Join us » them set up to be a long-term conten

DENVER -- Semyon Varlamov had 32 saves, Patrick Wiercioch and Rene Bourque scored 22 seconds apart and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 on Tuesday night.Gabriel Landeskog and Blake Comeau also scored for Colorado, and Wiercioch added an assist.Dustin Brown scored for Los Angeles and Peter Budaj stopped 26 shots. It was the Kings fourth straight loss after opening their five-game trip with a win in Toronto.The Avalanche had not scored a regulation goal for more than five periods before getting two quick ones at the start of the second period. Jets Jerseys China . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. Custom Jets Jersey China . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. http://www.customnhljetsjersey.com/ .H. -- Matt Kenseth made it 2 for 2 in the Chase, holding off teammate Kyle Busch to win Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Cheap Jets Jerseys . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Custom Jets T-shirts .C. Lions has come to an end. Banks told TSN on Jan 2 that he had no interest in playing out the option year of his contract with the Lions in 2014, and he again made that clear in a conversation with Lions GM Wally Buono last week. And then there were four.No Hawthorn, no West Coast, no Fremantle, no North Melbourne. For the first time since 2007, all four preliminary finalists are different from the previous year. But while the cards have fallen differently in 2016, there is still an enormous amount of intrigue ahead of the AFLs penultimate week of the season.This years two preliminary finals -- while both tantalising for spectators -- could not be more contrasting.Geelong vs. SydneySydney and Geelong will both feel the pressure for various reasons when they take to the MCG on Friday night. One of these 21st century powerhouses will again fail to secure a place on the AFLs grandest stage in what will likely be labelled another failed year.The Cats aggressive off-season recruitment means the spotlight will be shining brightly on Chris Scott and the clubs brains trust. The high-profile and much acclaimed acquisition of superstar onballer Patrick Dangerfield has bolstered their midfield stocks enormously, but after paying so much to lure him away from the Crows -- not to mention the additions of Zac Smith, Lachie Henderson and Scott Selwood -- success will be expected sooner rather than later.Without question, the Cats loaded up for another premiership on the back of their incredible era of success in the noughties, and anything less will be deemed a failure.If they crash out this weekend, questions will abound.What do they do with ageing superstars Corey Enright, Tom Lonergan, Jimmy Bartel, Andrew Mackie and Harry Taylor, who are all over 30?Do they have enough young talent on their list? The Cats do have some promising youngsters, but not to the same degree as many of their rivals. To make matters worse, their first pick in the 2016 draft is a lowly No. 38. Master recruiting manager Stephen Wells will have to work his magic, yet again, to ensure the Cats dont drop away.Even the most optimistic Cats fan would acknowledge they must strike now to justify their all in approach during the last player exchange period.The Swans, meanwhile, are also under pressure on myriad fronts. Injuries to key personnel have come at the worst possible time, while they also have to travel to the MCG -- admittedly, a happy hunting ground for them -- for the preliminary final off the back of a six-day break.However, their decision almost three years ago to sign Lance Franklin on a $10m, nine-year deal once again has the spotlight firmly fixed on the Harbour City club.Rightly or wrongly, the Swans are viewed as needing to justify Franklins staggering contract with silverware, and a loss to Geelong will mean three seasons have come and gone without any since the former Hawk made the move north.Franklin missed last years finals campaign with mental health isssues, but hes back and in arguably career-best form this season and could almost single-handedly lead his team towards premiership glory.dddddddddddd But if not, watch the cynics line up to state -- with Franklin only a few months away from hitting a footballers dreaded age of 30 -- that time is running out to strike during the Buddy era.GWS vs. Western BulldogsThe second preliminary final could not be more different.Its too much to claim Saturdays clash at Spotless Stadium is a free hit for the Bulldogs and Giants, but both clubs are under far less pressure than the two teams that will be do battle at the MCG a day earlier.Why?Because both clubs have arrived earlier than expected.Many football experts and fans would have predicted these two sides, particularly the Giants, had the ability to challenge for the premiership over the next two, four or even eight years. So if they fall one or two hurdles short this season, all would not be lost as they should be set for a sustained period of success.Looking at GWS, its perhaps no surprise they are only two wins away from a first premiership trophy.The Giants list is the envy of the competition. Having feasted on 17 top-10 draft picks since 2011 -- the next most in that time is Melbourne with six, while four clubs (the Hawks, Crows, Dockers and Eagles) havent had a single top-10 pick during the same timeframe -- they were always going to rocket up the ladder and smash through the premiership window at some stage. To be on the brink of a premiership in their maiden finals campaign shows just why their rival clubs are worried about an imminent period of domination.The Dogs ability to nail their early and late draft picks, as well as rookie selections, in the past few years also has them set up to be a long-term contender.Under Luke Beveridge, the Bulldogs are tough, hungry and, perhaps most importantly, young. The side that stunned Hawthorn only had a combined 1,899 matches of experience -- exactly 1,500 less than the finals-hardened Hawks.The Dogs are also resilient. The Bulldogs have somehow overcome a seemingly endless amount of injuries, defying enormous adversity throughout the season. For a young side to make the top four after being without their inspirational captain for almost the entire year is testament to Luke Beveridge and the playing group.Whether they win or lose on Saturday, the future is still blindingly bright at Whitten Oval.Extreme pressure is a constant companion during any final. But the pressure gauge is likely to be cranked up an extra notch or two when the Swans and Cats clash for a place in the grand final. ' ' '