Auswärtsspiele » on. The Sharks have followed up a four-game slide w

DAVIE, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins hired a new president to complete a trade of sorts with the San Diego Padres. Former Padres executive Tom Garfinkel was introduced Monday as president and chief executive officer of the Dolphins and their stadium. He succeeds Mike Dee, who coincidentally replaced Garfinkel in July as president and CEO of the Padres. "Coincidental is the right word," Garfinkel said at a news conference. "It just happened to be that was the case." Garfinkel will be responsible for the Dolphins business operations, including all budget responsibility. He will also lead stalled efforts to obtain public money for stadium upgrades. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said Garfinkel was considered for the same job four years ago before Dee was hired. This time, Garfinkel finished first among a field of 75 candidates, including 13 who received interviews. "We were looking for someone who could think strategically, who is exceptionally bright, who is a proven leader," Ross said. "We found that man." Garfinkels primary assignment at the outset? "Putting people in the seats," Ross said. Miamis paid home attendance last year averaged 57,375, the lowest since 1980. Ross had to buy tens of thousands of unsold tickets to keep alive the Dolphins streak of no TV blackouts at home since 2000. Sales are up this season, but Ross said he is again prepared to buy any unsold tickets. "There will no blackouts this year," he said. Another priority for Garfinkel will be to find a way to pay for $350 million in stadium improvements that Ross says are badly needed. In May, the Florida Legislature turned down the Dolphins request for taxpayer help, and Ross said a new proposal will be formulated. "Im prepared to make my offer better," he said, "because I think the community needs it." General manager Jeff Ireland and coach Joe Philbin attended Garfinkels news conference. They will continue to oversee football operations, reporting directly to Ross. "First and foremost the Dolphins need to be about winning football," Garfinkel said. "Everyone in the organization, including me, is here to support that. Fans dont come out to see guys in suits and ties like me. They come out to see players competing to win, and thats where the focus needs to be for everybody in the organization." Garfinkel, 44, had been with the Padres since 2009. Before that, he was executive vice-president and chief operating officer of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He spent five years with Chip Ganassi Racing Teams as executive vice-president but has no NFL experience. "When I got out of college I thought, Boy, if I could get a job with an NFL team, that would be really special," Garfinkel said. "It took me 22 years." Timo Meier Sharks Jersey .200. His solution to his hitting woes was business in the front and a party in the back."That would be a mullet," Norris says. Kevin Labanc Sharks Jersey . The Senators will put the busy off-season and training camp behind them when they open their regular season on the road. They kick things off Friday against the Buffalo Sabres and then head to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs on Saturday. http://www.officialsharksnhlshop.com/customized/ . Stepanek gave the Czech Republic its second straight Davis Cup title Sunday, sweeping past Dusan Lajovic in straight sets in the fifth and decisive match to secure a 3-2 win over Serbia in the final. Tomas Hertl Jersey . The Blueshirts hope to stay alive once again when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins in Sundays Game 6 battle at Madison Square Garden. Evander Kane Jersey . The Wild, playing their first game since leading scorer Mikko Koivu broke his ankle Saturday at Washington, have won three straight for the first time since Nov. 1-5. Koivu underwent surgery on Monday and is expected to miss at least four weeks.(SportsNetwork.com) - Its been a roller coaster ride for the Minnesota Wild during their past two third periods. After rallying for a victory last time out, the Wild try to make it two in a row on Thursday night as they host the San Jose Sharks. The Wild had a two-game win streak snapped with a 5-4 loss to the New York Rangers on Monday. Minnesota led 3-0 going into the third period of that game before New York put forth an epic comeback. It was the Wilds turn on Tuesday in Boston as they scored three times in the third period, winning 4-3 on Marco Scandellas game-winner late in regulation. Nino Niederreiter, Zach Parise and Justin Fontaine also lit the lamp for Minnesota, while Niklas Backstrom made 25 saves on 28 shots in his second start of the season. These guys are doing a tremendous job for us, Wild coach Mike Yeo said. What I like is that theyre doing it the right way. Yeo did see his team go scoreless on two power-play chances, leaving the club 0-for-26 on the season. The Sharks have followed up a four-game slide with back-to-back wins, both on the road.dddddddddddd They unleashed 51 shots on net in Tuesdays meeting with Colorado, but needed a shootout to record a 3-2 victory. Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski scored in the shootout with Antti Niemi adding two saves. Brent Burns and Logan Couture tallied in regulation for the Sharks and Niemi added 31 saves, including one on Matt Duchene in the final seconds of overtime. Were happy to get the two points. Of course, that was a big save, and it really did give us confidence going forward, said Niemi. Burns is certainly playing with confidence. He has a goal in three straight and a point in five in a row. The defenseman has four goals and 12 points in 11 games on the season. Offensively hes been an absolute force for us. Hes getting better defensively. Big, big part of our team right now, said Sharks head coach Todd McLellan of Burns. The Sharks have won four of their past five overall versus the Wild, but are 0-5-1 in their last six trips to Minnesota. ' ' '