Category: Sports

An April Without Hockey: Phil Bourque Talks With Matt Drzik About NHL’s Pause In Action

Not since the influenza epidemic of 1919 has the NHL seen a shutdown such as this, and back then they only had to cancel the Stanley Cup Finals, then deadlocked between Seattle and Montreal. 101 years later, and the fates of the majority of teams still linger in the balance.

But more so than just a season in limbo; life itself for players, broadcasters, and fans alike is completely different. How does one deal with such a pandemic, and how does the NHL reconcile its season yet to be complete?

Penguins broadcaster and two-time Stanley Cup Champion player Phil Bourque spoke about these issues in an interview on A.M. Beaver County with Matt Drzik on April 2, three weeks after the NHL halted the 2019-20 season due to the coronavirus. Bourque spoke about the struggles to maintain the usual daily routine stripped from everyone involved with the team, and how the NHL should handle its remaining schedule if it decides to resume the season.

Bourque also talked about the major differences between the culture of today’s league and the culture during his time of playing, and how the nature of social media and expanded branding has polished player identities and created (in his opinion) a better product for the NHL.

To hear the full interview between Matt and “The Ol’ Two-Niner”, click on the player below!

Wimbledon canceled for 1st time since WWII because of virus

Wimbledon canceled for 1st time since WWII because of virus
By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer
Wimbledon has been canceled for the first time since World War II because of the coronavirus pandemic. The All England Club announced after an emergency meeting that the oldest Grand Slam tournament in tennis would not be held in 2020. Wimbledon was scheduled to be played on the outskirts of London from June 29 to July 12. It now joins the growing list of sports events scrapped in 2020 because of the COVID-19 outbreak. That includes the Tokyo Olympics, the NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments and the European soccer championship. The last time Wimbledon was called off was 1945.

Steelers not concerned about limited pre-draft preparation

Steelers not concerned about limited pre-draft preparation
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t worried about their usual preparation for the NFL draft being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. General manager Kevin Colbert says the team is adjusting on the fly just like everyone else because of the travel limitations put in place in hopes of stemming the spread of the pandemic. The Steelers will have conference calls with prospects and take an old-school approach to the draft. Colbert pointed out that scouts back in the 1970s didn’t need an exhaustive process to identify the players that helped turn the team into a dynasty.

Crosby, McDavid favorites again in NHLPA annual poll

Crosby, McDavid favorites again in NHLPA annual poll
By JOHN WAWROW AP Hockey Writer
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is still regarded as the NHL’s top forward while Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby holds sway again in numerous categories among his peers. Crosby was voted the league’s most complete player, according to the results of the NHL Players’ Association’s annual poll of players released Tuesday. The NHLPA says 588 players participated in the 21-question poll. Players overwhelming favored relaxing the game-day dress code of having to wear a suit and tie. They voted 411 to 152 in favoring the NHL adopt the NBA’s dress-code policy, which requires players wearing “business or conservative attire.”

Steelers sign 3 former XFL players to 1-year deals

Steelers sign 3 former XFL players to 1-year deals
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A stint in the XFL has landed three players jobs with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team signed defensive end Dewayne Hendrix, safety Tyree Kinnel and linebacker/long snapper Christian Kuntz to one-year deals on Monday. All three played in the XFL under the startup league that suspended operations earlier this month because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tokyo Olympics rescheduled for July 23-Aug. 8 in 2021

Tokyo Olympics rescheduled for July 23-Aug. 8 in 2021
By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer
TOKYO (AP) — The Tokyo Olympics will open next year in the same time slot scheduled for this year’s games. Tokyo organizers say the opening ceremony will take place on July 23, 2021. That is almost exactly one year after the games were due to start this year. The IOC and Japanese organizers last week postponed the Olympics until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s games were scheduled to open on July 24 and close on Aug. 9. But the near exact one-year delay will see the rescheduled closing ceremony on Aug. 8.

Women in Pirates organization provide inspiration for others

Women in Pirates organization provide inspiration for others
By JASON MACKEY, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette undefined
PITTSBURGH (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) — By themselves, each has an impressive story. Mayu Fielding started with the Pirates as an administrative assistant and now helps foreign players transition to life in America. Kinza Baad graduated from the University of Virginia in 2017 and is in her fourth year as a scouting assistant. Astrid DeGruchy does a little bit of everything, describing herself as the “air traffic controller” of the Pirates’ international scouting department.

Tim Ishman Talks On Sports Slam About Winning “Renovate The Rink” & Dealing With A Pandemic

The last week has been a series of highs and lows for Beaver County. Lows include the continuing spread of coronavirus and the more-spreading uncertainty about the future because of the ongoing shutdown of non-essential businesses. The high point, however, came with the announcement of Beaver County Ice Arena winning the “Renovate The Rink” contest officiated by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Parks and Recreation director Tim Ishman joined Matt Drzik & Greg Benedetti on the March 28 edition of the Saturday Sports Slam to talk about the victory, and what it will mean as far as what gets renovated and when it will happen. Ishman also talked about the pandemic and how it’s affecting spring activities in Brady’s Run and across Beaver County.

To listen to the full interview, click on the player below!

Harlem Globetrotters great Curly Neal dies at 77

Harlem Globetrotters great Curly Neal dies at 77
By JOHN MARSHALL AP Basketball Writer
Fred “Curly” Neal, the dribbling wizard who entertained millions with the Harlem Globetrotters for parts of three decades, has died. He was 77. The Globetrotters say Neal died in his home outside of Houston, but did not provide any other details. Neal played for the Globetrotters from 1963 to 1985, appearing in more than 6,000 games in 97 countries for the exhibition team known for its combination of comedy and athleticism. He became one of five Globetrotters to have his jersey retired when his No. 22 was lifted to the rafters during a ceremony at Madison Square Garden in 2008.

Indianapolis 500 postponed until August because of COVID-19

Indianapolis 500 postponed until August because of COVID-19
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
The Indianapolis 500 scheduled for May 24 has been postponed until August because of the coronavirus pandemic and won’t run on Memorial Day weekend for the first time since 1946. The race will instead be held Aug. 23. IndyCar initially said it would resume racing May 9 on the road course at Indianapolis. That race will now be run on July 4, a day before NASCAR races at The Brickyard.