Chicago tops Wild, sets club mark with ninth straight win

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12/28/2008 - St. Paul, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dustin Byfuglien scored twice, and the Chicago Blackhawks extended their winning streak to a franchise-best nine games with a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Wild.

The Blackhawks had previously won eight in a row twice before: from January 4-21, 1981 and December 9-26, 1971. They also improved their record in December to 10-0-1.

Byfuglien added two assists, while Martin Havlat tallied a goal for the Blackhawks, who will try for 10 straight wins at Detroit on Tuesday. Cristobal Huet made 18 saves in the win.

Cal Clutterbuck scored the lone goal for the Wild, who have lost eight of 10. The Wild registered just 19 shots on goal, and Niklas Backstrom allowed three goals on 31 shots to take the loss.

Byfuglien got the Blackhawks on the board first, putting a backhand past Backstrom a little more than seven minutes into the game.

Just over two minutes later on the power play, Byfuglien tipped a shot out of mid-air and past Backstrom to give Chicago a 2-0 lead.

The Blackhawks increased their lead to three after a power play chance expired in the second period. With Minnesota still scrambling to get all five of its players back in the defensive end, Havlat took a pass from Brian Campbell in the slot and snuck it by Backstrom with 5:52 left in the frame.

Clutterbuck got the Wild on the board early in the third, blasting a wrister over Huet's left shoulder at the 2:47 mark of the final period.

Minnesota would get no closer, however, as Kris Versteeg's empty net goal with four seconds left in the game sealed the victory for Chicago.

Game Notes

Minnesota had won 10 of the previous 13 meetings with Chicago...The Blackhawks will also host Detroit on New Year's Day at Wrigley Field in the NHL's annual Winter Classic...Chicago forward Andrew Ladd's six- game point streak came to an end, while Patrick Kane's five-game point streak also ended...Jonathan Toews and Versteeg each had two assists for the Blackhawks.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
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In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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(September 14) – Week one of NFL action saw three teams go scoreless for the first time since 1977.  Another four were unable to get a touchdown and almost half of the underdogs covered the spread. Those three teams saved bettors at MySportsbook.com from losing out completely, thanks to the company’s unique NFL Shutout Rule -- which ensures that if the team you backed goes scoreless, your wager is refunded.

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