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December 31, 2006

Esche, Flyers stun Hurricanes, 5-2 (AP)

The Philadelphia Flyers' Mike Knuble celebrates a third period goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during an NHL hockey game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006 in Raleigh, N.C. Philadelphia won 5-2.

Outshot and outplayed most of the way, the lowly Philadelphia Flyers still found a way to beat the defending Stanley Cup champions Sunday night. Alexei Zhitnik scored the go-ahead goal while Robert Esche played a strong game in net to lead the Flyers past the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2, giving Philadelphia its second straight victory after a franchise record 10-game losing streak.


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Thornton helps Sharks rebound from rout (AP)

San Jose Sharks' Patrick Marleau (12) congratulates teammate Joe Thornton (19) after Thornton scored on Dallas Stars goalie Mike Smith (41) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday night, Dec. 31, 2006, in Dallas.  Dallas Stars defender Phillippe Boucher (43) and San Jose right wing Mike Grier look on.

The San Jose Sharks didn't waste any time bouncing back from a lopsided defeat. Joe Thornton scored his 200th career goal and added two assists to help the Sharks snap a three-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Dallas Stars on Sunday night. Joe Pavelski, Jonathan Cheechoo and Patrick Marleau also had first-period goals for the Sharks, coming off a season-worst 8-0 road loss to the...


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Broncos out, Chiefs in as 49ers win (AP)

San Francisco 49ers kicker Joe Nedney (6) celebrates with holder Andy Lee (4) after Nedney kicked a 36-yard, game-winning field goal against the Denver Broncos during overtime of a football game in Denver, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006. The 49ers beat the Broncos, 26-23, ending the Broncos' playoff hopes. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)AP - Now Mike Shanahan wishes he hadn't gotten his wish. Denver's coach wanted Kansas City to win on Sunday so that the Broncos wouldn't back into the playoffs but be motivated to play their best football.


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Malhotra, Blue Jackets top Blackhawks (AP)

Columbus Blue Jackets' Duvie Westcott (10) is congratulated by teammates Jason Chimera (25), Anders Eriksson, of Sweden, Fredrik Modin (33), also of Sweden, and Manny Malhotra (27) after scoring an empty-net goal at the end of the third period to give the Blue Jackets a 3-1 win over the Blackhawks in an NHL hockey game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, in Columbus, Ohio.

Columbus' game plan was to keep Chicago bottled up. It worked almost to perfection. Manny Malhotra scored the winner late in the second period to lift the Blue Jackets to a 3-1 victory over the Blackhawks on Sunday night. "It's one of the teams we have to catch," said Malhotra, who scored his first goal in 11 games.


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Inside Dish: Venezuelan political climate influences MLB (The Sporting News)

The Sporting News - With the recent reelection of Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, major league teams are growing more wary of sending players there for winter ball or even having their Venezuelan stars visit home during the offseason. "The political climate down there is brutal," one leading international scout says, "and it's only going to get worse." A National League club official with significant experience in Venezuela insists Chavez never would follow his buddy Fidel Castro and ban Venezuelan players from coming to North America. ...
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Eagles claim improbable NFC East title (AP)

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Matt Schobel (89) celebrates his first quarter touchdown with quarterback A.J. Feely (14) during the first quarter of an NFL football game with the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 31 2006, in Philadelphia. Eagles tight end L.J. Smith is partially visible in background. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)AP - The Philadelphia Eagles got their bye a week early. Thanks to the Detroit Lions, Jeff Garcia and the rest of Philadelphia's starters rested up for the playoffs while the backups finished off a remarkable late-season run with a 24-17 victory over Atlanta on Sunday.


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Chargers wrap up AFC's top seed (AP)

San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson tries to fend off Arizona Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby while gaining short yardage in the Chargers' 27-20 victory in an NFL football game in San Diego on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006. Tomlinson finished the season as the NFL's leading rusher with 1,815 yards. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)AP - If it had been, say, the Super Bowl, Philip Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson would have played on. Both were on the sideline, though, as the San Diego Chargers finished their most remarkable regular season with a 27-20 win Sunday over the Arizona Cardinals.


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Charles Robinson: No easy out

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Jets weren't supposed to make the playoffs, but don't be surprised if they hang around for more than a game.
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Niners send Broncos home with OT win (AP)

Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey looks to the sidelines before the 49ers kick the game winning field goal in overtime beating the Broncos 26-23 during a football game in Denver, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006. The loss knocked the Broncos out of the playoffs.

Now Mike Shanahan wishes he hadn't gotten his wish. Denver's coach wanted Kansas City to win on Sunday so that the Broncos wouldn't back into the playoffs but be motivated to play their best football. Instead, the Broncos tumbled into the offseason when Joe Nedney's 36-yard field goal with 1:56 left in overtime sent the San Francisco 49ers past the stunned Broncos 26-23.