Sports

Francouz using virtual reality to stay sharp for Avalanche during pause – NHL.com

Published

5 years ago

April 10, 2020

Pavel Francouz is using virtual reality to stay sharp with the NHL season paused due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.

“It is tough to stay in a good shape at home, not being on the ice,” the Colorado Avalanche goalie said from his home in Pilsen, Czech Republic, on Friday. “Catching pucks on the ice is a physical activity that is hard to substitute. But I am trying to work on the mental side of things with a different set of tools. I have some computer trainings where you can simulate pressure and quick decision-making.”

By using modern technology, Francouz is making sure his reactions and reflexes remain intact for when he returns to the ice.

“One part of the training is just on a regular computer, the other one is in virtual reality,” he said. “It is not directly connected to hockey, being more of a brain training where you have to evaluate different situations really quickly. That should simulate mental tensions like the ones that you have in goal during games.”

Virtual reality is a tool on a rise in sports training, being used by NFL teams or players and promoted by former quarterback Trent Edwards. It has not been used by every team, but some hockey players and goalies have added it to their practice routines. For Francouz, putting on special glasses and headphones is a good option during the pause, which began March 12.

“One such practice unit is that you look at different shapes, blinking several ways and as quickly as possible you have to choose one of the rankings options that is correct,” Francouz said. “So you have to use your memory and quick decisions at the same time.

“Then there are different games. Like when you have a bat in your hand and there are four spots from which a ball can get to you. The ball is slowing down, speeding up … and one teammate is showing up. So you have to hit the ball that gets to you from different spots and send it to the place where the teammate showed up. This has all been made to model sport situations for your brain. And it really is able to stimulate your brain, so I think it is really helpful.”

Video: COL@ANA: Francouz boosts Avs with first NHL shutout

After Philipp Grubauer sustained a lower-body injury on Feb. 15, Francouz started 12 of the 13 games for the Avalanche before the pause and was 8-2-2 with a 2.37 goals-against average and .919 save percentage. In his first full NHL season, Francouz is 21-7-4 with a 2.41 GAA, .923 save percentage and one shutout in 36 games (31 starts).

Francouz, who could have become an unrestricted free agent after the season, signed a two-year contract with Colorado on Feb. 21. The 29-year-old is a big reason the Avalanche (42-20-8) are in second place in the Central Division, two points behind the St. Louis Blues.

“I would like to get on the ice as soon as possible,” Francouz said. “It has been about a month [since] I had my skates on the last time. I have an exercise bike at home, trying to do all those things I said to be ready mentally and physically. I hope I will be ready. And when we come back, I want to prove that [the Avalanche] made no mistake when they gave me a new contract.

“The whole team and I were in a good [rhythm]. Obviously, we are disappointed that [the season is paused]. But we have to make sure everyone is safe and healthy and do all we can to be ready.”

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Sports betting roundup: NFL and college football were all about the favourites

Published

20 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Anne Joseph

The past weekend of football was all about the favourites.

The favoured teams went 13-1 straight up and 10-4 against the spread in the NFL. In college football, the three most teams bet at the BetMGM Sportsbook in terms of number of bets and money all won and covered. All three were favourites.

Trends of the Week

The three most bet college teams that won and covered on Saturday were Ohio State (-3.5) vs. Penn State, Indiana (-7.5) at Michigan State and Oregon (-14.5) at Michigan. Penn State has now lost seven straight home games as underdogs. The Nittany Lions were up 10-0 in the first quarter and were 3.5-point favourites at the time. The Buckeyes won 17-10.

In the NFL, the three most bet teams in terms of number of bets and money were the Washington Commanders (-4) at the New York Giants, the Detroit Lions (-2.5) at the Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills (-6) vs. the Miami Dolphins. All three teams won, but only two of the three covered the spread as Buffalo beat Miami 30-27.

When it came to the players with the most bets to score a touchdown on Sunday, only two of the five reached the end zone — Chase Brown (-125) and Taysom Hill (+185). David Montgomery (-140), Brian Robinson Jr. (+110) and AJ Barner (+500) did not score.

Upsets of the Week

The biggest upset in the NFL was the Carolina Panthers coming from behind to beat the New Orleans Saints 23-22. New Orleans closed as a 7-point favourite and took in 76% of the bets and 79% of the money in against-the-spread betting. The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen following the loss. They have now lost seven straight games after starting the year 2-0.

Arguably the biggest upset in college football was South Carolina beating No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20 at home. Texas A&M closed as a 2.5-point favourite and took in 59% of the bets and 58% of the money.

Coming up

Right after the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees to win the World Series, odds for the 2025 World Series were released.

The Dodgers have the best odds at +400, while the Atlanta Braves and Yankees are next at +800.

The Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies round out the top five, both at +1100.

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This column was provided to The Associated Press by BetMGM online sportsbook.

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Longtime rivals Ovechkin, Crosby join Necas as NHL’s three stars of the week

Published

20 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Anne Joseph

NEW YORK – Washington Capitals left-wing Alex Ovechkin, Carolina Hurricanes centre Martin Necas and Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week.

Ovechkin had a league-leading five goals and nine points in four games.

The 39-year-old Capitals captain has 14 points in 11 games this season, and his 860 career goals are just 34 shy of Wayne Gretzky’s record.

Necas shared the league lead with nine points (three goals, six assists) in three games.

Crosby factored on seven of the Penguins’ eight total goals scoring four goals and adding three assists in three appearances. The 37-year-old Penguins captain leads his team with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 13 games this season.

Crosby and Ovechkin, longtime rivals since entering the league together in 2005-06, will meet for the 70th time in the regular season and 95th time overall when Pittsburgh visits Washington on Friday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2024.

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Oliveira, Mitchell named as finalists for CFL outstanding player award

Published

5 days ago

October 31, 2024

Anne Joseph

TORONTO – Running back Brady Oliveira of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell are the finalists for the CFL’s outstanding player award.

Oliveira led the CFL in rushing this season with 1,353 yards while Mitchell was the league leader in passing yards (5,451) and touchdowns (32).

Oliveira is also the West Division finalist for the CFL’s top Canadian award, the second straight year he’s been nominated for both.

Oliveira was the CFL’s outstanding Canadian in 2023 and the runner-up to Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for outstanding player.

Defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund of the Montreal Alouettes is the East Division’s top Canadian nominee.

Voting for the awards is conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and the nine CFL head coaches.

The other award finalists include: defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal linebacker Tyrice Beverette (outstanding defensive player); Saskatchewan’s Logan Ferland and Toronto’s Ryan Hunter (outstanding lineman); B.C. Lions kicker Sean Whyte and Toronto returner Janarion Grant (special teams); and Edmonton Elks linebacker Nick Anderson and Hamilton receiver Shemar Bridges (outstanding rookie).

The coach of the year finalists are Saskatchewan’s Corey Mace and Montreal’s Jason Maas.

The CFL will honour its top individual performers Nov. 14 in Vancouver.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31.

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