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MONZA, Italy -- First it was physical contact. Steve Atwater Broncos Jersey . Now its turning into a psychological battle. The fierce rivalry between the Mercedes teammates dominating Formula One took a new turn Sunday when Lewis Hamilton pressured Nico Rosberg into a mistake and overtook him to win the Italian Grand Prix. "You have to be prepared for the unexpected," Hamilton said. "Im quite grateful for today that I didnt lose it, didnt crash into anyone on that first corner. ... I managed to keep my head." At the Belgian GP two weeks ago, Rosberg finished second after crashing into Hamilton early and sending his teammate out of the incident-packed race -- resulting in disciplinary measures from Mercedes and a reportedly hefty fine for Rosberg. The key event this time came on lap 29 of 53 as Hamilton had recovered from a poor start to pull up right into Rosbergs rear-view mirrors. Feeling Hamiltons presence behind him, Rosberg braked hard and drove straight through the Monza circuits first chicane at the end of the main straightaway. Rosberg was slowed as he had to slalom through obstacles on the escape road, while all Hamilton had to do was stay on the track and he easily passed Rosberg. Hamilton then cruised to his second win in Monza, his sixth victory of the season and the 28th of his Formula One career. "Lewis was quick so I needed to up my pace and as a result I made a mistake," Rosberg said. "It was very bad and that lost me the lead in the end. Its definitely very disappointing." Rosberg made the same mistake earlier in the race. "Its not like many other races Ive seen with Nico. He rarely made mistakes and two today in the same place," Mercedes executive director Toto Wolff said. "Nico was under massive pressure from Lewis and Lewis deserved the win today. Hamilton cut Rosbergs championship lead from 29 to 22 points with six races remaining. Rosberg crossed 3.1 seconds behind, and Felipe Massa of Williams was third, a distant 21.8 seconds back. Valtteri Bottas in the other Williams finished fourth and Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull was fifth. Hamilton started the season strongly by winning four of the opening five races then had a series of problems which allowed Rosberg to take over control of the championship. Now, Rosberg is the one having problems. While they are both 29, Hamilton has more experience. He won the F1 title in 2008 by one point ahead of Massa. "If you want to be a world champion you have to go through lows and highs," Wolff said. "You need extreme mental strength to make it to the end and win the championship and I think both of them have that in them." For the second consecutive race, Rosberg was booed on the podium. "Maybe thats something you also need to survive if you want to make it to the top," Wolff said. It was a disappointing day for the Ferrari drivers before their home "tifosi" -- fans -- as Kimi Raikkonen finished ninth and Fernando Alonsos race ended on lap 30 due to a technical problem that resulted in the Spaniard pulling to a stop at the end of the main straightaway. Ferrari dropped to fourth in the constructors standings behind Williams in third. Mercedes holds a massive 182-point lead in the team category ahead of Red Bull. Hamilton and Rosberg qualified 1-2 and fans had anticipated a battle between the pair at the first corner. But at the start, Hamilton had a technical problem and dropped to fourth heading into the first chicane behind Rosberg, McLarens Kevin Magnussen and Massa. Hamilton rebounded by passing Magnussen with Massas help on the fifth lap then overtook Massa around the outside through the first chicane on lap 10 and began to reduce Rosbergs lead lap after lap. Meanwhile, Rosberg lost time when he drove straight through the first chicane on lap nine -- a harbinger of things to come. The layout of the Monza track -- long, high-speed straights followed by slow corners -- requires heavy braking. "Its one of the most difficult tracks for braking because of low downforce and the highest speed of the year," Rosberg said. "But that isnt any excuse or anything, thats just the way it is. ... Unfortunately I got it wrong two times in the race." Hamilton also had a problem 15 minutes before the race started, when a team mechanic dropped a portable brake cooler on his front wing, breaking it slightly and forcing a change. "I came here with a positive attitude and hoping just for no issues," Hamilton said. "I had another serious one but I managed to pull through it. Im still looking for one of those weekends where we dont have any of those troubles." The Singapore GP in two weeks is up next. Phillip Lindsay Broncos Jersey . Theres little time for rest, too. The Flyers and Rangers play again Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. Simmonds scored in the first period and twice more in the second for his first career post-season hat trick. Mason survived a busy first period and stopping 31 straight shots until Carl Hagelin scored late in the third. Peyton Manning Jersey .Johnny there, who knew he had that speed? teammate Tommy Wingels said.Scott and Matt Irwin were unlikely goal-scorers Tuesday night as the previously stingy San Jose Sharks finally sprung a leak or two, blowing a pair of three-goal leads before coming away with a 6-5 shootout victory over the Washington Capitals.TORONTO -- Just like after previous home victories, "We Cant Stop" by Miley Cyrus blared from the Toronto Maple Leafs locker-room. The victory song that became synonymous with a season of good fortune was the same, but after beating the Calgary Flames 3-2 on Tuesday night the mood was much more relief than happiness. The result snapped a streak of eight straight regulation losses to keep the Leafs slim playoff hopes alive. "It feels like a lot of weight lifted off of our team," captain Dion Phaneuf said. "We can feel good about ourselves because we won this game." The Leafs allowed themselves to feel good by picking up their first points since beating the Los Angeles Kings on March 13. They improved to 82 with five games remaining and passed the Washington Capitals (81, six games left) but still trail the Detroit Red Wings (84, seven games left) and Columbus Blue Jackets (83, seven games left) in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. Catching either the Red Wings, who play the Boston Bruins on Wednesday, or the Blue Jackets, who blew a two-goal lead and lost in overtime to the Colorado Avalanche, remains a daunting task. But for Toronto (37-32-8), any victory represented a confidence boost. "Its been a long time. Its been too long," coach Randy Carlyle said. "You hope that you can build on it, but I dont want to get too far ahead of ourselves because we didnt paint a Mona Lisa here tonight." In getting goals from Jay McClement, Dave Bolland and then the game-winner from David Clarkson, the Leafs managed to prevent what wouldve been their first stretch of nine straight regulation losses since 1967, the last time this franchise won the Stanley Cup. "We were flat for a big part of that game and gave up three rush chances," said ex-Leafs forward Matt Stajan, who scored his 13th of the season for the Flames on a breakaway. "Thats how that team scores goals. You could say they got a bounce on the one. Im guessing they havent had many bounces the last month so weve just got to be better." A loss of any kind to the Flames (31-38-7) wouldve been devastating to a team that knew it would have to run the table and get some help just to give itself a chance. Step 1 was beating the Flames. "It beats losing, thats for sure," said defenceman Cody Franson, who set up McClement for the games first goal 50 seconds into the second period. Anything beats losing for the Leafs, who not too long ago were in second place in the Atlantic Division before going into this free fall that saw them lose to the Capitals, Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers and then Detroit again. Calgary didnt make it nine despite goals from Stajan and defenceman Kris Russell. Goaltender Karri Ramo stopped 19 of the 22 shots he faced. "I dont think we got outplayed," Flames coach Bob Hartley said. "Its just they got one goal more than us. Dennis Smith Broncos Jersey. They were opportunistic at the right time and we got our chances late and we couldnt capitalize on them but its not by a lack of effort." In the same vein, Clarkson said Torontos losing streak wasnt for a lack of effort. But in a results-oriented business, they simply werent there. They came Tuesday night because McClement drove hard to the net, Bolland banked the puck off Flames defenceman T.J. Brodie and Mason Raymond sprung Clarkson on a breakaway. Jonathan Bernier also made 22 saves for his first victory since March 10. "It wasnt pretty, but well take it," Bolland said. "I dont think we played the prettiest game or we made the prettiest moves. But in a slump like that, just to get out of that, its great to get out of it." One victory wont get the Leafs out of the hole they dug over the past few weeks, but players hope is that this is at least a start. "Hopefully its big," said Clarkson, whose goal was his first point in 17 games. "At this time of the season, you stay positive, you continue to get better and youve got to stick together. Weve got to stick together in here and back each other up." And get some help. Phaneuf was keenly aware of the Capitals 5-0 loss to the Dallas Stars and the Blue Jackets 3-2 overtime loss to the Avalanche on Tuesday night. "Were definitely aware of where were at, and youre aware of the scores and what else is going on around you," he said. "You dont want to be in the position that youre scoreboard-watching, but thats the position that were in. We accept that, and any time you get help around the league, you take it." More than anything else, the Leafs have to take care of business in front of them. The remaining schedule includes home games against the Boston Bruins and Winnipeg Jets and then three on the road at the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators. Its possible theyll need five more in a row to make a suddenly improbable run to the playoffs. But all the talk after beating the Flames had to do with Wednesdays practice and then Thursdays game against the East-leading Bruins. "We know were going to play a Boston team, but we should feel good about ourselves because weve had a lot of things that have been negative for us, so lets enjoy the win and lets get ourselves ready tomorrow to play a real tough opponent in the Boston Bruins," Carlyle said. NOTES -- Phil Kessel played for the Leafs despite a bruised right foot. More than once he took a puck to that foot. "Its like, Here it is, hit me. He had the sign on his foot," Carlyle said jokingly. ... Paul Ranger dressed as the Leafs seventh defenceman in his first game since suffering a neck injury against Tampa Bay on March 19. Forwards Colton Orr and Jerry DAmigo were scratched. ... Bryce Van Brabant made his NHL debut for the Flames, becoming the 10th Calgary player to do that this season. Wholeslae Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Cheap College Jerseys Cheap Football Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap Baseball Jerseys ' ' '
- Created: Jul 4 '19
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