SOCHI, Russia – Not much has changed for Phil Kessel, other than the fact that hes stealing the Olympic hockey stage.
Nike Air Force 1 07 Lv8 Pas Cher . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil." An endlessly static personality, Kessel continued his 2014 domination on Sunday afternoon, racking up a hat trick in the Americans final preliminary round game against Slovenia, a thorough 5-1 victory at Shayba Arena. Currently the hottest player on the planet, the 26-year-old has already strung together four goals and seven points in three games on the Olympic stage. He entered Russian airspace in an absolute zone for the Toronto Maple Leafs, ringing up 11 goals and 27 points in the final 15 games (11 wins) before the Olympic break. In fact, no NHL player has more points since January 1 than the reluctant Madison, Wisconsin-born star. Kessel is the epitome of the never-high, never-low sports cliché, quiet and introverted in times both good and bad. Rooming during these Olympics with his Toronto linemate van Riemsdyk, Kessel has been consuming the Friday Night Lights TV series on his iPad during off-time from the rink. "We havent really had much dialogue in the room except when he wants to chirp me now and again," said van Riemsdyk with a laugh. "Its been fun though." American teammate Ryan Suter grew up in the same Wisconsin hometown as Kessel and said not much has changed. "Quiet," said Suter, whose father Bob coached Kessel as a kid. "The same as he is now. Doesnt talk much. Goal scorer. He was always scoring goals." But perhaps never like this. During his first test on the Olympic stage four years ago, Kessel had just a goal and an assist in six games. But from that point he has noticeably evolved into a more complete player and person. "Just more mature," Suter said. "I think hes more comfortable with himself. I think in 2010 he was kind of a little hesitant to talk or to try things and now hes comfortable with where he is and hes making a lot of good plays." "Obviously its a great honour to play for your country and its always exciting," said Kessel. "Im happy to be here." Silver medalists in Vancouver, Team USAs chances for gold in Sochi only rise higher with Kessel locked into this kind of zone. They wrapped up Group A with the win over Slovenia after beating the Russians in a shootout just a day earlier. Kessel played a large part in that, scoring his second hat trick in February (he had one for the Leafs on Feb. 1). The second of his three markers was a watch, rewind and watch again type of goal, the kind only a sniper with his natural gifts could score. Joe Pavelski, the third member of a highly productive third line trio for the Americans, was driving just right of the Slovenian goal when he flipped a pass from almost behind the net to his scorching linemate, charging hard left. Employing the hand-eye coordination of a baseball player, Kessel batted the puck – mid-air – behind helpless keeper Luka Gracnar. "Just get him the puck," said van Riemsdyk. "Thats pretty much it, get him the puck and let him do his thing." "Hes always been a good player," added Suter. "Hes always been a goal scorer. Hes always been quick, explosive. Hes doing all the things that he should do. He has all the tools. Hes putting them together."
Nike Air Force 1 07 Homme Pas Cher . Ramirez is still hitting behind Puig, only now they are in the third and fourth spots, and the change is starting to generate positive results for manager Don Mattingly.
Air Force One Just Do It Pas Cher . -- Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer, Colby Rasmus drove in two runs and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Detroit Tigers 9-4 on Saturday.CHICAGO -- In his first at-bat Monday night, Tyler Flowers of the Chicago White Sox hit a drive that bounced off the top of the wall in right field and back into play. He had to stop at third base with a triple. Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre told Flowers it was too bad he didnt get credit for a home run. "I was like, Im not too worried about it," the catcher said. "Ill probably hit another homer. I dont know if Ill get another triple." Indeed. Flowers homered in his next at-bat, drove in three runs and combined with rookie slugger Jose Abreu, who had two hits and two RBIs, to lead the White Sox to a rain-shortened 5-3 victory over the Rangers. The game was called in the bottom of the seventh inning following a 57-minute delay. Flowers went 3 for 3 to raise his batting average to .252 after it dropped to .213 last month. He scored two runs as the White Sox snapped a two-game losing streak. "Tyler had a great night," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. "The way hes been swinging the bat and doing things, you feel pretty confident when he goes up there." Abreu, who has 86 RBIs, went 2 for 3 on a day when he named the American Leagues player and rookie of the month for July. Rougned Odor had a two-run homer for Texas, which has lost four straight. Hector Noesi (6-8) bounced back from a rough outing at Detroit in his last start -- six runs in six innings -- to allow one earned run and four hits in seven innings. He was credited with a complete game because the game was called. Texas starter Nick Martinez (1-8) allowed five runs and eight hits in five-plus innings. The rookie has lost his last seven decisions. The White Sox, who trailed 3-0 early, pulled within a run on a two-run single by Abreu in the third inning and tied it in the fifth on a leadoff homer by Flowers. In the sixth, with the rain starting to fall, Dayan Viciedo led off with a single and Conor Gillaspie followed with a double too knock out Martinez.
Air Force 1 Soldes. With the infield playing in, right-hander Nate Adcock came on to strike out Gordon Beckham and Alejandro De Aza, but Flowers came through with a two-out single to drive in both runs for a 5-3 Chicago lead. "We were close to getting out of that inning," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "We just didnt execute our last pitch and Flowers, who was the star of the game tonight, took advantage of it." The score was 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh when the rain intensified and the game was delayed for the second time. There was a 22-minute delay at the start even though it wasnt raining because of showers in the vicinity. AWARD WINNING Abreu, who batted .374 with six home runs and 19 RBIs in July, is the first rookie to win the player of the month award twice and fourth to be named rookie of the month three times. The Cuban slugger, who entered the game leading the majors in homers and RBIs, was asked if he is surprised by his sudden success. "I dont really like to talk about myself, but I am surprised," he said through a translator. "I wasnt expecting to have all this success, definitely not all these awards." TRAINERS ROOM Rangers: Catcher Geovany Soto (strained groin) is expected to be activated for the series with the Houston Astros starting on Friday. White Sox: De Aza left the game after the sixth inning with a bruised left knee after fouling a pitch off his leg. Right-hander Zach Putnam (shoulder inflammation) is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled when hes eligible to come off on Friday. Putnam has a 3-2 record with three saves and a 2.35 ERA and is one of the few bright spots in the bullpen this season. "Hes throwing tomorrow, so he should be available when his times up," Ventura said. ON DECK Right-hander Colby Lewis (7-8, 5.98) faces left-hander John Danks (9-6, 4.50) in the second game of the three-game set on Tuesday. ' ' '