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April 11th 2011: Daily Sports News – Gossip – Headlines

Sports water cooler headlines and sports gossip for Monday April 11th 2011. Shea Matthews weighs in with his analysis and opinions on today’s sports action…

Water Cooler – April 11th, 2011

Here we go with today’s sports water cooler talk. Here, you won’t just find the straight news; you’ll find the stuff everyone is talking about – the ice breakers, the Twitter Sports Picks and topics…well, basically all the stuff you discuss at the water cooler.

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Sports News – PGA News – The Masters

WOW. What a finish at Augusta eh? Congrats to Charl Schwartzel of South Africa. Sunday’s final round, which saw as many as five players tied for the lead on the back nine before Schwartzel ran away with it by reeling off birdies on 15, 16, 17, and 18.

What a win at the 2011 Masters By Charl Schwartzel

Amazing finish and full marks for the win. Schwartzel posted a 6-under-par 66 on the final round, highlighted by a lengthy putt which rolled in to a chorus of cheers at Augusta National Golf Club. Schwartzel tossed his arms to the sky and brandished a wide smile after sinking the putt.

Schwartzel won 50 years to the day after fellow South African Gary Player became the first non-American to wear the green jacket, and seven of the top 10 finishers were from outside the U.S.

MLB news: Ryan Zimmerman, J.J. Hardy to DL; A’s extend Trevor Cahill; Red Sox extend Clay Buchholz

The Washington Nationals’ quest for respectability already started on the wrong foot with Stephen Strasburg out for the year. Now, the Nats have to soldier on without their best hitter. Ryan Zimmerman has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with an abdominal strain.

The Baltimore Orioles won’t have shortstop J.J. Hardy’s services for a good six weeks. He’s out with a strained left oblique and reportedly had an MRI Monday to determine the extent of the damage.

The Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox both locked up important parts of their present and future over the weekend. The A’s have signed Trevor Cahill to a five-year, $30.5-million extension. Cahill went 18-8 with a 2.97 ERA last season and has picked up where he left off in 2011, going 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA over his first two outings.

The Red Sox extended their star young starter, Clay Buchholz. They locked him up on a four-year deal worth roughly $30 million. Buchholz had the second-lowest ERA in the American League last season at 2.33. But, unlike Cahill, he hasn’t started this season in style (0-2, 7.20 ERA).

NBA news: Deron Williams has wrist surgery; Monta Ellis (concussion) released from hospital

The New Jersey Nets’ new centerpiece is Deron Williams, whom they acquired from Utah earlier this season, and they’re hoping their new franchise face will be a lot healthier next season. Williams had successful surgery to remove loose bodies and scar tissue from his right wrist. He should be able to resume basketball activities around June.

Meanwhile, Monta Ellis, the NBA’s eighth-leading scorer, has been released from hospital. The Golden State Warriors guard suffered a concussion on Sunday after colliding with Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins and hitting his head on the floor.

NHL news: Wild fire Todd Richards, Panthers fire Peter DeBoer, Senators fire Clouston; Jacques Lemaire retires; Henrik Zetterberg to miss Game 1; save percentage record for Tim Thomas

Phew. Lots of hockey news to report as the regular season ends and the playoffs loom. First off, it was the coach-axing parade over the last few days. The Ottawa Senators parted ways with Cory Clouston. He led the Sens to a 95-83-20 record over two and a half seasons but only took them to the playoffs once.

The Florida Panthers fired Peter DeBoer. Who? Exactly. Apparently this guy was their coach for three seasons, compiling 103-107-36 record. What took you so long to can him, Florida?

The Minnesota Wild followed suit by firing Todd Richards. He went 77-71-16 over two lackluster seasons with the Wild, missing the playoffs both times.

At least Jacques Lemaire went out on his own terms. The legendary coach has announced his retirement (again). The New Jersey Devils went 23-3-2 over their first 28 games with him after he returned to rescue their struggling squad but they eventually faltered and missed the playoffs. Lemaire leaves the game with nine total Stanley Cups (one coaching, eight as a player) and a 617-458-124-63 record.

It looks like the Detroit Red Wings will battle Phoenix in Game 1 of their Western Conference quarter-final matchup without Henrik Zetterberg. Hank missed the Wings’ last two regular-season games with a lower-body injury and doesn’t look like he’ll be ready for Wednesday’s series opener. He led Detroit with 80 points this season.

Congratulations to Tim Thomas. The Plucky veteran netminder, virtually a lock to win his second Vezina Trophy in two years, set a new NHL record for save percentage over a single season this week. He finished at .938 to go along with a 2.02 goals against average, nine shutouts and a 35-11-9 record.

NFL news: Judge orders players, owners back to the table; Kurt Warner to appear in TV movie

Susan Richard Nelson, the judge charged with deciding whether or not to grant the players’ request to lift the lockout, has ordered both sides back to the bargaining table.

Formal mediation and ensuing negotiations will take place in Minnesota under U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan. He’ll meet the representatives for the players Tuesday and the league on Wednesday.

Retired quarterback Kurt Warner and his wife, Brenda, are set to appear in a FOX TV movie. They have cameo roles in the Truth Be Told, which stars David James Elliott (most famously of JAG).

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By Shea Matthews

Shea Matthews the Senior Writer at CP. Lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national papers. Shea applies his knowledge to sports betting + handicapping daily, and shares winning picks with the world.