SASKATOON - Saskatoon Blades captain Brenden Walker and his teammates know their time together is almost up. The 20-year-old overage centre leads a veteran roster at the MasterCard Memorial Cup thats looking to go out on top after a trying season that still has a chance for a happy ending. The host team at the tournament was assembled with the sole purpose of winning the Canadian Hockey League title, but stumbled badly late in the season and was swept in the first round of the Western Hockey League playoffs. After a long break that included mounting criticism, the Blades lost 3-2 in the Memorial Cup opener to the London Knights before bouncing back with a big 5-2 upset win over the No. 1 ranked Halifax Mooseheads on Sunday for their first victory in over two months. Walker says it isnt lost on the players that as many as 18 of them could be participating in their final week of CHL hockey. "Were laying it all out there," Walker said Tuesday. "Theres nothing to rest for so the guys will take a shot in the teeth, whatever it takes." Blades defenceman Duncan Siemens, a first-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche in 2011, says the Memorial Cup brings out the best in players. "Theres not too many things out there that can beat the stage that were on. Its one of the hardest trophies in sports to win," he said. "You see that every night when guys go out there and are diving head first in front of pucks and doing absolutely everything they can to help their team." The 19-year-old Siemens adds that the experience on the Sasktoon roster has helped the team deal with the ups and downs it faced this season. "We do have an older group and for a few of our overagers this is their last kick at the can. I think we all want to do it for each other. Were not really focused on whats gonna come after this," he said. "We feel as a group weve worked extremely hard to this point and it would just be a waste to not put our best foot forward and not play they way were capable of." The Blades have their fate in the own hands ahead of Wednedays final round-robin game against the Portland Winterhawks as both teams sit at 1-1. A Saskatoon victory sends them to Sundays final, while a loss means the Blades will have to play in Thursdays tiebreaker against the London Knights. Overage right-winger Josh Nicholls has three goals and an assist through the Blades first two games at the Memorial Cup. The 21-year-old who is property of the New York Rangers has played in Saskatoon for five seasons and says the Blades understand the enormity of the situation for a team that has had its share of doubters. "We want it to be a special moment for us to all finish our careers together and make it a championship year. At the same time were doing it for all the alumni and the whole city of Saskatoon," Nicholls said. "I think everyone deserves a championship in this city and we feel like were really lucky. "Its a special opportunity to be in this position." Blades head coach and general manager Lorne Molleken made a series of moves that sacrificed the future for the present as the franchise pushed for its first CHL title. Although the season didnt go according to plan, he says theres still an opportunity to make history. "Thats the beauty of team sport. We have a chance to do something extremely special here and our players have laid it on the line for each other. Thats been a big big part of it," Molleken said. "We feel that we have a solid group in that room thats been a good team all year. "Weve faced a lot of different adversities so we have chance here to do something special." Blades left-winger Michael Ferland was acquired from the Brandon Wheat Kings for a first-round pick before the trade deadline to help solidify the roster. He and Walker played in the Memorial Cup with Brandon back in 2010 and says he feels fortunate to get a second chance. "We realize that we dont really get a shot like this very often," said the 21-year-old Ferland, a 2010 fifth-round pick of the Calgary Flames. "We just want to go out on top. "Ive just got to embrace it. Times going by so fast." And while the clock is ticking on this incarnation of the Blades, theyre soaking up the experience that very few players get to experience. "This is something that youll remember for the rest of your life. For most people its a once in a lifetime experience and you want to make the most of it," Siemens said. "Its been the most fun Ive ever had playing hockey. Its an experience that will teach you a lot about yourself and a lot about the group that youre with." Ecco Shoes Clearance Australia . Ashley Youngs cross was inadvertently headed by Chester into his own net in the 66th minute, allowing United to claim a third straight league win. "We had to dig deep with our fighting spirit and weve done that," United striker Wayne Rooney said. Ecco Shoes Sale Clearance Australia . Two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 15 race in an area packed with fans cheering the passing runners. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured, including at least 16 who lost limbs. http://www.wholesaleeccoaustralia.com/ ., for the next three years with the signings on Monday of Daryl Townsend and Michael Carter. Ecco Shoes Australia Sale . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Ecco Shoes On Sale Australia . -- Jimmie Johnson held off a teammate, passed a pair of Hall of Famers, and dominated once more at Dover. RICHMOND, Va. -- JeQuan Lewis admittedly wasnt focused when VCU and Princeton tipped off Tuesday night.Once he locked in, he took off, leading the Rams back from a 16-0 deficit and to an 81-70 victory against the Tigers.I was just being somewhat careless. I started off the game kinda slow. It came off me not being really focused, Lewis said.What caused him to get going?The score, he said.Lewis finished with 25 points and 12 assists, and scored 19 in the first half as the Rams rallied to get to 39-all by halftime.The Rams played without starting point guard Jonathan Williams, forcing Lewis into that spot, and he played 39 minutes.What do you want me to say? VCU coach Will Wade said. I mean, he was huge. He carried us and we had to have him. He was huge. He set the tempo. He set the pace. He made shots.Mo Alie-Cox added 15 points and four blocks, Jordan Burgess scored 12 and freshman Samir Doughty 11 for the Rams (6-1). VCU didnt take the lead for good until Burgess hit a 3-pointer with 4:35 remaining. He scrambled back on defense pumping his fist with the Rams now ahead 67-64, and Doughtys 3 from the top of the key with 4:13 left made it 70-64 and the sellout crowd at the Siegel Center roared.I dont mean to sound cocky. It just felt regular, Burgess said of the 3-pointer. I was open so I just shot the ball.Devin Cannady scored 18 points to lead the Tigers (2-3), who hurt themselves with 15 turnovers by halftime, tying their season high.This game is going to really help us, Tigers coach Mitch Henderson said. Thats a really good team. Might be the best team on our schedule, one of the better teams on our schedule. They made some big plays down the stretch. Lewis is really really tough to guard.Princeton finished with 19 giveaways, leading to 27 points off turnovers foor the Rams.ddddddddddddSpencer Weisz added 14 points and Stephen Cook 10 for Princeton.BIG PICTUREPrinceton: The Tigers have a good blend with five seniors and several underclassmen that play, led by Cannady, a sophomore guard, who provides a solid scoring lift off the bench. They will give better programs fits with grit and toughness, and be a difficult assignment for the teams more at their own level.VCU: The Rams are at their best when they play fast, not only because Lewis plays best at high speed, but because big men Alie-Cox and Justin Tillman can run the floor as well or better than most guys their size, and the more hectic the pace , the more likely the rams are forcing, and feeding off, turnovers.TURNING POINTFour consecutive turnovers by the Tigers late in the first half sparked a 10-0 VCU run that pulled them even for the first time at 37-all. Freshman DeRiente Jenkins had a dunk on a fast break and Alie-Cox followed with a steal near midcourt and a two-handed dunk, bringing the noise in the Siegel Center to deafening level. Lewis followed with a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws to finally tie it.HE SAID ITI thought it would be a very physical game. I mean, Mo Alie-Coxs neck is bigger than some of our guys legs, Henderson said of the Rams 6-foot-7, 250-pound forward who has been watched by some NFL teams interested in him after graduation.UP NEXTPrinceton faces California next Tuesday in Honolulu, HawaiiVCU faces Illinois, its third Power 5 opponent in eight games, in the Miami Hoopball International in Miami.---More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.org---Follow Hank on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hankkurzjr ' ' '