Sports category, Page 2144
Return to health by 3 skill players could benefit Steelers in 2020
The Pittsburgh Steelers expect a healthy Ben Roethlisberger to cure many – but not all — of the offensive problems that plagued the team in 2019. The NFL Draft can address other weaknesses, and general manager Kevin Colbert isn’t discounting a return to health by three of the Steelers’ top...
Patric Hornqvist, 4th line lead Penguins past Red Wings
Patric Hornqvist has quite a resume. A two-time Stanley Cup winner, he has reached the 20-goal mark eight times in his career. Also, he makes a healthy $5.3 million per season. Having Hornqvist play on a fourth line is akin to Pablo Picasso painting your garage. Or, at least Jackson...
DC Defenders WR Eli Rogers misses mother’s funeral to play XFL game
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Eli Rogers, who now suits up for the DC Defenders of the new XFL, made a difficult decision to play for his new team Saturday and miss the funeral of his mother. Tranae Jackson died on Feb. 5 at the age of 50. Before the...
Penguins to start Matt Murray against Red Wings
The Penguins will start goaltender Matt Murray on Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings at PPG Paints Arena, according to coach Mike Sullivan. In 30 games this season, Murray has a 16-7-5 record, along with a 2.82 goals-against average, a .902 save percentage and one shutout. Murray and Tristan Jarry...
Stars who helped spark Pirates’ resurgence reunite with Phillies
CLEARWATER, Fla. — A visit to the Philadelphia Phillies’ spring training clubhouse at Spectrum Field made it almost seem like the Pittsburgh Pirates should be preparing for a National League wild-card game. In one corner of the room was Andrew McCutchen’s locker. About 12 lockers down from McCutchen, Francisco Liriano...
Minor league report: Penguins lose to Sound Tigers, 3-2
Goaltender Casey DeSmith made 25 saves for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 3-2 road loss to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn. on Saturday. Forwards Joseph Blandisi and Jamie Devane scored goals for the Penguins (25-20-3-5). The Penguins’ next game is at home against the...
Panthers’ road woes continue with loss at Virginia Tech
BLACKSBURG, Va. — During Virginia Tech’s recent skid, its fans and players had been searching for answers to help the Hokies solve some of their recent end-of-game issues, particularly after two close losses to Boston College and one to Florida State. Pitt had been searching for answers to its road...
Kobe Bryant casts shadow as NBA’s best meet in All-Star GameVideo
CHICAGO — Kobe Bryant always seemed to be in top form when he stepped onto the court for the NBA All-Star Game. The league’s current best will try to match his effort when Team LeBron and Team Giannis meet Sunday. The All-Star festivities return to Chicago for the first time...
Kevin Gorman: Oscar Marin on mission to help Pirates pitchers understand analyticsVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. Oscar Marin is a man on a mission, one that looked impossible last summer: rescue and revive the pitching staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. As pitching coach, the 37-year-old Marin has brought old-school values and new-age ideas to the Pirates in ways Ray Searage either couldn’t or wouldn’t....
West Viriginia latest to lose against No. 1 BaylorVideo
WACO, Texas — Jared Butler said he wasn’t trying to make up for the absence of Baylor’s second-leading scorer behind him as the top-ranked Bears chased the Big 12 record for consecutive wins. Maybe it just seemed that way when the junior guard connected on a 3-pointer just 21 seconds...
What would work for Eastern Conference contenders as trade deadline approaches?
The Pittsburgh Penguins, as they are wont to do under general manager Jim Rutherford, didn’t wait until the Feb. 24 trade deadline to make a deal that could alter the trajectory of their season. On Monday, Rutherford swung a major trade by bringing forward Jason Zucker from the Minnesota Wild...
Sports psychologist helps Duquesne players keep their minds rightVideo
Keith Dambrot doesn’t like long stretches of inactivity during the basketball season, especially when he’s trying to help his team build momentum for the postseason. Like it or not, Duquesne’s coach was either gifted or burdened with seven days between games after an 83-80 loss to St. Bonaventure on Feb....
Daytona 500 up for grabs as no clear theme emerges
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The first four events leading into the Daytona 500 have produced four different winners. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. put his new team on the pole, while Erik Jones outlasted a crash-fest to win a qualifying race. Joey Logano and William Byron won the qualifying races. No clear...
World Series MVP Strasburg doesn’t want to be asked how he is feelingVideo
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Stephen Strasburg has no interest in engaging in the typical spring training chatter between a pitcher and his manager or coaching staff or GM. How did it go out there today? How’s the arm after that bullpen session? How do you feel? “I kind of...
Empty net or not, Penguins’ Zach Aston-Reese snaps scoring droughtVideo
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese snapped a 14-game streak without a goal during Friday’s 4-1 home win against the Montreal Canadiens. He didn’t exactly boast about how he scored it, however. Mainly because it was on an empty net. “It’s a lot easier when there’s no goalie there, obviously,” said...
Sidney Crosby offers take on Penguins’ mix-and-match top lineVideo
Over the past two games, top Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby had gotten adjusted to new left winger Jason Zucker. He also has had to make adjustments working with familiar options on the right wing with Patric Hornqvist and Dominik Simon. The Penguins opened Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime home loss to...
Penguins’ Dominik Kahun practices once againVideo
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Dominik Kahun (concussion) participated in his second consecutive practice Saturday. Operating in a noncontact capacity, Kahun reported feeling “way better.” Aside from a lack of contact, Kahun has displayed few limitations with regards to his skating or conditioning during practice. “I’m going 100 percent already,” Kahun said....
Outdoors notices for Feb. 16, 2020
Outdoors Notices RIFLE LEAGUES • In the Allegheny Valley Rifle League on Feb. 7, Murrysville (7-7) defeated Butler (8-6), 1,169-1,160, in the A-team standings. In the B-team division, Murrysville (7.5-6.5) defeated Butler (6-8), 1,148-1,095. Butler’s Kevin Dufford shot 296 to earn high individual honors. Butler’s Bob Doverspike was the high...
Robert Morris’ streak snapped in 1-point loss to Fairleigh DickinsonVideo
Andy Toole’s message was direct. It was strong. And it was meant to be heard by the Northeast Conference. Toole, Robert Morris’ pragmatic men’s basketball coach, didn’t mince words Saturday following a controversial, last-second call that potentially cost his Colonials a shot at a seventh consecutive victory and the retention...
No. 13 Penn State reaches 20 wins with victory over Northwestern
STATE COLLEGE — Penn State coach Patrick Chambers has watched his teams cough up enough leads late to know this squad is different. The No. 13 Nittany Lions are hanging on and closing out games. Lamar Stevens scored 23 points to lead Penn State over Northwestern, 77-61, on Saturday. Myles...
Penguins forward Nick Bjugstad resumes skating
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Nick Bjugstad resumed skating for the first time in several weeks Saturday at the Penguins’ facility in Cranberry. Absent from the lineup since Nov. 15 because of a core muscle injury, Bjugstad skated before the team’s practice. He had not skated since mid-January during his recovery and...
Penguins sign 6 Make-A-Wish children to 1-day contractsVideo
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford signed special one-day contracts for six special children at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry on Saturday morning. Through Make-A-Wish, the six children were able to have breakfast in the locker room with Penguins players and watch practice with their families. Following practice...
Dwindling number of high school officials part of troubling nationwide trend
As a high school basketball official in his early 20s, Joe Strednak wasn’t much older than the athletes on the court. Occasionally, someone would test his poise as the youngest ref on his crew. To him, that came with the job. The 25-year-old from North Braddock is now finishing his...
Now longest-tenured Pirate, Gregory Polanco healthy, ready to playVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. – When Gregory Polanco reported to spring training Saturday and declared he was happy and healthy, the Pittsburgh Pirates had to be as relieved as they are thrilled. After missing a quarter of last season following surgery on his left shoulder, Polanco pronounced himself “way better”...
Pine-Richland grad Rourke making most of senior season with Gannon women’s basketball
Since stepping onto campus four years ago, Gannon women’s basketball player Chelsea Rourke has appeared 111 games. In that time, she has amassed more than 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. At this point, the senior forward and Pine-Richland alum is relishing each game remaining in her time with the Golden...
