11/16/2008 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Simon Gagne registered a goal and two assists as the Philadelphia Flyers ended Atlanta's bid for a franchise record sixth straight win with a 4-3 victory at the Wachovia Center.
Gagne leads the team with 22 points and now has seven points in two games against the Thrashers this year while Antero Niittymaki continued his dominance over Atlanta, moving to 11-0-0 for his career against the club. Niittymaki also started the October 28 7-0 rout of Atlanta, earning his fourth career shutout in the process.
Mike Knuble notched a goal and assist for the Flyers, who have won 12 straight and 15 of the last 16 encounters between the two clubs. Philadelphia has won three of its last four and is off until Friday, when they travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres.
Erik Christensen, Slava Kozlov and Bryan Little each notched a goal while Ilya Kovalchuk had two assists. Little extended his point-scoring streak to six straight games and has four goals and five assists during the run.
Johan Hedberg made 28 saves for the Thrashers, who also had a two-game winning streak as the visitor snapped. Atlanta is now 2-5-2 on the road this year.
The Thrashers, who have also dropped five straight and nine of 10 in Philadelphia, last beat the Flyers on November 18, 2005.
With just under eight minutes to go, Kozlov deflected a Ron Hainsey shot from the left point and got his own rebound in front to tie the game.
However, just 1:40 later Joffrey Lupul broke into the Thrashers' zone and put the brakes on at the left circle, skated to his right, and fired a low shot past Hedberg to regain the lead, 4-3.
Atlanta pulled the goaltender with 1:19 remaining but Niittymaki made several stops over that stretch, adding to his 19 third-period saves to seal the win.
Things started poorly for Atlanta right out of the gate as Gagne picked up a loose puck in his own zone and broke in on Hedberg alone. Gagne waited until the last moment to drag the puck from forehand to back and flipped the puck past the sprawled netminder just 53 seconds in.
Then with 20.2 seconds remaining in the first, Gagne found Knuble on a rush in the high slot for a wrister that sailed clear of Hedberg for a 2-0 game after one period.
Atlanta cut the lead in half 5:45 into the second. Kovalchuk picked up a loose puck along the left boards and skated down low to the left of the net before dropping the disc back into the slot for Christensen, whose quick shot beat Niittymaki in close.
A power-play marker with 8:33 left in the period gave the Flyers a 3-1 lead. Kimmo Timonen collected a bouncing puck at the right point and skated to his left, setting up a screen in front, and ripped a slap shot that found the back of the net.
Little was credited with a goal to give the Thrashers a lift just 35 seconds into the third, making it a one-goal game. Niittymaki made the initial save but defenseman Luca Sbisa tried to push the puck back to the netminder for a stoppage. Little crashed the net and Jeff Carter's clearing attempt deflected off the goaltender and into the net.
Game Notes
Philadelphia is now 3-4-1 at home this season...It was Gagne's 11th goal of the season...Flyers captain Mike Richards had his eight-game point streak halted...Philadelphia converted 1-of-3 power play chances while Atlanta failed to convert on its two chances...The Thrashers' 21 shots in the third was a season high.
<< Kovalev gives Canadiens shootout win over Blues
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Alex Kovalev scored the lone goal of the
shootout and Andrei Kostitsyn had a goal and an assist in regulation as the
Montreal Canadiens edged the St. Louis Blues, 3-2, at Scottrade Center.
Robert Lan
<< Shaq thrown out for flagrant foul two
Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal was
ejected from Sunday's game against the Detroit Pistons in the second quarter
following a flagrant foul.
O'Neal was whistled for a flagrant foul two with 5:19
<< Niners halt six-game slide and get first win under Singletary
San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Shaun Hill threw for two touchdowns and
ran for another score, and Frank Gore rushed for two more TDs, as the San
Francisco 49ers crushed the St. Louis Rams, 35-16, at Candlestick Park to give
interim
<< Magic down Bobcats for third straight win
Charlotte, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hedo Turkoglu scored a game-high 20 points,
as the Orlando Magic wrapped up a three-game road trip with a 90-85 win over
the Charlotte Bobcats.
Rashard Lewis added 17 points and six rebounds for the Magi
Sharks notch wild win over Hawks >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dan Boyle scored twice, and Devin Setoguchi
netted the deciding goal late in the third period to give the San Jose Sharks
a wild, 6-5 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Joe Thornton added a goal and assist,
Stoudemire leads Suns over Pistons >>
Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Amare Stoudemire scored 29 points and grabbed
11 rebounds to lead the Phoenix Suns in a 104-86 victory over the Detroit
Pistons.
Steve Nash chipped in 17 points and seven assists for the Suns, who have
Billups helps Nuggets send T'Wolves to eighth straight loss >>
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The acquisition of Chauncey Billups continues
to pay early dividends for the Nuggets, as the guard scored a game-high 26
points, including a critical three-pointer in crunch time, to seal Denver's
90-84 v
Hiller helps Ducks blank Kings >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jonas Hiller made 29 saves to notch his first
career shutout, as the Anaheim Ducks posted a 2-0 win over the Los Angeles
Kings.
Corey Perry and Bret Hedican tallied for Anaheim, which snapped a three-ga
The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.
While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.
For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.
1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.
2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.
How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.
Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.
Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.
How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).
Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.
Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
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