Category: Sports

Blueger scores in 8th round of SO, Penguins beat Coyotes

Blueger scores in 8th round of SO, Penguins beat Coyotes
By JACK MAGRUDER Associated Press
Teddy Blueger scored the deciding goal in the eighth round of the shootout and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Arizona Coyotes 4-3. Jared McCann, Patric Hornqvist and Brandon Tanev scored in regulation for the Penguins, who swept a three-game Western road trip. Evgeny Malkin had two assists and Tristan Jarry had 25 saves. Taylor Hall had a goal and an assist, and Conor Garland and Derek Stepan also scored for the Coyotes, who had been shutout in its previous two games. Adin Hill made 30 saves.

Former Steelers coach Cowher elected to Pro Football HOF

Former Steelers coach Cowher elected to Pro Football HOF
By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football Writer
Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Cowher, an analyst for CBS, was surprised by the announcement made live on air in studio before the Tennessee Titans-Baltimore Ravens AFC divisional round playoff game Saturday night. Hall President and CEO David Baker delivered the news to Cowher during CBS’s “The NFL Today” pregame show broadcast. Cowher was the coach of the Steelers for 15 seasons from 1992 to 2006, and led them to 10 playoff appearances including two Super Bowls and winning one — beating Seattle in 2006. His Pittsburgh teams won nine division titles.

49ers win 1st playoff game in 6 years, 27-10 over Vikings

49ers win 1st playoff game in 6 years, 27-10 over Vikings
By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer
Jimmy Garoppolo threw a TD pass on his opening drive as a playoff starter and then watched San Francisco’s defense and running game take over from there in the 49ers’ 27-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the divisional round. The Niners first playoff game in six seasons and first ever at Levi’s Stadium turned into a lopsided one as top-seeded San Francisco turned a pair of second-half turnovers by Minnesota into 10 points. The Vikings didn’t top the 100-yard mark until a garbage-time drive in the fourth quarter.

Browns remains coachless as 2-week search drags on

Browns remains coachless as 2-week search drags on
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer
The Browns remain coachless. Cleveland’s coaching search appeared to end Friday when the team met with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. He was the eighth candidate to interview with the Browns. McDaniels has been connected with the Cleveland job two previous times and he might be ready for his second shot at coaching an NFL team after a bumpy two seasons in Denver. At this point, Cleveland does not have any more scheduled interviews. The team is also looking for a new general manager after firing John Dorsey a few days after dismissing coach Freddie Kitchens.

WPIAL Executive Director Tim O’Malley Talks About A Different Kind Of R&R On Sports Slam

Usually when people hear the term “R&R”, they think of one of two things:

  1. Rest & Relaxation (or sometimes Recreation)
  2. Rock & Roll

But in the case of outgoing WPIAL Executive Director Tim O’Malley, the two R’s that he spoke about on the January 11 edition of the Saturday Sports Slam were realignment–which the league needs to have in place within a couple months–and retirement, which O’Malley will be doing effective this July.

O’Malley spoke extensively about the survey recently sent out to all schools in the WPIAL regarding football realignment, giving each school district their choice for either a format similar to that of the last few years under a six-classification system, or a newer, geographically-based system that disregards classification.

During his interview, O’Malley also spoke with Matt Drzik & Greg Benedetti about his decision to retire, his replacement in Amy Scheuneman, and the recent passing of his longtime co-worker and friend, Charles ‘Ace’ Heberling.

To hear the full interview, click on the player below!

All-Star Bell gets raise to $4.8 million from Pirates

All-Star Bell gets raise to $4.8 million from Pirates
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell turned his breakout 2019 season into a hefty raise for 2020. Bell will make $4.8 million in 2020 after avoiding arbitration and agreeing to a one-year deal with the club. Bell’s signing was the most significant on a busy day for new Pirates general manager Ben Cherington. Pittsburgh reached agreements for 2020 with all eight arbitration eligible players, including reliever Keone Kela, starting pitchers Trevor Williams and Joe Musgrove and second baseman Adam Frazier.

McCann scores in OT, Penguins beat Avalanche 4-3

McCann scores in OT, Penguins beat Avalanche 4-3
MICHAEL KELLY Associated Press
Jared McCann scored at 3:19 of overtime and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 for their fourth straight road win. Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust each had a goal and an assist for Pittsburgh, which recovered from blowing a late lead to pick up the two points. Matt Murray made 28 saves, Teddy Blueger also scored and Dominik Kahun had three assists. The Avalanche tied the game with 30.4 seconds left in regulation when Matt Calvert tipped in a shot by Cale Makar. Both teams had chances in overtime before McCann beat Pavel Francouz from the slot for his 12th goal of the season.

Guillermo Heredia Agrees To Deal With Pirates

PITTSBURGH (AP) —Outfielder Guillermo Heredia has agreed to a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Heredia hit .225 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 231 plate appearances last season for the Tampa Bay Rays, who declined to offer him a contract by the Dec. 2 deadline and allowed him to become a free agent. He was acquired by the Rays from Seattle after the 2018 season. Heredia turns 29 on Jan. 31. Heredia has a .240 average with 17 homers and 75 RBIs in four major league seasons with the Mariners and Rays. Pittsburgh designated infielder Pablo Reyes for assignment.

Williams carries Robert Morris past St. Francis (NY)

(MOON TOWNSHIP/AP) Josh Williams had 20 points as Robert Morris romped past St. Francis (NY) 78-52. Williams hit 6 of 8 3-pointers. He added eight rebounds. AJ Bramah had 16 points for Robert Morris (7-9, 3-0 Northeast Conference). Yannis Mendy added 13 points. Jalen Hawkins had six rebounds for the hosts. St. Francis (NY) scored 22 points in the second half, a season low for the team. Rob Higgins had 11 points for the Terriers (7-7, 1-1), whose four-game winning streak was snapped.

Pitt signs basketball coach Jeff Capel to 2-year extension

Pitt signs basketball coach Jeff Capel to 2-year extension
Pittsburgh basketball coach Jeff Capel has agreed to a two-year contract extension that could keep him with the Panthers through the 2026-27 season. The deal gives Capel more time to continue the rebuilding project he took on when he arrived at Pitt in the spring of 2018. Capel is 24-23 with the Panthers including a 10-4 mark so far this season. Interest in the program has spiked since he came on board. Average attendance at the Petersen Events Center has doubled under his tenure compared with the final season of predecessor Kevin Stallings.