Bruins have hat trick of honors to hail the 'Chief'

Hockey Betting Lines

02/13/2007 -

BOSTON (AP) -The Boston Bruins completed the hat trick for John ``Chief'' Bucyk on Tuesday night, giving the Hall of Fame forward a third night in his honor to commemorate his 50th anniversary with the team.

The last Bruins captain to skate with the Stanley Cup, Bucyk was given a gold watch by current captain Zdeno Chara before Boston's game against the Edmonton Oilers. The Bruins played with Bucyk's No. 9 on their jerseys, and highlights from his career were shown during the game.

``It's very exciting. I never thought there was another thing they could do for me,'' Bucyk said. ``I've had two nights already, they had my number retired, I'm in the Hall of Fame and now this.''

Bucyk was also honored in 1968, when the team feared he might have to retire because of a back injury. But he stuck around and, along with Bobby Orr, led the Bruins to the 1970 and '72 Stanley Cup championships.

``The 1970 Cup. To me that was the highlight of my career as a player,'' he said. ``You wait, and you want your name on the Cup. That was a great honor, and being the captain I was the one who accepted it and was the one who skated around the rink with it.''

Bucyk retired as the team's leading scorer, a mark that was surpassed by defenseman Ray Bourque in 1997. The Chief remains Boston's goal scoring leader, compiling 16 seasons of 20 or more goals, receiving two Lady Byng Trophies, and appearing in seven NHL All-Star Games. He was the fifth NHL player to score 50 goals with 100 points in a season.

A second night was dedicated to him in 1980, when his No. 9 was retired; a year later, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

On Tuesday, Bucyk was back on the ice for a pregame ceremony. This time while wearing a full Indian headdress.

``Hail to the Chief'' was played on the organ in recognition of the nickname Bucyk was given by teammate Bronco Horvath when he was breaking in during the 1950s. Bucyk shook hands and posed with former Bruins stars Johnny McKenzie, Terry O'Reilly, Cam Neely, and Bourque.

Bucyk played for the Bruins from 1957-78, worked in the broadcast booth and is now the team's road service coordinator. He has also been active in community service through the Boston Bruins Alumni Association.

``I am really enjoying this season. I hope and I think it will happen - that this team will turn around,'' he said. ``Still, we have a lot of time to make (the) playoffs. I hope they can string some games together and get us back there into the playoffs. I think the wheel will turn.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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Chiefs' Treen Green out for Sunday's game

How long Trent Green will remain sidelined is unknown. Coach Herm Edwards said Monday he will miss a second straight start Sunday when the Chiefs host the San Francisco 49ers.

A two-time Pro Bowler, Green was going into a feet-first hook slide when he was knocked unconscious by a thunderous, head-snapping hit from Cincinnati's Robert Geathers.

Oddsmakers at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com currently have the Chiefs listed as 7-point favorites versus the 49ers.

The 49ers got beat by Philadelphia 38-24 as a 6.5-point underdog last week. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (42.5).

Alex Smith completed 27-of-46 passes for 293 yards with a touchdown. Michael Robinson rushed for 29 yards and a pair of touchdowns on five carries.

The Chiefs lost 9-6 to Denver last week as an 11-point underdog. The combined score was well UNDER the posted over/under total (38).

Larry Johnson rushed for 126 yards on 27 carries. Damon Huard completed 17-of-23 passes for 133 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

To visit this online sports book got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.

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NCAA Football Betting

Many fans thought it was the best side in the nation by the end of last season. This year, the polls have built on Georgia's momentum and granted it the No. 1 preseason ranking, followed by Ohio State and USC. (The Associated Press has the Buckeyes at No. 2; USA Today took the Trojans.)

"To have people believing we have one of the best teams in the nation going into this thing, it's exciting for us," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt told the AP. "I don't think anything is guaranteed, but we certainly have put ourselves in position where at least the college football world thinks we're pretty good."

Georgia Bulldogs - 9.5 wins

There's no question they're good, but the Bulldogs have one of the toughest 12-game schedules in the nation, mostly because they play in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference. Away games at No. 15 Arizona State, No. 7 LSU and No. 10 Auburn loom large, with contests between the hedges versus No. 24 Alabama and No. 18 Tennessee as well as the World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville versus No.5 Florida.

Ohio State Buckeyes - 10 wins

Like the Bulldogs, the Buckeyes also have a number of tough road contests in 2008. After two scrimmages dressed up as real games versus Youngstown State and Ohio, it's off to face USC. Other tough away games include No.13 Wisconsin in October and No. 20 Illinois in November. Granted, it should be pretty easy sledding at the Horseshoe. In fact, the only ranked team that travels to Columbus is No. 22 Penn State, in October.

USC Trojans - 10.5 wins

A similarly light schedule awaits the Trojans of Southern California, which is why the oddsmakers' total is one win more and the over is currently commanding -150 odds. Pete Carroll's troops only play three ranked teams in 2008, and all of those games are at home. After what should be an easy trip to Virginia to start things off on Aug. 30, the Trojans get two weeks to prepare for Ohio State in Los Angeles. Their two other ranked opponents, No. 21 Oregon and No. 15 Arizona State, visit in consecutive weeks to start the month of October. After that, the competition eases up. Of course, this is the same highly-touted school that lost to Stanford in 2007 and Oregon State in 2006. And don't discount the fact that USC plays its biggest rivals, Notre Dame and UCLA, back-to-back to close out the regular season. On paper, the Trojans are far superior, but motivation will be high for the Irish and Bruins, especially if their historic foes are in national-title contention.

Odds to Win the Heisman Trophy

Tim Tebow, Florida - 7/2
He won it last year, so it's no surprise he's the favorite to do it again, making him just the second player to go back-to-back. Ohio State's Archie Griffin turned the trick in 1974 and 1975, and Tebow's coach, Urban Meyer, is pretty sure his star quarterback can match the Buckeyes legend.

"There has never been anyone quite like him," Meyer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I am very lucky to be his coach."

Chris Wells, Ohio State - 5/1

The man they call "Beanie" was a star recruit out of high school, so it's not like nobody knew who the star tailback was before he rushed for 576 yards as a freshman in 2006 and 1,609 as a sophomore. But perhaps his finest moment came last year versus Michigan when he rumbled for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes' 14-3 victory over the hated Wolverines.

Knowshon Moreno, Georgia - 8/1

If the Bulldogs are to live up to expectations, they'll need a huge effort from their sophomore running back. This might be the last year of college ball for Moreno, who rushed for 1,334 yards and for 14 touchdowns as a freshman, while adding 253 receiving yards on 20 receptions, so expect big things for the man from Belford, N.J.

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