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Hockey Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur dies at 70

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April 24, 2022

Hockey Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur dies at 70

Legendary former Montreal Canadiens forward Guy Lafleur died Friday morning. He was 70.

The cause of death was not immediately known, however Lafleur had been battling lung cancer for nearly three years.

Lafleur underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery in September 2019 and had surgery two months later to remove the upper lobe of one of his lungs as well as the lymph nodes. The Hockey Hall of Famer also acknowledged in October 2020 that he had experienced a recurrence of lung cancer.

Nicknamed “The Flower,” Lafleur was a five-time Stanley Cup champion for the Canadiens (1973, 1976-79) and twice won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP (1976-77, 1977-78). He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1977 as MVP of the playoffs.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Guy Lafleur,” Canadiens president Geoff Molson said in a statement. “All members of the Canadiens organization are devastated by his passing. Guy Lafleur had an exceptional career and always remained simple, accessible, and close to the Habs and hockey fans in Quebec, Canada and around the world.

“Throughout his career, he allowed us to experience great moments of collective pride. He was one of the greatest players in our organization while becoming an extraordinary ambassador for our sport.”

Lafleur scored 518 goals and tallied 1,246 points in 14 seasons with the Canadiens (1971-85). He was the first player in NHL history at record at least 50 goals and 100 points in six consecutive seasons.

“You didn’t need to see Guy Lafleur’s name and number on his sweater when ‘The Flower’ had the puck on his stick,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “As distinctively stylish as he was remarkably talented, Lafleur cut a dashing and unmistakable figure whenever he blazed down the ice of the Montreal Forum, his long blond locks flowing in his wake as he prepared to rifle another puck past a helpless goaltender — or set up a linemate for a goal.”

Lafleur requested a trade prior to the 1984-85 season and retired after playing 19 games when a move wasn’t made. He later came out of retirement and played one season for the New York Rangers (1988-89) and two with the Quebec Nordiques (1989-91).

He retired again in 1991, finishing his NHL career with 1,353 points (560 goals, 793 assists) in 1,126 games.

Lafleur was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988 before starting his comeback.

He was named one of the “100 Greatest NHL Players of All Time” in 2017 by the league. He was the sixth Canadiens player to have his number (No. 10) retired.

–Field Level Media

Slow starts collide when Crew, Sporting KC meet

MLS
Soccer

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April 24, 2022

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Slow starts collide when Crew, Sporting KC meet

Little has gone right for either the Columbus Crew or Sporting Kansas City, while each club remains optimistic of a turnaround on Saturday when they meet at Kansas City, Kan.

Sporting Kansas City (2-6-0, 6 points) are tied for their third fewest points through eight games in franchise history dating to the inaugural season of MLS in 1996.

“We have to turn it around and the good thing is we’ve got two home games coming up,” said Sporting Kansas City captain Johnny Russell, who is questionable due to a calf injury. “So, we need to go and take the first one. We have to go out there with everything we’ve got, fight for everything and come out with three points. No other result is good enough for us.

“The guys’ mentality is to go out there and win every game. It’s not happening right now but we don’t have guys who are going to sink under pressure.”

Not only have the Crew (2-3-2, 8 points) lost three straight – all by shutouts – they may be without leading scorer Lucas Zelarayan (right knee). He has scored four of the team’s 10 goals, with two assists.

“Maybe I’m being naive, but I do believe we’re a great team, if not one of the best teams, so I keep that mindset, believe in myself, believe in my teammates, and I’m going to continue to do what I can do,” Crew midfielder Darlington Nagbe said.

The Crew never have lost four consecutive games by shutout.

The 2022 disappointment has not been limited to MLS play. Columbus, with a mostly reserve lineup in a U.S. Open Cup game Tuesday, lost 2-1 at Detroit City FC of the USL Championship, a level below MLS.

“To me, it’s a lesson,” Crew defender Josh Williams said. “If you’re not ready, if you don’t prepare properly, if you don’t respect the opponent enough, you get embarrassed. That’s exactly what happened. … This one’s going to sting a little while.”

The Crew and Sporting KC last met in June 2019, with SKC earning a 1-0 victory.

— Field Level Media

Reports: Logan Ryan files grievance against Giants for $3M

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April 24, 2022

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Reports: Logan Ryan files grievance against Giants for $3M

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Logan Ryan filed a grievance against his former team, the New York Giants, over a portion of his 2021 salary he believes should have been guaranteed, The Athletic and ESPN reported Friday.

Ryan, 31, had $5.5 million of his salary fully guaranteed and $8.5 million guaranteed for injury. Ryan had surgery on his finger in the offseason, and the Giants released him after the surgery, per the reports.

Ryan believes that entitles him to the $3 million difference between the guarantees.

The veteran played 15 games (all starts) for New York in 2021, compiling a career-high 117 tackles, eight pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one sack. He was a defensive captain for the Giants.

After he was released last month, Ryan signed with the Buccaneers, re-joining Tom Brady after they were teammates in New England from 2013-16.

Ryan said in his introductory press conference in Tampa Bay that his release from the Giants “wasn’t my call.”

In nine seasons with the Patriots, the Tennessee Titans (2017-19) and the Giants, Ryan has totaled 705 career tackles, 18 interceptions, 95 pass breakups, 14 forced fumbles and 13 sacks while spending time at both cornerback and safety.

–Field Level Media

Heat favored in Game 3 despite Hawks’ recent home cooking

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April 24, 2022

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Heat favored in Game 3 despite Hawks’ recent home cooking

The Atlanta Hawks finished the regular season and play-in tournament with wins in 20 of their last 23 home games.

That success in Atlanta is part of what the eighth-seeded Hawks will rely on as they get set to host the top-seeded Miami Heat on Friday night in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.

Miami, with a pair of home wins, leads the best-of-seven series 2-0.

Now, it’s Atlanta’s turn to defend home court and since Jan. 17, no team has been better in its house than the Hawks.

NBA teams that take 2-0 leads eventually win that series 92.9 percent of the time. The Hawks, in fact, have never rallied from an 0-2 deficit, losing in all 26 of those cases.

Miami is 17-0 when taking a 2-0 lead, and the Heat are 5-1 against the Hawks this season.

The Heat are 1.5-point favorites in Game 3 at several sportsbooks. The line opened at 2.5 at BetMGM but had shifted by Friday morning with 78 percent of the spread bets and 79 percent of the handle backing Miami.

The Heat are also drawing strong support at DraftKings at 79 and 80 percent, respectively. Miami’s -120 moneyline has also been backed by 72 percent of the bets and 76 percent of the handle.

The Hawks have not found a way to stop Heat forward Jimmy Butler, who is averaging 33.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in the series. His scoring average is up significantly from his 21.4 mark in the regular season.

“Big-time basketball from one of the best two-way players in the game,” Heat point guard Kyle Lowry said of Butler.

Trae Young, Atlanta’s big-time player, has been held to 16.5 points and 5.5 assists. For the regular season, Young averaged 28.4 percent and 9.7 assists.

Young, who had a career-worst 10 turnovers in Tuesday’s 115-105 loss to Miami, seemed to blame the officiating. He was called for a technical foul during his brutal third period, when he was charged with five turnovers and didn’t get to the foul line.

“If the refs are going to let (the Heat) be as physical as they are and not call fouls, it’s going to be hard to do anything,” Young said.

Hawks coach Nate McMillan said his team’s goal on Friday is to take much better care of the ball.

“You can’t have 19 turnovers and expect to win a playoff game,” he said. “(Miami) scored 21 points off our turnovers, and a lot of that was in transition.”

Atlanta, which is 1-1 at home against Miami this season, may adjust its starting lineup again on Friday.

So far, Young, De’Andre Hunter, Kevin Huerter and Danilo Gallinari have started both of Atlanta’s playoff games. For the fifth spot, McMillan started Onyeka Okongwu in Game 1 and John Collins in Game 2.

Collins responded with a double-double — 13 points and a game-high 10 rebounds — in his start. McMillan, in Game 2, also switched the 6-foot-7 Huerter onto guarding the smaller Lowry, who is 6-0.

That worked somewhat as Lowry had 10 points and nine assists in Game 1 and nine points and just two assists in Game 2.

Miami, which has won eight of its past nine games dating to the end of the regular season, has started the same five in both games in this series: Butler, Lowry, Bam Adebayo, P.J. Tucker and Max Strus.

In other words, there’s no reason for the Heat to change when this Butler-led team is playing so well.

“I always want to play basketball the right way,” Butler said. “Whatever it takes to win — that’s why they brought me here.”

The Over/Under opened at 220.5 at BetMGM but has also seen movement. It was 221.5 on Friday morning with 56 percent of the bets backing the Over while the Under had drawn 53 percent of the handle.

The Over had been more popular at DraftKings (221.5), where it had been supported by 57 and 59 percent, respectively.

–Field Level Media

Fire, Minnesota United both seeking offensive boost

MLS
Soccer

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April 24, 2022

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Fire, Minnesota United both seeking offensive boost

The Chicago Fire and Minnesota United FC each used some consistently strong defense to get off to solid starts this season.

Whether either can break through offensively remains to be seen when they meet Saturday in Saint Paul, Minn.

Chicago (2-1-4, 10 points) has been one of the league’s early surprises, entering the weekend among the top-seven teams in the Eastern Conference. The Fire have gotten it done with a defense that’s conceded a league-low two goals.

Homegrown goalkeeper Gaga Slonina, who turns 18 in May, has been a big reason for the Fire’s defensive stinginess. He’s recorded nine clean sheets — five in 2022 — in 18 career starts, the most by any MLS keeper under the age 21. Chicago already extended his contract and the Polish national team reportedly has inquired about a call-up for the wunderkind.

Slonina and the Fire have been part of four scoreless draws this season, including last week at home versus the Los Angeles Galaxy. Chicago has managed just five goals this season, and none in its last three contests.

“I think we have the players now to be better on the attack,” said Fire coach Ezra Hendrickson, whose club lost to Union Omaha in penalties in the third round of U.S. Open Cup play earlier this week.

“It’s about patience and just making sure the guys continue to believe in themselves.”

Minnesota (3-2-2, 11 points) recorded five goals in its first six matches before avoiding a third straight loss with a 3-1 home victory over Colorado last Saturday. Robin Lod had a goal with an assist for the Loons, who have conceded six goals this season, and more than one only once.

United also posted a 2-0 victory over Madison FC in U.S. Open Cup play this week.

“Going into every game, the defense thinks they’re gonna get a clean sheet, and the attackers think they’re gonna score — and that’s the way it should be,” Minnesota keeper Dayne St. Claire said.

Minnesota is 2-1-1 and undefeated in two home matches in the all-time series, but Chicago took four points from the last two meetings.

–Field Level Media

Steelers re-sign Terrell Edmunds to one-year deal

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April 24, 2022

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Steelers re-sign Terrell Edmunds to one-year deal

The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed safety Terrell Edmunds on Friday to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million.

Edmunds, 25, spent his first four NFL seasons with Pittsburgh after it chose him in the first round (28th overall) in the 2018 draft.

Edmunds played in 64 of a possible 65 games in that time, starting 60. He has collected 340 tackles, five interceptions, 21 pass breakups and three sacks in that time.

The Virginia Tech product returned to the Steelers after they initially declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract.

–Field Level Media

Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele hold onto Zurich Classic lead

Golf
PGA

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April 24, 2022

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Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele hold onto Zurich Classic lead

Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele followed their 59 with a 4-under-par 68 Friday to maintain the lead at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in Avondale, La.

Cantlay and Schauffele stand at 17 under after two rounds of the team event at TPC Louisiana. Two teams shot 67 Friday to forge a tie for second at 16 under: David Lipsky and England’s Aaron Rai, plus Sam Ryder and Doc Redman.

The teams of South Africans Garrick Higgo and Branden Grace as well as Australians Jason Day and Jason Scrivener each posted rounds of 7-under 65. They matched the tournament record for foursomes, or alternate shot, in which teammates take turns hitting shots to complete each hole.

Higgo and Grace are tied for fourth with Wyndham Clark and Cameron Tringale (67) at 15 under, and Day and Scrivener enter the weekend tied for sixth with Sam Burns and Billy Horschel (68) at 14 under.

Like Thursday’s round, Saturday will be four-balls, or best ball, in which both golfers play each hole and choose the better score between them. The tournament then returns to alternate shot Sunday for the final round.

Cantlay and Schauffele started on the back nine Friday and opened with three birdies and a bogey over their first four holes, including a 3-footer for birdie at No. 10. They settled in from there, making 12 pars and two birdies over the last 14 holes.

“We really fought hard and made a bunch of those mid-range putts, especially in the middle of the round, and that kind of kept the momentum going,” Cantlay said. “It’s kind of tricky out there with the wind how it is, so I thought we played a nice round today.”

Lipsky and Rai posted six birdies and just one bogey, wrapped up when Rai sank an 18-foot birdie at the par-5 18th.

Lipsky, ranked No. 201 in the world, was in a car accident on his way to the course earlier in the week, though he said he and the other drivers involved were fine.

Former world No. 1 Day and Scrivener posted their 65 early in the day before Higgo and Grace matched it later on. A 12-foot eagle putt on the par-5 seventh helped Day and Scrivener along, and they were on track for a 64 before bogeying the par-4 17th.

It was their second consecutive round of 65, but given the more difficult format, Day felt Friday’s performance was better.

“I feel like we’re gelling really, really well together on the greens and we’re very similar in regards to how we read the putt and how we like to see the putt go in the hole, so that helps a lot,” Day said. “Today was special. I think we played some really phenomenal golf out there, especially with how the weather was.”

Higgo and Grace, meanwhile, made seven birdies and stayed bogey-free.

Australians Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman, the defending champions, were part of an eight-way tie for eighth at 11 under after shooting 68 Friday.

Thirty-nine teams made the cut of 8 under, including father-son team Jay and Bill Haas. Jay Haas set the PGA Tour record for the oldest player to make a cut at 68 years, four months and 20 days old. He surpassed Sam Snead, who made three cuts as a 67-year-old in 1979.

“I don’t think it should (count) because Sam Snead did it on his own and all that, but anything that I’m even remotely close to Sam Snead on would be very special,” Haas said.

–Field Level Media

Hornets fire coach James Borrego after four seasons

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April 24, 2022

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Hornets fire coach James Borrego after four seasons

The Charlotte Hornets parted ways with head coach James Borrego on Friday after four seasons.

The Hornets had signed him to a multi-year contract extension in August but opted to go in another direction.

The team finished 43-39 in 2021-22 and reached the NBA’s play-in tournament for the second straight season. The Hornets lost the first play-in game each time, however, falling short of their first playoff berth since 2015-16.

Charlotte, however, showed improvement by increasing its win total by 10 in each of the last two seasons.

“I want to thank JB for his hard work and commitment during these past four seasons,” Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak said. “Beyond his work as a coach, he is a tremendous person. I wish him and his family the best in the future.

“These decisions are always difficult. Having said that, we have a talented, young core of players which has me very excited about the future of the Hornets. We will begin the search for our new head coach immediately.”

Borrego, 44, owns a 138-163 coaching record in 301 career games with the Hornets. He also had a 10-20 record in a brief stint as the head coach of the Orlando Magic in 2014-15.

Borrego also served as an assistant coach with the-then New Orleans Hornets (2010-12), Magic (2012-15) and San Antonio Spurs (2015-18).

–Field Level Media

T-Wolves, 76ers move on in NBA 2K League’s Tipoff

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April 24, 2022

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T-Wolves, 76ers move on in NBA 2K League’s Tipoff

Reigning event champion T-Wolves Gaming cruised into the Western Conference final of the NBA 2K League’s The Tipoff Tournament with a 2-0 series win over Mavs Gaming on Friday.

In the day’s other match, 76ers GC came from behind to beat the Gen.G Tigers 2-1 in an Eastern Conference semifinal.

The Saturday conference finals will feature T-Wolves Gaming and Lakers Gaming in the West, 76ers GC and Heat Check Gaming in the East.

The tournament’s knockout rounds are being held at the new NBA 2K League Studio in Indianapolis.

The T-Wolves opened Friday with a 74-61 win over the Mavs behind 25 points and five assists from Dhwan “ShiftyKaii” White. In the second game, the T-Wolves rolled 81-69.

The Tigers took a 59-47 win to open their series, but the 76ers pulled level with an 80-56 blowout. In the decisive third game, the 76ers won 52-47 thanks to 19 points from Brendan “Reizey” Hill.

The NBA 2K League season will run through August, with the focus on tournament play and qualifying events for tournaments. The traditional five-on-five tournaments are The Tipoff (season opener), The Turn (midseason) and The Ticket (late season).

The league is also adding a number of three-on-three tournaments that will lead up to a three-on-three championship featuring a separate prize pool.

–Field Level Media

Tyson Fury retains WBC heavyweight title, defeating Dillian Whyte in six rounds

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April 24, 2022

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Tyson Fury retains WBC heavyweight title, defeating Dillian Whyte in six rounds

Tyson Fury retained his WBC heavyweight title with a sixth-round technical knockout win over Dillian Whyte Saturday night in London.

Fighting before 94,000 at Wembley Stadium, Fury floored Whyte with a crushing right uppercut to the chin in the closing seconds of the round. Whyte reached his feet but struggled to regain his composure.

Sensing that Whyte had not recuperated from the punch’s impact, referee Mark Lyson stopped the bout at 2:59 of the round. The crowd erupted into a frenzy and celebrated the England native’s second successful defense of his sanctioning body belt.

“What can be better than this, 94,000 people in a full stadium in my home country?” Fury said. “It doesn’t get better than this. We broke records in modern day boxing history.”

Before his fight-finishing punch, Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) had not thrown the upper-cut. Instead, he utilized his 85-inch reach to keep Whyte (28-3) at a distance until he found the appropriate opening.

“We stopped him with the jab, breaking him up with the jab,” Fury said. “I wanted to keep going downstairs with hooks to the body. At the right time I was going to bring that right through the middle.”

Throughout the first five rounds, Fury established pace and kept distance, connecting with a lead left and follow-up right to the head. Whyte found openings and scored with body shots.

In the second round, Fury continued to land with the lead left as he increased his punch activity. Fury maintained the out-put in the third as he scored with left and right combinations to the head.

An unintentional clash of heads early in the fourth, opened a cut around Whyte’s right eye. Whyte forced Fury into a corner and sought to keep exchanges at close range, but Fury adeptly clinched to avoid any fight-altering shots.

The 33-year-old Fury stopped former champion Deontay Wilder in their second of three bouts to capture the WBC title two years ago. The direct rematch ended with Fury’s 11th-round knockout win in October.

Fury weighed 264 pounds for Saturday’s bout, 11 heavier than Whyte.

–Field Level Media

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CWEB NEWS

Hockey Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur dies at 70

Slow starts collide when Crew, Sporting KC meet

Reports: Logan Ryan files grievance against Giants for $3M

Heat favored in Game 3 despite Hawks’ recent home cooking

Fire, Minnesota United both seeking offensive boost

Steelers re-sign Terrell Edmunds to one-year deal

Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele hold onto Zurich Classic lead

Hornets fire coach James Borrego after four seasons

T-Wolves, 76ers move on in NBA 2K League’s Tipoff

Tyson Fury retains WBC heavyweight title, defeating Dillian Whyte in six rounds

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