Chatecke » Alfredsson has certainly done that

MONTECAMPIONE, Italy -- Fabio Aru of Italy claimed a solo victory on the tough uphill finish to Montecampione in the 15th stage of the Giro dItalia on Saturday for his first Grand Tour victory. Aru made his move with 2.5 kilometres (1.55 miles) remaining and finished 21 seconds ahead of Fabio Duarte. Nairo Quintana edged out Pierre Rolland for third place, 22 seconds behind. The 23-year-old Aru also cut into Rigoberto Urans overall lead and is now fourth -- 2 minutes, 24 seconds behind the Colombian. Uran extended his advantage over his closest challengers and is 1:03 ahead of Cadel Evans and 1:50 ahead of Rafal Majka. Victorias Ryder Hesjedal was ninth in Sundays leg, 1:13 behind Aru. Svein Tuft of Langley, B.C., was 138th. Hesjedal, the winner of the 2012 Giro, is 11th overall, 6:44 behind Uran. Tuft is 166th. The previous two times a Giro stage has finished up Montecampione, the winner has gone on to claim the race. It was another stage dedicated to the late Marco Pantani, who had a memorable victory up to Montecampione on his way to winning the 1998 Giro. Pantani also went on to win the Tour de France that year. He was found dead in a hotel room on Valentines Day in 2004, and a coroner ruled he died from cocaine poisoning. The stage was mainly flat along the 225-kilometre (140-mile) route from Valdengo before the final long and steep climb. The break of the day was formed of 12 riders and it had 10 minutes with 78 kilometres (48.5 miles) remaining, before the peloton -- driven by Nero Sottoli -- started to reel them in. The escapees had an advantage of 2:24 at the base of the climb, where Australian Adam Hansen was the first to make a move. He was joined first by Andre Cardoso and then Fabio Felline and Rodolfo Torres, as Julian Arredondo attacked from the peloton. They had less than a minute lead with 14.5 kilometres (9 miles) remaining. Arredondo took over the lead with Cardoso but the duo were caught and immediately passed by Philip Deignan, who had a 20-second advantage with 5 kilometres (3 miles) remaining. Rolland attacked and caught up with Deignan and the pair had an advantage of 36 seconds before Aru made his move, bringing Uran with him. Quintana and Duarte also attacked and the quartet caught the leading duo. Aru then attacked again, chased by Duarte, Quintana and Rolland as Uran dropped off, after deciding he couldnt keep up with the pace. Monday sees the third and final rest day of this years Giro before arguably its toughest stage, with the iconic climbs up the Stelvio and Gabbia -- weather permitting. Ariel Jurado Jersey . Obasi chested the ball past one defender, prodded it past another and then rounded the keeper before scoring from a tight angle in the 16th minute. Seconds after the restart, Obasi set up Klaas Jan Huntelaar for the Dutchmans 11th goal from 13 games this season. Nick Solak Rangers Jersey . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/126...ey-rangers.html. -- The Atlanta Braves added to their extensive wave of long-term deals with their young stars on Sunday by agreeing to a $42 million, four-year contract with All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel. Isiah Kiner-Falefa Jersey .C. -- The RBC Cups semifinal participants were decided by a pair of overtime games. Jon Matlack Jersey . Off-season additions Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley did not train with the club today, prompting Nelsen to declare its too early to tell if either will be ready for Saturday. DETROIT -- Daniel Alfredsson was the face of the Ottawa Senators franchise. Now his face isnt even among the five featured on signs welcoming Detroit Red Wings fans to Joe Louis Arena. Theres no longer a letter on his jersey or the responsibility that comes with it. Hes just another player, and he admits it has taken some getting used to. "Its mixed emotions," Alfredsson said Tuesday, the day before facing his former team for the first time since signing with the Red Wings as a free agent in July. "I miss a lot about Ottawa, theres no questions, at the rink and being the guy. But at the same time I also enjoy not being the guy and kind of worrying about myself a little bit more." Thats something he rarely got to do in 17 seasons with the Senators, 14 of which he spent as the captain. He was the de facto first-line right-winger and holds the Ottawa records for most games, goals, assists, points and much more. Alfredssons new team features a couple of other future Hall of Famers in captain Henrik Zetterberg and alternate Pavel Datsyuk. When the Red Wings lost in a shootout Monday to the San Jose Sharks, Alfredsson didnt have to serve as the team spokesman like he would have for the Senators. "I dont mind media at all, but its also nice to prepare every day through the ups and downs," he said. "I dont think I wouldve played as long as I did if I felt that was a burden for me. I cant say its never been." A veteran of almost 1,200 NHL games, Alfredsson earned instant respect from his new Red Wings teammates. The 40-year-old fit seamlessly into the leadership structure that was already in place. "Its not like hes stepping on anyones toes or anything like that," goaltender Jonas Gustavsson said. "He knows when to say something and he knows when to let other people take care of that." But it was his responsibility to move his wife and four children to Michigan. He expressed some trepidation about his family settling in to their new life but didnt express regrets about leaving the old one behind in order to prove himself to a new organization. "The way I looked at it at the time and still do today is its a huge challenge for myself, personally, both on and off the ice," Alfredsson said. "Its a big challenge for our family. I think I will look back at this down the road as something that was a stepping stone for me in my life." From a pure hockey perspective, Alfredsson also has a different job with the Red Wings. Coach Mike Babcock has moved him up and down the lineup throughout the first three weeks of the season, giving him plenty of different challenges along the way. Alfredsson recorded a goal and eight assists in his first 10 games, calling his own play "so-so." And while the Red Wings lean on him for offence, the presence of Zetterberg and Datsyuk means hes not counted on to do everything. "I think mmy role here is more Im going to do everything I can to make it feel like they dont have everything on their shoulders, and not the other way around that they should take something off me," Alfredsson said.dddddddddddd"I think if I can stay healthy and play to my abilities I should be able to do that. I think thats important. We know how good they are, and if we can help out behind them, I think its going to make them even better." It has been a long time since anyone considered Alfredsson a complementary player. Former Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla and Jaromir Jagr slid into similar roles last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins, with varying degrees of success. Early this season, Alfredsson is fitting in smoothly in Detroit, perhaps in part because of his unassuming nature and the core that has been around and already won the Stanley Cup. "The personalities have to fit, the position has to fit, the belief in the system has to fit, and right now it looks like the marriage there is pretty good," said San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan, an assistant on the Red Wings 2008 Cup team. McLellan pointed to Dallas Drakes role in 2008 and Jamal Mayers with the Chicago Blackhawks as prior examples of veterans integrating well and contributing to a championship. What makes Alfredsson different is that, like Iginla and Jagr, he has been a star and is used to the good and bad that comes with the spotlight. That star power isnt going to waste with the Red Wings. "Hes done excellent work for us, and we just be happy to learn more from these guys like this," Datsyuk said. In Detroit, Alfredsson has joined a team with seven fellow Swedes: Zetterberg, Gustavsson, Niklas Kronwall, Johan Franzen, Mikael Samuelsson, Jonathan Ericsson and Joakim Andersson. "There are so many Swedes that hes played with, whether its been at the Olympics or world championship or international stage," forward Justin Abdelkader said. "He knows those guys, fellow countrymen. I think it helps right away." Though he played with all but Andersson for Team Sweden at some point, Alfredsson said he wasnt sure how much of a factor that was in his decision. Still, Babcock wondered if Alfredsson has had some second thoughts. "Obviously any time you change environment after that long its going to be not as comfortable as the old place," Babcock said. "But I think lifes about embracing change anyway." Alfredsson has certainly done that. He called moving on with the Red Wings another stepping stone and an opportunity to "experience new adventures." Babcock hopes this team can ensure taking the leap was worth it. "Its just a matter of time, but hes been excellent," Babcock said. "In the end, depending on how good we become, I think he has a chance to be real happy here." 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