Planungen » real prospect exists come the final g

CHICAGO - Al Montoyas sweet homecoming was one sour night for Jonathan Toews and Co. Montoya made 34 saves in his first win in his hometown and Andrew Ladd scored his 150th goal, leading the Winnipeg Jets to a 3-1 victory over the slumping Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. "This is very special. Ive been waiting for this one since I was a kid," said Montoya, who dropped his first two career starts at Chicago. "I cant even describe it, all my friends, all my family in the stands. Ive had some close ones, some good games in here, but this one takes it." Blake Wheeler had two third-period goals as Winnipeg (25-24-5) won for the second straight day, improving to 6-1 under new coach Paul Maurice. It also averted a season sweep by the Blackhawks, who won each of the first three games between the teams. "That win right there is just a great sign of character," Maurice said. Chicago (32-10-12) controlled the first two periods of its last home game before the Olympic break, but still went on to its third three-game slide of the season. The Stanley Cup champions open a seven-game trip Tuesday night in Calgary, and will not play again in Chicago until they take on Pittsburgh at Soldier Field on March 1. Brandon Bollig scored in the first for the Blackhawks, and Corey Crawford had 18 saves. "We just threw away another two points," Toews said. "I dont really have an explanation without seeming negative." The Blackhawks got Duncan Keith back after the defencemen missed Thursday nights 2-1 loss at Minnesota due to an illness. But coach Joel Quenneville scratched forward Bryan Bickell, who has struggled since returning from a lower-body injury. "Coachs decision. We need a lot more," Quenneville said. "Were looking for more." Chicago led 1-0 before Wheeler sent a rebound over Crawfords right glove at 8:16 of the third for his 20th goal. Marian Hossa then had a turnover deep in the Blackhawks end, and Ladd buried the open look against his former team for the tiebreaking goal at 12:53, drawing groans from the sellout crowd at the United Center. Wheeler added an empty-netter for his fourth goal in the last four games. "We know they have a lot of talent there and they like to control the puck," Ladd said. "But at the same time, you do get some chances against them. So we figured heading into the third with that one-goal lead we could turn it up a little bit and get some chances and get ourselves back in the game." Montoya was terrific while subbing for Ondrej Pavelec, who had started the last eight games for Winnipeg. The 28-year-old goaltender shut down the Blackhawks after an early gaffe put the Jets into a 1-0 hole. Bollig got a slick pass from Ben Smith a little more than a minute into the game and skated behind the net for a wraparound as he fell to the ice. The shot went off Montoyas stick and right pad for Bolligs sixth goal at 1:21. The Blackhawks had several opportunities to add to the lead in the first, but Montoya was there each time. They outshot the Jets 18-2 in the period. Montoya used his right pad to stop Hossa on a breakaway with 12:05 left in the first, and then stayed in after he was shaken up on the resulting collision with the streaking forward. He also made a sprawling stop on Bollig at the end of the period. It was more of the same in the second, with Montoya stopping Patrick Kane on the right side of the net. The Jets had a chance to tie it with 6 1/2 minutes left in the second, but Crawford used his right foot to kick away a shot by Bryan Little and Ladds rebound attempt went off Sheldon Brookbanks left skate. NOTES: Kane played in his 500th NHL game. ... Winnipeg scratched C James Wright, D Zach Redmond and LW Eric Tangradi. ... Jets F Michael Frolik, a key contributor on Chicagos title-winning team last season, was greeted with a round of applause when he was introduced with Winnipegs starting lineup. ... The Blackhawks have just three wins in their last 10 games. Cheap Nike React China . Mike Trout, Josh Hamilton and Kole Calhoun all homered to help the Los Angeles Angels get their first win of the season with an 11-1 rout of the Houston Astros. Nike React Clearance .Kraft says Goodell realized before seeing a video showing Baltimore running back Ray Rice striking his then fiance that domestic violence was very serious for society in general. http://www.nikereactwholesale.com/. Fellow Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain also had a brace for Napoli. And Samuel Etoo scored for his fourth different team. On a night of standout individual performances Wednesday, Schalke goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand had a game hell want to forget. Nike React Wholesale .com) - Stephen Currys jumper with 3. Best Nike React Shoes . "That was a great lift for the staff," Padres manager Bud Black said. Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal homered, and Chase Headley drove in three runs, as the Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 11-1 on Friday night.Late last summer, London bookmakers were offering 2-to-1 odds Manchester United would retain the BPL title and meagre 1-to-14 odds they would finish in amongst the Champions League spots. Not sure any bookies were offering odds that, deep into the business end of the season, Liverpool would be placing job ads related to a victory parade the club are planning to possibly stage the day after the season ends. For those who recollect the quite extraordinary city scenes the day after Liverpool had beaten AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League Final when a reported 750,000 people lined the route as an open top bus carrying the European champions made its way from John Lennon Airport to City Hall, these arent the type of events you leave to chance. Even the Queen got in on the act then, as she sent the club her congratulations from Edmonton on the last day of her Canadian tour. A bus of an entirely different nature may have derailed Liverpools title bid after their club record equalling 11-game winning streak grinded to a rather abrupt halt last Sunday, but there can be no denying Liverpools rightful place at the head table - that Champions League virtuous circle more commonly referred to as the "top four." Having finished last season in a very distant seventh place, the turnaround at Liverpool has been nothing short of remarkable and especially when you consider the spending power and superior squad strengths of their title rivals. With Champions League football assured for next season, the target Brendan Rodgers set out with last August, making it all that more special their place back amongst the elite of English football, has come at the expense of their bitter rivals Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson may have preached patience for the incoming manager to the 75,000 in attendance at Old Trafford at his final home game last May, but how about the patience of the Anfield faithful who have waited almost a quarter of a century since their last championship triumph? Although the Chelsea reversal last week handed the initiative to Manchester City, that disappointment pales into insignificance when recalling how the 1989 title was decided. Arsenal not only had to go to Anfield on the last day of the 1989 season and win, but they had to do so by a two-goal advantage. With 90 minutes on the clock and Arsenal leading 1-0 the title was Liverpools.dddddddddddd Then, with time running out in added time, up popped Arsenals Michael Thomas to score the decisive goal. Seconds later came the final whistle, as Liverpool players lay completely distraught on the hallowed Anfield turf. Arsenal celebrated, the Kop, for once, in stunned silence. How cruel the beautiful game can be. No victory parades will be staged for the clubs who escape the dreaded drop going into the penultimate weekend of the season, with even FA Cup finalists Hull all the way up in 13th place not safe yet. Following a run of five-straight defeats that firmly rooted Sunderland to the foot of the table in mid-April, it led to questions been asked if Gus Poyet, who had only replaced Paolo Di Canio in October, would resign before seasons end. But my how the club have responded, most famously taking Jose Mourinhos unbeaten BPL home record, earlier this year. On Friday, 21-year old striker Connor Wickham was named BPL player of the month for April, his five goals playing a huge part as the club moved out of the bottom three for the first time since February. With a game in hand against the teams below them, Sunderland control their own destiny. Norwich, Fulham and Cardiff will need help from others this weekend. With the possibility that top place could change hands three times between tomorrow and Monday afternoon when Liverpool play, the real prospect exists come the final game of the season next Sunday that three clubs will still be in contention for the title. This would be the first time this has occurred in the BPL-era and, in doing so, will plunge the league into a silverware crisis. As there are only two BPL trophies in existence and, as traditionally the trophy is handed out on the last day of the season, a trophy will be needed next Sunday at Anfield, the Etihad and in Cardiff where Chelsea plays. So come the final whistle between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on Monday afternoon, the Premier League may have to put a call and a delicate request into Old Trafford, where, sitting resplendent in their trophy room, a replica BPL trophy exists. Any chance you can deliver it to Anfield please? You can reach and follow Noel Butler at:Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca @TheSoccerNoel on Twitter ' ' '