Beyond fines, there could be a host of wider sanctions, including docking of World Test Championship points, no movement in ICC rankings, reluctance of top member nations to tour Pakistan, and even restrictions on player participation in the Pakistan Super League.
Pakistan are scheduled to open their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, followed by matches against the USA on February 10 and Namibia on February 18, all at the SSC ground in Colombo.
A source close to the PCB said chairman Mohsin Naqvi will address the media soon, with a key question being whether the boycott was a unilateral government decision or taken with the board’s consent.
Notably, neither the PCB nor the government has clarified what would happen if India and Pakistan were to meet in the knockout stages, even as their clashes remain the main source of revenue for broadcasters and the ICC.
Karim Benzema has likened his new team, Al-Hilal, to his former employers, Real Madrid, saying the Saudi Pro League side reminds him of Los Blancos in terms of rich history.
The Frenchman on Monday completed a shock deadline day move from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal on a free transfer. Benzema’s contract with Al-Ittihad was due to run out in June, but negotiations over renewal collapsed, and Al-Hilal took full advantage of the situation, signing the 38-year-old on a one-and-a-half-year deal.
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Speaking to Al-Hilal media after his first training session in the blue jersey, Benzema was asked what he knows about the club.
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“It’s a great team with a great history,” he said. “They won a lot of trophies. It’s like similar, like Real Madrid here in Asia, you know. Everything is good, the fans are good, they play well, they have good players, and they have a good mentality, they have a good process. So I liked this team before, I used to play against them with Madrid, it was not an easy game, it was a good game, so I have good memories, and today I’m happy because now I’m playing for Al-Hilal.”
Al-Hilal and Real Madrid share the same history as the most successful team in their respective division. The Blue Waves are Saudi Arabia’s most successful team, with 21 league titles and four Asian Championships. Similarly, Los Blancos have won the most league titles in the Spanish division, winning it a record 36 times.
The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner guided Al-Ittihad to the league and King’s Cup glory last season. With Al-Hilal sitting atop the league table, they will be keen to leverage the forward’s experience to guide them to their 22nd league title.
Karim Benzema hungry for more silverware after Al-Hilal switch
Amid the controversy surrounding his move to Al-Hilal, Karim Benzema expressed his desire to win more trophies with the Riyadh-based club. Joining Al-Ittihad in 2023, Benzema went trophyless in his debut season but responded with a domestic double in his second campaign.
Regarding his ambitions at Al-Hilal, the 38-year-old stated:
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“Clear message, you know, my mentality. I have a lot of ambition. I will work, I will give everything in the pitch, I will help this team, and Inshallah bring trophies, because for me it’s more important to bring trophies, and we have, what I said before, good team, good fans, so together, Inshallah, we will do it.”
The striker has scored eight goals in 14 league appearances this season and is expected to make his Al-Hilal debut on Thursday against Al Okhdood.
Fill-in quarterback Jarrett Stidham had two crucial turnovers that essentially decided the AFC title game, and there seems to be a feeling in Broncos Country that the game would have gone differently had Nix been healthy.
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It seems that Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has endorsed that notion.
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“I have gotten over the situation,” Sutton said during an interview with Guerilla Sports at the Pro Bowl earlier this week. “I told my boy, I said, ‘Maybe after the game, I’ll get over it.’ Once the Super Bowl ends, I’ll get over it — but best of luck to both of those teams going out there performing, doing their thing. You know, everyone knows the Broncos should have been in there, but it’s all right.”
After squeaking by the Broncos, the Patriots are now set to face the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Sunday. Denver’s schedule of 2026 opponents includes a trip to New England, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see that game given a prime-time spotlight.
Caerphilly County Borough Council is allowing 14-year-olds to lift weights / Adobe
Caerphilly County Borough Council has lowered the age limit for strength training
Fourteen-year-olds are now able to use weights and resistance kit
This is part of the council’s strategy to remove barriers to exercise
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The counicl offers a junior membership for 11 to 16-year-olds, costing £12.05
Caerphilly County Borough Council has lowered the age limit for resistance training to 14 in its gyms.
Young people are allowed to access the fitness suites from 11-years-old to use cardiovascular equipment and to be taught body weight exercises and now they will be able to weight train, using resistance kit and free weights from the age of 14. Qualified staff will be on hand to provide guidance and ensure appropriate use of equipment.
The change forms part of the council’s Sport and Active Recreation Strategy, which focuses on removing barriers to participation, developing lifelong healthy habits and creating more opportunities for young people to be active in ways that suit them.
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The council offers the Junior Active Plus membership, for 11- to 16-year-olds which costs £12.05 per month. It gives access to gyms, swimming, classes and racquet sports.
Councillor Chris Morgan, cabinet member for leisure, says: “Lowering the age for fitness suite access gives young people more opportunities to be active in ways that interest them. It supports the development of confidence and healthy habits at an earlier age, while ensuring access remains safe, supported and welcoming across our leisure centres.”
Whilst Jake Paul’s career as a boxer has stalled due to injuries sustained in his fight with Anthony Joshua, his promotional firm is marching on strongly, as Most Valuable Promotions have announced their U.K. debut with a quadruple header set for London this April.
Paul lost by knockout for the first time when he bravely accepted a challenge with ‘AJ’, who did what was expected of him in a sixth-round stoppage win, during which he broke the jaw of ‘The Problem Child’.
However, his position in boxing remains a strong one from outside of the ring, with Most Valuable Promotions sat as a solid player in the women’s version of the sport, home to a vast number of female world champions.
Paul’s outfit now look to flex their muscles with a show that broadcasts their dominance in the world of women’s boxing, as they stage four world title contests in London, headlined by a lightweight title unification involving British rivals Caroline Dubois (WBC champion) and Terri Harper (WBO champion).
MVP would not exist without the 🇬🇧. My boxing journey started there.
Following the announcement, 25-year-old Dubois described the contest as a ‘legacy fight’, in an interview with Sky Sports.
“I’m excited to make this fight. This is a massive fight in my career and for British boxing, both a legacy fight and unification. The goal is to become undisputed world champion and this is the first step.”
The remainder of the world title bout quartet sees three further Britons compete in separate title contests, with unified super-bantamweight champion Ellie Scotney (WBC, WBO & IBF) set to challenge for the undisputed throne against WBA titlist Mayelli Flores.
Meanwhile, former undisputed super-lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron takes part in her first world title clash since losing the throne in a rematch with Katie Taylor. ‘Il Capo’ faces off with Czech Republic’s Michaela Kotaskova in a showdown for the vacant WBO super-welterweight strap.
Last but not least comes British champion Emma Dolan, who attempts to become a world champion in just her 9th professional fight, tasked with Mexico’s 44-year-old IBF super-flyweight ruler, Irma Garcia.
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The event will take place at The Olympia in Kensington, London on Sunday, April 5, as the first fight of Sky Sports’ newly announced broadcast deal with Most Valuable Promotions. Paul, alongside co-founder Nakisa Bidarian, said:
“This event represents a major milestone for MVP as we bring our brand to the UK for the first time, and do so with Sky Sports, with a card that reflects the scale, depth and ambition of women’s boxing today.
“In our double main event, Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper marks the long-anticipated unification between two of MVP’s elite British champions, while Ellie Scotney has the opportunity to make history and become the youngest undisputed champion the UK has ever seen.
“Alongside them, Chantelle Cameron fights to become a two-division champion and Emma Dolan gets her first world title shot.
“MVP is the global home of women’s boxing, and partnering with Sky Sports for the UK, to deliver this event will give these athletes the platform and market exposure they deserve, live from Olympia in London on Sunday April 5.”
Great Britain snowboarder Maisie Hill suffered life-threatening injuries after crashing into a wall of ice during a training session in 2023. Nearly three years on, she says she feels “blessed” as she prepares to be a part of Team GB competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
FILE – India’s Rishabh Pant (AP Photo/Jon Super, file)
India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant on Tuesday offered a positive update on his recovery, saying his fitness is steadily improving and that he is optimistic about returning to competitive cricket soon. Pant was speaking on the sidelines of the World Pickleball League, where he attended as the co-owner of Mumbai Pickle Power. The 28-year-old revealed that he has been putting in extensive work at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru as part of his rehabilitation programme.
Are India favourites to win 2026 T20 World Cup? | Greenstone Lobo makes a HUGE PREDICTION
“My fitness is getting better day by day. I am working hard at the Centre of Excellence and I think I’m going to be out (on the field) soon,” Pant said. Pant underlined how important it has been for him to stay mentally connected to cricket during long spells away from the field. He credited his deep love for the game, along with the backing of those around him, for helping him navigate the challenges of recovery. “When I am injured, one thing that always keeps me close to the game is the love for the game and the support from the people around you,” he said. The left-hander also spoke about the need for constant evolution as a professional athlete, stressing that improvement does not stop even during injury breaks. “As a cricketer, you always have to keep adding to your game. I need to keep looking to get better in each and every aspect of my overall gameplay,” Pant said. Reflecting on the multiple comebacks he has made in his career, Pant noted that time away from cricket has given him a fresh perspective on both the sport and life beyond it. However, he admitted that being cut off from top-level competition remains the toughest part of an injury layoff. “Every comeback has taught me something about life. It has taught me more gratitude, how you see things around you, and wanting to be committed to something that really makes you happy. “When I am injured, the thing I miss the most is really enjoying the game. You love the game so much, but you also enjoy it while playing it at the top level. That’s something I miss truly,” he signed off. Pant has been sidelined since January 10 after suffering a right-sided internal oblique muscle tear during a practice session in Vadodara, when he was struck above the waist by a throwdown specialist.
After a few weeks of deliberation, the Las Vegas Raiders have presumptively hired their next head coach to replace Pete Carroll, and that man is ex-Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
It’s a leap from coordinator work into the main chair in Las Vegas for Kubiak.
The Raiders conducted an extensive search in the last few weeks, landing on Kubiak, who will run the Seattle Seahawks’ offense this Sunday in the Super Bowl.
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The Raiders Circle Klint Kubiak as Their Next Skipper
Another former Vikings coach hits paydirt.
Klint Kubiak stands on the field in his role as Minnesota’s offensive coordinator during the 2021 season, surveying pregame activity as the Vikings prepare their offensive plan, offering a snapshot of his early playcalling responsibilities before later coordinator stops reshaped his league profile within a developing staff structure and evolving expectations. Mandatory Credit: Image Courtesy of PanthersWire
Kubiak to LV
Las Vegas’s agreement with Kubiak will be formally announced after the Super Bowl.
Until then, ESPN’s Ryan McFadden wrote, “The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to hire Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as their next head coach after the Super Bowl, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday. A deal between Kubiak and the Raiders cannot be finalized until after the Super Bowl, in which the Seahawks will play the New England Patriots next Sunday.”
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“After meeting Saturday with the Raiders and Arizona Cardinals, Kubiak intends to work out a deal with Las Vegas, sources told Schefter. Once a deal is reached, Kubiak — the son of former Denver Broncos coach Gary Kubiak — would become the franchise’s fifth full-term coach since 2021. With Kubiak off the board, the Cardinals hired Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as their new head coach, the team announced.”
Some thought Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores might gain some traction for the Raiders’ top job because of his connection to Tom Brady from the New England days, but Flores never secured an interview.
Career to Date
Kubiak has a few more days to stand in the brightest possible NFL spotlight. Coordinating a Super Bowl offense has a way of reopening doors, and the Raiders were watching. It’s the same path Kevin O’Connell rode into Minnesota in 2022.
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The soon-to-be Raiders’ boss’s actual body of work lands closer to competent than commanding. Three stints calling plays have produced middle-tier results, and the offensive efficiency rankings reflect that reality without much interpretation: 17th (2021), 25th (2024), then 14th (2025) in EPA/Play. Decent offense — not stellar ones.
Seattle’s current run complicates the evaluation a bit. The defense has carried the weight, but the offense peaked at the right time. The NFC Championship performance mattered to the utmost. Sam Darnold throwing for 346 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions is the snapshot that front offices remember.
Then there’s the name. Gary Kubiak’s legacy still travels well in hiring rooms, and that association builds credibility before a single question is asked. Add Super Bowl exposure to that, and the head coaching interest becomes a no-brainer.
Mendoza + Kubiak = Raiders’ Future
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Las Vegas controls the top of the draft, and the league already assumes it points toward Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. With most of the quarterback class staying put for another year, the board thinned out fast. Mendoza stands alone as the cleanest, most immediate option. The Raiders will draft Mendoza, and that’ll be that.
That’s where Kubiak enters the picture. When the Raiders officially hand him a head coaching opportunity, it likely comes with a ready-made quarterback. Mendoza’s profile checks every early-box: polish, processing, arm talent, and production. The Heisman and National Title are evidence.
Other names exist, but they carry longer timelines. Ty Simpson still projects as a developmental bet. LaNorris Sellers and Dante Moore left the conversation by returning to school. So, it’s Mendoza or bust for the Raiders.
Klint Kubiak reacts along the sideline during pregame routines at Caesars Superdome on Sep 8, 2024, preparing New Orleans’ offense for Carolina while coordinating communication and tempo, a moment reflecting his expanding responsibilities as a playcaller ahead of kickoff in a high-profile divisional matchup under national attention and early-season scrutiny conditions. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Kubiak won’t be starting totally from scratch. He’ll be inheriting a potential franchise quarterback on Day One.
Reactions from Raiders-Themed Media
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The reviews of the Kubiak hire-to-be are pretty favorable.
Just Blog Baby‘sLevi Dombro wrote, “Look, the odds of Kubiak coming to Las Vegas seem incredibly high at this point, and if the Raiders did land their top candidate, it would be a morale boost and massive schematic advantage. Pairing Kubiak with Fernando Mendoza, Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty would be a dream scenario for Raider Nation. One that the fanbase has wanted for a long time. But until pen hits paper, fans know better than to call anything ‘official, even if they look wildly likely.”
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza watches from the field during the third quarter against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Nov 28, 2025, processing game flow as pressure mounted, capturing a poised moment for the Hoosiers signal-caller amid rivalry intensity and late-season evaluation as scouts monitored his command and decision-making traits closely. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
SI.com‘s Ezekiel Trezevant pumped the brakes just a bit: “Only time will tell if Kubiak is the right pick. There is reason to believe in Kubiak, who has undoubtedly earned the opportunity. However, the Raiders’ head coaching position is unlike any coaching or coordinator position in the league.”
“The job will present things Kubiak was not expecting, just as it did for the previous three head coaches the Raiders have fired over the past three seasons. How Kubiak responds to the natural, unexpected twists and turns that come with the Raiders will decide his fate.”
German Football Federation president Bernd Neuendorf can’t understand the criticism surrounding a German bid for the Olympic Games.
“I don’t really understand it. When you apply to host a major football tournament, it’s never an issue in Germany,” Neuendorf said at the SpoBis sports business conference.
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When it comes to major football tournaments, such as the World Cup or the Euros, Neuendorf pointed out that there are no referendums.
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“Only when it comes to the Olympics. And I don’t really understand that. I always find it inspiring to watch the Olympics, whether in Paris or elsewhere,” he said, adding that he would like to bring something like that to Germany.
The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) plans to decide in September which candidate it will put forward in Germany’s bid for the 2036, 2040, or 2044 Olympic Games.
Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, and the Rhine-Ruhr region, with Cologne as its core city, are aiming to become the German candidate.
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The citizens of Munich have already voted in favour of the Olympics in a referendum. A vote will be also held in in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and in Hamburg on April 19 and May 31 respectively.
Berlin, meanwhile, is not planning to host a referendum.
In recent years, German bids for the Olympics have repeatedly failed due to referendums. The last Olympic Games in Germany were held in Munich in 1972.
Feb 3, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dominick Barlow (25) shoots over Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) during the second period at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images
VJ Edgecombe scored a game-high 25 points, Andre Drummond produced a double-double while subbing for Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers ran away from the Golden State Warriors for a 113-94 victory in San Francisco on Tuesday.
Six other Philadelphia players scored in double figures in a balanced attack that allowed the 76ers to extend their winning streak to five games while completing a sweep of the Los Angeles Clippers and Warriors in a road back-to-back.
The Warriors were playing their seventh straight game without Jimmy Butler III (knee), and Stephen Curry sat out for the second time in four games because of a sore knee.
Embiid was given the night off after putting in 32 minutes and contributing 24 points to the Sixers’ 128-113 victory over the Clippers.
The 76ers led by just three at halftime before scoring the first nine points of the third quarter to pull away.
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Kelly Oubre Jr. nailed a 3-pointer and Edgecombe hit a 10-footer during the surge that opened a 12-point lead before Gui Santos got Golden State on the scoreboard for the first time in the second half with a 3-pointer at the 7:32 mark.
The visitors’ shared approach kept the Warriors at arm’s length the rest of the way, as the 76ers used a 25-8 dominance on the offensive boards and a 16-1 advantage in free-throw points to overcome being outshot 47.4% to 45.2% overall and 39.6% to 34.2% on 3-point attempts.
Golden State were awarded just two free-throw attempts over the 48 minutes — by Buddy Hield. It was just the ninth time in NBA history (regular season and postseason) a team attempted two or fewer foul shots in a game.
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Drummond had six of the 76ers’ offensive boards among 12 total to go with 12 points in 29 minutes. Dominick Barlow snatched six off the offensive glass — his night’s overall total — to complement 10 points.
Tyrese Maxey chipped in with 14 points for the visitors, going 7-for-7 at the foul line. Trendon Watford finished with 16 points, Oubre 15, Adem Bona 11 and Quentin Grimes 10.
Edgecombe, who shot 11-for-20, also had a game-high seven assists.
Santos and Pat Spencer shared Golden State team-high scoring honors with 13 points apiece in the club’s fifth loss in seven games.
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Moses Moody added 12 points for the Warriors, while Al Horford, Quinten Post and De’Anthony Melton each had 10 apiece.
Melton also found time for six rebounds and a team-high six assists, while Draymond Green was Golden State’s leading rebounder with seven to complement six points.
Feb 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) is congratulated by left wing Brandon Hagel (38), defenseman Victor Hedman (77) and center Jake Guentzel (59) after he scored a goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Jake Guentzel scored a breakaway goal with 15 seconds left in overtime as the host Tampa Bay Lightning won their ninth straight home game, beating the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 on Tuesday night despite trailing with less than 30 seconds left in regulation.
Nikita Kucherov spun and fired a half-length-of-the-ice pass to Guentzel, who snared it and beat Buffalo goaltender Colten Ellis (31 saves) for his second straight game-winner. Kucherov increased his point streak to nine games (six goals, 17 assists) with a tally and three helpers.
Tampa Bay defenseman Darren Raddysh scored a goal in his fifth straight game — tying the contest with 26 seconds left in regulation — and also had an assist.
Guentzel logged two points, and teammate Oliver Bjorkstrand tallied on the man advantage. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 23 shots as the Lightning improved to 18-1-1 in the past 20 games. The Sabres fell to 6-1-1 in the past eight after splitting their back-to-back Florida trip.
Maple Leafs 5, Oilers 2
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Matias Maccelli scored twice as visiting Toronto upended Edmonton.
Matthew Knies added a goal and an assist and John Tavares and Bobby McMann also scored for the Maple Leafs, who have won three straight. Anthony Stolarz made 34 saves.
Jake Walman and Kasperi Kapanen responded for the Oilers, who have lost back-to-back games. Connor Ingram stopped 22 shots.
Blue Jackets 3, Devils 0
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Elvis Merzlikins made 24 saves for his first shutout of the season and Mathieu Olivier scored two goals as Columbus scored three times in the third period to beat New Jersey in Newark, N.J.
The Blue Jackets extended their season-high winning streak to six games. Columbus is 10-1-0 in its past 11 games and has won five straight away games after completing a 3-0-0 road trip on Tuesday. Merzlikins earn his 12th career shutout while improving to 11-8-1 on the season.
Olivier’s two goals and Dante Fabbro’s go-ahead goal all came during a commanding third period for the Blue Jackets, who outshot the Devils 13-7 in the final frame. Jacob Markstrom stopped 23 of 25 shots in the game for New Jersey, which is 1-4-0 in its past five games.
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Islanders 5, Penguins 4 (OT)
Bo Horvat scored a breakaway goal 52 seconds into overtime Tuesday night for New York, which overcame a trio of deficits to edge Pittsburgh in Elmont, N.Y.
Barzal, Matthew Schaefer and Ryan Pulock also scored for the Islanders, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Ilya Sorokin made 31 saves. Barzal notched two assists while Schaefer and Horvat had one apiece.
Anthony Mantha, Egor Chinakhov, Bryan Rust and Justin Brazeau scored for the Penguins, who have lost two straight following a six-game winning streak. Brazeau registered two points, and Stuart Skinner recorded 18 saves.
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Flyers 4, Capitals 2
Jamie Drysdale scored a power-play goal with 5:23 remaining as host Philadelphia snapped a four-game losing streak by topping Washington.
Dan Vladar (26 saves) authored a terrific performance, while Owen Tippett, Carl Grundstrom and Rasmus Ristolainen also scored for the Flyers and Travis Konecny picked up two assists.
Anthony Beauvillier notched a goal and an assist for the Capitals, who came in on a three-game winning streak. Aliaksei Protas also scored for Washington, while Clay Stevenson turned aside 18 shots.
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Hurricanes 4, Senators 3
Seth Jarvis scored two goals and Jordan Staal scored the tiebreaking goal with 5:07 remaining as Carolina hung on to beat Ottawa in Raleigh, N.C., the Hurricanes’ final home game before the Olympic break.
Brandon Bussi made 22 saves, including strong work down the stretch, to boost his record to 22-3-1 as a rookie. The Hurricanes, whose points streak increased to a season-best nine games (7-0-2), saw a two-goal lead vanish. However, they recovered on Staal’s 14th goal of the season when the Senators were slow to respond on a line change.
Stephen Halliday, Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson, who also had an assist, scored for the Senators, who fell short of notching their first five-game winning streak of the season. Dylan Cozens provided two assists. James Reimer, a former Carolina goalie (2019-21), made 14 saves in defeat.
