SANTA CLARA, Calif. Brian Elliott Jersey . - From the pick six that closed Candlestick to a pair of goal-line stands in Carolina, it seems like whenever San Francisco needs a big play from its defence one of the 49ers decorated linebackers steps up. With Pro Bowlers NaVorro Bowman, Patrick Willis and Ahmad Brooks playing alongside talented pass rusher Aldon Smith on co-ordinator Vic Fangios defence, the Niners version of the fearsome foursome has played a major part in their advancement to the NFC title game on Sunday night in Seattle. Bowman, Willis, Brooks and Smith have combined for seven sacks, one forced fumble and an interception in road playoff wins in Green Bay and Carolina that set up the showdown with the Seahawks with a spot in the Super Bowl on the line. "We just try to stay together and lead this defence," Bowman said. "We all can do special things that a lot of guys cant do in this league. Vics just done a great job drawing up the right plays and what he wants us to do out there. Were blessed to have all four of us on the same page." What makes this unit so effective is how well they work together. Smith and Brooks are elite pass rushers, able to chase down quarterbacks with their speed and overpower blockers with their strength. Willis and Bowman are the do-everything inside backers, who plug holes against the run, blitz when needed and chase running backs and tight ends in coverage. While Willis came into the year as the most decorated of the bunch as a five-time All-Pro and Smith the most feared with 33 1/2 sacks his first two seasons, it is Bowman who has led the group this season when the Niners needed it most. Smith missed five games to receive substance abuse treatment and Willis showed a few signs of slowing down, turning Bowman into the on-field leader of the group. He was named first-team All-Pro for the third straight season and has been mentioned as a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year after recording a career-high five sacks, two interceptions, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. That earned him the ultimate praise from Willis. "I said, Man, youre having the kind of year that linebackers want to have. I know youre most certainly having the kind of year that I would love to have," Willis said. "Hes my brother. Im always going to be his biggest fan. Hes my teammate. Im just glad to see him do well. When one of us does well, we all do well. Thats how we think as a team." The crowning moment of Bowmans year came in the regular-season home finale against Atlanta. With the 49ers in danger of losing the final scheduled game at Candlestick Park and having their playoff status put in doubt, Bowman delivered one of the most impressive plays of the season. It started with him blitzing up the middle against Matt Ryan. But after getting the centre to commit, Bowman retreated and was in perfect position when Tramaine Brock broke up a slant pass to Harry Douglas. Bowman grabbed the ball out of the air and ran 89 yards for the touchdown that sealed the 34-24 victory and clinched the playoffs for the Niners. "He just comes up big all the time," defensive lineman Ray McDonald said. "Its paying off for him because hes a hard-working guy, hes always on top of his game." Bowman was at it again in Sundays 23-10 win over Carolina, fighting off two blockers before tackling Cam Newton at the 1 late in the second quarter. After a sack by Brooks and another goal-line stop by Bowman, the Panthers had to settle for a field goal. San Francisco drove for the go-ahead score in the closing seconds of the half and never trailed again. That was the second impressive goal-line stand as Brooks stopped Newton on fourth down from the 1 earlier in the second quarter. Back-to-back sacks by Bowman and Brooks knocked the Panthers out of field goal range in the closing minutes of the third quarter in what proved to be their last chance to stay in the game. Throw in an interception earlier in the game by Willis that set up a field goal, and it was a dominating day. "We take pride on keeping teams out of the end zone," Bowman said. "Theyre going to make big plays, theyre NFL players, too. But if we can hold up at the goal line four downs in a row that lets you know were here to play and its going to be a long day." Jaden Schwartz Jersey . Justin Dowling, Travis Morin and Francis Wathier also scored for the Stars (22-10-5), who bypassed Abbotsford for top spot in the West Division, and Mike Hedden tacked on two assists. Defenceman John Ramage was a team-worst minus-4 for the Heat (23-13-2), who dropped their fourth game in a row. Alex Pietrangelo Blues Jersey . - Inbee Park is back defending her No.SOCHI, Russia -- Shea Webers shot left his stick, and by the time it hit the net, Canada was able to exhale. For much of the night, Team Canada forced everyone to hold their collective breath while goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis and Latvia played with house money in the mens Olympic hockey quarter-final. Webers third-period goal was enough to break the tie and help the Canadians escape with a 2-1 victory at Bolshoy Ice Dome on Wednesday. The win gave Canada a spot in semifinals, where it will meet the rival Americans for a berth in the gold-medal game. The United States beat the Czech Republic 5-2 at Shayba Arena to move on. Nerves from the Canadian contingent were palpable throughout the game against Latvia, from the time Lauris Darzins scored in the first period to tie the score until Weber reclaimed the lead with a blast from the point on the power play at 13:06 of the third. Had 11th-seeded Latvia beaten third-seeded Canada, it would have arguably been one of the biggest upsets in the history of Olympic hockey. Instead, Canada was able to survive an unexpected test against a gritty group coached by Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., native Ted Nolan. Latvia was outshot 57-16 overall but managed to hang in the game thanks to 55 saves from Gudlevskis, a prospect in the Tampa Bay Lightning organization. "It can get to you," Canadian forward Patrick Marleau said Canadas struggles to beat Gudlevskis. Patrick Sharp scored Canadas first goal in the first period, and goalie Carey Price made 15 saves. But it was Webers goal through a screen after a give-and-go at the points with Drew Doughty with three seconds left on a power play that made the difference. With puck drop coming just two hours after host Russias tournament ended with a stunning 3-1 loss to Finland, the atmosphere inside Bolshoy was, as Pavel Datsyuk described his emotions, "empty." Previously the home fans filled the arena, chanted "Roos-ee-ah" and at least revelled in rooting against Canada. This time they were more subdued, save for joining in with some "Lat-vee-ah" chants started by a group wearing bright orange. Gudlevskis gave them a chance to cheer with a big save on Jamie Benn two minutes in, and Chris Kunitz a chance to gasp as he hit the crossbar seconds after Sidney Crosby almost scored. But Canadian fans got the first chance to celebrate when the fourth line opened the scoring 13:37 in. Rick ;Nash collected the puck in front of the net, skated behind it just long enough for John Tavares to set a screen and fed Sharp, who hit the open hole perfectly to make it 1-0. Wayne Gretzky Blues Jersey. Not long after, a set neutral-zone play by Latvia led to a breakaway on Price and a tie score. Defenceman Sandis Ozolinsh stepped off the ice and Darzins, a forward who impressed with a pretty toe drag earlier, stepped on just in time for Winnipeg Jets property Arturs Kulda to spring him for a pass. Canadian defencemen Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Pietrangelo got beat clean, and Darzins scored on a back-hander over Prices right pad at 15:41. That was enough to fire up many Russian fans to make this much more like a hostile, road game for Canada. On the ice it felt similar, as Ted Nolans group made the Canadians work for quality scoring chances despite a huge shot discrepancy. Early in the second period it wasnt a shot but a hit that made a huge difference for Canada and the New York Islanders. Kulda hit Tavares hard, and the fourth-line centre went down in a heap in the corner. Tavares was able to skate off under his own power and remained on the bench briefly before going down the tunnel. It was not immediately clear what the injury was. Without Tavares, coach Mike Babcock was forced to shuffle his lines, putting 13th forward Martin St. Louis on right wing with Kunitz and Crosby and sliding Bergeron down to centre the fourth line between Sharp and Nash. Canada continued the siege on Gudlevskis throughout the second period, outshooting Latvia 15-2. But it could not break through. It looked like that run was over 8:27 into the third, but a controversial call kept it 1-1. Jonathan Toews and Marleau got the puck to the goal-line and almost over, but Latvia defenceman Kristaps Sotnieks gloved it to keep it out. The ruling was that the puck did not fully cross the line, and Canada did not get a penalty shot because that cannot be awarded on review. NOTES: Forward Matt Duchene and defenceman P.K. Subban were Canadas healthy scratches vs. Latvia. Babcock said Subban, who appeared in only one of four games, has been "excellent" about handling his role. Duchene tweeted a "best of luck" message to his teammates Wednesday afternoon. ... Former Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators forward Kaspars Daugavins was scratched for Latvia because of an illness. ... The attendance was announced as 9,852. ' ' '
