1:45 of OT, beating Niklas Backstrom with a wrister fr

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen announced his retirement Monday night, two days after he made a pair of dramatic saves in a penalty kick shootout against Real Salt Lake to secure his club its first MLS Cup in more than a decade. Nielsen made the announcement during a title celebration at Union Station. "I want to thank the ownership group, my teammates, my coaches and the entire organization for the opportunity to have four of the best years of my life, not only mine but my family as well, here in Kansas City," Nielsen said. "I will remember these years forever." Nielsen kept Sporting KC tied with Real Salt Lake through regulation and overtime Saturday night before making two saves in the penalty kick shootout. Sporting KC eventually prevailed 7-6 in frigid weather to win its first league championship since the 2000 season. Nielsen was so overcome with emotion following the game that he retreated from the clubs locker room to a back room, away from reporters and TV cameras. "To the best soccer fans: Since Day 1 they have always been behind me and I want to thank them for all the support," Nielsen said. "It was the perfect timing, finishing with a great championship that the entire city deserves." Nielsen began his career in England and played the majority of it in his native Denmark, but said he was at a crossroads in his career when Sporting KC sought him out several years ago. He wound up agreeing to a contract with the MLS club, even though he barely knew where Kansas was on a map, and instantly became a hit with fans. Nielsen played every minute of Sporting KCs last 100 matches, made two All-Star game appearances and was voted the leagues top goalkeeper a year ago. It wasnt just his play that endeared Nielsen to fans, though. It was his personality. He became known for stopping his car at local parks when hed be driving by and joining in games with random children. Often, Nielsen would pull kids out of the crowd and have them kick balls at him as part of his pre-game warm-up. The recent release of his autobiography, "Welcome to the Blue Heaven: Dont Bet Against the Goalkeeper," chronicled the way he overcame an addiction to gambling. All of it resonated with Sporting KC fans who nicknamed Nielsen the "White Puma," and who would often show up at games with their own version of his bleach-blonde hair. "What an incredible way to end a career," Sporting Club chief executive Rob Heineman said in a statement. "Jimmy Nielsen is so important to this organization on and off the field, and we look forward to the next phase of our relationship." He retires with club records for regular-season games played (128), games started (128), minutes played (11,497), wins (57), ties (32), winning percentage (.575) and shutouts (45). Nielsens career goals-against average of 0.99 is the best in MLS history among goalkeepers with a minimum of 1,000 regular-season minutes played. "He has been instrumental to the success of this organization over the last four years," Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said. "And as much as Im sad to see him go, I am delighted that he leaves the game as a champion based on the fact that he is a true winner." Nike Zoom Cheap Uk . After Mondays comments by Coach Claude Noel that its work first and skill second, and that more “A” games are needed, the Jets responded with a 47-shot effort. If not for terrific goaltending by Braden Holtby the Jets would have had two points in regulation. Nike Nike Zoom Sale Uk . "Im going to send Webbie a six-pack (of beer) tonight," she said. Webb wasnt sure that would help. "Ill probably drink one and go to sleep," the Australian veteran said. The two players set up a Sunday showdown between former HSBC champions after finishing off their third rounds with identical birdies over three of the last five holes Saturday to separate themselves slightly from the rest of the crowded leaderboard. http://www.nikezoomoutletuk.com/ .Balotelli uploaded on Instagram a picture of the video-game character Super Mario, with whom the Italy international shares a nickname, with text around the image including jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew. Cheap Nike Zoom Free Shipping .Johnny there, who knew he had that speed? teammate Tommy Wingels said.Scott and Matt Irwin were unlikely goal-scorers Tuesday night as the previously stingy San Jose Sharks finally sprung a leak or two, blowing a pair of three-goal leads before coming away with a 6-5 shootout victory over the Washington Capitals. Nike Zoom Outlet Uk . -- David Price didnt think he would be in Port Charlotte this spring.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Philadelphia Flyers hope to enter the Christmas break on a positive note when they aim for a third straight win in Tuesdays road battle against the Minnesota Wild. The Flyers have gained a point in eight of their last nine games, posting a 5-1-3 record during that stretch. Philadelphia also has kicked off a season- long eight-game road trip with two straight wins despite entering the swing with a 3-9-3 away record. The Flyers havent won three in a row since Nov. 4-8. Philadelphia ambushed the Toronto Maple Leafs to begin the trek on Saturday, posting a 7-4 win at Air Canada Centre. The Flyers were able to save some offense for Sundays game in Winnipeg, as they rallied for a 4-3 overtime victory against the Jets. The Flyers trailed 3-1 heading into the third period on Sunday, but finished the contest with three unanswered goals. Vincent Lecavalier notched two goals in the third period, tying the contest at 3-3 with 3:14 left in regulation before Jakub Voracek won the game just 10 seconds into overtime. Just seconds after the opening faceoff of OT, Claude Giroux pressured Dustin Byfuglien on the forecheck and Voracek was there to take the loose puck and emerge from behind the net to beat Ondrej Pavelec with a quick wrister. It was the second goal of the night for Voracek, who is leading the NHL with 44 points on 14 goals and 30 assists. The 25-year-old Czech has three goals and four assists over the last three games and on Monday was named the NHLs Second Star for the week ending Dec. 21. The Flyers comeback made a winner of Rob Zepp, who at 33 years of age became the oldest NHL netminder to win his first career start since 41-year-old Hugh Lehman in 1926. Zepp stopped 25-of-28 shots in his NHL debut. I thought in the third we really dug in and started to compete, Flyers head coach Craig Berube said. I thought (Zepp) really handled himself well. With No. 1 netminder Steve Mason out with a back injury, either Ray Emery or Zepp could start tonight for the Flyers.dddddddddddd Emery is 4-2-1 with a 2.39 goals against average in seven career games against the Wild. While the Flyers hope to match their longest winning streak of the season tonight, Minnesota is aiming to avoid equaling its longest skid of 2014-15. The Wild lost four straight in regulation from Nov. 4-11, but they have earned points twice on their current 0-1-2 slide. Mike Yeos club has dropped two straight in overtime and the Wild had to rally for Saturdays 6-5 home loss against Nashville. Minnesota trailed 5-3 after Roman Josi scored on the man advantage for Nashville at 9:05 of the third period, but Zach Parise answered just 1:41 later with a power-play tally of his own. The score stayed at 5-4 until Thomas Vanek tallied with the goalie pulled in favor of the extra attacker with 47.8 seconds left. However, Mattias Ekholm scored the game-winning goal for Nashville at 1:45 of OT, beating Niklas Backstrom with a wrister from the right circle. The point gained was little consolation for Yeo, who was disappointed in his clubs defensive effort. Its clearly not good enough, Yeo said. You score five goals it should be automatic. Parise finished with two goals and an assist for the Wild, who were outshot 44-27 in the game. Vanek and Marco Scandella each tallied a goal and a helper and Jason Zucker also scored for the Wild. Backstrom gave up three goals on 30 shots in relief of Darcy Kuemper, who stopped 11-of-14 shots during the first period. Minnesota fell to 9-3-3 as the home team on Saturday and is playing the third part of a four-game homestand tonight. The Wild will complete the residency Saturday when it opens a home-and-home set against Winnipeg. The Wild earned a 3-2 regulation win in Philadelphia on Nov. 20 and Tuesdays test will complete the season series. Minnesota has taken two of three from the Flyers overall and owns a 3-2-0 mark with a tie in the six all-time encounters in St. Paul. ' ' '