COLUMBUS - Though his team would be bested that night in Chicago, Jake Gardiner made sure to learn a thing or two from the defending champs. wholesale jerseys . What emerged most prominently for the 23-year-old Leafs defender was how active his counterparts on the Blackhawks defence were, specifically 2010 Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith. Gardiner had one of his better outings this season against the Ducks on Tuesday night, leading the team with 18-plus minutes at even-strength, an active and engaged presence in both ends for much of a 4-2 victory. "Thats how I want to play every game," he told the Leafs Report. "I thought I was moving my feet more than I have been in the past couple games, joining the rush, helping the offence out. Thats what makes teams like Chicago so good is their D is always active. Thats when Im successful too and it obviously helps the team. I was doing that at the end of the year last year and I tried to replicate that a little bit." Gardiner is still trying to recapture the formula of his rookie season. But in doing so he is also striving to evolve into a more complete defender, mostly at the prodding of head coach Randy Carlyle and the Toronto coaching staff. "I think hes been better than he was at the beginning of the year," said Carlyle, ahead of the teams lone trip to Columbus. "Weve met with Jake on numerous occasions, provided him video, tried to get him an understanding of where we think he can improve." Much of that improvement hinges on the degree to which Gardiner betters himself defensively, positioning and assertiveness ranking high on the list of priorities. Carlyle wants his young defender "not to be in such a hurry to be carrying the puck the full length of the ice" and let the game "develop in front of him". Of the greatest change between playing for Carlyle and former Leaf coach Ron Wilson, who coached him to all-rookie honours two years back, Gardiner says its the aggressiveness demanded of him physically. "I wouldnt say I finished my checks as much as I did two years ago," said Gardiner, averaging nearly 20 minutes this season. "I think I finish them a lot more now and am more aware of where guys are on the ice, especially in the defensive zone. This coaching staff has worked a lot with me and I think thats a big part probably." Gardiner struggled upon returning from a concussion last season, suiting up for only 10 regular season games before emerging as a different defender in the playoffs. Expectations were predictably uncertain for him entering the fall. A mishmash preseason didnt help ease those concerns. "Preseason I probably wasnt doing a great job of it," he said of "finishing checks and holding guys up and stuff. I think Ive gotten better at that for sure." The coaching staff has offered much in the way of instruction, be it on video via the iPad or guidance on the ice at practice. Prior to an outing in Philadelphia earlier this year, head coach and player sat on the bench shortly before puck-drop breaking down film. And after a Thursday workout in Toronto, Gardiner spoke to assistant coach Dave Farrish about his performance. "Its little details in the game where I need to work on," he said, "something maybe Im not aware of but they are." With Paul Ranger occupying the left side - this after a near four-year absence from the NHL - Gardiner is also being asked to play right defence for the first time in his career. Seeing the game from unfamiliar terrain has required an adjustment. "Thats something Ive never really done before," he said. "I think its going to take a little bit to get adjusted to. Im working at it and trying to get accustomed to it." Also worth noting: Ranger represents the eighth different partner Gardiner has played with in the NHL. "Hes not really played the right side a lot," Carlyle said. "But weve decided to put him over there because of his skating ability." Gardiners greatest gift may just be that ability, his ease and effortlessness on skates allowing him to rush the puck up-ice with uncommon composure. Carlyle has given him the green light to go when an opportunity presents itself in such situations. But Gardiner knows that caution must be exercised, turnovers a definite no-no. "I have the freedom to go," he said, "but if I turn it over I think Im going to be in trouble so Ive just got to be aware of that and pick my spots. "If I see an opening I think I should probably take it most times depending on the situation. Randy always focuses on defence first so I cant be too high-risk." While he has shown signs of engaging himself in the offence with more frequency of late, Gardiner has totaled just two assists in the opening 10 games. He led all rookie defenders with 30 points two years earlier. Part of what makes Gardiner such an attractive commodity on the back end is the risk-factor he presents, the unpredictability of his attack often difficult to defend. His potential in that regard was never more pronounced than in the aforementioned postseason, the Minnesota native compiling five points in six games against the Bruins. Hes not at that level yet, but strides are being taken in that direction. "I can always improve," Gardiner said. "I dont think Im at that point yet." jerseys from china . Barcelona says Pique tore a muscle in his right leg. The Spain international will miss Spanish league games against Almeria and Valladolid, but should be back for the Champions league match against Manchester City on March 12. cheap nfl jerseys . The Formula One circus has arrived in town and on this Thursday afternoon the teams crew members are setting up their equipment in the pit lane ahead of the three day race weekend.WINNIPEG - Kyle Anderson got in a fight on Thursday night. In fact, he went out on the field at Shaw Park and beat up the strike zone. Too bad he didnt get any run support. Anderson, the Winnipeg Goldeyes 24-year-old lefthander, retired the first 11 men he faced and finished with a solid six-hit effort over 7 1/3 innings, but the Goldeyes bats went silent and the St. Paul Saints beat Winnipeg 2-0 in the opener of an important three-game intra-divisional weekend series. With the win, the Saints not only put a halt to Winnipegs four-game winning streak ,but they also pulled into a first-place tie with the Goldeyes and Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in the American Associations North Division. All three teams are now 18-10 on the season. "Kyle pitched real well for us," said Forney in the subdued Goldeyes clubhouse afterward. "He got first outs in most innings and he really pounded the strike zone. Unfortunately, we couldnt score any runs for him. We didnt even get very many men on base tonight. Baseball is a funny game that way. Their starter was real goood and theres no doubt their pitching beat us tonight.wholesale nfl jerseys. " St. Paul scored a run in the fifth as Dwight Childs singled home Joey Becker and then, in the seventh, Devin Thaut doubled home Childs. And that was it for both offenses on a cool, rainy evening in downtown Winnipeg. The Goldeyes had only seven hits on the evening. Josh Mazzola was the only Goldeyes player that had more than one (two singles). Saints starter Nick Barnese pitched seven innings of shut out baseball to get the win. "Thats an aggressive (St. Paul) team at the plate," said Saturdays starter for the Goldeyes, Chandler Barnard. "Im going to have to have my best stuff tomorrow. As we saw tonight from Kyle, if you throw strikes and get ahead in the count you can be successful against them. Im going to have to be aggressive, because I know theyre going to be aggressive." Anderson (2-2, 1.22, ERA) suffered the loss for Winnipeg, while Barnese (3-1, 3.48 ERA) got the win for St. Paul. Dan Sattler got his seventh save of the season for the Saints. wholesale jerseys ' ' '
