Saturday, July 4, 2026
Home Blog Page 3285

NHL Morning Skate – Feb. 9, 2023

NHL Editor
-
0
NHL Morning Skate – Feb. 9, 2023

* The two teams responsible for the last three Stanley Cup championships will be featured tonight on ESPN, TVA Sports, Sportsnet and Sportsnet 360 when the Avalanche visit the Lightning.

* Players age 23 or younger played a crucial role in a Rangers victory, including a career-high three assists from defenseman K’Andre Miller.

* Jamie Benn reached the 20-goal mark for the 10th time in his career to help the Central Division-leading Stars collect their 30th win of 2022-23.




BATTLE OF RECENT CUP CHAMPS SET FOR ESPN, SPORTSNET, TVA SPORTS
The only two teams to claim a Stanley Cup championship since 2020 will face off nationally in the U.S. (ESPN) and Canada (SNO, SNE, SN360, TVAS) when the Avalanche (27-18-4, 58 points) visit the Lightning (32-16-2, 66 points) in the first contest between the clubs since meeting in the 2022 Stanley Cup Final.


* The Avalanche dethroned the two-time defending champion Lightning in six games in the 2022 Final to win the Stanley Cup for the third time in franchise history (also 1995‑96 and 2000‑01) and prevent the Lightning from becoming the first three-peat winners since the Islanders (1980-83). Colorado claimed its championship by going 16‑4 in the playoffs, becoming the sixth team since 1987 (when all four rounds went to the best-of-seven format) to capture the Stanley Cup with four or fewer postseason losses.

* Sixteen Avalanche players who appeared in the Cup-clinching Game 6 are still with the team (10 forwards, 5 defensemen, 1 goaltender) while the Lightning also have 16 players remaining from the contest (10 forwards, 4 defensemen, 2 goaltenders).

* The Lightning are led offensively by Nikita Kucherov (20-55—75 in 50 GP), who has reached 75 points in 50 games or fewer for the second time in his career. He previously hit the 75-point mark in 45 games in 2018-19, a season in which he captured the Art Ross Trophy and Hart Trophy after finishing with 41-87—128 in 82 GP.

* Nathan MacKinnon (14-41—55 in 38 GP) has been Colorado’s catalyst offensively while averaging 1.45 points per game in 2022-23. Since the franchise moved to Colorado in 1995-96, only one player has finished a season averaging a higher point-per-game rate (min. 30 GP): Joe Sakic (1.46 in 1995-96). 

* The game will also pit two of the League’s most decorated active defensemen against each other, in Colorado’s Cale Makar (13-32—45 in 45 GP) and Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman (4-30—34 in 47 GP). Since Makar’s first regular season in the NHL in 2019-20, the pair rank second and third in regular-season points by a defenseman (Makar: 2nd; Hedman: 3rd) and first and second in postseason points by a blueliner (Hedman: 1st; Makar: 2nd).
 



* Before the game, fans can relive Colorado’s memorable 2021-22 season and 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs run with the ESPN+ premiere of 2022 Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup Film. CLICK HERE to watch the trailer.

HORVAT SET TO FACE FORMER TEAM THREE GAMES INTO ISLANDERS TENURE
After playing parts of nine seasons with the Canucks to start his career and captaining the club since the 2019-20 campaign, Bo Horvat will be facing his former team for the first time since being acquired by the Islanders in a trade Jan. 30.

* Horvat departed Vancouver ranking among the top 10 in multiple all-time franchise lists, including goals, points, power-play goals, shorthanded goals and overtime winners. Should Horvat find the score sheet Thursday, he would join Ottawa’s Claude Giroux (1-0—1 vs. PHI on Nov. 5, 2022) as the second player this season to record a point in their first game against the former team they captained.


YOUNGSTERS LEAD RANGERS TO THIRD STRAIGHT WIN
Twenty-three-year-olds K’Andre Miller (0-3—3) and Filip Chytil (1-0—1) each had notable performances to help the Rangers (29-14-8, 66 points) earn their third straight victory and move within three points of the idle Devils (33-13-4, 70 points) for second place in the Metropolitan Division.

* Miller assisted on each of New York’s first three goals to record his first career three-point game. Miller (23 years, 18 days) became the fifth different Rangers defenseman age 23 or younger to post a three-assist performance since 1990-91, with Adam Fox (21 years, 319 days on Jan. 2, 2020) last achieving the feat.
 
* Chytil (23 years, 156 days) found the back of the net for the fifth straight game to match his career high (also 5 GP in 2018-19). He became just the second player in Rangers history with multiple goal streaks of that length at age 23 or younger, joining Tomas Sandstrom (5 GP in 1984-85 & 1986-87).

* Alexis Lafreniere (1-0—1; 21 years, 120 days) and Kaapo Kakko (0-1—1; 21 years, 360 days) also found the score sheet as the Rangers received six points from players age 23 or younger in their win.



BENN AND SEGUIN LIFT STARS TO 30TH WIN
Jamie Benn (1-0—1) scored to reach the 20-goal mark and Tyler Seguin (0-1—1) collected his 600th career point with Dallas as the Central Division-leading Stars (30-13-10, 70 points) improved to 15-5-6 at American Airlines Center this season. Dallas, 15-8-4 as the visitor in 2022-23, joined Boston and Carolina as just the third team with at least 15 home wins and 15 road wins.

* Benn, the third Stars skater to reach the 20-goal mark this season, hit the plateau for the 10th time in his career and first since 2018-19 (27-26—53 in 78 GP). Buffalo (4) and Edmonton (4) are the only teams with more 20-goal scorers in 2022-23.



QUICK CLICKS

* Mikael Backlund talks charity work, ALS awareness in Q&A with NHL.com

* Avalanche Stanley Cup film to debut Thursday on ESPN+

* NHL Trade Deadline difficult time for players, coaches, GMs

* NHL All-Stars marvel at No. 1-ranked Draft prospect Connor Bedard

* Morgan Frost, Travis Konecny play football during Flyers practice

NBA Preview: Phoenix Suns (30-26) at Atlanta Hawks (27-28)

NBA Editor
-
0
NBA Preview: Phoenix Suns (30-26) at Atlanta Hawks (27-28)

The Atlanta Hawks handed the Phoenix Suns their worst loss of the season when the teams met last week in Arizona.

The Suns will look to exact a bit of revenge on Thursday when they continue their five-game road trip in Atlanta.

Phoenix answered its 132-100 shellacking at the hands of the Hawks on Feb. 1 by winning its first three games of this trek.

Deandre Ayton followed up his 31-point, 16-rebound performance in the Suns’ 116-100 win over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday with a career high-tying 35 points while again collecting 16 boards in a 116-112 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.

Devin Booker contributed 19 points on Tuesday in his return from a 21-game absence due to a left groin strain.

All told, Phoenix has weathered the storm in Booker’s absence. The Suns lost nine of their first 11 games without the three-time All-Star before winning eight of 10 prior to his return on Tuesday.

The flow was emphatically stopped last week by the Hawks, who led by as many as 43 points in the third quarter. The Suns did themselves no favors by shooting a paltry 14.3 percent from 3-point range (4 of 28).

Dejounte Murray scored 21 points, Trae Young had 20 and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 18 off the bench to pace Atlanta in that contest.

The Hawks won their next contest before dropping the final two on their five-game road trip, including a 116-107 decision at New Orleans. Atlanta was outscored 58-46 during the middle two quarters, much to the chagrin of coach Nate MacMillan.

Bogdanovic made five 3-pointers to highlight his 22-point performance versus the Pelicans. The Serbian admitted he’s still working his way back into game shape after missing the first 24 contests to begin the season due to a knee injury.

Murray had 19 points and Young collected 16 points and 16 assists on Tuesday.

NBA Preview: Denver Nuggets (38-17) at Orlando Magic (22-33)

NBA Editor
-
0
NBA Preview: Denver Nuggets (38-17) at Orlando Magic (22-33)

Orlando and Denver are in different stages this season. The Magic are a young team building a roster to compete for a title down the road while the Nuggets know their window is open now and have championship aspirations.

Those two phases collide when Denver visits Orlando on Thursday night.

It is the second meeting between the two, with the Nuggets prevailing at home on Jan. 15 when Nikola Jokic hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds. Orlando nearly stole the win behind two of its young stars, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, a pair who have become the building blocks for the future.

They have added toughness to the roster, which is the culture Magic coach Jamahl Mosley is trying to create.

Markelle Fultz, the No. 1 overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2017 draft, has found a home with Orlando. He is averaging 12.7 points a game and 17.5 in February.

The Magic have some veterans, too, including Gary Harris, who was acquired from Denver two years ago in the deal that sent Aaron Gordon to the Nuggets.

Gordon was thought to be the last piece needed when he came to Denver, but soon after Jamal Murray tore the ACL in his left knee and missed more than a year. Murray has been playing at his pre-injury level but is dealing with right knee inflammation that kept him out of Tuesday’s win over Minnesota.

The Nuggets sit atop the Western Conference and hope to strengthen that position by the trade deadline, which comes four hours before Thursday’s tipoff. Denver has been discussing possible deals for backup point guard Bones Hyland, who has not played the last four games while the trade possibilities progress.

Hyland is a popular, energetic second-year player who has been electric and exacerbating at times, but with the Nuggets in serious contention for their first NBA title he could be moved for a veteran piece. His teammates have been supportive and Hyland has not been a distraction while his future is being determined.

NFL: Super Bowl LVII Injury Report — Wednesday

NFL Editor
-
0
NFL: Super Bowl LVII Injury Report — Wednesday
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS vs. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
 
Practice Report
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayWR Kadarius Toney (ankle, hamstring)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayLB Willie Gay (shoulder), QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle), RB Jerick McKinnon (ankles), RB Isiah Pacheco (wrist), G Trey Smith (ankle), WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee)
 
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
 
 Practice Report
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayT Lane Johnson (groin, not injury related – resting player), C Cam Jurgens (hip, not injury related – resting player), CB Avonte Maddox (toe, not injury related – resting player)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayG Landon Dickerson (elbow), DE Robert Quinn (foot)

Padres announce non-roster invitees to Major League Spring Training

MLB Editor
-
0
Padres announce non-roster invitees to Major League Spring Training

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres announced today they have extended Major League Spring Training invitations to 30 players.

  • RHP (14): Aaron Brooks, Drew Carlton, Efrain Contreras, Anderson Espinoza, Wilmer Font, Jordan Guerrero, Eric Hanhold, Moises Lugo, Sean Poppen, Angel Sánchez, Craig Stammen, Domingo Tapia, Julio Teheran, Matt Waldron 
  • LHP (2): Daniel Camarena, Aaron Leasher
  • C (3): Juan Fernandez, Chandler Seagle, Pedro Severino
  • INF (6): Tim Lopes, Jackson Merrill, Rangel Ravelo, Alfonso Rivas, Max Schrock, Jantzen Witte
  • OF (5): David Dahl, Taylor Kohlwey, Luis Liberato, Tirso Ornelas, Preston Tucker

Among those 30 players are 16 minor league free agents that will be new to the organization and 19 have Major League experience. Of the invitees, nine of the 30 were originally signed or drafted by San Diego. Attached is a full roster of all 71 players who will attend 2023 Major League Spring Training with the Padres.

Red Sox add Right-handed Pitcher Jake Faria to 2023 Spring Training Roster as non-roster invitee

MLB Editor
-
0
Red Sox add Right-handed Pitcher Jake Faria to 2023 Spring Training Roster as non-roster invitee

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox have added right-handed pitcher Jake Faria to the team’s 2023 Spring Training roster as a non-roster invitee.

Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Jake Faria, RHP – Faria, 29, has made 72 Major League appearances (29 starts) with the Tampa Bay Rays (2017-19), Milwaukee Brewers (2019), and Arizona Diamondbacks (2021), posting a 4.70 ERA (106 ER/203.0 IP) with 185 strikeouts. The right-hander spent 2022 with the Minnesota Twins organization, recording a 7.48 ERA (36 ER/43.1 IP) over 12 appearances (nine starts) with Triple-A St. Paul. A California native, he was selected by the Rays in the 10th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.

BOSTON RED SOX 40-MAN ROSTER (40)

Pitchers (21): Brayan Bello, Richard Bleier, Ryan Brasier, Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, Kenley Jansen, Zack Kelly, Corey Kluber, Chris Martin, Bryan Mata, Wyatt Mills, Chris Murphy, Kaleb Ort, James Paxton, Nick Pivetta, Joely Rodríguez, Chris Sale, John Schreiber, Brandon Walter, Garrett Whitlock, Josh Winckowski

Catchers (2): Reese McGuire, Connor Wong

Infielders (7): Triston Casas, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, David Hamilton, Adalberto Mondesi, Trevor Story, Justin Turner

Outfielders (6): Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Adam Duvall, Rob Refsnyder, Alex Verdugo, Masataka Yoshida

Infielder/Outfielders (4): Christian Arroyo, Kiké Hernández, Ceddanne Rafaela, Enmanuel Valdez

BOSTON RED SOX NON-ROSTER INVITEES (22)

Pitchers (10): Dan Altavilla, Taylor Broadway, Matt Dermody, Jake Faria, Durbin Feltman, Norwith Gudino, Oddanier Mosqueda, Victor Santos, Ryan Sherriff, Chase Shugart

Catchers (4): Jorge Alfaro, Caleb Hamilton, Ronaldo Hernández, Stephen Scott

Infielders (2): Christian Koss, Matthew Lugo

Outfielders (3): Greg Allen, Narciso Crook, Raimel Tapia

Infielder/Outfielders (3): Ryan Fitzgerald, Niko Goodrum, Nick Sogard

Cardinals acquire left-handed pitcher Anthony Misiewicz from Kansas City in exchange for cash considerations

MLB Editor
-
0
Cardinals acquire left-handed pitcher Anthony Misiewicz from Kansas City in exchange for cash considerations

Right-Handed Pitcher James Naile Designated For Assignment

ST. LOUIS, Mo., – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have acquired left-handed reliever Anthony Misiewicz (mih-SEV-itch) from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for cash considerations.

Misiewicz, 28, split the 2022 season between Seattle and Kansas City, going a combined 1-2 with a 4.34 ERA (29.0 IP) and 27 strikeouts in 32 relief outings.

The 6-1, 196 lb. left-hander has pitched in 119 Major League games between Seattle (2020-22) and Kansas City (2022) over his three-year career, recording a 6-9 record, 4.43 ERA (103.2 IP) and 105 strikeouts, while limiting opposing left-handed batters to .250/.288/.361 (45-180) clip with a .649 OPS.

Since the Detroit, Michigan native made his Major League debut in 2020, Misiewicz ranks 7th among American League leaders in appearances (119, 7th) and holds (32, T-5th). The former Michigan State Spartan also led Seattle in appearances in back-to-back seasons: 66 games in 2021 and 21 games in 2020.

Additionally, St. Louis announced that it designated right-handed pitcher James Naile for assignment. The Cardinals 40-player roster remains at capacity with today’s transaction.

MBB-FBS: USC Trojans (17-6) at Oregon Ducks (14-10)

NCAABB Editor
-
0
MBB-FBS: USC Trojans (17-6) at Oregon Ducks (14-10)

The USC Trojans (17-6, 9-3) will play at the Oregon Ducks (14-10, 8-5) at the Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Feb. 9 at 8:00 p.m. The game will air on ESPN2 with Roxy Bernstein and Corey Williams calling the action.

USC’S STELLAR STRETCH — USC won a school-record 73 games over the last three seasons (22 in 2020, 25 in 2021 and 26 in 2022). The previous school record for wins in three consecutive seasons was 71 (2016-18). The three consecutive seasons of 20+ wins also equals the school record for most consecutive 20-win seasons set from 2016-18.

WINNING WAYS — USC’s 73 total wins the previous three seasons tied for the third most among all Power 6 basketball programs, trailing only the last two NCAA champions Kansas (83) and Baylor (81). Also, USC’s 160 wins the previous seven seasons ranked 13th among all Power 6 conference teams.

ENFIELD WINS 200TH AS HEAD OF THE USC PROGRAM — USC head coach Andy Enfield is in his 10th season at USC and has compiled an 200-124 record. He picked up his 200th win on Feb. 4 vs. Washington. Enfield’s win total ranks fourth on USC’s all-time wins list, trailing only Sam Barry (260), Forrest Twogood (251) and Bob Boyd (216). Including his two seasons as the head coach at FGCU (2012-13), Enfield has compiled a 241-152 record.

FACING OREGON — The Oregon Ducks (14-10, 8-5) are coming off a 75-70 win at Arizona State on Feb. 4. Oregon is 10-4 at home. Senior guard Will Richardson leads the Ducks in scoring with a 14.0 average. USC and Oregon split the season series last year with both teams winning on the other’s court, USC winning 70-69 at Oregon and Oregon winning 79-70 at USC. The Trojans have won 7 of the last 10 meetings with Oregon. USC lead the all-time series with Oregon 67-59* (2 wins later vacated due to NCAA penalty, original record 69-59).

OREGON STATE ON DECK — USC’s next game will be at the Oregon State Beavers (9-15, 3-10) on Feb. 11 at 3:00 p.m. Freshman guard Jordan Pope leads Oregon State in scoring with a 12. 6 average. Eleven of the 15 players on the Beavers’ roster are freshmen or sophomores. USC defeated Oregon State 63-62 in Los Angeles on Dec. 4, overcoming an 11-point halftime deficit. USC has won 11 of its last 14 games against the Beavers. USC leads the all-time series with Oregon State 78-66 (2 USC wins vacated due to NCAA penalty, original record 80-66).

NIGHTTIME IS THE RIGHT TIME — USC is 11-0 this season when the tip is set for 7 p.m. PT or later.

IT STARTS WITH DEFENSE — USC held California to 27.7 shooting on Nov. 30, the lowest by an opponent since holding Stanford to a 25.4 shooting percentage on March 3, 2021. USC allowed Washington State to make a 2022-23 opponent high 49.1 percent of its shots on Jan. 1. USC has held 13 of its 23 opponents this season to under 40 percent shooting. USC is holding its opponents to a 38.9 shooting percentage this season, 9th in the country. Over the last four seasons, USC’s defense has held the opposition to 38.8 FG percentage, 3rd in the country.

LEADERS OF THE PAC — USC is third in conference regular season wins among Pac-12 teams for the past six seasons (since the 2017-18 season). USC is 69-37, Arizona is 71-36, while UCLA is 70-35 in that stretch, through games of Feb. 6. Next up would be Oregon at 66-39 and Colorado at 60-48.

ENJOYING THE HOME COOKING — USC is 12-1 at the Galen Center this season, losing the opener to FGCU on Nov. 7, then winning the next 12 games. The 12-game home winning streak is USC’s longest single-season home winning streak since the Trojans won the first 15 games at the Galen Center in the 2015-16 season.

PETERSON PROVIDING THE ASSIST — Guard Drew Peterson leads USC and is fifth among Pac-12 players with 109 assists. Peterson is one of two players in a Power 6 conference (Jalen Pickett of Penn State) averaging at least 13.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game this season. Peterson is averaging 14.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.

JEKYLL & HYDE FROM WAY OUTSIDE — USC made 47.4 percent of its 3-pointers vs. Washington State on Feb. 2, its eighth game this season making at least 38 percent from 3-point range. In those eight games USC has made 45.5 percent of its 3-pointers (75-for-165), while it has averaged 24.0 percent from beyond the arc in the other 15 games (60-for-250).

I’M YOUR BOOGIE MAN – Senior guard Boogie Ellis has averaged 18.7 points the last 12 games, including scoring a career-high 31 points vs. UCLA on Jan. 26. He began his streak by scoring a then career-best 28 points vs. Auburn on Dec. 18. He scored in double figures in USC’s first 7 games, then totaled 29 points in the next four games, before scoring in double figures the last 13 games. Ellis leads USC with a 16.5 scoring average and leads the team with 51 three-pointers made and 76 free throws made. He is also second among Trojans with 36 steals.

WE KNOW WHAT YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION WAS… — USC has averaged 10.8 turnovers per game in its nine games in 2023 (97 total), after averaging 14.4 turnovers per game in its first 14 contest (201 total) played in 2022. USC has had 12 or more turnovers twice in its last nine games, while reaching 12 or more turnovers in 12 of its first 14 games.

WHERE DO WE STACK IN THE PAC? — In Pac-12 play, USC leads conference teams in field goal defense (39.2 percent), blocked shots (5.58 bpg) and free throw percentage (78.8 percent) and is second in scoring offense (71.4 ppg) and field goal percentage (45.5 percent).

MBB-FBS: California Baptist Lancers (13-11) at Utah Valley Wolverines (18-6)

NCAABB Editor
-
0

UTAH VALLEY HOSTS CALIFORNIA BAPTIST ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE UCCU CENTER

  • Utah Valley returns to Orem for a two-game home stand this week at the UCCU Center. The Wolverines will host California Baptist on Wednesday night before taking on in-state rival Southern Utah on Saturday night. Both games will tip off at 6 p.m.
     
  • Utah Valley’s game against California Baptist on Wednesday night will be Salute to Service Night at the UCCU Center. Those that come to the game wearing the UVU T-Shirt they created at the T-Shirt Bar in the UVU science atrium earlier in the week will get into Wednesday night’s game for free. A limited edition t-shirt from UVU’s Veteran Success Center will be given out to students that attend the game (while supplies last). UVU student Nolan Hicken, a Marine Officer Candidate, will also be honored. Hicken was the top graduate in his class at the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School this past summer. 
     
  • Le’Tre Darthard scored a season-high 26 points and Aziz Bandaogo recorded his 13th double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds to lead Utah Valley to a 76-69 road win over Utah Tech last Thursday in the Old Hammer Rivalry at Burns Arena. Justin Harmon was also in double figures with 12 points to go along with eight rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Trey Woodbury scored nine points with eight rebounds.
     
  • Utah Valley has won 15 of its last 17 games over a two-month period. During that stretch, Utah Valley rattled off 11 straight wins that began with an 88-78 win over Long Beach State on Dec. 3 and ended in an 85-80 loss to Seattle U on Jan. 14. The 11-game streak is the second longest streak in program history behind the 2011-12 team, which won 13 straight.
     
  • Utah Valley had a streak of seven straight road wins come to an end at Southern Utah on Jan. 26. The streak was tied for the third-longest road win streak in the nation at the time. Prior to the loss at SUU, the Wolverines had not lost a road game since falling at Boise State on Nov. 26. UVU’s seven-game road win streak included wins at BYU, Northern Arizona, Oregon, UT Arlington, UTRGV, California Baptist, and Grand Canyon. The Wolverines have now won seven of their last eight road games.
     
  • Utah Valley is the top shot blocking team in the nation with 154 blocks and a 6.4 blocks per game average. The Wolverines sit ahead of Iona (6.3), Florida (6.0), and Illinois (5.9). Utah Valley also ranks third nationally in defensive rebounds per game (29.79) and sixth in rebounds per game (40.21).
     
  • Aziz Bandaogo ranks in the top-10 nationally in six statistical categories. He ranks fourth in blocks (68), sixth in rebounds (259), sixth in blocks per game (2.83), seventh in defensive rebounds per game (7.83), eighth in double-doubles (13), and 10th in rebounds per game (10.8).


BROADCAST INFORMATION
Wednesday’s game against California Baptist will be broadcast live on the ESPN+, which is available on the ESPN+ app and at ESPNplus.com. The game will also be broadcast over the Utah County airwaves on ESPN 960 AM with Jim McCulloch on the call.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA BAPTIST
California Baptist enters Wednesday’s game with a 13-11 overall record and a 5-6 mark in WAC play. The Lancers hold a 4-4 road record this season. CBU has lost three straight, including a pair of games at home last week to Southern Utah (72-71) and Abilene Christian (87-71). In the loss to ACU on Saturday, Taran Armstrong led the tea with 14 points. Reed Nottage and Riley Battin were also in double figures against the Wildcats with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Teran Armstrong leads the team in scoring this season at 12.1 points a game. He also fronts the team in assists at 4.8 a contest, which leads the WAC. CBU ranks 38th nationally in bench points per game at 25.71. The team also ranks 52nd in the country and leads the WAC in three-point percentage defense at 31 percent.  

SERIES HISTORY VS. THE LANCERS
Utah Valley and California Baptist will meet for the 10th time on the basketball hardwood on Wednesday. The Wolverines hold an all-time 6-3 advantage in the series. UVU has won four of the last five meetings against the Lancers, including a 71-67 win in Riverside earlier this year on Jan. 11. The two teams split last season’s two-game series with each team winning on its home floor. The Wolverines took a 63-54 win over the Lancers in the last game played between the two teams in Orem. UVU holds an all-time 4-1 record against CBU in games played at the UCCU Center.

All-Time Results vs. CBU (UVU Leads Series, 6-3)
Jan. 11, 2023    Utah Valley def. California Baptist, 71-67        Riverside, California
Feb. 26, 2022    Utah Valley def. California Baptist, 63-54        Orem, Utah
Jan. 15, 2022    California Baptist def. Utah Valley, 75-73        Riverside, California
Jan. 09, 2021    Utah Valley def. California Baptist, 81-77        Orem, Utah
Jan. 08, 2021    Utah Valley def. California Baptist, 77-50        Orem, Utah
Feb. 26, 2020    California Baptist def. Utah Valley, 73-66        Riverside, California
Jan. 29, 2020    California Baptist def. Utah Valley, 65-61        Orem, Utah
March 02, 2019    Utah Valley def. California Baptist, 64-63        Riverside, California
Jan. 30, 2019    Utah Valley def. California Baptist, 79-62        Orem, Utah

LAST TIME vs. CBU: Utah Valley 71, California Baptist 67 (January 11, 2023 – Riverside)
Trailing by two points, 66-64, Trey Woodbury knocked down a three with 13 seconds left on the clock that gave Utah Valley a lead it would not relinquish in a 71-67 road win over California Baptist on Jan. 11 at the CBU Events Center.

SWAT VALLEY
Utah Valley is the top shot blocking team in the nation with 154 blocks and a 6.4 blocks per game average. The Wolverines sit ahead of Iona (6.3), Florida (6.0), and Illinois (5.9). 

UTAH VALLEY REGAINS TOP SPOT IN WAC RESUME SEEDING SYSTEM, SITS ATOP LEAGUE STANDINGS
Utah Valley is back on top in the latest WAC resume seeding system standings and holds the best record in the WAC standings. The WAC will be seeding its teams at the WAC Tournament based on an algorithm that will rate performance against all teams faced in the regular season, not just conference play, that will rank teams for the conference postseason tournament. Using this resume seeding system, teams will receive more credit by playing stronger opponents than if they play weaker opponents. WAC Commissioner Brian Thornton and WAC Associate Commissioner of Basketball Drew Speraw worked with Ken Pomeroy of kenpom.com to put together this formula.

NHL Preview: Minnesota Wild (27-18-4) at Dallas Stars (29-13-10)

NHL Editor
-
0
NHL Preview: Minnesota Wild (27-18-4) at Dallas Stars (29-13-10)

MINNESOTA WILD NOTES:

SERIES NOTES
DALLAS STARS
All-Time Wild Record: 36-36-13 (23-13-5 at Xcel Energy Center, 13-23-8 at Dallas)
2023-23: The Wild is 1-1-0 in the season series with the Stars… Minnesota won the series opening game at American Airlines Center, 6-5, in a shootout (12/4)…Dallas earned a 4-1 victory at Xcel Energy Center in the second game (12/29)… LW Kirill Kaprizov (2-0=2), D Jared Spurgeon (0-2=2) and RW Ryan Reaves (0-2=2) lead Minnesota with two points each…C Connor Dewar (1-0=1), C Joel Eriksson Ek (1-0=1), LW Jordan Greenway (1-0=1), and D Jake Middleton (1-0=1) have all scored goals…G Marc-Andre Fleury is 1-1-0 with a 3.87 GAA and a .896 SV% in two starts for the Wild…C Roope Hintz leads Dallas with five points (3-2=5)…C Joe Pavelski (0-3=3) and LW Jason Robertson (1-2=3) each have two points…G Jake Oettinger is 1-0-0 with a 3.01 GAA and a .875 SV% in two starts for Dallas…G Scott Wedgewood entered during the first game (12/4) and stopped 14 of 15 shots faced, earning the loss.

WILD LEADERS: Spurgeon leads Minnesota with 19 points (6-13=19) in 40 contests against Dallas…RW Mats Zuccarello owns 18 points (3-15=18) in 21 games against Dallas…C Ryan Hartman has 14 points (7-7=14) in 25 matches…D Matt Dumba owns 12 points (6-6=12) in 28 games.

WILD GOALIES: Fleury is 13-6-1 with a 2.18 GAA, a .927 SV% and one shutout in 20 games played (20 starts) vs. the Stars…G Filip Gustavsson is 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA and a .959 SV% in two starts.

STARS LEADERS: Pavelski (21-23=44 in 51 matches) and C Tyler Seguin (18-26=44 in 39 matches) each own 44 points to lead Dallas against Minnesota…LW Jamie Benn has 43 points (18-25=43) in 50 games… Hintz has 13 points (6-7=12) in 14 contests.

STARS GOALIES: Oettinger is 3-0-0 with a 3.19 GAA and a .878 SV% in five career games (four starts)…Wedgewood is 0-1-2 with a 3.25 GAA and a .887 SV% in four games (two starts).

FAST FACTS: Minnesota is 18-11-5 in its last 34 games against Dallas…The Wild is 12-5-3 in the last 20 games against the Stars at Xcel Energy
Center…Minnesota has points in 11 of the last 18 games (9-7-2) played at American Airlines Center…Minnesota was defeated by Dallas in six games in the 2016 First Round.

FINDING THEIR GROOVE
HOME SWEET HOME
• Since Oct. 25, the Wild is eighth in the NHL with 26 wins and 11th with 55 points.

• Since Oct. 25, Minnesota is giving up 2.55 goals per game (third in the NHL), allowing 29.6 shots per game (eighth in the NHL) and recording a .914 save percentage (tied for seventh in the NHL).

ON THE POWER PLAY
• The Wild have converted 30.1 percent (22 of 73) of power-play opportunities at home this season, third-best in the NHL.

• Minnesota recorded a power-play goal in a season-high six consecutive games from Nov. 23 – Dec. 4, going eight-for-19 (42.1 pct.) during that span. The streak tied for the fifth-longest in franchise history.

PENALTY KILLERS
• Since Nov. 8, Minnesota is ninth in the NHL with a 81.3 penaltykill percentage (109 for 134).

• Minnesota is tied for fifth in the NHL with a 81.9 penalty-kill percentage (77 of 94) on the road this season.

SHORT (HANDED) KINGS
• Minnesota is third in the NHL with eight shorthanded goals this season.

• The total is tied for the highest in franchise history through a season’s first 49 games (eight SHG in 2001-02 and 2006-07 seasons).

• Minnesota has not eclipsed eight shorthanded goals in season since recording nine during the 2008-09 campaign.

DALLAS STARS NOTES:

LAST DALLAS STARS GAME
Feb. 6, 2023 – STARS 3 vs. DUCKS 2 (shootout)
In captain Jamie Benn’s 1,000th career regular-season game, the Stars pulled off a 3-2 shootout victory over the Anaheim Ducks in front of 18,145 at American Airlines Center on Monday. Dallas jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals from defenseman Nils Lundkvist (1-0—1) and forward Roope Hintz (1-0—1) in the first and second periods, respectively. Forwards Radek Faksa (0-1—1) and Mason Marchment (0-1—1) recorded assists on Lundkvist’s goal, while forwards Denis Gurianov (0-1—1) and Jason Robertson (0-1—1) tacked on helpers on Hintz’ tally. The Ducks answered back with two goals in a span of 1:26 in the third period, but the Stars hung on in overtime (killing off a 4-on-3 in the process) and scored twice in three rounds of the shootout (Robertson and Tyler Seguin), while goaltender Jake Oettinger (32 saves) stopped two of three to ensure the extra point. With the win, the Stars extended their point streak to six consecutive games (3-0-3) and remain atop the Central Division with 68 points (29-13-10). PP: 0-5 | PK: 3-4 | SF: 41 | SA: 34 | DAL TOI: Heiskanen (28:53 – game high) | Attendance: 18,145
Three Stars: 1. DAL – J. Benn 2. DAL – J. Robertson 3. ANA – J. Gibson

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time (CT) Location TV/Radio
Wed., Feb. 8, 2023 Minnesota Wild 7:30 p.m. American Airlines Center TNT/KTCK
Sat., Feb. 11, 2023 Tampa Bay Lightning 12 p.m. American Airlines Center ABC/KTCK
Tue., Feb. 14, 2023 Boston Bruins 7:30 p.m. American Airlines Center BSSW/KTCK
Fri., Feb. 17, 2023 Minnesota Wild 7 p.m. Xcel Energy Center BSSW/KTCK
Sat., Feb. 18, 2023 Columbus Blue Jackets 5 p.m. American Airlines Center BSSW/KTCK

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Jan. 1 – Signed forward Joe Pavelski to a one-year contract extension through the 2023-24 season
Jan. 2 – Recalled forward Fredrik Olofsson from Texas (AHL)
Jan. 16 – Loaned forward Nick Caamano to Texas (AHL)
Jan. 24 – Loaned forward Fredrik Olofsson to Texas (AHL)
Feb. 8 – Recalled forward Marian Studenic from Texas (AHL)

INJURIES
Man-games lost, 2022-23: 21
NAME INJURY # OF GAMES DATES
D Miro Heiskanen Upper body 3 Oct. 25-29
G Jake Oettinger Lower body 4 Nov. 1-8
F Denis Gurianov Upper body 6 Nov. 11-21
F Roope Hintz Lower body 1 Nov. 19
F Roope Hintz Upper body 7 Jan. 10-21

DALLAS STARS NOTES
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Stars continue their homestand tonight against the Minnesota Wild at American Airlines Center. (7:30 p.m. CT, TV: TNT, Radio: The Ticket 96.7-FM/1310-AM). This is the second game of four in a row at home coming out of the break, while it’s also a stretch that sees the Stars play eight consecutive contests at AAC. This is the third of four meetings between the Stars and Wild and the final contest in Dallas. They’ll wrap up the four-game set in nine days in St. Paul.

MY SOURCES SAY THE ROADS ARE CLEAR AND STREET SIGNS POINT THE WAY

  • The Stars are 1-0-1 against the Wild this season, losing 6-5 in a shootout on Dec. 4, 2022 at American Airlines Center and winning 4-1 at Xcel Energy Center on Dec. 29, 2022.
  • Dallas is 48-28-9 all-time vs. Minnesota, including a 30-8-6 mark at home.
  • Forward Roope Hintz (3-1—4) recorded his second career hat trick and tied his career high for points in a game in the series opener on Dec. 4, 2022 accounting for four of his five points in two games against them this season.
  • Hintz has 13 points (6-7—13) in 14 career games vs. Minnesota.
  • Forward Jason Robertson has a goal and three points (1-2—3) in two games against the Wild this season and 10 points (6-4—10) in six career contests against them.
  • Forward Tyler Seguin (2-0—2) potted two goals in Dallas’ 4-1 victory on Dec. 29, 2022 at Xcel Energy Center. Among active Stars, Seguin ranks first in assists (26), co-leads in points (18-26—44) and shares second in goals (18) in 39 career games vs. the Wild. He paces the club in shots on goal (167) and shares second in game-winning tallies (3).
  • Forward Joe Pavelski (0-3—3) assisted on three of Dallas’ four third-period goals in the game on Dec. 4, 2022 to match the franchise record for most in a single period – a feat last achieved by Tyler Seguin on April 2, 2022 (0-3—3 in the first period).
  • Pavelski leads active Stars in goals (21), co-leads in points (21-23—44) and ranks third in assists (23) in a team-high 51 games against Minnesota. Six of his 21 goals have come on the power play, tied for first on the club.
  • Captain Jamie Benn (1-0—1) lit the lamp in the most recent contest between these clubs. Benn ranks second in assists (25), shares second in goals (18) and ranks third in points (18-25—43) in 50 career games against Minnesota. Benn also paces the club in game-winning markers (4) and is one of three players on the active roster with a shorthanded goal against them (also Radek Faksa and Esa Lindell).
  • Forward Mason Marchment (1-1—2) recorded a multi-point performance in the Stars’ shootout loss against Minnesota on Dec. 4, 2022. Marchment has four goals and five points (4-1—5) in just three career games against the Wild.
  • Defenseman Miro Heiskanen enters tonight’s game with 10 points (1-9—10) in 13 career contests vs. Minnesota.
  • Defenseman Colin Miller (0-1—1) picked up an assist in the series opener against Minnesota and has seven points (all assists) in 12 career games against them.
  • Lakeville, Minnesota native Jake Oettinger is 3-0-0 with a 3.19 goals-against average and .878 save percentage in five career appearances against Minnesota.
  • Goaltender Scott Wedgewood is 0-1-2 with a 3.29 GAA and .897 SV% in four career appearances vs. the Wild.

2022-23 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
Dec. 4 vs. Minnesota – L, 6-5 (shootout)
Dec. 29 at Minnesota – W, 4-1
Feb. 8 vs. Minnesota
Feb. 17 at Minnesota

1...3,2843,2853,286...4,338Page 3,285 of 4,338

Contact us: info@sportsgamingjournal.com

* PLEASE NOTE: THE INFORMATION CONTAINED AT THIS SITE IS FOR NEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. ANY USE OF THIS INFORMATION IN VIOLATION OF ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAWS IS PROHIBITED.

FOLLOW US

TODAY"S TOP CATEGORIES

© Copyright 2024, Sports Gaming Journal. All rights reserved.