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TORONTO -- James Reimer thinks about a lot of things. Jace Sternberger Super Bowl Jersey . The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender had a premonition and told his wife hed play in Thursday nights game against the Boston Bruins. And he did, replacing the injured Jonathan Bernier. Before that, Reimer considered the possibility that he had played his final game with the Leafs after being in goal for five straight losses before Berniers return from a groin problem. Now that Bernier is lost for the rest of the regular season -- a minimum of three weeks -- with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee, Reimer doesnt have to think about riding out the rest of his time in Toronto on the bench. His new challenge is trying to rebound from one of the worst stretches in his career lead the Leafs to the playoffs. "Ive had a lot of success in the past and had to carry the load in different scenarios, and Ive been successful in that," Reimer said Friday. "Youre a competitor and you love the challenges, especially maybe sometimes when the odds are against you. You just go out there and play your heart out and kind of hope that its going to be enough." Even with his best efforts, it might not be enough. With four games left, Reimer and the Leafs have 84 points, one back of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who lost to the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night. Columbus has one extra game left, meaning Toronto likely has to win out and hope to get some help, too. The first task at hand comes Saturday night at Air Canada Centre against the Winnipeg Jets. Thats all Reimer, a native of Morweena, Man., is worried about. "The main thing is its not four games in a row," Reimer said. "As a goalie, you cant see it like that. You cant even win 60 minutes. Its about the first five minutes, the first minute, the first shot." Reimer did give up a goal on the first shot he faced Jan. 20 against Tampa Bay, and one within the games first six minutes twice more during a run of five straight regulation losses. The 26-year-old, who allowed 18 goals on 139 shots in that time, was made a scapegoat for the Leafs struggles. That did not sit well with centre Nazem Kadri. "It seems like when the team does not do well, hes the first guy that everyone hops all over, which really that shouldnt be the case," Kadri said Thursday night. "At that point when we were losing, the team in front of him just couldnt bring it together and just couldnt figure things out, and obviously the goalies left out there to dry by himself. We felt bad, and now its about time we have his back and step up to the plate." Itll take more than just Reimer to roll off four more wins, against the Jets in the home finale and then at the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators. But hes undoubtedly at the forefront now and said hell try to do his part. Reimer pointed to Thursday nights 4-3 overtime victory against the Eastern Conference-leading Bruins as evidence of his belief in why the Leafs can do the improbable and make the playoffs. "Maybe sometimes its not the prettiest, but we find ways to win," he said. "We pull together and we lean on each other and thats what it takes. With four games to go, no ones going to ask how we get points, just as long as we get them. I believe fully in this team that weve got what it takes." If Reimer can recapture past form that made him the Leafs starter -- and a good one at that -- hed have a chance to redeem himself and his team for last months losing. Hed also likely make a good case to another NHL team that hes capable of being a No. 1 goaltender somewhere. Saturday, against a Winnipeg team that has had its share of troubles in goal, could be the start of that audition. Reimer cant help but think about the future and what it holds for his career, but thats not at the forefront of his mind. "Honestly right now theres lots of thoughts swirling in your head about a lot of things," he said. "But now its just time to stop the puck. It doesnt really matter what transpires after the season or all that white noise, per se. All Im trying to do is just play my best and get those two points tomorrow and then go on to Florida. I try not to think about all this other stuff." From a team perspective, Berniers injury -- which happened in the third period when defenceman Paul Ranger pushed Bruins centre Patrice Bergeron into the goalie -- just adds to the adversity. "All the time in the NHL youre always provided with challenges through the course of the season, and this is just another one," coach Randy Carlyle said. "Our group has to continue to play to a higher level than we did in the last one. Thats what were going to ask of ourselves." In the process, the Leafs are asking Reimer to be stable and dependable. Beyond that, he doesnt want to put excess pressure on himself with the season on the line. "Obviously its a big game and some people might say its a must-win game and stuff, but when you start putting too much pressure on yourself, you cant perform," Reimer said. "Its a big game and we know whats at stake, but you cant really think about that. Youre just thinking about your own game and what you need to do to be successful." NOTES -- Joffrey Lupul is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, according to Carlyle, who said Thursday night the winger was doubtful to play against Winnipeg. ... Forwards Phil Kessel, James van Riemsdyk and Dave Bolland did not practise Friday because they were given so-called "maintenance" days off. Billy Turner Super Bowl Jersey . Villarreals victory in Valencia kept it in fourth place and in control of Spains last Champions League spot. Uche broke free in the area in the 10th minute and was brought down by goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who was shown a direct red card. Jamaal Williams Super Bowl Jersey . The game got off to a less-than-ideal start for the Jets as Oliver Ekman-Larsson found a wide open net from the slot and opened the scoring for the Coyotes a lead in the first period, but Olli Jokinen answered back just over half a minute later.Revered as one of the greatest golfers of all time, Arnold Palmer became TVs first sports superstar. Sky Sports pays tribute to the charismatic seven-time major champion, who has died aged 87. Affectionately known as The King, Palmer was an undoubted trailblazer of the game, becoming the first player to win $1m in PGA Tour earnings while his glittering career was defined by firsts.He was the first sports star to be signed by pioneering agent Mark McCormack, the founder of the International Management Group. Palmer was the first sportsman to own his own jet, which he often piloted himself, and he was the first winner of the World Match Play tournament as well as the first golfer to be awarded the Presidential medal of freedom. Arnold Palmer rose to fame during the advent of the televised era The world of golf would look very different if not for the man from Latrobe, Pennsylvania, who is widely credited as being responsible for securing the status of the Open Championship. When he first played in 1960, he arrived as the holder of the Masters and US Open titles, but the tournament had fallen out of favour with many other American players.Palmer was trying to emulate the feat of winning three major wins in the same year - which had been achieved by Ben Hogan in 1953. He lost by one shot to Kel Nagle, but came back in 1961 to win his first Open title. The fan favourite won it again the next year, establishing it as an event that Americans both wanted to watch and play. Palmer persuaded many leading Americans to play in The Open But if there is one tournament that is synonymous with Arnold Palmers name, it is the Masters. Palmer became the youngest Augusta champion when he lifted the trophy in 1958, and left the tournament with both a permanent spotlight on his career and a dedicated fan following - Arnies Army.It was his legendary fights over this course as part of The Big Three with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player which further raised the profile of the sport, and it was clear the charismatic Palmer was a favourite among the patrons. Of his seven major victories, four of Palmers wins came at Augusta, in 1958, 60, 62 and 64.With so much history, it seemed fitting that he would end his major career on his 50th consecutive Masters appearance in 2004, but he still relished in appearing as an honorary starter alongside his formal rivals between 2007 and 2015, as did his loyal army. Palmers final appearance at Augusta earlier this year, watching fellow honorary starters Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player Arnold is the reason golf enjoys the popularity it does today, Nicklaus once said of his former rival. He made golf attractive to the television-viewing public. There never has been anyone like him before in the game of golf, and there probably wont be another like him again.The rise of a superstar Born in Pennsylvania, Palmer was the son of a country club golf professional. His father introduced him to the game of golf, shortening regulation clubs for his toddler son to learn to play, and by aged 11 the youngster was caddying at Latrobe Country Club.Success came early for Palmer, winning his first of five West Pennsylvania Amateur Championships at the age of 17. Brett Favre Super Bowl Jersey. He enrolled at Wake Forrest College on a golf scholarship and won three Atlantic Coast Conference Championships, but then tragedy hit. Following the death of a close friend and team-mate, Palmer dropped out of college and became part of the US Coast Guard for three years. Palmer bowed out of the Masters on his 50th consecutive appearance in 2004 Returning to golf in 1954, he resumed form quickly and after winning the US Amateur in 1954, he turned professional that same year - as well as marrying first wife Winnie Walzer.During his rookie year on the PGA Tour he won his first tournament at the Canadian Open, but it was his maiden major victory at the Masters in 1958 that saw the birth of a true superstar.The 1960s were his most prolific years, and between 1960 and 63 he won a remarkable 29 tournaments, including seven majors. In total, Palmer won 95 titles, including the 1980s PGA Seniors Championships and the 1981 Senior Open. He also played in seven Ryder Cups, and captained the team twice, once as the last playing captain in 1963, then as captain 12 years later in 1975. Presenting Tiger Woods with the Arnold Palmer Invitational trophy. He hosted his own tournament from 1979 His full retirement came in 2006, but it was not how he would have preferred to end his career. He officially retired on the fourth hole of the Adminstaff Small Business Classic after becoming dissatisfied with his performance.Ive been doing this for a long time and, first of all, to stand out there and not be able to make something happen is very traumatic in my mind, Palmer said. The people, they all want to see a good shot and you know it and you cant give them that good shot. Thats when its time.The first sporting superstarThe Hall of Famer had many victories, but one of his biggest achievements was almost single-handedly establishing the commercial success of the game. Signing to college friend Mark McCormacks company in 1960 (now IMG) together they launched the idea of a sports person as a global brand.Winning majors, playing golf with presidents and featuring in adverts, Palmers endorsement earnings with IMG grew from $6,000 to $500,000 in the first two years. Presenting Tiger Woods with the Arnold Palmer Invitational trophy. He hosted his own tournament from 1979 Palmer had a head for marketing, and made as big an impact on the business world as he did in the world of golf. He designed over 300 golf courses, was co-founder of the Golf Channel and had various business ventures that ranged from automobiles to his love of aviation.A global success, Palmer has made more money off the golf course than he ever did playing, ensuring his mark on the world will last for many more generations to come.Golf may have lost one of its most beloved characters but what is in no doubt is that the first sporting superstars name will live on through memories, history books, and forever as the combination of iced tea and lemonade. Also See: Ryder Cup latest news Europes Ryder Cup qualifiers 2014 Ryder Cup recap Golf live on Sky Sports ' ' '
- Created: Jan 13 '20
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