Post by jenny123 on Jan 23, 2014 22:18:15 GMT -5
ZURICH, Switzerland -- Footballs rule-makers raised the standard of accuracy for goal-line technology on Thursday, a move that could convince more leagues to sanction high-tech aids for referees. The English Premier League was quick to install cameras in stadiums this season after the International Football Association Boards landmark approval of technology. But other leagues have been more cautious about introducing technology, with the Bundesliga saying the margin of error of three centimetres "is simply too big for us." Now the IFAB has agreed to restrict the maximum margin of error to 1.5 centimetres from 2014. FIFA said the change, which takes effect next year, is based on evidence from the Premier League and the Confederations Cup showing how the technology is constantly improving. The Premier League uses the camera-based Hawk-Eye system. FIFA has adopted GoalRef, which uses magnetic fields to rule on disputed goals, for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after it was successfully trialed at the Confederations Cup this year. Kevin Vickerson Jersey Super Bowl . -- DeMarcus Cousins and Jason Thompson put the perfect capper on a celebratory opening to a new era of basketball in Sacramento. Duke Ihenacho Jersey Super Bowl . Numbers Game breaks down the deal sending Thomas Vanek to the Islanders for Matt Moulson and picks. The Islanders Get: LW Thomas Vanek. Vanek, 29, is one of the most prolific goal-scorers in the league, having tallied 229 goals since 2006-2007, ranking fifth in the league behind Alex Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jarome Iginla and Dany Heatley over that span. www.broncosgearsnflshop.com/Denver-Broncos_Dan-Koppen-Jersey-Super-Bowl-Xlviii/ . The agreement brings the 4pm et/1pm pt Sunday package to CTV and TSN for the first time, allowing for a full day of Sunday NFL programming on Bell Media channels. The new agreement is complementary to the existing agreement for primetime games on TSN. Chris Harris Jersey Super Bowl .J. -- Four months after undergoing surgery on his right knee, New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise has been cleared to start skating. Mike Adams Jersey Super Bowl . TO2015, the organizing committee of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Games, announced Friday that CEO Ian Troop was leaving the organization and will be replaced by Saad Rafi, a former Ontario deputy minister of health. Sources within TO2015 said Troops departure was not unexpected. There have been ongoing tensions between the Games organization and the province, which is responsible for the operational costs of the multi-sport competition that will bring about 10,000 athletes from the Americas to compete in 36 Pan Am and 15 Parapan sports.BOISBRIAND, Que. -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. The Boisbriand, Que., native got the start in net in her hometown on Thursday night, where the Canadian womens hockey team defeated the United States 6-3 in pre-Olympic action. "Its incredible," said Labonte. "I couldnt have asked for more. To bring the Canadian team here against the Americans a I knew people would answer the call. We immediately felt their support. "I couldnt have asked for anything better. It was worthy of Boisbriand." Labonte allowed three goals on 24 shots on the night. The game was the second of six encounters between the teams before the start of the Olympic Games in Sochi in February. The Canadians took the first game -- last Saturday in Burlington, Vt. -- 3-2. The game ended in brawl when a U.S. player ran into Canadian goaltender Shannon Szabados late in the third period. Veteran captain Hayley Wickenheiser, whos been a member of Canadas womens team since 1994 when she was only 15 years old, scored two goals on the night. Wickenheiser believed her team responded well to early pressure by the Americans. "We came out really strong and we had a great start and a lot of energy," said Wickenheiser. "They tried to take some physical liberties early on and they got away with a few things early in the game. But then we came back and we just played a pretty physical game." Wickenheiser, who is contemplating retirement at the end of the Sochi Games, is currently at the heart of a captaincy debate. Canadas head coach Dan Church has yet to decide if Wickenheiser will don the "C" in Russia. Church is also considering Jayne Hefford or Caroline Ouellette for the captains title. "Hayleys one of our leaders," said Church. "We decideed in the first part of the season to grow our leadership within the team.dddddddddddd Thats important. We need a team full of more leaders as we move towards Sochi. "Its all part of the master plan as we move through the next few months." Rebecca Johnston, who also scored twice on the night, opened the high-scoring affair with her first goal of this exhibition series at 8:59 of the first period. Haley Irwin started the play, patiently holding the puck for several seconds in the American zone before firing on net. Johnston jumped on the rebound. "I was at the right place at the right time," said Johnston. "It kind of popped out right at me and I just shot it quickly." Wickenheiser doubled the Canadians lead less than a minute later while playing short handed. Brianna Decker got one back for the Americans before the Canadian captain put her second of the game past a helpless Jessie Vetter on a 5-on-3 power play. Johnston scored her second of the game, the eventual game-winner, early in the second period. Johnston was behind the net when she scored, banking a pass off a defenders skate and into the net. Ouellette also scored mid-way through the second period to put the Canadians up 5-1. Jocelyne Lamoureux and Kendall Coyne scored consolation goals for the U.S., before Heffords back-handed goal quelled any attempt at a comeback at 15:47 of the third period. Vetter, who started in net for the Americans, made 10 saves in the first period. She was replaced by Molly Schaus, who stopped seven of 10 shots she faced. U.S.A. outshot Canada 24-23 overall. Canada is the three-time defending Olympic champion. Two of those victories, in 2002 and 2010, came against the Americans. Canada and the U.S. face off again in pre-Olympic action on Dec. 12 in Calgary. ' ' '