Sports

'WE'RE VERY PLEASED': Maple Leafs run over Kings, set season-high with six goals – Toronto Sun

Published

3 years ago

November 25, 2021

Harry Miller

It was Toronto’s 12th win in 14 games

Author of the article:

Terry Koshan

Publishing date:

Nov 25, 2021 • 4 hours ago • 6 minute read • 9 Comments

Los Angeles Kings left wing Phillip Danault (24) defends Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews (34) in the third period of the game at Staples Center Nov. 24, 2021. Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea /USA TODAY Sports

About that narrative that the Maple Leafs are having trouble scoring: Never mind.

The Leafs opened their three-game swing through California with a resounding victory at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, routing the Kings 6-2.

The six goals represented a season-high for the Leafs, who have won five in a row on the road and 12 of 14 overall.

The victory was powered by a four-goal outburst in the second period, also a season-high for any period for the Leafs in 2021-22.

The lone negative was the status of third-line centre David Kampf, who was taken out for precautionary reasons after he awkwardly hit the ice before the game was two minutes old. Kampf was checked by Kings centre Rasmus Kupari and fell on his left side. Kupari was given a tripping minor on the play.

Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said Kampf would be reevaluated on Thursday. If Kampf is out, one of Kirill Semyonov or Kyle Clifford would draw in.

With the offensive outburst, the Leafs, who are establishing themselves as one of the better defensive teams in the National Hockey League, moved into 21st overall with 2.71 goals a game. Expect them to keep moving up in that category. They’re at the top or near it in many offensive categories.

“I don’t know if it’s (anything more than) just a matter of some of the luck coming back our way,” Keefe said of filling the net. “I don’t know if we did anything a whole lot different than what we have been doing in other games. But it was certainly nice to see it go in.

“We’re very pleased. We have been playing good of late, but it has been a long time since we blew a game open like that. It’s great for the team and the camaraderie of the group.”

Several Leafs will be feeling good about themselves as the club takes its record of 14-6-1 into San Jose to face the Sharks on Friday night.

With good pal Justin Bieber watching from a private box, Auston Matthews, feeling a bit of heat as he has not been able to score with consistency, got his third goal of the season at five on five.

Rasmus Sandin’s strong night on the blue line was highlighted by his first three-assist game in the NHL. It won’t be his last.

Pierre Engvall scored for the first time since the season opener, Wayne Simmonds continued to make an impact with two assists and Jason Spezza scored for the first time in 13 games.

“We worked on our offence (Tuesday) in practice,” Spezza said. “Keefer has done a good job of going over some of the habits he thinks he can improve on to help scoring. We got rewarded for it. When you get rewarded, it creates a belief for the team in what we have to do. We had volume at the net, layers.”

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

GAME ON

Jack Campbell made 30 saves three nights after Joseph Woll stopped 20 shots in a shutout win against the New York Islanders to start the four-game trip … The game was the first in Los Angeles for Campbell and Toronto defenceman Jake Muzzin, who went north in separate trades — Muzzin in January 2019 and Campbell in February 2020. A few times, the “Souuuuuuup” chant that has become common at Scotiabank Arena could be heard … “It was a fun game,” Campbell said. “Great building. A lot of great memories. We’re just rolling. Working hard and having fun.” … The Leafs had a strong start and opened the scoring when Alex Kerfoot held off Kings captain Anze Kopitar, took great pass from Ondrej Kase and lifted a backhand over the left shoulder of goalie Jonathan Quick … At 1-0, Campbell had to make a tough save when he stopped Lias Andersson’s shot from the slot … Former Leafs prospect Sean Durzi, who went to L.A. in the Muzzin trade, made his NHL debut on the Kings blue line and assisted on Victor Arvidsson’s goal at 1:21 of the second. Arvidsson deflected Durzi’s shot, tying the game 1-1. In the third, Durzi, who was a second-round pick in 2018 by the Leafs out of Owen Sound of the Ontario Hockey League, snapped a shot for his first goal … Not that we’ve come to expect anything different from these Leafs in the past month, but they didn’t flinch when Arvidsson evened the score. Engvall scored less than two minutes later when he had a tap-in after a fine pass from Simmonds. And then it was 3-1 at 5:26 when John Tavares tipped a William Nylander shot … Simmonds had two assists for the first time since he had three in a game on Oct. 30, 2019, for New Jersey against Tampa Bay. Simmonds had two assists all of last season … On the Matthews goal that made it 4-1 at 13:16, he outworked Kopitar behind the Kings net on the forecheck, moved to the front and deposited a Tavares pass … Spezza often practises shots from tough angles, and there he was blasting a high shot past Quick on a Leafs power play at 15:36. Nick Ritchie provided an effective screen … TJ Brodie had two assists, his first two-point game with the Leafs, after registering two in his previous 20 games … Michael Bunting scored the Leafs’ sixth goal at 3:59 of the third when his shot went off the post, hit the skate of Kings centre Phillip Danault and went over the line … The only Leafs forwards without a point were Mitch Marner, Ritchie and Kampf.

WAYNE TRAIN SPEEDS UP

If you think you have noticed a difference in Simmonds this season — a bit more of a burst in his step, for example, leading to more scoring chances — you’re on to something.

It’s a result of the work Simmonds put in during the off-season at the Leafs’ facility in Etobicoke.

“I skated a lot more with our development team, came in two or three times a week during the summer to work with Barb Underhill,” Simmonds said. “I think it helped me out a lot. I worked with (development staff) Denver Manderson and Nik Antropov.

“Those little skill things, protecting the puck, I think I got away from that with all the injuries I had because I spent a lot of time doing rehab. I was able to get right back to the ice and think it has worked out for me.

“The game is changing. It’s extremely fast and you don’t have that much time. You have to figure out a way to buy yourself an extra second. I think I have figured that out again.”

Keefe, as one would expect, has witnessed the change.

“When you look at the type of scoring chances he has had and how he has done it, he is protecting the puck really well, his hands in general to be able to get out of tight spaces and be able to get to the middle of the ice, I see some real transfer from what he has worked on,” Keefe said. “He is in a lot of the early sessions we have before practices, we’re getting him involved in those consistently. I know when I talked to him last season about it, a lot of that stuff was new to him.

“If he can continue to get to those spots, it’s going to to fall. His role is reduced this season, but his chance generation has increased greatly. That’s a nice development.”

tkoshan@postmedia.com

twitter.com/koshtorontosun

Adblock test (Why?)

Source link

Sports

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

Published

4 days 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

4 days 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

4 days 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