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VANCOUVER -- It took a while, but Dallas Eakins has posted two consecutive wins, which he has rarely done in his first season as coach of the Edmonton Oilers.www.authenticchargersshop.com/Ryan-Carrethers-Chargers-Jersey . David Perron helped his coachs cause by scoring three goals as the Oilers doubled the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 on Monday night. "It was a real good road game," said Eakins, enjoying a rare occasion to offer praise to his forwards, defence and goaltender alike. The Oilers (17-32-6) earned consecutive wins after six straight losses while the Canucks (27-18-9) suffered their second loss in the past three games. This is only the fourth time this season, and the first time since December, that the Oilers have won two games in a row. Edmonton also posted its first win in four tries against Vancouver this season. Eakins was especially grateful for the tight win after the Oilers were blanked 4-0 in their last visit to Vancouver in December. "Were slowly getting stronger and its good for the group," said Eakins. Jesse Joensuus goal at 2:20 of the third period secured the win before Perron completed his hat trick with an empty netter with just over a minute left. "You dont want to give David Perron two much room out there," said Eakins. "He can hurt you quickly. Hes a deadly shooter and he was able to get freed up a couple times tonight." Perron now has 22 goals on the season, offering a beacon of hope to an Oilers squad that has often played in a fog like the one that engulfed parts of Vancouver earlier Monday. But with the Oilers destined to miss the playoffs, he hoped the win would serve as a catalyst for success in the more distant future. "We have to be able to look them straight in the eyes and tell (the Canucks) to go away in not always the nicest way," he said. "We need to be able to play with these guys in other years, and it starts right now. We need to set it up for next year. "The last four or five games are the way we need to play and we are going to get a lot of points if we do that." The loss spoiled a strong effort from Jordan Schroeder, who had the two goals for Vancouver. They were his first since March 21, 2013. With just over four minutes remaining in the game, Edmonton goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov denied Schroeder a hat trick, stopping his shot from the slot. The Edmonton goaltender then lay back on the loose puck and prevented Daniel Sedin from jamming it in as players from both teams crowded the crease. Schroeder excelled in his first game since he was sidelined Oct. 19 with a fractured ankle. Before hurting his ankle, Schroeder sustained a broken foot in the pre-season and spent the off-season rehabilitating from shoulder surgery. "Some hockey gods repaid me tonight," said Schroeder. "It was fun to get to play again and getting some minutes on the top line there, that was fun. It felt good. Its disappointing we didnt get the win, but we made some mental mistakes, a few turnovers and (they) cost us the game." Acting Vancouver head coach Mike Sullivan called, "Schroeder an infusion of energy," but lamented his top players inability to do likewise -- and fail to keep pace with the Los Angeles Kings as they also won Monday. One night after scoring five goals in a win over Phoenix, the Canucks continued their offensive struggles. Daniel Sedin, clearly missing his injured brother Henrik, has now gone 13 games without a goal. Alex Burrows remains scoreless in the 22 games that he has played in an injury-riddled season. "Its hard to win unless your best players are your best players," said Sullivan. Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo lived up to his reputation as one of the Canucks best players as both teams were playing the second games of back-to-back contests against different teams. Although its customary for the starting goaltender to rest the second night, Luongo played his second game in two nights while Bryzgalov replaced Ben Scrivens following his first win as an Oiler. Luongo finished with 16 saves while Bryzgalov posted 25. The Canucks were blanked on two power plays while the Oilers failed to score on three. Perron put the Oilers ahead 2-1 at 17:34 of the first as he jammed in a loose puck from in front after Vancouver defenceman Dan Hamhuis knocked it away from a driving Nail Yakupov. The goal came after yet another Canucks giveaway. Schroeder drew the Canucks even at 2:39 of the second period as he put the puck in off Edmonton defenceman Corey Potters skate. Joenssu gave the Oilers a 3-2 lead in the third period as he put in Ryan Smyths pass from behind the net before Perrons empty netter gave Eakins a rare chance to celebrate consecutive wins -- without getting too excited. "We know we have a very long way to go," said Eakins. Notes: Winger Dale Weise, who has two points in his last three games, was scratched as a result of Schroeders return. a Edmonton captain Andrew Ference was sidelined with a head injury suffered Sunday against Nashville. Vancouver captain Henrik Sedin remained sidelined with an upper-body problem. a The Canucks wore dark green camouflage jerseys in the warm-up in tribute to Canadas Armed Forces. Winger David Booth also wore a similar green camouflage baseball cap bearing a 1980s-era Canucks logo. Booth returned to the lineup after sitting out Sundays win over Phoenix as a healthy scratch. a Joensuu is one game away from 100 for his career. a Canucks coach John Tortorella missed the fourth game of his 15-day suspension for storming the Calgary Flames dressing room area Jan. 25. Jeremiah Attaochu Kids Jersey .Y. -- Shannon Eastin could be the first of several female game officials in the league, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. Jason Verrett Kids Jersey . 98 jersey in a game yet, and already its a big seller.GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Starter Homer Bailey agreed to a six-year, $105 million deal on Wednesday that avoids arbitration and will help the Cincinnati Reds with their cash flow by temporarily deferring some of the salary. The deal includes a $25 million mutual option for 2020 with a $5 million buyout. Bailey was the Reds final player left in arbitration. He reached the agreement a day before his scheduled hearing in Florida. He made $5.35 million last season and had asked for $11.6 million in arbitration. The Reds offered $8.7 million, their biggest gap with one of their arbitration-eligible players. The 27-year-old Texan was coming off a season that included his second no-hitter. The sides struck a deal that will help the Reds with their cash flow. Bailey gets salaries of $9 million this year, $10 million in 2015, $18 million in 2016, $19 million in 2017, $21 million in 2018 and $23 million in 2019. In an unusual twist, much of the annual salary will be deferred until the November after each season. Bailey will be paid in-season amounts of $3 million this year, $4 million next year, $11 million in 2016, $12 million in 2017, $14 million in 2018 and $15 million in 2019. If he is traded, his new team would have to pay all of the salary amounts during the season. www.authenticchargersshop.com/Chris-Watt-Chargers-Jersey. Also, the $5 million buyout would be paid when either side decides not to exercise the option rather than having it deferred until November as well. The Reds planned to discuss the deal on Thursday. Bailey declined to comment on the agreement after a workout on Wednesday. Baileys was the last arbitration case left in the majors. Teams won two of three cases that went to hearings, with the Indians beating pitchers Vinnie Pestano and Josh Tomlin. Pitcher Andrew Cashner won his case with San Diego. Owners have a 293-215 margin since arbitration began in 1974. Bailey went a career-best 13-10 with a 3.68 ERA in 2012, completing his breakthrough season by throwing a no-hitter in Pittsburgh on Sept 28. He followed that with the 16th no-hitter in franchise history last June, a 3-0 win over San Francisco at Great American Ball Park. Bailey went 11-12 with a 3.49 ERA last year, leaving him in line for a big salary increase in arbitration or a long-term deal. The Reds rotation in includes five players under the age of 30 -- Johnny Cueto (28), Mat Latos (26), Bailey (27), Mike Leake (26) and left-hander Tony Cingrani (24). ' ' ' |