Coyotes visit Avs in Denver

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12/23/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After having a six-game point streak halted, the Phoenix Coyotes get right back to work tonight in a road test against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center.

The Coyotes entered last night's game with Edmonton having won two straight while going 4-0-2 over their previous six games. However, they were dealt a 4-2 loss by the Oilers.

Martin Hanzal and Enver Lisin tallied for the Coyotes, who failed to match their season high for consecutive wins, set from November 8-12.

Ilya Bryzgalov had posted a 1.79 goals against average over the Coyotes' point streak, but was rested last night in favor of Mikael Tellqvist. Tellqvist took the loss after allowing four goals on 27 shots faced.

Bryzgalov should return to net tonight and is 3-2-1 with a 2.50 goals against average in six all-time outings against Colorado.

Phoenix remained three points back of Anaheim for second place in the Pacific Division and also fell to 5-10-2 on the road this year. The Coyotes are 1-3-1 over their last five as the visiting club and conclude a three-game road trip in Los Angeles on Friday.

Colorado capped a four-game road trip on Sunday, finishing 2-2-0 after a 3-0 loss in Florida. The Panthers' Tomas Vokoun halted all 23 shots faced in the contest.

Peter Budaj allowed two goals on 23 shots for the Avalanche, who lost for just the second time in 13 all-time road meetings with the Panthers. Budaj is 6-2-3 with a 2.70 GAA in his career versus the Coyotes.

Paul Stastny had scored in three straight games before being held without a goal on Sunday. He leads the Avalanche with 19 assists and 28 points and has five goals and three helpers in eight career games against the Coyotes.

Marek Svatos missed his fifth straight game due to a back injury and is questionable for tonight. Ruslan Salei is also questionable after he left Sunday's contest early when he crashed hard into the boards. He is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Colorado begins a three-game homestand tonight and is 8-6-0 as the host this year. The Avs have won four of their last five at home.

Phoenix notched a 2-1 home win over Colorado on November 28 for its fourth win in the last five meetings. The Coyotes have also won their last three at the Pepsi Center since going winless in 10 contests there.

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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.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
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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