Category: Sports

Crosby and Malkin Score, Penguins Hold off Senators 6-4

(AP Photo)
By DAN SCIFO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby scored, and the streaking Pittsburgh Penguins held off the Ottawa Senators 6-4. Jake Guentzel’s team-best 21st goal of the season was a much-needed empty-netter, as Pittsburgh nearly blew a four-goal lead in the third period. Mike Matheson scored twice, Dominik Simon also had a goal and Tristan Jarry stopped 39 shots for the Penguins, who have won three straight and 14 of 16. Pittsburgh has won 10 in a row at home against Ottawa and has points in 13 consecutive home games versus the Senators dating to Feb. 13, 2013. Drake Batherson had Ottawa’s lone goal in the first two periods, and the Senators trailed 5-1 entering the third. But they scored the next three goals, trimming the deficit to one. Filip Gustavsson made 23 saves in relief for Ottawa.

New Brighton Lions Beat Freedom Bulldogs in a barn burner 65 63

The New Brighton Lions Held off a big 4th Quarter attack from the bulldogs to hang on to a game they had the  lead until  a few ticks left in 4th quarter Freedom was down by as much as 13 in the 3rd, but the bulldogs came charging back and hit a couple of foul shots with 36 seconds left to take a 63 62 lead, New Brighton had time for one more shot and with 6.2 seconds left on the clock the Lions Issaiah Hayhust put up a 3 that went through the net and gave freedom one more chance and Freedom tried a three that went around the rim 3 times and out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steelers’ Tomlin: ‘All-Options’ On The Table at QB in 2022

Steelers’ Tomlin: ‘all options’ on the table at QB in 2022
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says all options are on the table when it comes to finding a starting quarterback in 2022. Ben Roethlisberger is likely heading toward retirement after 18 years. Backups Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins will get a chance to compete for the job, but Tomlin did not rule out using free agency or the NFL draft. Tomlin did indicate offensive coordinator Matt Canada will return for a second year, but added that longtime defensive coordinator Keith Butler and general manager Kevin Colbert could both retire in the coming months.

Penguins Score Five Unanswered Goals to Rally Past Vegas 5-3

Penguins score 5 unanswered goals to rally past Vegas 5-3
By W.G. RAMIREZ Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jason Zucker scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins rallied from an early three-goal deficit to defeat the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3. Pittsburgh scored five unanswered goals to improve to 13-2-0 since Dec. 4, including a 4-2-0 mark on its six-game road trip — the team’s longest of the season. Vegas, which had five days off, dropped to 2-3-2 since Dec. 31, with all seven games coming at home. Teddy Blueger, Jake Guentzel and Sidney Crosby also scored for the Penguins, and Tristan Jarry made 22 saves. Chandler Stephenson, Evgenii Dadonov and Nic Roy scored for Vegas, which was outshot for the first time in 24 games. Robin Lehner made 32 saves but dropped to 2-4-3 against Pittsburgh.

Steelers face long-overdue reboot as Roethlisberger exits

Steelers face long-overdue reboot as Roethlisberger exits
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing an eventful offseason following a second straight first-round playoff exit. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to retire after 18 seasons. Who will replace him is one of several key questions Pittsburgh needs to answer in the coming months. The offensive and defensive lines need an influx of talent and staff changes could be in the works. First-year offensive coordinator Matt Canada struggled and longtime defensive coordinator Keith Butler’s future could be in doubt after the Steelers finished dead last in the NFL against the run.

Ellwood City defeats Beaver Falls 58-50

Ellwood City travelled to Beaver Falls for a Friday night basketball showdown.  Ellwood controlled the game early on ending the first quarter 14-8.  Beaver Falls fought back and managed to have the lead entering halftime on top 29-26.  The game was close throughout the second half.  Ultimately, Ellwood City managed to come out on top with a final score Ellwood City 58 Beaver Falls 50.

Listen to the postgame here:

 

Cincinnati’s Fickell named 2021 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year 

(Photo Provided by American Heart Association)

HOUSTON, January 12, 2022 – Coach Fickell from the University of Cincinnati was named college football Coach of the Year at the American Heart Association’s Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards, presented by Marathon Oil. The 36th annual awards program benefits the Association, the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all. 

In his fifth season as head coach at Cincinnati, Fickell led the Bearcats to a perfect 13-0 regular season record in 2021. The only undefeated team in the country, Cincinnati was selected as the #4 seed in the College Football Playoff, making them the first team ever chosen from the Group of Five conferences.

In accepting the award this evening, Coach Fickell said, “Thank you to the American Heart Association for saving lives and to the Bryant Family. To be in the same realm of the guys nominated tonight, it’s an honor. To even be mentioned in the same sentence as ‘Bear’ Bryant is incredible. Football is the greatest team sport known to man. To us, ‘T-E-A-M’ means ‘Together, everyone achieves more.’ On behalf of the University of Cincinnati, an amazing coaching staff, this team and the seniors who created the atmosphere, culture, style and expectation, it is my honor to accept this award. Thank you to our team and the 32 seniors that made this season incredibly special. It’s truly humbling and an honor. It has been an amazing ride.”

Held tonight in Houston and broadcast live by the Bally Sports Southwest sports channel, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award annually recognizes the country’s top college football coach for coaching excellence and leadership. The Coach of the Year award is voted on by the National Sports Media Association, current NCAA College football coaches, former Coach of the Year Award winners, the Bryant Awards’ Executive Leadership Team and the Bryant family.

In 1983, football coaching legend, Paul “Bear” Bryant, died from a heart attack. Moved to amplify and drive education surrounding heart disease after his passing, the Bryant family teamed up with the American Heart Association in 1986, building on the Association’s Coach of the Year Award to create the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards program. Each year since then, the awards have celebrated “Bear’s” legacy by recognizing coaching excellence while raising critical funds for research to eradicate cardiovascular disease. Funds are raised through event sponsorships, an auction and individual charitable donations.

Mel Edwards, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of American Heart Association’s Houston Division said, “Congratulations to Coach Fickell! We are excited to use the platform of this award to reach new audiences for the American Heart Association’s mission, giving us the opportunity to educate and empower people about heart health on a bigger field. We are meeting people where they are and sharing a message that resonates about heart-healthy lifestyles that athletes follow to stay gameday fit. Coach Fickell embodies that every day.”

Fans were able to participate in the awards with the second annual Coach of the Year Fan Vote, sponsored by KPMG. Starting in August 2021, fans cast votes for their favorite coach online at bryantawards.org/fan-vote/. In a hard-fought battle, Coach Sam Pittman, University of Arkansas, won the Fan Vote with over 30,000 votes. These dedicated fans can catch the program when it is re-aired on various Bally Sports affiliates in the coming weeks.

In addition to the Coach of the Year, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards program presented the Conference Coach of the Year Awards to coaches from each of the “Power Five” collegiate athletic conferences (Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big XII, Pac 12 and Southeastern Conference) and one from the “Group of Five” conferences (American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference and Sun Belt Conference).

The 2021 Conference Coaches of the Year awardees are (in alphabetical order by finalist last name): 

  • Big XII – Dave Aranda – Baylor University 
  • ACC – Dave Clawson – Wake Forest University 
  • Group of 5 – Luke Fickell – University of Cincinnati, American Athletic Conference 
  • Big Ten – Jim Harbaugh – University of Michigan 
  • SEC – Kirby Smart – University of Georgia 
  • Pac 12 – Kyle Whittingham – University of Utah 

As previously announced, college coaching legends John Robinson and David Shaw were recognized at the awards event. Coach Robinson received the 2022 Paul “Bear” Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, and Coach Shaw received the 2022 Heart of a Champion Award. 

Marathon Oil Corporation, an independent exploration and production company based in Houston, has served as the presenting sponsor of the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards for more than a decade, underscoring the company’s commitment to health and wellness and supporting initiatives that promote the well-being of workers and their families in the communities where they operate. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Fickell to this elite group of Bryant Awards Coach of the Year winners,” said Lee Tillman, Marathon Oil president and CEO. “Marathon Oil, along with the Bryant family, is proud to support the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association while carrying on Coach Bryant’s legacy.” 

For a recap of the event and behind the scenes details visit facebook.com/bryantawards or twitter.com/bryantawards. To learn more about the awards history and for 2022 event information visit bryantawards.org. 

 

Kings use three-goal flurry in third to bury Penguins 6-2

(AP PHOTO)
By DAN GREENSPAN Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mikey Anderson, Viktor Arvidsson and Anze Kopitar scored in a span of 1:23 of the third period and the Los Angeles Kings won their third straight 6-2 over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Dustin Brown had a goal and an assist to reach 700 career points, Sean Durzi had a goal and two assists, and the Kings went 5-2-0 on their seven-game homestand. Jonathan Quick made 27 saves. Kris Letang and Radim Zohorna scored for the Penguins, who have lost two of three following a 10-game winning streak. Tristan Jarry allowed six goals on 45 shots.