Toronto Maple Leafs forward Carter Ashton has been suspended 20 games for violating the NHLs performance-enhancing substance policy. The suspension is accompanied by mandatory referral to the NHL/NHLPA Program for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health for evaluation and possible treatment, per an NHL release. Ashton will forfeit $169,185 during the suspension. The 23-year-old Ashton released a statement regarding the suspension, claiming he suffered an asthmatic spasm in late August during summer training and was given an inhaler by another player. Ashton kept the inhaler and used it a second time early in training camp after another asthma attack. Unfortunately, I incorrectly assumed that there were no problems associated with the use of this inhaler and I used it without checking to see whether its contents were permissible under the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program, Ashton said in his statement. I now recognize that I ingested Clenbuterol, a prohibited substance, through the inhaler. However, at no time was I seeking to gain an athletic advantage or to knowingly violate the terms of the program. I used the inhaler in response to exercise-induced asthma, a condition that my doctor with the Toronto Maple Leafs has since diagnosed and he has prescribed me with an inhaler. Ashton has been held pointless in three games with the Maple Leafs this season, spending the majority of the season to-date in the Leafs press box. As a professional hockey player, I recognize that I am responsible for what I put into my body, and I will not appeal my suspension. While I am extremely disappointed that I have let my teammates, our fans and the Maple Leafs organization down, I will work very hard during my suspension to stay in game shape so that I can help out the team when I am able to return.” Team President Brendan Shanahan released a statement Thursday, backing the Leagues decision. He added that no further comments would be made out of respect for Ashton and the process involved. Acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2012 NHL trade deadline, Ashton has spent parts of the past three seasons with the Maple Leafs, registering three assists in 50 games. He was originally selected in the first round (29th overall) by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Swell Bottle Wholesale . Sharper briefly appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court, where his arraignment was postponed until Feb. 20 at the request of his lawyers. They issued a statement saying he would be exonerated. Prosecutors then filed a motion to increase Sharpers bail to $10 million and outlined details of investigations involving him in Las Vegas, Tempe, Ariz. Buy Swell Bottle Australia .J. Barea during a three-game shooting slump that was getting him booed off his home court with regularity. http://www.swellbottlesaleaustralia.com/...collection.html. -- The Seattle Seahawks and wide receiver Sidney Rice have agreed to terms on a deal. Swell Wenge Wood . - Vince Wilfork has played only two career games in Kansas City. Swell Drink Bottles Australia Sale .Hammel pitched inside more and it helped him get into the seventh inning as the Colorado Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 3-2 on Friday night.AUGUSTA, Ga. -- With dad in his ear, Bill Haas turned in the best round of his Masters career Thursday. Now he wants to do what his father never could -- finish the job. Haas birdied the final hole for a 4-under 68 and the opening-round lead, the first time he has broken 70 in five appearances at Augusta National. His father, Jay, played in the Masters 22 times, with five top-10 finishes topped by a tie for third in 1995. He is staying with his son this week and providing valuable advice on the practice range. "I never remember thinking, Man, I wish I could hit this shot for my dad," Bill Haas said. "But I do know that theres times Im like, I wish my dad could hit this shot for me." Jay Haas never won a major despite having plenty of success on the PGA Tour. Maybe his 31-year-old son can take care of that family oversight. "I think he deserves a major in his career as good as he played," Bill Haas said. Defending champion Adam Scott has his major title and got off to a strong start in his quest to stay dressed in green, even with a stumble in Amen Corner. Scott shook off a double-bogey at the par-3 12th, a tiny little hole that caused big trouble for a number of players. His tee shot caught the bank in front of the green and hopped back into Raes Creek. "I had just received the most incredible ovation as I came to the 12th tee -- and I hit my worst shot of the day," Scott said. "I think thats my first-ever trip into Raes Creek." The Aussie bounced back with a birdie at the 14th, rolled in a testy putt to save par at the 18th, and finished with a 69, one shot off the lead. "It was a nice way to walk off, not shooting 70," Scott said. In contrast to Haas, it was the fifth time in his last six Augusta rounds that Scott has cracked the 60s, showing he still has the game to make a run at being the first back-to-back Masters champion since Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002. Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo are the only other repeat champions. If Scott finishes no worse than a tie for third place, he will take over the No. 1 spot in the world rankings for the first time in his career. "In a sense, winning last year took the pressure off," Scott said. "Whats the worst that can happen? Im still a Masters champion." Louis Oosthuizen matched Scott with a 69. The South African knows his way around the majors, winning the British Open at St. Andrews in 2010 and losing a Masters playoff against Bubba Watson two years ago. But expperience isnt everything.dddddddddddd Playing in their first Masters, Jimmy Walker and Kevin Stadler of the U.S. and Swedens Jonas Blixt were among those shooting 70, making their way around the course just fine despite some unfamiliarity with the revered layout. They are among a record two dozen Augusta rookies in the field, which doesnt include four-time winner Woods, out of the game until summer as he recovers from back surgery. The 35-year-old Walker is having a breakout year on the PGA Tour, picking up the first three victories of his career. He kept up his strong play, ripping off a run of four straight birdies starting at the 14th. "I wasnt thinking I was going to make four in a row," Walker said. "But just keep hitting good shots." Gary Woodland and Brandt Snedeker of the U.S. also opened at 70, as did K.J. Choi of South Korea. Stadler is part of the first father-son duo to play the Masters together. His dad, Craig, was the 1982 champion, while Kevin earned a spot in the field with his first PGA Tour victory at Phoenix. The elder Stadler didnt fare nearly as well as his son. Craig opened with an 82 in what he has said will likely be his farewell as a Masters competitor. "I played like a moron," Craig Stadler said. Two players at 71 provided quite a contrast: 54-year-old Fred Couples and 20-year-old Jordan Spieth, who wasnt even born when Couples won his green jacket in 1992. Among those with late tee times: Phil Mickelson, attempting to join Woods and Arnold Palmer with a fourth green jacket. But that bid got off to a rocky start when Lefty shot a triple-bogey 7 at the seventh, his worst score ever at the hole nicknamed "Pampas." Mickelson finished with a pair of 7s on his card for the first time in five years at a major, and his 76 matched the highest opening round at Augusta for the three-time Masters champion. U.S. Open champion Justin Rose shot 40 on the front and scrambled for a 76. Watson was also among the late finishers, charging up the leaderboard with a birdie at the 15th that dropped his score to 3 under. The tournament began with Nicklaus, Palmer and Gary Player hitting ceremonial tee shots on a brisk, sunny morning. The "Big Three" combined to win 13 green jackets, including seven in a row at the start of the 1960s. This Masters is far less predictable. Without Woods or a dominant figure in golf, its seen as the most wide-open tournament in years. Day 1 did nothing to change that perception. ' ' '