http://www.ajc.com The latest headlines from AJC en-us Copyright 2008, Cox Newspapers Inc., AJC Tue, 2 Dec 2008 23:07:22 EST Newspapers COXnet RSS Generator v1.0 http://img.coxnewsweb.com/C/08/17/52/image_1352178.jpg http://www.ajc.com 5 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/thrashers/stories/2008/12/02/thrashers_canadiens.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/thrashers/stories/2008/12/02/thrashers_canadiens.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Tue, 2 Dec 2008 22:43:39 EST Montreal — Andrei Kostitsyn scored with 5:11 remaining and the Montreal Canadiens recovered from blowing a three-goal lead earlier in the third period to beat the Atlanta Thrashers 5-4 on Tuesday night. Kostitsyn, who scored unassisted against Johan Hedberg, helped set up two of Montreal's first three goals as the Canadiens carried a 3-0 lead into the third period. Ron Hainsey scored twice as Atlanta netted three goals in less than a minute to erase their 3-0 deficit 7:27 into the third. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/thrashers/stories/2008/12/02/thrashers_ilya_kovalchuk.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/thrashers/stories/2008/12/02/thrashers_ilya_kovalchuk.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Tue, 2 Dec 2008 22:19:44 EST Thrashers winger Ilya Kovalchuk on Monday said the Thrashers are a good team and proved it on their five-game winning streak. But when asked whether the players currently on the roster are the ones the Thrashers need to accomplish their goals, he avoided saying something that could be seen as impolitic if the Thrashers do or don't make a trade. "I'm the player. I am not the GM this year," Kovalchuk said. "My job is to get on the ice and get the work done." http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/12/02/braves_trade_vazquez.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/12/02/braves_trade_vazquez.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Tue, 2 Dec 2008 22:18:37 EST He ain't Jake Peavy, but it's a start(er). The Braves agreed to a trade Tuesday that will bring them veteran Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Javier Vazquez and a reliever, a person familiar with negotiations said. In a six-player deal, the biggest Braves talent — literally and figuratively — going to Chicago is catching prospect Tyler Flowers, a 6-foot-4, 248-pound slugger who was the best power hitter in the Arizona Fall League. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/2008/12/02/falcons_grady_jackson.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/2008/12/02/falcons_grady_jackson.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Tue, 2 Dec 2008 20:51:45 EST Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jackson's appeal of his four-game suspension remains pending before the NFL office, which has requested further information, according to league spokesman Greg Aiello. "Attorney Jeff Pash has informed him and his representatives that his case is still pending," Aiello said. However, six other players were suspended four games Tuesday for violating the NFL's steroids and related-substances policy, including three players from the New Orleans Saints, the Falcons' opponent on Sunday. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/hawks/stories/2008/12/02/hawks_josh_smith.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/hawks/stories/2008/12/02/hawks_josh_smith.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Tue, 2 Dec 2008 19:32:41 EST After spending nearly every moment of the past three weeks plotting his return from a high ankle sprain, the last thing Hawks forward Josh Smith wants to do Wednesday night is rush things. It won't be easy for Smith, the Hawks' emotional and impulsive fifth-year power forward. His 12-game absence has made him eager to get back into the mix with his teammates against the Memphis Grizzlies at Philips Arena, but Smith knows better than to push too hard or try to do more than his body will allow. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/12/02/tech_acc_coach_year.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/12/02/tech_acc_coach_year.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Tue, 2 Dec 2008 17:21:25 EST Paul Johnson's first 365 days at Georgia Tech are ending rather well. Tuesday, five days before the anniversary of his hiring, Johnson was named the ACC coach of the year by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. Johnson was a runaway winner, earning 46 of a possible 67 votes. Boston College's Jeff Jagodzinski was second with 12 votes. "It was a great group of assistant coaches and a group of players and there's a lot of outstanding coaches in the ACC," Johnson said. "So it's humbling to win the award." http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/12/01/braves_hampton_astros.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/12/01/braves_hampton_astros.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Mon, 1 Dec 2008 19:23:24 EST Now that he's finally healthy, pitcher Mike Hampton is bolting the Braves. The veteran free agent agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with Houston, taking less money than the Braves offered in order to be closer to his children in Arizona, according to two people familiar with the situation. Hampton, 36, went 3-4 with a 4.85 ERA in 13 starts for the Braves this season, after missing nearly three years recovering from two elbow surgeries and other injuries. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/12/01/tech_all_acc_team.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/12/01/tech_all_acc_team.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Mon, 1 Dec 2008 18:53:24 EST Georgia Tech put four players, more than any other school, on the All-ACC first team. Sophomore B-back Jonathan Dwyer, who led the league with 1,328 rushing yards, joined Wake Forest cornerback Alphonso Smith as the only unanimous choices on the team announced Monday. Dwyer averaged 7.0 yards per carry while running for 12 touchdowns. Left tackle Andrew Gardner, defensive end Michael Johnson and defensive tackle Vance Walker, all seniors, also were named first team by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/2008/12/01/falcons_grady_jackson.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/2008/12/01/falcons_grady_jackson.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Mon, 1 Dec 2008 18:40:01 EST Defensive tackle Grady Jackson is expected to find out Tuesday whether he won his appeal of his he four-game suspension for violating the NFL steroid policy. Jackson was suspended for four games for taking a diuretic the league considers a masking agent. Jackson filed a class-action lawsuit against the manufacturer of StarCaps diet pills, the supplement he claims caused the suspension. Jackson's appeal was heard on Nov. 21. He's been allowed to play, pending the outcome, but now the Falcons are down to their last four games of the regular season. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/2008/12/01/falcons_sam_baker.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/2008/12/01/falcons_sam_baker.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Mon, 1 Dec 2008 18:38:33 EST Sam Baker said after Sunday's game in San Diego that he was gearing up to return this week against New Orleans. The rookie left tackle has missed six games due to hip problems, which led to surgery for a herniated disc. Baker had surgery on Oct. 30 and would be in only his fifth week of recovery. Typically recovery takes 8-10 weeks, or six weeks at best. Falcons coach Mike Smith wasn't quite ready to declare Baker set to go on Monday, but acknowledged Baker has been doing more in practice and his progress will be monitored throughout the week. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/hawks/stories/2008/12/01/hawks_nba_schedule.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/hawks/stories/2008/12/01/hawks_nba_schedule.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Mon, 1 Dec 2008 17:57:39 EST There is plenty to look forward to for the Hawks. They survived a tough 16-game stretch to start the season 10-6, their best start in 10 years. Josh Smith will be back Wednesday after missing 12 games with an ankle sprain. They have a stretch of eight straight home games in December. Still, there is a long way to go — especially when you consider the roller coaster first month of the season. The Hawks started 6-0 and then lost four straight. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/thrashers/stories/2008/12/01/thrashers_kovalchuk.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/thrashers/stories/2008/12/01/thrashers_kovalchuk.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Mon, 1 Dec 2008 17:20:58 EST With his 50-goal scorer on a 29-goal pace and his last-place team sinking fast, Thrashers coach John Anderson did something dramatic with Ilya Kovalchuk. He put him on a line with two forwards known more for defense than for scoring. Kovalchuk practiced on Monday with center Marty Reasoner and right wing Chris Thorburn, who rank ninth and 16th on the team in points. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/2008/12/01/falcons_nfc_south.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/2008/12/01/falcons_nfc_south.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Mon, 1 Dec 2008 16:41:34 EST With a quarter of the season left, the NFC playoff race is taking shape. The Falcons are right in the thick of it. The defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants have controlled the East division all season. Minnesota has taken over the North. Arizona owns the woeful West. In the South, Tampa Bay and Carolina are in front with the Falcons just a game back. New Orleans is on life support. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/highschool/stories/2008/11/30/high_school_schedule.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/highschool/stories/2008/11/30/high_school_schedule.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Mon, 1 Dec 2008 16:34:58 EST Friday and Saturday Class AAAAA No. 4 Grayson at No. 7 Peachtree Ridge http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/12/01/atlanta_braves_ron_gant.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/12/01/atlanta_braves_ron_gant.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Mon, 1 Dec 2008 15:13:28 EST Former Braves player Ron Gant is one of 10 first-time candidates on this year's baseball Hall of Fame. Career steals leader Rickey Henderson heads the lists, which also includes holdover Dale Murphy, a former Braves outfielder. Gant, a two-time All-Star, played 16 seasons, his first seven with the Braves. He had a career batting average of .256. He finished with 321 home runs and 1,008 RBIs. Gant was No. 13 on Atlanta Magazine's 30 Greatest Atlanta Braves list.