Getting won the 3 previous NHL All-Star Games, Tim Thomas knows the methods that provide the time to win a game title that's not kind to goalies.

"In these kinds of games the only real chance you need your title around the record because the winning goalkeeper is that if you participate in the third period," Thomas stated. "You can aquire a shutout within the first period but still not finish track of the win, most likely will not finish track of the win. This is exactly why I needed to experience the 3rd period."

He got his wish, and that he got his win.

Last year, Thomas grew to become the only real goalkeeper in NHL history to win three straight All-Star Games. On Sunday, he enhanced on his record by winning his 4th consecutively, backstopping Team Chara to some 12-9 victory by preventing 15 of 18 shots within the third period.

The overall game was tied at 6-6 entering the 3rd period and Thomas was beaten three occasions by Team Alfredsson, but his men got him six goals -- including Zdeno Chara's champion with 7:40 remaining.

"The main one factor, first of all, another goaltenders were sport enough to allow him finish," Bruins coach Claude Julien stated, referencing Jimmy Howard and Carey Cost, the team's other goalies. "He clearly had probably the most (fan) votes like a goaltender and lots of occasions individuals goaltenders finish up beginning, but we requested the goaltenders when they were Comfortable with it plus they stated, 'Absolutely.'

"Another two performed rock, paper, scissors to determine who'd start. If this was tied (within the third period), happens was looking for Tim to obtain an chance to win his 4th consecutively.Inch

While winning four All-Star Games will probably use like a footnote to Thomas' career achievements, this means a great him.

"It's something they never remove of your stuff,Inch Thomas stated. "I'm excited and that i feel fortunate this happened at this type of late stage of my career, especially.

"I had been shooting for four," he added. "I do not think I recognized just how much I needed the 4th until we've got in it. My team emerged large, obtained a few goals early for me personally, and that i was like, 'Hey, let us do that.A "

Along the way, Thomas stopped fan favorite Daniel Alfredsson from finishing his hat trick and possibly winning the MVP. He stopped all of Alfredsson's shots within the third period.

"Yeah, that's Timmy. He's very competitive," stated Chara, who accepted he was tugging for Alfredsson to obtain the hat trick. "You cannot blame him. That's the only method he is able to play, otherwise he isn't really effective. He's always competitive. That's him."

Thomas' competition makes playing within the third duration of an exciting-Star Game well suited for him. This is when the overall game usually accumulates in intensity, that is only normal for that 37-year-old goalkeeper.

"I am presuming that Alfie wanted to obtain the win on home ice, but it is always more enjoyable to win, whether you are in an All-Star Game or playing some little competition used," Thomas stated. "The interest rate accumulates within the third period, which really causes it to be a bit simpler for any goalkeeper in in certain manner because there's more flow."

Everybody has their various insecurities, as well as for Joe Flacco, it's apparently not viewed as the current-day response to Trent Dilfer.

Flacco knows why the Ravens' defense receives the lion's share of credit once the team wins, however the 4th-year quarterback does not believe he warrants to become an afterthought, either.

"I am confident that we win, I'll do not have anything related to why we won, based on everyone," a smirking Flacco stated Wednesday, based on the Baltimore Sun. "It's what it's. We are likely to do good to try and win it, also it does not really appear this is because.Inch

This is not the very first time Flacco continues to be open this year about perceived disrespect. In November, he stated he was "baffled" through the media fawning over Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, stating the relatively moderate coverage -- in Flacco's opinion -- that supported the Ravens' huge AFC North conquer the Steelers in Week 9.

Flacco brought the Ravens on the 92-yard touchdown drive to steal that November. 6 game using their division rivals, the kind of clutch performance that turns naysayers into followers. However, many still see the QB like a supporting character a notch or two underneath the elite at his position.

Flacco stated the makeup of his team -- namely the existence of All-Professional running back Ray Grain -- dictates he could not be within the same discussion because the NFL's top passers.

"Everyone want everyone to become Aaron Rodgers and become Tom Brady, but everyone do realize, individuals guys' (teams) don't run the ball?" Flacco requested rhetorically. "As we try to achieve that, the critique that we'd take around here could be absurd. ... Everyone want a top-notch quarterback. You need to stop worrying whenever we go available and toss the ball 60 occasions a game title."

The Sun's Rays reported that Flacco was good-natured throughout his candid conversation using the media, but it is obvious he'll have something to prove once the Ravens host the Texans in Sunday's divisional 2010 nfl playoffs.

Flacco may be the only quarterback in National football league history to entitled to the postseason in all of his first four seasons within the league. He is able to use valleys that match his peaks, but veteran linebacker Ray Lewis thinks Flacco absolutely is capable of doing leading Baltimore to the first Super Bowl because the 2000 season.

"There is something about Joe I have loved from Day 1," Lewis stated Wednesday, based on the Connected Press. "You need to appreciate a youthful kid who arrives with this much talent, and you see where his talent is certainly going. Now he's much more of a mentor, obtaining the offense to know him. The thing is his composure and just how he's settling directly into really control this offense. Now where we're, why would not it be Joe to guide us to some Super Bowl?"

Flacco has more naysayers than possibly Lewis realizes. Fortunately for that QB, he is able to make use of the the following month to change his status permanently.

For anybody who's wondering why North Park possession required a U-turn and made the decision to help keep coach Norv Turner and gm A.J. Cruz to another playoff-less season which was regarded as do-or-die for, here’s the way to go:

“I’m loving it,” North Park running back Mike Tolbert stated moments after learning that you will see status quo in North Park in 2012. “I’m a large fan. I really like playing for coach Turner … I can’t get an adequate amount of what is the news.”

The support for that North Park brass within the locker room was apparent once the Battery chargers centered the Raiders, 38-26, in a game title the Raiders required to win to seize control from the AFC West per week following the Battery chargers were removed from playoff contention. Many Battery chargers gamers have supported Turner, brought by passionate support from star quarterback Philip Rivers.

The Chargers’ performance on that day clearly was the determining element in North Park owner Dean Spanos determining not to create a change. Combined with players' support, Spanos made the decision there weren’t better options and that he thinks the Battery chargers are poised to leave an average division to finally fulfill their immense potential. The move surprised many because it absolutely was considered a near certainty that Turner -- and possibly Cruz -- would go when the Battery chargers didn’t result in the 2010 nfl playoffs.

It had been a courageous decision by Spanos. Many within the North Park group of followers happen to be clamoring for something new at both coach and gm. The Battery chargers have underachieved yesteryear 2 yrs and didn’t work through the divisional playoff round within the two previous seasons after evolving towards the AFC championship game in 2007, that was Turner’s first season.

Using the Battery chargers getting some trouble selling tickets this year and also the team attempting to drum up funds for any new downtown stadium, selecting to stay using the unpopular (locally) Turner and Cruz most likely will earn Spanos critique in North Park.

But he remains steadfast with this particular group.

“Bottom line, In my opinion both of these males provide us with the very best chance to return to the 2010 nfl playoffs,” Spanos stated inside a statement. “A.J. Cruz is the greatest guy to enhance our roster, and Norv Turner is the greatest guy to guide that roster around the area.

“Together, we've stability and experience that’s difficult to find within the National football league. They’ve both experienced this league a very long time. I don’t think there's what they have to haven’t seen or experienced. They’ve brought us through some difficult situations.”

I believe the important thing here's that Spanos desired to restore Turner. He might have fired Turner and stored Cruz or he might have stored Turner and fired Cruz. The second scenario wouldn’t make sense if a brand new gm was introduced in, the coach will be a lame duck. So, Turner and Cruz will receive a opportunity to further prove themselves together.

It isn't as if both of these haven’t been effective in North Park.

The Battery chargers have won 88 games and five division tiles in Smith’s nine seasons because the gm. The Battery chargers won 13 games total within the 3 years before Cruz was marketed. Turner is 52-34 in North Park. His winning area of .605 is the greatest in team history. The Battery chargers -- who won four from the final five games this year after losing six straight games -- are 21-3 in December/The month of january under Turner.

Still, nobody in North Park is going to be happy unless of course this group reaches the Super Bowl. That needs to function as the goal now more than ever before.

Because Spanos is adhering with Turner and Cruz, all of them must show the anxious group of followers that they're fed up with underachieving and they're devoted to improving. Under Cruz, the Battery chargers haven’t been excessively active in free agency. That might need to change this season. I am not saying the Battery chargers have to put money into gamers just to get it done. But they have to improve, especially on defense. Investing cash on the best gamers is going to be necessary.

There has to be emergency in North Park. When the Battery chargers neglect to result in the 2010 nfl playoffs again in 2012, Spanos may have no choice but to hear fans and house clean and that he will need to answer why it required such a long time.