The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Gov. Pat McCrory frames the debate over North Carolinas law about transgender people and restrooms as one of common sense and safety and privacy. Yet try as he might, he cant shake the narrative from the laws opponents of bigotry and intolerance.The NCAA and Atlantic Coast Conference delivered the latest blows this week, stripping the state of lucrative championships and leaving the Republican with another bruise as he fights for his political life. Entering the final weeks of the nations most closely watched governors race, McCrory is trying to reset the focus for voters.When we were raising the average teacher pay, creating new jobs and cutting taxes, other folks were actually pushing to make our schools allow boys to use the girls locker rooms and showers, McCrory says in a recent television ad. Are we really talking about this?If McCrory wins re-election, it will be in face of some of Americas biggest household names: Apple, Google and Facebook have all come out against the law, while PayPal canceled a planned expansion in McCrorys hometown of Charlotte because of it. The NBA moved its 2017 All-Star game out of Charlotte, and entertainers such as Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and Ringo Starr have canceled shows in North Carolina.Its unclear whether the law is actually costing McCrory supporters, but the economic hits keep playing into the hands of Democratic challenger Attorney General Roy Cooper, who wants the law repealed. Polls have shown McCrory even with or trailing Cooper.This governors election is going to say a lot about our state and who we are, Cooper said this week on a Raleigh sports radio show. I think its time to show the country and the rest of the world who we really are. This is hurting us and its got to stop.The law, known as House Bill 2, was approved by the GOP-led legislature in March in response to Charlottes approval of an anti-discrimination ordinance for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people at hotels, restaurants and retailers. McCrory and lawmakers had sought to counter the actions in Charlotte, where he was mayor for 14 years.The law canceled the ordinance, prevented other local governments from passing similar laws and directed transgender people to use restroom and locker rooms in schools and government buildings corresponding to the sex on their birth certificate.The NCAA and ACC punishments could make it harder for moderate voters McCrory relied on in 2012 to keep supporting him, said Michael Bitzer, a political science professor at Catawba College.The ACC action, coming two days after the NCAA withdrawal, could be more acute. Four North Carolina schools play in the league, headquartered in Greensboro since it was founded in 1953.Its one thing for Bruce Springsteen to pull concerts and for PayPal to pull jobs, Bitzer said, but when youre talking about the heart of a sports conference in a state with such loyalty thats a real punch in the gut about this policy decision, and whos to be held responsible for it.Carter Wrenn, a longtime Republican consultant in North Carolina, said polls hes seen dont make House Bill 2 a cutting issue -- one that makes people change their votes. The public still puts national security, education and the economy ahead of it, Wrenn said.I dont think it is going to influence a lot of votes, Wrenn said.McCrory and his allies blame the Human Rights Campaign, the sports and entertainment elite and Democrats for conspiring to make an example out of North Carolina on LGBT rights. This continued Tuesday when McCrory called the NCAA a multi-billion dollar, tax-exempt monopoly, while criticizing its decision to pull out events.The ACC Council of Presidents followed the NCAAs lead, voting Wednesday to relocate the leagues championships until North Carolina repeals the law. The decision includes 10 neutral site championships this academic school year, which means relocating the ACC football title game that was scheduled to be played in Charlotte in December.The decision to move the neutral site championships out of North Carolina while HB2 remains the law was not an easy one, said Clemson President James Clements, chairman of the leagues council. But it is consistent with the shared values of inclusion and non-discrimination at all our institutions.---Associated Press writer Jonathan Drew in Raleigh, North Carolina, contributed to this report. Colorado Avalanche Shirts . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. Fake Avalanche Jerseys . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. https://www.cheapavalanche.com/ . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Avalanche Jerseys 2021 .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Wholesale Avalanche Jerseys . 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His final scoring pass was an 86-yarder to Darius Pritchett to get the Eagles (2-4, 2-1) within 37-27 with 11: 21 left.Pritchett finished with 185 yards receiving and two scores. Jake Raymond reached 2,556 yards receiving, a school record. ' ' '