BOSTON -- Its the final day of one of the biggest Dota 2 events in the world. Thousands are in and out of the corridors of the Wang Theatre at the Boch Center in downtown Boston as upsets brew, thanks to a rally behind Greek team Ad Finem. But behind the scenes, Alex Machine Richardson, an esports host and commentator, is doing his best to direct the desk at his first Dota 2 event.Hes new to Dota 2 hosting, but after making a name for himself in Counter-Strike and Call of Duty, Machine would make you think differently. He has the sign of a good esports host -- of which the ability to switch games is extremely important. He says he had a blast hosting in Boston last weekend, despite it being his first outing in Dota 2.I had zero expectations. I had no idea what to expect, he said to ESPN. I didnt know how the talent would receive me, the community, the fans. Myself, I didnt know if Id enjoy the game; I certainly do [now]. Its been really cool, its been wonderful actually.Machine has experienced some of the biggest esports events, which helps counterbalance his lack of experience in Dota 2.I got to experience Call of Duty XP, which is a huge Call of Duty event. I got to experience the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive majors, the pinnacle of Counter-Strike. And now Im sitting here at the Boston Major ... Im living that story, Im telling that story, Im a very fortunate person, Machine said.Throughout his career, and in 2016 specifically, Machine has gained popularity. After working for ESL for the past few years, the British host left to become a freelancer in November, something many of his peers, such as Paul Redeye Chaloner, Anders Blume and Auguste Semmler Massonnat, have done successfully. For many in other fields, freelancing seems like a step down, but for esports hosts and commentators, it allows them to write the story of their career in a more hands-on environment.Ive been a freelancer since November, just over 40 days of freelance, and its already been completely eye-opening, Machine said. Its very fun to be my own boss. I like that people are coming to me directly; thats quite a new feeling to me. I would say Ive enjoyed time at home, but Ive nearly paid four months rent now in London and Ive lived there for six days, so thats not great. But Im traveling the world, talking about games, so what am I complaining about? Its been really good, but Im taking a break after this.His job at the Boston Major wasnt expected by fans of Dota 2. Redeye, for his part, has become one of the most well-known hosts -- running the desk at The International and other recent majors. Machine says his new role was something Valve, Dota 2s developer, made happen.You know if youve played any Valve games, they just like to throw a change and see how its received; Counter-Strike patches and its happened in Dota as well. I think thats what theyre doing here. They wanted to give me a shot. ... And I said, Sure, Ill give it my best shot. And it seems to have gone OK, Machine said.But as he moves into a new game, Machine says hes content with his current slate of games but would never shoot down an opportunity if it presented itself.I have evidently got a set of games that Im personally comfortable with; Dotas becoming one of them where I can feel I can really put on a show in hosting, he said. I dont think Im necessarily looking for another game right now, but I would never turn down or not consider it. I play everything, thats the problem. Im not just a one-gamer.Outside of his hosting ability, Machine and his freelance casting peers recently did stunts for charity at the ESL Pro League finals in October. There, the team of casters -- Semmler, Anders, Machine and James Moses OToole -- did a Movember charity, casually sporting mustaches with crazy donation goals. The experience ended with the group raising over ￡20,000 in a day. Machine, as a donation goal, got a Brazilian wax.I was the butt of almost all of the jokes of the [Counter-Strike casters] Movember fundraiser, Machine said. We did all of these donation goals and it was brilliant. ... We didnt expect that, hence why I was like Ill get a Brazilian wax. It still hurts.NHL Jerseys From China . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. 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Andrew Wiggins made 10-of-12 from the foul line and scored 17 for Kansas (14-4, 5-0 Big 12), which capped a stretch of four straight games against ranked opponents unscathed.ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Anaheim Ducks seek to maintain their share of first place in the Pacific Division when they meet another surging team, the New Jersey Devils, on Thursday night at the Honda Center.The Ducks joined the Edmonton Oilers at the top of the division by beating them 4-1 on Tuesday night, with goaltender John Gibson making a season-high 33 saves. While the Devils and Ducks face each other, the Oilers play the slumping Los Angeles Kings, whove lost four in a row.Anaheim earned its fourth victory in six games Tuesday night after starting the season by securing only one point while losing its first four games. In their past 13 games, the Ducks have compiled a 8-3-2 record. During that spurt, right winger Corey Perry amassed 10 points in eight games while center Ryan Kesler scored five goals in his past five contests and six goals this month.Were just finding different ways to win, Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler said. Some nights, its our defense not giving up too many opportunities to the other team. Other nights, its been our special teams and power play. Tonight, it was goaltending and scoring at the right times.Wed like to play a little more consistent but were slowly finding our way as a team.Defenseman Josh Manson said he believes the Ducks need to make progress during this five-game homestand, the first of two this season.You want to be a force in your own building, Manson told the Orange County Register. You want teams to come in and realize what theyre coming into and know that its going to be a tough night and know that its going to be no ffun.dddddddddddd I think thats something were going to work towards here on this homestand.The Devils come to Anaheim with a five-game winning streak, their longest since February 2013. Traditionally strong defensively, the Devils rank second in fewest goals allowed with 31, and fewest goals conceded per game with 2.07.When you win games, the players have to have a certain work ethic, New Jersey coach John Hynes told NHL.com. They have to make smart plays. They have to make the right decisions and they have to play consistently, and I think weve been fortunate enough to be able to do that.That approach enabled the Devils to earn a 2-1 overtime victory Tuesday night in Dallas against the Stars.Were a blue collar team, right winger Kyle Palmieri told the Bergen Record afterward. Were a team that plays a pretty good structured defensive game, but I think tonight we were on our toes all night and attacking and getting chances.However, the Devils will have to play without left winger Taylor Hall, who shares the team lead with five goals and 12 points. Hall, who turned 25 on Monday, underwent knee surgery Wednesday for a torn left meniscus and is expected to be out 3-to-4 weeks. Hall was Edmontons selection as the first overall choice in the 2010 draft but the Oilers traded him to New Jersey in June for defenseman Adam Larsson.Halls absence hurts a power play that has failed to convert its last 21 opportunities over the past six games. ' ' '