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Red Sox add ten non-roster invitees to 2023 Spring Training roster

MLB Editor
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Red Sox add ten non-roster invitees to 2023 Spring Training roster

BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox have added 10 non-roster invitees to the team’s 2023 Spring Training roster: right-handed pitchers Dan Altavilla, Taylor Broadway, Durbin Feltman, Victor Santos, and Chase Shugart; infielders Christian Koss and Matthew Lugo; infielder/outfielders Ryan Fitzgerald and Nick Sogard; and catcher Stephen Scott.

Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Dan Altavilla, RHP – Altavilla, 30, did not pitch in 2022 while recovering from Tommy John surgery performed in June 2021. The right-hander last pitched in 2021, making two relief appearances with the San Diego Padres. He owns a 4.03 ERA (52 ER/116.0 IP) in 119 career Major League outings with the Seattle Mariners (2016-20) and San Diego (2020-21), holding opponents to a .220 batting average (93-for-423) and .388 slugging percentage. The Pennsylvania native was selected by Seattle in the fifth round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of Mercyhurst University. He pitched for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League in the summer of 2013.

Taylor Broadway, RHP – Broadway, 25, will be attending his first Major League Spring Training camp. The right-hander was acquired by Boston from the Chicago White Sox on August 30, 2022, completing the August 1 trade for Jake Diekman. In five outings with Double-A Portland after joining the Red Sox organization, he allowed one earned run over 6.0 innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks. Broadway spent most of 2022 at the Double-A level, going 4-2 with a 4.39 ERA (27 ER/55.1 IP) and 84 strikeouts between Birmingham (37 outings) and Portland. The Texas native was selected by the White Sox in the sixth round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Mississippi.

Durbin Feltman, RHP – Feltman, 25, will be attending his third consecutive Major League Spring Training camp with Boston. He spent all of 2022 with Triple-A Worcester, posting a 7.63 ERA (41 ER/48.1 IP) with 56 strikeouts in 40 outings. The right-hander has made 144 career minor league appearances, all in relief, going 14-10 with a 4.79 ERA (93 ER/174.2 IP) and 208 strikeouts. Named Red Sox Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year by the organization in 2021, the Texas native was selected by Boston in the third round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Texas Christian University.

Victor Santos, RHP – Santos, 22, finished his first full season with the Red Sox organization in 2022 after being acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in July 2021. He posted a 4.97 ERA (80 ER/145.0 IP), setting career highs in strikeouts (126), appearances (28), and starts (25) between Double-A Portland (19 appearances/16 starts) and Triple-A Worcester (nine starts). Following the season, he pitched for Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Professional Baseball League, recording a 1.88 ERA (3 ER/14.1 IP) in 11 appearances (three starts). Signed out of the Dominican Republic by Philadelphia in November 2016, the right-hander owns a 3.72 ERA (184 ER/ 445.0 IP) with 0.97 home runs allowed per 9.0 innings over 101 career minor league appearances (71 starts).

Chase Shugart, RHP – Shugart, 26, will be attending his first Major League Spring Training camp. The right-hander split the 2022 season between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, going 5-5 with a 5.31 ERA (37 ER/62.2 IP) in 45 appearances (one start) while making his debut at each level. Following the season, he pitched for Estrellas Orientales of the Dominican Professional Baseball League, allowing six runs in 3.1 innings over four appearances. Selected by Boston in the 12th round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Texas at Austin, Shugart is 17-16 with a 4.13 ERA (122 ER/265.2 IP) in 87 minor league appearances (43 starts).

Christian Koss, INF – Koss, 25, will be attending his second Major League Spring Training camp after appearing in seven Grapefruit League games last season. In 2022, he batted .260 (127-for-488) in 125 games with Double-A Portland, setting career highs in doubles (22), home runs (17), RBI (84), and stolen bases (16). Following the season, he played for Criollos de Caguas of Liga de Béisbol Professional Roberto Clemente, batting .230 (20-for-87) with three doubles, one triple, and nine RBI in 29 games. A California native, Koss was traded to the Red Sox from the Colorado Rockies on December 3, 2020. The right-handed hitter has batted .277 (306-for-1,106) over 282 career minor league games, making 179 starts at shortstop, 49 at second base, 41 at third base, three in center field, and one in left field.

Matthew Lugo, SS – Lugo, 21, will be attending his first Major League Spring Training camp. In 2022, he batted .282 (135-for-478) with 26 doubles, 10 triples, 18 home runs, and 79 RBI with High-A Greenville (114 games) and Double-A Portland (3 games), leading the South Atlantic League in hits (134), extra-base hits (tied, 53), and triples (tied, 10). Following the season, the Puerto Rico native played for Criollos de Caguas of Liga de Béisbol Professional Roberto Clemente, earning Co-Rookie of the Year honors after batting .275 (33-for-120) with six home runs and 19 RBI in 39 games. A right-handed hitter, Lugo was selected by Boston in the second round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft. He has made 197 starts at shortstop, 26 at third base, and 15 at second base.

Ryan Fitzgerald, INF/OF – Fitzgerald, 28, will be attending his second Major League Spring Training camp after hitting four home runs in 11 Grapefruit League games last season. The left-handed hitter batted .219 (99-for-452) with 26 doubles, four triples, 16 home runs, and 72 RBI in 127 games for Triple-A Worcester in 2022. Signed by Boston as a non-drafted free agent in 2018, the Illinois native has appeared at every defensive position except pitcher and catcher during his minor league career, playing 442 games and making 298 starts at shortstop, 56 at third base, 40 at second base, 18 in right field, 10 in left field, 10 at first base, and nine in center field.

Nick Sogard, INF/OF – Sogard, 25, will be attending his first Major League Spring Training camp. In 2022, the switch-hitter batted .254 (102-for-401) with 22 doubles, two triples, four home runs, and 43 RBI with Double-A Portland (60 games) and Triple-A Worcester (65 games). Following the season, he played for Gigantes del Cibao of the Dominican Professional Baseball League, batting .250 (7-for-28) in eight games. Acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays on February 17, 2021, the California native has played in 268 career minor league games and made 107 starts at third base, 73 at second base, 59 at shortstop, nine in right field, three in center field, and two in left field.

Stephen Scott C – Scott, 25, will be attending his first Major League Spring Training camp. The left-handed hitter spent 2022 with Double-A Portland (59 games) and High-A Greenville (37 games), batting .219 (73-for-334) with 19 doubles, 10 home runs, and 45 RBI while making 67 starts at catcher and 28 as the designated hitter. Following the season, he played for the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League, batting .298 (17-for-57) with five home runs and 16 RBI in 15 games. Selected by Boston in the 10th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of Vanderbilt University, the North Carolina native has hit .255 (207-for-813) with an .812 OPS in 235 career minor league games. Scott has made 85 career starts at catcher, 57 at first base, 48 as the designated hitter, 19 in left field, and 17 in right field.

Blue Bombers add two to roster

CFL Editor
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Blue Bombers add two to roster

WINNIPEG, MB., – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed American defensive back Deuce Wallace and National defensive back Jacob Janke.

Wallace (5-10, 200,  Louisiana-Lafayette; born: October 6, 1996 in Lafayette, LA) was originally a walk-on for the Ragin’ Cajuns and eventually became a starter in the defensive backfield.  In his final two seasons, Wallace had 62 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 INT and 1 forced fumble. As a senior in 2019, Wallace was named a team captain. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints in May of 2021.

Janke (6-0, 200; York; born: February 11, 1997) joins the club after spending time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Janke was a fourth-round selection, 35th overall, by the Roughriders in the 2019 CFL Draft and returned to university that fall where he had an all-star season. Janke was a second-team All-Canadian and a first-team Ontario University Athletics all-star in 2019. He was also named the U-Sports recipient of the prestigious Russ Jackson Award, recognizing the football player ‘who best exemplifies the attributes of academic achievement, football skill and citizenship.’

Janke attended training camp with the Roughriders prior to the start of the 2021 season.

NHL Preview: Boston Bruins (38-7-5) at Toronto Maple Leafs (31-12-8)

NHL Editor
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NHL Preview: Boston Bruins (38-7-5) at Toronto Maple Leafs (31-12-8)

BOSTON BRUINS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S GAME

  • The Bruins visit the Maple Leafs tonight in the 3rd of 4 games between these teams this season and the 2nd and final Boston visit to Scotiabank Arena.
  • The Bruins are 38-7-5 overall this season and they are 16-6-2 on the road … The Bruins are 22-5-3 vs. Eastern Conference opponents.
  • The Bruins conclude their 5-game road stretch tonight in Toronto (1-2-1) … They are also concluding their span of 7-of-8 games on the road, having played at NY Islanders on 1/18 (4-1 win), at NY Rangers on 1/19 (3-1 win), vs San Jose on 1/22 (4-0 win), in Montreal on 1/24 (4-2 win), in Tampa Bay on 1/26 (3-2 loss), in Florida on 1/28 (4-3 OT loss) and in Carolina on 1/29 (4-1 loss).

RECENT GAMES:

  • The Bruins had their 6-game win streak stopped (1/14-24) and they are now 0-2-1 in their last three games with losses on 1/26 in Tampa Bay (3-2), 1/28 at Florida (4-3/OT) and 1/29 in Carolina (4-1) … They are 17-3-4 in their last 24 games.
  • They are now 9-2-2 in their last 13 road games, including a 9-0-1 road point streak from 12/11-1/24.
  • The Bruins are 22-1-3 in their last 26 home games, including a 22-game home unbeaten at 19-0-3 and a 14-game home win streak, the longest from the start of a season in league history and longest point streak from a season’s start in Boston annals … It was also their fourth longest home point streak overall in team history.
  • Boston 2 at Tampa Bay 3 … The Bruins came back twice from 1-goal deficits on Brad Marchand and Pavel Zacha goals but fell to the Lightning … Linus Ullmark took the loss in net … SOG: Bos 39, TB 35 … PP: 0/2 … PK: 1/3
  • Boston 3 at Florida 4/OT … The Bruins had 3 1-goal leads on goals by Craig Smith, Charlie Coyle and David Pastrnak (19:11 of 3rd period) but the Panthers netted the equalizer at 19:57 and won just 0:17 into OT … Jeremy Swayman took the point in OT … SOG: Bos 40, Fla 37 … PP: 0/4 … PK: 0/1
  • Boston 1 at Carolina 4 … Taylor Hall scored Boston’s lone goal … Linus Ullmark suffered consecutive losses for the 1st time this season … SOG: Bos 25, Car 36 … PP: 0/6 … PK: 1/4

INJURIES (Total man-games lost in 2022-23: 58)

  • Jake DeBrusk: Hand and lower body injuries, IR
  • Tomas Nosek: Non-displaced fracture in left foot
  • Vinni Lettieri: Lower body injury suffered in practice

BOSTON vs TORONTO, LIFETIME SERIES

  • The Bruins and Maple Leafs are meeting for the 683rd time in their histories with the Bruins having a 302-269-98-13 record and Toronto having a 2,031-2,017 scoring edge in those games.
  • The Bruins are 114-169-51-8 lifetime in Toronto with the Leafs having a 1,126-900 scoring edge in those 342 contests.
  • The Bruins have split their 2 games of this season series with a 2-1 loss in Toronto on 11/5 and a 4-3 win in Boston on 1/14.

FUN FACTS

  • The Bruins currently have 24 players on their roster (1 on IR) … 11 were drafted by the team, 4 were acquired in trade and 9 were signed as free agents.
  • The Bruins play 16 matinees this season (local start time 4:00 pm or earlier) … They have a 5-0-1 record in afternoon games so far.
  • The Bruins play 14 sets of back-to-back games this season … They are currently 6-0-2 in the 1st game of those sets and are 6-2-0 in the 2nd games so far.
  • The Bruins are playing game 1 of their 10-game February schedule tonight (3 hm/7 rd, 0-0-0) … They will play 15 in March (9 hm/6 rd) and 7 in April (3 hm/4 rd) … They went 8-1-0 in October, 11- 2-0 in November, 9-1-4 in December and 10-3-1 in January.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Jan. 11: Chris Wagner returned to Providence/AHL.
Jan. 11: Joona Koppanen recalled from Providence/AHL.
Jan. 13: Joona Koppanen returned to Providence/AHL.
Jan. 14: Pavel Zacha signed to a four-year contract extension.
Jan. 17: Joona Koppanen recalled from Providence/AHL.
Jan. 23: Marc McLaughlin recalled from Providence/AHL.
Jan. 30: Joona Koppanen and Marc McLaughlin returned to Providence/AHL.
Jan. 31: Jakub Lauko and Vinni Lettieri recalled from Providence/AHL.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS NOTES:

LAST GAME
Score: Toronto 5 vs. Washington 1
Date: Sunday, January 29, 2023
TOR Goals: Bunting (PP), Rielly, Nylander, Engvall, Aston-Reese
WSH Goals: Backstrom (PP)
TOR Goaltender: Samsonov, 23/24, .958 SV%
WSH Goaltender: Kuemper, 16/20, .800 SV% – Lindgren, 6/7, .857 SV%
TOR Power Play: 1-for-2
TOR Penalty Kill: 3-for-4

Player Notes: – John Tavares recorded two assists in Toronto’s win on Sunday. Tavares extended his assist streak to four games (5A). Tavares registered his fifth multi-assist game of the season and 13th multi-point game of the season.

  • Tavares skated in his 1,000th career NHL game on Sunday, becoming the 375th player in NHL history to reach the 1,000-game mark. Per NHL Stats, Tavares also became “the 25th player in franchise history to skate in his 1,000th career game with Toronto.” In recording two assists during his 1,000th game, per NHL Stats, Tavares became “the second player in franchise history to record multiple points while skating in his 1,000th career NHL game, joining Tim Horton (0-2—2 in Nov. 19, 1967).”
  • Michael Bunting scored on a Toronto power play opportunity at 1:29 of the second period and posted the primary assist on Rielly’s goal. With his fourth power play goal of the season, Bunting set a new NHL career season-high. Bunting posted his ninth multi-point game of the season.
  • William Nylander scored for Toronto at 10:45 of the second period. Nylander extended his current point streak to seven games where he has recorded 12 points (6G, 6A). Nylander has scored in back-to-back games.
  • David Kämpf registered the secondary assist on Engvall’s goal. With the assist, Kämpf posted the 100th point of his NHL career.
  • Ilya Samsonov stopped 23 of 24 shots in Sunday’s win. Samsonov has posted a 15-1-1 record on home ice this season with a 1.89 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage.

TONIGHT’S GAME
2022-23 Matchups vs. Boston: Third of Four
2021-22 Record vs. Boston: 1-1-0
Toronto Season Record: 31-12-8
Toronto Home Record: 20-4-4

TONIGHT’S STORYLINES
The Maple Leafs are skating in their third of four games against the Boston Bruins this season. Toronto won their first meeting of the 2022-23 campaign against the Bruins 2-1 at Scotiabank Arena on November 5th. Boston captured the win in their second game of the season 4-3 on January 14th at TD Garden. The Maple Leafs have won four of their last five meetings against the Bruins. The Maple Leafs are playing in their fifth game of a five-game homestand. Toronto has earned a 20-4-4 record on home ice this season, currently the second-best record in the league. Toronto’s next game will be played on February 10th against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: Sportsnet RADIO: TSN 1050
Toronto Maple Leafs: Media Notes

NEXT GAME
Date: Friday, February 10, 2023
Opponent: at Columbus Blue Jackets
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Broadcast Information: TSN4 (TV), Sportsnet 590 (Radio)

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
January 29, 2023 The Maple Leafs have recalled goaltender Joseph Woll from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) on an emergency basis.
January 29, 2023 The Maple Leafs have loaned forward Bobby McMann to the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
January 24, 2023 The Maple Leafs have recalled forward Joey Anderson from the Toronto Marlies (AHL).

INJURY REPORT
Carl Dahlström Shoulder (LTIR)
Auston Matthews Knee Sprain (IR)
Victor Mete Lower Body (LTIR)
Jake Muzzin Neck (LTIR)
Nick Robertson Shoulder (LTIR)

ALL-TIME VS. BOSTON BRUINS:
First Matchup between Clubs: December 3, 1924 (Toronto 5 vs. Boston 3)
All-Time Record: 282-292-98-10 (682 Games)
All-Time Record at Home: 177-111-51-3 (342 Games)
All-Time Record on the Road: 105-181-47-7 (340 Games)
Last Home Win vs. Opponent: November 5, 2022 (Toronto 2 vs. Boston 1)

ACTIVE LEADERS VS. BOSTON BRUINS:
Games Played: John Tavares (39), Wayne Simmonds (37), Morgan Rielly (31)
Goals: John Tavares (16), Mitch Marner (7), William Nylander (6), Morgan Rielly (6), Wayne Simmonds (6)
Assists: Mitch Marner (23), John Tavares (18), Morgan Rielly (15)
Points: John Tavares (34), Mitch Marner (30), Morgan Rielly (21)
Penalty Minutes: Wayne Simmonds (57), John Tavares (16), Michael Bunting (10)

2022-23 AVERAGES
Points % GF/Game GA/Game PP% PK% SF/G SA/G FO%
Toronto .686 3.39 2.65 24.7 79.3 31.8 28.7 52.6
Boston .810 3.70 2.12 25.3 86.2 33.5 29.2 55.3

THE MAN ADVANTAGE IN 2022-23
Power Play: 24.7%
Power Play Goal Leader: 10 – Matthews
Power Play Point Leader: 24 – Marner (5G, 19A), Tavares (9G, 15A)
2021-22 Power Play: 63/231 (27.3%)

ON THE PK IN 2022-23
Penalty Kill: 79.3%
Shorthanded Goal Leader: 2 – Marner
Shorthanded Point Leader: 3 – Järnkrok (1G, 2A), Marner (2G, 1A)
2021-22 Penalty Kill: 192/234 (82.1%)

FAST FACTS
Wednesday games 7th of 11 (8 home, 3 road)
Back-to-Backs played 7 of 14
Record in first game of back-to-back 4-3-0
Record in second game of back-to-back 5-1-1
February games 1st of 9 (5 home, 4 road)

NHL Preview: Carolina Hurricanes (33-9-8) at Buffalo Sabres (26-19-4)

NHL Editor
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NHL Preview: Carolina Hurricanes (33-9-8) at Buffalo Sabres (26-19-4)

CAROLINA HURRICANES NOTES:

LAST GAME
The Hurricanes earned a 5-4 overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings at PNC Arena on Tuesday. Paul Stastny, Jordan Staal and Teuvo Teravainen each scored in the third period to erase a 4-1 deficit, marking just the fifth three-goal, third-period comeback win in team history (since relocation). Sebastian Aho scored his franchise-record eighth career overtime goal, extending his goal streak to five games. Brent Burns (1g, 1a) and Andrei Svechnikov (2a) each posted two points, as Burns extended his own point streak to six games. Frederik Andersen made 17 saves in net and improved to 6-0-0 since returning from injury.

INJURY REPORT
Jake Gardiner, upper-body, missed 50 games (10/12-1/31)
Ondrej Kase, concussion, missed 49 games (10/14-1/31)
Max Pacioretty, torn Achilles, missed five games (1/21-1/31)
Jaccob Slavin, lower-body, missed five games (1/21-1/31)
2022-23 Man-Games Lost Due to Injury: 199

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Jan. 20 Placed Max Pacioretty on injured reserve

UPCOMING GAMES
DATE OPPONENT TIME TV RADIO
Feb. 1 at Buffalo 7:30 p.m. TNT HRN
Feb. 11 NY Rangers 7 p.m. BSSO HRN
Feb. 14 at Washington 7 p.m. BSSO HRN
Feb. 16 Montreal 7 p.m. BSSO HRN
Feb. 18 Washington 8 p.m. ABC/ESPN+ HRN

  • All times are Eastern | BSSO = Bally Sports South | HRN = Hurricanes Radio Network

UPCOMING PRACTICE SCHEDULE
DATE DAY LOCATION TIME
Feb. 1 Wednesday No morning skate
Feb. 2-4 OFF NHL All-Star Break
Feb. 5-8 OFF Bye Week
Feb. 9 Thursday PNC Arena 2 p.m.

  • All times are local. Times and locations are subject to change.

Carolina Hurricanes: Media Notes
HURRICANES vs. SABRES SERIES NOTES
— Carolina is facing Buffalo in the second of three meetings between the teams during the 2022-23 season. The Hurricanes will return to KeyBank Center on 4/8.

— The Hurricanes and Sabres are meeting for the 210th time in their regular-season histories. Carolina holds an 88-97-18-6 overall record, including a 37-55-7-4 road record and a 42-33-2-6 record since relocation.

— Carolina leads the season series 1-0-0 in 2022-23 (Buffalo: 0-1-0), and the Hurricanes are 13-1-0 in their last 14 matchups with Buffalo dating back to 12/17/16.

— The Hurricanes earned a 5-3 win over the Sabres at PNC Arena on 11/4. Sebastian Aho (3g, 1a) scored his first hat trick of the season, and Martin Necas added three points (1g, 2a) as Antti Raanta made 22 saves in net.

— Sebastian Aho has tallied 22 points (11g, 11a) in 14 career regular-season games against the Sabres.

— Teuvo Teravainen has recorded 18 points (6g, 12a) in 17 career regular-season games against Buffalo.

— Brett Pesce is a native of Tarrytown, N.Y., and ranks seventh all-time in points among NHL defensemen born in New York. He has earned nine assists in 16 career regular-season games against the Sabres.

— Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams skated in 300 games with the Hurricanes from 2002-07, posting 72 points (38g, 34a) and helping the franchise capture its first Stanley Cup in 2006. Acquired from FLA along with Bret Hedican and Tomas Malec for Sandis Ozolinsh and Byron Ritchie on 1/16/02, Adams was traded to PHX for Dennis Seidenberg on 1/8/07.

— Buffalo Assistant Coach Mike Bales spent two seasons as Carolina’s goaltending coach from 2017-19.

— Jeff Skinner tallied 379 points (204g, 175a) in 579 career games with Carolina from 2010-18, and he ranks tied for second in goals, fifth in points and sixth in games played in team history (since relocation). Skinner was drafted seventh overall by Carolina in the 2010 NHL Draft and won the Calder Trophy in 2010-11 after posting 63 points (31g, 32a) in 82 games during his rookie season. He was traded to Buffalo in exchange for Cliff Pu, a second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft (Pyotr Kochetkov), a third-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft (Alexander Nikishin) and a sixth-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft (Yauheni Aksiantsiuk) on 8/2/18.

BUFFALO SABRES NOTES:

LAST GAME
Saturday, Jan. 28
Buffalo 2 at Minnesota 3 (SO)
Goals: Quinn, Girgensons
Goalie: Luukkonen (33 saves/35 shots)
PP: 0/1; PK: 3/4; Shots: Minnesota 35 – Buffalo 31

CURRENT INJURIES – (Man Games Lost: 102)
Player (injury, first game missed) – total games missed
Mattias Samuelsson (Lower body, Jan. 26) – 2 games
Dylan Cozens (Undisclosed, Jan. 28) – 1 game

TRANSACTIONS IN PAST SEVEN DAYS
1/31: Assigned F Matej Pekar to Cincinnati (ECHL)

UPCOMING GAMES
Saturday, Feb. 11: Calgary at Buffalo, 12:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 13: Buffalo at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 15: Buffalo at Anaheim, 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 18: Buffalo at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 21: Toronto at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.

TODAY’S GAME
SABRES VS HURRICANES
• This is the second of three meetings between the Sabres and Hurricanes this season.

• Last meeting: Carolina defeated Buffalo 5-3 in Carolina on Nov. 4, 2022.

• Next meeting: Saturday, April 8 in Buffalo.

• The Sabres are 1-6-3 in their last 10 games against the Hurricanes; 5-2-3 at home.

• This is the 210th game all-time between Buffalo and Carolina; Buffalo has a 103-78-28 series record.

• The Sabres are 59-33-11 at home against the Hurricanes all-time.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
• The Sabres have earned at least one point in each of their last seven contests (5-0-2) and a point in tonight’s game would give them a point streak of eight or more games for the first time since the team earned at least one point in eight straight games March 18 to April 1, 2022 (5-0-3).

• Since making his season debut on Nov. 19 at Toronto, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is tied for sixth in wins (13) among all NHL goaltenders.

• Owen Power has registered a point in four of his last five games, including one goal in three of his last four.

• Rasmus Dahlin has recorded 38 points (7+31) in his last 34 games, including seven points (1+6) in his last six games.

• With one point in tonight’s game, Dahlin would move into a tie with John Van Boxmeer for the most points scored (56) by a Sabres defenseman through the team’s first 50 games of a season.

• Alex Tuch has notched 43 points (16+27) in his last 34 games, including nine points (3+6) in his last eight games.

• Tage Thompson has recorded 17 points (7+10) in his last 14 games and has recorded multiple points in three of his last four games.

• With a point in tonight’s game, Thompson would surpass his previous single-season career high in points scored (68), which he set in 78 games in 2021-22.

• Dylan Cozens has tallied 35 points (13+22) in his last 35 games.

• Victor Olofsson has nine points (8+2) in his last 10 games.

• In his last 28 games, Jeff Skinner has notched 36 points (15+21).

NHL Morning Skate – Feb. 1, 2023

NHL Editor
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NHL Morning Skate – Feb. 1, 2023

* The Hurricanes erased a multi-goal deficit in the third period to win for the second time in five days and Sebastian Aho scored in overtime to help the club match its best 50-game start to a season in franchise history.

* Carolina recorded the NHL’s 96th multi-goal comeback victory of 2022-23 – tied with 2018-19 for the third most in a single campaign before the All-Star/Olympic break. The 2009-10 (99) and 2005-06 (98) seasons are the only ones with more.

* Thirty years ago today on Feb. 1, 1993, Gary Bettman took office as the first Commissioner in NHL history and has since presided over 55% of all games in League history.
 



HURRICANES STORM BACK WITH A THREE-GOAL, THIRD-PERIOD COMEBACK VICTORY. . .
Four days after overcoming a two-goal deficit in the final two minutes of regulation and winning in overtime, the Hurricanes (33-9-8, 74 points) found themselves in another multi-goal deficit in the third period. It was Paul Stastny (1-0—1), Jordan Staal (1-0—1) and Teuvo Teravainen (1-0—1) who helped Carolina erase a 4-1 deficit and and set the stage for Sebastian Aho with 54 seconds remaining in the extra frame to help the club match the franchise’s best 50-game start to a season (also 74 points in 2021-22 & 2005-06).



* The Hurricanes recorded a three-goal, third-period comeback win for the fifth time in team history following Dec. 13, 2016 (vs. VAN), Dec. 31, 2013 (vs. MTL), April 7, 2007 (vs. FLA) as well as Jan. 11, 2007 (vs. FLA) and became the fourth team this season to achieve the feat, joining the Oilers (Nov. 26, 2022), Blues (Nov. 26, 2022) and Stars (Nov. 23, 2022).

* Aho’s winner helped Carolina extend its point streak to nine games (8-0-1 since Jan. 12) and the NHL’s longest active win streak to six games. The Hurricanes forward, who has produced a League-leading nine goals and two game-winning tallies since Jan. 12, has guided his team into the All-Star break with a six-point cushion on second-place New Jersey (32-13-4, 68 points) in the Metropolitan Division.

. . . WHILE SENATORS, CAPITALS HOLD OFF MULTI-GOAL RALLIES IN WINS
As the Senators (24-23-3, 51 points) and Capitals (27-20-6, 60 points) each saw their multi-goal leads vanish by the final frame, both teams held off their opponents’ rally and collected two points thanks to Brady Tkachuk (1-1—2) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (1-0—1), respectively.

* Tkachuk (20-31—51 in 50 GP), who netted the go-ahead goal with 1:18 remaining in the third period after Montreal erased 3-1 and 4-3 deficits, became the first Ottawa skater to reach the 50-point mark in 2022-23. The 2023 NHL All-Star has now accounted for two of the past three go-ahead goals in the final two minutes of regulation for the club after also doing so on Feb. 13, 2021 (59:51).



* Kuznetsov’s eighth career overtime goal helped Washington open up a three-point edge on idle Pittsburgh (24-16-9, 57 points) for the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Three other teams are within six points or fewer of the Capitals for playoff positioning and hold games in hand (Buffalo: 26-19-4, 56 points; NY Islanders: 25-22-5, 55 points; & Florida: 24-22-6, 54 points).

LOOKING AHEAD TO ALL-STAR: METROPOLITAN DIVISION PREVIEW

The Metropolitan Division enters 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend hoping to win its fourth 3-on-3 title since the format was introduced in 2016 – a division that already holds the most final wins among all teams through that span (3x: 2017, 2019 & 2022). Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin and Jack Hughes are set to return in 2023, having each represented the division at least once in the past seven years.

* Veterans Crosby and Ovechkin are no strangers to All-Star Game records. Crosby (6-6—12 in 3 GP) is tied for the most goals, second-most points – collecting five in the 2019 final en route to being named the tournament’s MVP (2-3—5) – and most NHL All-Star game titles (tied w/ 2) since the 3-on-3 format was introduced. Meanwhile, Ovechkin (7-8—15 in 7 GP) is among only eight players in NHL history with 15-plus career All-Star points under any format.

* Hughes, who will become the first Florida-born player to skate in multiple NHL All-Star Games (also 2022), has 33-31—64 (49 GP) in 2022-23 and is on pace to become the first Devils/Rockies/Scouts skater to eclipse the 50-goal mark in a season. The New Jersey forward is one of the three U.S.-born players in this season’s tightly-contested Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy race who are set to appear this weekend.



* The Rangers have three representatives on Team Metropolitan, with Artemi Panarin, Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox each set to make their first All-Star appearance. Panarin, who leads New York with 12-38—50 in 49 games, is one of six players set to attend the event that were either undrafted or selected in the fifth round or later at the NHL Draft (also Connor Hellebuyck, Kirill Kaprizov, Logan Thompson, Troy Terry & Linus Ullmark).

* Click here for the 2023 NHL All-Star information guide, featuring notes on this season’s event as well as all-time records and results from both the All-Star Game and All-Star Skills.

BETTMAN MARKS 30 YEARS AS NHL COMMISSIONER

Thirty years ago today, on Feb. 1, 1993, Gary Bettman took office as the first Commissioner in NHL history. During his tenure, Commissioner Bettman has presided over 55% of all games in NHL history(35,874 of 65,561 GP) and more than 51% of all goals the League has seen (204,439 of 398,547).
 



* A total of 4,885 players have appeared in at least one NHL regular-season or playoff game since Feb. 1, 1993 (including 4,101 who debuted since then), accounting for more than 58% of all players in League history. During that same time frame, 288 individuals have served as an NHL head coach or general manager (57% of the 507 who have been credited with at least one game in either role since the League’s inception in 1917-18).
 


* Looking at today’s game, 74% of current NHL players were born after the Commissioner’s first day in office (694 of 944 born after Feb. 1, 1993; based on min. 1 GP in 2022-23 through Jan. 31). 
 

* The NHL has welcomed more than 592 million fans at regular-season and playoff games staged in 117 different venues since Feb. 1, 1993 (117 regular season and 54 playoffs), including the League’s first-ever ventures for regular-season games outside North America (38 in total) and outdoors (36 in total; soon to be 37).

* The NHL All-Star Game was held at Montreal Forum just six days into Bettman’s tenure. Four months later, the Commissioner returned to “the most storied building in hockey history” to present the Stanley Cup for the first time, to Canadiens captain Guy Carbonneau.

* ICYMI: Commissioner Bettman will receive the Sports Business Journal Lifetime Achievement Award in May.
 


CHEL INTEL: EA SPORTS NHL 23 ALL-STAR OPEN FINAL THURSDAY
The 2023 EA SPORTS NHL 23 World Championship, the NHL’s premier global esports competition, is back for its sixth season and offers more opportunities to compete and win than ever before. The NHL announced today that the first LAN event of the season will be played at the Truly Hard Seltzer #NHLAllStar Beach Festival at Fort Lauderdale Beach on Thursday, Feb. 2.

* The event will showcase four international hockey superstars taking their talents to the virtual ice. EA SPORTS NHL 23 cover athlete and Olympian Sarah Nurse will be joined by Canadian teammate Emily Clark and a pair of U.S. rivals in Hilary Knight and Alex Carpenter to compete in a fun and friendly gaming competition.

* The EA SPORTS NHL 23 All-Star Open Final will immediately follow, with four top Chel players all competing for prize money, bragging rights and a locally-flavored championship trophy. The players automatically qualified for the North American Console Final as well as a trip to 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend in South Florida.



QUICK CLICK

* Tuesday Edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates
* All-Star break time to reset for players, coaches, GMs
* Bo Horvat traded to Islanders by Canucks
* Anthony Beauvillier embracing new challenge following trade to Canucks
* Bobby Hull honored by legendary goalies for intimidating shot, presence

TNT SHOWDOWN HIGHLIGHTS FINAL GAMES BEFORE ALL-STAR BREAK

A pair of Eastern Conference matchups will mark the final games before the 2023 NHL All-Star Weekend when the Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes (33-9-8, 74 points) take on the Sabres (26-19-4, 56 points) on TNT, while the NHL-leading Bruins (38-7-5, 81 points) visit Scotiabank Arena for a bout against the Maple Leafs (31-12-8, 70 points).
 

NBA Preview: Atlanta Hawks (25-26) at Phoenix Suns (27-25)

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NBA Preview: Atlanta Hawks (25-26) at Phoenix Suns (27-25)

The Phoenix Suns have rediscovered their form after a stretch in which they lost 12 of 14 games.

The now-hot Suns will attempt to win for the seventh time in eight games when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.

Phoenix has been without star guard Devin Booker for 21 of the past 22 games, including the last 18, due to a groin injury.

Booker’s absence led to the deep swoon, but the Suns dug their way out when the schedule hit a patch in which seven of eight are at home. The game against the Hawks concludes that stretch.

Phoenix notched wins over the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies during the span, which also includes Monday’s 114-106 home victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Bridges led the way against Toronto with 29 points on 12-of-19 shooting. He made three 3-pointers and also had six assists and three steals.

It marked the second straight game and eighth in the past 11 that Bridges has exceeded 20 points.

Bridges, a fifth-year pro, has been a complementary player during his time as Booker’s teammate. But he is averaging a career-best 16.8 points this season and sees the recent scoring splurge as something that is primarily associated with his self-belief.

Deandre Ayton (22 points, 13 rebounds) and Chris Paul (19 points, nine assists) also had strong outings against Toronto.

Atlanta has dropped four of its last five games and lost 129-125 to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night in the opener of a five-game road trip.

The Hawks played without star guard Trae Young (right ankle soreness) against Portland and he is listed as probable for Wednesday’s game.

Young has recorded four straight double-doubles and five in his past six appearances. He also has scored 30 or more points in each of his past two games.

Dejounte Murray stepped up with Young out and tallied a career-best 40 points against Portland. He made 5 of 8 3-point shots and also had eight rebounds and seven assists in a strong performance.

Murray has scored 20 or more points in eight of the past nine games.

But the Hawks couldn’t contain Damian Lillard (42 points) and the Trail Blazers made 54.4 percent of their shots, including 19 of 40 from behind the arc, while leading most of the contest.

This is the first meeting between the teams this season. Atlanta has prevailed in six of the past nine matchups.

NBA Preview: Toronto Raptors (23-29) at Utah Jazz (26-26)

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NBA Preview: Toronto Raptors (23-29) at Utah Jazz (26-26)

Though Eastern Conference teams only make one trip to Salt Lake City each season to play the Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes found out Tuesday that he’ll be visiting twice in February.

The first stop will be for Wednesday night’s game against the Jazz. Then Barnes will return to the Beehive State on Feb. 17 to participate in the NBA’s Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend.

Utah, which is hosting the midseason festivities for the second time, will also be represented in the Rising Stars event, the NBA announced. Jazz center Walker Kessler was among 11 rookies selected for the annual honor.

The 21-year-old Barnes, who was named the 2021-22 Rookie of the Year, is averaging 15.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game this season.

Barnes recently received some high praise from Warriors star Draymond Green after totaling 24 points, six rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots in Toronto’s 129-117 loss at Golden State this past Friday.

It’s not unusual for the 7-foot Kessler to be compared to the All-Star player he replaced in Utah, Rudy Gobert. Though he’s not at a Defensive Player of the Year level quite yet, Kessler has made a splash in his first NBA season by blocking an average of two shots in 20.2 minutes per game.

Kessler, who like Barnes is 21, averages 7.7 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting a remarkable 71.5 percent from the field. He was picked 22nd overall by Memphis last summer and has found a nice home in Utah after being traded twice since draft day.

Though the Jazz aren’t nearly as good of a defensive team since trading Gobert to Minnesota last offseason, Kessler has filled more of that void than expected. And he was just a small part of the treasure trove Utah received in exchange for Gobert.

Kessler’s production has picked up in the 15 starts he’s made: 10.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 26.0 minutes.

The Raptors enter Wednesday’s game having started a seven-game road trip 2-2.

Utah has won four of six games, including a 108-100 victory over Dallas on Saturday. Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 29 points and Kessler had a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, plus five blocks.

NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (28-21) at San Antonio Spurs (14-37)

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NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (28-21) at San Antonio Spurs (14-37)

The Sacramento Kings will shoot for another win on the road in their transcendent season when they square off against the hapless San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

Sacramento has taken the first two games of the season series with the Spurs and has won its past four overall contests with San Antonio.

The Kings head south after a 118-111 overtime win at Minnesota on Monday that snapped a two-game losing streak. Sacramento got 32 points from De’Aaron Fox and Trey Lyles scored eight of his 11 points in the extra period in the win.

The Kings led by four points with less than a minute to play before Minnesota rallied to force overtime. Three-pointers by Lyles and Keegan Murray early in the extra session put Sacramento on top for good and allowed the Kings to avenge a loss at Minnesota on Saturday in the first of a back-to-back between the teams.

Malik Monk added 19 points for Sacramento in the win while Domantas Sabonis had his league-leading 38th double-double (17 points, 13 rebounds) before fouling out. Murray pitched in 13 points and 13 rebounds to post the third double-double of his rookie season.

Wednesday’s contest is the third of a season-long seven-game road trip for the Kings.

The Spurs are searching for answers after a 127-106 loss at home to surging Washington on Monday. The setback was the sixth in a row, and the 11th in the past 12 games, for San Antonio to finish off a dismal January in which it won just twice in its 15 contests.

Keldon Johnson led all scorers in the loss with 26 points while Jeremy Sochan had 17 (15 of them in the first half), Zach Collins had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Stanley Johnson added 10 points for the Spurs.

The Spurs led by as many as eight points in the first period, were down by eight at the half and clawed to within four points midway through the third quarter before Washington took charge for good, reeling off eight straight points. San Antonio’s deficit was at 11 going into the fourth quarter and it never got closer as Washington poured it on down the stretch.

NBA Preview: Golden State State (26-24) at Minnesota Timberwolves (27-26)

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NBA Preview: Golden State State (26-24) at Minnesota Timberwolves (27-26)

The Minnesota Timberwolves will get an opportunity to avenge their most lopsided loss of the season when they host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night in Minneapolis.

The game is a rematch of a 137-114 Warriors romp at Minnesota in November on a night in which Golden State had all hands on deck for one of the few times all season.

The type of depth that helped carry the Warriors to the 2022 championship was on full display, with Stephen Curry scoring 25 points, Jordan Poole 24, Klay Thompson 21, Draymond Green 19, Andrew Wiggins 17 and Donte DiVincenzo 14. Curry (11 rebounds) and Green (11 assists) recorded double-doubles.

Curry (35 games played) and Wiggins (30) have combined for 35 absences in Golden State’s 50 games this season, while Thompson (39) and Green (45) have gotten some nights off to preserve their 30-something bodies.

The club has gotten whole again, however, with the return of Wiggins for Monday’s trip-opener at Oklahoma City, a game the Warriors won 128-120.

Curry scored 38 points, Thompson added 28 and Wiggins and Poole contributed 15 apiece. Green chipped in with seven points, nine rebounds and 12 assists.

Along with the team’s third straight win came more individual acclaim for Curry, who passed Wilt Chamberlain for the all-time franchise lead in field goals, which stood at 7,216.

The win was just the Warriors’ seventh of the season on the road. Counting a 120-114 triumph at Cleveland on Jan. 20 in their previous road game, they have consecutive victories away from home for the first time this season.

The Timberwolves had a nice thing going at home, winning two straight to tip off a six-game homestand before falling 118-111 to the Sacramento Kings in overtime Monday. The outcome snapped a four-game home winning streak.

Anthony Edwards paced the hosts with 33 points, continuing a late roll that has likely earned him additional consideration from the Western Conference coaches as they fill out their ballots for All-Star reserves.

Edwards has averaged 34.0 points, shooting 53.6 percent overall and 50.8 percent on 3-pointers over the Timberwolves’ past six games.

Edwards had 26 points and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 21 in the earlier loss to Golden State. Towns has missed Minnesota’s past 32 games with a strained right calf.

The Warriors and Timberwolves will enter the game separated by just a half-game in the tightly packed Western Conference playoff standings. Before Tuesday’s action, Golden State was in fifth place in the West and Minnesota was ninth.

NBA Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder (24-26) at Houston Rockets (12-38)

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NBA Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder (24-26) at Houston Rockets (12-38)

Eyeing elusive .500 mark, Thunder meet Rockets

A stretch of six wins in seven games, sullied only by a one-point road loss to the Miami Heat three weeks ago, had lifted the Oklahoma City Thunder back to the brink of .500 for the first time in almost three months on Monday.

However, the Thunder suffered a sixth consecutive loss while one game under .500, losing to the visiting Golden State Warriors 128-120. The Thunder have been below .500 since Nov. 5, when a 108-94 loss at the Milwaukee Bucks marked the second of four consecutive defeats. The Thunder, who have labored mightily to reach break-even status but have failed repeatedly, will have another chance to climb within a game of .500 on Wednesday against the host Houston Rockets.

The meeting will mark the first of three between the teams over the next two weeks. Houston claimed the first game of the season series on Nov. 26, beating the visiting Thunder 118-105.

The Thunder trailed by 21 points early in the third quarter against the Warriors before whittling that margin to 109-107 with 4:15 left. Throughout their stretch of exceptional play, the Thunder have shown a tendency for tenacity and toughness and have consistently exceeded the meager expectations that faced the team entering the season.

Despite the Warriors’ reputation, the Thunder didn’t fold when the deficit swelled. For a team with one of the youngest rosters in the NBA, the fact that it has established that type of personality comes as no surprise to coach Mark Daigneault.

The Rockets won for the second time in six days on Saturday on the heels of a 13-game losing skid, besting the Detroit Pistons 117-114 despite participating without their three leading scorers.

The Rockets rallied late despite Jalen Green (calf), Kevin Porter Jr. (foot) and Alperen Sengun (illness) all being unavailable. The trio averages a combined 56.4 points — 51.5 percent of the Rockets’ total — 18.5 rebounds and 12.9 assists, yet the Rockets somehow found a path to victory.

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