Der Vorhafen » season, including two games played in Boston. The Canadie

EUGENE, Ore. -- Oregon is treating this week like any other this season. And while thats more comfortable in a way, it also feels a little odd. After all, the Ducks are preparing to face Ohio State in the national championship game Monday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The two teams are the first to experience a season stretched out for one more game by college footballs new playoff system. Both teams have already had their bowl games and all the hoopla that goes with that, so this is more of a business trip, said Oregon senior safety Erick Dargan. A really important business trip. Its just like a regular week. I think that actually plays more to our advantage than having a lot of time, Dargan said. Were back in our groove. The Ducks (13-1) routed Florida State 59-20 in the Rose Bowl, while the Buckeyes (13-1) beat Alabama 42-35 in the Sugar Bowl on New Years Day, paving the way for the championship 11 days later. Upon arrival for the game in Pasadena, second-seeded Oregon was involved in all the customary Rose Bowl activities, including the obligatory visit to Disneyland for the photo op with Mickey Mouse. They had essentially already done their work: There had been 26 days between the teams regular-season finale and the Granddaddy of Them All. That gave the Ducks plenty of time to scheme for the Seminoles and quarterback Jameis Winston. The fourth-seeded Buckeyes were similarly prepared upon arrival in New Orleans, giving them time for events like a dinner that featured entertainment from a couple of alligators and a python. Adding the national championship as a 15th game presents some unique challenges for coaches and their players -- like guarding against fatigue or injury. I was talking to someone earlier and they said its been like 25 weeks. I guess it is just part of the grind. Part of our job is taking care of your body and making sure youre ready to go when youre number is called, said Ohio State senior receiver Evan Spencer. Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer led a former team, Florida, to national championships in 2006 and 2008. There wasnt a lot of comparison he could offer. Practices are a little different. Those ones, we had 37 days to prepare. I remember in 06 it was 37 or 47, some ridiculous number; 06 was the first one removed from the traditional bowl date, he said. This one, Meyer said, is a one game shot that really, you have four practices in shoulder pads. Oregon was keeping everything the same as during the regular season. Same practice times, same meeting schedule. The Ducks, like the Buckeyes, leave Friday for the Dallas area. We understand what were playing for. But the nice thing is that guys who havent been in a game like this -- not many of us have -- it makes it easier to treat it like a regular game, Oregon centre Hroniss Grasu said. Coach Mark Helfrich was one of those who called it all odd. But in a good way. Its weird in some sense: Its obviously not just another game, but its sort of just another week of fall. Were in school, theyre not, so thats a little bit of nuance to it. But weve had a plan for this and built a plan for this last summer and our guys have done a phenomenal job of executing our long-term plan, he said. Logistically, the time of day and how were practicing, all that stuff is the same. But obviously what were doing during that time is different from when you are in Week 1 or Week 26, or whatever it is now. Tim Brown Jersey . - Maynor Figueroa headed in a late goal to give Honduras a 1-1 draw with the United States in an international friendly Tuesday. John Matuszak Womens Jersey . With the results, North America claimed 2.5 of the three available points, opening up a 17.5-12.5 lead in the overall standings. A total of 60 points are available, meaning the first team to 30.5 points will win the Continental Cup. http://www.footballraidersmall.com/Youth-Clelin-Ferrell-Elite-Jersey/ . They were expecting him there all along. The Pacers announced Friday night that George has been cleared "to return to normal basketball activity," a decision made three days after he was concussed in Game 2 of the Indiana-Miami series. Lyle Alzado Jersey . The Los Angeles Clippers showed them just how ugly that life could be. Jared Dudley scored a season-high 21 points, Chris Paul added 16 points and 17 assists, and the Clippers jumped all over the Bulls in Roses absence for a 121-82 victory Sunday. Ted Hendricks Womens Jersey . Last July, F1 teams held in-season testing sessions at Silverstone to assess new tires provided by Pirelli after several blowouts on the same circuit at the British Grand Prix in June prompted a furious response from drivers and even a boycott threat the following week.The Montreal Canadiens took to the Bell Sports Complex ice on Sunday for a third straight day of practice since completing their opening-round sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Only this time, they were preparing for a date with the 2013-14 Presidents Trophy winning Boston Bruins, who secured their spot in the second round after defeating the Detroit Red Wings in five games. Meeting for the fourth time in seven seasons and for the 34th occasion all-time, the Canadiens and Bruins get together in an Eastern Conference second round series that begins this week. "Youre going to have to fight for everything. Theres no such thing as an easy game when you play against Boston," Canadiens defenceman Josh Gorges said following practice. "Theyre very well structured. They play a great team game. Youre going to have to fight for your real estate, youre going to have to fight to get on the inside and to get second chances in front of the net. "If were going to succeed, were going to have to do everything we can in the dirty areas." Gorges, who will face the Bruins in the postseason for the third time in his NHL career, was unable to take part in the Canadiens most recent playoff meeting with Boston in 2011 after undergoing season-ending knee surgery. "What the Bruins have done in the last few years in the playoffs has been as good as or better than any other team in the league," added Gorges. "We know we have a great challenge ahead of us. Its going be hard. Its going to be a long series. Weve got to be prepared for that." The last time the Bruins and Canadiens met in the playoffs was in 2011, when Boston ousted Montreal in seven games in its march to winning the Stanley Cup championship. No teams have come close to meeting in the playoffs as many times as the Bruins and Canadiens. The 170 games between the Bruins and Canadiens are the most for plaayoff opponents; the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs are next with 117.dddddddddddd "Theyre a good team; they know how to win. Theyve shown that by winning the Cup a few years back and making the Stanley Cup Finals last year," winger Thomas Vanek said of the much-anticipated series. "I know TD Garden is a tough building to play in, but so is the Bell Centre. For us to have success or for anyone to have success, youre going to have to beat some really good teams in order to win that ultimate prize. The Bruins are one of those teams." The Bruins lost three of their four games against the Canadiens this season, including two games played in Boston. The Canadiens have won six of the past seven games and are 351-264-103-7 in the regular season against the Bruins. "The Bruins are the same team they were in the regular season. Thats what makes them so good," defenceman Mike Weaver said. "Theyre going to be an extremely tough team to play against and it will be a great challenge for us. Thats what playoffs are all about. You hear a lot of things about that rivalry, but playoffs take things to another level." Head coach Michel Therrien made a change to his line up at practice on Sunday, opting to put a healthy Travis Moen on the fourth line - a move to bring in more veteran presence against an experienced Bruins team. Here is Sundays Practice Lines: Forward:Pacioretty - Desharnais - VanekPrust - Plekanec - GallagherBourque - Eller - GiontaMoen* - Briere - WeiseBournival - White - Parros Defence:Markov - EmelinGorges - SubbanBouillon - WeaverMurray - Tinordi Goal:PriceBudaj *In first round, Michael Bournival played left wing on the fourth line. Moen skating in that spot represents the one lineup change in preparation for the Bruins. The NHL is expected to release the schedule for the second round on Monday. ' ' '