ng 6-3, the right-hander avoided losing his

VANCOUVER -- Senators rookie Cody Ceci is trying to help his team by helping his own cause. Cecis second-period goal stood up as the winner as the Ottawa Senators downed the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 before a disappointed crowd of more than 50,000 people Sunday in the NHL Heritage Classic. "It means a lot," said Ceci, a 20-year-old Ottawa native. "These are points that we need right now going down the stretch, and it means a lot to me. Im just trying to earn my spot here." The Senators (27-23-11) posted their first win in three games and kept pace in the race for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The Canucks (28-25-10) suffered their ninth loss in 10 games and remained on the bubble in their quest for eighth in the Western Conference. Ceci put the Senators ahead 3-2 midway through the second. The defenceman moved up, took a pass from Jason Spezza, and fired home a shot from right wing on a three-on-two rush. He helped the Sens make a classic comeback as they produced four unanswered goals after trailing 2-0 in the first five minutes. The score was tied 2-2 after the first period before Ceci decided the outcome in the second and Greening closed out the scoring in the third. "I think it was huge that we tied the game before going into the intermission," said Ceci. "That was big for us, just because weve had it tough lately before the (Olympic) break and the game right after it." The Senators bounced back from a humiliating 6-1 home loss to Detroit on Thursday in their first game after the Olympic break. Ceci went minus-2 in the loss. "Its great to be young," said Senators coach Paul MacLean. "They have short memories." Both of Cecis goals this season have been game-winners. He led the Sens to a win over St. Louis in mid-December. Clarke MacArthur, Erik Karlsson and Colin Greening, into an empty net with 1:33 left in the game, also scored for Ottawa. Jason Garrison and Zack Kassian scored for the Canucks before Ottawa goaltender Craig Anderson shut them out the rest of the game. Anderson, who appeared to have little difficulty playing in a stadium venue with different lighting than a traditional arena, posted his 20th win of the season, recording 29 saves as Vancouver outshot the Sens 31-28. MacLean praised Anderson for making difficult saves look easy, but the goaltenders calm demeanour between the pipes defied how he actually felt at the outset of the game. "It was one of those things where you have the butterflies going and the nerves going," he said. "Everythings just a little bit different than your usual normal routine. a Its a big win for us and its a great venue and its one of those things that well be smiling about for while, because its kind of a once-in-a-lifetime experience." Canucks goalie Eddie Lack, who appeared to be fighting the puck at times and gave up more rebounds than usual, suffered the loss as he drew his third consecutive start following the NHLs Olympic break. Nominal No. 1 Roberto Luongo watched from the bench while sporting a toque and replica vintage pads and gloves. Vancouver coach John Tortorella spent much of his post-game news conference talking about his goaltending decision rather than Vancouvers continued scoring struggles, which were made worse by Daniel Sedins departure due to injury in the second period. "Before this game, the way Eddie was playing, I thought (he) was our best chance to get these two points," said Tortorella. Fans chanted for Luongo during the game but Tortorella, who said he didnt notice the crowd activities, stuck with Lack. The coach said Luongo was angry about the decision, but believes the veteran goaltender will use the sit-down as motivation. "I thought (Lack) looked not himself, but he made some big saves, too," said Tortorella. "Im sure hed like to have that third one back." The game was designed as a tribute to the 1915 Stanley Cup final series between the eventual-champion Vancouver Millionaires and Ottawa Senators. The Canucks wore maroon and cream-coloured replica Millionaires jerseys while the Senators sported duds similar to those of their predecessors. Coaches wore varsity-styled jackets rather than their usual suits. "It was a pretty cool setting, just to have that many people watch the game, and it was loud all game long," said Ceci. "We were in Vancouver, but there was a lot of Ottawa fans, so its good to see fans come out all that way." The NHLs outdoor series was forced to go indoors as the B.C. Place Stadium roof was closed due to rain. The weather teased Vancouver and Ottawa players who had hoped the roof would remain open. "I was glad (organizers) had the option to close it, because it probably would have ruined the game if it was raining out," said Spezza. "The ice got bad as it was with it closed." While the main goal was to get two points, Spezza enjoyed playing the role of spoiler before the large crowd. "There was so much hype around the game and so much talk about it," he said. "Its nice to get the win. It makes it more enjoyable for everybody, our families included. We dont have to tippy-toe around tonight." Spezza, who provided a nifty backhand pass on Cecis winning goal, hopes the win is also the start of Ottawas march to the playoffs. "We had a tough one against Detroit," he said. "It was a very important game, and we knew that we needed this one." Tortorella felt the loss of Daniel Sedin, who was hurt in a collision with Ottawa defenceman Marc Methot affected his team offensively because lines had to be juggled. His twin brother Henrik was less than pleased with the outcome. "Thats a game we should have won," he said. Notes: Canadian music star Sarah McLachlan sang the national anthem. aMembers of the 1994 Canucks team that reached the Stanley Cup final and Canadas 2014 Olympic gold-medal-winning womens hockey squad were saluted before the game. a NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was in attendance. a The stadiums field was covered with fake snow and featured vintage Vancouver and Ottawa logos. Trevor Linden Jersey . On Thursday theyll learn even more. Despite the cloud of uncertainty that has followed them around from the moment general manager Masai Ujiri was brought in to put his stamp on the franchise, the Raptors have surpassed all pre-season expectations. Ben Hutton Jersey . "I wasnt waving the pom-poms to be involved with it to start with," Carlyle said after a 5-2 win over Carolina on Sunday night. "Its been a trying time. "Specifically we havent played as well as wed like to hang our hat on. http://www.thecanuckshockeystore.com/Ca ... as-Jersey/. -- Phil Mickelson will be watching the final two rounds of the Masters from home for the first time in 17 years. Alexander Mogilny Jersey .C. -- Charles Oakley, one of the NBAs all-time tough guys, may not return to the Charlotte Bobcats bench next season because of a painful back condition he says was caused during an assault last year in Las Vegas. Erik Gudbranson Jersey . Alexander was released last week by the Edmonton Eskimos, where he spent the past three seasons at safety. He had 121 defensive tackles, five special teams tackles and seven interceptions in 51 regular-season and three playoff games. BALTIMORE -- Brian Roberts had to endure a tremendous amount of hardship waiting for the chance to contribute to a playoff run. Now, finally, it all seems worth it. Roberts hit a grand slam, Adam Jones homered and had three RBIs, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Oakland Athletics 9-7 Friday night to gain ground in the wild-card race. Its been a grind for the 35-year-old Roberts over the past few years. Hes had to deal with one injury after another, from a serious concussion to a groin strain to hip surgery. He was powerless to do anything but watch last year as the Orioles made their first trip to the playoffs in 15 years. This season, after another bout with injuries, Roberts is finally playing the role he longed for since launching his major league career in 2001. "Its fun. This is what we all play for," he said. "You want to be in the race in August and September, and I havent had a whole lot of opportunities to do that in my career. Unfortunately missed the fun last year. So to be able to contribute and be a part of it and just be one of the 25 guys is awesome." Roberts and Jones connected in a six-run fourth inning that put Baltimore up 6-3. After Oakland rallied to take the lead, Jones drove in the go-ahead run during a three-run seventh. The victory moved the Orioles past Cleveland into third place in the wild-card hunt. Tampa Bay is on top and Baltimore now stands two games behind Oakland. The top two teams make the playoffs. Making his fifth start for Baltimore since coming in a trade with Houston, Bud Norris yielded seven runs and nine hits in 4 2-3 innings. In four appearances against Oakland this season, hes 0-3 with a 9.35 ERA. "This is about the team battling back," Norris said. "They picked me up. To win that one, the first game of the series, is huge." Coco Crisp homered, had a career-high tying four hits and scored three runs for the As, who have lost four of six and are 15-17 since the All-Star break. "Were going to go out there and play as hard as we can, and if we end up making it to the playoffs that would be fantastic," Crisp said. "If not, we knew we gave it our best shot and thats what everyone in here is doing right now." In the Baltimore seventh, Jesse Chavez walked Nate McLouth and was replaced by Ryan Cook (5-3). A single by Mannny Machado put runners at the corners, and McLouth scored when second baseman Eric Sogard misplayed a grounder by Chris Davis.dddddddddddd. Jones followed with a run-scoring groundout and Nick Markakis capped the uprising with an RBI single. Francisco Rodriguez (2-0) got the win and Jim Johnson, the fourth Baltimore reliever, worked a perfect ninth for his 40th save. He had blown his previous three attempts. "You could see the look in his eye," Roberts said. "I thought tonight he came out really aggressive. He threw the ball incredible. We all looked at each other and were like, Whoa. This is almost a different guy." The victory assured the Orioles their first season series win over Oakland since 1998. Theyve won four of five with two to play. As starter Dan Straily allowed six runs, four hits and four walks in 3 1-3 innings. Although he walked off the mound with the As trailing 6-3, the right-hander avoided losing his sixth straight decision when Oakland took the lead with a four-run fifth. Crisp led off the fifth with a single and scored on a double by Jed Lowrie, who came home on a single by Josh Donaldson. Following a double play, two walks and a single loaded the bases and ended Norris night. Troy Patton then gave up a two-run single to Sogard. Oakland got a first-inning run when Crisp led off with a single and scored on a two-out single by Brandon Moss. Crisp and Moss hit solo shots to right field in the third, even though Norris struck out the side. At that point, the As were sailing. Then came the Baltimore fourth inning. Davis drew a walk and Jones followed with an opposite-field drive to right. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Roberts, who hit a high fly to right that plopped onto the flag court beyond the 25-foot scoreboard for his sixth career grand slam, the first since 2009. NOTES: Straily has allowed 11 homers in his last 11 starts . ... The As acquired C Kurt Suzuki in a trade with Washington. Suzuki fills the void left by the absence of John Jaso (concussion) and Derek Norris (broken toe). ... Baltimore sold minor league pitcher Freddy Garcia to Atlanta. ... Oakland RF Josh Reddick (wrist) took full batting practice Friday and could return Saturday. ... As OF Seth Smith was back in the lineup for the first time in almost a week because of an astigmatism. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '