Bayern Trupp » particularly assertive at the start

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed defenceman Chad Ruhwedel to a two-year contract. Ruhwedel was a restricted free agent after the Sabres retained his rights by making him a qualifying offer last month. The team announced the signing on Wednesday. Ruhwedel split last season playing for the Sabres and their American Hockey League affiliate in Rochester. Overall, he has one assist in 28 NHL games, and four goals and 24 assists in 47 AHL games. The Sabres signed the University of Massachusetts Lowell product in April 2013 after Ruhwedel completed his college career. Hes shown signs of being a dependable two-way defenceman and has an opportunity to make the Sabres lineup this season. Cincinnati Reds Shirts . In a matchup of teams battling head-to-head for the final playoff spot in Major League Soccers Western Conference, the Whitecaps run to the post-season took a hard hit when FC Dallas blew open a tie game with two goals in the final minutes for a 3-1 victory Saturday night. Cincinnati Reds Store . Mako Vunipola was promoted from the reserves, with Matt Mullan called up to the bench on Thursday. "It is important that Joe is with his partner at this exciting time," England coach Stuart Lancaster said. https://www.cheapredsjerseys.us/. -- The Windsor Spitfires were left with just one goaltender Tuesday after having their starter walk out on them midway through Game 3 of their Ontario Hockey League playoff matchup with the London Knights. Cheap Reds Jerseys . And thats about it. After the Salukis 73-65 loss at Murray State on Tuesday night, Hinson called his players "uncoachable," "a bunch of mamas boys" and compared the disciplining of his young team to housebreaking a puppy. Reds Jerseys China . Right-hander Ricky Nolasco and the Twins agreed to terms on a free-agent contract Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.WASHINGTON -- The doubts raised about the Indiana Pacers were more than justified. The way they dispatched the Washington Wizards shows that perhaps the Pacers have dismissed any and all dysfunction. Roy Hibbert revived himself in Game 2. Team defence smothered the way to a win in Game 3. Paul George went off for 39 points in Game 4. And, after an ugly Game 5, David West came up big in the clincher. West scored 29 points Thursday night, the Pacers blew a 16-point second-half lead but pulled away late in a 93-80 win that ousted the Wizards in six games. "With all the adversity, we kept pulling together," West said. "Guys just showed unbelievable grit, unbelievable toughness." So, for all their mysterious slumps and chemistry curiosities, the Pacers are back where they were last season -- playing the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals. Game 1 against the two-time defending NBA champions is Sunday in Indianapolis. "We just keep a bubble," said Hibbert, whose off-and-on disappearing act was one of the more baffling late-season developments. "We dont try to let our emotions show too much. Sometimes it does. But we stuck together." Indiana took Miami to seven games a year ago. If the Pacers spread the wealth the way they did against the Wizards, LeBron James and the Heat could be in for a tough series. On Thursday, it was Wests turn. He went 13 for 26 from the field -- a career playoff-high in shot attempts. His pair of jumpers, including a tough fade-away, started a game-ending 20-6 run after Bradley Beals 3-pointer gave the Wizards a one-point lead with 8 1/2 minutes to play. "When David West has that look, when hes assertive and he demands the ball, I know were in good hands," said George, who was just 4 for 11 and scored 12 points. "Hes never failed us when hes given us that look and hes told us in the huddles, Get me the ball." Marcin Gortat scored 19 points, and John Wall had 12 points and nine assists for the Wizards, who ended their best playoff run in decades. Washington won a playoff series for the first time since 2005 and a second-round game for the first time since 1982. The Wizards were ultimately undone by an inability to win at home, going just 1-4 aat the Verizon Center and 5-1 on the road in the playoffs.dddddddddddd The future looks bright, however, with youngsters Wall and Beal manning the backcourt. "Nobody expected us to be here," Wall said. "I think a lot of teams respect us now. We definitely made Indiana earn it." They appeared to have a fix on the home-court demons when Beal stole a rebound from Hibbert, then hit the 3-pointer that put the Wizards up 74-73. But that was Washingtons only lead of the second half. The Wizards went five minutes without a point, including a span of three turnovers in four possessions, and scored only two field goals the rest of the way. "We spent so much energy trying to just make that comeback," Beal said, "we just ended up being dead at the end." The Pacers were 33-7 on Jan. 20 before limping to the finish, barely holding on to the conferences No. 1 seed. Things didnt look much better when they were pushed to seven games in the first round by eighth-seeded Atlanta, or when they lost Game 1 at home to the Wizards. Then after winning three in a row, there was the embarrassing Game 5, when Indy lost by 23 and was outrebound 62-23. "Nobody was happy about it," Indiana coach Frank Vogel said. "And they came out and played angry." The Wizards had to reschedule a Lady Gaga concert to host the game, upsetting the singers fans and prompting an apology from team owner Ted Leonsis. Instead of Little Monsters in the arena, there were big ones -- such as a 56-40 deficit early in the third quarter. But the Wizards answered with an 11-2 run capped by Walls 1-on-3 transition layup, Washingtons first fast-break basket. Wall was particularly assertive at the start of the fourth quarter, but the Pacers defence held firm when it mattered, with nary a sign of adversity. "Weve been through it all this season," said Lance Stephenson, who added 17 points. "And I feel like everything that we went through made us stronger." Notes: Wall expressed his support for coach Randy Wittman, whose contract is expiring. ... Gortat on the Wizards home woes: "Maybe we have to be locked before the game in the hotel and have a team breakfast in the morning, have two buses from the hotel to the game." ' ' '