Sharks continue trek with test in Tampa

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02/16/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After splitting the first two tests of an epic nine-game road trip, the San Jose Sharks will travel to the Sunshine State for tonight's battle against the Lightning at Tampa Times Forum.

Thanks to a tennis tournament currently taking place at HP Pavilion, the Sharks have been pushed to the road for the majority of February. San Jose began its swing this past Sunday in St. Louis and the club won't play at home again until Feb. 28 against Philadelphia.

After dropping a 3-0 decision to the Blues, San Jose bounced back with Monday's victory in Washington. The 5-3 decision over the Capitals was just the second win in five games for the Sharks, who are currently three points ahead of Los Angeles for first place in the Pacific Division.

Joe Pavelski was the offensive star in Monday's victory, as he totaled four points on two goals and two assists in San Jose's win at Verizon Center.

Patrick Marleau contributed a pair of goals and Brent Burns also scored for the Sharks, who went 3-for-6 on the power play one night after getting shut out by the Blues.

"The message changed, and it was up to them to bounce back and respond the way they did," said Sharks head coach Todd McLellan.

Joe Thornton added three helpers and Thomas Greiss stopped 39-of-42 shots for his third win in four starts. The victory also improved San Jose's road record this season to 13-8-4.

The Sharks have dominated the Lightning in recent years, winning two straight and six of the last seven meetings in this series. San Jose posted a 7-2 home win over Tampa back on Dec. 21 with Logan Couture scoring twice for the Sharks in that lopsided victory.

San Jose had won three straight in Tampa until a 5-2 loss at the Forum on Oct. 22, 2009.

The Lightning have lost two straight and are just 2-3-2 in February after closing January on a season-high five-game winning streak.

Tampa Bay, which is 15-9-2 at home compared to a 9-17-4 road record, began a four-game homestand on Tuesday and was dealt a 4-0 setback by the Ottawa Senators. Jason Spezza notched a hat trick for the visitors and Craig Anderson made 28 saves to record the win.

Mathieu Garon allowed three goals on 26 shots in the loss, which was Tampa's first shutout defeat since dropping a 3-0 decision in St. Louis on Nov. 12.

"I think we missed a lot of opportunities that could have gotten everyone rolling. We definitely got a lot of chances to get back in the game," Lightning forward Vincent Lecavalier said.

Lightning defensemen Marc-Andre Bergeron (back) and Matt Gilroy (upper body) have missed the last four and two games, respectively, and both players are questionable for tonight.

Tampa Bay is tied with Buffalo for 13th in the East and is 10 points out of a playoff spot.

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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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