d?Stars forward Cody Eakin for four games for ch

Only those AFL players lucky enough to feature in a grand final are able to properly describe the pressure created by the sports most momentous stage.They see the city of Melbourne come to life with their clubs colours.They hear the noise generated by a crowd larger than the entire population of Ballarat.They know millions around the country will be watching; that they will be responsible for the delight or despair of fans around the world.They sense the expectation, long before the ball is bounced at the MCG or Mike Brady belts out the sports anthem.For those players attempting to break a premiership drought, it is all amplified.Sydney had their turn in 2005 and, on Saturday, it was the Western Bulldogs 62-year wait for a flag that boiled down to four quarters.You could tell.Pundits described it as the loudest grand-final crowd in recent memory.They roared when Easton Wood won the toss, when Zaine Cordy kicked the first goal of the game and every highlight that followed.There were a lot.The Bulldogs could hardly have handled the occasion better, producing a grand final to rival any of the classics.It was a feel-good moment for so many people, including injured skipper Bob Murphy who was called up to the premiership dais and handed a medallion by coach Luke Beveridge.This is yours mate. You deserve it more than anyone, Beveridge said.Beveridge and Swans counterpart John Longmire grinned and joked at Fridays pre-match media conference when asked about the prospect of extra time, introduced in the grand final this year for the first time.It didnt eventuate but looked on the cards midway through the final term.Extra time would have been a fitting finish to a thrilling contest that ebbed and flowed in near-unbelievable fashion.The Bulldogs, so resilient in an injury-riddled season and so undaunted in a history-making finals campaign, were relentless as they completed a fairytale run to the flag from seventh place on the ladder.Excitement machine Jason Johannisen, born in South Africa and more interested in rugby union for much of his childhood, was a popular choice for the Norm Smith medal.Tom Boyd dropped a chest mark in the opening minute but settled to produce the greatest game of his career, clutching six contested marks and kicking the sealer to silence those who slammed his million-dollar salary.At the other end of the ground, it was Joel Hamling, delisted by Geelong but handed a career lifeline by the Dogs, who did an incredibly good job on Lance Franklin.From the moment Franklin trotted to the goal square after the national anthem, Hamling refused to be intimidated.It was a trait that epitomised the Bulldogs approach, especially in the second quarter when the Swans booted four goals on the trot and threatened to seize control of the low-scoring clash.Murphy, who patrolled the sideline pre-match like a Davis Cup captain, cried at the siren.The tears didnt stop for some time.Murphy will spend the rest of his life wishing he did not rupture his anterior cruciate ligament early in the season.But the 34-year-old, like so many current and former teammates to have fallen in love with Whitten Oval, will celebrate like its 1954. Nike Air Max 97 Gs Valentines Day . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. Air Max 97 Plus Outlet . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. http://www.airmax97outlet.it/scontate-air-max-97-plum-chalk.html . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. Air Max 97 OG GS . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Air Max 97 QS . PAUL, Minn. The NHL has suspended?Stars forward Cody Eakin for four games for charging Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist during the teams game Thursday in Dallas.?Lundqvist left briefly after getting bowled over behind the net by Eakin. His mask was knocked off as he played the puck along the end boards.?Eakin received a major penalty for charging and a game misconduct.The league better do something about that hit, Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said afterward. Its everything that you want to take away from the game. A hit to the head, forward motion and its a goaltender on top.Stars coach Lindy Ruff defended Eakin.I understand the call. As a penalty killer, hes trying to gain speed so he can get back. I know it dooesnt look that way, but there was no intent on his part, Ruff said.ddddddddddddLundqvist said he didnt see Eakin coming at him before he was knocked to the ice. He stayed down for a bit and left the game for 5? minutes.[The trainer] came out and told me, You have to leave right away. Did a quick test and tried to rush to come back out there because I really wanted to play, Lundqvist said.Lundqvist finished with all 27 saves for New York, including 18 in the second period. It was his first action since Dec. 6.?Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. ' ' '