Sports

Rask Opts Out, Halak Leads Bruins To Win (Aug 16)

Published

4 years ago

August 16, 2020

Saturday started with a bombshell with the announcement of Tuukka Rask‘s decision to opt out of the NHL’s postseason. This announcement came just hours before the Bruins were set to face Carolina in Game 3.

From a human standpoint, I completely understand this decision. Rask has a newborn at home as well as two other children. Being away from family for an indefinite period won’t be easy, and being fully committed to a team’s Stanley Cup hopes is that much more difficult considering the times we now live in. This was no doubt a difficult decision that was weighing heavily on him. Now is not the time to be judging someone for a decision they make on whether to play or not to play, even if the timing isn’t ideal for the Bruins. Everyone’s situation is unique.

I also wonder if Rask’s decision is simply a one-off, or if it will create a domino effect for other players that have also been thinking about leaving the bubble. Rask is a high-profile player, and it’s human nature to wait for someone else to raise their hand before raising your own. He is obviously not the first player to opt out of the return to play, but I believe he is the first to opt out for non-injury reasons since actual games resumed.

From a hockey standpoint, Boston’s playoff hopes now ride on the shoulders of Jaroslav Halak. We’ve seen that he’s a great fit for the almost-even split in duties between him and Rask. However, he has struggled in the recent past when he was the #1 guy. I’m referencing the 3.22 GAA and .908 SV% from his 53 GP as an Islander in 2017-18, but that was under a much worse defensive system than what the Bruins have today. So it’s possible that Boston won’t skip a beat with Halak taking over. Carolina, with its ability to drive the play on its opponents, will be a big test.

Boston 3, Carolina 1 (Boston leads series 2-1)

It didn’t take long for us to find out how well Halak would fare as the starter. He stopped 29 of 30 shots to lead a focused Bruins team to a much-needed Game 3 win. His only mistake was on a third-period clearing attempt from behind his net, which went straight to Nino Niederreiter and into the open net. In spite of this one gaffe, Halak’s Game 3 performance was reassuring.

Niederreiter’s goal was his first in five postseason games. He returned to the Canes lineup after not dressing for Game 2.

Unfortunately, the Hurricanes could be looking at an injury to Andrei Svechnikov. His leg twisted awkwardly as he fell while getting tangled with Zdeno Chara. There may not be much in the way of updates here, but you’d have to bet on Svechnikov missing time. That would be a massive blow to the Canes.

Multiple injuries possible here for Svechnikov. Most likely a torn MCL and/or high ankle sprain (4-6 week timeline usually)

Also possible but hopefully not the case are a torn ACL and/or meniscal injury #TakeWarning https://t.co/EE9LNNjbFE

— Dr. Harjas Grewal (@Harjas_Grewal) August 15, 2020

Despite the loss, Petr Mrazek was named the second star on the NBC telecast. He stopped 36 of 38 Bruins shots he faced, as the third goal was an empty-netter. Based on this performance, Mrazek seems like the likely starter for Game 4 on Monday evening.

In a winning cause, Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle each scored a goal and added an assist. Marchand also fired six shots on goal for the Bruins, who were still without David Pastrnak in this one.

Arizona 4, Colorado 2 (Colorado leads series 2-1)

The Mountain Men were by far the better team in this game, but the goalie stole this one for the Desert Dogs. Darcy Kuemper stopped 49 of 51 shots he faced, giving the Coyotes a much-needed victory. I’m not surprised that Kuemper has been able to stand on his head. Earlier this season he looked like he was on his way to a Vezina Trophy nomination before an injury just before Christmas sidelined him for two months. It would be nearly a miracle if the Coyotes can pull off a series win against a much faster-paced Avalanche team, but they’ll need air-tight goaltending from Kuemper for that to happen.

The Avalanche decided to give Pavel Francouz a try for Game 3. He stopped 19 of 21 shots in the loss, so it might be back to Philipp Grubauer for Game 4. If the Avs have an Achilles heel, it might be in net.

Joonas Donskoi returned to the Avalanche lineup, although he played just 11 minutes.

With an assist, Nathan MacKinnon was able to continue his point streak intact. So far he has recorded at least one point in the Avs’ six games. MacKinnon also fired seven shots in Game 3, as did Cale Makar.

Tampa Bay 3, Columbus 2 (Tampa Bay leads series 2-1)

While we’re discussing point streaks, Brayden Point extended his to six games with the second-period goal he scored in Game 3. However, it was Victor Hedman‘s first goal of the playoffs later in the second period that held up as the game-winner.

Columbus took only 17 shots on Andrei Vasilevskiy, scoring on two of them. They’ll need to increase that total in order to keep up with Tampa.

The Bolts were still without Steven Stamkos, who has still not played a game since February.

Vegas 2, Chicago 1 (Vegas leads series 3-0)

There were several lineup changes for the Golden Knights in this game, the most noticeable of which was Marc-Andre Fleury making his first start in this series. Giving Fleury the start over Robin Lehner made sense because this was the first game of a back-to-back. Expect Lehner to be better rested today (Sunday) as the Golden Knights attempt to sweep Chicago. Fleury was solid in this game, stopping 26 of 27 shots in earning the win. If Vegas plays more back-to-backs, then expect more splits like this. Otherwise, Lehner should be considered the Vegas starter in this year’s playoffs.

Max Pacioretty also returned to the lineup in Game 3 after missing Game 2. He was held without a point, although he was back on his usual line with Mark Stone. Vegas was without Paul Stastny for this game, which meant that Chandler Stephenson was able to stay in the top 6 on the line with Patches and Stone.

Since this series is all but over, we should place the Golden Knights on the short list on teams that can win the Stanley Cup. If there was any worry about round-robin teams not being ready for teams playing must-wins in the play-in round, Vegas simply does not fall into that category. They’ve now won all six of their postseason games. Having said that, they will be facing tougher tests than Chicago. Those should be entertaining matches to watch.

As for Chicago, can we say that they’ve actually exceeded expectations in this postseason, even if they’re on the verge of getting swept? This was a team that wouldn’t have made the playoffs had the NHL season been able to finish as normal. Yet the Hawks took out Edmonton, even though they were a clear underdog. If you drafted Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, or Dominik Kubalik in your postseason pool, you got your money’s worth with all three players scoring at a point per game. There’s enough young talent in Chicago (Kubalik, Kirby Dach, Alex DeBrincat, Adam Boqvist) that they might not bottom out completely like many other teams that reach the top of the mountain.

Experts Panel: Playoff Round 1 Predictions

One other thing: Look for the Top 100 Roto Rankings to be posted later today.

For more fantasy hockey information, or to reach out to me, you can follow me on Twitter @Ian_Gooding.

Source: – dobberhockey.com

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