players received their appearance-fee payments before kicko

OTTAWA -- Nothing heals quite like a win streak. Erik Karlsson and the Ottawa Senators felt good after their 3-1 defeat of the Washington Capitals on Monday, their first back-to-back victory in 51 days and their first three-game winning streak at the Canadian Tire Centre this season. "It feels really good I think," said Karlsson, who was on the ice for nearly 30 minutes. "We really wanted to win this game and they came out pretty hard in the first and had us at the backs for a while, but I think we stuck to it and we were confident that if we just did the things we needed to do we would come out successful." Once again the Senators gave up the first goal, but a couple of highlight-reel goals and strong goaltending was enough to earn the victory. Craig Anderson, now riding a three-game winning streak, was at his best on this night stopping 34 shots. "We battled all night," said Anderson. "We made some mistakes, but its what happened after that. We battled hard; we back-checked hard; we found ways to keep guys from getting to the net. Thats the difference in the game. "I liked our fight and I liked our work ethic and that went a long way to getting us two points." Kyle Turris, Mika Zibanejad and Clarke MacArthur, with an empty-net goal, scored for Ottawa (17-18-7). Joel Ward scored the lone goal for the Capitals (20-15-5), who have now lost back-to-back games. Phillip Grubauer, making his fourth straight start, faced 38 shots. Ottawa took a 2-1 lead on Turriss tenth goal of the season. He cut through the Washington defence and deked Grubauer for a wide open left side, leaving the 20,193 on hand stunned. "I knew I got hooked, but I think it helped me fake the goalie out," said Turris. "I dont think (Grubauer) thought I would be able to get it to my forehand so it kind of faked him at the same time delaying it." Anderson was solid stopping all 14 shots he faced in the second as the Capitals did all they could to tie things up. Ottawa held on to its 2-1 lead with solid play in the third period. With just over two minutes remaining Anderson made a great glove save on Eric Fehr to preserve the lead. "We had great chances to score goals, but we didnt," said Washingtons Alexander Ovechkin, who is now pointless in his last four games. "We hit crossbars, posts and he makes a good save and of course when you make a goalie hot hes going to play hot." This was easily one of Andersons better performances of the season, but he was quick to point out the play of his teammates as a factor in his success. Anderson talked about the teams penalty kill, shot blocking and play along the boards as keys to the victory. "Its stuff that doesnt always show up on the scoresheet like goals and assists do," said Anderson. "Its those little things that make a difference in a game and a lot of people dont realize that, but we definitely recognize it in the room here." MacArthur added an empty-net goal with 34 seconds remaining after Erik Karlsson gave him the wide open net to put an end to a 10-game scoring drought. "I saw he was there and he hasnt scored in a couple games so I knew it was the right thing to do," said Karlsson of the passing play. The Senators got off to a rough start in the first period as Ward opened the scoring on Washingtons second shot of the game 2:11 into the game. Ward put a shot on net and -- unfortunately for Anderson -- the puck went off the goaltenders stick and in. It was the only downside to an otherwise outstanding performance by Anderson. Ottawa lost Chris Neil midway through the first after a collision with Ovechkin. The play looked innocent enough, but left Neil with a lower body injury. Senators head coach Paul MacLean said the injury appears to be something more serious than day-to-day, but Neil will need to undergo further evaluation before a timeline can be set. Ovechkin felt he took the worst of the collision and feels the league should review the incident. He was disappointed that nothing was called on the play. "I think four guys out there didnt do their job. I think they started celebrating New Years too early, right before the game," said Ovechkin. "They didnt see headshots on Neil against me. "I felt like he going to hit me shoulder to shoulder. I was ready for it, but he hit right in my head, right in chin. Ottawa tied the game 1-1 at the 13-minute mark of the first as Zibanejad and Cory Conacher put together a passing play. The two broke in on a 2-on-1 and had a give-and-go before Zibanejad had the easy tap in. Zibanejad has played at centre as Jason Spezza has been sidelined the last two games with a lower body injury and the 20-year-old is making the most of the opportunity. "Mika has come in and played centre and given us some big minutes and played very well," said Senators coach Paul MacLean. Notes: C Jason Spezza and D Chris Phillips missed a second straight game with a lower body injury. D Eric Gryba was a healthy scratch for the Senators. a The Capitals continue to deal with trade demands from a number of players, including goalie Michal Neuvirth who was a healthy scratch. C Brooks Laich missed his third straight game with a strained groin. D Alexander Urbom was a healthy scratch. Cheap Air Max 95 Wholesale . Moors, from Cambridge Ont., landed a double-twisting, double somersault in the layout position, en route to a score of 14.600 points in the womens floor exercise, more than a full point ahead of runner-up Pia Tolle of Germany. Cheap Air Max 95 Free Shipping . Los Angeles announced its new deal for Kupchak late in the fourth quarter of a 145-130 loss to the Houston Rockets. Kupchak had one year left on his current contract. http://www.cheapaustraliaairmax95.com/ .com) - Patrik Elias registered the winner in the shootout as New Jersey nipped Toronto 2-1 at Prudential Center on Wednesday. Air Max 95 Cheap Sale . The 23-year-old Poland international is back as first choice at Arsenal after losing his regular spot in the team on occasions over the last three seasons. Air Max 95 For Sale Australia . You can watch coverage on TSN, TSN2 and CTV beginning today at 3pm et/Noon pt. The championships will feature approximately 250 of Canadas best figure skaters in senior, junior and novice as they vie for spots on the national team, international assignments and will act as the final step in the 2014 Olympic qualification process.BRASILIA, Brazil -- Cristiano Ronaldos first goal of the World Cup earned Portugal a 2-1 win over Ghana but couldnt prevent his team being eliminated from the tournament along with the Africans on Thursday. Portugal finished level on four points with second-place United States in Group G but with an inferior goal difference. Germany topped the group after beating the U.S. 1-0 in Recife. Ronaldo slammed home the winner at Estadio Nacional with his left foot in the 80th minute to break his drought in Brazil and give Portugal its first win. He barely celebrated, though, with the goal coming too late to help Portugal qualify at the expense of the Americans. "We created many opportunities but we could not finish them," Ronaldo said. "We knew we had to score three goals and were depending on the result of the Germany game and we couldnt do that. "We deserved more, but thats football. We are leaving with our heads held high." Ghana captain Asamaoh Gyans 57th-minute header cancelled out an own goal scored by teammate John Boye in the 31st. It was a bittersweet ending to the World Cup for Ronaldo, who has been nursing a left leg injury and seen the likes of Brazil star Neymar and Argentina captain Lionel Messi upstage him with four goals apiece. The world player of the year earned the man-of-the-match award after a display that could easily have yielded three or four goals. Ronaldo struck the bar in the first half and had two great chances in injury time, but glanced a close-range finish over the bar and then shot straight at Fatawu Dauda when one on one with the goalkeeper. It was too little, too late from Ronaldo, who was downbeat as he trudged off the pitch after the final whistle. The result brought to an end a typically eventful few weeks in Brazil for the Ghanaiaans, who were part of thrilling games against the United States and Germany before their campaign ended in turmoil on and off the pitch.dddddddddddd Their players took to the field in the Brazilian capital amid a dispute with the countrys football federation over alleged unpaid World Cup bonuses. Adding to the chaos, two of the teams star players -- Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng -- were booted out of the squad hours before Thursdays kickoff for disciplinary reasons. "I dont think it had an impact on the game," said Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah, who confirmed that his players received their appearance-fee payments before kickoff as requested. "We had our chances but couldnt take them." It was perhaps no surprise that Ghana delivered its most subdued display of the tournament, ensuring the team finished bottom of the group and resulting in Ronaldo getting time and space to enjoy his most lively performance in Brazil. He could have had a hat trick by the time he finally found the net. An over-hit cross in the fifth minute flew over Dauda and slammed against the bar before the Real Madrid superstar squandered a gilt-edged chance, heading straight at the keeper from six yards (meters) out. After having two stinging shots saved, he was bailed out by Boye, who sliced Miguel Velosos cross into the top corner of his own net to give the Portuguese a halftime lead they just about deserved. Gyan could hardly miss with a header after Kwadwo Asamaohs delicious cross with the outside of his left foot, making it 1-1. With Germany having just taken the lead in Recife, Ghana was only a goal away from progressing at that stage. However, Ronaldo had the final say, making no mistake from eight yards (meters) out after Dauda had parried the ball high into the air. ' ' '