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VANCOUBER, British Columbia -- The Vancouver Canucks signed defenseman Olli Juolevi to a three-year entry level contract Friday.The Canucks selected Juolevi fifth overall in the June draft, making him one of three Finns to go in the top five.The 18-year-old finished third among Ontario Hockey League rookie defensemen in scoring last season with 42 points on nine goals and 33 assists) in 57 games for the Memorial Cup champion London Knights. He also helped Finland win the 2016 world junior championship.Olli is a talented all-around defenseman with high hockey sense who will be a big part of our organizations future, Canucks general manager Jim Benning said in a statement. Hes had an outstanding year, winning the Memorial Cup and world junior gold. We look forward to seeing him continue his development and compete at the NHL level during training camp in September. Leon Goretzka Jersey . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. Custom Germany Soccer Jerseys . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. http://www.germanysoccerpro.com/Manuel-Neuer-Germany-Jersey/ . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. Joshua Kimmich Germany Jersey . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. Antonio Rudiger Germany Jersey . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. DES MOINES, Iowa -- Somewhat unexpected championship runs by Michigan State and Iowa last season fueled expectations of potential repeats in 2016.It doesnt look like either team will make it back to Indianapolis this December.The Spartans (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten) are a staggering four games behind No. 2 Michigan (7-0, 4-0) heading into their annual showdown game this Saturday.The Hawkeyes (5-3, 3-2), who are off this week, still has something of a plausible path to the West title. But it involves winning their final four games, which would include home victories over the Wolverines and unbeaten and seventh-ranked Nebraska (7-0, 4-0), and one more loss for Wisconsin (5-2, 2-2) and two for surging Northwestern (4-3, 3-1).So how did two teams that just 10 months ago played a title game end up here?Michigan States young defense, which held the Hawkeyes to just 13 points in that slugfest of a championship game in 2015, is letting up nearly 30 points a game. The Spartans had as many as six freshmen playing defense at times in last weeks last weeks 28-17 loss to Maryland (5-2, 2-2).Iowas defense ranks 20th nationally at 18.9 points allowed per game. But its offense has been a mess since mid-September, failing to score more than 21 points in four of its last six games.It certainly gives you time to look deeper at what youre doing and re-assess where your team is at, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said of the bye week. Right now, weve come short three times. Wed certainly like to close that gap.Michigan State hosts rival Michigan knowing that a loss would eliminate the Spartans from the East race.The (Michigan) game is played on the field. Youve got to be able to block, tackle and catch the football, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. This is a very fundamental game played at a very high level, and weve got to be able to win our fair share of battles.BAD BREAK FOR THE BADGERSWisconsin kept its slim West hopes alive with a 17-9 win at Iowa last week. But the Badgers suffered a major blow when it was announced that lineebacker Jack Cichy, its leading tackler, is out for the season with a torn pectoral.dddddddddddd Cichy had 60 tackles, including 37 in his last three games. The Badgers host the Huskers in a critical West showdown, and sophomore Ryan Connelly is expected to take Cichys place.THORSONS GROWTHA big reason why Northwestern has turned into a 1/3 start into a winning record has been the progress of sophomore quarterback Clayton Thorson. He has nine touchdown passes against just one pick in his last three games, all victories, and is third in the Big Ten with 240 yards passing per game. The only league player with more touchdowns than Thorson (14) is J.T. Barrett of No. 6 Ohio State (6-1, 3-1), who host the Wildcats on Saturday.Hes really gaining confidence through his experience. Its gaining knowledge of our offense, trusting in his abilities and just playing at a faster tempo, said Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, an Illinois native who yelled Go Cubs! at the end of his time on the weekly coaches teleconference.GEORGE LEGACY AT ILLINOISIllinois found itself down to its third quarterback in last weeks 41-8 loss to Michigan, and the game went about as expected. Jeff George Jr., the son of former Illini star and top NFL draft pick Jeff George, was 4 of 15 passing for 95 yards with a TD, an interception and a fumble in his first start. Coach Lovie Smith wouldnt commit to George as the starter for this weeks home game with Minnesota (2-5, 1-3).We saw improvement on until the end of the game. What Jeff brings to the table is a strong arm. Hes confident in his arm, making all of the throws, Smith said.HE SAID ITWere in this together, as a staff and as players. Tough coaches and tough players fight through things, said Ohio State coach Urban Meyer about last weeks loss. All three of Meyers national title teams bounced back from a regular-season loss.---Online: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '