Hey, Morgan Rielly, do you wonder what in the world you and the Maple Leafs must do to win an elimination game?
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Maple Leafs heading back to Tampa after Game 5 loss ‘with a mission,’ Morgan Rielly says
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The Justin Holl-Mark Giordano pairing was on for three even-strength Lightning goals, with Mikey Eyssimont skirting past Holl and fooling Ilya Samsonov for a soul damaging go-ahead marker.
Had Mitch Marner buried his third-period breakaway, the game would’ve been tied before Nick Paul made it 3-1. But that save underlined Andrei Vasilevskiy showing critics that his .856 save percentage heading into Game 5 was an aberration, standing his ground for a blocker save.
Three-time Stanley Cup finalist Tampa goes home with renewed life while replanting the seed of doubt in Leafs Nation.
“We didn’t expect them to roll over and now it’s important for our group to go on the road with a mission.”
After 19 years of hearing about their opening-round futility, 11 in all going back to 2013, two more days of negativity won’t matter. But now they’ll have to address that at Amalie, where they already tested the hockey gods with overtime comebacks in Games 3 and 4.
It’s also rare for a team in any sport to grab three road games en route to winning a playoff series. For the Leafs, that hasn’t happened since 1951 in the semifinals against Boston.
CASTING A PAUL
Thursday was eerily similar to Game 7 last year, after Toronto had let a one-goal lead slip away in Game 6, came home and fell 2-1. Rielly also scored in that game, the Leafs failed to capitalize and third-liner Paul had a pair, including the winner.
“He lives 20 minutes down the road (in Mississauga) so he must feel at home here,” said coach Jon Cooper. “It was documented Paulie hadn’t scored in a while, him and Alex Killorn. So in the last couple of games (for both to get on the board), it’s depth scoring and both teams have that in this series.”
Eyssimont, with a goal and assist, replaced tough lug Tanner Jeannot after the former missed three games following Jake McCabe’s staggering hit.
“You don’t go through a playoff series using just 20 guys,” Cooper said.
OLD GUARD HANGS IN
Cooper’s faith in Vasilevskiy and indeed all his Cup veterans was rewarded.
“I said at the beginning of the series, don’t ever bet against the guys, not that group. We’ve won one game (Thursday) and have so far to go. But to come into this phenomenal environment (almost 20,000 towel waving fans and the surrounding area a sea of blue) and play the way we did … we’re going back and that’s exciting for us.
“They dug their heels in tonight and who really did it for us was the goalie. His name has come up for various reasons the last couple of days.”
SUNSHINE SAMMY
Samsonov faced the cameras for the first time in a few days after the Leafs hid him, but he gave the same candid commentary as he has all this season and wasn’t sullen about where the team finds itself after missing another chance to clinch.
“It’s OK so far, but we’ll see the next game, try and forget about today. Every game is tight. Emotions are up and down, that’s why everyone loves playoffs, yes?”
He ended by thanking the media mob and gave a cheery: “See you in Tampa.”
GAME ON
Marner, Rielly and Matthews all said they didn’t get a good look at Pat Maroon’s second-period buzzer-beater belt into the glass on Giordano. He was down and out until coming back in the first few minutes in the third. But the Leafs did little with the roughing minor power play that followed … Also making a comeback from sick bay was Matthew Knies after a Darren Raddysh drive caught him on an exposed part of the knee. He’d assisted on Rielly’s goal … Noel Acciari led the Leafs with nine hits, but McCabe sent a couple of Bolts to the ice with shoulder checks … Ryan O’Reilly was the only Leaf without a hit … Rielly blocked six shots … After his well-placed overtime tip goal in Game 4, Kerfoot fired the puck over the glass with nobody near him in the second period, but Toronto survived the Tampa power play … Matthews had the third Leafs 6-on-5 goal through five games, compared to three in all other series. He also broke a tie with Lanny McDonald and Dave Andreychuk for 12th place in franchise playoff goals with 21.
MARLIES WIN
Joseph Blandisi’s overtime goal gave the Toronto Marlies a 6-5 win over Utica in Game 1 of their best-of-five AHL second-round playoff series Thursday at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
Logan Shaw scored two, Pontus Holmberg, Topi Niemela and Semyon Der-Arguchintsev one each. With Erik Kallgren helping the Leafs’ practice squad, Keith Petruzzelli made 40 saves for the win.
QUOTABLE
“Another great third period. We just have to make sure we start like that. We don’t quit in here.” — Marner on what’s to come in Game 6.
“It’s the year of the road team.” — Cooper on the Leafs and Bolts following the league trend of success away from home.
“We let him see pucks. It’s a step in the right direction.” — Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman on Vasilevskiy’s play.
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Sports
2023 Canadian Open: Live stream, watch online, TV schedule, channel, tee times, radio, golf coverage – CBS Sports
One last tune up for the U.S. Open takes place this week at the 2023 Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto, Ontario. The third-oldest running tournament on the PGA Tour schedule behind just the U.S. Open and The Open, the Canadian Open will feature a stout field as players look to find their footing ahead of the third major championship of the season.
The field is headlined by world No. 3 Rory McIlroy, who looks to pull off a rare three-peat. A seven-stroke winner at the 2019 Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club, the Northern Irishman successfully defended his title three years later (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) at St. George’s Golf & Country Club. If he is to win this week, McIlroy will have claimed three Canadian Open titles on three different golf courses spanning five years.
Looking to get in McIlroy’s way is reigning U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick. Set to defend his title next week at Los Angeles Country Club, the Englishman has his sights on claiming his second victory of the season — as does his fellow countryman Justin Rose. The English contingent is rounded out by Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood, both of whom appear keen on breaking a winless drought on the PGA Tour.
Cameron Young hopes to find some form following a pair of missed cuts, as does Sam Burns. Shane Lowry and Sahith Theegala are eager at the prospect of raising the trophy, while Canadians Corey Conners, Nick Taylor, Adam Hadwin and many more look to put together a memorable performance in front of their very own.
All times Eastern; streaming start times approximated
Round 3 – Saturday
Round starts: 9:15 a.m.
PGA Tour Live: 9:15 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. — PGA Tour Live
Early TV coverage: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. on Golf Channel
Live TV coverage: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on CBS
Live simulcast: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App
Radio: 2 – 7:30 p.m. — PGA Tour Radio
Round 4 – Sunday
Round starts: 8:15 a.m.
PGA Tour Live: 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. — PGA Tour Live
Early TV coverage: 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. on Golf Channel
Live TV coverage: 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. on CBS
Live simulcast: 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. on CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App
Radio: 1 – 6:30 p.m. — PGA Tour Radio
SUNRISE, Fla. — Before Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe were the late-game heroes for the Florida Panthers, Sergei Bobrovsky was back to doing what he did best.
The Panthers goalie rebounded from being pulled in his previous start to make 25 saves in in a 3-2 overtime victory against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final at FLA Live Arena on Thursday.
Florida still trails 2-1 in the best-of-7 series, with Game 4 here Saturday (8 p.m. ET; TNT, TBS, truTV, CBC, SN, TVAS), but has life now after rallying from 2-1 deficit with Tkachuk scoring the tying goal with 2:13 left in the third period and Verhaeghe scoring the winner 4:27 into overtime. But the Panthers wouldn’t have been in position to pull out the first Stanley Cup Final victory in their history without Bobrovsky.
He was at his best in the second period, stopping 12 of the 13 shots he faced to prevent Vegas from building more than a one-goal lead.
“I can’t even count how many huge saves he made tonight,” Verhaeghe said. “Probably at least 10.”
[RELATED: Complete Stanley Cup Final coverage]
Panthers coach Paul Maurice scoffed Wednesday at the suggestion that Bobrovsky might not start Game 3 after he was pulled in the second period of a 7-2 loss in Game 2 on Monday after allowing four goals on 13 shots. So, Maurice couldn’t resist asking the media postgame Thursday, “You want to ask who’s starting next game?”
Bobrovsky didn’t seem bothered that he was pulled in Game 2, saying, “It is what it is.”
“I only can control the things that I can control,” Bobrovsky said. “You try to give your best and sometimes it’s happening, so it’s OK. As long as you stay mentally [focused] and the series goes on, and tonight is a big win for us.”
Video: VGK@FLA, Gm3: Bobrovsky stops Theodore and Howden
Still, Bobrovsky wasn’t the same goalie in the first two games against Vegas as he had been in the second and third rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes, when he was 8-1 with a 1.51 goals-against average, .954 save percentage and one shutout.
Vegas utilized screens in front and took advantage of Florida’s defensive breakdowns on rush chances to score eight times on 46 shots on Bobrovsky in the first two games. It helped that Florida played with better defensive structure in front of Bobrovsky on Thursday, but he also elevated his play to make big saves at key moments.
Among them was a glove save on defenseman Nicolas Hague‘s open shot from the left circle at 4:05 of the second period and a right pad stop on Jonathan Marchessault‘s shot from the left circle at 5:49 of the second to keep the score tied 1-1.
“He’s been doing it for us all year and especially the last couple weeks,” Panthers forward Sam Reinhart said. “When we’re in lanes, we’re kind of back defensively collapsing, it makes it a little bit easier on him and he’s been making the spectacular saves at the right time, and that’s what you need at this time of year.”
“Every game he’s giving us a chance to win the game,” Panthers center Aleksander Barkov said. “And today, no different. He was incredible for us. Made some unreal saves in literally every period. He gave us the chance to win, and we used that chance.”
Video: Panthers earn comeback OT victory in Game 3 of SCF
Bobrovsky said he didn’t feel that different than he did in Game 2.
“I felt pretty comfortable last game too, but I feel good tonight as well,” he said.
Instead, he credited his teammates for the way they played in front of him.
“This game, the coaches gave us a pretty clear plan, and I thought the guys were executing it unbelievably tonight,” Bobrovsky said. “We defended very well. We didn’t give much space or room for them, or time, so that’s a big win for us.”
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Reliever Anthony Bass has been designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays.
It’s the latest development in a controversy that began last week when Bass shared a social media post that supported anti-LGBTQ boycotts.
Bass, who made a public apology last week for the post, had been scheduled to catch the ceremonial first pitch by LGBTQ advocate leZlie Lee Kam when the Jays hosted Minnesota on Friday night to kick off their Pride Weekend.
The Blue Jays said pitcher Kevin Gausman would catch the first pitch instead.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Bass has been designated for assignment amid backlash after he shared a social media post that supported anti-LGBTQ boycotts. The ‘distraction’ of the controversy was a factor in the decision, GM Ross Atkins and manager John Schneider told media.
The decision to include Bass was met with criticism by some on social media.
Bass has a 0-0 record and 4.95 earned-run average over 22 appearances this season.
Toronto called up right-hander Mitch White in a corresponding roster move.
Bass had shared a since-deleted video post urging others to spurn Target and Bud Light over the support they showed for the LGBTQ community.
The right-hander, who was booed by Blue Jays fans in his first appearance following his post and initial brief apology, said Thursday he was “in a better place moving forward” after a recent meeting with Pride Toronto executive director Sherwin Modeste at Rogers Centre.
He said in a scrum that he initially did not think the video post — which described the selling of Pride-themed merchandise as “evil” and “demonic” — was hateful.
“That’s why I posted it originally,” he said. “When I look back at it, I can see how people can view it that way and that’s why I was apologetic.”
Anthony Bass, a relief pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays, apologized to the LGBTQ community for his ‘hurtful’ post and said he is working with resources from the organization to better educate himself.
‘Baseball decision’
Before Friday’s game, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said the decision to cut Bass was primarily motivated by performance and not by the pitcher’s off-the-field circumstances.
“There’s a myriad of variables,” Atkins said. “Performance is usually the driving one and performance was a large aspect of this decision. Distraction was a small part of it and something we had to factor in.”
Atkins refused to say whether Bass would still be on the team if his performance had been better.
“We’re trying to build the best possible team we can build,” Atkins said. “This was a baseball decision to make our team better.”
Atkins also said it was not “a realistic option” for Bass to land in Toronto’s minor league system.
“We won’t stand in his way to be with another organization,” Atkins said.
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