WASHINGTON -- Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis lobbying for a Winter Classic in his NHL teams home city began with an email sent to Commissioner Gary Bettman the moment the leagues first New Years Day game was played in 2008. [url=http://www.diamondbacksteamshop.com/Diamondbacks-Andrew-Chafin-Kid

WASHINGTON -- Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis lobbying for a Winter Classic in his NHL teams home city began with an email sent to Commissioner Gary Bettman the moment the leagues first New Years Day game was played in 2008. Andrew Chafin Jersey . "The first emails I see any morning, on any typical day, are from Ted on any of a variety of subjects but he has been both persistent and passionate in pursuit of this event," Bettman said at Nationals Park on Tuesday, when the Capitals unveiled the uniforms theyll wear when they host the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 1. "Were thrilled to be fulfilling his wish." On a sunny, start-of-autumn day with the temperature at about 70, Alex Ovechkin wore flip-flops and a borrowed pair of baseball pants, Nicklas Backstrom donned shorts, and Braden Holtby sported sunglasses while modeling the deep red jerseys with a blue "W," three white stars and the word "Capitals" across the chest. Hockey nets and boards showing the outline of a rink were set up across the back of the dirt diamond and the shallow outfield grass at the baseball stadium where the NL East champion Nationals play their home games. "One of the things I did for Commissioner Bettman a few years back (was) I had a rendering done of what the Winter Classic would look like here. So this is pretty cool to see," said Mark Lerner, son of the Nationals principal owner and a part-owner of the Capitals, as he looked at the setup. "Every time I saw him, I said, What about it? Ted and I were both on a mission since Jan. 1, 2008, that we wanted to have it in D.C." Leonsis called landing the game "a big moment" for hockey in Washington. "Our city deserves it, so it feels good to finally know that were going to drop the puck New Years Day," Leonsis said, "and Im just hoping for snow." He was asked how much snow. "Enough," Leonsis replied. "Just no rain." Tuesdays news conference came 100 days before the Winter Classic, which Bettman said "will be sold out, if its not already." "New Years Day used to be about college football," Leonsis said, "and now New Years Day is about hockey." The boards set up on the baseball field included logos of the Capitals and the Blackhawks. With the backdrop of the much-discussed appropriateness of the nickname of Washingtons NFL team, the Redskins, Bettman was asked Tuesday about "Blackhawks." "I dont think the two are analogous or comparable. The Blackhawks are accorded great respect, not just by the team that plays in Chicago but by the gentleman that first founded and owned them, naming them after his battalion that fought gallantly in World War I," Bettman said. "I dont think theres any comparison between the two names." Curt Schilling Jersey .com) - Minnesota Vikings fans would surely concede Teddy Bridgewater is not Peyton Manning. Brad Boxberger Jersey . There were no real chances until Augsburg broke the deadlock through Raul Bobadilla in the 33rd minute. Frankfurt failed to clear a cross and Bobadilla slotted home from close range at the far post. http://www.diamondbacksteamshop.com/Diamondbacks-Nick-Ahmed-Kids-Jersey/ . Fans in the Jets viewing region can watch the game on TSN Jets at 5:30pm ct and listeners can tune in to TSN Radio 1290 Winnipeg.BIRMINGHAM, England -- Aston Villa has suspended the assistant manager and a key off-field official as the club fights to stay in the English Premier League. The sudden announcement on Tuesday comes with Villa just four points above the relegation zone with five games remaining. The central England club says Ian Culverhouse, assistant to manager Paul Lambert, and Gary Karsa, the head of football operations, have been suspended pennding an internal investigation. Patrick Corbin Jersey. Further details were not provided. Villa says goalkeeper Shay Given and development coach Gordon Cowans have been temporarily promoted to assist Lambert. Given says "as players, its important that each and every one of us take responsibility right now and Im delighted to play my part in helping the manager." Villas next game is against Southampton on Saturday. ' ' '