AK 10er » League semifinal. Bayern came back quickly after f

The Buffalo Bills wont be coming north this season. The NFL club and Rogers Communications announced Wednesday theyve put the beleaguered Bills Toronto Series -- which features Buffalo playing exhibition and regular-season games at Rogers Centre -- on hold for at least a year. That means the team will play eight home games at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., for the first time since 2007. "The plan is to postpone it for one year, regroup and determine whats the next best step," said Keith Pelley, the president of Rogers Communications media division. "Its not nullified right now, we have an agreement in place. "Anything is possible but thats not the plan. The plan is to take a step back and say, OK, the Series is having some challenges, the NFL is still big in Toronto, its still important to the Bills so whats the best way to move forward?" The decision comes a little more than a year after the Bills and Rogers agreed to renew the series for five years, though 2017 after the original five-year deal expired. A series-low gathering of 38,969 watched the Atlanta Falcons nip Buffalo 34-31 in overtime Dec. 1 at Rogers Centre, which can seat 54,000 spectators for football. The loss dropped the Bills regular-season record in Toronto to a dismal 1-5 -- and 0-4 in December -- since the start of the series in 08. Buffalo also sports the NFLs longest active post-season drought at 14 straight seasons. Bills president Russ Brandon said the atmosphere at Rogers Centre versus Atlanta figured in the clubs decision to take a step back. "I think thats a fair comment," Brandon told reporters in Orchard Park. "Obviously were trying to build a fan base north of the border and this year I would say it was a neutral crowd. "Some of that had to do with how we played over the last six years, (that) has really not been conducive to building a lot of fans that were NFL fans, but were trying to make them Bills fans. Were going to continue to try to do that through a variety of initiatives that we will be working with Rogers over the next year in a very robust sponsorship and partnership that we will have that will cater to fans above the border." Following the loss to Atlanta, Brandon publicly questioned whether his club loses its competitive edge playing in Toronto. Buffalo has often battled neutral crowds at its home away from home. Bills games at Rogers Centre routinely attract a mix of NFL fans who proudly don their team colours and cheer as loudly -- or sometimes louder -- for Buffalos opponent than the home team. In fact, several Falcons players were surprised at the support they received at Rogers Centre. "It didnt feel like we were in Canada," said Atlanta safety William Moore. "I even saw a No. 25 jersey (Moores number) out there." Whats more, playing in a domed facility robs the Bills of their biggest home advantage: The cold, windy conditions that are the norm in December at Ralph Wilson Stadium. "Were going to go through a detailed full analysis," Brandon said. "Were going to look at every aspect that if we do come back we have a more robust fan experience and try to create more of a home field advantage for us. "Right now that was not the situation. That was one of the reasons we want to get in to a lot of detail with our partners up there and see if that is viable moving forward." Brandons statement "if we do come back," prompted a followup question regarding whether the Bills mightve played their final game in Toronto. "What I said is that were going through a full evaluation process and well work with our partners," Brandon responded. The Bills Toronto Series was unveiled as an attempt to showcase Toronto as a viable NFL city. Rogers Communications Inc. paid US$78 million to stage eight games -- five regular season, three exhibition -- expecting southern Ontario fans to flock to Rogers Centre. But high-priced tickets -- initially averaging over $180 each, compared to roughly US$51 at Orchard Park --and struggling Bills teams combined to make it a tough sell. Tickets were reduced to roughly an average price of $99 to make the game more affordable but even that didnt result in a sellout. "Its always very difficult to change public opinion midway through a project," Pelley said. "Theres no hiding the fact the series did not get off to a rosy start. "It tough midway through to change that perception, hence the reason why we thought it would be a best to take a year off then re-launch it once weve thought that through." Series organizers have also struggled to find the right formula to re-create the NFL experience here. A huge attraction for many American football fans is arriving at the stadium hours before kickoff, setting up the barbecue to cook a variety of foods while throwing a football around in the parking lot or breaking down the upcoming game with friends over a cold beer. However, provincial laws make that impossible in Toronto. The creation of the series also fuelled speculation Toronto would be the landing spot for the Bills upon the death of Ralph Wilson Jr., the clubs 95-year-old owner. However, Brandon routinely stated the NFL club was merely broadening its regional base to include Canadas largest city and generate additional revenue. Brandon said the Bills must take ownership for their role in the series struggles. "I think its been a roller-coaster from the standpoint of just the losses," he said. "Thats on us. "Some of the initiatives Rogers has worked through on their end have improved, but obviously this past year was disappointing with that neutral crowd that we had there, to say the least. I think there have been positives. As I mentioned earlier, the biggest positive has been the influx of fans back here at Ralph Wilson Stadium." Now the question remains whether the Bills can sell out eight home games in 2014. "Obviously last year we had to really work for our sellouts, understandably so," Brandon said. "Thats something that were willing to take on, that challenge. "We have very passionate fans and tremendous fans, but we have to really work to sell tickets here as weve discussed in the past. Were not satisfied until every seat in this building is sold. Thats always the No. 1 initiative and really the foundation of how we run our business." LeBron James Jersey . In the opener of the World Group first-round series, world No. 18 Kei Nishikori defeated Peter Polansky of Thornhill, Ont. Shaquille ONeal Jersey . John Albert Elway, 24, was booked into jail early Saturday morning after an incident near a college campus in downtown Denver, according to jail records. http://www.cheapcavaliersjerseysauthenti...n-sexton-jersey. PETERSBURG, Fla. Tristan Thompson Jersey .Just like old times.Only this time, just one got to enjoy a victory.James return to Miami as an opponent was a success — for the Heat, that is. Wade scored 24 of his 31 points in the first half, Luol Deng had 25 points and dogged James defensively all night, and the Heat beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-91 in a hyped Christmas matchup Thursday. Kevin Love Jersey . Reimer is winless (0-2-1) since returning from a six-week absence due to concussion-like symptoms. The Maple Leafs dropped a 4-2 decision to the hosting Washington Capitals on Friday. MUNICH, Germany -- Bayern Munich needed a bit of a wake-up call against a surprisingly resilient Manchester United team. Once it came, there was no stopping the defending champions from reaching a third straight Champions League semifinal. Bayern came back quickly after falling behind in its home stadium, equalizing within two minutes and then scoring two more goals to win 3-1 in the second leg of their quarterfinal Wednesday and go through 4-2 on aggregate. "I think it was very important we scored straight after they did," Bayern winger Arjen Robben said. "It was crucial today. It looked like a wake-up call because the first 10 minutes of the second half were a disaster the way we played. We were so slow, we were not there and you cannot do that in the Champions League - you will be punished. Thats what they did, but it was a wake-up call and we scored three goals. After Patrice Evra put United ahead with a superb volley in the 57th minute, Mario Mandzukic got the quick equalizer, Thomas Mueller made it 2-1 in the 68th and Robben secured the victory in the 76th. "I had no time to tell my players anything or to think what we could do after we conceded that amazing goal," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said. "I am very proud of my team and of this club. ... They have a big heart and reacted very well. As title holders, we have a lot of pressure." The loss means United looks set to miss the Champions League next season for the first time since 1995-96. David Moyes team is only seventh in the Premier League, with only the faintest of hopes of finishing in the top four. Its only realistic chance of qualifying for Europes top competition was to win it this season, but now the teams last chance for a trophy is also gone. Bayernn dominated the first half but failed to make much out of its possession advantage, and Evra gave United a surprising lead.ddddddddddddAntonio Valencias swinging cross sailed over everyone in the area but fell to Evra, who unleashed an unstoppable shot into the upper corner. But two minutes later, Bayern was back in the match. Franck Ribery crossed form the left and Mandzukics diving header beat David de Gea. "We concentrated so fabulously but to give up that goal at that moment was very disappointing," Moyes said. "I thought the players did a great job today. We made it difficult for them for long periods but at the end we just couldnt keep it." In the 62nd, Wayne Rooney fluffed a shot while having only goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to beat and squandered a great opportunity. Rooney had not trained the whole week because of a toe injury and took an injection to play. Bayern punished the miss in the 68th, when Mueller knocked in a low cross from Robben. And in the 76th, Robben cut inside from the right and made it 3-1 with a low shot that clipped the foot of Nemanja Vidic and rolled into the net, with de Gea on the wrong foot. "I knew it would be difficult, it is not easy to play against eight players in the box. We tried to create passes and to go to wings but they defended well against crosses," Guardiola said. Bayern had failed to win its last four matches at home against English opposition but once it stepped up the pressure and the pace there was little doubt about the outcome. United remained winless in the Bavarian capital in five outings. "I think its great how we came back despite this little setback," Mueller said. "If we look at both matches, I think we deserved to come through." ' ' '