Sports: Red Wings Lose in Shootout….Again

Red Wings

The Red Wings lost in another shootout, 1-0 to the Columbus Blue Jackets.    The Wings are 1-6 now in shootouts this season and they’ve lost three of the last four in shootouts.

Pavel Datsyuk was the only Wings player to score in the shootout round, while the Blue Jackets were able to get two past Jimmy Howard, who made 29 saves in regulation. Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader and defenseman Danny Dekeyser returned to the lineup against the Blue Jackets last night. Johan Franzen was scratched from last night's game because of an illness. The New York Islanders make a stop in Detroit on Friday night.

NHL Shootout Record

It was the longest shootout ever last night in Florida.  Nick Bjugstad scored the winning goal in the 20th round of the shootout as the Panthers clipped the Capitals 2-1.

Big Ten Basketball

MSU’s Women’s Basketball team beat Alcorn State 77-41. Aerial Powers had 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Tori Jankoska chipped in 17 points. Becca Mills had 10 with seven boards.  State takes on Baylor this Saturday and Syracuse on Sunday in Winter Park, Florida.  The MSU Spartan Men’s team will host Eastern Michigan tonight.  We have a pair of tickets to tonight’s game in East Lansing.

Also tonight, Central Michigan (6-1) will travel to take on Northwestern (6-3).

Michigan hosts SMU on Saturday.

Pistons

The Pistons host Dallas tonight at the Palace.  Detroit will host Toronto on Friday before traveling to Brooklyn to tip off against the Nets on Sunday.

MSU Football

Michigan State is back on the practice field, preparing for their 2015 Cotton Bowl game against Baylor.  Quarterback Connor Cook is expected to return for his senior season, claiming there is "unfinished business" to take care of in East Lansing. Pat Narduzzi has been a target for many head coaching positions in the past, but he didn't address the idea of leaving Tuesday afternoon.  Michigan State Athletic Director Mark Hollis is calling for a change in how bowl ticket allotments are given to schools.

Lions

The Lions head to Chicago Sunday, trying to hold on to the division lead over the Packers.

Lions Might Sign Rugby Star

National Rugby League star, and aspiring NFL player, Jarryd Hayne is closing in on deal with the Detroit Lions, according to a Detroit Free Press report.  The Lions have been linked to Hayne since the 26 year old announced he was leaving rugby to pursue an NFL career in October.  The team denied early reports of interest, but recently attended a workout held for multiple NFL franchises in San Diego.  On Monday, Caldwell confirmed the Lions hosted Hayne for a visit last week.  According to the Free Press report, Hayne was back in Detroit on Monday to take a physical, indicating the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder is on the verge of a contract with the Lions.  He will probably fill a spot on the practice squad for the 10-and-4 Lions, who are one-win away from a playoff birth.

High School Basketball

Battle Creek Central lost their home opener to Stevensville-Lakeshore 61-47 last night as the Bearcats slip to 0-4.

Portage Northern 46, Lakeview 34 (Lakeview 0-3)

Pennfield 55, Homer 44 (Pennfield 3-0, Homer 1-2)

Marshall 70, Portland 64 (Marshall 2-0)

Bellevue 50, Springport 27 (Bellevue 2-1)

Kalamazoo Christian 52, Delton 44 (Delton 0-2)

Benton Harbor 72, Gull Lake 40 (Gull Lake 0-3)

Girls Basketball

Stevensville-Lakeshore 65, Battle Creek Central 25 (BC Central 2-3)

Lakeview vs. Portage Northern (Lakeview 2-2)

Pennfield 46, Galesburg-Augusta 45 – OT (Pennfield 3-1, Galesburg-Augusta 2-2)

St. Philip 47, Colon 32 (St. Philip 4-1)

Marshall 51, Portland 39 (Marshall 3-1)

Athens 48, White Pigeon 24 (Athens 3-1)

Bellevue 54, North Adams-Jerome 38 (Bellevue 2-1)

Climax-Scotts 56, Litchfield 19 (Climax-Scotts 3-1)

Kalamazoo Christian 37, Delton 36 (Delton 1-3)

Benton Harbor 62, Gull Lake 46 (Gull Lake 3-2)

Homer 49, Maple Valley 20 (Homer 3-1, Maple Valley 2-3

Athlete of the Week

This week’s WBCK/Meijer Athlete of the Week is Battle Creek Central Junior forward Wendell White.   Wendell has scored in double figures in all four games this season, averaging just over 16 points a game.

Go on line today to nominate our WBCK/Meijer Athlete of the Week!   It’s easy to nominate someone you think is deserving of an award.  The winner will get mentioned on WBCK and at wbckfm.com and also get a trophy from Recognition Inc. in Battle Creek. We’ll announce a new WBCK/Meijer Athlete of the Week each Wednesday.