Category: Sports

Kahun scores twice, Penguins rout Maple Leafs 6-1

Kahun scores twice, Penguins rout Maple Leafs 6-1
By DAN SCIFO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Dominik Kahun and the Pittsburgh Penguins are stepping up in the absence of injured captain Sidney Crosby and several other key stars.
Kahun scored two goals and the Penguins routed the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 on Saturday night.
“It’s always tough when guys like (Crosby) don’t play, but we have enough good guys here,” Kahun said. “I think we showed that we can be a very good team. We just played solid.”
Kahun matched a career-high with three points, and 10 Penguins recorded points in the win. Bryan Rust also had a three-point game, with a short-handed goal and two assists.
Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin each had a goal and an assist, and Jared McCann also recorded his 100th NHL point with a goal for the Penguins, who bounced back from Friday’s 2-1 loss at New Jersey. The Penguins have won three of their last seven games, and have points in seven of their last nine games.
Tristan Jarry made 32 saves for Pittsburgh. Jarry has allowed two or fewer goals in four of five outings.
Jason Spezza scored his second for Toronto. The Maple Leafs lost their fifth straight, their longest skid of the season.
Kasimir Kaskisuo stopped 31 shots for Toronto in his NHL debut.
“I thought we were good until they scored,” Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. “Then they took over and they were way better than us. There’s no reason for us to look the way we did tonight.”
Pittsburgh played without several key regulars, including Crosby, who is expected to miss at least six weeks after undergoing successful core muscle surgery on Thursday. Forward Patric Hornqvist missed his sixth game, D Kris Letang sat out his fifth and F Nick Bjugstad also missed after leaving Friday’s loss at New Jersey.
Pittsburgh is 98-55-21 in 174 games without Crosby since the beginning of the 2005-06 season. In 123 games without Crosby, Malkin has 67 goals and 163 points. He has 327 goals and 848 points in 738 games with Crosby.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan believes Malkin’s confidence is growing.
“Usually everybody in the rink can hear it when he wants it,” Sullivan said. “I think that’s an indication of how invested he is into the game. When he’s feeling it, he tends to be vocal.”
Guentzel opened the scoring for Pittsburgh with a power-play goal at 6:38 of the first period.
The Penguins had been 1 for 31 with one power-play goal in their previous 13 games prior to Guentzel’s goal. It was their first home power-play goal since Oct. 10, against Anaheim, a 3 for 37 stretch.
Malkin gave Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead 2:06 later. Guentzel set up Malkin in the slot and he beat Kaskisuo to the glove side with a wrist shot.
“It’s nice to get out on top early,” Guentzel said. “For us to get those goals and kind of build on that was huge.”
Kahun scored 52 seconds into the second period, giving Pittsburgh a three-goal lead.
Kahun scored his second goal less than four minutes later following a coach’s challenge. Leafs’ defenseman Jake Muzzin tripped Penguins forward Brandon Tanev, sending him crashing into Kaskisuo prior to Kahun’s shot into a partially open net. It was initially ruled no goal, but Pittsburgh challenged and the play was reversed.
Sullivan believed it was a key moment that led to the lopsided final.
“If it’s a successful challenge, it’s 4-0, but if it’s not, it’s 3-0 and we put a real good power play on the power play,” Sullivan said. “It’s potentially a two-goal swing with a lot of hockey left. I just felt strongly that it was a trip.”
NOTES: Pittsburgh put Crosby on injured reserve and recalled Joseph Blandisi from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis. … Sullivan said before the game Letang and Hornqvist have been skating. … Maple Leafs F Trevor Moore did not play after leaving Friday’s game against Boston with a shoulder injury. … Malkin recorded his 18th multi-point game against the Maple Leafs. In 38 games against Toronto, he has 22 goals and 64 points. … The Penguins have won 10 of their last 14 home games against Toronto. … Pittsburgh has points in seven of its last eight overall at home. … Rust has two goals and seven points in his last five games against Toronto. … The Penguins have killed 20 straight penalties and 26 of their last 27. They have not allowed a power-play goal in nine games.
UP NEXT
Maple Leafs: Continue a season-long six-game trip Tuesday at Vegas.
Penguins: Host the New York Islanders on Tuesday.
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“Thru the Eyes of Sly Washington” WPIAL 3A Final, Aliquippa vs. Central Valley

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) In our second edition this weekend of “Thru the Eyes of Sly Washington” we are off to Heinz Field and the WPIAL 3A Championship. It was a rematch of a game from earlier in the season when The Central Valley Warriors dominated the Aliquippa Quips at the Pit in Aliquippa. The Quips had revenge on their minds heading into kick-off. Beaver County Radio’s Bob Barrickman, Tom Hays and Bruce Fry had the call of the action.

WPIAL Gold on the line and this time the game was a totally different  it was all defense in the first half  until Aliquippa found the end zone with 22 seconds left till the intermission when Running Back Isaiah Towler found Wide Receiver Chinua Soloman in the end zone with a 12 yard touchdown pass. Aliquippa took a 6-0 lead into the half after the failed PAT. The Quips and Warriors both had numerous chances to score in the hird quarter but the score remained 6-0 after three quarters in favor of the Quips. The fourth quarter told a differnet story when Central Valley found the end zone on a 6 yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Ameer Dudley found Running Back Jaylen Guy and the Warriors tied the game at six missing the extra point the game stayed tied at the end of regulation play.  In overtime The Warriors got the ball first and scoered on the first play when Wide Receiver Michael Barbuto took the sweep into the end zone from ten yards out. They added the extra point and made it 13-6, Then it was the Quips turn and on the second play of their possession Towler took it in from 11 yards out and made the score 13-12. The Quips, who are not really known for kicking field goals, went for two and the win Towler was stopped two yards short of the Goal Line and the Warriors would go on to win the 3A WPIAL Championship and advance to the PIAA State Play-offs. Central Valley will be off next week then play either Friday November 29th, or Saturday November 30th against a opponent to be determined, time and site will also be determined at a later date. The Quips finished another impressive season by making their 12th consecutive trip to play in a WPIAL Championship Game.

Check out all of the action from Heinz Field below in this edition of “Thru the Eyes of Sly Washington”  ……

 

 

“Thru the Eyes of Sly Washington” WPIAL 2A Semi-Final, Riverside vs. Avonworth

(Imperial, Pa.) In the first of two editions of “Thru the Eyes of Sly Washington” we ere off to Imperial and West Allegheny High School for the WPIAL 2A Semi-final as the upstart Riverside Panthers were playing the Avonworth Antolopes for the chance to advance to the WPIAL Championship next weekend.

It was a rough Friday night for the Panthers as they struggled to put numbers on the board. Avonworth started the first quarter off with a touchdown and carried that momentum into the second quarter with another touchdown. The Lopes missed the extra point  ending the half with a 13-0. Avonworth didn’t take their foot off the gas in the second half scoring  another two touchdowns. Avonworth headed into the fourth quarter leading  27-0.  Avonworth continued to put numbers on the board, invoking  the mercy rule but the Panthers refused to go down without a fight scoring two touchdwns in the fourth quarter.  In the end the Lopes cruised to a 41-14 victory and a trip to Norwin for the WPIAL Championship next weekend against the Washington LIttle Prexies who defeated Brentwood 20-14 in the other semi-final game.

The Panthers season comes to an end after an impressive play-off run that saw them being the only team out of the MAC to advance to the semi-finals. Check out all of the action below in “Thru the Eyes of Sly Washington”…..

 

Central Valley Wins 3A WPIAL Championship!!

(Pittsburgh, PA) In a rematch of a game that happened just three weeks ago where Central Valley did what not a lot of teams have in the History of the Pit beat Aliquippa 45-6 on their home turf. In the rematch at Heinz Field with the WPIAL Gold on the line the game was a little different. In the championship game it was all dwefense early r one where it was tied at zero. Through the second quarter the chess match continued until Aliquippa found the end zone with 22 seconds left in the half when Running Back Isaiah Towler found Wide Receiver Chinua Soloman in the end zone with a 12 yard touchdown pass. Aliquippa took a 6-0 lead into the half after the failed PAT. The Quips and Warriors all had many chances to score nd the score remained 6-0 till the fourth quarter when Central Valley found the end zone on a 6 yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Ameer Dudley found Running Back Jaylen Guy and the Warriors tied the game at six. In overtime The Warriors got the ball first and scoered on the first play when Wide Receiver Michael Barbuto took the sweep into the end zone from ten yards out. They added the extra point and made it 13-6 when the Quips got the ball in OT. On the second play of their possession Towler took it in from 11 yards out and made the score 13-12. The Quips, who are not really known for kicking field goals, went for two and the win Towler was stopped two yards short of the Goal Line and the Warriors would go on to win the 3A WPIAL Championship and will be off next week then play either Friday November 29th, or Saturday November 30th against a opponent to be determined, time and site will also be determined at a later date.

Avonworth Defeats Riverside 41-14

It was a rough Friday night for Riverside as they struggled to put numbers on the board. Avonworth started the first quarter off with a touchdown and carried that momentum into the second quarter with another touchdown. They were not able to get the kick for the second, ending the half at 13-0. The beat-down did not stop in the second half as Avonworth scored another two touchdowns, going into the fourth quarter at 27-0. Riverside did not want to take this lying down. As Avonworth continued to put numbers on the board, causing the mercy rule to go into effect, the Panthers fought back with two touchdowns. Despite Riverside’s efforts, the game ended 41-14 in favor of Avonworth.

You can listen to the post game here:

 

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Link for Riverside vs. Avonworth Friday 11/15/19

 

 

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WBVP-AM 1230, WBVP-FM 99.3 and WMBA-AM 1460’s Bob Barrickman and Tom Hays have the call from have the call from West Allegheny High School of this 2019 WPIAL Class 2A Semifinals high school football playoff game as the Panthers battle the Antelopes.

 

 

Pitt pulls away from Robert Morris 71-57

Pitt pulls away from Robert Morris 71-57
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — A double-digit deficit on the road. A capacity crowd in full throat. Pittsburgh has been there plenty over last two-plus years. And faltered each and every time.
For once, the Panthers pushed back, a small sign of growth for a program hoping to take another step toward respectability in head coach Jeff Capel’s second season.
Trey McGowens scored 25 points and Terrell Brown added eight points, nine rebounds and a career-high five blocks as Pitt spoiled the unveiling of Robert Morris’ sparkling UPMC Events Center in a 71-57 win on Tuesday night. Three days after getting upset at home by Nicholls State, the Panthers (2-1) responded by snapping a 24-game road losing streak that stretched back nearly three years.
The Colonials (0-3) used an 18-0 run in the first half to take an 11-point lead. Six-plus years after upsetting defending national champion Kentucky in a National Invitational Tournament game at the since-demolished Sewall Center, Robert Morris again staggered a Power Five conference team.
The Panthers, however, recovered behind McGowens’ relentlessness and the 6-foot-10 Brown’s dominance in the lane as Pitt earned its first true road victory since beating Boston College on Feb. 8, 2017.
“When they made their run, it was loud, we could have folded,” Capel said. “We have to understand the importance of each day. We are not a program and we don’t have the type of talent where you can just show up.”
A lesson the Panthers learned painfully against Nicholls State, a game in which Pitt led for just 35 seconds against a team picked to finish 11th in the Southland Conference. The Colonials, perennial contenders in the Northeastern Conference under coach Andy Toole, represented a bit of a step up in class. Throw in the debut of their new $45 million, 4,000-seat gym — a building that’s a testament to both the program Toole has built and the rapid expansion at the school of more than 5,000 students located 20 miles west of Pitt’s Oakland campus — and Robert Morris had all the intangibles required to beat the Panthers for the first time in 31 meetings.
The Colonials just didn’t have the tools necessary to slow down McGowens or overcome Brown’s size.
“Terrell Brown was really the difference in the game,” Toole said. “His ability to protect the rim, and make it hard for our guys to finish around the basket had a huge impact on us offensively.”
Josh Williams led Robert Morris with 12 points, Jalen Hawkins added 11 off the bench and Yannis Mendy had 10 points and six rebounds, but the Colonials — who didn’t have a player over 6-feet-8 — couldn’t keep pace over the final 20 minutes. Pitt, which scrambled back from the early hole to tie it at halftime, opened the second half with a 22-10 surge that broke it open.
The Panthers outrebounded Robert Morris 39-27, dominated Robert Morris in second-chance points (14-2) and kept the Colonials off the free throw line. Robert Morris didn’t even attempt a free throw in the second half and finished with just six for the game. McGowens, by comparison, made 8 of 10 at the line after getting to the stripe just nine times total over his first two games.
“I was just letting it come to me,” McGowens said.
PACKED HOUSE, NEW DAY?
Toole hopes the response to the debut of the Colonials’ glittering new venue — particularly from a raucous student section — is a sign of things to come. Robert Morris has averaged 20 wins a season over the last 12 years but all that success didn’t necessarily translate to a rowdy atmosphere at the Sewall Center. He thinks that can change going forward.
“I think this could become a great home court for us if we can get the campus and community support that I think these guys deserve,” Toole said. “It was a fun environment for them to come and cheer and be connected as a university community. I think that’s something to build upon. There’s a great source of pride being able to be in this building finally.”
BIG PICTURE
Pitt: The Panthers need to find some sort of identity on offense if they’re going to take another step forward in coach Jeff Capel’s second season. Through three games, Pitt has relied heavily on McGowens and Xavier Johnson getting to the basket. When they’re either finishing at the rim or getting fouled, the Panthers are competitive. When they’re not — as they weren’t against Nicholls State — Pitt will struggle to generate offense.
Robert Morris: The Colonials will have a chance to make some noise in the NEC. Picked to finish fifth, Robert Morris should be plenty battle-tested thanks to a nonconference schedule that includes games against Marquette and UNLV before league play begins.
UP NEXT
Pitt: Faces longtime rival West Virginia for the 129th time on Friday when the Mountaineers visit the Petersen Events Center.
Robert Morris: Plays Howard on Friday night in Toledo, Ohio as part of the Men Against Breast Cancer Invitational.
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