SASKATOON - Saskatoon Blades captain Brenden Walker and his teammates know their time together is almost up. The 20-year-old overage centre leads a veteran roster at the MasterCard Memorial Cup thats looking to go out on top after a trying season that still has a chance for a happy ending. The host team at the tournament was assembled with the sole purpose of winning the Canadian Hockey League title, but stumbled badly late in the season and was swept in the first round of the Western Hockey League playoffs. After a long break that included mounting criticism, the Blades lost 3-2 in the Memorial Cup opener to the London Knights before bouncing back with a big 5-2 upset win over the No. 1 ranked Halifax Mooseheads on Sunday for their first victory in over two months. Walker says it isnt lost on the players that as many as 18 of them could be participating in their final week of CHL hockey. "Were laying it all out there," Walker said Tuesday. "Theres nothing to rest for so the guys will take a shot in the teeth, whatever it takes." Blades defenceman Duncan Siemens, a first-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche in 2011, says the Memorial Cup brings out the best in players. "Theres not too many things out there that can beat the stage that were on. Its one of the hardest trophies in sports to win," he said. "You see that every night when guys go out there and are diving head first in front of pucks and doing absolutely everything they can to help their team." The 19-year-old Siemens adds that the experience on the Sasktoon roster has helped the team deal with the ups and downs it faced this season. "We do have an older group and for a few of our overagers this is their last kick at the can. I think we all want to do it for each other. Were not really focused on whats gonna come after this," he said. "We feel as a group weve worked extremely hard to this point and it would just be a waste to not put our best foot forward and not play they way were capable of." The Blades have their fate in the own hands ahead of Wednedays final round-robin game against the Portland Winterhawks as both teams sit at 1-1. A Saskatoon victory sends them to Sundays final, while a loss means the Blades will have to play in Thursdays tiebreaker against the London Knights. Overage right-winger Josh Nicholls has three goals and an assist through the Blades first two games at the Memorial Cup. The 21-year-old who is property of the New York Rangers has played in Saskatoon for five seasons and says the Blades understand the enormity of the situation for a team that has had its share of doubters. "We want it to be a special moment for us to all finish our careers together and make it a championship year. At the same time were doing it for all the alumni and the whole city of Saskatoon," Nicholls said. "I think everyone deserves a championship in this city and we feel like were really lucky. "Its a special opportunity to be in this position." Blades head coach and general manager Lorne Molleken made a series of moves that sacrificed the future for the present as the franchise pushed for its first CHL title. Although the season didnt go according to plan, he says theres still an opportunity to make history. "Thats the beauty of team sport. We have a chance to do something extremely special here and our players have laid it on the line for each other. Thats been a big big part of it," Molleken said. "We feel that we have a solid group in that room thats been a good team all year. "Weve faced a lot of different adversities so we have chance here to do something special." Blades left-winger Michael Ferland was acquired from the Brandon Wheat Kings for a first-round pick before the trade deadline to help solidify the roster. He and Walker played in the Memorial Cup with Brandon back in 2010 and says he feels fortunate to get a second chance. "We realize that we dont really get a shot like this very often," said the 21-year-old Ferland, a 2010 fifth-round pick of the Calgary Flames. "We just want to go out on top. "Ive just got to embrace it. Times going by so fast." And while the clock is ticking on this incarnation of the Blades, theyre soaking up the experience that very few players get to experience. "This is something that youll remember for the rest of your life. For most people its a once in a lifetime experience and you want to make the most of it," Siemens said. "Its been the most fun Ive ever had playing hockey. Its an experience that will teach you a lot about yourself and a lot about the group that youre with."Adidas Continental 80 NZ . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. Superstar Womens NZ . Roman Josi had a goal and an assist to lead the Predators to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night. http://www.nmdshoesnz.com/adidas-x-plr-cheap-nz.html . Emery skated the length of the ice and fought an unwilling Holtby during the third period of the Flyers 7-0 loss Friday night in Philadelphia. He was given 29 penalty minutes, including a game misconduct. But Emery did not face even a disciplinary hearing with NHL senior vice president of player safety Brendan Shanahan because rules 46. Y-3 Shoes NZ . General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. Adidas NMD R2 NZ . After slipping from the summit during the week, the Gunners overcame struggling Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains second-half brace.MESA, Ariz. -- Arizona ace Zack Greinke allowed an unearned run in the first inning and struck out five in three innings Friday night for the Diamondbacks Arizona League affiliate in his first rehabilitation start.Greinke went on the disabled list July 3 with a left oblique strain. The 32-year-old right-hander was hurt when he hit a sacrifice fly early in a June 28 game against Philadelphia.Facing the Chicago Cubs affiliate at Sloan Park on Friday in the game that started in nearly 110-degree heat, Greinke allowed four hits, didnt walk a batter and threw 52 pitches. He threw his finnal pitches in the third with lightning flashing in the distance, and the game was suspended in the top of the fourth because of rain and lightning.ddddddddddddGreinke signed a $206.5 million, six-year contract in the offseason, and the Diamondbacks have been cautious with his rehab. He threw 40 pitches during a bullpen session Tuesday.Greinke had rounded into his usual form before the injury, reeling off seven straight victories. Hes 10-3 with a 3.62 ERA. ' ' '
