kick. The Eskimos did not score on the ensuring offensive sequen

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings have moved into the home stretch of their search for a head coach and Cincinnati defensive co-ordinator Mike Zimmer has emerged as a favourite. John Wooten, the executive director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, said in a phone interview on Monday that Vikings general manager Rick Spielman told him last week the teams plan was to contact finalists for the job by Tuesday. According to an NFL Network report on Saturday, Zimmer was scheduled to travel to Minnesota on Monday and meet with Vikings officials for a second interview Tuesday. The alliance, based in Washington, is designed to promote candidate development for coaching, front office and scouting jobs in the NFL. The FPAs strategic efforts include advocacy for and marketing of the hiring and promotion of minorities among NFL teams, and one of Wootens protegees is Arizona defensive co-ordinator Todd Bowles, another strong candidate for Minnesota. Bowles spoke with Spielman in Arizona last week, and Wooten said Spielman told him the interview went well. "He was thoroughly, thoroughly impressed. Thats the way I would describe it," Wooten said. Wooten said on Monday afternoon that he had not yet heard from Spielman about a second interview for Bowles. The Vikings began the week one of four teams left without a head coach, joining Cleveland, Detroit and Tennessee. The Lions, according to Wootens conversation with general manager Martin Mayhew, were also moving toward a conclusion, with a similar plan to invite finalists to Michigan on Monday or Tuesday for further talks with team brass. Another candidate working with Wooten is former Indianapolis coach and current Baltimore offensive co-ordinator Jim Caldwell, who has previously interviewed with the Lions. "We think that Jim is right in the thick of this thing," Wooten said. One of Spielmans favourite terms is "due diligence." His public declaration when the process began was that he wouldnt let a particular category, circumstance or deadline limit his options for Leslie Fraziers successor. Spielman, though, said his preference was to make the hire prior to the Senior Bowl, a prime period of draft prospect evaluation for coaching staffs around the league. Practices for the annual college all-star game in Mobile, Ala., begin next week. The Vikings arent publicizing any information about the search. Zimmers agent, David Dunn, didnt immediately return messages left on Monday. Theyve already interviewed, according to various reports: Seattle offensive co-ordinator Darrell Bevell, Seattle defensive co-ordinator Dan Quinn, Cleveland defensive co-ordinator Ray Horton, San Francisco offensive co-ordinator Greg Roman and San Francisco defensive line coach Jim Tomsula, in addition to Bowles and Zimmer. With the Seahawks and 49ers playing this Sunday for the NFC championship, the Vikings couldnt talk to any of those four candidates again until next week. Under Armour Shoes Clearance Sale .? It was his second straight start for the Jets; he suffered a 1-0 loss against Minnesota Monday. So this season Hutchinson has now won games in the ECHL, AHL and NHL. He was perfect three- for-three in the shootout to nail down the win. Cheap Under Armour Shoes Canada . Johan Franzen had two goals and two assists, Gustav Nyquist a goal and three assists and David Legwand a goal and two assists in the Red Wings 7-4 win over the New Jersey Devils. http://www.underarmouroutletcanada.com/ . 1 goaltender tonight when they conclude a four-game road trip versus the Winnipeg Jets. Under Armour Wholesale Canada . - The RBC Canadian Open will return to Glen Abbey Golf Club next year, marking the 27th time that the national open championship will be played at the Oakville, Ont. Under Armour Outlet Store Canada . Weise left the arena with a splint on his wrist and underwent tests to determine whether the tendon is torn. Winger Travis Moen will also miss some time after suffering a concussion in Mondays contest.VANCOUVER - It took a while, and some trick plays, but Mike Reilly finally earned a win against his former CFL team Saturday. Reilly completed three touchdown passes as the Edmonton Eskimos came back to beat the B.C. Lions 27-20 in the first game of the CFL season for both teams. The last time the Eskimos won in Vancouver, on July 21, 2012, Reilly was still a Lions backup. The Lions suffered only their third loss at B.C. Place Stadium since it received a new retractable roof in 2011. "Its a fresh start, its a new season, and this is a tough place to win in," said Reilly after beginning his second season with the Eskimos following a January 2013 trade from B.C. "Records aside, or whos playing in the black and orange, theyve made this place loud, and theyve done well since theyve come back from Empire (Field, the Lions temporary home during renovations). "I know that first-hand. Its something that we havent done in a long time, to win in Vancouver. Thats a good feeling." Reilly completed 22 of 35 passes for 229 yards as the Eskimos overcame an early 14-0 deficit. It was only his fifth win as Edmontons starter. He helped new coach Chris Jones earn a win in his first CFL game as a head coach after making defensive co-ordinator stints with three other clubs. Calvin McCarty, Fred Stamps and Adarius Bowman caught Reillys touchdown passes. McCarty also enabled the Eskimos to complete a fake field goal in the third quarter, leading to the touchdown that put them ahead to stay. The Eskimos also pulled off a successful onside kick early in the fourth quarter that kept their offence on the field longer. Grant Shaw provided their other points in the form of three converts and a pair of field goals. "Everybody chipped in," said Reilly. "Special teams got us a few extra possessions. Defence got the ball a lot, created a lot of turnovers, and offensively we were able to get some points. So (it was an) all-around team effort, but we know weve got to get better to reach our goal." The Eskimos are looking to become a championship contender by reversing a 4-14 season in 2013 that was their worst in 50 years. The Lions are looking to make amends for a first-round playoff loss to Saskatchewan. Lions quarterback Kevin Glenn got off to a strong start in his regular-season debut, completing two touchdown passes in the first quarter. But Glenn, who is replacing injured starter Travis Lulay (shoulder), was undone by four interceptions. "I didnt play a good game," said Glenn. "We turned the ball over, I turned the ball over, and thats something we cant do and expect to win." Glenn completed 10 of 13 passes in the first half, but finished a modest 18 for 28 passing for 251 yards. Andrew Harris and D-Tre Player scored touchdowns for B.C., while Paul McCallum added two field goals. "We just didnt keep the momentum going,&quoot; said Glenn.dddddddddddd"We turned the ball over in the second half." The Lions first TD, a 55-yard pass-and-run play, came 1:58 into the game. Shortly after catching a pass near the Edmonton 40-yard line, Harris easily shook off rookie linebacker Dexter McCoils tackle attempt, eluded a couple of other Eskimos and ran the ball along the sidelines into the end zone. It was only Glenns third pass of the regular season. Player, a rookie offensive lineman playing his first-ever CFL regular-season game, scored B.C.s second touchdown while playing out of position late in the first quarter. After lining up as a tight end and being left wide open, he caught a two-yard pass from Glenn. But thanks to Shaws two field goals in the second quarter, the Eskimos only trailed 17-14 at half-time. In the third quarter, Aaron Grymes intercepted Glenns pass intended for Shawn Gore deep in the end zone and then McCoils pick-off sparked the decisive drive that was aided by the successful fake field-goal. In crouch position, holder Matt Nichols, Edmontons backup quarterback, flipped a three-yard pass to McCarty, who helped the Eskimos convert a short-yardage situation. The trickery led to Reillys 17-yard pass to a wide-open Stamps in the corner of the B.C. end zone that, combined with Shaws convert on the final play of the third quarter, gave the Eskimos their first lead of the game, 20-17, and put them ahead to stay with 15 minutes remaining. McCarty, who grew up in nearby New Westminster, B.C., could not remember the last time he completed a fake field goal. "I dont think Ive run one since Ive been here," said McCarty, who is in the eighth year with the Eskimos. After Stamps touchdown, Pat Watkins recovered Edmontons onside kick. The Eskimos did not score on the ensuring offensive sequence. But on their next drive, Bowman hauled in a 35-yard touchdown pass. Edmonton then ended B.C.s victory hopes with back-to-back sacks by Almondo Sewell, which forced a punt, and an interception and forced fumble, both by Eric Samuels, that snuffed the hosts late comeback hopes. "Its a big win for us and a good way to start the season," said McCarty. Notes: A moment of silence was held before the game for the three RCMP officers slain in New Brunswick earlier this month. … Former B.C. centre Angus Reid, who retired after a back injury kept him out of the entire 2013 season, conducted the coin toss. … Lions DB Dante Marsh played his 170th CFL career regular-season game. He has spent his entire career with B.C. … The Lions have 19 new players, including 14 first-year CFLers and five veterans. … After Harris scored the games first touchdown, the public address announcer saluted former Vancouver Canuck Gino Odjick, who is suffering from a terminal disease that affects his heart. The crowd chanted "Gino! Gino!" in tribute. ' ' '