Facing the daunting prospect of going up against two of the Western Conferences top teams without their number one defenceman, Maple Leafs assistant GM Claude Loiselle stressed the importance of having other players step up and play a better team game. Pete Maravich Jersey . ? Speaking on TSN 1050 just hours after the NHL announcement the multiple game ban of Dion Phaneuf, Loiselle noted that the teams inconsistencies on the back-end are due at least in part to not being able to find proper chemistry. “We have not been able to find the right combination,” Losielle said, noting that a mix of three puck-movers and three stay-at-home defenders is a good combo in his mind. According to Loiselle, Torontos blueline has been helped by the arrival of John-Michael Liles, who he says has stepped in after spending 14 games in the AHL – largely because of the Leafs restricted cap situation – and provided steady play. “He brings a veteran presence back there and a calmness thats helping our defence,” Loiselle said. Loiselle also touched on the Dion Phaneuf contract negotiations saying news that the NHLs salary cap will likely be increased by nearly $7-million in 2014 will help the Leafs “tremendously.” At the same time, in order to get a deal done, he said players have to be willing to be reasonable and take a fair number if the team is going to be able to compete in a salary cap system. Loiselle: Cap increase helps tremendously DeAndre Bembry Jersey . Old times for a defence that has looked just plain old recently? "No," safety Ryan Clark said. "We used to be much better than that. Mike Bibby Jersey . LOUIS -- To stay a step ahead of goaltenders, T. http://www.authenticbasketballshophawks.com/miles-plumlee-hawks-jersey/ . -- The Oakland Athletics and free agent right-hander Bartolo Colon have agreed to terms on a US$2 million, one-year contract, bolstering their depleted starting rotation.ST. LOUIS -- Khris Davis could have easily just called it a day after striking out four times. Instead, the Milwaukee Brewers outfielder got one more chance -- and came through. Davis hit a run-scoring triple in the 12th inning to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to a 5-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night. "It was tough," Davis said, "but there was no doubt I still wanted to be in that situation." Davis drove in Jonathan Lucroy, who doubled off Seth Maness (0-2) to start the inning. Mark Reynolds then drove in Davis with a sacrifice fly. Davis, who finished 1 for 6, struck out in the second, fifth, sixth and 10th innings. "Its hard to find the positive, after a tough start in the game," Davis said. "But you know its there. You just have to look hard to find it." Davis found it by ripping a two-strike pitch down the right-field line. Zach Duke (2-0) picked up the win with two innings of scoreless relief, and Francisco Rodriguez recorded his 12th save in as many opportunities by getting Jhonny Peralta to fly out with two on to end the game. Davis impressed his teammates with his ability to bounce back. He admitted that he, "looked real bad," in several of his early at-bats. "I know what its like, Ive been there," Reynolds said. "It says a lot for a young guy to bounce back like that. His confidence in that situation was something else." Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke agreed: "What he did, its got to pump you up." Milwaukee, which leads the majors with 19 wins, has won four of five and eight of 10 overall. The Brewers also improved to 10-1 on the road, despite being without outfielder Ryan Braun (oblique strain) and shortstop Jean Segura (bruised cheek). Both were listed as day to day. Allen Craig and Matt Holliday hit solo homers in the sixth inning off Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo to give St. Louis a 3-0 lead. Holliday, who leads the team with 16 RBIs, also drove in Matt Carpenter with a first-inning single for St. Louis, which has lost four of six. The Brewers lost 14 of 19 too St. Dominique Wilkins Jersey. . Louis last season and dropped three of the first four before Mondays victory. "This win was huge," Roenicke said. "We got some big hits and we hung in there and battled." Reynolds was very pleased with the way the club rallied from a 3-0 deficit. "Its the sign of a good team to come back and win a game that maybe you werent supposed to win," he said. "Big for the team, big for our confidence." St. Louis starter Michael Wacha gave up three runs and eight hits over 6 1-3 innings. He struck out nine. Gallardo, who is 1-11 lifetime against St. Louis, gave up three runs and seven hits over six innings. Milwaukee tied the game with three runs in the seventh. After Lyle Overbay and Scooter Gennett had RBI singles, Aramis Ramirez was hit by a pitch from reliever Pat Neshek with the bases loaded and two outs. Ramirez left the game in the bottom of the inning with an elbow contusion. He, like Braun and Segura, is listed as day to day. Wacha, who has 19 strikeouts in last two starts, cruised through the five innings. He did not allow a runner to reach second until the sixth. "I felt good with all of my pitches and command," Wacha said. "I just let it get away from me a little in the seventh." St. Louis manager Mike Matheny was disappointed that his team gave up a comfortable lead. "Not very often do we get a three-run lead and not be able to hang onto it," he said. "Its as tough a one as weve had all year." NOTES: Former Cardinals catcher Tim McCarver, a national commentator for Fox Sports for the past 18 years, made his debut on the Cardinals broadcast Monday. McCarver is doing colour on 30 games for Fox Sports Midwest this season. ... Lance Lynn (4-1, 3.80) will face Kyle Lohse (4-1, 2.38) in the middle game of the three-game set Tuesday. ... St. Louis lost a replay challenge in the sixth inning. Gallardo was ruled safe on an infield single. The ruling on the field was confirmed in 1 minute, 52 seconds. ... Braun was in the on-deck circle when Elian Herrera struck out to end the 10th. Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Bucks Jerseys Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Sacramento Kings Jerseys Cheap Spurs Jerseys Cheap Raptors Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Cheap Wizards Jerseys ' ' '