Sports

NHL players mixed on how to restart season following pause – NHL.com

Published

5 years ago

March 26, 2020

Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin would want integrity and fairness for the rest of the NHL season if it’s able to resume.

But the captains of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals have a biased opinion of what the NHL should do if and when the pause in the season due to the coronavirus ends.

“You try to get in as many games as you can, I think, but I wouldn’t mind starting right at the playoffs,” Crosby, the Penguins center, said Thursday during a video call arranged by the NHL that included New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal, Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal and Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux.

The NHL season has been paused since March 12 because of the pandemic. All rinks and training facilities are closed, and players are being told to self-quarantine in their homes and follow the guidelines given by local, state and federal authorities.

“The more games we play, it’s going to be better for our fans and better for the teams fighting to get in the playoffs,” Ovechkin, the Capitals forward, said during a video call with Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nick Foligno, New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban and New York Islanders forward Anders Lee. “But I’d rather start the playoffs right now. Sorry, guys.”

The topic of what the NHL should do with the rest of the season if it is allowed to continue has been a talking point among players. Opinions have varied between finishing as much of the regular season as possible to starting the playoffs straight away. They are mainly based on where each player’s team is in the standings, but fairness and the future are under consideration.

Crosby said he is fine going straight into the playoffs because the Penguins are in third place in the Metropolitan Division with 86 points through 69 games. They are in position to make the playoffs for a 14th straight season, the longest active streak in the NHL.

“Definitely not what Sid said,” said Marc Staal, whose Rangers are two points behind the Hurricanes and Blue Jackets for the two wild cards into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

Staal said he’s heard speculation on group chats with teammates about the possibility of the NHL allowing more teams into the playoffs if they start immediately after the pause is lifted, or a play-in scenario to give some teams, like the Rangers, a chance they otherwise wouldn’t have if it went by the standings to date.

“[Forget] the Rangers, let’s just start playoffs right away,” Jordan Staal said jokingly, a comment aimed at his brother. “You can speculate and try to decide what’s fair, but there is always going to be someone that is [angry] about it. Whatever we do decide, let’s hope it’s best for the Canes.”

Giroux, whose Flyers are second in the division with 89 points, one behind the Capitals, thought about what was best for all NHL teams.

“Whatever is the fairest, I think everybody would accept that,” Giroux said.

Video: Metropolitan Division stars discuss NHL pause

Subban brought up an idea that out-of-contention teams like the Devils would accept.

“A possible 31-[team] playoff format,” he said. “I like that, giving us an opportunity to play in the playoffs and play meaningful hockey down the stretch. For us, I don’t even know, right. I could be working out for no reason. We’ll wait and see, but I’d like to play some more hockey.”

Foligno played devil’s advocate by saying he was torn over what is best right now even though the Blue Jackets are in a playoff position. He said he worries that pushing this season into the summer and having a shortened offseason could negatively impact the health and safety of many of the League’s star players who might help carry their teams on deep playoff runs.

“I’m not saying guys won’t grind out a way to do it, because us hockey players will find a way, but you’ve got to think about the longevity of guys’ careers and their health as well,” Foligno said. “And then also on top of that, now you have, and no offense P.K., but in your situation, what if you don’t end up playing (for the rest of this season), and then we don’t come back (to start next season) until November? That’s a long time without playing. Is that advantageous or is that worse?”

Foligno said he likes the fact the NHL has not rushed to judgment on anything regarding the future of this season, and next.

“Guys have been honest in throwing out ideas because any idea is worth it at this point, but we really have to think about how we’re going to go ahead here and smartly, both on the business side and on the health side, and for the fans as well,” he said. “We want to give them the best product every time we step on the ice. That’s something we pride ourselves in and they expect it. They’re the ones paying their hard-earned money for it. It’s all stuff we have to think about.”

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

Source link

Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

Source link

Sports

Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

Source link

Sports

Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

—

Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

Source link