Florida Sports Fan Blog

“It wasn’t exactly a bold prediction, but Panthers defenseman Keith Ballard correctly forecast after Sunday’s win that goalie Tomas Vokoun would be the team’s defensive player of the month.

Vokoun earned a more prestigious honor Monday.

he 33-year-old veteran was named the NHL’s Third Star for January. Capitals winger Alexander Ovechkin was the First Star while Canucks center Henrik Sedin was Second Star.

Vokoun capped one of the best months in his career Sunday by notching his fourth shutout in January. He posted an 8-4-2 record with a 1.49 goals-against average and .956 save percentage and allowed more than two goals in just three of his 14 starts. Two of those three games were against the high-powered Capitals.

Vokoun made his 16th consecutive start Monday against the Ducks and coach Pete DeBoer plans to go with him the final five games before the Olympic break. He won’t get any rest then.

Click here to read the full article – By Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

---

Florida Panthers Sports Memorabilia
and other Florida Panthers Gifts and Collectibles
Below are links to memorabilia available for popular Florida Panthers players.

Tomas Vokoun Autographs and Memorabilia

Alexander Auld Autographs and Memorabilia

Pavel Bure Autographs and Memorabilia

It was just as well the puck found its way back to Steven Stamkos after his blazing shot clanked off the post Sunday against the Capitals.

There was no time to fret missing a chance to tie the score because he immediately got another.

“I might have tried to shoot it a little harder,” the Lightning center said.

But not blindly.

“The most important thing,” he said, “is to hit the net.”

Stamkos picked a top, inside corner, right where he aimed; another display of one of the league’s most devastating shots, a one-time slap shot from the left faceoff circle that consistently finds the short side between goaltender and post.

“He has one of the best shots in the league from that position,” coach Rick Tocchet said.

It is a main reason Stamkos has a team-best 29 goals and entered Monday tied for the league lead with 12 on the power play.

The shot also is one of the best ways to measure how far Stamkos, 2008’s No. 1 overall draft pick, has come in confidence and production.

In the 87 games since Jan. 29, 2009, when he was benched for a third and final time as part of last season’s program to make him a smarter and stronger player, Stamkos has 83 points on 46 goals and 37 assists.

Compare that with six goals and 13 assists in 46 games prior, during which he admitted thinking, “My shot’s not as good. My hands aren’t as good,” and that he might be better off back in juniors.

Click here to read the full article – By St. Petersburg Times

---

Tampa Bay Lightning Sports Memorabilia
and other Tampa Bay Lightning Gifts and Collectibles
Below are links to memorabilia available for popular Tampa Bay Lightning players.

Vincent Lecavalier Autographs and Memorabilia

Brad Richards Autographs and Memorabilia

Dan Boyle Autographs and Memorabilia

Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez has packed a dozen balls and a glove for the organization’s upcoming tour of Iraq and Kuwait.

“You never know. Maybe we’ll do a little scouting trip while we’re there,” Gonzalez said with a chuckle Friday.


The more serious goal is to spread some goodwill among the troops.

Joining Gonzalez will be NL Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan, catcher John Baker, president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest and four members of the team’s Mermaids dance crew.

The group flies Sunday from Washington to Kuwait. The Marlins say the weeklong trip, sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment, is the first of its kind for a major league club since the Iraq war began.

The Marlins said they’ll be ready to play catch, pass out souvenirs or share stories about life in the majors — whatever helps the troops take their minds off the war.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

---

Of the 119 players on the NBA’s 3-point accuracy chart this season, the Indiana Pacers might be surprised to learn who ranked next-to-last.


Dwyane Wade might not stay there much longer.

Only a 27 percent shooter from long range, Wade made his first four attempts from beyond the arc — including one that counted after goaltending, of all things — and scored a game-high 32 points as the Heat easily beat the Pacers 113-83 on Tuesday night.

“I’ve been feeling good about my shot lately,” said Wade, who topped the 11,000-point mark for his career on a second-quarter layup. “I think my first shot was a 3, which I normally try not to do. But I was in rhythm, shot it, hit it and after that the confidence was up.”

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

---

The Denver Broncos and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan have agreed to part ways, and a source told ESPN.com’s John Clayton that Nolan is close to an agreement to take on the same role with the Miami Dolphins.

Before the split, Miami sent in a request for permission to interview Nolan, sources close to the situation told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The parting was friendly and gave Nolan a chance to move on and talk to the Dolphins, the source told Clayton.

The Dolphins fired defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni and have struggled to find a quick replacement. The Dolphins’ interest in Nolan apparently opened the door for the chance for Nolan to get to Miami.

Nolan becomes the third member of coach Josh McDaniels’ inaugural staff to depart following a disappointing 8-8 finish. Offensive line coach Rick Dennison left for Houston’s staff and longtime running backs coach Bobby Turner was reunited with Mike Shanahan in Washington. Both Dennison and Turner were holdovers from the Shanahan era.

Click here to read the full article – By of ESPN.com

---

After conducting his most extensive review in 15 years, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver decided to stick with coach Jack Del Rio.

At least for another year.

Weaver held a half-day meeting with Del Rio on Tuesday, then said the two would continue their rebuilding project with the Jaguars.

“I believe in Jack, that’s he’s the guy,” Weaver said two days before his 75th birthday. “After going through this process, Jack is the guy that can get us there. The fans have to have enough trust in me to believe that I’m making the right decision for the franchise.”

The announcement came amid reports that Del Rio was a candidate to succeed Pete Carroll at Southern California. Carroll left USC to become the Seattle Seahawks coach. The L.A. Daily News reported Monday that Del Rio, an All-American linebacker for the Trojans in 1984, had been sent a contract to sign.

“Didn’t even talk about that,” Weaver said. “I wasn’t interested in that. I was interested in if Jack wanted to be here and was committed to this franchise and that he shared my vision and my goals for this franchise and how we go forward. That was the substance of the conversations.”

Click here to read the full article – By of ESPN.com

---

Miami wide receiver Leonard Hankerson is returning for his senior season, and defensive lineman Allen Bailey says he’s leaning toward coming back as well.


Hankerson was Miami’s leading receiver this season with 45 catches for 801 yards and six touchdowns. He revealed his 2010 plans after Miami lost to Wisconsin 20-14 in Tuesday night’s Champs Sports Bowl.

Bailey said he’s “almost” sure he’ll be back, but will confer with people close to him before making a final decision.

Orlando Franklin, who’s expected to be Miami’s starting left tackle next season, also said he plans on returning for his final season.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

---

Miami Hurricanes Accessories
and other Hurricanes Gifts

Miami Football Credit Card/Money Clip Holder

Miami Wrist Watch Red

Miami Dress Casual Buckle

---

Bobby Bowden is having his final practice as Florida State’s football coach.


The Seminoles took the field for their last full-scale session of the season Wednesday morning, two days before they’ll face West Virginia in the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl in the game that will close Bowden’s storied coaching career.

Bowden announced his retirement earlier this month.

Bowden says he hadn’t thought about Wednesday’s practice in any nostalgic terms, preferring that the focus stays somewhat on the football team.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

---

Various College Sports Memorabilia
and other Various College Gifts and Collectibles
Below are links to memorabilia available for Bobby Bowden.

Bobby Bowden Memorabilia

The four All-Stars on the Magic’s starting lineup get a lot of attention, but the one guy that doesn’t is a huge piece of whether or not the Magic succeed.

Mickael Pietrus provides… something.


“I still think his size and athleticism gives him the best chance to go out against the best players in this league and make it hard for them defensively,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “Plus he can really shoot the ball. I think he’s a huge key for us. His energy is up and down as a result he’s up and down. When he’s playing well I think he makes us significantly better.”

That inconsistency is one thing Van Gundy would like to see change. He’d rather have Pietrus base his energy on his defense rather than on how consistently his shots fall.

Pietrus said he can help the team either way. But he does have one specific goal.


Click here to read the full article – By tania ganguli of Orlando Sentinel

---

The moment Garrett Hartley’s foot drove through the ball, the Louisiana Superdome crowd erupted and Saints owner Tom Benson raised his arms in triumph.

The presumption was that these Saints, in this magical season, were going to pull out another win in the clutch.

Not so fast.

Hartley’s 37-yarder hooked to the left, and those who’d allowed themselves to celebrate prematurely were sent home soon after in stunned silence.

Carnell Williams rushed for 129 yards and a score, and Connor Barth kicked a 47-yard field goal in overtime, lifting Tampa Bay to a 20-17 upset on Sunday that, for the time being, prevented New Orleans from securing home field throughout the NFC playoffs.

Even in what will go down as the best regular season in Saints history, a franchise long known more for its stumbles than success found a way to make history with a loss. According to STATS LLC, the result marked the first time a 13-win team lost to a team that came in with only two victories.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

---

Tampa Bay Buccaneers T-Shirts
and other Buccaneers Apparel

Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Reebok 3 in 1 T-Shirt Combo

Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Youth Wordmark Sideline T-Shirt

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Reebok Hoodie Tee Shirt 3-in-1 Combo

---