rker. Arizonas Patrick Corbin also may need the procedure.

TORONTO -- Mired in a 10-game scoring slump dating back to the regular season, Marlies forward Spencer Abbott elected to go against a popular post-season trend and shave his playoff beard Thursday morning. The move paid off as Abbott scored a natural hat trick to lead the Toronto Marlies to a 4-1 win over the Texas Stars that ties the American Hockey Leagues Western Conference final at two. "It wasnt working for me personally so I decided to switch something up," said Abbott of the fresh shave. "I was kind of hearing it when I first did it there, but I guess now they cant really say a whole lot. I was in a bit of a slump there and its nice to get that off my back. Getting three is just a bonus." Added Marlies coach Steve Spott: "(He) wanted to reset and a fresh start so he definitely did that. Im going to get to the Shoppers Drug Mart, maybe get some razors. Its funny how superstition plays a part of this. Whatever works, but it definitely worked for Spencer tonight." Abbott, who had not scored in seven playoff games after missing 12 games with a shoulder injury, picked up all three goals on Marlies power plays. Defenceman T.J. Brennan assisted on all three Abbott goals while Peter Holland extended his point streak to eight games with two assists. "I think its all a credit to my line mates," said Holland of the streak. "Ive been playing with great players and Spotters been putting me in great situations in order to get the job done and when the power play is going, you can get on the score sheet. As long as were winning, the points dont really matter to me." With Marlies defenceman Andrew MacWilliam off for boarding at 14:26 of the third, the Stars pulled goaltender Cristopher Nilstorp giving Texas a two minute, two-man advantage, but the visitors were unable to capitalize. Following the penalty kill, Jerry DAmigo added an empty netter to give Toronto a four-goal cushion. However, with just 1:42 remaining, Radek Faksa spoiled Marlies goaltender Drew MacIntyres bid for his third shutout of the post-season. MacIntyre made 27 saves for his ninth win of the playoffs, while Nilstorp stopped 24 shots in the loss. "Weve done a good job this year with responding when weve dealt with adversity," said Spott. "We lost two in a row, we definitely didnt play the way that we wanted to play (Wednesday). "The first (goal) was big, but the second one, thats the one thats been a challenge for us. Weve done a pretty good job getting the first goal in this series, but we wanted to have the push back right away to try to get the second one and try to back them off." With the win, Toronto avoided losing three straight for the second time all season (Nov. 9-14). Abbott opened the scoring at 1:36 of the first period, beating Nilstorp from the point. On the Marlies second power play of the night, Abbott put home the rebound off of a Brennan point shot past a sprawling Nilstorp. Holland nearly made it 3-0 at 11:20 of the first, beating Nilstorp but hitting the post. Toronto has now out-scored opponents 16-3 in the opening frame during the Calder Cup playoffs. Abbott completed the hat trick at 7:05 of the second on a two-man advantage, beating Nilstorp who was screened well by Toronto forward Josh Leivo. "It was pretty obvious we were giving him the gears a little bit before the game, but hey, whatever you need to do," said Holland of Abbotts shave. "If hes going to score three goals and hes going to help us win, then thats fine by us, but were going to ride him a little bit longer, thats for sure." The Marlies finished 3 for 6 with the man advantage while holding the Stars scoreless on five tries. Stars forward Chris Mueller had his five-game point streak halted in the loss. Notes: Marlies defenceman Korbinian Holzer missed the game with a lower-body injury and was replaced by Dylan Yeo. Veteran centre Jerred Smithson replaced Tyler Biggs on Torontos fourth line. ... Toronto FC midfielder Dwayne DeRosario dropped the puck in a pre-game ceremonial faceoff. ... Game 5 of the series goes Saturday afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum. Eric Oelschlagel Jersey . Louis Cardinals. He was 48. The commissioners office said Bell died in his home state of Ohio. Bell had not been feeling well over the weekend and had been scheduled to see doctors later Monday at the Cleveland Clinic. Shinji Kagawa Dortmund Jersey . Watching them over the past year - and in some cases, two years - has given us a starting point for this seasons Craigs List. http://www.footballdortmundpro.com/Kids-Alexander-Isak-Jersey/ . Ferrer, the two-time defending champion in Buenos Aires, is aiming to win his 21st ATP tournament. Ferrer will next face fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, the fourth seed, who defeated Jeremy Chardy of France 7-6 (7), 6-3 in another quarterfinal match. Christian Pulisic Dortmund Jersey .C. - Phoenix Suns coach Jeff Hornacek says guard Goran Dragic will return to the starting lineup against the Charlotte Hornets after missing the last two games with a strained back. Sergio Gomez Dortmund Jersey . The Gatineau Olympiques head coach will lead Canada in its quest to end its gold medal drought at the 2015 world junior hockey championship held in Montreal and Toronto at the end of this year.KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Detroit Tigers reliever Bruce Rondon needs surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow and will be sidelined for the entire season. A candidate to become Detroits eighth-inning setup man, Rondon felt discomfort Monday after pitching a scoreless inning against Washington the previous day. Detroit general manager Dave Dombrowski said Rondon was examined Wednesday by Dr. James Andrews, and an MRI revealed the tear. Dombrowski said the 23-year-old will have surgery next week. "He just came in one day and said he was a little tender," Dombrowski said Friday. "At that point, we figured he should see a doctor. Before that, he hadnt complained of any problems at all." Rondon becomes the latest pitcher hurt during spring training and headed to Tommy John surgery, following Atlantas Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy, and Oaklands Jarrod Parker. Arizonas Patrick Corbin also may need the procedure. Rondon was 1-2 with a 3.45 ERA as a rookie last year, striking out 30 in 28 2-3 iinnings, and he had a 1.dddddddddddd29 ERA in seven spring training games this year. Dombrowski said the Tigers, who signed Joba Chamberlain during the off-season, will fill Rondons spot internally. "We feel we have a lot of depth there," Dombrowski said. "Some guys will have to step up and I think they will." Rondon was competing with Chamberlain for the eighth-inning role leading to closer Joe Nathan. Now Al Alburquerque will likely get some of those opportunities, and expanded roles may go to Evan Reed and left-handers Ian Krol and Phil Coke. The Tigers have been beset by injuries. Shortstop Jose Iglesias could miss the entire season because of stress fractures in both legs; Andy Dirks, slated to platoon in left field, will miss the first two months after back surgery. Asked how he was holding up, first-year manager Brad Ausmus joked, "I just bought my first pack of Marlboros" — a reference to former manager Jim Leylands smoking habit. ' ' '