¤ milky moon ¤

SEATTLE - There was no prancing around the field in celebration or loud, passion-filled postgame interview lighting up social media.Richard Sherman slowly jogged off the field with his left arm pinned against his chest, just how it had been for most of the fourth quarter of Sundays NFC championship game.Seattles All-Pro cornerback had his left elbow painfully sandwiched between Green Bays James Starks and pursuing teammate Kam Chancellor on the first play of the fourth quarter.It was a bad hyperextension and Sherman was unable to straighten his arm.We had battled this long. The NFC championship is not the time to go out with an injury, Sherman said. If I can walk and I can still move my feet I think Ill play.Sherman leapt into the spotlight in last seasons NFC championship game against San Francisco, first with his deflected pass that Malcolm Smith intercepted to seal Seattles Super Bowl trip, followed by his loud, shouting TV interview with most of his anger directed at Colin Kaepernick and Michael Crabtree.This NFC title game was far quieter. Sherman intercepted Aaron Rodgers in the end zone on Green Bays opening possession, his second straight post-season game with an interception. But he was mostly silent otherwise, until doubling over in pain after getting the brunt of Chancellors hit on the first play of the fourth quarter.When Seattle was on defence, Sherman played with one arm, using his right hand to still jam and control receivers. Once he got to the sideline, Sherman immediately sat on the bench, head draped, rocking back and forth and seemingly trying to convince himself he could continue.Even Sherman was surprised that Rodgers didnt throw more his direction.I thought once I went down with my elbow the rest of the game I was going to have a lot of action, Sherman said. I think I still had pretty tight coverage on my guy.Only once was Sherman tasked with making an open-field stop. He tackled Jordy Nelson for a 6-yard gain on third down that forced Green Bay to settle for the field goal that forced overtime.Honestly I just kind of threw him around and hoped that I could get enough squeeze to get him down and fortunately my right arm came around. I just wanted to slow him down with my left, Sherman said. It didnt feel great. Im not going to lie.Sherman didnt give any diagnosis, other than to mention ligaments and he was leaving the rest to doctors. But asked about his availability for the Super Bowl, Sherman was certain.I will 100 per cent be able to play, he said.___INJURY WORRIES: Seattle has more injury concerns than just Sherman heading into the Super Bowl. All-Pro safety Earl Thomas suffered a left shoulder injury in the second quarter, but returned before halftime and played the entire second half. Guard J.R. Sweezy also appeared to be slowed by a foot injury in the second half but never left the game.Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he expected everyone to be available in two weeks.___QUIET LACY: Packers running back Eddie Lacy was succinct when asked to describe his feelings after the game.Sad, he said.Lacy finished with 21 carries for 73 yards in Green Bays loss. In a crucial possession in the fourth quarter, quarterback Aaron Rodgers handed off to Lacy three straight times, and Green Bay failed to get the first down.The Packers inability to convert a first down in the fourth quarter cost the team in the end. Lacy said he couldnt tell whether Seattle was using a run blitz on him.I was just out there trying to get as many yards as I could, he said.Lacy led the Packers following the regular season with 1,139 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. He ran for 101 yards in Green Bays 26-21 victory over the Dallas Cowboys last weekend.Its tough, he said. For some guys, it lasts longer than others. Next year, we just use it as motivation, so when we get to this point again, well remember what happened today, and hopefully that will help us out.___NO. 1 VS. NO. 1: This was the 12th game since the 1970 merger in which the top-ranked scoring offence (Green Bay) played the stingiest scoring defence (Seattle). The defensive team has won seven times, including the past two: the Seahawks win over Denver in last years Super Bowl, and Sundays 28-22 victory for the NFC title.The other top defensive teams to win were the 1976 Steelers over the Colts in a divisional game; the 1978 Steelers over the Cowboys in the 79 Super Bowl; the 1980 Eagles over the Cowboys in the NFC championship; the 1984 49ers in the 85 Super Bowl against the Dolphins; the 1990 Giants vs. the Bills in the 91 Super Bowl; and the 2013 Seahawks over the Broncos in last Februarys Super Bowl.___GAME STATS: Rodgers had a 102.2 passer rating this season, but just a 55.8 Sunday, going 19 of 34 for 178 yards with one TD and two interceptions. He was sacked just once despite his diminished mobility, and also was plagued by several drops by his receivers.Russell Wilson, whose 36 regular-season wins are the most in any quarterbacks first three seasons, went 14 for 29 for 209 yards, with the four interceptions and one TD — which won the game. He was sacked five times.Marshawn Lynch had 37 yards at halftime, then rushed for 120 in the second half and OT.Seahawks All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner was in on 10 tackles, while Morgan Burnett led Green Bay with 10 tackles, including two sacks. Julius Peppers had 1 1/2 sacks for the Packers.___AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner and AP Sports Writer Anne M. Peterson contributed to this report.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL . For Bergevin, the best pick is the 30th — which traditionally goes to the Stanley Cup winner. "Thats our goal. . -- Rookie Victor Oladipo came off the bench to score 20 points and Glen Davis had 18, leading the Orlando Magic to a 112-98 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. http://www.thedolphinsfansclub.com/Blac ... at=923.com) - The disappointing Ottawa Senators hope to record consecutive wins for the first time since early November, as they visit the Boston Bruins on Friday for the opener of a home-and-home series. . -- Rookie Victor Oladipo came off the bench to score 20 points and Glen Davis had 18, leading the Orlando Magic to a 112-98 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. . "Yes, Id like to get them in," Detroits rookie manager said. "Mother Natures going to have a say in that." Sure enough, the Tigers had their game against the Kansas City Royals postponed because of rain on Thursday.ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Andrey Makarov made 27 saves as the Rochester Americans moved into a playoff position by defeating the visiting Toronto Marlies 3-1 on Friday in American Hockey League action. Kevin Porter, Luke Adam and Jerome Gauthier-Leduc supplied the scoring for the Americans (34-27-10), who came into the game one point behind the Oklahoma City Barons and idle Charlotte Checkers for the final post-season spot in the Western Conference. Rochester has won four straight games after dropping nine in a row. Josh Leivo scored the lone goal for the Marlies (42-23-6) while Christopher Gibson stopped 18-of-21 shots in defeat. Porter opened the scoring at 13:22 of the first period for the Americans.dddddddddddd Leivo, however, responded just 27 seconds later for Toronto. After a scoreless second period, Rochester regained the lead 3:23 into the third when Luke Adam scored on the power play while Peter Holland served a minor for goaltender interference. Torontos Kevin Marshall was sent off for hooking, which led to Gauthier-Leduc adding another power-play goal for the Americans at 7:04. Rochester went 2 for 6 on the power play while the Marlies failed to score on six chances with the man advantage. The Americans currently sit seventh in the West, but could finish the night in eighth if the Barons defeat the Abbotsford Heat. ' ' '