NEWS » faced a lot of different adversities

The biggest Call of Duty event of the season is off to the races, with 30 games having taken place during Day 1. While upsets normally reign supreme during the initial days of a respective tournament, the real headline from the first day of competition was the utter dominance by the upper echelon of the competitive scene, as a whopping nine teams ended the day at 2-0.The most surprising of those teams may have been compLexity Gaming. While compLexity was expected to place well in Group H, few expected the team to contend with odds-on favorite OpTic Gaming in the group stage. But thanks to some timely plays by stars Chris Parasite Duarte and Colt Havok McLendon, compLexity Gaming was able to walk away with a critical 3-2 win against OpTic.While that win put compLexity on track to earn a 2-0 record during Day 1, it more importantly put the pressure on OpTic, as the Green Wall will most likely need to win both games on Day 2 in order to qualify for the double-elimination bracket. Lose a game against either PNDA or Team LDLC, who each had their moments during Day 1, and aspirations toward the $800,000 first-place prize likely go up in smoke.The newly rebranded Renegades understand that heartbreak. After entering Group D as one of the favorites to advance through the double-elimination bracket, its tournament is effectively over, losing two hard-fought matches to Epsilon Esports (3-1) and Allegiance (3-2). Arguably one of the most difficult groups in the tournament, the Stage 2 runner-ups needed to play well in order to move on, and in nearly every match, at least one member of Renegades did. Whether it was Adam Killa Sloss with a brilliant 1-vs-3 play in Search and Destroy against Epsilon Esports, or a fury-charged Steven Diabolic Rivero and Martin Chino Chino against Allegiance, at least one member of Renegades had a moment throughout the respective series. Unfortunately, the team couldnt cobble together a consistent four-man performance, which wound up being its downfall. It will be interesting to see what roster moves follow the disappointing exit, as Killa has suggested this may be his last Call of Duty competitive season.Finally, a pair of dominant performances by Splyce and FaZe Clan has seemingly quieted any doubters after the first day of competition. While each team resides in different regions, Splyce in Europe and FaZe in North America, both teams entered Call of Duty XP in similar situations. Despite the teams immense popularity and success last season, FaZe Clan has struggled to make much of a dent in the competitive scene during Black Ops III. Splyce, on the other hand, has had immense success during the season on the European level, but hasnt seen that success transfer to the international level. Each entered with question marks regarding the caliber of its play. If Day 1 was any indication, however, Splyce and FaZe Clan could be the favorites to win the whole tournament, as the two teams went 3-0 or 3-1 in every series they played. Day 1 doesnt make champions, but there werent many other teams that looked better than Splyce and FaZe Clan.Jaren Jackson Jr. Jersey . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. Shareef Abdur-Rahim Jersey . Louis. To which I would say two things: 1. Where there is smoke, there is or perhaps has been a little fire. Or, in other words, the two teams would appear to have at least spoken. And spoken is defined as one calling the other to inquire, no more, no less. http://www.grizzliesbasketballpro.info/Mike-Bibby-Grizzlies-Jersey/ .Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city. Jaren Jackson Jr. Grizzlies Jersey .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. Dillon Brooks Jersey . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost .SASKATOON - Saskatoon Blades captain Brenden Walker and his teammates know their time together is almost up. The 20-year-old overage centre leads a veteran roster at the MasterCard Memorial Cup thats looking to go out on top after a trying season that still has a chance for a happy ending. The host team at the tournament was assembled with the sole purpose of winning the Canadian Hockey League title, but stumbled badly late in the season and was swept in the first round of the Western Hockey League playoffs. After a long break that included mounting criticism, the Blades lost 3-2 in the Memorial Cup opener to the London Knights before bouncing back with a big 5-2 upset win over the No. 1 ranked Halifax Mooseheads on Sunday for their first victory in over two months. Walker says it isnt lost on the players that as many as 18 of them could be participating in their final week of CHL hockey. "Were laying it all out there," Walker said Tuesday. "Theres nothing to rest for so the guys will take a shot in the teeth, whatever it takes." Blades defenceman Duncan Siemens, a first-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche in 2011, says the Memorial Cup brings out the best in players. "Theres not too many things out there that can beat the stage that were on. Its one of the hardest trophies in sports to win," he said. "You see that every night when guys go out there and are diving head first in front of pucks and doing absolutely everything they can to help their team." The 19-year-old Siemens adds that the experience on the Sasktoon roster has helped the team deal with the ups and downs it faced this season. "We do have an older group and for a few of our overagers this is their last kick at the can. I think we all want to do it for each other. Were not really focused on whats gonna come after this," he said. "We feel as a group weve worked extremely hard to this point and it would just be a waste to not put our best foot forward and not play they way were capable of." The Blades have their fate in the own hands ahead of Wednedays final round-robin game against the Portland Winterhawks as both teams sit at 1-1. A Saskatoon victory sends them to Sundays final, while a loss means the Blades will have to play in Thursdays tiebreaker against the London Knights. Overage right-winger Josh Nichollls has three goals and an assist through the Blades first two games at the Memorial Cup.ddddddddddddThe 21-year-old who is property of the New York Rangers has played in Saskatoon for five seasons and says the Blades understand the enormity of the situation for a team that has had its share of doubters. "We want it to be a special moment for us to all finish our careers together and make it a championship year. At the same time were doing it for all the alumni and the whole city of Saskatoon," Nicholls said. "I think everyone deserves a championship in this city and we feel like were really lucky. "Its a special opportunity to be in this position." Blades head coach and general manager Lorne Molleken made a series of moves that sacrificed the future for the present as the franchise pushed for its first CHL title. Although the season didnt go according to plan, he says theres still an opportunity to make history. "Thats the beauty of team sport. We have a chance to do something extremely special here and our players have laid it on the line for each other. Thats been a big big part of it," Molleken said. "We feel that we have a solid group in that room thats been a good team all year. "Weve faced a lot of different adversities so we have chance here to do something special." Blades left-winger Michael Ferland was acquired from the Brandon Wheat Kings for a first-round pick before the trade deadline to help solidify the roster. He and Walker played in the Memorial Cup with Brandon back in 2010 and says he feels fortunate to get a second chance. "We realize that we dont really get a shot like this very often," said the 21-year-old Ferland, a 2010 fifth-round pick of the Calgary Flames. "We just want to go out on top. "Ive just got to embrace it. Times going by so fast." And while the clock is ticking on this incarnation of the Blades, theyre soaking up the experience that very few players get to experience. "This is something that youll remember for the rest of your life. For most people its a once in a lifetime experience and you want to make the most of it," Siemens said. "Its been the most fun Ive ever had playing hockey. Its an experience that will teach you a lot about yourself and a lot about the group that youre with." ' ' '