Wir suchen Dich! » are given the road pre-season game off, s

MINNEAPOLIS -- In a championship series filled with stars, Alana Beard sometimes can get lost with so much attention on Minnesotas four Olympians and the two MVPs in Los Angeles.Thats exactly what happened in the closing moments of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, and Beard hit a jumper from the baseline just before time expired to lift the Sparks to a 78-76 victory over the defending champion Lynx.With the defense collapsing on Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike in the paint, Beard found herself all alone in the corner. She took the pass from Chelsea Gray and knocked down jumper with Maya Moores in her face.As the ball splashed through, Moore put her head in her hands, and the Sparks celebrated a thrilling victory, their second on Minnesotas court this season.You may not recognize the importance of her statistically for us a lot of times, Sparks coach Brian Agler said. But her presence, her leadership, obviously how disruptive she can be defensively, and then for her to hit a shot like that, it was incredible.Kristi Toliver scored 19 points to lead Los Angeles and Parker had 14 points and nine rebounds in her finals debut. League MVP Ogwumike added 19 points for the Sparks in the opener of the best-of-five series.Sylvia Fowles had 18 points and 13 rebounds and Lindsay Whalen scored 18 points for top-seeded Minnesota. Moore scored all 18 of her points in the second half to move into first place on the WNBAs career finals scoring list, but the Lynx committed 16 turnovers and got caught scrambling on the final possession of the game.I think we were more worried about not letting anyone get to the hole, Fowles said. Im not sure exactly what happened on that last play to make her get wide open. But we learned from this.There was a time not too long ago when Beards name belonged on the marquee with players Parker and Ogwumike or Lynx stars Moore, Sylvia Fowles, Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Whalen. She was the national player of the year at Duke, the No. 2 overall pick by the Washington Mystics in 2004 and a four-time All-Star before injuries set her back.She re-emerged in Los Angeles as a defensive specialist, but she took center stage in Game 1. Before she hit the game-winner, Beard also had a spectacular block of a shot by Whalen and then a steal off an inbounds to set up Ogwumikes bucket for a 76-72 lead.Moore scored on a coast-to-coast layup to tie the score at 76 with 24.7 seconds to play, but she helped aggressively on Grays drive on the other end, leaving Beard open for just her second bucket of the game.I dont think Ive ever hit a game-winner, Beard said quietly. So its pretty cool. Pretty cool.NEW LOOK: In years past these two teams never could have met in the finals because both are in the Western Conference. But the league changed its playoff format this year and seeded all of the teams based on record, not geography. The result in the first year could not have been better for the league with the top two teams throughout the season meeting.I dont think its a fluke that were here now in the finals, Fowles said. Im loving this new format.PARKERS DEBUT: Parker has been one of the leagues brightest stars for years, but has never been able to reach the leagues biggest stage. She hit 5 of 12 shots and had three assists.At first obviously theres some nerves, but you kind of get lost in the game and just trying to execute, Parker said. We had to take it possession by possession because you never know whats going to happen.MOORES MARK: The Minnesota star was 0 for 4 in the first half, but made 7 of 10 shots in the final two quarters to move past Diana Taurasi for first place on the WNBAs career scoring list for the finals. She set the mark with 5:20 to play after hitting a jump shot and converting the three-point play.TOP 20: The WNBA hosted more than a dozen members of the top 20 players in league history for a halftime ceremony. Each player was presented with a ring to commemorate it. Whalen, Moore, Parker and Augustus all participated in the ceremony, and the league extended the length of halftime to allow them to receive their rings and then get back to the locker room to meet with coaches and teammates.UP NEXT: Game 2 is on Tuesday in Minneapolis. Hydro Flask 32 Oz Sverige .H. -- Matt Kenseth made it 2 for 2 in the Chase, holding off teammate Kyle Busch to win Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Hydro Flask Barn . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. http://www.hydroflasksverige.se/ .Y. -- Marcell Dareus and the Buffalo Bills defence made life miserable for Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Straw Lid Sverige . The Canadian squad, skipped by Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg, got on the board first with two in the second end, and followed that with two more apiece in the fourth and sixth ends. Hydro Flask Vattenflaska . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action.Theres not a championship ring on the line, but that doesnt mean there wont be pressure on members of the Toronto Argonauts, as they kick off the 2013 season in Winnipeg on Wednesday. In fact, there will be little similarity between the lineup that won the Grey Cup game last November to the group of players who will take part in the first-ever game played at the $200 million dollar Investor Group Field. Head coach Scott Milanovich left most of his starting lineup back in Ontario, giving a combination of returning players and newcomers the chance to impress the coaching staff under game conditions. "Were going to get a real good look at some of the younger guys and give some of the veteran guys a bit of a break" said Milanovich, adding that Wednesdays game does indeed matter a lot. There are jobs at stake. "Were looking to see who can transfer it from the practice field to the game field and ultimately (look for) guys that we can count on when the lights come on". Milanovich announced that second-year Argo Trevor Harris will get the start at quarterback. With the departure of Jarious Jackson, the role of Ricky Rays back-up QB is up for grabs and four candidates will see action Wednesday. Joining Harris is fellow returnee Zach Collaros, as well as newcomers Mitchell Gale and Josh Portis. The game can be heard live on TTSN 1050 Radio or at TSN.dddddddddddda/Toronto at 8pm et/5pm pt. It will also be rebroadcast in its entirety on TSN 1050 at midnight, following live coverage of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Notes: Among those not making the trip are most of last years starting offensive players; Ricky Ray, Chad Kackert, Chad Owens, Dontrelle Inman, Andre Durie, Jason Barnes, Chris Van Zeyl and Tony Washington are all back in Toronto. Defensive starters from a year ago; Kevin Huntley, Robert McCune, Marcus Ball, Brandon Isaac and Pacino Horne are also not on the trip, nor is K/P Swayze Waters. High-profile newcomer Khalif Mitchell will also sit this one out...Usually veterans are given the road pre-season game off, so it was a little surprising to see the two players with the most seniority as Argos on the trip. Fullback Jeff Johnson is entering his 14th CFL season, his 12th with Toronto, while centre Jeff Keeping is back for his eighth season in double blue. Both will play Wednesday...The demolition of the Bombers former home, Canad Inns Stadium, is underway. One of the grandstands has been completely torn down...That stadium hosted one of the most memorable games in Argo history, the 1991 Grey Cup win over Calgary, highlighted by Rocket Ismails 87-yard kickoff return...The weather calls for partly cloudy skies and 22 degrees at kickoff. ' ' '