Avs attempt to extend win streak over Flames

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03/17/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Colorado Avalanche will try for their fourth straight win overall as well as their seventh victory in a row over the Calgary Flames tonight when the two teams clash at Pepsi Center.

The Avalanche's current winning streak over the Flames includes a victory in all four meetings so far this season, with each contest ending in a 3-2 score. The first three meetings finished in regulation before Colorado notched a shootout triumph at Calgary on Jan. 11.

Chris Stewart had the game-tying goal in that victory and also notched the winner in the shootout. The forward has been red-hot as of late, posting 10 goals and 11 assists over his last 12 games.

Stewart also scored and had an assist in Tuesday night's 5-3 win over St. Louis, giving him six goals and four helpers over a five-game point streak. Paul Stastny had a tally and two assists to run his point streak to eight games (5 goals, 10 assists), while Peter Mueller scored twice to go along with an assist.

Mueller has a point in all seven games since being acquired in a trade from Phoenix, notching four goals and 11 points in that span. He had just four goals and 17 points in 54 games with Phoenix this year before the trade.

"The more chances, the more confident I get," Mueller said. "Colorado gave me that chance."

Milan Hejduk contributed a goal for the Avalanche, who won their third straight overall. After making 23 straight starts, Craig Anderson was given the night off. Peter Budaj allowed a goal just eight seconds into the game in his place, but settled down to make 36 saves.

Anderson should start tonight and he has posted a 1.96 goals-against average in winning all four games versus the Flames this year.

Colorado, three points behind idle Vancouver for first place in the Northwest Division, has won seven of its last nine at home overall as well as three straight and four of its last five as the host versus Calgary.

The Flames are on the outside looking in with regards to the Western Conference playoff race, as their 2-1 setback to the Red Wings on Monday dropped them three points back of eighth-seeded Detroit with 13 games to play.

Craig Conroy scored in the loss and Miikka Kiprusoff, who has a 2.74 GAA in four starts versus Colorado this year, made 26 saves, but the Flames dropped their second in a row after a four-game winning streak.

Curtis Glencross failed to convert a penalty shot and the Flames also went 0- for-3 on the power play. That includes a four-minute man advantage with the game tied in which they managed only two shots.

"We need our power play to capitalize for us," Flames head coach Brent Sutter said. "I'm sure there are some guys disappointed but there are 13 games left which is a still lot of hockey to play. Full marks to Detroit, they played well here tonight. We've got to find ways to win tight games."

Christopher Higgins sat out with a foot injury and is doubtful for tonight for Calgary, which has lost seven of its last 10 on the road.

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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