NHL; Rangers Back To Within 2 Points Of Carolina

April 14, 2022 3:52 am

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Kaapo Kakko scored a pair of goals and Alexandar Georgiev made 28 saves to lead the New York Rangers to a 4-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Artemi Panarin and Andrew Copp also scored for New York, which has won four of five. Barclay Goodrow and Jacob Trouba each had two assists. The Rangers remained in second place in the Metropolitan Division, two points behind idle Carolina. The Hurricanes skated to a 4-2 win over the Rangers in New York on Tuesday night. The Flyers have been outscored 18-5 while losing three in a row. Philadelphia entered 15th of 16 teams in the Eastern Conference and was playing without several key regulars.

Penguins Fall To Islanders In A Shootout

April 13, 2022 3:54 am

NEW YORK (AP) –  Zach Parise and Josh Bailey each scored twice, and Kyle Palmieri had the lone goal in the shootout as the New York Islanders beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4. Ilya Sorokin stopped Jake Guentzel, Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang in the shootout and finished with a career-high 43 saves for New York. Jake Guentzel had two goals and an assist, Crosby had two assist and Casey DeSmith made 33 saves for the Penguins, who lost for the fourth time in five games. Danton Heinen and Jeff Carter also scored for Pittsburgh.

Suzuki’s 2 Homers Spoil Pirates Home Opener

April 13, 2022 3:57 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Seiya Suzuki homered twice, Drew Smyly pitched five scoreless innings and the Chicago Cubs beat Pittsburgh 2-1, spoiling the Pirates’ home opener. Suzuki connected for leadoff shots in the fifth and seventh. One of the top players in Japan, Suzuki signed an $85 million, five-year contract with the Cubs last month. Smyly permitted three hits and walked none in his Cubs debut. The left-hander agreed to a one-year contract last month.

Hayes Excited About Deal With Pirates

April 13, 2022 3:59 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pirates’ streak of last-place finishes did not deter Ke’Bryan Hayes from making a long-term commitment, The 25-year-old third baseman’s $70 million, eight-year contract was announced before Pittsburgh’s home opener against the Chicago Cubs.

Ron Faust Resigns at Wash High

April 12, 2022 2:58 am

After 36 years at the helm, spread over two stints, Wash High boys basketball coach Ron Faust is stepping down. The Washington School Board accepted Faust’s resignation Monday night.  A winner of two state championships and four WPIAL titles, Faust walks away as the ninth winningest coach in WPIAL history, finishing with a career mark of 653-241, a .730 winning percentage.  Under Faust, the Little Prexies won 22 section championships and were unbeaten in District and PIAA championship games (6-0). The board will begin a search for Faust’s replacement immediately.

Pirates Set For Home Opener

April 12, 2022 3:47 am

ST. LOUIS (AP) – The series finale between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates has been postponed because of inclement weather. The teams will make up Monday’s postponed game with a split doubleheader on Tuesday, June 14, with the makeup for Monday’s game taking place at 12:15 p.m. Central time prior to the originally scheduled 6:45 p.m. game. The Buc’s host the Chicago Cubs Tuesday afternoon for the home opener at PNC Park.  First pitch at 4:12 p.m.

Evgeni Malkin Suspended 4 Games

April 12, 2022 3:45 am

UNDATED (AP) – Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin has been suspended four games for cross-checking Nashville’s Mark Borowiecki in the face. The NHL’s department of player safety announced the suspension after holding a hearing with Malkin about the play. Malkin was initially given only a four-minute double-minor penalty after striking Borowiecki in the mouth with his stick at the end of the second period Sunday. This is Malkin’s second suspension after a one-game ban for high-sticking in 2019. This one costs him $190,000 in salary. He’s eligible to return April 23 vs. Detroit.

Pens Snap 4 Game Skid; Beat Nashville In OT

April 11, 2022 3:51 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Sidney Crosby scored the second of his two goals at 2:21 of overtime for his 1,400th career point, helping the Pittsburgh Penguins snap a four-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators. Crosby added an assist in his 1,100th game, becoming the seventh-fastest player in NHL history to reach the 1,400-point milestone. It was also Crosby’s 77th game-winning goal, one behind Evgeni Malkin and Jaromir Jagr for the most in team history. Jason Zucker also scored in regulation and Rakell assisted on all three goals for the Penguins. Casey DeSmith stopped 33 shots. Matt Duchene and Nick Cousins had goals for Nashville, which lost its second straight.

Pirate Beat Cardinals For First Win Of The Season

April 11, 2022 3:53 am

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Michael Chavis hit a go-ahead grand slam as Pittsburgh overcame a three-run, third-inning deficit, and the Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-4 for their first win this season. Chavis made his first start of the season and homered off left-hander Steven Matz, who allowed seven runs and nine hits over three innings in his first start since signing a $44 million, four-year contract. It was the second slam of Chavis’ big league career. He finished a triple shy of the cycle. Diego Castillo added three hits for the Pirates.

Scheffler Closes Out Masters Win

April 11, 2022 3:55 am

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) – Two months ago, Scottie Scheffler had never earned a PGA Tour victory. Today, he’s the world’s No. 1 golfer and the reigning Masters champion.  Scheffler picked up his fourth victory since Feb. 13 by defeating Rory McIlroy by three strokes at Augusta National. He came into the day with a three-shot lead, and he made sure it held up by closing with a 1-under 71. Scheffler finished at 10-under 278 overall, winning for the fourth time in his last six tournaments.  Scheffler four-putted for a double-bogey at the final hole, but he had such a comfortable lead it didn’t matter.  McIlroy was the runner-up after shooting 64, but he came into the day 10 strokes behind and was never a serious challenger to Scheffler. The Masters is the lone major to elude McIlroy.  Cameron Smith birdied his first two holes on Sunday to get within one stroke of the lead, but he fell out of contention with a triple-bogey at Amen Corner and finished five back. Smith and Shane Lowry finished in a third-place tie.