ICE HOCKEY NEWS: Chicago Beats Phoenix 4-3 In a Tight Game

Scrambling with time running down in regulation, the Chicago Blackhawks found a way to score in the closing seconds for the second straight game.

This time, they pulled out a win to head back to the Windy City with home-ice advantage.

Bryan Bickell had his second goal 10:36 into overtime and the Blackhawks beat the Phoenix Coyotes 4-3 on Saturday night.

''I don't think I've ever seen that before, back to back games forcing overtime,'' Chicago forward Patrick Kane said. ''But I was thankful we seized the opportunity and won this one.''

Phoenix took the opener 3-2 in overtime after giving up a goal to Brent Seabrook with 14 seconds left in regulation. Patrick Sharp did it to the Coyotes with even less time in Game 2, redirecting a shot by Kane with 5.5 seconds left.

Bickell, like Phoenix's Martin Hanzal the game before, became the hero when he beat Mike Smith from between the circles after Viktor Stalberg kept a pass by Phoenix's Rostislav Klesla in the Coyotes' zone.

Brian Bollig also scored for Chicago, which tied the series at 1-1 as it heads back to Chicago for Game 3 on Tuesday night.

''It was exciting to get the goal to give the team the win, but you know what? It should be exciting to go back to Chicago now,'' Bickell said.

The Coyotes had their chances.

Overcoming a second straight shaky start, they fought back and were leading 3-2 after Antoine Vermette scored two goals and Raffi Torres added another.

Smith was steady after nearly being knocked out by Chicago's Andrew Shaw in the second period, making some big saves down the stretch and in overtime.

Phoenix just couldn't put it all together, missing on a couple chances at an empty net at the end of regulation and Smith missing the two shots that mattered the most.

The combination prevented the Coyotes from taking a 2-0 lead in eight straight playoff series since moving to the desert since 1996 and leaves them needing to win in Chicago to regain home-ice advantage.

''We have confidence in our team on the road, we know how to play the game,'' Coyotes captain Shane Doan said. ''As ugly and as painful as it looks, we all recognize that it's one game. It's going to be a long series.''

Phoenix won the opener by dictating the pace at just the right time, scoring two goals in the second period and the winner in overtime by keeping the Blackhawks in their zone for lung-burningly-long shifts.

Chicago had the early jump in Game 1, getting a goal from Jonathan Toews in his return from a concussion, and tied it late to force overtime. But for a puck-control team, the Blackhawks had a hard time holding onto it, bothered by Phoenix's forechecking and aggressiveness in the neutral zone.

Chicago again started fast, getting a power play 1:08 into the game and outshooting Phoenix 9-1. Bickell scored at the end of the man advantage with a waist-high whack on a rebound off Dave Bolland's shot, giving Chicago its first goal with a man advantage in its last 15 chances.

Just like Game 1, Phoenix fought back.

Torres tied it midway through the first period with a wrister out front after Doan fought off a defender from behind the net to get the pass off.

Vermette put the Coyotes up 2-1, camping out in front of Chicago goalie Corey Crawford before redirecting a shot by Keith Yandle for his third of the playoffs.

The power-play goal came after Kane was sent to the penalty box for goalie interference, a call that infuriated the Blackhawks because he took the brunt of the collision with Smith.

A bigger crash in the second period gave the Coyotes a bigger boost - following an initial scare.

After Bollig tied it with a wrister that beat Smith glove side, Phoenix's goalie provided his team and the crowd with a bit of is-he-really-staying-in-the-game inspiration.

Playing a puck behind his goal, Smith was broadsided by Shaw, who charged in from the right side. Smith threw his head back after being struck by Shaw's shoulder and went to the ice, where he lay on his back as four members of Phoenix medical team hovered over him.

Smith groggily sat up after a few minutes, prompting a chant of ''Smitty! Smitty!'' from the home crowd, then caused a roar as he gingerly skated toward his net. Smith squirted water from a bottle over his head, strapped his helmet back on and parked himself back in the crease.

Shaw, who was surprised by the call, was sent off with a 5-minute charging penalty and a game misconduct.

''The league will look at that,'' Phoenix coach Dave Tippett said. ''Obviously, that's contact to the head. Doesn't matter if it's a goaltender or a player, that's blindside contact to the head and I'm sure the league will look at it.''

With Smith back, the adrenaline-infused Coyotes didn't long to score on the ensuing power play, Vermette putting them up 3-2 with a wrister from the left circle.

Smith was sturdy after nearly being cold cocked, stopping two power plays to end the second period and making several tough saves in the third.

But, just like the opener, he couldn't stop Chicago in the closing seconds.

With Crawford off for an extra attacker, the Blackhawks peppered Smith with a flurry of shots in the closing seconds. Smith turned back most of them, but couldn't react in time when Sharp, positioned right in front of him, ticked Kane's shot from the point to send the game to overtime.

Unlike the opener, the Blackhawks got the win this time, thanks to a gritty play by Stalberg and a big shot by Bickell.

''A fortunate bounce, but at the same time we did some good things as the game went on,'' Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. ''It was a competitive game, one of those games where it was on the line throughout, but today we got the bounce.''

Notes: Coyotes C Martin Hanzal left in the first period with an undisclosed injury and didn't return. LW Lauri Korpikoski also went out in the third period. ... Phoenix had killed off 30 straight penalties before Bickell's goal in the first period. ... Chicago's Duncan Keith had an assist on Bollig's goal and leads Blackhawks defensemen with 30 points in 47 career playoff games.

IPL News: KKR Shine, Shakib Storm Hits the Royals

With each passing day the IPL is getting more Exciting and the teams are coming back into the Groove. KKR lost two of their opening games but won the third one. In the fourth game, they are looking on course for a win after the majestic performance of Shakib Al Hasan, the young Bangladeshi All-rounder.

The Lad has been performing very well for the past few months. With the emergence of Bangladesh as a team in the recently concluded Asia Cup, all eyes were on him in the IPL. But he didn't play the first two games for the KKR. The golden Boy of Bangladesh seems to have the hand of midas, as he played in their third game KKR won. In the fourth game he has so far performed exceedingly well with the white cherry. The no.1 all-rounder in the ICC rankings took 3 major scalps including that of "The Wall" Dravid to set the Rajesthan Royals back. His figures are as follows: 4 overs bowled 0 maidens 17 runs conceded and he had taken 3 to keep the Rajashan Boys in check.

Later at the death when things were getting tough The shak storm rose again and he smacked 16 valuable runs in 10 balls and as a result he became man of the match

Phillies beat Marlins: Credit goes to Halladay

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Roy Halladay's presence was a bigger obstacle for the Miami Marlins than Ozzie Guillen's absence.

Halladay threw seven sharp innings and the Philadelphia Phillies broke out of their offensive slump, beating the Marlins 7-1 on Wednesday night in Miami's first game without its suspended manager.

Guillen was suspended five games by the Marlins on Tuesday for saying he admired Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. Bench coach Joey Cora filled in for Guillen in the dugout.

It didn't matter against Halladay.

''They played better than we did and they beat us,'' Cora said.

A once-potent offense that's missing Chase Utley and Ryan Howard struggled in Philadelphia's first four games, scoring eight runs total. But they rocked Marlins ace Josh Johnson, chasing the big right-hander in the fourth.

Carlos Ruiz hit a solo homer and a double. Jimmy Rollins, Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino - the Phillies' 3-4-5 hitters - were 7 for 13 with three RBIs and four runs.

''It's only Game 5, we have to forget about it and get ready for tomorrow, but yeah, it's great to get seven runs,'' Victorino said. ''We'll definitely take it, and we just have to keep on doing the little things. Whether it's laying down a bunt, stealing a base, small ball, that's what we're going to have to do. And the thing about it is it works. I can't see us changing that philosophy, even when the big guys come back.''

Before the game, the focus was on Guillen. He returned to Miami after the Marlins beat the Phillies on Monday and called his remark the biggest mistake of his life in a news conference in Little Havana. Guillen spoke to the team before the clubhouse opened and players expressed their support afterward.

''It was good to see him here,'' closer Heath Bell said. ''We support him. We're going to try and do our best without him.''

Halladay (2-0) allowed one run and five hits, striking out three. He has the only two wins for the five-time defending NL East champs.

''He got the lead and stepped up,'' Cora said. ''The great ones do. He's a great pitcher obviously. After he got the lead, he took over the game.''

Johnson (0-2) gave up six runs and a career-high 11 hits in 3 2-3 innings. He's allowed 21 hits and nine runs in 9 2-3 innings over two starts. Johnson, the 2010 NL ERA champion, was tied for the major league lead with a 1.64 ERA last year when a shoulder injury sent him to the disabled list in mid-May.

Coming into this year, Johnson had allowed 10 or more hits just once in 113 starts - at Cincinnati on Aug. 13, 2010. He's now done it in both starts this season.

''It seems things are going the exact opposite of last year,'' Johnson said. ''I felt good, a lot better than the first game. Crazy stuff happens.''

This was hardly a typical Halladay-Johnson matchup. Halladay tossed a perfect game against the Marlins and Johnson on May 29, 2010. Johnson beat him 2-0 less than two weeks later and 2-1 last May.

''I know he's going to get better,'' Cora said of Johnson. ''We have to have a little leeway with him. He hadn't pitched in seven days. Next outing he's going to be sharper. It's going to take some time for him to be the JJ we know.''

Former Marlins leadoff hitter Juan Pierre got things started for Philadelphia with a one-out single in the third. Pierre stole second and scored on Placido Polanco's infield single up the middle. Polanco advanced to second when the ball deflected off Johnson and caromed to shortstop Jose Reyes.

Rollins then ripped an RBI single to left-center to put the Phillies up 2-1. Rollins went to second when left fielder Logan Morrison slipped and booted the ball for an error.

Pence singled to left to drive in Rollins for a 3-1 lead. Victorino followed with a single to right. Victorino stole second to put runners on second and third, but John Mayberry Jr. hit a soft liner to second for the second out. After Ruiz was intentionally walked, Freddy Galvis lined a two-run double to right to make it 5-1.

Galvis, filling in for Utley, was 1 for 14 before that hit. Fans chanted ''Freddy! Freddy! Freddy!'' when the rookie dug in at the plate and serenaded him with another round of cheers after the clutch hit.

The Phillies chased Johnson with three consecutive two-out singles in the fourth. Rollins, Pence and Victorino got the hits to extend the lead to 6-1.

Halladay threw eight innings in a 1-0 victory at Pittsburgh in the season opener. He gave up a run in the second against Miami.

Omar Infante led off the inning by ripping a double off the wall in left, nearly hitting his third homer in two games. He went to third on a flyout by John Buck and scored on Johnson's groundout.

NOTES: Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Howard and Utley were making progress, though it's still uncertain when either player will return to the lineup. ... Marlins RF Giancarlo Stanton was back in the lineup in the cleanup spot after missing Monday's game with a knee problem. ... A crowd of 45,359 was the 222nd consecutive sellout at Citizens Bank Park, including postseason play. ... Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (0-1) makes his first start in the series finale on Thursday. Blanton is 6-2 with a 3.33 ERA in nine career starts vs. Florida. LHP Mark Buehrle (0-1) takes the mound for the Marlins. He was 3-0 vs. Philadelphia while with the Chicago White Sox.

Dodhers Start the Season with A Bang: Best opening since '81

LOS ANGELES (AP) Chris Capuano likes what he sees so far from his new team and wants to do everything he can to keep it going.

Capuano struck out seven in his first home game with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who scored all of their runs in the first inning against Jeff Karstens and beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 on Thursday night to complete a three-game sweep.

The Dodgers are off to a 6-1 start - their best since 1981, when they won the World Series in Fernando Valenzuela's rookie year.

''I think it's a little early for comparisons, but it's a great way to start the season,'' Capuano said.

Capuano allowed two runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings with no walks. The 33-year-old left-hander struck out five of his first eight batters, four of them on called third strikes with umpire Wally Bell working the plate.

''I'm really happy with my stuff,'' Capuano said. ''I feel like I've got great movement on the ball and pretty good command of my pitches, for the most part. But in the last game and this one, my location really started to suffer in the fifth and sixth innings. So that's something I'm going to have to look at so I can make quality pitches the whole game like I did the first four innings.''

Los Angeles' pitchers had a 25-0 strikeout-to-walk ratio in this series before Mike MacDougal's walk to Mike McKenry in the sixth. The last time the Dodgers' staff went an entire three-game series without issuing a base on balls was in July 1940, against the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds.

''After the San Diego series, that was something we focused on in our pitchers' meeting leading into this series - to cut down on the walks, attack the strike zone, challenge the hitters and make them beat us,'' Capuano said. ''That was foremost on our minds.''

Javy Guerra, the sixth Dodgers pitcher, pitched a perfect ninth for his fifth save in five attempts - all in a span of eight days.

Karstens (0-1) gave up seven hits, struck out three and walked one over five innings. Last season, the right-hander had a streak of 18 consecutive starts in which he was charged with no more than three earned runs and was only 7-5 during that stretch - which began with his second start after being inserted into the rotation.

''If you don't like coming out early, then don't give up runs early,'' Karstens said. ''In the Philly game I gave up a run early and here I gave up three runs early. Then I was able to settle down both times and felt more comfortable as the game went on. It's just something I'm going through right now, so we'll address it and see where it takes us and what we need to do to fix it.''

Andrew McCutchen, who had three hits for the Pirates, was stranded at third base in the first and fourth innings. The Pirates finally got him home in the sixth with a sacrifice fly by Yamaico Navarro, after McCutchen led off with a single and took third on Casey McGehee's base hit.

Capuano (1-0) was lifted after the sac fly. The walk to McKenry loaded the bases, but lefty Scott Elbert came out of the bullpen and retired pinch hitter Matt Hague on a line drive to center fielder Matt Kemp.

Andre Ethier, who drove in the deciding run in each of the first two games of the series with a home run and RBI single, was hit in the back by the first pitch he saw from Karstens in the first inning after the Dodgers got a one-out single by Mark Ellis and a double by Kemp.

Juan Rivera drove in Ellis with a sacrifice fly, and the Dodgers made it 3-0 on RBI singles from James Loney and Juan Uribe. Loney's hit ended an 0-for-16 drought, his longest to start a season in his seven-year career.

McKenry, Pittsburgh's No. 8 hitter, hit a drive to center in the fifth for the Pirates' third homer in their first six games.

NOTES: The Dodgers are 60-23 against Pittsburgh since the 2002 season, which was the last time the Pirates won a season series from them. ... Dodgers LHP Ted Lilly is expected to come off the disabled list Saturday and make his season debut against San Diego after being sidelined with a neck problem. ... Dodgers leadoff hitter Dee Gordon, whose job is to hit the ball on the ground and use his speed, flied out his first three times up. In the second inning, he sent CF McCutchen to the warning track.

Koby Bryant Loses, Fan's Explaination: Andrew Bynum is the Most Clutch Player for Lakers

Conventional wisdom states that Kobe Bryant is the Lakers most fearsome weapon in the final minutes of a close game. Even Kobe's peers in the league voted him the overwhelming "most clutch" player in the league in a recent Sports Illustrated poll.

But the stats in 2012 tell a very different story.

In close games (within five points) with less than 3:00 left, Kobe is shooting just 33.3%. Andrew Bynum? He's shooting an other-worldly 85.2% when the game is on the line.

Without a doubt, Andrew Bynum has been the Lakers most clutch performer toward the end of close games this season. And the statistical results between Bynum and Bryant are not even close.

With data taken from pro-basketball-reference.com, through April 3rd, 2012 Andrew Bynum is dominating offensively in games that are within five points with three minutes of less remaining as seen below:

Andrew Bynum - Game Within 5 Points With 3:00 or Less Remaining

4th Quarter: 17-21 FG's (80.9%) (data here)

Overtime: 6-6 FG's (100%) (data here)

Bynum Total: 23-27 FG's (85.2%)

Kobe Bryant - Game Within 5 Points With 3:00 or Less Remaining

4th Quarter: 23-60 FG's (38.3%) (data here)

Overtime: 1-12 FG's (8.3%) (data here)

Bryant Total: 24-72 FG's (33.3%)

Sure, Andrew Bynum benefits from Kobe's presence because the Black Mamba draws so many double teams down the stretch in close games. Kobe has also assisted on five of Bynum's 23 clutch baskets so far this year.

Kobe Bryant, on the other hand, has seen his shooting percentage plummet to 33.3% in the final three minutes of tight games. Much of this is due to the fact that Kobe feels the need to put the team on his back and almost single-handedly bring home a victory. As I have written before, the more Kobe Bryant shoots, the more the Lakers lose, and Kobe's shooting percentage when the game is on the line illustrates why.

Fortunately for Lakers fans like me, Kobe has seemed to realize Bynum's value toward the end of close games. On March 11th Kobe drew up the final play for Andrew Bynum with the game on the line against the Boston Celtics, and Bynum delivered with a clutch bucket as the Lakers won 97-94.

If the Lakers are going to put together another push for the title in 2012, Lakers fans should be hoping Kobe keeps drawing up plays for Bynum when the game is on the line. ---- By Andrew Sweat