o. "This was special, and Im happy we played smart hoc

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GOODYEAR, Ariz. - The Indians are going down a familiar path with a star pitcher. Cleveland has suspended talks on a contract extension with ace Justin Masterson, agreeing that its time to focus on the upcoming season. Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said Friday that the club made a "very competitive" offer to Masterson, but the sides couldnt find common ground. Negotiations broke down with agent Randy Rowley on Thursday. "I met with Justin this morning," Antonetti said. "At this point we both agreed to table discussions on a multiyear contract and potentially revisit it down the road. But right now the focus will be on preparing for the season." Masterson, who avoided arbitration and agreed to a one-year, $9.726 million salary for 2014, can become a free agent after the season. The right-hander is scheduled to pitch on opening day against Oakland on March 31. Antonetti said the sides may discuss a new deal at a later unspecified time. "We made an earnest effort to find common ground and get something done. In the end we werent able to align," Antonetti said. "We have a profound belief in Justin. He embodies everything we want our players to be. Hes a great teammate, a great person and an exceptional performer. "There remains a desire from our side that he remains here long term. I believe hed like to be here long term." Masterson reportedly gave the Indians proposals on two- and three-year contracts at roughly $17 million per season. The Indians are believed to have offered packages at $14 million per year. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Masterson is scheduled to pitch on Friday against Colorado. The situation isnt a new one for the Indians, who were unable to reach long-term deals in the past with CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee and were forced to trade the former Cy Young Award winners. Masterson emerged as the staffs No. 1 starter last season, when he went 14-10 with a 3.45 ERA. He made the All-Star team for the first time. Its the Indians preference not to negotiate any player contracts during the season, the team is aware of fan reaction concerning the teams long-term goals. "We are fortunate that Justin is here for this season," Antonetti said. "There will be other junctures where we can explore an extension with him — its just not right now. We dont want any distractions but if there is a right time to talk about it, were open to it." The Indians signed outfielder Michael Brantley to a four-year, $25 million contract last month. Theyve had preliminary talks with All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis about an extension, and they could be facing a decision with shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who is in the final year of his contract. Antonetti said the six-year, $105 million contract pitcher Homer Bailey signed with Cincinnati has an influence on the teams talks with Masterson. Bailey is 24-22 the last two seasons while Masterson is 25-25. "Thats one of the contract extensions thats in the marketplace," Antonetti said. "We are very cognizant of that contract but there are others. We made an earnest effort to offer Justin a contract that was fair relative to the marketplace, but we didnt attach it, nor do we ever, attach it to any one contract specifically." Antonetti would not discuss the possibility of a new deal for Kipnis. Manager Terry Francona does not expect the breakdown of negotiations to negatively affect Masterson — or his teammates. "It wont affect his performance," Francona said. "I dont know how it doesnt affect you. Its a big part of your life, but I think Mastys got his act together. Ive never seen someone who had his priorities together as much as Masty." Francona believes there will be discussion in the clubhouse, but believes his team will stay focused. "I bet the guys will be bummed out a little. I think they all like him and Chris (Antonetti) wanted to get it done or he wouldnt have tried but it doesnt carry over," he said. "Thats the way the game is. Thats why they set the deadline, lets not let this go into the season. "Realistically, you cant sign everybody you want to or everybody would be signed. For the Indians to be talking to him about that type of money, shows how much they like him," he added. "Just because you dont get a deal done doesnt mean you dont respect or care about that player. It has to fit into the parameter of the team." Marc Staal Jersey . 1 goaltender tonight when they conclude a four-game road trip versus the Winnipeg Jets. Mike Gartner Jersey .com) - The Calgary Flames are spoilers once again. http://www.therangersfanshop.com/Derek-Stepan-Jersey/. Karlovic of Croatia used his big serve to beat Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic 7-6 (6), 7-6 (7). Kohlschreiber had lost all of his three previous matches against Istomin but the German broke serve for a decisive 3-2 lead in the third set and held on to reach his first final of the year. Dominic Moore Jersey . Goodell said in an ESPN Radio interview Monday (http://es.pn/1gkbauy ) that participants played harder and made the game very competitive. Goodell says he had fun watching the game Sunday and thinks fans did, too. Chris Kreider Rangers Jersey .com) - Semyon Varlamov more than earned his third shutout of the season as he made a career-high 54 saves to lift the Colorado Avalanche to a 2-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- In dire need of a scoring outburst, the Philadelphia Flyers turned to a player with plenty of experience in that department. Vinny Lecavalier scored three goals in Philadelphias biggest breakout game of the young season, and Steve Mason made 26 saves to lift the Flyers to a 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday night. The Flyers (3-7) hadnt scored more than two goals in any of their first nine games. One more and they would have become the first NHL team to have a season-opening run of 10 games without three goals since the 1940 New York Americans. Now Philadelphia has won two straight since a franchise-worst 1-7 start. The win gave Lecavalier, who played 14 seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning before joining the Flyers this summer, a chance to savour his seventh career three-goal performance. "This was a really good game for me and for the team," said the 33-year-old Lecavalier, whose previous hat trick was March 11, 2008, also against the Islanders. "Overall, tonight is a good confidence boost for everybody. It feels really good to score more than two goals." Jakub Voracek and Matt Read also scored, and former Islanders captain Mark Streit added two assists as the Flyers won their first road game. Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen had goals, and Kevin Poulin made 27 saves for the Islanders, who couldnt build on a come-from-behind win at Pittsburgh on Friday. Lecavalier opened the scoring with a power-play goal 4:30 in. The centre, who signed with the Flyers after the Lightning bought out his contract, scored his second of the season on a slap shot from the top of the right circle. Streit, returning to Long Island for the first time since joining the Flyers, passed the puck to Lecavalier from the point. "Today was an emotional day for me," said Streit, who spent five seasons with the Islanders and served as captain for the final two. "This was special, and Im happy we played smart hockey." Voracek made it 2-0 a minute later, but Okposo got the Islanders back within a goal at 10:16. Lecavalier increased thee lead to 3-1 with his second of the game at 18:13.dddddddddddd. Streit also assisted as did rookie left wing Michael Raffl, who earned his first NHL point. "Its hard to find the words, it feels like a dream" said the 24-year-old Raffl, a native of Austria. Lecavalier, who has 387 career NHL goals, completed the hat trick with his fourth goal of the season at 9:53 of the third. Nielsens short-handed goal midway through the second had cut New Yorks deficit to 3-2. Read added an empty-net goal with 1:32 remaining to seal the Flyers first road win of the season. Poulin made just his second start of the season for the Islanders (4-4-3). His only other outing in place of No. 1 goalie Evgeni Nabokov was a 3-2 loss at Chicago on Oct. 11. The Islanders, who next play the rival New York Rangers at home on Tuesday, havent won consecutive games this season. Defenceman Andrew MacDonald spoke of the teams inability to be consistent. "We have to find a level of consistency every shift. Its not always easy," he said. "This loss is a lesson for everyone. Its not going to be there every night. But we have to work hard at winning battles. That will make us successful." The Flyers are 16-3 at Nassau Coliseum since the 2007-08 season and 30-7-1-2 in their last 40 games there. Islanders captain John Tavares assisted on Okposos goal to extend his point streak to 10 games. The only game he has been kept off the score sheet was the season opener at New Jersey on Oct. 4. Nielsens goal at 10:30 of the second was his seventh of the season and gave him a four-game goal streak. He leads the Islanders with 15 points. NOTES: Flyers forward Scott Hartnell returned after missing four games with a rib injury. ... The Islanders were without defenceman Lubomir Visnovsky (concussion) for the third straight game. ... Forward Michael Grabner returned for New York after a two-game suspension for a hit on Carolinas Nathan Gerbe. ... Former Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro, whose contract was bought out by New York, signed a tryout contract with the AHL Charlotte Checkers. China Jerseys ' ' '