Offtopic » s a little bit tonight. Wevtr

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramentos City Council on Tuesday approved a financing plan for the Kings NBA franchise, clearing the way for construction on a $477 million downtown arena. The council voted 7-2 on the package during a meeting that caps off the citys lengthy struggle to keep the team from moving to Seattle a year ago. Mayor Kevin Johnson declared "Long live the Kings" after the final vote, and the chamber erupted in cheers along with team owners. "We had our backs against the wall, but we defied the odds. We made a comeback for the ages and in doing so, I feel like we unleashed the very best that Sacramento has to offer," said Johnson, a former three-time NBA All-Star who maintains strong connections to the league. Under the 35-year deal, the city would be responsible for a $223 million subsidy, much of it financed through a parking revenue bond. The city would pay an estimated $21.9 million a year in debt service that would be paid through lease payments from the Kings and a projected increase in parking revenue. The city also is transferring $32 million worth of land and allowing the team to operate six digital billboards. In return, the Kings would contribute $254 million to construct the arena and develop surrounding land with a hotel, office tower and shopping. Construction on the crown-shaped sports facility will break ground this summer and open in time for the 2016-17 season. At the start of the council meeting, Kings President Chris Granger called it a historic day for the team and Sacramento region, saying the arena would serve as a hub for economic development. The project would bring 11,000 construction jobs and 4,000 permanent jobs, he said. "This is certainly bigger than basketball," Granger said. "But it doesnt just end there. At the very core, this project is about community." The NBA had told the city that it must open the arena by 2017 or risk losing the Kings. Former Kings owners George, Joe and Gavin Maloof considered moving the team to Las Vegas, Anaheim and Virginia Beach, Virginia, until announcing an agreement that called for investor Chris Hansen to buy the team and move it to Seattle. Johnson led the city in a fight to keep the Kings and got the City Council to approve a plan for a new arena. The Maloofs then sold the Kings to a group led by TIBCO Software Chairman Vivek Ranadive. The council approved a financing plan that allows for construction on the new sports and entertainment complex to replace an aging shopping mall a few blocks from the Capitol. The Kings have played in Sacramento since 1985 and currently play in the 26-year-old Sleep Train Arena, in the citys north end. Scott VandenBerg, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Sacramento and chairman of the board of the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau, told the council that the arena will support new and existing businesses by expanding tourism. "Just the speculation that an entertainment and sports complex was going to be approved has already helped improve the health of our downtown core," VandenBerg said. Council members who opposed the deal said that the projects economic benefits are overstated and fear the city isnt getting enough from a public subsidy. Councilman Darrell Fong said the arena adds too much debt. "I know my vote wont stop this deal," Fong said. "Believe me, I hope Im proven wrong." A majority, however, hailed Tuesday as a pivotal moment for elevating the citys reputation. "Its not just about a venue for entertainment and sports; its about the type of life that people get to have when they choose to live in our region," said Councilwoman Angelique Ashby. Critics unsuccessfully tried to block the citys subsidy with a petition drive that failed to qualify for the ballot. Opponents including Patrick Soluri, a Sacramento attorney, vowed to continue to fight. "The mayor and City Council no longer represent the interests of ordinary citizens," Soluri told the council. "Cronyism is running rampant, subsidies for the super-wealthy are handed out at the expense of working-class people and basic municipal services." Before the vote, the team sponsored a rally outside City Hall to show support for the project, drawing hundreds of fans, many of them dressed in purple, the teams colour. Cheap Nike Free NZ . "For the past several weeks, Logan has been dealing and playing with an upper body injury," said general manager Doug Wilson in a statement. "Despite his efforts to play through it, the injury has not responded as we had hoped and Logan has made the decision to undergo a surgical procedure to repair the problem. Nike Free Shoes NZ . 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Minutes after the previously winless Colts got their first win, 27-13 over Tennessee, team vice chairman Bill Polian said the four-time league MVP will not play this season though he has begun throwing to teammates at the team complex.VANCOUVER - Vancouver Canucks goaltender Eddie Lack was singing the praise of Steven Stamkos before Saturday nights game, and the Tampa Bay Lightning sniper didnt disappoint.Stamkos scored on a breakaway on his teams first shot as part of a two-goal effort as Tampa Bay defeated Vancouver 4-2 to hand the Canucks their first loss of the season.Lack, who called Stamkos one the three best players in the world at Saturdays morning skate, could only watch as Tampa Bays captain slipped a backhand past him just 53 seconds into the game.I kind of felt like I had him and then it kind of just snuck through, Lack said after finishing with 20 stops. Hes a great player — probably not the player you want to give a breakaway to at the start, but it was a good goal.The Canucks actually had sustained pressure in the Tampa Bay zone prior to the goal, but a turnover by Vancouver captain Henrik Sedin led to Stamkos opener.Its funny how the great ones find a way to get into open ice and pucks seem to find their sticks, said Lightning head coach Jon Cooper. That was pivotal for us because its early in the game, were kind of playing in the (defensive) zone and we get the big break and he scores. That took a little air out of Vancouvers tires and set the tone for us.Added Sedin: We had a great shift. We felt good. We had a few chances there and (I) tried to make a play. Just one of those plays that maybe you shouldnt do against a really good player, but I made it and it cost us a big goal.Ryan Callahan also scored and added an assist for Tampa Bay (3-1-1), while Ben Bishop finished with 30 saves to kick off a five-game road trip with a win.Lack was making his first start of the season in place of Ryan Miller, but Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins had no problem with his performance.Stamkos right off the start on a breakaway is a tough way to start, said Desjardins. Hes got a great attitude and I have no worry about Eddie Lack. Hes a real good goaltender and Ive got lots of confidence in him.Alex Killhorn had the other goal for the Lightning, while Ondrej Palat chipped in with two assists.Tampa Bay lost standout defenceman Victor Hedman midway through the second period to an upper-body injury and Cooper said he will be sent home to be re-evaluated.Thats a big loss, hes playing so well and hes a horse for us, said Stamkos, who broke his leg last season. That just shows the character on this team. Weve dealt with injuries and adversity before and come out on top.Alexander Edler, with a goal and an assist, and Chris Higgins scored for Vancouver (3-1-0), which opened with two wins against the Edmonton Oilers — including Friday nights road victory — and one over the Calgary Flames, but found it much tougher sledding against one of the Eastern Conferences best teams.Down 2-1 after 20 minutes, the Canucks evened the score at 2:42 of the second when Edler took a pass from Daniel Sedin off the rush on a power play and ripped a shot past Bishop for his first of the season.ddddddddddddAfter Vancouver failed to score on three straight man-advantage opportunities later in the period, the Lightning retook the lead at 16:48 just after a 5-on-3 power play expired. Stamkos shattered his stick on a one-timer, went to the bench to pick up some new lumber and promptly fed Callahan, who ripped his third past a helpless Lack after some prolonged pressure.Desjardins wasnt impressed with his teams discipline, with Alexandre Burrows taking a roughing penalty before Kevin Bieksa went off for a trip to give the Lightning their two-man advantage.Weve got to be smarter. Theyve got a real good power play. We know that. Its not that that surprised us, said Desjardins. It comes down to how bad do you want to win? Do you want to win bad enough that youll have the discipline to stay out of the box. It cost us a little bit tonight. Weve got to be better.Tampa Bay stretched its lead to 4-2 at 6:04 of the third when Lack made a great save off Tyler Johnson in front only to have Killhorn shovel home the rebound for his second of the year.The Canucks announced in an email to season ticket holders on Friday that the game against the Lightning would not be a sellout, snapping a streak of 474 straight full houses at Rogers Arena. The last time Vancouver played before a less-than-capacity crowd at home prior to Saturday was on Nov. 12, 2002.After Stamkos gave Tampa Bay the early lead, the Canucks — who were looking to open with four consecutive wins for the first time since 1992 — got things back to even when Higgins followed up his own rebound for his first of the campaign at 7:15.But Stamkos grabbed his second of the night and fifth of the young season just 1:11 later. Canucks defenceman Dan Hamhuis fanned on a clearing attempt behind his net and Callahan poked the puck out front to Stamkos, who scored to give Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead on just three shots.I thought we gave this game away. We showed on a back-to-back night we can play the best teams, said Henrik Sedin. I thought we could have won the game. I cost us the first goal and then we gave them the second goal as well.We pushed hard to come back in the game but then we gave them a 5-on-3 and thats where I think the momentum changed.Notes: The Canucks start a three-game road trip on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. ... The Lightning continue their road trip on Monday against the Oilers. ... The Canucks visit the Lightning in their only other meeting on Jan. 20. ... Vancouver defenceman Ryan Stanton sat out after suffering an injury in Fridays game, with Yannick Weber taking his spot in the lineup... Frank Corrado was recalled from the AHLs Utica Comets but didnt dress. ... Among the 18,647 in attendance was actor John Travolta. Capacity at Rogers Arena is 18,870. ' ' '