ST. PAUL, Minn. - When the Minnesota Wild hired Mike Yeo as a first-time NHL head coach, he fit their criteria for a bench boss who could develop several top, young players. Yeo has undergone his own growth in that time, too, and the Wild were satisfied enough with the results on both fronts to make another commitment to him. After his three-year contract extension was finalized last weekend, Yeo appeared with general manager Chuck Fletcher at a news conference Friday to discuss the deal and the teams future. The Wild advanced to the second round of the playoffs for only the second time in franchise history, and Fletcher praised Yeos ability to help keep the players on an even keel during some challenging stretches as injuries piled up. "He improved by leaps and bounds, and its not just understanding that you have to make those adjustments. Its the confidence to make them, and the confidence to sell them to your team," Fletcher said, recalling their conversation from last summer about areas where both the Wild and Yeo could improve. In the final year of his contract, Yeo was in a precarious place after a six-game losing streak to finish 2013. But despite notable absences by Mikko Koivu, Zach Parise and the top two goalies, Yeo and his staff not only held together the group but guided a resurgence that transcended the regular season. "Id be hard-pressed to sit here and name one player that wasnt better now than what he was at the beginning of the year," Fletcher said, adding: "The funny thing: At the exact point in the year when you thought wed fall apart, we actually became a team. And theres a lot of work that went into that, and again Mike and his staff deserve a lot of that." Yeo, who will turn 41 next month, has a career record of 104-82-26, plus 7-11 in the playoffs. Though Fletcher waited until June to address his status, Yeo said there was never a point at which he became nervous. Thats a hallmark of his, actually, as evidenced by his demeanour through and triumph over the losing streaks and fluke injuries of the 2013-14 season. Yeo gave four different goalies 10 or more starts each, and the carousel didnt stop spinning once the playoffs came. Darcy Kuemper and Ilya Bryzgalov both took turns, due to injury and performance, but the Wild beat Colorado 4-3 in a first-round thriller and gave Chicago fits until falling 4-2. "The team took on Mikes demeanour, and I think that helped us get through," Fletcher said. "Hey, were down 2-0. No big deal. They come back late and score? No big deal. We just kept finding a way to hang around and hang around until we could put the last shot in the net." Yeo showed a knack as a tactician during those series, too, making plenty of adjustments to his front lines that paid off against a pair of opponents in the Avalanche and Blackhawks that boast a lot of fast, skilled forwards. "The line switches, thats something I tried to make a conscious effort of at the start of the year, not only for me to grow as a coach but also for our team to get more used to it," Yeo said, adding: "But its always the players that make you look smart." Yeo said he didnt feel any more pressure to win this season than in his first one. He also pondered a question about when he felt the Wild truly clicked in the last few months before punting on the answer. "It never really gets to that point," he said, laughing. "I wish it did." Fake Vapormax 95 . -- LaMarcus Aldridge returned to the Trail Blazers lineup, happy to know that things didnt go awry without him. Cheap Vapormax Mens .com) - The Miami Heat will try to close out the Charlotte Bobcats Monday night in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first round series. http://www.clearancevapormax.com/cheap-v...arance.html.com) - Minnesota Vikings fans would surely concede Teddy Bridgewater is not Peyton Manning. Nike Air VaporMax Plus Black Gold . Top-seeded Djokovic, who is making only his second appearance this year after reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, was a 6-3, 6-3 winner over 54th-ranked Istomin of Uzbekistan. "It wasnt as easy as the scoreline indicates," said Djokovic, who has won in Dubai on four occasions. Off White Vapormax Clearance . Arsenal had already scored its goals in the third round fixture when the fierce rivalry turned ugly in the final ten minutes as Walcott was being carried off on a stretcher.The American Association announced today the rosters for the North and South teams for the 2014 Manitoba Liqour & Lotteries All-Star Game. Six Winnipeg Goldeyes have been named to the North team. Position players Luis Alen, Casey Haerther, Tyler Kuhn, Ryan Pineda and Donnie Webb will be joined by pitcher Chris Kissock in the all-star game, which will take place at Shaw Park in downtown Winnipeg on Tuesday, July 29. “Having six of our own players in the game will only add to the excitement surrounding the 2014 Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries All-Star Game and Celebrations,” Goldeyes general manager Andrew Collier said. “All six players are very deserving of the honour and I am sure our fans will enjoy watching them play in the game in our home park.” Alen, 29, has been named the starting catcher for the North team. In his sixth season with the team, hes hitting .307 this season with three home runs and 26 RBI. Haerther, 26, has been named the starting first baseman for North team. He leads the American Association with a .401 batting average and has twice been named the leagues player of the week. He also has seven home runs and 34 RBI this season. Kuhn, 27, has been named the starting shortshop for the North team. Hes tied for second in the American Association with a .358 batting average. He also has three home runs and 30 RBI this season. Pineda, 25, has been selected as the utility player for the North team. Hes hitting ..dddddddddddd.302 with two home runs and 24 RBI this season. Unfortunately, he will not be able to participate in the game due to a broken hand injury he suffered last week. Webb, 28, has been selected as a starting outfielder for North team. Hes batting .279 with six home runs and 28 RBI this season. Hes also tied for first in the American Association with 22 stolen bases. Kissock, 29, is the lone Goldeyes pitcher selected to the North teams pitching staff. Hes made 28 appearances out of the bullpen this season, going 0-2 with a 2.83 ERA and 11 saves. The Goldeyes join the Wichita Wingnuts with six players selected to the game, which is the most of any team. The North team will be comprised of players from the Goldeyes, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Gary SouthShore RailCats, St. Paul Saints, Sioux City Explorers and Sioux Falls Canaries, and Quebec Capitales and Trois-Rivieres Aigles of the Can-Am League. The South team will be comprised of players from the Lincoln Saltdogs, Kansas City T-Bones, Wichita Wingnuts, Grand Prairie AirHogs, Amarillo Sox and Laredo Lemurs, and New Jersey Jackals and Rockland Boulders of the Can-Am League. The all-star celebrations will begin on Monday, July 28 with the fanfest and Recycle Everywhere Skills Competition at Shaw Park. Tuesday, July 29 will feature the BFI All-Star Luncheon with Fergie Jenkins, McDonalds All-Star Skills Camp and 2014 Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries American Association All-Star Game. ' ' '