Sports: Red Wings start season without Datsyuk

Red Wings

The Red Wings open the season against the Boston Bruins at Joe Louis Arena tonight. Center Pavel Datsyuk will miss the game with a separated shoulder. Bostonis the team that knocked the Wings out of the playoffs in the first round last season.  Last night, the Bruins won their season opener 2-1 overPhiladelphia.  Detroitwill host the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday before the Bruins return to town for another game next Wednesday.

Pistons

The Detroit Pistons continue preseason play as the Milwaukee Bucks visit The Palace tonight.  Detroitwent to overtime in its first exhibition contest over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. The Pistons will take on the Washington Wizards on the road on Sunday.

Lions

The Detroit Lions are getting ready for this weekend's NFC North matchup with the Vikings inMinnesota. Running back Joique Bell was back on the practice field yesterday following that Week Four concussion in the Jets game.   Running back Theo Riddick and cornerback Cassius Vaughn were also full participants in drills yesterday.  After practice, Lions head coach Jim Caldwell says he may consider keeping receiver Calvin Johnson out of the game with the Vikings after he suffered a high ankle sprain againstBuffalo.  Johnson, who did not practice yesterday, said some injuries require more rest and he doesn't want to put himself in a position where he can't be there for the team.

New Kicker

The Lions introduced their third kicker of the season yesterday.  Matt Prater says he entered a 12-step program to deal with his alcohol problem and is hoping to make the most of another chance to kick in the NFL. The Detroit Lions have signed Prater to a one-year deal. Prater is coming off a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The Denver Broncos cut ties with him last week after seven years.

The Lions play inMinnesotaSunday.  12 noon on WBCK.

Peterson in Court

The Lions won’t have to figure out how to stop Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.  He made his first court appearance Wednesday inTexason a charge of child abuse and tentatively has a trial date of December 1st   and is on an NFL exempt list while the court proceedings continue.  He did not enter a plea Wednesday, although defense attorney Rusty Hardin indicated that Peterson is expected to plead not guilty. He says he asked for a trial to begin as quickly as possible in an effort to get Peterson back on the field some time this season.

Thursday Night Football

First place in the AFC South is on the line tonight as the Indianapolis Colts take on the Houston Texans in the NFL's Thursday night game at NRG Stadium. Both teams are 3-and-2 on the season.

College Football

Four and oneMichiganStateplays at Purdue this Saturday….2pm on WBCK. It’s the Mark Dantanio Show, tonight at 7 on WBCK.

MichiganhostsPennStateon Saturday night….6pm on Mix 104.9 WBXX.

Izzo has Surgery

MichiganStatesays Coach Tom Izzo had successful hernia surgery yesterday. He is expected back in the basketball office later this week. Izzo is entering his 20th season asMichiganState's coach. The Spartans open the regular season next month at Navy.

MLB Playoffs

The American League Championship Series will begin Friday night with the Baltimore Orioles hosting the Kansas City Royals.  In the National League, the Cardinals host Game One on Saturday against the Giants.

Soccer

Harper Creek came back with three unanswered second half goals to beatCharlotte3-1.  Cole Schneider had two goals and Noah Eckert had the other.

Delton Kellogg 8,MapleValley0.  Lucas Hansen and Keith Malachowski each had two goals.

Volleyball

Harper Creek 3,ParmaWestern 0.   The Beavers were led by Charley Andrews with 17 kills and four blocks.

Pennfield 3,JacksonNorthwest 1.  Montana Rench with 17 digs, Kennedy Barlond had six aces, and Alexis Stephenson had 13 kills.

Lakeview 3,KalamazooCentral 0.  Anne Sangliana with 14 kills and 19 digs, Reagan Smith had seven kills and two blocks.

Marshall 3, Charlotte 0.  Logan Kiessling with 10 kills and 12 digs,  Emily Delmotte had 11 kills.

Delton Kellogg 3,KalamazooHackett 2.  Faith Ferris with 31 kills and six blocks.

Goodell and NFL Meetings

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league remains focused on how to handle incidents of domestic violence and sexual assault. Goodell says hours were spent during the meeting providing domestic violence and sexual assault education for NFL owners in addition to the league's personal conduct policy. The commissioner also said discussions are ongoing about how much power he will continue to have in disciplining players who violate that policy.  Goodell also said the sale of the Buffalo Bills to Terry and Kim Pegula, who own the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, was unanimously approved.

Athlete of the Week

Congratulations to our WBCK/Meijer Athlete of the Week, Aleena Janousek who plays on the Olivet Girls Volleyball team. Aleena is a four-year member of the Olivet Eagles' volleyball varsity squad, and also a member of the girls' basketball and track squads. She was named to the All-Tournament team at the Mason Invitational earlier this season and led the Eagles to a runner-up finish at the Concord Invitational, with 51 kills, 20 aces, 49 digs and eight solo blocks throughout the whole tournament. On the season, Aleena has 305 kills, 94 aces, 278 digs and 34 solo blocks. She is a National Honor Society and Student Council Member and holds a 3.80 GPA. She is looking to pursue a business degree while playing volleyball in college, but hasn’t decided on a school yet.

Go on line today to nominate our WBCK/Meijer Athlete of the Week!  We want to salute local kids who are working hard both on and off the field, and 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. inBattle Creek. We’ll announce a new WBCK/Meijer Athlete of the Week each Wednesday.

Win a $100 Finley’s Grill & Smokehouse BBQ Tailgate Party!

Congratulations to Pat and Brenda Cieslak….who won our drawing for the $100 Finley’s Grill & Smokehouse BBQ Tailgate Party, for the Marshall-Harper Creek game on Friday the 17th!  You can still register for our final tailgate party from Finley’s for MSU/Michigan game on October 25th!  We’ll be announcing our next winner on October 17th!

Win WMU Tix

Also at wbck.fm dot com….click to win tickets to the WMU Bronco Game versus Ohio U on Saturday October 25th!

High School Football

This Friday night, WBCK’s High School Football game of the Week features Harper Creek at Coldwater.   Join Nate Adams, Jim Hughes and Jefferson Matthews for the action at 6:35 on WBCK.