Svechnikov, Aho strike as Hurricanes top Golden Knights 4-2 to move within a win of the Stanley Cup
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Andrei Svechnikov scored twice and Sebastian Aho added a second-period goal in a breakout game for Carolina’s top-line performers, helping the Hurricanes beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 on Thursday night to move within a victory of winning the Stanley Cup. Captain Jordan Staal added his fifth goal in the series. It all came together in Game 5, with Svechnikov’s short putaway at the post on the power play giving Carolina a 4-1 lead midway through the third period. Brandon Bussi finished with 22 saves in his second career postseason start. That gave the Hurricanes a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 is Sunday night in Las Vegas.
Pushed to brink, Vegas may have lost William Karlsson for the Stanley Cup Final
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Vegas Golden Knights lost a very important part of their run to the Stanley Cup Final and are now on the verge of getting eliminated by Carolina. Center William Karlsson left their Game 5 loss to the Hurricanes after getting hit left arm and shoulder first into the boards by Sean Walker during the second period and did not return. In the second half of the night without him, Vegas took four penalties that turned into two Carolina power play goals. Carter Hart allowed four goals for a fifth consecutive game to start the series. They need to win Game 6 back home on Sunday to keep their season going.
Mexico gets off to roaring World Cup start with a 2-0 win over South Africa in the opening match
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez helped Mexico make an exuberant start to the World Cup by scoring a goal each in a 2-0 win over South Africa in the opening match of the tournament. With a capacity crowd of 80,824 watching at the iconic Azteca Stadium, co-host Mexico started the largest World Cup tournament in history by getting goals in each half while three red cards were shown — two for South Africa and one for Mexico. Quiñones gave Mexico the lead in the ninth minute. Jiménez added the second goal on a header in 66th.
The Finals are about moments, and in Game 4 the Knicks had one that'll last forever
The NBA Finals are about moments. And moments, by definition, are tiny slivers in time. A couple of seconds, maybe. An instant. Michael Jordan’s shrug. Michael Jordan’s pose. LeBron James’ chasedown block. Jerry West’s 60-footer to force overtime. Ray Allen’s 3-pointer to save Miami in 2013. Magic Johnson’s sky hook. Kobe Bryant jumping on a table, five fingers in the air to celebrate his fifth title. Willis Reed limping to the court for a Game 7. Those are the sort of ones that live forever, a singular event or sequence. The New York Knicks might have changed all that with a 21 1/2 minute moment in Game 4 of these NBA Finals.
Texas AG warns Big 12 could face legal action if league pursues sanctions against Tech over Sorsby
The Texas Attorney General's office has notified the Big 12 of potential legal action from Texas Tech. This follows a court order allowing quarterback Brendan Sorsby to regain NCAA eligibility despite gambling on sports. The Big 12's executive board met Thursday to discuss options after a Texas court issued a temporary injunction Monday that prevents the NCAA from enforcing its ban on Sorsby. He had been ruled ineligible after betting on his own team while at Indiana. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark says the board will meet Monday to decide on a course of action.
Shohei Ohtani leaves Dodgers game vs. Pirates in 7th inning with left knee inflammation
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani was lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh inning of Thursday night’s 8-6 win over Pittsburgh due to left knee inflammation. The reigning NL MVP hit his 13th homer of the season, a solo shot, in the third inning. He also had a single and walked twice, reaching base in all four of his at-bats. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts downplayed the significance of the injury and said the move to take Ohtani out of the game was precautionary.
Brooks Koepka goes on late birdie run and shares Canadian Open lead with 5 players
CALEDON, Ontario (AP) — Brooks Koepka finally feels good about his putting. It carried him to four birdies in his last five holes for 64. That puts him in a six-way share of the lead after one round of the RBC Canadian Open. Also at 64 are Sam Burns, Sahith Theegala, Eric Cole and Emiliano Grillo. The surprise is Matthew Anderson. The Canadian lives in the area and knows the TPC Toronto. But he's coming off five straight missed cuts on the Korn Ferry Tour. Cole needs a decent week to move into the top 60 in the world for a U.S. Open spot.
Lightning's Nikita Kucherov wins the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, his second such honor
NEW YORK (AP) — Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning has won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP. It's the second such honor of his career after also winning the Hart in 2019. Kucherov led the league with 1.71 points a game and with 130 was second to only Edmonton's Connor McDavid, who had 138. McDavid was a close second by 10 points in voting by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon was third and San Jose's Macklin Celebrini fourth. Kucherov had 42 more points than his next-closest teammate.
Report: Mickelson kicked out of San Diego club for inappropriate contact with female employee
Golf Digest is reporting Phil Mickelson has been kicked out of a San Diego golf club for inappropriate contact with a female employee. Golf Digest cited multiple sources as saying Mickelson is no longer welcome at The Farms Golf Club. That's where the six-time major champion has practiced and played for two decades. A spokesperson for Mickelson refers to it as a misunderstanding that has been cleared up. Mickelson has been out of the public eye for all but one LIV Golf event this year as he deals with a serious family health matter that remains undisclosed.
Former Raider Henry Ruggs denied parole nearly 5 years after deadly car crash
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners has denied parole for ex-NFL player Henry Ruggs. Nearly five years ago, Ruggs killed a woman in a car crash in Las Vegas. Ruggs is a former Raiders wide receiver. He drove his sports car at up to 156 mph and crashed into 23-year-old Tina Tintor's vehicle. Prosecutors said his blood-alcohol level was 0.16%. Ruggs pleaded guilty in May 2023 to felony DUI causing death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. He was sentenced in August 2023 to three to 10 years in prison. Ruggs will face the parole board again before his August 2027 release date. His attorneys say Ruggs continues to feel sorrow over Tintor's death.
