Supporters in the arenas and fans watching live hockey online  around the world are poorer for his absence from the ice.

But there is one place in the NHL where so much promising youth is flourishing that it detracts, slightly, from all of this doom and gloom. That place just so happens to be Ottawa.

Although General Manager Bryan Murray certainly has it all to do when it comes to deciding how many young prospects he can fit into an already jam-packed roster, the fact that the Sens appear to have invested their NHL picks  so astutely means that, unlike some GMs in the NHL, he will actually have the chance to build his team from scratch, getting rid of dead wood and replacing squad positions with players full of potential, even if that potential isn’t being converted into anything spectacular quite yet.

The Senators have endured a bit of a rough time recently, but the fact that they have seemingly learned well from the problems they previously faced, when they paid too much money to overpriced stars who didn’t provide value to the franchise, means that the club can now join the trend of signing cheaper younger players and ensuring they have some cap room left for the big trades if they need them.

Whether or not the Senators’ strategy works out for them, one thing that can be said is that it is an admirable policy and one that should be fully supported by the NHL and its top

Online Casino experts note how Jewell was convinced that his team should have had a penalty, with his frustrations becoming even more prominent when Nikola Zigic popped up with a 91st minute winner for the home side.

Speaking afterwards, Jewell said: “To every man, but not a woman it was a penalty.”

Although the referee didn’t have a good view, the lineswoman, or whatever she’s called, had a great view.”

“It’s a stonewall penalty and it’s a sending-off but he [referee Robert Lewis] didn’t give it. You better ask him why he didn’t give it, or her why she [lineswoman Amy Fearn] didn’t give it.”

There is of course plenty of pressure on Jewell at the moment. Ipswich have lost 10 of their last 13 games to sit 20^th in the Championship, just three points above the relegation zone.

Inevitably, this has led to speculation regarding Jewell’s future at the club, with many fans starting to turn on their manager.

As for Birmingham manager Chris Hughton, he was very satisfied with the three points as his team push closer and close to a play-off spot.

He was also delighted with yet another late goal. So far this season, even those studying Casino Games Online will be keen to note that his team have scored 17 times in the last 15 minutes of games, with many coming in injury time.

Speaking about this after the game, he said: “The late, late show, yes, yet again. If you are scoring late in the game it certainly shows something: that you have got enough character and resilience in the team, who also want to protect this very good home record.”

“Is there a recipe for it? No, but we will start kicking off 75 minutes late from now on!”

Next up for Birmingham is a trip to Millwall, while Ipswich have a home game against Ian Holloway’s Blackpool.

It seems 30-year-old Kelly, who had a fairly disciplined upbringing, believes that’s definitely the way forward for the girls in her charge. Those looking at the X Factor winner odds need to bear this in mind.

Kelly told The Mirror there will be “absolutely no alcohol, no smoking, no talking loud in clubs”. She explained she wanted them to do everything possible to take care of their bodies.

“I will be like, ‘Don’t let anything knock you off your focus or you will lose everything’.”

And reports this week revealed she’s clamping down on the having fun at every stage possible, with her apparently not allowing her chosen final four to celebrate their achievements.

Kelly reportedly had other plans in mind and made them get to work straight away with a four-hour vocal session to “put them through their paces”.

She also said she won’t be putting up with any diva-like behaviour from the girls, hoping that her strict approach will make them realise what they’re aiming to achieve.

“We won’t have a problem” with tantrums on the show, Kelly confidently claimed.

The singer’s not the only one who’s determined to see the best in her proteges – Gary is also said to be taking his mentoring seriously, planning early schedules to make sure the boys are on top of their game at all times.

It looks like the competition could really hot up on the X Factor live shows this year, exciting!

So, California is still broke, right?

Solution? Internet gambling legalization, for one thing.

Not that it would solve the state’s pathetic financial situation.

But it sure would help.

A little.

Bills to legalize online gambling are likely headed for another year of debate. A few bills have already been around for a couple of years.

That pissed me off.

But now the feds are going too far.

It appears that the US Government have stepped up to pressure on Online gambling websites that offer Bingo.

That’s right.

Bingo.

The game played in churches and American Legion Halls and at countless other fundraising events…. BINGO.

Funtime Bingo customers met with the same image when logging into there accounts on Funtime Bingo.com this week that says that the website has been seized by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations. The Seizure notice explains that a warrant has been obtained with the assistance of the US Attorneys Office and issued by the US District Court of Maryland.

Funtime Bingo have reopened using a different domain name and are keeping customers updated by using a Facebook page, and look not to be too concerned with the seizure of there Dot.com website.

Other online bingo providers are taking this seizure as a sign of things to come and the World Bingo Network announced they were to close there entire network giving customers the following statement:

“It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of World Bingo Network and all sites. A challenging environment and circumstances beyond our control have made it impossible for us to continue operations. It is our intention to ensure that all players are taken care of and deposits refunded at the earliest possible time. All players will be receiving letters in this regard. We have fond memories of great people, wonderful staff and fun times while they lasted.”

I am totally outraged.

Give me back my online bingo.

NOW.

The four players left out of this weekend’s squad have just finished gruelling domestic campaigns with their club sides, with the All Blacks deciding the group need longer to recover. Those looking at the 2011 Rugby World Cup betting will be wondering if this was the right move.

Crusaders trio Brad Thorn, Owen Franks and Kieran Read have all joined Blues hooker Keven Mealamu in being released from the All Blacks’ squad and will now began their recuperation before possibly rejoining the squad later this campaign. Assistant coach Wayne Smith confirmed the decision to release the players, making it clear the management were trying to manage each player’s fitness over the next vital few weeks before the World Cup.

“We’re just sticking to the plans that we’ve got,” he said.

“So every player is on an individual plan and some are champing at the bit to get out and play, some are a wee bit overcooked so we’re just sticking to that, making sure that we look after people.”

South Africa were the first team to make their priorities crystal clear when they left 20 first team players at home for this away stage of their Tri-Nations campaign. That decision by Peter de Villiers has drawn plenty of criticism from former coaches and players alike. New Zealand will look for the right balance of giving players good preparation for a testing World Cup campaign, while allowing players time to recover from what has been a tough Super Rugby season.  People placing rugby bets should keep an eye on the squad’s progress.

New Zealand will begin their World Cup campaign against Tonga in the opening game of the tournament on September 9th. A strong performance over the next few weeks in the Tri-Nations will send a message to the other two sides in the competition. It will all matter for nothing though when the World Cup starts, with the added pressure this year being heaped on the hosts to reclaim the Webb Ellis trophy for the first time since 1987.

Deans has been accused of underestimating the Samoans, although the coach has refused to accept that, insisting his side just hadn’t performed well enough. Samoa had dominated the match with the Aussie’s only really mounting a challenge late in the game, and the result will be worry with the World Cup coming up in a matter of weeks. Anyone looking at the 2011 Rugby World Cup odds will have raised an eyebrow upon seeing the score.

Deans made it clear he had prepared a side that were full of respect for their Samoan opponents ahead of the game, playing down reports that the team expected the Islanders to simply roll over and die. Samoa had clearly taken the game more seriously than their opponents, playing line-up similar to the one that will start the World Cup in September.

“It’s an easy suggestion to make under the circumstances but we just didn’t play well. We talked not only internally but externally pre-game about the capabilities of the Samoan side,” he said.

“This was their World Cup combination chosen from their best players across the globe.”

The decision by Deans to leave out star players such as Quade Cooper and James Horwill for the match at the ANZ Stadium, has ensured the coach will now be under pressure to name a strong starting 15 for the opening match of the Tri-Nations this weekend against South Africa. While the Aussie’s will be hoping to welcome back injured duo David Pocock and James O’Connor, South Africa have sent a near second-string squad to compete in their away stage of the competition. Those placing rugby free bets should bear this in mind.

The Aussies will be hoping to bounce back straight away from this defeat, knowing a decent performance against the world champions would go some way to crossing the Samoa match off as a mere blip. It’s obvious that this Tri-Nations is horrendously placed in this year’s calendar, but rather than trying to save the squad any damage, teams could well gain some valuable momentum over the next month, heading into the real showpiece tournament of the rugby year.

The three-year-old was diagnosed with a hairline fracture in the pelvic region which requires around three weeks recuperation, meaning he will likely miss the two races, which start on the 30^th May and 4^th June respectively.

The 2000 Guineas is the first classic of the season and will come too soon for the talented colt, while his recuperation from the injury will not be fully completed until after the Derby.

Speaking on Godolphin’s website, race manager Simon Crisford admitted it was a disappointment to miss the two prestigious races.

It is a big shame as he had been shaping up nicely this spring. He said of the fracture.

“He will now need a few weeks off but he should be fine for later in the season.”

Dubai Prince is unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile for Dermot Weld, which culminated with victory in the Group 3 JRA Killavullan Stakes, and has now switched hands to be trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni.

He had been placed as good as 10-1 for the 2000 Guineas, and 14-1 for the Derby, far behind clear horse betting favourite Frankel.

Godolphin will still have two representatives for the 2000 Guineas, with Casamento and Saamidd likely to take part.

I am not opposed to this at all.

The more opportunities I have to play what I want, the better I like it.

And I always caution…play what you can afford. Not more.

So, in Minnesota, the push to add slot machines at two horse-racing tracks continues. This time the proponents are smart by promising a big chunk of the money would go to create new jobs in the state.

The push to authorize so-called “racinos” at Canterbury Park in Shakopee and the Running Aces Harness Park in Columbus has been a no go at the Capitol, opposed by Indian tribes and gambling critics.

Now, two Republican lawmakers are trying it again, this time proposing that proceeds from video lottery terminals fuel a dedicated state fund for grants and loans to business startups and entrepreneurial ventures.

Gov. Mark Dayton said he wants to see more details before pledging support or opposition.

Supporters of gambling expansion said going ahead with the plan would create both construction jobs and new jobs at the racetracks in question, as well as giving a major boost to the state’s horse industry.

We’ll see. I’ll keep you posted.