Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (39) makes a save during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Alex Nedeljkovic made 37 saves, Lars Eller scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins held off the New York Islanders 3-1 on Sunday night. Nedeljkovic was spectacular at times to help the Penguins win for the fifth time in six games following a blowout loss to Toronto on Dec. 16. Eller scored early in the first period and added an empty-netter in the final minute as Pittsburgh beat the Islanders for the second time in five days. Noel Acciari added third of the season for Pittsburgh. Samuel Bolduc drew the Islanders within one with 6:09 left. Pittsburgh has at least a point in each of its last six games and is 7-1-1 over its last nine to climb into wild-card contention.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) reaches for a touchdown ahead of Seattle Seahawks defensive end Dre’Mont Jones (55) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

SEATTLE (AP) — Najee Harris rushed for a season-high 122 yards and bullied his way into the end zone for a pair of touchdowns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive into Week 18 with a 30-23 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Using a punishing running attack that faced little resistance from Seattle, the Steelers pushed their way into the final week of the regular season with a chance at the postseason and ensured that Mike Tomlin’s team would yet again avoid a losing record. Pittsburgh thrived against Seattle’s run defense that has been awful for more than half the season and finished with 202 yards rushing and a season-high 468 total yards.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin walks the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

SEATTLE (AP) — On the list of the NFL’s winningest coaches, Pete Carroll and Mike Tomlin are linked by proximity and success. Carroll ranks 13th all-time with 180 wins between the regular season and the playoffs. Right behind him is Tomlin, with 179 victories. They will meet for the fifth time on Sunday when Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers visit Carroll’s Seattle Seahawks. Both teams go into the game at 8-7 with a chance of making the playoffs. Seattle’s path is clearer. The Seahawks would get into the postseason with wins in their final two games. The Steelers might need some help even if they win their last two.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph throws a pass during the second half of the team’s NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. The Colts won 30-13. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph is embracing his chance to make a difference in his team’s spiraling season. The six-year veteran will make his first start in more than two years against Cincinnati if Kenny Pickett’s surgically repaired right ankle is unable to go. Rudolph has spent the past two seasons as the third-string quarterback. His teammates have praised his work ethic under the circumstances. Coach Mike Tomlin says Rudolph is deserving of a chance. Rudolph says his story of perseverance is only inspirational if the Steelers win.

FILE – Pittsburgh Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen heads to first and celebrates his leadoff home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Drew Smyly during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Chicago. McCutchen isn’t going anywhere. The Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter is remaining in his adopted hometown after agreeing to a one-year contract for the 2024 season worth $5 million, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press Tuesday, Dec. 19. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Andrew McCutchen isn’t going anywhere. The Pittsburgh Pirates star is remaining in his adopted hometown after agreeing to a one-year contract for the 2024 season worth $5 million, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because it was not yet finalized. The 37-year-old McCutchen hit .256 with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs in 112 games while serving primarily as a designated hitter in 2023. He collected his 2,000th career hit in June and was sitting on 299 career home runs in September when he partially tore his left Achilles tendon while legging out a double against Milwaukee.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Endy Rodríguez will miss the entire 2024 season after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his right elbow.

The team announced Rodríguez had surgery Tuesday after he was injured taking a swing while playing in the Dominican Republic. The estimated recovery time is 10-12 months.

The 23-year-old Rodríguez is considered a major part of the Pirates’ future after making his major league debut in July. He hit .220 with three home runs and 13 RBIs in 57 games.

Rodríguez is a work in progress as a receiver but did throw out nine of 30 potential base stealers.

The Pirates had expected Rodríguez to take on the bulk of the catching load in 2024. Now, they’ll likely turn to former top overall draft pick Henry Davis, Jason Delay and perhaps recently signed Ali Sanchez behind the plate.

Davis spent most of his 2023 rookie season playing right field. Sanchez signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh on Dec. 1.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are reeling following two painful losses. Pittsburgh now sits at 7-6 after falling to lowly Arizona and New England in a span of five days. The Steelers never led against the Patriots while letting the NFL’s lowest-scoring offense score three first-half touchdowns. A second-half rally fell short as Pittsburgh dropped out of the AFC’s top wild-card spot. The Steelers have dropped three of four, with two of the losses coming in games decided by three points. Pittsburgh’s closing stretch begins with a visit to Indianapolis on Dec. 16.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Photos by Robert Mangino. Published December 8, 2023 10:00 A.M.  

(Aliquippa, Pa) The Aliquippa Quips finished a perfect season Thursday night, returning to Beaver County with another PIAA State Title. The Quips beat the Dallas Mountaineers 60-14 in the 4A championship game that took place at Cumberland Valley High School. Beaver County Radio’s Robert Mangino and Mike Azadian had the call from Chapman Stadium. Aliquippa are now winners of 5 state championships, with 8 appearances in state championships.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) is helped off the field due to injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for a high right ankle sprain. Pickett had the procedure done less than 24 hours after a 24-10 loss to Arizona. Pickett was injured in the second quarter when Cardinals defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter fell on his at the end of a 2-yard scramble. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Mitch Trubisky will start for Pittsburgh when the Steelers host New England on Thursday.