Pirate Galaxy » Hejduk.Maybe Mikko will take the gre

(STATS) -- With a month to go in the regular season, CAA Footballs list of championship contenders is starting to shorten -- somewhat.Albanys hopes for a Cinderella run were likely dashed with last weeks 24-13 loss at Villanova, as were Elons after the Phoenix were beaten 35-7 at home by Richmond. With Stony Brook, New Hampshire and Maine joining the Wildcats and Spiders in the victory column, half of the conferences 12 teams still stand with no more than one league defeat.Saturdays showdown between No. 22 Stony Brook -- still unbeaten in conference play -- and New Hampshire could help clear up the cloudy picture, or perhaps muddle it further. The same goes for the following weeks marquee matchup between James Madison and Richmond, the CAAs two teams currently in the top 10 of the STATS FCS poll.One things for certain, the race promises to provide plenty of excitement and drama. With that in mind, heres a glimpse of those still harboring realistic title aspirations and their remaining schedules:JAMES MADISON (4-0, 6-1 overall)Remaining games: Oct. 29 vs. Rhode Island, Nov. 5 at Richmond, Nov. 12 at Villanova, Nov. 19 vs. ElonWhile the No. 8 Dukes are a virtual lock for a third straight playoff appearance, a CAA championship is far less certain despite their unblemished record in the league. Back-to-back grueling road tests with Richmond and Villanova to begin November will ultimately decide JMUs fate.STONY BROOK (4-0, 5-2 overall)Remaining games: Oct. 29 at New Hampshire, Nov. 5 vs. William & Mary, Nov. 12 vs. Maine, Nov. 19 at AlbanyHaving already beaten Richmond and with no JMU or Villanova on the schedule, the surprising Seawolves appear to have an easier route to a first CAA crown among the two unbeatens. The path still wont be easy, though, with both the New Hampshire game and the Empire Clash against Albany on the road.RICHMOND (4-1, 7-1 overall)Remaining games: Nov. 5 vs. James Madison, Nov. 12 vs. Delaware, Nov. 19 at William & MaryWith five consecutive victories and a win in Harrisonburg last year, the sixth-ranked Spiders should be entering their high-stakes meeting with JMU with confidence. Two other factors could work in the Spiders favor, as theyve won 11 straight at Robins Stadium including the playoffs and get an extra week to prepare.VILLANOVA (4-1, 6-2 overall)Remaining games: Nov. 5 at Maine, Nov. 12 vs. James Madison, Nov. 19 at DelawareThe No. 11 Wildcats havent had too difficult a road, as their four CAA wins have come against teams a combined 2-15 in league play. Some potential obstacles lurk following this weeks bye, though, in the always-tricky trip to Maine and a home date with high-powered JMU. Villanova would lose a tiebreaker to Richmond due to its head-to-head loss to the Spiders on Oct. 15.NEW HAMPSHIRE (4-1, 5-3 overall)Remaining games: Oct. 29 vs. Stony Brook, Nov. 12 vs. Albany, Nov. 19 at MaineThe CAAs model of consistency is back in the hunt for another CAA title and playoff berth after rebounding from a 1-2 start. A win over Stony Brook and a late-season stumble from JMU would aid both causes, as the Wildcats lone conference loss came at the Dukes hands.MAINE (3-1, 4-3 overall)Remaining games: Oct. 29 at William & Mary, Nov. 5 vs. Villanova, Nov. 12 at Stony Brook, Nov. 19 vs. New HampshireThe Black Bears have emerged as the conferences midseason sleeper with four straight wins, but a daunting final stretch beginning with Saturdays visit to enigmatic but still-dangerous William & Mary will reveal whether or not theyre a true contender. Joe Harasymiaks squad still seems like the longest shot among the group.GAME OF THE WEEKNo. 22 Stony Brook at New HampshireKickoff: Noon ET at Wildcat Stadium, Durham, N.H.Series: UNH leads 3-1Last Meeting: Stony Brook 31, New Hampshire 6 (Sept. 19, 2015 at Stony Brook, N.Y.)The Skinny: A huge game for both teams, with the winner likely gaining an inside track at a playoff berth in a league thats garnered four bids in each of the past two seasons. The Seawolves enter Durham on a three-game winning streak, while the Wildcats have won four of five to keep their goal of a 13th straight postseason appearance viable. UNH should have further motivation from last years blowout loss, in which it was held to 253 total yards by an SBU defense that recorded six sacks and forced three turnovers. The Seawolves have stayed stingy on that side of the ball, ranking eighth in the FCS in yards per rush attempt (3.0) and 11th in scoring defense (17.9). A smash-mouth rushing attack has also played a key role in Stony Brooks rise, as its averaged 219 yards on the ground during the streak. Top back Stacey Bedell has gained 120 or more in all three wins and produced 10 touchdowns over a five-game stretch, and he ran for 193 yards and a TD in last years rout of UNH. The Wildcats have been tougher against the run this season, owning the distinction as the only team to hold James Madisons prolific ground game under 200 yards. The Wildcats possess a more balanced offense headlined by versatile back Dalton Crossan and the strong receiving duo of Malik Love and Neil OConnor, though quarterback Trevor Knight (1,322 passing yards, 9 TDs, 9 INTs) will need to limit mistakes. New Hampshire has won 33 of its last 38 CAA home games and had a 17-game regular-season win streak in Durham end with its 42-39 loss to JMU on Oct. 15. Mike Garrett Jersey . For the Wild it was their first win of the season and they now have a record of 1-1-2 while the Jets fall to 2-2. Jets start a six game home stand Friday with another divisional game, home to the Dallas Stars. Priest Holmes Jersey . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. http://www.customchiefsjersey.com/custom-alex-smith-jersey-large-176n.html . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. Deon Yelder Jersey . Argentina winger Ezequiel Lavezzi and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi scored, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting up both despite having a poor game by his high standards. Forward Eduardo gave Ajaccio the lead in the sixth minute after being set up by right winger Benjamin Andre, and the Corsican side looked comfortable in the first half, with the lively Johan Cavalli causing problems with his probing runs from midfield. Mike Pennel Jersey . Ouellette, from Montreal, already has three Olympic gold medals since joining the team in 1999. DENVER -- Michael Hutchinson was all warmed up by the time the Colorado Avalanche finally shook off the rust from a long layoff.At that point, nothing was getting by him.Hutchinson stopped 37 shots for his third career NHL shutout, Shawn Matthias scored in the second period against his former team and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Avalanche 1-0 on Friday night.Early on, the Jets were more energetic despite playing their third game in four days, including a 4-1 win over Dallas the night before.Meanwhile, Colorado looked a bit out of sync after a week break. The Avalanche got their offense working in the third period, outshooting the Jets 20-4. But they couldnt solve Hutchinson as he recorded his first shutout since Jan. 15, 2015, against Columbus.We knew with them having those days off, theres a chance they could come out with a little bit of a slower start, Hutchinson said. With us playing last night, we knew it was important to get a jump on them early. We did exactly what we had to do.The Avalanche pulled Semyon Varlamov with around 1:22 remaining, but couldnt capitalize.Varlamov stopped 20 shots, his only mistake not sliding over in time to stop Matthias wrist shot.Colorado went on the power play late in the final period and had a golden chance with Hutchinson down on the ice. But Rene Bourques shot from out front appeared to hit forward Brandon Tanev and sail wide of the net.Hutchinson also came up big midway through the third period by stopping Joe Colborne, who coasted in all alone and tried to thread the puck between Hutchinsons legs.This one stinks, Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog said. We really wanted this one. Especially after coming off an extended break.Simply ran into a hot goaltender.Their goalie stole one for them, forward Nathan MacKinnon succinctly said.Colorados alternate blue sweater hasnt exactly been lucky. The team is 5-9-1 since the jerseys debut last season.Jarome Iginla remains in a goal-scoring funk. He had a point-blank shot moments into the third period and was thwartted by Hutchinson.dddddddddddd Iginla has just one goal so far this season. Hes 16th on the leagues all-time goal-scoring list.Matthias gave the Jets 1-0 lead at 8:29 of the second period when he guided in a perfect cross-ice pass from Joel Armia. Matthias played for the Avalanche last season after being acquired in a February deal with Toronto. He had six goals in 20 games for Colorado.Nice to score against your former team, Matthias said. Theres no animosity toward any old team. Just playing hard for the Jets.Winnipeg nearly had a power-play goal midway through the first period when Mark Scheifele poked in a shot between the pads of Varlamov. But the officials blew the whistle just before the puck rolled into the net.Scheifele pleaded to no avail.Patrik Laine, the No. 2 overall pick in June who already has six goals, unleashed a few quality shots only to be turned back by Varlamov. Laine is good friends with Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen, who was making his season debut after being called up from San Antonio of the American Hockey League.They pair helped Team Finland to the 2016 world junior hockey championship. They also practiced together this summer.It will be fun, Rantanen said of the friendly rival.Rantanen was the 10th overall pick in 2015. His locker once belonged to Avalanche standout Milan Hejduk.Maybe Mikko will take the great energy that was in that stall, Landeskog cracked.Game notes Jets D Dustin Byfuglien recorded the 800th penalty minute of his career with a tripping call in the second period. He also was called for another penalty in the closing seconds. ... F Drew Stafford missed a second straight game with an upper-body injury. ... D Fedor Tyutin (groin) sat out a second straight game. ... F John Mitchell (hip) made his season debut.UP NEXTJets: Host Buffalo on Sunday.Avalanche: At Arizona on Saturday in their second back-to-back set this season. ' ' '