11-14-2019, 05:58 AM
MONTREAL -- Marco Di Vaio could only sit and watch as the Montreal Impact lost their first three games of the Major League Soccer season. Bob Horner Braves Jersey . But now that Di Vaio and midfielder Andres Romero have served their three-game suspensions for a melee in a 2013 playoff game, the Italian striker is ready to get back to the business of scoring goals. "Ill try to bring something more, some experience, to the field," Di Vaio said Thursday. "I trained hard the last three weeks and I want to play." The scoring touch that saw him amass 20 goals last season -- all in open play, no penalties -- was clearly lacking as the Impact opened with losses of 3-2 in Dallas, 1-0 in Houston and 2-0 to Seattle in their home opener at Olympic Stadium last week. The 38-year-old, who will see his first action Saturday when the Impact play the Union in Philadelphia, cautioned that he cant turn the clubs fortunes around on his own. It will be his first competitive game in five months. "I hear that people are expecting us to get points because me and Romero are returning, but its not just two players that are going to change everything," he said. "I have to do my job -- try to score and be dangerous -- but the most important thing is that the team keeps its confidence because when you lose a game, sometimes you think what youre doing on the field is no good. I see every day the team is training really well, with a good attitude." Andrew Wenger filled in for Di Vaio up front and had a goal against Dallas, but for the most part, the Impact created plenty of chances that went wanting for someone with the goal-scorers knack. Montreal leads MLS with 57 shot attempts and 20 shots on goal, with midfielder Felipe Martins at the top with 13 shots. Defender Heath Pearce only joined the Impact this season, but the former New York Red Bull knows what Di Vaio can bring to a match. "Hes a great goal scorer and hes a really busy and active player on the field," said Pearce. "Its always good to have someone like that who always wants the ball -- a guy who gets mad when he doesnt get the ball all the time. "Thats the kind of guy you want making big plays in the tough moments for your team." The suspension stemmed from an ugly 3-0 loss in Houston in the Impacts first MLS playoff match in October. Late in the game, Romero touched off a skirmish by kicking an opponent. Di Vaio took a red card when he jumped into the fracas. It wasnt clear whether Romero will play in Philadelphia, but his return gives coach Frank Klopas an extra option. The Argentine played mainly on the left wing last season. "Its never easy for players being out, especially when you look at Marco," said Klopas. "Its kind of crazy, the three-game suspension he got, but his attitude has been great and hes worked extremely hard." The Union may be the ideal opponent for Di Vaio, who scored four times in three matches against them last season, including a hat-trick in a 5-3 win on May 25 in Montreal. Brian McCann Jersey . The 23-year-old Poland international is back as first choice at Arsenal after losing his regular spot in the team on occasions over the last three seasons. Nick Markakis Braves Jersey . The 25-year-old native of Milford, Conn., has 18 points in 41 games this season. The five-foot-eight 166-pound centre also has 28 points (10-18) in 15 games with AHL Oklahoma City. https://www.cheapbraves.com/ . -- Kael Mouillierat scored three times and set up one more as the St.PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins wont meet in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. If their paths cross down the line, the theatre should be delicious. As usual. Mark Streits backhanded shot from the right circle caromed between Marc-Andre Fleurys pads 2:10 into overtime as the Flyers beat the Penguins 4-3 on Saturday to assure themselves of a first-round matchup with the Metropolitan Division-rival New York Rangers. Streits 10th goal of the season was the game-winner. "It was another big game, its always a big rivalry," Streit said of the Penguins. "It got heated at the end, a lot of emotions. We wanted that third spot and we got it." Jakub Voracek scored twice for the Flyers, and Claude Giroux added his team-high 28th goal of the season. Ray Emery made 12 saves after replacing injured starter Steve Mason to begin the third period. Mason was held out as a precaution after getting bowled over late in the second period when Pittsburghs Jayson Megna failed to put on the brakes while streaking to the net. Flyers coach Craig Berube expects Mason to be fine, though the play turned an atypically sleepy meeting between the two clubs into something decidedly more lively. There were three goals in the final 5 minutes of regulation, a brief dust-up at the end of regulation that led to a rare 3-on-3 to start overtime, and plenty of pushing and shoving. At one point Philadelphias Scott Hartnell hit Kris Letang from behind just days after Letang returned from a stroke that kept the 2013 Norris Trophy finalist out for more than two months. While Letang called the incident "part of the game," Penguins coach Dan Bylsma was a little more pointed. "Its a guy picking on a guy who had a stroke," Bylsma said. If thats the case, Berube is wondering why Letang is in the lineup at all. "Then (Letang) shouldnt be out there playing, bottom line," Berube said. "Its a stupid comment." Letang gained a measure of revenge when he scored with 36 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime, his first goal since Jan. 23. He nearly won it in overtime but Emery made a sharp stick save. SSeconds later, the Flyers were celebrating at the other end of the ice when Fleury misplayed Streits innocent-looking backhander. Tom Glavine Jersey. . "It was a great pass by (Matt) Niskanen," Letang said of the near miss. "It could have ended it and probably should have." Jussi Jokinen and James Neal also scored for Pittsburgh. Fleury stopped 17 shots and hardly looked sharp while giving up the winner. The Penguins will play either Detroit or Columbus in the opening round of the post-season. Philadelphias victory might be a blessing for the Penguins, who lost the season series to the Flyers 4-1 and were shoved out of the playoffs by Philadelphia two years ago. Still, Pittsburgh — which locked up the Metropolitan Division title more than a week ago — saw progress. "I thought we were much better, and for a game that doesnt move us in the standings anywhere, I liked our mindset," said centre Sidney Crosby, who earned an assist to boost his NHL-leading point total to 104. The Penguins spent most of the first two periods tilting the ice but struggled to beat Mason. The NHLs top-ranked, power-play unit couldnt convert during a 5-on-3 advantage early in the second that lasted more than 90 seconds. A one-timer by Neal clanged off the right post, and Mason made a lunging glove save from his belly to deny Beau Bennett. Thrust into action unexpectedly after Mason left the game, Emery was similarly sharp. His best save might have been his last when he denied Letang. "Im just happy that it turned out the right way," Emery said. "It was kind of ugly, but it turned out the right way." NOTES: The game was the 400th behind the bench for Bylsma, who is 252-117-31 since taking over midway through the 2008-09 season. Only Eddie Johnston (516) has coached more games in team history. ... The crowd of 18,673 tied the largest at Consol Energy Center since it opened on Oct. 7, 2010. ... Philadelphia D Hal Gill played 15 minutes in his first game since Dec. 21. Gill had been a healthy scratch in 44 straight games. ... Both teams will end the regular season on Sunday. Pittsburgh will host Ottawa, and the Flyers will face Carolina in Philadelphia. ' ' '