils
Newark, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tim Thomas made 25 saves for his third shutout of the season, as Boston continued to roll with a 2-0 win over New Jersey at the Prudential Center. Milan Lucic and David Krejci lit the lamp for

<< Butler did it! Bulldogs down suddenly slumping Xavier
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Matt Howard had 19 points and 14 rebounds as the Butler Bulldogs upset the 14th-ranked Xavier Musketeers, 74-65, at Cintas Center. Gordon Hayward had 19 points and 10 rebounds while Willie Veasley added

Harris gives Nets victory over Pacers >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Devin Harris's 22-footer at the buzzer gave the New Jersey Nets a dramatic 108-107 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Harris finished with 29 points and 11 assists, while Vince Carter logged 38 points

Hoyas flatten FIU >>
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Austin Freeman scored 17 points and Chris Wright donated 14, as No. 12 Georgetown doubled up Florida International, 76-38, at the Verizon Center. DaJuan Summers added 13 points and five rebounds, wh

LeBron leads surging Cavs over Rockets >>
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - LeBron James dropped 27 points with nine rebounds and five assists to lift the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 99-90 triumph over the Houston Rockets at Quicken Loans Arena. Mo Williams went for 23 points

Celtic Pride: Boston makes history with win over Philly >>
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics became the first team in NBA history to open the season with a 27-2 record, as Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo each tallied 18 points in an emphatic 110-91 victory over Philadelphia, establi

No. 7 Gonzaga suffers rare home loss to Portland State >>
Spokane, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jeremiah Dominguez had 25 points, six rebounds and five assists, leading the Portland State Vikings to a shocking 77-70 upset of seventh-ranked Gonzaga. Dominic Waters and Phil Nelson both chipped in 16 p

Numerous College Basketball teams take final big step to March Madness betting

So, what turned on the lock spigot? Well, after what felt like weeks of teams treading water and slipping back into the bubble muck, a bunch of them finally decided to say "to heck with parity" and won games that should put them into the Big Dance.

Disagree with some of these? Then here's the challenge. Take all of the "should be ins" and make a legit case that each should be ahead of the team that's a lock. Then find 10 more teams that also should be placed in the bracket ahead of that lock team. Not so easy, is it?

If you want more evidence that these locks should be good to go, check out what our research department dug up. Since the NCAA Tournament went to 64 teams in 1985, only six teams from a "big six" conference have had a record of 10-6 or better in conference play and not been selected: Colorado (2004) and Nebraska (1999) from the Big 12, Boston College and Seton Hall (both 2003) from the Big East, Indiana (2005) from the Big Ten and UCLA, which somehow went 12-6 in the Pac-10 in 1988 and still missed out. (Note: Five teams went 11-7 and didn't get in, the latest being last season's Stanford team, which had a brutal nonconference run.)

Yes, 10 conference wins doesn't always mean what it used to because of unbalanced schedules, but this season, it should be plenty good in all but the extreme cases (see: Iowa).

In a way, this is a welcome development, because this is a bubble watch, not a lock watch. We can finally be done with teams like Maryland and Virginia Tech and start really bearing down on at-large battles such as Syracuse-West Virginia and Appalachian State-Georgia Tech.

Interestingly, all the shifting of teams into lock status appears to be more administrative than impactful. The number of remaining available at-larges didn't change one iota. The only difference is that teams on the bubble now have a clearer idea of which team(s) they are competing with for those precious bids.

The Bubble Breakdown
CONFERENCE LOCKS SHOULD BE INS AT-LARGES TAKEN
(assuming no auto bid outlier)
ACC Betting Odds 6 0 5
Big East Betting Odds 5 0 4
Big Ten Betting Odds 2 2 3
Big 12 Betting Odds 3 0 2
Pac-10 Betting Odds 5 1 5
SEC Betting Odds 4 0 3
MVC Betting Odds 1 1 1
MWC Betting Odds 2 1 2
TOTAL 28 5 25

As always, I've tried to be as inclusive as possible while only including teams that would have a reasonable chance of at least being discussed if this were Selection Sunday. If your team's not on here, there's probably a good reason (or three) -- start with the RPI and SOS numbers and work your way down.

(Please remember, per selection committee criteria, that records displayed are Division I only. Next update: Feb. 28)

If you have a legitimate grievance, or just like talking bubble, send an e-mail. Polite ones with fact-based arguments have a much better chance of receiving a response. I apologize in advance if I can't get back to all of you.

Atlantic Coast Conference

Work left to do: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech

The ACC moves to six locks as BC, Va Tech and Virginia all got their 10th ACC wins, which should be more than enough this season, and Maryland rallied past North Carolina to get the final piece the Terps needed. After that? It could end there unless FSU, Ga Tech or Clemson picks things up in a hurry.

 

Work left to do:

Clemson [19-9 (5-9), RPI: 41, SOS: 42] The Tigers are closer to locking up the collapse of the year award (in a good battle with OK State) than they are to grabbing an at-large. Clemson's been very competitive, but there's no really positive way you can spin nine losses in 11 games. They now cannot get to .500 in ACC play and still must head to Virginia Tech in the season finale (after hosting Miami). Unless the Tigers win both and/or do some serious work in the ACC tourney, they very well could be left out. There are no great nonconference wins, but ODU, App State, Miss. State, South Carolina and Georgia are all respectable W's.

Florida State [18-11 (6-9), RPI: 48, SOS: 14] The Noles got thrashed at Maryland to run their losing streak to five, but then pounded NC State at home to set the table for what likely is an elimination game at Miami. You can at least make a case for the Seminoles at 7-9 in ACC play (and some work in the ACC tourney), but 6-10 is not going to cut it. Wins at Duke and over Florida will resonate, but the computer numbers remain questionable. Beyond Florida, FSU thrashed bubble buddy Providence, but there's not a ton beyond those two games that will help. They didn't show well in big-time opportunities against Pitt and Wisconsin (before the Florida win).

Georgia Tech [18-10 (6-8), RPI: 51, SOS: 46] The Jackets beat Wake on Wednesday but couldn't get it done at UVa on Saturday, which could be a crucial loss with UNC and BC (both at home) remaining and 8-8 almost a certain need for at-large consideration. A nonconference win over Memphis helps, but the RPI and SOS are not at-large quality right now; if you combine those with a sub-.500 ACC mark, that could spell NIT for GT.

For more College Basketball betting lines go to MySportsbook.com

Additional basketball lines can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.


Police report: Terrell Owens hospitalized after attempt

Terrell Owens will address the media at a 3:15 p.m. ET news conference outside the Cowboys' practice facility after an internal police report indicated he tried to kill himself by overdosing on prescription pain medication, even putting two more pills into his mouth after a friend intervened.

The Dallas police report said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"

Owens left the hospital late Wednesday morning, giving reporters a "thumbs up" but making no comment as he was driven away in an SUV.

Michael Irvin said that Owens denied he attempted suicide and said he was rushed to the hospital as a result of an adverse reaction to medication. And a source close to Owens told Michael A. Smith that Owens wasn't attempting suicide.

NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders said he spoke with Owens shortly before his release from the hospital and that Owens was in good spirits.

"The fact that it has been reported a suicide attempt, he's laughed at that notion. It was a case that medication that was taken wasn't accepted well in his system with the other vitamins he's on," Sanders said.

The series of events began a little before 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Owens' publicist, Kim Etheredge, said she was at Owens' home when he took pain medicine for his broken right hand. Concerned by how he began acting, Etheredge said in various interviews Wednesday with Dallas-area media that she called 911. Owens was taken to a hospital, with Etheredge saying it was an allergic reaction to the medicine.

But early Wednesday, several media outlets received a police report -- that had yet to be released by the authorities -- saying Owens had attempted suicide by overdosing on the painkillers, even putting two more pills into his mouth after an unidentified friend intervened.

The police document, first reported by WFAA-TV, said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"

When officially released by police, about half the document was blacked out, including the phrases "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication" and "a drug overdose," as well as the details of Owens having two pills pried from his mouth and Owens saying "Yes" when asked if he intended to harm himself.

Etheredge, who said she was the friend cited in the police document, told Dallas-area media Wednesday that the police got the story wrong.

The tape of the 911 call could help clear things up. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get its contents, but fire department officials said it would not be available before late Wednesday.

The police report said the 32-year-old Owens told his friend "that he was depressed." Details of the police report were first reported by WFAA-TV.

The friend, who is not identified in the report, "noticed that [his] prescription pain medication was empty and observed [Owens] putting two pills in his mouth," the police report said.

Using her fingers, the friend attempted to pry them out of Owens' mouth. Owens told police he had taken only five of the 40 pain pills in the bottle he'd emptied before the incident.

Etheredge told the Star-Telegram that Owens was "fine."

Etheredge said she called 911 because Owens was groggy and lethargic. After taking some supplements "it kicked in a reaction" with the painkillers, she told the Star-Telegram.

"Here's a person whose body is so clean, it really had a negative reaction to the medication and supplements he was taking," Etheridge told The Morning News. "Thank goodness someone was there to call an ambulance."

Police Lt. Rick Watson said he could only confirm that paramedics called police to say they were taking Owens to the hospital. He said no more details would come from the police because no laws were broken.

It is not a crime in Texas for a person to attempt suicide.

"This is a high-profile person. We looked into it and we determined it is not a criminal offense," Watson said. "This a medical type of situation that occurred."

Watson and fire department spokesman Joel Lavender cited privacy laws for the lack of information they could provide. Lavender said more details could come from the 911 call. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get the contents of the call.

"Let's just look at the tape, review the tape," Lavender said. "I'll give you an honest answer once I know something."

At the police news conference, Watson released a version of the police narrative with certain sections blacked out. The full report was obtained by several news outlets and reported first by WFAA. The AP received the full version from WFAA.

According to the police report, Dallas Fire and Rescue was called regarding someone "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication." Officers arrived to find Owens being stabilized by ambulance workers, who then took him to Baylor University Medical Center.

Owens was hospitalized late Tuesday because of what his publicist said was an allergic reaction to pain medicine he was taking for a broken hand. Doctors reportedly tried to induce vomiting.

Owens, one of the league's top receivers during his 11-year NFL career, is best known for wild stunts on the field and other publicity-seeking antics off it.

When the Cowboys signed him to a $25 million, three-year deal in March, they said their background checks indicated no red flags. In fact, team consultant Calvin Hill -- who mostly deals with troubled players -- said during training camp that his department was not involved with Owens because he didn't have a history of those kinds of problems.

He missed most of training camp, and three of four preseason games, because of a hamstring injury. He was late for work during his recovery and was fined for it, but Owens laughed it off, saying he overslept. He said it had happened before, though not with Dallas, and would probably happen again.

Owens broke the bone leading to his right ring finger during a game a week ago Sunday. The next day, doctors screwed in a plate so the bone could heal without fear of further damage. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said last week that the pain medicine made Owens ill.

Owens had not practiced since the injury, but because Dallas had a bye this past weekend he did not miss a game. He was expected to practice Wednesday, and Parcells had said there was a chance Owens could play Sunday against Tennessee.

Owens had been especially looking forward to the Cowboys' game after that -- Oct. 8, in Philadelphia, against the team that dumped him midway through last season only months after he helped them nearly win the Super Bowl.

Owens was seen laughing and joking on the practice field Tuesday morning. He chatted briefly with reporters in the locker room in the afternoon and seemed fine. A 2-inch scar on the top of his hand was puffy but not wrapped, and he said the swelling was doing down.

While in the locker room, he took a pill from a white paper bag and looked at another medicine bottle that was in the bag. He also called a business partner about a towel-wrap venture they're starting and joked to TV cameras that he wasn't talking until Wednesday and it was only Tuesday.

"My little boy knows better than that," he said, laughing, as he plopped onto a sofa in the middle of the locker room.

Also Tuesday, Owens was involved in launching a national campaign for the National Alliance to End Abuse, an organization aimed at helping at-risk youngsters. He appeared at a high school Tuesday morning and was scheduled to visit others but had to cancel because of changes in the team's practice schedule.

Owens has played two games for the Cowboys, catching nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. For updated football betting lines and Dallas Cowboy Superbowl odds visit online sportsbook MySportsbook.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your VISA Sportsbook needs.