COLUMBUS - Though his team would be bested that night in Chicago, Jake Gardiner made sure to learn a thing or two from the defending champs. What emerged most prominently for the 23-year-old Leafs defender was how active his counterparts on the Blackhawks defence were, specifically 2010 Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith. Gardiner had one of his better outings this season against the Ducks on Tuesday night, leading the team with 18-plus minutes at even-strength, an active and engaged presence in both ends for much of a 4-2 victory. "Thats how I want to play every game," he told the Leafs Report. "I thought I was moving my feet more than I have been in the past couple games, joining the rush, helping the offence out. Thats what makes teams like Chicago so good is their D is always active. Thats when Im successful too and it obviously helps the team. I was doing that at the end of the year last year and I tried to replicate that a little bit." Gardiner is still trying to recapture the formula of his rookie season. But in doing so he is also striving to evolve into a more complete defender, mostly at the prodding of head coach Randy Carlyle and the Toronto coaching staff. "I think hes been better than he was at the beginning of the year," said Carlyle, ahead of the teams lone trip to Columbus. "Weve met with Jake on numerous occasions, provided him video, tried to get him an understanding of where we think he can improve." Much of that improvement hinges on the degree to which Gardiner betters himself defensively, positioning and assertiveness ranking high on the list of priorities. Carlyle wants his young defender "not to be in such a hurry to be carrying the puck the full length of the ice" and let the game "develop in front of him". Of the greatest change between playing for Carlyle and former Leaf coach Ron Wilson, who coached him to all-rookie honours two years back, Gardiner says its the aggressiveness demanded of him physically. "I wouldnt say I finished my checks as much as I did two years ago," said Gardiner, averaging nearly 20 minutes this season. "I think I finish them a lot more now and am more aware of where guys are on the ice, especially in the defensive zone. This coaching staff has worked a lot with me and I think thats a big part probably." Gardiner struggled upon returning from a concussion last season, suiting up for only 10 regular season games before emerging as a different defender in the playoffs. Expectations were predictably uncertain for him entering the fall. A mishmash preseason didnt help ease those concerns. "Preseason I probably wasnt doing a great job of it," he said of "finishing checks and holding guys up and stuff. I think Ive gotten better at that for sure." The coaching staff has offered much in the way of instruction, be it on video via the iPad or guidance on the ice at practice. Prior to an outing in Philadelphia earlier this year, head coach and player sat on the bench shortly before puck-drop breaking down film. And after a Thursday workout in Toronto, Gardiner spoke to assistant coach Dave Farrish about his performance. "Its little details in the game where I need to work on," he said, "something maybe Im not aware of but they are." With Paul Ranger occupying the left side - this after a near four-year absence from the NHL - Gardiner is also being asked to play right defence for the first time in his career. Seeing the game from unfamiliar terrain has required an adjustment. "Thats something Ive never really done before," he said. "I think its going to take a little bit to get adjusted to. Im working at it and trying to get accustomed to it." Also worth noting: Ranger represents the eighth different partner Gardiner has played with in the NHL. "Hes not really played the right side a lot," Carlyle said. "But weve decided to put him over there because of his skating ability." Gardiners greatest gift may just be that ability, his ease and effortlessness on skates allowing him to rush the puck up-ice with uncommon composure. Carlyle has given him the green light to go when an opportunity presents itself in such situations. But Gardiner knows that caution must be exercised, turnovers a definite no-no. "I have the freedom to go," he said, "but if I turn it over I think Im going to be in trouble so Ive just got to be aware of that and pick my spots. "If I see an opening I think I should probably take it most times depending on the situation. Randy always focuses on defence first so I cant be too high-risk." While he has shown signs of engaging himself in the offence with more frequency of late, Gardiner has totaled just two assists in the opening 10 games. He led all rookie defenders with 30 points two years earlier. Part of what makes Gardiner such an attractive commodity on the back end is the risk-factor he presents, the unpredictability of his attack often difficult to defend. His potential in that regard was never more pronounced than in the aforementioned postseason, the Minnesota native compiling five points in six games against the Bruins. Hes not at that level yet, but strides are being taken in that direction. "I can always improve," Gardiner said. "I dont think Im at that point yet." Tim Ream Jersey . But its also a smart game. Theres more to the Kings than banging bodies. They take a toll mentally on their opponents. David Bingham USA Jersey .com) - The Minnesota Twins made it official on Wednesday, announcing the signing of outfielder Torii Hunter to a one-year contract. http://www.usasoccerauthority.com/jesse-...z-usa-jersey/.J. Mayo made seven three-pointers and scored 25 points, Ersan Ilyasova added 20, and the Milwaukee Bucks placed seven players in double figures in a 130-110 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers, who lost their 11th straight game on Monday night. Antonee Robinson USA Jersey . Rudy Gay made the tying basket in regulation and a 3-pointer in overtime that gave Sacramento the lead for good, and Fredette scored a career-high 24 points to help the Kings beat the Knicks 106-101 on Wednesday night. Matt Miazga USA Jersey .Y. - Brooklyn Nets centre Brook Lopez has a strained lower back and will miss at least a week.Night falls on the final Saturday of February and Julio Cesar is not starting a game once again. Yet, when he walks out on the field he has a huge smile on his face as he stops to say hello. Julio Cesar is back in his happy place. His new team, Toronto FC, start their pre-season game against Orlando City FC with him on the bench but he knows it is simply a routine night off from the number one spot he recently inherited. It is fitting that he is here in Orlando, in the shadows of Walt Disney World, a place that turns dreams into reality for millions every year. Yet, it was one thing to bring joy to the face of a child when they meet Mickey Mouse; it is quite another to bring together a scenario where the Brazilian number one goalkeeper chooses a Major League Soccer franchise, that has won 17 of their last 102 league matches since 2010, to prepare him for the sports ultimate stage. From the makers of Remember The Titans and Miracle, Disney, we present you with another remarkable sports script, currently taking place in your back garden. "I am really happy here," Cesar told me in an interview before the match. How can he not be? Everyone he left behind in England is sleeping as he trains hard with fellow keeper Joe Bendik before the game. Three weeks ago thats where he was, fast asleep dreaming of getting another chance. At the end of January he lay in his London bed counting down the days to the World Cup and wondering if he would be able to play. The transfer window closed and no offers had come. "The truth is Toronto is the only team that came after me and gave me the chance to sign - I talked with my agent and I said I need to play because I went eight months without playing." Cesar stops and apologies for his difficulty with the English language. "My English is really rubbish - everyone in Brazil keeps joking with me about my English. I try and do my best." The 34-year-old jokes he can speak two-and-a-half languages but as he does he concentrates to find the right words to deliver the important message about a time in his life that was clearly a real challenge. He continues: "For me, it was a tough, tough time, I was very sad in England. My agent talked to me and the deal came together quickly for me to sign with them. I have some friends that live in Toronto and they told me its a good city to live and I know MLS is growing, so I accept quickly. I am really happy - I am so thankful to MLS for this good opportunity to play games before the World Cup and arrive at the World Cup fit." Cesars night ends as it began, as a substitute, but as he leaves the field he is joined by Michael Bradley and Dwayne De Rosario. Cesar to Bradley to De Rosario is a combination coach Ryan Nelsen will lean on a lot this season. They are also big parts of arguably the biggest offseason transformation in MLS history. It could be a Disney fairytale, but this is a box office reality show and with two designated players added to score goals as well, the Reds are the talk of MLS here in Disney. The return of the local star De Rosario? Romantic. The signing of Gilberto, an exciting unknown talent from Brazil? Adventurous. The capture of Jermain Defoe? A blockbuster. Bradley? A real hardcore thriller. Now Cesar as well? Are you following along, Disney? Forget Kevin Spacey and his pals, these five are the Unusual Suspects that no one saw coming, tasked with bringing success to Toronto FC and changing perceeptions of a club that has only known failure.dddddddddddd Time to make a movie poster, Toronto FC fans. On it, Cesar would want to be next to Bradley. He spends a lot of time with teammate Jackson, a fellow Brazilian, who he can easily converse with in Portuguese but he admits the former Roma midfielders knowledge of Italian is a big plus. "Michael is great, I followed him in Italy, in Rome, a good midfielder, and day after day he is teaching me English through Italian." Cesar and Bradley started their TFC journey against Columbus here in Disney last Wednesday. It is not a game he will remember much about, although he is a player who remembers many matches. Interestingly, however, when pressed to name the one he will think about more than most, he chooses a game he lost. "Its Barcelona-Inter Camp Nou semifinal of the Champions League in 2010," Cesar tells me with a smile. "Barcelona were amazing at that moment so to put them out at the semifinal was so gratifying and to play in a Champions League final, for me, is one of the best moments in my career." That 1-0 loss gave 10-man Inter (Thiago Motta was sent off) a 3-2 win on aggregate and was one of the greatest defensive performances in recent history. Not surprisingly, Cesars eyes widen when he thinks back to the dressing room after the match, as he celebrated with so many great professionals like Lucio, Javier Zanetti, Maicon, Samuel Etoo and Wesley Sneijder. "We all started jumping inside the dressing room - led by Materazzi. You know, you cant believe it at the moment if its true or not but the dream came true - it is one of the best memories I have in my mind." The goalkeeper knows many of his best memories are behind him but hopes the best moment of all is still to come. "Im really excited for the World Cup, you know, not just for me but my colleagues on the national team, the supporters as well, it is a big moment for our country. We have the opportunity to make history. I played in 2006, 2010 and this is my last World Cup and its in my country, which is amazing!" Spend a few minutes with Cesar and you begin to realize he is one of those rare footballers who think of himself more as an international than a club player. It is not difficult to understand why, having been left out by QPR all season, yet through that heartache his love affair with his national team grew stronger through a remarkable act of loyalty. An act that is ultimately the reason for him now being with Toronto FC. Back in September, Brazilian manager Luiz Felipe Scolari stated Cesar would definitely be going to the World Cup, regardless of what happened with QPR. "This season when I went to the national team I was smiling again because I had an opportunity to play and thats really important, I owe a lot to Scolari but also (assistant coach and former World Cup winner) Carlos Alberto Parreira as well - they are doing good things for me. When you dont play, the press talk a lot with them because we have good goalkeepers in Brazil but when you dont play and the coach of the national team still wants you it is very special, so I am so thankful to them because they trust me a lot in my job, so I came to Toronto because I need to pay them back." And that is why the goalkeeper, who in fifteen weeks will be on the pitch for Brazil against Croatia in the World Cup opener, is here in Disney. The only thing missing is a film maker. ' ' '