SAN ANTONIO -- The Portland Trail Blazers were clearly rattled by the San Antonio Spurs in the opener of the Western Conference semifinals, and they were almost snake bit before Game 2. Everson Griffen Jersey . A baby rattlesnake, estimated at about 3 to 4 feet, was discovered in the teams locker room at the AT&T Center about two hours before the game Thursday. It was found by reserve forward Thomas Robinson, who recoiled a few feet after seeing the snake when he moved a bag from his locker. "I didnt (see it)," Portland coach Terry Stotts said. "They said it was a young one." Young or not, guard Mo Williams tweeted that it was a scary experience. Rattlesnakes are a venomous species that can grow up to 8 feet and weigh more than 10 pounds. It takes its name from a "rattle" at the end of its tail that produces a rattling sound when shaken to warn predators of its presence. It is unknown if the rattlesnake found in the locker room made any noise, but Robinsons cries were enough to alert his teammates of its presence. "Well, its bizarre to have a venomous snake in your locker room," Stotts said. "I dont know if its ever happened before. That sounds like an ABA story." The Spurs have a history in the ABA and also with critters in the AT&T Center. The stadium hosts the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo each February and its grounds are used for livestock shows during the three-week event. Spurs guard Manu Ginobili also swatted down a bat that was flying above the court at the AT&T Center on Nov. 1, 2009. Ginobili had to have rabies shots after striking the bat with his bare hands. Fortunately for the Spurs, Ginobili wasnt needed to corral the snake. "I think some people here (captured it)," Stotts said, smiling. "They have them on hand at the AT&T Center. They have a specialist." It probably wasnt a good omen for Portland, which is seeking to even its series with San Antonio. "Or a good sign," Stotts said. "We survived." The Trail Blazers will gladly accept any good fortune after being walloped in their first second-round appearance in 14 years. San Antonio led by as many as 31 points and never trailed in rolling to a 116-92 victory on Tuesday. Tony Parker had 32 points and nine assists, as many as Portland had as a team, as the Trail Blazers never threatened the defending Western Conference champions. Stotts was asked if he thought someone from the Spurs had planted the snake to rattle his young charges. "Youre the investigative reporter, you figure it out," Stotts said, tongue in cheek. Stotts was then asked if he considered returning the favour and planting the snake in San Antonios locker room. "That thing, its like Fort Knox over there. You cant get in," he said. Well, the room with officials Joe Crawford, Bill Spooner, Derrick Stafford and Sean Wright is only about 50 feet away from the Blazers locker room. "And I cant comment on the officials," Stotts said, laughing. Roc Thomas Jersey . "We were left with the overall impression that the team wasnt trending toward being able to compete for a Stanley Cup," Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said in a news conference at the clubs arena. "And that was just a clear signal and why it was time to make those changes. Anthony Barr Jersey . - Zac Leslie scored two goals and assisted on two more, and Justin Nichols made 34 saves as the Guelph Storm blanked the Kitchener Rangers 6-0 in Ontario Hockey League action on Sunday. http://www.cheapvikingsjerseyssale.com/?tag=chris-doleman-jersey-sale . -- A 25-year-old freelance journalist from British Columbia was formally charged on Thursday with a felony, five days after she was arrested in the United States over allegations she threatened to kill her hockey player boyfriend.(SportsNetwork.com) - For a while the Pittsburgh Penguins seemed unfazed by the rash of injuries and illnesses which have beset the club so far this season. However, the hobbled Penguins will try to halt their longest losing streak in nearly three years when they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. Pittsburgh has lost four straight, including the last three in regulation, to post the franchises longest losing streak since a six-game slide from Dec. 29, 2011-Jan. 11, 2012. The Pens have scored a total of seven goals during the 0-3-1 stretch and only managed one goal over the last two outings. Help could be on the way for the Penguins tonight, however, with the potential return of a few players who have recently missed time. Forwards Craig Adams and Beau Bennett and defenseman Christian Ehrhoff are all questionable for tonight after practicing with the team on Tuesday. Adams (undisclosed) and Ehrhoff (lower body) have each missed the last five games, while Bennett has sat out the last 15 tilts with a lower-body issue. Backup goaltender Thomas Greiss, who is one of several Pittsburgh players to contract the mumps this season, also expects to suit up for tonights game after Jeff Zatkoff was sent down to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL on Tuesday morning. Defenseman Paul Martin also skated at Tuesdays practice, but he wont play tonight. I dont know what everyones timeline is, but its nice to see guys back in practice, Pens captain Sidney Crosby told his teams website. But regardless of how many guys and when, you still have to make sure youre playing the right way so when guys do come back, its an easier adjustment for them and youre on the right track. Crosby scored the lone goal for Pittsburgh in its most recent outing, a 3-1 setback Monday in New Jersey. His 11th marker of the season gavee the Pens a 1-0 lead with 5:23 left in the first, but the Devils took control of the game with a two-goal second period. Adam Thielen Jersey. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 24-of-27 shots and is expected to start again tonight. He is 12-8-2 with a 2.71 goals against average in his career against the Hurricanes. Carolina, which is second from the bottom in the overall NHL standings, is hoping to take advantage of the Penguins recent struggles tonight when the Hurricanes aim to close December with just their fourth victory of the month. The Canes are 3-9-1 in December and have lost two straight and 10 of their last 12 games. The clubs latest setback came Monday against visiting Montreal, which notched a 3-1 win to spoil the season debut of Jordan Staal. Staal, a former Penguins centerman, played in his first game of the season and was credited with an assist on his brother Erics power-play goal early in the third period. However, that was all the offense Carolina could muster, as the Hurricanes were held to less than two goals for the ninth time in 12 games. Cam Ward only made 16 saves to take the loss in a game that saw the Hurricanes hold a 29-19 edge in shots. We had our chances, we just couldnt put them home, Carolina forward Riley Nash said. Ward, who is 13-6-3 with a 2.38 GAA in his career against Pittsburgh, will start again tonight. Pittsburgh is beginning a four-game homestand tonight, and although the club boasts a 13-5-1 record at Consol Energy Center this season, the Pens have lost their last two home games against Carolina. The home skid includes a 4-2 Hurricanes victory in the Steel City on Nov. 28. That triumph is one of just four road wins this season for Carolina, which is 4-14-2 as the guest. The Pens have won six of the past eight overall meetings against the Panthers. Cheap Adidas Hockey Jerseys Wholesale College Jerseys Cheap Nike Basketball Jerseys Cheap Football Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Baseball Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Jerseys From China Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Nike NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Soccer Jerseys China Cheap NCAA Jerseys China Stitched NFL Jerseys Cheap Custom Jerseys China Cheap Basketball Jerseys Authentic NFL Jerseys China Cheap College Jerseys Wholesale Football Jerseys ' ' '