After the 2-1 win last night, the seventh seeded Washington Capitals have forced a game seven against the top seeded New York Rangers in round two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Despite the inspirational story of how the Capitals have gotten here, we must first look at why they finished seventh in the first place.

For years, the Capitals have been one of most dominant regular season teams, handily leading the Southeast division.

After getting swept by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round last year, Washington went on to acquire Joel Ward and Tomas Vokoun in the offseason. Because of those additions, it was expected that the Caps would once again be a top contender this year.

Unfortunately, a series of injuries to Mike Green limited him to just 22 regular season games, and a serious concussion halfway through the year removed Nicklas Backstrom for the remainder. With those injuries, the high expectations for the season quickly shifted to a desperate fight to reach the playoffs; resulting in a seventh place finish.

As the regular season came to an end, the Caps were faced with two more significant injuries (without these two they would be on the golf course right now). These two injuries were the ones to Tomas Vokoun and Michal Neuvirththe injuries that forced the team to start the playoffs with their third string goalie, Braden Holtby.

The young Holtby dominated the first round against the Boston Bruins. After a hard-fought seven-game series with both Mike Green and Nicklas Backstrom back in the lineup, and an overtime goal by Joel Ward, the Capitals advanced to the second round.

Now, with Green, Backstrom and Holtby all at the top of their game, the "underdog" Washington Capitals have an opportunity to knock out the best team in the East.

The deciding game is slated for a 7:30PM ET start on Saturday, May 12th. Because of the players listed in this article, I am predicting a Capitals win. Braden Holtby is the real deal; with more composure and consistency than we've seen from a goaltender his age in years. In addition, each game further into the playoffs, Backstrom and Green get that much closer to the dominant stars we know they can be. In game six, all three, along with captain Alex Ovechkin were game-changers, and I wouldn't expect anything less on Saturday.

If they do lose, however, it's not a season to be forgotten. This team battled through bad injuries to key players and a coaching change to make the playoffs. In which they started their third string goalie and completely altered their game style to knock out the Cup Champions. They also went on to bring the No. 1 seeded Rangers to the brink of elimination.

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NHL Playoffs 2012: Washington Capitals Are Where They Are Because of Injuries

By David Fickling and Andrea Tan - Thu May 10 06:18:41 GMT 2012

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (ST), Southeast Asias biggest phone company, may buy non-phone businesses in China, India or the U.S. as it shifts focus from slower-growing core markets in Singapore and Australia.

SingTel, as the company is known, may raise its stakes in associates in Asia and Africa and make other strategic investments, the carrier said in a statement today, while reporting a 30 percent jump in fourth-quarter profit. Net income climbed to S$1.29 billion ($1 billion) in the three months ended March 31, beating the S$966 million average of seven analysts estimates, helped by a one-time tax credit.

The Singapore-based carrier plans to boost investments in emerging markets and add businesses at its digital services division as the Optus unit in Australia faces continued intense competition and growth slows at home. The company would benefit from acquiring operations such as mobile advertising, according to Carey Wong, an analyst at OCBC Investment Research Pte. in Singapore.

Being a pure carrier doesnt cut it at this stage, Wong said before the earnings announcement. SingTel needs to come up with something new that can monetize the changing trends were seeing among consumers.

SingTel rose 1.6 percent to S$3.21 as of 2:05 p.m. in Singapore, poised for its highest close since Dec. 12, while the benchmark Straits Times Index (FSSTI) fell 0.2 percent. The stock had gained 2.3 percent this year up to yesterdays close, trailing a 9.6 percent climb by the index.

The carrier, which in March announced an agreement to acquire Redwood City, California-based mobile advertising company Amobee Inc. for $321 million, said it planned to add assets at its Digital Life division.

When we look at acquiring the technology know how in the start up space, we could be looking at quite a few different places, Chief Executive Officer Chua Sock Koong told a media conference in Singapore today. It could be startups in Silicon Valley, California or in countries such as India and China, she said.

Group revenue at the Singapore and Australia operations are forecast to grow at low single-digit rates this year while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization may be stable, SingTel said. Dividends from associates in Asia and Africa are expected to grow, it said.

SingTel owns all of its domestic business and Optus, Australias second-largest phone company, and has minority stakes in associated carriers in more than 10 countries in Asia and Africa.

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SingTel Fourth-Quarter Profit Rises 30%, Beats Estimates

PARK HILLS, KY (FOX19) -

A proposed zoning change could bring Friday night football to Covington Catholic High School. It is the only school in Northern Kentucky that doesn't have lights on its football field. Under the new ordinance, the school would be permitted to install lights around the field with some limitations.

Friday night high school football in the fall is a tradition in practically every school in the Tri-State area. "Our kids are just like every other kid in Northern Kentucky and across the United States. They have a great desire to play on Friday nights," said Cov Cath head football coach, Dave Wirth.

Park Hills Mayor Don Catchen said hehas made this a priority since he took office in January 2011."Friday night. That's tradition here. And I just think this school deserves it," said Catchen.

There appears to be only slight opposition from the surrounding neighborhood. "The loudspeaker. ThePA system. That was my only request whenI met with them that itwas to have it directed away from the houses here," said Sarah Good, who owns a home adjacent to Wooten Field.

Covington Catholic along withNotre Dame Academy across the street must cut through governmental red tape to make any additions to their property. The new zoning law would change that. "What(the new zoning)would do is allow them to do certain things within reason that they wouldn't have to go through the process anymore," said Martin Scribner with the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission.

The season kicks off in four months and there is a chance the lights will be on. "I hope the first game they have here is Friday night under the lights and I will be here," said Mayor Catchen.

Residents have two chances to voice their opinions on the zoning change. The first will be Monday at7 p.m.during the Park Hills City Council meeting. The second chance will be June 7 at the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission chambers at 6:15 p.m.

Copyright 2012 WXIX. All rights reserved.

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Lighting up Covington Catholic High School football

In July we spoke to Chief Percy Guichon regarding his award at the AFN General Assembly held in Moncton in June 2011, and the chief was pleased to discuss their success in forestry over the past two decades in the B.C. Central Interior.

By Malcolm McColl

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C.Tsi Del Del is the name of our community in the Chilcotin langauge meaning Red Stone, explains Chief Percy Guichon. The company started 19 years ago, out of need to put our youth in the major forest industry that is operating around us, as a way of ensuring we had a company and meaningful way to manage Red Stone resources. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) announced that Percy, Chief of the Alexis Creek Indian Band, and Tsi Del Del Enterprises of Chilanko Forks, B.C., won the FPAC/AFN Business Leadership Award. Chief Guichon was honoured on Jul 14, 2011, at the AFN General Assembly in Moncton.

We have a forest license, which started out jointly with major licensee at Williams Lake, Jacobsons Brothers, boiught by Riverside, now owned by Tolko Industries. The goal has always been to keep generating employment for members, says Percy. We have probably about 30 loggers and we operate in traditional territory with everything from skidders to hand buckers. Today we are fully engaged in all forestry operations including processors and bunchers.

Tsi Del Dell is a road- side logging operation, stump-to-dump. We have our own in-house forestry planning branch conducting block layout at pre-harvest, and now, including post-harvest silviculture operations, we are A to Z in forestry, including timber cruisers. We operate competitively on timber bids, often beating others rates on the bids. The operations occur in the West Chilcotin area of B.C., and personnel in the company includes a key man educated as a Registered Forestry Technician who does all our consulting. Depending on project, we will consult others.

The Tsi Del Dell success has spun off other Band-owned businesses, including logging truck owners and operators within the Band. The core of operations run from west of Williams Lake by about 2 hours. Percy explains, The other major component to our winning the award is from a certain percentage of the profit income generated being incorporated into training and skills development in the company. Fifty cents per Cubic Metre of harvest is put aside for training and schooling for Band members in post-secondary education and training.

The program of further education has produced personnel with a forest technician diploma, while another Band member went all the way to get his masters in forestry, and the education component continues to grow. The Band is building capacity and social capital to prepare for new opportunities, including, getting our more of our own Forest License.

Operating successfully under the B.C. Forest Range department programs and the Mountain Pine Beetle uplift of timber volumes, We get to put money aside for housing, which is essential because housing funding is inadequate from INAC. The Band has 650 on the list, and only 350 get to live on-reserve. Some would like to move home. Tsi Del Del operations go from spring to break-up, ten months of the year, and silviculture work is conducted annually. We are working under existing forest licenses and the Band will have its own awarded, to which we will be the sub-contractor.

Nupqu runs lean in growing forestry concern By Malcolm McColl

Nupqu Development Corporation started on April 1, 2009, explains Norm Fraser, when Ktunaxa Kinbasket Development Corp was absorbed, It became a new corporation and this was done for variety of reasons, but Nupqu took on the operations (of 13 years development) previously done by KKDC. Nupqu bought all the assets.

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Category: Private Property Created on Monday, 07 May 2012 10:12 Last Updated on Monday, 07 May 2012 16:09 Published Date

CALGARY , May 8, 2012 /CNW/ - Chief Executive Officer and President Bob Dhillon of Mainstreet Equity Corp. is pleased to report the Q2 2012 results, stating that, "The Q2 results demonstrate that the Corporation's business model continues to deliver and create shareholder value." Mr. Dhillon added that, "The numbers tell the story."

Results: Funds from operations ("FFO") were up 53% to $3.2 million (before disposition of an investment property and stock option cash settlement expense), versus $2.1 million in Q2 2011, while operating margins were at 61% versus 58% in Q2 2011.

Overall net operating income ("NOI") was up 22% to $11.1 million , while same asset NOI was up 9% versus Q2 2011. Rental revenues were up 17% year-over-year, at $17.9 million in Q2 2012 versus $15.3 million in Q2 2011. Finally, in Q2 2012, same asset revenues were up 4%.

The vacancy rate continued to trend downwards. As of May 1, 2012 the overall vacancy rate was down to 6.7% (inclusive of all unstabilized acquisitions), while the average vacancy rate for Q2 2012 was at 8.2% compared to 11.8% a year earlier.

Growth: Mainstreet continues to grow its portfolio of properties. Since the beginning of the financial year, Mainstreet has acquired an additional 607 units for a total consideration of $59 million . After the closing of all acquisitions subsequent to Q2 2012, Mainstreet's portfolio will increase to 7,969 units, which represents an 8.2% expansion in the size of the portfolio. Mainstreet is presently working to absorb these unstabilized units into the portfolio as per the Mainstreet value chain, and looking for additional opportunities to make accretive additions. Once again, this growth was achieved organically with no equity dilution (except for stock option dilution).

Financing: Mainstreet continued to capitalize on low interest rates on CMHC insured financing in Q2 2012 financing $19 million long-term, ten-year CMHC-insured mortgages at an average interest rate of 3.11%. In the process, the Corporation unlocked $17.5 million in funds that can now be deployed towards growth-oriented opportunities going forward. Subsequent to Q2 2012, Mainstreet refinanced an additional $23 million in debt into long-term, ten-year CMHC insured mortgage at an average interest rate of 3.30% unlocking a further $4.2 million in capital for growth.

Outlook: The west is where Canada's economic growth is happening, and the Management believes Mainstreet is perfectly positioned to grow alongside it.

In the recent federal budget, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty stated that the majority of Canada's near-term economic growth would take place in the west in general and in Alberta in particular. The macro trends support this view, with continued positive net in-migration, strong oil prices and a political culture that's favourable to business.

The management believes Mainstreet is Canada's most concentrated real-estate play on western Canada's growing prosperity, and it will continue to press this local advantage to expand its portfolio of holdings.

But Mainstreet will not depend on macro-trends alone. It remains committed to driving costs down, and has pioneered a global supply chain of people, products and services. In addition to its proactive work in securing foreign workers, Mainstreet also continues to build out its pipeline of high-quality, low-cost materials and supplies direct from manufacturers in China . This has already yielded considerable cost savings on everything from kitchen cabinets to laminate flooring and ceramic tiles, and Mainstreet believes that these relationships will be expanded to include other necessary materials going forward.

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Mainstreet Equity Corp. continues to deliver value to shareholders in Second Quarter 2012

05-05-2012 08:43 For Rent, $1675 - 507 Sandstone Trace, Prattville, AL BEAUTIFUL TWO-STORY home in the heart of Prattville in much desired Silver Hills Subdivision. Highly sought after DANIEL PRATT SCHOOL DISTRICT! Much preferred area amongst military families. Perfect for ACS/AWC students. Located in a family, friendly and quiet community with wonderful neighbors. Zoned for Daniel Pratt Elementary, Prattville Junior High & Prattville High Schools. Home features amazing hardwood floors, neutral colors, carpet, ceramic tiled floors, granite countertops, crown molding through out the house and so much more. Nice open floor plan, with raised ceilings. The split floor plan separates the master bedroom from the 3 supporting bedrooms. Master bedroom, located on the first floor, with trey ceiling and a walk-in closet in the master bath; linen closet, double/split vanity, garden tub, and separate shower. The great room has a beautiful window above the gas fireplace. In addition to the formal dining room, a breakfast room adjoins the kitchen. Kitchen has breakfast bar and lots of cabinets for storage. Next to the kitchen is the garage entrance, with the laundry room and a half bathroom. Ceiling fans throughout, partial window treatment and custom wood blinds on all windows. On the second floor, there are three nice size bedrooms, linen closet, full bath and an easy entrance to the floored attic - great for storage. Privacy fenced back yard with mature trees and a deck for entertaining; playground ...

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Rental Property - 507 Sandstone Trace, Prattville, AL - Video

05-05-2012 15:38 Beautiful Rental Property on a Cul-de-Sac BEAUTIFUL TWO-STORY home in the heart of Prattville in much desired Riverchase Subdivision. Highly sought after DANIEL PRATT SCHOOL DISTRICT! Much preferred area amongst military families. Perfect for ACS/AWC students. Located on a quiet CUL-DE-SAC, in a family friendly community with wonderful neighbors. Zoned for Daniel Pratt Elementary, Prattville Junior High & Prattville High Schools. Home features amazing NEW paint, NEW carpet, ceramic tiled floors, crown molding throughout the house and so much more. Nice open floor plan, with raised ceilings. The split floor plan separates the master bedroom from the 3 supporting bedrooms. Master bedroom, located on the first floor, with trey ceiling and a walk-in closet in the master bath; linen closet, double vanity, JETTED-GARDEN TUB and SEPARATE shower. The great room has lots of windows for lighting and a gas fireplace perfect for those cozy nights. In addition to the formal dining room, a breakfast room adjoins the kitchen. Kitchen has breakfast bar, pantry and many NEW cabinets for storage & NEW GRANITE counter tops. Next to the kitchen is the garage entrance, the laundry room w/ cabinets and a half bathroom. Ceiling fans throughout, partial window treatment and blinds on all windows. On the second floor, there are three nice size bedrooms, linen closet, full bath and an easy entrance to the attic - great for storage. NEW architectural roof. LARGE BACK YARD w/ privacy fence; a ...

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Rental Property: 109 Aberdeen Court, Prattville, AL - Video

05-05-2012 17:33 Beautiful Rental Property, Prattville, AL 36066 HIGHLAND RIDGE one of the Largest Floor Plan!! Beautiful 2-Story home. A much desired area for families seeking excellent schools & community. Highly sought after DANIEL PRATT SCHOOL DISTRICT! Extra space...large Bonus Room on the second floor (office, playroom, extra sleeping area). Home features amazing, neutral colors, carpet, ceramic tiled floors in the bathrooms, nice open floor plan, with raised ceilings, monitored security system available (not included in the rent) and so much more. The split floor plan separates the master bedroom from the three supporting bedrooms. Master bedroom, located on the first floor, with trey ceiling and a large walk-in closet in the master bath; double/split vanity, jetted tub, cable ready, and separate shower. The great room has a wooden fireplace. In addition to the formal dining room, a breakfast room adjoins the kitchen. Kitchen has hard tile granite breakfast bar and lots of cabinets for storage. Next to the kitchen is the garage entrance, with the laundry room. Ceiling fans throughout and custom blinds on all windows. On the second floor, there is the forth bedroom with access to large floored attic. Full bath with linen closet, and a large bonus room (could be used as an additional bedroom, playroom or if needed, as an office). Privacy fenced back yard, great place for children to play safely and deck for entertaining. Sprinkler system underground. Within walking distance to the ...

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Rental Property: 1033 Thistle Rd, Prattville, AL - Video

Chris Johnston HELSINKI The Canadian Press Published Friday, May. 04, 2012 11:30AM EDT Last updated Friday, May. 04, 2012 5:38PM EDT

Brent Sutter was beaming after watching his Canadian team open the IIHF World Hockey Championship on a winning note.

But the 3-2 victory over Slovakia didn't come without some cause for concern.

Forward Alex Burrows suffered an apparent concussion just before the midway point of Friday's game, leaving his availability for the rest of the tournament up in the air. He was expected to be re-evaluated by team doctors on Saturday and was listed as questionable for a game later that night against the U.S.

Otherwise, head coach Sutter liked most of what he saw from a Canadian team that will need to find itself during the round robin after having little time to prepare as a group.

For our first game of the tournament, it was certainly a really strong effort, he said.

Canada controlled much of the play against Slovakia and sustained a balanced offensive attack. The goals came from Jamie Benn, Jordan Eberle and Andrew Ladd players that were slotted on different forward lines.

Sutter was forced to do some juggling after losing Burrows and chose to insert Evander Kane in his place on a unit with Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

The Vancouver Canucks winger was injured during his first ever game with the national team. He accidentally collided with Marcel Hascak in the offensive zone and appeared to hit his head on the ice. General manager Kevin Lowe called the injury real high upper body and one teammate said privately he thought it was a concussion.

He was doing OK, Lowe said of Burrows. He was doing fine in the dressing room.

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Canada opens worlds with win over Slovakia

May 5, 2012 - Indoor Football League (IFL) Colorado Ice Fort Collins, CO-The Colorado Ice Professional Indoor Football team are proud to announce two new additions to the roster. The Ice have recently signed Cordera Eason and James Walton.

Eason is a 6'0", 225 lb. running back from Ole Miss, who was rated as the 35th best running back prospect in the 2010 NFL draft class. Eason's size and physical running style drew the attention of many scouts; eventually ending with him signing with the Cincinnati Bengals after his senior season. During his time at Ole Miss, Eason played in 46 games, accumulating 801 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns, 14 receptions, 121 yards receiving, and 2 receiving touchdowns. Throughout his career at Ole Miss, Eason was part of one of the most dominate rushing attacks in the SEC, typically splitting carries with three other running backs. In his junior season, Eason finished second on the team in rushing yards, only behind Dexter McCluster (36th pick overall in 2010 NFL draft). In that junior season, Eason had 647 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns, 10 receptions, 82 receiving yards, and 1 receiving touchdown.

Eason is originally from Meridian, Mississippi where he attended Meridian High. He rushed for 1,934 yards and 21 TDs as a senior. Eason earned 1st Team All-State Honors and received All American mention from SuperPrep and PrepStar. Off the field, Eason majored in social work at Ole Miss and was on the Athletic Associations honor roll in 2009.

Walton is a 6'3", 215 lb. WR from Truman State University. Walton is an IFL veteran and has been with the league for 6 seasons. He spent the 2007-2008 seasons with the Bloomington Extreme and was traded to the Billings Outlaws for the 2009-2010 seasons. He returned to the Extreme in 2011 following back to back championships with Billings. Walton was a finalist for IFL MVP honors due to his contributions to the Outlaws and their two championships. During his time in the IFL he has played in over 80 games, totaling 382 catches for 4,890 yards and 135 TDs.

During his career at Truman he played in 44 games accumulating 131 receptions for 1,979 yards and 12 TD's. He was also a D II National Champion in the long jump, and received All American honors numerous times. Walton set the long jump record at Truman State during his senior year with a jump of 25' 2.75".

The Colorado Ice are proud members of the Indoor Football League (IFL). All home games are played on Majestic Roofing Field at the Budweiser Events Center located in Loveland, Colorado. More information can be found at http://www.thecoloradoice.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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Colorado Ice Signs Offensive Standouts