Sports category, Page 630
The new pro women’s hockey league allows more hitting. Players say they like showing those skills
LOWELL, Mass. — With an early-season PWHL game between Montreal and Boston winding down, the speakers blared the 1980s hit that had Olivia Newton-John singing “Let’s get physical.” And that’s just what the players did. In a break from previous top professional women’s hockey leagues, the PWHL has written into...
Reports: Penguins’ Jake Guentzel close to being dealt to Carolina
As the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals closed in on puck drop Thursday at PPG Paints Arena, significant traction was reported regarding a trade of injured winger Jake Guentzel. Several NHL insiders said Guentzel, 29, was close to being dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes. Neither club has confirmed the trade....
Shane Lowry shows good form is valuable at Bay Hill
ORLANDO, Fla. — Shane Lowry knew he was playing good golf because he gave himself a chance to win last week. He also knew his record at Bay Hill was as bad as any course he has played. Good form won out Thursday in the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Lowry made...
Bears, Pro Bowl CB Jaylon Johnson agree to 4-year, $76M contract extension
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears and Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson agreed Thursday to a four-year, $76 million contract that guarantees him $54.4 million. Two people familiar with the situation confirmed the financial terms of the deal, which was first reported by the NFL Network. “We’re extremely excited to be...
Broncos releasing star safety Justin Simmons in cost-saving move
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos are releasing safety Justin Simmons in the fallout from the Russell Wilson separation, according to multiple reports. Simmons immediately becomes one of the best veterans available when free agency begins next week. A second-team All-Pro in four of his last five seasons, Simmons intercepted...
Maple Leafs join NHL trade deadline party; Oilers, Avalanche make more moves
With one sleep left before the NHL trade deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs joined the party Thursday by bulking up on defense, while two Western Conference Stanley Cup contenders made more moves to improve in crucial areas. Colorado acquired a pair of versatile forwards from Central Division rivals, Brandon Duhaime...
Mitch Trubisky signs 2-year contract with Buffalo Bills
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Quarterback Mitch Trubisky is returning to Buffalo to reprise his role as Josh Allen’s backup after signing a two-year contract with the Bills on Thursday. The player selected No. 2 overall in the 2017 draft rejoins the Bills after failing to re-establish himself as a starter...
Pitt’s 3 guards hold key to team’s late-season surge
Basketball is a game of ball control. Maintaining and maximizing possessions are critical to a team’s success, and guards often control the offense’s flow. No wonder that nine of the past 10 players who were named Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four are guards. Miami rode guards Jordan Miller,...
Uptick in power-play productivity a welcomed change of pace for PenguinsVideo
Aside from isolated spurts of a few games, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ power play largely has been moribund this season. The Penguins’ 15.4% conversion rate on the man-advantage ranks 28th in the NHL, but lately, things have been looking up. Over their last nine games, the Penguins have gone 8 for...
Paul Skenes, Termarr Johnson headline Pirates’ roster for Spring Breakout game against Orioles
Headlined by right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes and second baseman Termarr Johnson, the Pittsburgh Pirates will have 20 of their top 30 prospects on their roster for the Spring Breakout game. A new MLB concept, the Spring Breakout features top prospects from the Pirates and Baltimore Orioles who will play a...
Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry expected to start against Capitals
The Pittsburgh Penguins are expected to start goaltender Tristan Jarry in Thursday’s home game against the Washington Capitals at PPG Paints Arena. Jarry was the first goaltender to leave the ice following Thursday’s morning skate. That is typically an indicator of which goaltender will start. In 42 games this season,...
Steelers release veteran safety Keanu Neal after failed physicalVideo
The Pittsburgh Steelers released veteran safety Keanu Neal on Thursday, doing so with the designation of a failed physical. An eight-year NFL veteran who turns 29 in July, Neal joined the Steelers via a two-year deal as a free agent last March. He started eight of the nine games he...
Unsung heroes dot coaching staffs of Westmoreland County state playoff teams
It’s the first practice after a relaxing weekend, and Norwin girls basketball coach Brian Brozeski is lowering the hoops around the gymnasium at “The Castle.” (He stays away from hoop No. 5. It’s a long story.) His WPIAL champion players file into the gym after a group walk on a...
Jake Paul fight against Mike Tyson is announced for July 20, will be streamed live on Netflix
ARLINGTON, Texas — Social media star-turned-boxer Jake Paul will fight former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson on July 20 at AT&T Stadium, Netflix announced Thursday. The streaming platform will provide live coverage of the bout between the 27-year-old Paul and 57-year-old Tyson, who hasn’t fought since he and Roy Jones Jr....
U mad, bro?: Readers are fed up with the Penguins, but starting to stick up for the Steelers
When it comes to fan reaction to the Steelers and Penguins, just by the tone, you can always tell which team is in season and struggling versus which is in the offseason and preparing to reboot. Based on the feedback I’m getting, hockey fans are fed up with the Pens...
Tim Benz: Steelers coaches can be upset about criticism of Kenny Pickett, but be aware of who is being critical
Based on what NFL on CBS reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala said on 93.7 The Fan Wednesday, the Steelers coaching staff is taking all the criticism of Kenny Pickett to heart. “There was a lot of chatter at the Combine doubting Kenny Pickett,” Kinkhabwala told hosts Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller. “And,...
First Call: A team that may be in the lead for Jake Guentzel; Mitch Trubisky signs elsewhere; ex-Pitt Panther released
We begin Thursday’s “First Call” the same way we ended Wednesday night. That’s waiting for the Penguins to trade Jake Guentzel. At least there is an update on that front. We get into some recent struggles for Sidney Crosby. Mitch Trubisky has a new home. A former Pitt Panther is...
Pirates outfielder Joshua Palacios went ‘straight science’ this offseason to work on his swing
Joshua Palacios attributes much of his success with the Pittsburgh Pirates to playing winter ball in Puerto Rico, helping him make the jump from Double-A to the major leagues last season. But Palacios wanted to work on his weaknesses, so he spent this past offseason visiting Driveline Baseball and Motor...
Source: Eagles to release former Pitt CB Avonte Maddox
PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles are releasing starting slot cornerback Avonte Maddox, according to a league source who confirmed an ESPN report Wednesday. The 27-year-old spent the first six seasons of his career with the Eagles and was entering the final season of a four-year contract extension signed in 2021 with...
Pitt women fall to Georgia Tech in 1st round of ACC Tournament
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Tonie Morgan had 24 points and 11 rebounds for her eighth double-double of the season, Kara Dunn added 14 points and nine rebounds and 10th-seeded Georgia Tech knocked off No. 15 seed Pitt, 73-60, on Wednesday in the first round of the ACC Tournament. Georgia Tech (17-14)...
Hot start helps Jamie Dixon, TCU beat West Virginia
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Emanuel Miller scored 21 points, and TCU rode a hot start to a 93-81 victory over West Virginia on Wednesday night. Jameer Nelson Jr. added 17 points, Micah Peavy scored 16 and Chuck O’Bannon 11 for TCU (20-10, 9-8 Big 12). The Horned Frogs broke a two-game...
Pirates ace Mitch Keller gives up 3 runs on 4 hits against Orioles, who rally for win
Mitch Keller gave up three runs on four hits for the second consecutive start and surrendered his first home run of spring training Wednesday night against the Baltimore Orioles. Anthony Santander hit a two-run homer off the Pittsburgh Pirates ace in the first inning. Keller allowed another run in the...
From Herschel Walker to Russell Wilson, a look at some of the worst NFL trades ever
In a span of just a few days in the 2022 offseason, the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns made aggressive trades to acquire what they hoped would be franchise-altering quarterbacks. The results so far have been underwhelming. The Broncos are cutting ties already with Russell Wilson after investing heavy draft...
Bay Hill still boasts a strong field. It’s just a lot smallerVideo
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Arnold Palmer Invitational is now one of the signature events on the PGA Tour, meaning it has a $20 million purse with one of the strongest fields of the year on a tough golf course at Bay Hill that rarely produces surprise winners. In other words,...
Bills releasing Jordan Poyer, Mitch Morse; Tre’Davious White also will be cut
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills underwent a drastic makeover on Wednesday, with salary cap constraints forcing the four-time AFC East defending champions to cut into their core by releasing five players, including safety Jordan Poyer and center Mitch Morse. Also cut was cornerback Tre’Davious White, a person with...
