Only for Guild Members » nd I think I was a lit

TORONTO -- Renovations are underway at BMO Field, with a light being left on at the construction zone if the money can be found to shoehorn in the Toronto Argonauts. Paul Kittredge . First up is a $105-million facelift to a bare-bones stadium built on a $62.5-million shoestring as part of the deal to bring the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup and Major League Soccer to Canada. "It became really obvious to us that we were taking a backdoor in Major League Soccer relative to our facilities, even in a seven-year-old building," Bob Hunter, chief facilities and live entertainment officer at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, said after the ceremonial groundbreaking Tuesday. "This is going to take us back to the top of the MLS stadium category," he added. Phase 1, to be completed by May 2015, will see the stadium capacity raised to 30,000 with 8,500 new seats plus additional washrooms and concessions, in the East stand. A larger high-definition video board will replace the existing screen at the north end while new suites and premium areas will help add to the MLSE coffers. MLSE can add another 10,000 temporary seats, which it hopes will be enough to bring a Winter Classic to Toronto. The Phase 1 deadline is to ensure a larger BMO Field is in place for the Pan American Games next summer, with rugby sevens expected to be a showcase event at the lakefront venue. Phase 2, slated to start in September 2015 and end May 2016, will see the addition of a canopy covering all seats with the exception of the North stand, as well as a new sound and lighting system. MLSE, which owns the MLS team and runs the city-owned stadium, is putting in $95 million to help pay for the first two phases. The city is kicking in $10 million, which MLSE will repay with interest over 20 years. Phase 3 is where the Argos come in, with a plan to reconfigure the field to accommodate CFL football. Cost of all three phases is going to be $125 million, with MLSE looking for the provincial and federal governments to contribute $10 million apiece. That has yet to happen, so Phase 3 is on hold. There is a time concern. The Argos have a lease at Rogers Centre through 2017. But that deal cant be renewed, meaning they must find a new home for the 18 campaign. The city wants the Argos to join Toronto FC at BMO Field. But it has gone along with MLSEs wish that $20 million come from elsewhere. Hunter says if everything falls into place, the football phase could be accelerated. "Summer of 16 at best. And could be as late as summer of 17." But it could come down further down the line in terms of construction, as needed. Councillor Mark Grimes, chair of the Exhibition Place board of governors, is doing his best to bang the BMO Field drum for the CFL team which used to play at the now demolished Exhibition Stadium. "Im a huge Argo fan and a huge CFL fan. I think its very important we get them back home here where they belong," he said. MLSE also wants it to happen, Hunter said. "Weve always hoped that the CFL comes," he said. "Its a natural situation, a great solution for them." Hunter has plenty of deadline pressure already. "Its going to be very tight," he said. "As you can see, we started only last week. Theyre busy. We have a lot of work to do before May but were totally confident that well be there." Another deadline is May 9, 2015, when Toronto FC wants to play its first home game of the 2015 season. Toronto FC players Steven Caldwell and Michael Bradley liked what they saw from the artists renditions. "Very exciting times ahead," said Caldwell, the TFC captain. "We all cant wait for it to be done," added Bradley, who did his part in the groundbreaking ceremony by manning a bulldozer in the work zone east of the stadium. Chairman Larry Tanenbaum spoke for MLSE during the formal part of the proceedings. CEO and president Tim Leiweke was a silent partner at the event. Doug Winslow .com) - Damian Lillard poured in 40 points on 11-of-21 shooting to go along with 11 assists, and the Portland Trail Blazers stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder, 115-111, in overtime on Tuesday. Nate Hawkins . Picard had a goal and two assists to help Canada improve to 2-0 at the tournament. Seven different players scored for the two-time defending champions. "Today all four lines played excellent," said head coach Laura Schuler. https://www.cheapnfljerseyschina.co/tom-nelson-jersey-for-sale/ . The Cottagers last victory came in a 2-1 home win over West Ham when Rene Meulensteen was still in charge. Since then, a miserable run of seven defeats and two draws has seen the club part with the Dutch coach and replace him with German Felix Magath.BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Ville Leino was happy to bask in some rare cheers after netting the winning goal in the shootout. "Today was awesome," Leino said after scoring in the ninth round of the shootout to give the Buffalo Sabres a 3-2 win over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night. "Obviously we havent been winning that much, so its tough times but those kind of moments, you get a little extra energy." Leino had not scored a goal in regulation all season and has been the subject of catcalls in Buffalo, but drew a roar of approval with his shootout tally. When asked why he tabbed Leino to shoot, Buffalo coach Ted Nolan cited necessity as the reason he used the slumping forward. "He played a real good game for us tonight, and we were running out of forwards," Nolan said. "Hes had a tough, tough go, but hes a real good player and I was glad to see him get one." Tyler Ennis scored twice in the third period and again in the shootout, while Nathan Lieuwen made 33 saves for his first NHL win. Dainius Zubrus gave New Jersey a 1-0 lead at 8:16 of the second period and Tuomo Ruutu tipped Andy Greenes shot past Lieuwen at 6:58 of the third to tie it 2-2. The Devils, 0-11 this season in shootouts, are three points out of the Eastern Conferences final wild card spot. "We had a bunch of chances to score and we have guys who are good in the shootout," Zubrus said. "Tough to say its luck because its been 11 games in a row, but maybe a bit of bad luck has to be there." Cory Schneider made 25 saves for New Jersey. The Devils outshot Buffalo 10-8 in the opening period, but dominated possession and had the best chances. New Jersey broke the deadlock in the second, when Michael Ryders cross-crease pass appeared to be knocked into the Sabres goal by Jamie McBain. The goal was awarded to Zubrus. Lieuwen returned to form after the goal, making a diving stick save on Ryder to keep the score 1-0. Moments later, he stopped Ruutu on a partial breakaway. "The one word that Teddy keeps using is compete," Lieuwen said. "I just went out there and competed. Neil Halleck. Good things happened." The Sabres managed just four shots in the second period. Buffalo got the equalizer 1:39 into the third period on a play started by Drew Stafford and completed by a cross-slot pass from Leino to Ennis, who scored on a wrist shot to become the first Sabres player to score 20 goals this season. "Hes a dynamic player," Nolan said. "He scoots in and out, and for him to get that 20, its a magical number he was waiting on for a while." Buffalo took its first lead of the night on a power play just over three minutes later. Cody Hodgson slid a pass through several players to Ennis, who shot high into the net at 4:41. "He made a pretty ridiculous pass through two or three guys right on my tape," Ennis said. "I just had to throw it on the net." New Jersey tied the score on the power play, when Ruutu deflected Greenes shot past Lieuwen. Lieuwen made back-to-back stops on Adam Henrique and Patrik Elias with just over a minute left in overtime. He then had a chance to win the game after Stafford scored in the fourth round of the shootout. "I had a Welcome to the NHL moment when Jagr came down on me with a chance to win the game and I think I was a little too excited about what was happening," Lieuwen said. But after Leino scored, Lieuwen rebounded to pick up that first win with a stop on Mike Sislo that he doesnt quite remember. "I blacked out," Lieuwen said. "The guy came in and as soon as I made that save, I was just all smiles. I was excited and Im very grateful." Buffalo snapped a four-game skid with the win, while the Devils now have points in five consecutive games. NOTES: Stafford was selected as the Sabres Masterton Trophy nominee by the Buffalo Chapter of the Pro Hockey Writers Association earlier Tuesday. ... New Jersey LW Ryan Clowe missed the game with a head injury sustained Monday against Florida. ... Buffalo signed 2012 third-round pick Justin Kea to a three-year, entry level contract before the game. ' ' '