Saturday, May 1, 2021
Mark Masters: Toronto Maple Leafs' maintenance men return in rubber match against Canucks - TSN
TSN Toronto Reporter Mark Masters reports on the Maple Leafs, who skated at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday ahead of their matchup with the Vancouver Canucks.
After sitting out Thursday's game for maintenance, Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin, Nick Foligno and Jack Campbell are all back in tonight.
"It's a little bit of a process trying to convince guys around here to take time off if they don't absolutely need it," admitted Rielly, who was rocked by a big Josh Anderson hit on Wednesday in Montreal. "But I think that in the long run it was the right thing to do just with the playoffs around the corner and a busy schedule and all that stuff. I'm happy to be back and feeling good and ready to go tonight."
"Guys at this time of the year, they're used to being a little bit banged up, but just pushing through it and playing through it," coach Sheldon Keefe noted. "But we are looking bigger picture. I don't think it's necessary for guys to be pushing through things with where we're at here right now."
The Leafs have a nine-point lead atop the North Division.
Keefe is going back to the formation he employed in Wednesday's win against the Canadiens. So, Rielly will pair with T.J. Brodie while Muzzin reunites with Justin Holl. Foligno will slot back in on the top line beside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner while Campbell starts in net.
Ben Hutton, Timothy Liljegren and Pierre Engvall will be scratches after dressing on Thursday.
Toronto and Vancouver have split eight previous games this season with the home team winning every time.
"We've played not our best at times," Rielly said of the series. "Last game we played was pretty solid through and through. It's important that we keep that going. We know how we have to play. We watched video this morning. We know their structure at this point so it's about executing."
The Canucks own the most wins (four) against the Leafs this season.
---
With Foligno returning, Joe Thornton drops back down to the fourth line with Adam Brooks and Jason Spezza. That trio has played well since being put together in Winnipeg on April 22.
"There's still some pinch-me moments when you're out there with them," the 24-year-old Brooks said. "They have so much insight into the game and see so much. There's something every game whether it be a hole in the defence, where they want you positioned on the breakout or in the O-zone where they want you popping to ... It's so easy to play with them and it's still pretty crazy."
Spezza and Thornton have both hit the scoresheet in four straight games while Brooks has a goal and an assist in that stretch.
"We've worked hard to create an identity," Spezza said. "We know what works for us. We know what doesn't. We're seeing each other well. We're doing a good job of trying to spread the zone and use our bodies. Brooks is a really smart player. He complements us really well."
Thornton, who's lined up in the middle for most of his Hall-of-Fame career, is feeling more and more at ease on left wing where he has played exclusively this season.
"It took me a little bit, but I feel comfortable there and my game is coming along nicely now," the 41-year-old told TSN during Thursday's game broadcast. "Usually at centre you're always around the puck and you're kind of controlling the game. [On the wing] you have to look a lot more and you have to read the centre and know where you are on the ice a little bit more so it took me some time, but I feel comfortable there now."
Brooks, meanwhile, isn't getting comfortable in the Leafs lineup. He's only played seven games this year and 14 NHL games overall.
"There was a huge stretch of the season where I didn't really even see myself coming back to this position so I'm just trying to make the most of my opportunity," the Winnipeg native said. "You can't get complacent in this spot."
Forwards Riley Nash and Zach Hyman are skating again as they work their way back from knee injuries.
"We've got injuries here that are keeping guys out of the line-up so it's created additional opportunities for other players and Brooksy's one that's really taken advantage of his," Keefe said. "He's taken it and run with it here. He does what you want young players to do, which is don't give the coaches a reason to take you out and control what you can control. No matter how much you play, go out and be effective and show that you bring value to the team. He's done that every single game and coaches are recognizing it. Perhaps, especially this time of the year, even more importantly, his teammates are recognizing it."
---
With Rielly and Muzzin back, Rasmus Sandin will return to the third pair. There's no doubt he made the most of his audition in the top four. The 21-year-old Swede played a career high 21 minutes and 39 seconds on Thursday, picking up an assist and finishing plus-two.
"He's been outstanding," gushed Rielly. "The one area of his game that I like a lot is just his patience with the puck. He holds onto it and makes plays and it's awesome to see from a young player."
The Leafs had a day off on Friday, but Sandin was still making a mark by doing some radio interviews. He was, of course, asked about that big reverse hit on Blake Wheeler in Winnipeg.
"I just saw I had a guy on my back and I thought he was going to hit me so I just tried to make a play," Sandin told Leafs Lunch host Andi Petrillo on TSN 1050. "I tried to protect myself and protect the puck as well so it turned out to be a pretty big hit and all the guys on the team loved it."
Was the 5-foot-11, 183-pounder surprised by how much of a buzz the big hit created?
"A little bit," Sandin said. "I don't think about it as that. I think about it as playing hockey. You know, it’s a physical sport and whenever you can use your body I think you should. I was a little surprised it turned out to be that popular on social media."
Rasmus Sandin rocks Blake Wheeler pic.twitter.com/BfvlbgdpyB
— Kevin Papetti (@KPapetti) April 24, 2021
At one point during Friday's interview, Sandin revealed countryman William Nylander was with him.
"Sorry, I have an annoying guy right beside me," Sandin said with a laugh. "He's just jealous of me talking to you guys. He's trying to make fun of me here."
The pair trained together in the off-season. What's the key defending against Nylander?
"Chirp him," Sandin said with a chuckle. "That would be the easiest way, I think. I have my Swedish chirps. Maybe throw a reverse hit on him ... He says he's unstoppable."
Nylander, who is celebrating his 25th birthday today, has opened the scoring for the Leafs in the last two games.
---
Wayne Simmonds dropped the gloves with Alex Edler on Thursday night. It was the first time the Leafs had seen the Canucks defenceman since his knee-on-knee hit sidelined Hyman on April 18.
What message did Simmonds send?
"I don’t think he was trying to do anything like that," said Rielly. "He felt a certain way about what had transpired in Vancouver and it got dealt with and now it's over so we move on."
Simmonds fills Edler in pic.twitter.com/RLG7wx8JHQ
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 29, 2021
Simmonds was brought in during the off-season in part to boost Toronto's team toughness.
"I do think little things like that are in the fabric of our game and I think are part of what makes a team a team, brings a team together," Keefe said after Thursday's game. "Credit to Simmer for stepping up in those situations. I think his teammates appreciate it and recognize it. It set a good tone for the game. It was nothing that was really talked about beforehand or anything like that. It caught me a little bit off guard, but I think anyone who's been around the game kind of knew what was happening there and credit for Wayne to step up and, at the same time, for Edler to participate in that."
Hyman has started skating again as he works his way back from the MCL sprain.
---
Lines at Saturday's Leafs skate:
Foligno - Matthews - Marner
Galchenyuk - Tavares - Nylander
Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Simmonds
Thornton - Brooks - Spezza
Engvall, Noesen
Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Holl
Sandin - Dermott
Hutton - Liljegren
Campbell starts
Rittich
Andersen
Power play units at Saturday's Leafs skate:
QB: Rielly
Flanks: Matthews, Marner
Bumper: Tavares
Net front: Nylander
QB: Sandin
Flanks: Kerfoot, Spezza
Bumper: Thornton
Net front: Simmonds
Mark Masters: Toronto Maple Leafs' maintenance men return in rubber match against Canucks - TSN
Read More
Kvitova edges Kerber in Madrid match of Grand Slam champs 2021 Madrid 1 hr ago - WTA Tennis
The latest chapter of the storied rivalry between Petra Kvitova and Angelique Kerber went the way of the Czech left-hander on Saturday in the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open, 6-4, 7-5.
In an all-time history that dates back nine years, Saturday marked just the third time the two left-handers have met before the quarterfinals at a WTA tournament, not including two round-robin matches at the WTA Finals in 2013 and 2015.
Bidding to level their all-time head-to-head at 7-7, Kerber was the first player to break in both sets, but immediately surrendered the advantage in her next service game. Ultimately, Kvitova broke serve again in the final game of each to secure her third victory in six meetings on clay.
"I don't think that I really played like bad games when she broke my serve. It was kind of important to stay calm, which I did very well I think today, through whole match. I just took her straight away back," Kvitova said after the match.
"I served very well, especially in the important points. I think like overall the intensity and the tennis itself was on the high level I would say. I think we really played very well. She even served very well, as well. It was tough to attack her serve.
"I think I was pretty pleased that I stayed calm during the whole match. I was just there, doesn't matter what the score [was]. That's what I'm pleased with."
In what was high-quality performance by both players, Kvitova's power tennis ultimately proved the difference-maker: the Czech's winner total, 33, doubled both that of Kerber (14) and her own unforced error count (16) over the course of one hour and 22 minutes.
Elsewhere, Ons Jabeur earned a 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 win over another Grand Slam champion, 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens, to follow Kvitova through to the third round and continue her in-form spring on clay.
"I had a little bit of trouble adjusting at the beginning but I'm glad I played well," Jabeur said on-court after the match. "The second set was amazing, and the third set was a very difficult set.
"It's great to be here. I've played a lot of matches lately and I'm glad I'm keeping the rhythm. I love the clay and I'm trying to enjoy every match here."
With the first clay-court match between the two players finely poised at one-set all, there was little to separate the two in the decider: Jabeur earned the decisive break in a lengthy, five-deuce sixth game to lead, 4-2.
Previously in the final set, the Tunisian No.1 saved three break points in each of her first two service games, while Stephens also denied her a chance to break in the fourth game.
In all, Jabeur totaled 27 winners to 25 unforced errors — with Stephens racking up 12 winners and 18 unforced. Though both players had 13 break points chances in the match, Jabeur's conversion rate (7-for-13) was more effective, with Stephens only breaking once in the second and third sets.
After eight wins across two weeks on the green clay in Charleston, Jabeur's tournament debut in Madrid will continue against either No.8 seed Belinda Bencic or another American, qualifier Bernarda Pera.
"I had a feeling that I was playing good, and just needed some adjustments. She was running very good and had a few amazing shots that made it a little bit difficult for me. At the right moments, I really pulled out some great winners," Jabeur told WTA Insider, post-match.
"I was winning matches in Charleston, but I wasn't feeling 100 percent my game. Here, I feel like I'm playing well, sliding well on the clay. I'm enjoying myself here. I think that playing a lot of matches really helped in getting this form. Each match is much better, so I'm... going to continue playing this way, and hopefully much better."
Kvitova edges Kerber in Madrid match of Grand Slam champs 2021 Madrid 1 hr ago - WTA Tennis
Read More
ATP Flashback: Nadal saves three match points to deny Djokovic in Madrid - ATP Tour
[unable to retrieve full-text content]
ATP Flashback: Nadal saves three match points to deny Djokovic in Madrid ATP TourATP Flashback: Nadal saves three match points to deny Djokovic in Madrid - ATP Tour
Read More
Friday, April 30, 2021
France 15-17 England: Match called off because of floodlight failure - BBC News
Women's Six Nations champions England's Test in France was called off in the 63rd minute after the floodlights went out, giving the Red Roses victory.
Concerns over player welfare because of the amount of time it would take for the lights to come back on led to the decision to stop the game.
Because more than 60 minutes had been played, England are awarded the win.
The Red Roses were leading 17-15 thanks in part to Abby Dow's impressive scores when the lights went out.
England were looking to finish their spring schedule on a high after winning a third Six Nations title in a row against the same opponents last weekend.
They had managed to edge into a narrow lead with 20 minutes remaining before France were robbed of the chance to end the Red Roses' now nine-game winning streak against Les Bleues.
"It's really tricky for all these players," England scrum-half Natasha Hunt said on BBC iPlayer.
"You don't want to finish a game like this. I have never experienced anything like this - it's crazy."
After the lights went out, players initially lingered on the pitch uncertain of what was happening before heading into the dressing rooms to stay warm.
After waiting about 20 minutes, England's management expressed concerns over increased risks of injury given the long break in play and referee Clara Munarini called off the match.
Dow's solo efforts hold off early French pressure
Before it was brought to an early end, the match had been a chance for both side's backs - Dow in particular - to shine.
France dominated early possession and, after handling errors initially halted their progress, centre Maelle Filopon made it over the tryline thanks to nifty work from the ruck by scrum-half Pauline Bourdon.
England soon replied through Dow's first impressive showing of the half. Centre Emily Scarratt sent a ball long and Dow flew around tacklers and down the right wing to cross.
Unusually, fly-half Zoe Harrison was entrusted with kicking duties in place of Scarratt and added an extra two points.
Harrison's moment in the spotlight was short-lived when she was shown a yellow card for being caught offside 5m from her tryline.
Bourdon continued to cause trouble with quick play and Jessy Tremouliere cut through England's 14-woman defence with ease to score France's second try, but the full-back missed her conversion.
As the first half drew to a close, Dow swooped in once more to save England. The wing caught a high ball and covered half the pitch, darting past no fewer than five French defenders to score.
Scarratt took over kicking duties in Harrison's absence and her conversion gave England a 14-12 lead at the break.
Harrison penalty seals victory
Harrison returned to the field to take England back up to 15, but the visitors gave away an early penalty to give Tremouliere the chance to put France back in the lead.
A high tackle by prop Annaelle Deshayes allowed the England fly-half to repay the favour almost immediately as she claimed three points from the tee.
Indiscipline continued to be the story of the second half as flanker Julie Annery dropped her knee on Poppy Cleall's face and was sent to the sin-bin as a result.
England could not make the most of the numerical advantage and some of the energy was sucked out of the game as they struggled to make any progress in attack.
Neither side got their chance to regain any momentum as the lights went out and England sealed a victory which sees them remain at the top of the world rankings.
France 15-17 England: Match called off because of floodlight failure - BBC News
Read More
Koeman given two-match Liga ban after being sent off in Barcelona defeat to Granada - Sporting News
Ronald Koeman has been handed a two-match touchline ban in La Liga after he was sent off during Barcelona's shock defeat to Granada this week.
The Barca manager was dismissed during their shock 2-1 loss at Camp Nou which has blown the Spanish league title race wide open.
Koeman will miss therefore miss his club's fixtures against Valencia and Atletico Madrid, after he was sent off for comments made to the fourth official at Camp Nou.
Why has Koeman been banned?
Koeman was seen protesting to the fourth official following Granada's equalising goal, and referee Pablo Gonzalez ran from the far side of the pitch to show the Dutchman a red card after consulting with his colleague via his earpiece.
Koeman pleaded his innocence post-match while pointing the finger at the fourth official for his role in the incident.
"I don't get it at all. I didn't say anything, I didn't insult him. I spoke to the fourth referee and he disrespected me," said the Barca boss at his post-game press conference.
"I was not wrong, because according to the referee report I disrespected the fourth referee and for me, it is not like that. A lack of respect is insulting. I haven't used ugly words, not once. If they're going to put things I haven't said I'll have to do something. I don't understand."
How have Barcelona reacted?
The Camp Nou side confirmed on Friday that they will appeal to the RFEF to have the suspension overturned.
"FC Barcelona will present an appeal against the suspension given to Ronald Koeman," a statement from the club read.
"The RFEF Competition Committee announced this Friday that the red card received by the coach in the LaLiga game against Granada at the Camp Nou has resulted in a two-game touchline ban."
Which fixtures will Koeman miss?
Barcelona stayed third in the Spanish top-flight standings after suffering their sixth defeat of the 2020-21 campaign, just behind Real Madrid on head-to-head record.
Atletico Madrid are top by two points with five games left to play, including the crucial clash against Barca at Camp Nou on May 8 - which Koeman will now not be on the touchline for.
Before that, Barca travel to Valencia on Sunday, which is the first game the manager has been forced to miss.
Further Reading
Koeman given two-match Liga ban after being sent off in Barcelona defeat to Granada - Sporting News
Read More
Match Reviews: 5 Famous Under-15-Minute Matches (Goldberg/Lesnar, Ibushi/Kendrick, Dragon/Mysterio, more) – TJR Wrestling - TJR Wrestling
A great match doesn’t have to go on forever to be considered a great match. Sometimes the shorter ones are the better ones. Whether it’s bec...
-
A great match doesn’t have to go on forever to be considered a great match. Sometimes the shorter ones are the better ones. Whether it’s bec...
-
Amanda Anisimova saved two match points to upset No.13 seed Naomi Osaka 4-6, 6-3, 7-6[5] in the third round of the Australian Open, while N...
-
As dating app Tinder and its parent company Match explore the future of personal connection through apps, it's interesting to see what s...
