Blue Jackets Stun Blackhawks, Halt Losing Streak

Blue Jackets Stun Blackhawks, Halt Losing Streak

The Columbus Blue Jackets, the worst team in the Eastern Conference, stunned the Chicago Blackhawks, the worst team in the Western Conference, with a 5-2 victory on Saturday night. The win snapped the Blue Jackets’ two-game losing streak and dropped Chicago to 0-4-2 in its last six games.

Alexandre Texier opened the scoring for Columbus just 33 seconds into the game, taking advantage of a giveaway by Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones. Boone Jenner doubled the lead with a deflection of Zach Werenski’s shot at 14:05 of the first period.

The Blackhawks finally got on the board with 2:28 left in the first on Philipp Kurashev’s goal, but the Blue Jackets responded with two more goals in the second period. Mathieu Olivier scored at 3:09, assisted by Werenski, and Cole Sillinger made it 4-1 midway through the period.

Johnny Gaudreau added an empty-netter for Columbus in the final minute of the game. Elvis Merzlikins made 26 saves for the Blue Jackets, while Arvid Soderblom stopped 26 shots for the Blackhawks.

“I don’t think there’s any pressure on us now,” said Merzlikins. “The last few games we’re playing against teams and not even looking at where they’re at in the standings, top or in the bottom.”

The Blackhawks have now lost six straight games and are 1-6-3 in their last 10 home games. They will start a three-game road trip on Monday in Colorado.

“It was a really sloppy game right from the start,” said Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson. “We played really slow. They kept coming at us. It’s a bad combination. We went down the wrong path.”

The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, will host Vegas on Monday.

Vinicius Rescues Madrid with Brace, Bellingham Red-Carded in Thrilling Valencia Draw

Vinicius Rescues Madrid with Brace, Bellingham Red-Carded in Thrilling Valencia Draw

Vinicius Junior’s brace rescued Real Madrid from a potential defeat, salvaging a 2-2 draw against Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday. The hosts stunned the visitors with two goals in quick succession during the first half. Hugo Duro headed in Fran Perez’s shot, while Roman Yarermchuk capitalized on Dani Carvajal’s loose pass to score into an empty net.

Vinicius ignited Madrid’s comeback just before halftime, reducing the deficit with a close-range finish. He completed his brace in the 76th minute, heading home from close range to level the score. The match remained a thrilling affair until the final whistle, with both teams pushing for a winner.

In a dramatic climax, Jude Bellingham thought he had secured victory for Valencia with a header in the dying moments. However, the referee blew the whistle for full-time before the cross entered the box, nullifying the goal. Madrid players protested vehemently, but the decision stood. Amid the chaos, Bellingham was shown a red card for his protests.

Vinicius’ return to the Mestalla was marked by a hostile reception from the home fans. He was racially abused last season at the same stadium, and on Sunday, he faced chants of “Vinicius is stupid” and constant booing.

In response, Vinicius celebrated his first goal by raising his fist towards the Valencia fans. After his equalizer, he cupped his ears, seemingly asking for more from the jeering crowd.

Despite the adversity, Vinicius remained unfazed and played a pivotal role in Madrid’s comeback. His performance underlined his resilience and determination, proving that he is not easily deterred by hostile environments.

Madrid’s draw maintains their seven-point lead at the top of the La Liga standings. They are now nine points clear of Barcelona, who have a game in hand.

Ash Barty Shines in Golf and Tennis, Rules Out Professional Return

Ash Barty Shines in Golf and Tennis, Rules Out Professional Return

Ash Barty, the three-time Grand Slam tennis champion, showcased her diverse athletic abilities this week in New Zealand. While she narrowly missed the cut at the New Zealand Pro-Am Championship in golf, she made headlines with her impressive performance on the tennis court.

Barty, who also played cricket professionally for a brief period, displayed her exceptional hand-eye coordination and athleticism in both sports. Despite missing the cut in golf by two shots, she enjoyed a strong second round in the team event at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown.

When asked about the possibility of pursuing professional golf or returning to professional tennis, Barty unequivocally stated, “The answer is no to both.” She emphasized her love for playing tennis as a hobby and the joy she finds in spending time outdoors.

“I love playing as a hobby and it’s obviously lovely to get outside for 18, go for a walk, and enjoy it,” Barty said.

Barty’s retirement from tennis at the age of 25 after winning the 2022 Australian Open marked a remarkable end to her illustrious career. Since then, she has embraced motherhood and found time to indulge in her passion for tennis.

Her recent performance in New Zealand serves as a testament to her enduring athleticism and the joy she derives from participating in sports. While she may not be pursuing professional golf or tennis, Barty’s love for both sports remains evident.

India Soars to Top of World Test Championship Standings

India Soars to Top of World Test Championship Standings

India has ascended to the pinnacle of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, as per the latest update released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday. This elevation follows Australia’s triumph over New Zealand in the Wellington Test.

India’s dominance is reflected in their impressive points percentage of 64.58, propelling them to the top spot. New Zealand, the previous table-toppers, now occupy the second position with a points percentage of 60.00. Australia has slipped to third place, boasting a points percentage of 59.09.

India’s commanding position in the ongoing five-Test home series against England, where they hold an unassailable 3-1 lead, provides them with an opportunity to further cement their status at the summit of the WTC table. A victory in the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala, commencing on March 7, would solidify their dominance.

The WTC, inaugurated in 2019, is a two-year tournament that pits the world’s top Test-playing nations against each other in a league format. The top two teams at the conclusion of the league stage will qualify for the final, scheduled to be held in June 2023 at The Oval in London.

India’s rise to the top of the WTC standings is a testament to their consistent performances in Test cricket. Under the leadership of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the team has achieved notable victories both at home and abroad. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and overcome challenges has been a key factor in their success.

As the WTC progresses, the competition is expected to intensify, with all teams vying for a place in the final. India’s position at the top of the table provides them with a significant advantage, but they will need to maintain their momentum and continue to perform at a high level to secure their place in the championship match.

Lightning End Home Losing Streak with Shootout Win over Canadiens

Lightning End Home Losing Streak with Shootout Win over Canadiens

The Tampa Bay Lightning snapped their four-game home losing streak with a thrilling 4-3 shootout victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night. The win propelled the Lightning into a tie with the Detroit Red Wings for the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

Victor Hedman sealed the victory in the sixth round of the shootout, while Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28 saves in regulation to tie Tiny Thompson for 49th place in NHL wins with 284.

Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli scored second-period goals to tie the game at 2-2 after Montreal’s Joel Armia and Jake Evans had given the Canadiens an early lead. Tyler Motte’s short-handed goal with 9:42 remaining in regulation pulled Tampa Bay even again after Josh Anderson had put Montreal ahead 3-2.

Nikita Kucherov, the NHL’s leading scorer, picked up an assist to extend his point streak to 11 games. He now has 105 points on the season.

The Canadiens, who are 2-7-2 over their last 11 games, were coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to the NHL-leading Florida Panthers on Thursday night. Cayden Primeau stopped 30 shots during regulation for Montreal.

In overtime, Montreal killed off Cole Caufield’s hooking penalty, despite Tampa Bay getting four shots during the man advantage.

The Lightning will host the Calgary Flames on Thursday night, while the Canadiens will play at Nashville on Tuesday night.

Chahal's Exclusion from BCCI Contracts Raises Eyebrows

Chahal’s Exclusion from BCCI Contracts Raises Eyebrows

Indian cricket team spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and wrestler Sangeeta Phogat shared a light-hearted moment during the Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa wrap-up party on Friday, and the video of their banter has gone viral on social media. In the video, Phogat can be seen lifting Chahal on her back and spinning him before the cricketer requested her to stop as his head was seemingly spinning. Chahal’s wife Dhanashree Verma is among the five finalists in the dance reality show, and he earlier requested fans to vote for her.

Meanwhile, former India opener Aakash Chopra has expressed his surprise over the leg spinner being excluded from the central contracts of the BCCI. He added that Chahal’s ouster means the selection committee is looking at other options.

“I am a bit surprised that Yuzi Chahal’s name is not there. Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, and Shikhar Dhawan – their names not being there, I can understand. Even Deepak Hooda for that matter. But Chahal’s name not being there – what does that signify? It seems to indicate that they (BCCI) are looking in a different direction. This is a validation of the theory. He might have had a ray of hope, but it wasn’t to be. His name is not there,” said Chopra on his YouTube channel.

The out-of-favour duo of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were excluded after ignoring the directive to play Ranji Trophy, while skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli expectedly retained their place in the top bracket as the BCCI unveiled its centrally-contracted players for this year.

The 25-year-old Kishan did not turn up for Jharkhand throughout the team’s campaign in Ranji Trophy despite not being on national duty since leaving from the tour of South Africa in December citing personal reasons. He has instead focused on preparing for the IPL next month.

Iyer, on the other hand, did not make himself available for Mumbai’s Ranji quarterfinal against Baroda after being excluded from the Indian team after the second Test against England. He, however, has been picked for the Ranji semifinals starting March 2.

Pucovski Retires Hurt After Helmet Blow in Sheffield Shield Match

Pucovski Retires Hurt After Helmet Blow in Sheffield Shield Match

Will Pucovski’s concussion woes continue as he is forced to retire hurt in Sheffield Shield match

Will Pucovski’s injury-plagued career took another unfortunate turn on Friday when he was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the helmet by a Riley Meredith bouncer in Victoria’s Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania in Hobart.

Pucovski, who has a history of concussions, was struck by the short ball from the second delivery he faced and immediately went down on his knees in the crease. The Cricket Australia doctor and Victoria physio were quickly into the middle, and after some time to compose himself, Pucovski was able to walk off the field unaided for further assessment.

Campbell Kellaway was brought into the XI as the concussion substitute. The match is in the fourth innings with Victoria chasing 442.

“Pucovski, who walked from the field, is being monitored by medical staff,” a Cricket Victoria statement said. “More information will be provided at a later stage.”

Pucovski has suffered multiple concussions throughout his career and last month returned from another spell on the sidelines where he made a century against New South Wales at the SCG.

He has also had time away from the game for his mental health and earlier this year spoke about how he has learned that there is a link between that and his concussions.

“The mental health has been a much bigger issue for me than even the concussions,” he told the Vic State Cricket podcast. “I don’t fear for my long-term health, it’s more the mental health side that’s been the tougher part.”

“One day I’ll be ready to tell my whole story and it will probably make a lot more sense,” he added. “I’ve explained what I’ve been through to my inner circle of people and actually all the responses I’ve got have been like ‘Jesus, I would never have guessed that in a million years, that doesn’t even make sense to me’.”

“It hasn’t made sense to me for years, either, but I’ve been on this pathway to understand it all.”

Pucovski played one Test for Australia in early 2021, against India at the SCG.

Cody Glass Hat Trick Powers Predators to Eighth Straight Win

Cody Glass Hat Trick Powers Predators to Eighth Straight Win

Nashville’s Predators extended their remarkable winning streak to eight games with a dominant 5-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night. Cody Glass stole the spotlight with his first career hat trick, leading the Predators to their impressive triumph.

The Predators’ relentless attack began in the first period when Glass opened the scoring with a well-placed shot assisted by Colton Sissons. However, the Avalanche responded swiftly with a goal from Nathan MacKinnon, who has been on a scoring tear lately.

In the second period, Glass struck again, showcasing his offensive prowess with a multi-goal performance. Juuse Saros, the Predators’ goalie, played a crucial role in preserving the lead with a key save on a partial breakaway by MacKinnon.

The Predators’ dominance continued in the third period as Ryan O’Reilly extended their lead with a power-play goal. Glass sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the final minute, completing his hat trick and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

“It was a thrill,” said Glass, who had only scored two goals before this game. “We have a great team here. To be on an eight-game win streak, everybody is pulling on the same rope.”

The Predators’ winning streak is now tied for the second-longest in franchise history, matching their 10-game run from 2018. Their relentless defense and opportunistic offense have been key factors in their recent success.

“I like our relentlessness,” said Predators coach Andrew Brunette. “I think we’re connected. We’re taking away time and space at a high level right now. That comes from work ethic. That comes from trust.”

Despite the loss, the Avalanche remain a formidable opponent. Coach Jared Bednar acknowledged that his team played well for 40 minutes but faltered in the third period.

“I thought we were competitive, played hard, really good game for 40 minutes,” Bednar said. “But I’d say third period, it’s like they got better and we got worse in the third.”

The Predators will look to extend their winning streak when they host the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night. The Avalanche, meanwhile, will return home to face the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night.

India's Test Triumph: Young Guns Shine, Rohit's Leadership Impresses

India’s Test Triumph: Young Guns Shine, Rohit’s Leadership Impresses

The India vs England Test series has been a resounding success for the hosts, who have clinched the series with one match to spare despite missing several key players. The victory is a testament to the depth and resilience of the Indian team, as well as the astute leadership of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid.

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar hailed the team’s achievement, emphasizing that it sends a message to those who believe India cannot win without its biggest stars. He recalled the team’s triumph in Australia three years ago, when they overcame the absence of several senior players to pull off a historic victory.

Gavaskar praised the young players who have stepped up in the absence of the regulars, showcasing their heart and determination. He believes that the team’s success is not dependent on individual brilliance but on the collective spirit and teamwork.

Credit must also go to Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid for their astute management of the team. They have provided opportunities to young players, encouraged them to play their natural game, and instilled a winning mentality.

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell highlighted Rohit Sharma’s leadership skills, which he believes are often overlooked. Chappell praised Rohit’s ability to handle the numerous personnel changes and the tough loss in the first Test, as well as his match-winning century in the third Test.

The series has been a showcase for the talent and potential of India’s young players. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Akash Deep, Dhruv Jurel, and Sarfaraz Khan have all impressed with their performances. However, it is the leadership of Rohit Sharma that has been the glue that has held the team together and guided them to victory.

Sunil Gavaskar Compares Dhruv Jurel to MS Dhoni, Highlights Potential for Greatness

Sunil Gavaskar Compares Dhruv Jurel to MS Dhoni, Highlights Potential for Greatness

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian cricketer, recently drew comparisons between young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel and the iconic MS Dhoni. Jurel’s impressive performance in the fourth Test against England in Ranchi, where he played a crucial knock of 90, prompted Gavaskar’s remarks.

Gavaskar emphasized that while there can never be another Dhoni, Jurel has exhibited signs of a promising future in Indian cricket. “No one can become MS Dhoni. There is only one MS Dhoni. But if Jurel can manage to do even some portion of the things Dhoni did then it would be great for Indian cricket,” Gavaskar said.

Jurel, who expressed gratitude towards Gavaskar for his remarks, has garnered attention with his consistent performances since his debut in Rajkot. The 23-year-old cricketer, previously a member of India’s U19 World Cup team in 2020, has showcased his talent with notable contributions in domestic and IPL cricket.

Gavaskar further emphasized that Jurel’s performance in the upcoming IPL will be crucial in determining his prospects for the T20 World Cup. “If he gets a chance then he will bat at No.5 or 6 only, as a finisher. We’ve seen how Dhoni did coming in to bat that number in the last 4-5 overs of the innings. The same will be expected from him,” stated Gavaskar.

Jurel’s ability to play under pressure and his match awareness have drawn comparisons to Dhoni. However, Gavaskar cautioned against putting too much pressure on the young player. “We should not put too much pressure on him. He is still young and has a long way to go. But he has shown that he has the potential to be a great player,” said Gavaskar.

Jurel’s journey has been marked by hard work and dedication. He has spent countless hours honing his skills and has always been eager to learn from experienced players. His performances have earned him praise from coaches and teammates alike.

As Jurel continues to develop, he will undoubtedly face challenges and setbacks. However, his determination and resilience will serve him well as he strives to reach the pinnacle of Indian cricket.

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