http://www.tribune-democrat.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:51:00 +0000 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_239235234.html http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_239235234.html Jeff Rine became the only multi-feature race winner in the super late models division last Friday at Bedford Speedway, taking his fourth checkered flag.Tim Smith Jr. won his first feature this season in the limited late models and Daryl Whetstone celebrated 40 years of racing with his second straight street stocks victory, then announced in Victory Lane that he is retiring. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:47:00 +0000 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_239234827.html http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_239234827.html The Johnstown Chiefs have acquired the rights to defenseman David Schulz and center Max Taylor from the Ontario Reign in exchange for defenseman Andrew Martens. Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:55:00 +0000 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_236235618.html http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_236235618.html Geroy Simon’s return to the British Columbia Lions lineup wasn’t everything the prolific receiver had hoped for on Friday night.But Simon’s presence most certainly offers the Canadian Football League team its best opportunity to snap out of the doldrums associated with an uncharacteristic 4-4 record.“It was a tough game. We lost. We didn’t play that well on offense,” Simon said a day after the Lions fell 36-29 to visiting Calgary – the Stampeders’ first win in Vancouver since 2002. “We’re just kind of struggling right now, and it’s kind of frustrating. We’ve been so good for so long, now that we’re struggling it’s frustrating.” Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:06:00 +0000 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_236000738.html http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_236000738.html Johnstown Chiefs coach Ian Herbers won’t be a stranger to the Columbus Blue Jackets as the two organizations embark on a new affiliation.Third-year Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock, who won a Stanley Cup in Dallas, once coached Herbers at the midgets youth hockey level.Columbus General Manager Scott Howson was Herbers’ GM when he played with the AHL’s Cape Breton Oilers. Blue Jackets Director of Player Development Tyler Wright was Herbers’ teammate with the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers. Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:05:00 +0000 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_236000631.html http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_236000631.html News flash: The Steelers handed a 33-year-old linebacker a $5 million check. That’s right, the age-conscious Steelers, who couldn’t get in the same ballpark with 31-year-old Alan Faneca and won’t even talk to 30-year-old Marvel Smith, have given a five-year contract to James Farrior. Their reasons are sound. Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:03:00 +0000 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_236000429.html http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_236000429.html The Johnstown Chiefs traded two-year defenseman Andrew Martens to the Ontario (Calif.) Reign for the rights to two players who made a significant impact with the Texas Wildcatters last season.The Chiefs obtained the rights to 6-foot-4, 210-pound defenseman David Schulz and 25-goal scorer Max Taylor. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:16:00 +0000 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_234221604.html http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_234221604.html It must’ve been the speed he showed at the end-of-camp softball game.“Yeah, (Coach Mike Tomlin) saw me running the other day, trying to get that base,” James Farrior said after he signed a five-year contract for $18.25 million. The deal includes a $5 million bonus, and the contract is not back-loaded, meaning the 33-year-old Farrior is expected to play through at least the first three years of the deal, and possibly the full five. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:25:00 +0000 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_233002526.html http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_233002526.html The area auto racing season is beginning to wind down.At Jennerstown, with just two races left, the points races in the super late models, street stocks and hobby stocks are all tightly contested, with each division points leader ahead by just four points. Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:58:00 +0000 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_228235925.html http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_228235925.html The scene was one of the more interesting ones from Thursday night’s game: After Ben Roethlisberger had thrown his interception, he tried to get out of the way of Donte Whitner’s interception return. Bills lineman Marcus Stroud helped by wrapping his arms around the Steelers’ quarterback and shielding him from the collision that took place nearby.Nice of ol’ Marcus to think about everyone’s safety at a time like that, because Pittsburgh fans just like to talk about backup quarterbacks, not deal with them. Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:23:00 +0000 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_227002353.html http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_227002353.html Santonio Holmes refuses to get excited.He didn’t get excited when Troy Polamalu handed him a dysfunctional water bottle that burst all over his face in front of a TV camera. Nor did the Steelers’ split end become excited when he saw the cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles cheat up to blitz Ben Roethlisberger. The two Steelers read each other for an easy touchdown. The “hot read” was pretty exciting stuff. Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:13:00 +0000 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_227001325.html http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_227001325.html The ECHL’s Johnstown Chiefs will hold their second annual Hockey in Education Day Game with a special 10:35 a.m. start for a Nov. 12 contest against the defending Kelly Cup champion Cincinnati Cyclones.The Chiefs invite teachers throughout the region to bring their classes to the game for an educational field trip that includes a hockey game. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 23:52:00 +0000 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_222235235.html http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_222235235.html Sometimes, preseason games are worthless. But other times, it takes just one play to reveal talent.Let’s examine two telling plays turned in by two young Steelers during the 16-10 preseason win Friday over the Philadelphia Eagles. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:21:00 +0000 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_222002341.html http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_222002341.html A sore groin didn’t slow Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-string offense. Good thing, too, because the Steelers now face uncertainty at the backup quarterback position.Charlie Batch broke his right collarbone midway through the second quarter of the Steelers’ 16-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in the first preseason game for both teams Friday night. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:19:00 +0000 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_222001947.html http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_222001947.html Mike Tomlin said Friday night that the Pittsburgh Steelers will be searching for a replacement player for a key part of their team.Sure, finding a quarterback to back up Ben Roethlisberger will be a priority after Charlie Batch broke his right collarbone in a 16-10 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in a preseason game at Heinz Field, but Tomlin said the team will also be looking for options at punter. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:50:00 +0000 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_220235024.html http://www.tribune-democrat.com/prosports/local_story_220235024.html The preseason opener is finally here and it’s a time for Steelers fans to watch … the rookies?That’s right, it’s a game for the rookies. But there are variances. While first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall said his adrenaline won’t pump until he runs out of the Heinz Field tunnel, undrafted rookie DB Roy Lewis said, “This is serious. This is it. You have to play. That’s the way it is.” So here are the players, mostly rookies, to keep an eye on tonight at 7:30 when the Steelers host the Philadelphia Eagles.