Treffen, Stammtische etc. » on. That was good enough for third in La Ligas

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Cam Atkinson believes the Columbus Blue Jackets are getting better. But hes also realizes just how far they have to go. "We got a little taste of what we wanted in making the playoffs," the 24-year-old winger said the day after the Blue Jackets were eliminated in Game 6 of their wild first-round series with the Pittsburgh Penguins. "We just won two games. Its a stepping stone." For years an NHL doormat, the Blue Jackets are both inspired and also realistic after the best season in the franchises mostly rocky 13 seasons. "I heard on the radio the other day that Game 4 is one of the great sports moments in this city," forward Mark Letestu said, referring to a three-goal comeback at home that was capped by a last-minute tying goal in regulation and Nick Folignos overtime winner. "I think theres a lot more that we can give. We can give series victories and further cement the Blue Jackets in the hearts of people here. Thats whats on guys minds right now." It was a season of firsts for the Blue Jackets, who have spent much of their existence toward the bottom of the NHL standings. They set club records with 43 regular-season wins, 21 road victories, 93 points and 231 goals. They had made the playoffs just once previously and their stay lasted only four games, all losses. But one of the leagues youngest teams overcame a 5-10-0 start with a strong finish to clinch a playoff spot. Then, they won Games 2 and 4 against the Penguins with stirring comebacks. In Monday nights Game 6, they were outclassed early and trailed 4-0 heading into the final period before scoring three goals in a 4:52 span to energize a crowd of 19,189 that stood and roared throughout the final minutes. The 4-3 defeat left them disappointed, but most will likely only remember the Jackets scrambling at the finish for a possible tying goal while the Penguins struggled to hold them off. "The building was rocking," defenceman Jack Johnson said. "But theres going to be a lot more and better times ahead." Beyond everything else they accomplished, they gave their patient followers some hope. Over their past 111 games, the Blue Jackets are 62-37-12 -- far and away the best such span in the franchises history, and exceeded by only seven other teams in the league. "Its been great to see where we came from halfway through last season to where we are now and how excited the city gets," said fourth-line centre Derek MacKenzie, an unrestricted free agent this summer. "Weve already talked about that. What would it be like if we could have a great start? Is that arena going to be like that all season long? We sure hope so." The Blue Jackets poor history has become, well, old news. "Everybody hears about the past," said rookie defenceman Ryan Murray, taken No. 2 in the 2012 draft. "It hasnt been very good. Everybody thats here now just wants to change that, to change the culture and bring in more fans and change the city into a hockey town." Judging from the capacity crowds down the stretch and in the playoffs, and the excitement generated around this city of 787,000. For the past few weeks, the Blue Jackets have been the talk of the town, pulling off a rare coup by bumping Ohio State football off the front page of the local newspaper. Now that the Blue Jackets have stamped themselves as a good team, the hard part is getting better. "I dont think were going to catch anybody by surprise anymore," defenceman James Wisniewski said. "Everybody realizes the identity that weve created here, that its going to be a hard-fought game and that theyre going to have to bring their A game or were going to run them out of the building." Many of the Blue Jackets had already shaved off their playoff beards before meetings with the coaching staff on Tuesday morning. Several of the younger players were barely able to grow one. So now a team that didnt know what it was missing when it didnt make the playoffs is disappointed that it has been eliminated. "Ill be watching (the playoffs) for sure," Atkinson said. "What else is there to do now? You wish you could be playing." Cheap Blazer For Sale . Its like being on Broadway, everything you do matters. Id want to be good though! I couldnt play here if I wasnt very good. #83217388 / gettyimages. Nike Blazer Shoes For Sale . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak. http://www.wholesalenikeblazer.com/ . - Gary Kubiak is John Elways No. Nike Blazer Clearance . -- First baseman Carlos Pena and outfielder Brennan Boesch have signed minor league deals with the Los Angeles Angels. Wholesale Blazer China . The post-season, Pierce said repeatedly, is no time to panic. And the Heat, apparently, are nothing to fear.The new Barclays Premier League season gets underway on Saturday and prior to the first kick, TSN.ca presents a week long look at some of the teams and stories that will shape the up coming campaign. Our first stop is Stamford Bridge where after a third place finish in 2013/14, Jose Mourinho and Chelsea are locked and reloaded for another shot at the title. Manager: Jose Mourinho Last Season: 25-7-6 (third in Premier League) Notable Additions: Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Didier Drogba (Galatasaray), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Mario Pasalic (Hajduk Split). Notable Subtractions: Demba Ba (Besitkas), Ashley Cole (Roma), Samuel Etoo (released), Frank Lampard (New York FC), David Luiz (Paris St-Germain) That was Then: The story of 2013-14 for Chelsea was told not in what they did, but rather what they were unable to do. The Blues were strong against the best teams in the Premiership, losing just once to the top seven opposing clubs all season long and even earning impressive road victories against the two teams that would finish ahead of them in the standings: Liverpool and Manchester City. They even went into the final two weeks of fixtures with a mathematical shot at the title. What went wrong was the teams inability to earn wins over decidedly lesser competition. Of the teams last nine matches, four were against teams that spent considerable time in the relegation zone. Of those matches, they were only able to earn a victory over last-place Cardiff City, and that in the final week of the season. Losses to Sunderland and Crystal Palace and a draw to Norwich City left them with just four points from four matches and – along with a loss to Aston Villa – sunk their chances of making up ground, despite Liverpool letting them back in the race with an embarrassing draw of their own. The positives for the Blues included staying atop the table for nearly two months, a 6-0 thrashing of Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, where they would lose just once all year. As far as Europe goes, Chelsea looked good to advance to a second Champions League Final in three years, taking a 0-0 scoreline back to the Bridge against Atletico Madrid in the semifinal. Disaster would strike there, as well, with the Blues watching three goals bulge their net in the return leg, despite Fernando Torres giving them an early advantage. But a close strike from Adrian equalized and the match was put away when Samuel Etoo fouled Diego Costa, setting up the penalty that would truly put the match away. The team was further hampered by a shoulder injury to keeper Petr Cech in the first leg of the semi, forcing them to rely on Australian back-up Mark Schwarzer. This is Now: So much has changed at the Bridge. One of the greatest players in the clubs history - some might argue the greeatest – has moved on.dddddddddddd Frank Lampard has taken his club record 211 goals and packed up for a move to the MLS in 2015 with the brand-spanking-new New York FC. Following the paths of David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Jermain Defoe before him, Lampard is looking for a fresh start in North America and to lend his celebrity to building the credibility of the league. However, as one all-time great exits another is set to return. (Photo: The Canadian Press) After two years in relative exile with Shenhua Shanghai and Galatasaray, Didier Drogba will once again be donning the Chelsea blue. This move will doubtlessly appeal to the sentiment of the fan base, but the man they are welcoming back is not the same that triumphantly left the club after leading them to a first-ever Champions League title in 2012. Now 36, Drogba put up 15 goals with his Turkish club last season and was a talisman for the Ivorians at the World Cup, seemingly altering the outcomes of games by stepping on the pitch. However, he is no longer a realistic option to be relied upon for 90 minutes. He may provide the leadership that will be left vacant, but expectations should be tempered. The other huge off-season addition is the man that played such a huge role in their Champions League tragedy: Diego Costa. The 25-year-old had a disappointing end to his last campaign, leaving just eight minutes into the Champions Final with a hamstring injury. His year would get worse with Spains early exit from the World Cup, after winning just once in the group stage. (Photo: The Canadian Press) Still, the former Atletico man scored 27 goals last season. That was good enough for third in La Ligas scoring table and just one behind Lionel Messi. When you add that to the man who finished third in La Liga assists – his countryman Cesc Fabregas – the Chelsea attack could be outright fearsome this season. The two should add a proven punch to the young and exciting offence that already boasts the likes of Oscar (22), Eden Hazard (23) and Andre Schuerrle (23) in midfield. How Oscar – along with the likes of Willian and Ramires – bounce back from this summers disappointment in Brazil will be another sideline story to watch. Gone, though, from that group is imposing defender David Luiz. He bolted for Paris Saint-Germain for an incredible 50 million quid. Theres been a lot of change in the group, so it will be interesting to see what Mourinho does with them and whether hes able to avoid the harmful, preventable losses that derailed 2013-14 season. Can "The Special One" be "The Creative One" and get this group firing early and often? Burning Question: With Lampard and Ashley Cole gone and John Terry aging, who steps in to be the future of English football at Stamford Bridge? ' ' '