Umzug » incredibly supportive of me, and I fully intend to stay

WINNIPEG -- Glenn Howard kept his sense of humour after losing his opening game at Sundays Canadian Curling Trials. "I guess were not going undefeated," Howard said with a wry grin after losing 8-6 to John Morris of Vernon, B.C. The four-time world champion from Penetanguishene,Ont., wasnt the only veteran skip to fall on the first day of the Trials, which will select Canadas mens and womens teams for next years Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Brad Jacobs and his Sault Ste. Marie team upset hometown favourite Jeff Stoughton 7-4. Reigning Olympic champion Kevin Martin had a duel against Winnipegs Mike McEwen, but the Edmonton skip finished with a 5-3 victory. Torontos John Epping was also victorious when he got by Calgarys Kevin Koe 9-8. "Theyre probably going to be in it at the end of the week so thats a big first win," said Jacobs, 28, a runner-up at this years world championships. His team led from the beginning and widened the gap 4-1 after a double takeout in the fifth end scored two. Even though the two-time world and three-time Brier champion Stoughton is beloved by local fans, the knowledgeable crowd of 10,214 at MTS Centre cheered in appreciation of Jacobs tough shot. "That extended the lead nicely and I think just kind of boosted everyone up a little bit," Jacobs said. Stoughton said his rink didnt put enough pressure on Jacobs. "But we didnt do much wrong, so not great, not bad," he said. "Course wed rather win the first game than lose it, but were not going to hang our heads. You cant in this event." Stoughton, 50, is playing in his fifth Trials and has said this is his last crack at trying to earn an elusive berth to an Olympics. Martin was relieved to beat McEwen. "Holy smokes, what a game," Martin said. "Well, thats the ice, right. Its just perfect so every shots makeable." Theres a fine line between the competitors. "One different shot and Mike wins, and then we dont," Martin said. "Thats the way its going to be here all week. Theres going to be games just like that all week and its just going to be a real dog fight for the whole time." Nike Sneakers Discount Wholesale . With the results, North America claimed 2.5 of the three available points, opening up a 17.5-12.5 lead in the overall standings. A total of 60 points are available, meaning the first team to 30.5 points will win the Continental Cup. Nike Sneakers Wholesale China . - After three days of light, make that very light, workouts, Team Irvin and Team Carter are ready for tonights Pro Bowl. http://www.wholesalesneakersnike.com/. Playing in his 19th career final, the second-seeded Tsonga was favourite to win the Open 13 for the third time and to secure an 11th career title, but he struggled with Gulbis attacking approach. Buy Nike Sneakers Wholesale . Lupul injured the hand in a fall at practice on Thursday. He will wear a cast for a minimum of 10 days before he can put a glove back on it and get some mobility back, said Carlyle, who added the winger wont go on the teams upcoming road trip. Nike Sneakers Clearance Sale .In the Football Money League compiled by accountancy firm Deloitte, German champion Bayern Munich remained third but Barcelona dropped from second to fourth during its trophyless 2014.In the 2013-2014 financial year, Real generated 549.MILWAUKEE -- Ryan Braun ended his silence Wednesday, speaking to the media for the first time since accepting a season-ending, 65-game suspension for violating Major League Baseballs anti-drug agreement. Braun was taking part in a holiday food drive at Miller Park and said he was "deeply remorseful" for his actions but declined to offer specific answers to most questions. "The goal for me is just being able to move forward," Braun said. "I wish that I could go back and change things but I dont have that opportunity to do that, so Im just going to do everything in my power to move forward." Braun was the first star to be suspended as part of the doping scandal surrounding the now-closed Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic in Florida. The five-time All-Star tested positive for elevated testosterone in October of his 2011 NL MVP season, but his 50-game suspension was overturned when an arbitrator ruled the urine sample was mishandled. All along, Braun maintained his innocence and heavy criticism fell on the urine sample collector, Dino Laurenzi Jr. Braun said he reached out to Laurenzi and the two are moving forward. "I have not made any payments to him," Braun said. "Ive had some really productive and positive conversations with him. The Laurenzi family was actually gracious and kind enough to have my fiancee Larisa and I over to their house for dinner last night, and we had some really good conversation. Weve made amends and I think were both excited to be able to move forward and put this behind us." Braun had earlier called baseballs joint drug agreement, calling it "fatally flawed" and suggesting players are "100 per cent guilty until proven innocent." "We won because the truth is on my side," he said at the time. "I wish that I hadnt done the press conference," Braun said Wednesday. "It was a big mistake. I deeply regret having done it, and a lot of the things that I said that day." Braun has returned to Miller Park on a few occasions, personally called some Brewers season ticket holders and met with a local charity. Until Wednesday, he had not taken questions about the scandal. "Because it was an ongoing investigation I wasnt allowed to say very much at that time," Braun said.dddddddddddd "Basically based on what I had learned from both Major League Baseball and the players association, it wasnt in anybodys best interest for me to make any statements at that time. It wasnt about waiting or anything like that. Ive been here a few times but I think this is the first time that everybodys been aware that Im here." In seven seasons, Braun established himself as one of the games brightest young stars and appeared in five consecutive All-Star games from 2008-12. He also became the face of the small-market Milwaukee franchise, earning a seven-year, $105 million contract extension that keeps him with the Brewers through the 2020 season. Owner Mark Attanasio said at one point that Braun would someday have a statue outside of Miller Park. When Braun was suspended, Attanasio expressed his disappointment but vowed that the organization would stand behind the player. Since the suspension, there has been speculation that the Brewers might trade Braun, including a report last week that the Mets were exploring a possible deal. Braun made it clear that he hopes to remain in Milwaukee. "Absolutely I want to stay here," Braun said. "I made the long-term commitment because the city has been amazing to me, the fans have been amazing to me, the organization has been incredibly supportive of me, and I fully intend to stay here. Its flattering that people would be interested. I actually had dinner with (general manager) Doug Melvin, (Brewers manager) Ron (Roenicke) and Mark Attanasio this week. Ive seen Mark a lot, and I dont think theres any truth to those rumours. My goal and attention is to say here." As for repairing relationships, Braun said he has sent commissioner Bud Selig a letter. He didnt get into specifics about his relationship with injured Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers, who expressed disappointment after Braun admitted to doping. "Im not going to get into our specific relationship other than to say that he had been a great friend of mine for a long time," he said. "Hes a great person, and I hope he gets back on the field soon so he can help those guys win." ' ' '