Sabres’ Jordan Greenway draws ire for penalty killing without a stick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Buffalo Sabres were down a man when they allowed the Montreal Canadiens goal that put the Habs in front on Sunday night.

Advertisement

But they weren’t just on the penalty kill. One of their players on the ice, Jordan Greenway, was without his stick.

It didn’t take long for social media to all share their takes on that. Yes, sticks can break, but then there are options for what can happen next.

Usually when it happens on the penalty kill, the player without a stick stays on the ice and just tries to put his body in the way however he can.

On this particular goal, it made Greenway pretty much a traffic cone to be navigated around by Lane Hutson:

Former England spinner Kirsty Gordon is set to make her first Scotland appearance in almost nine years after being named in their squad for the T20 World Cup.

Gordon, 28, played 60 times for Scotland before pursuing a full-time career in the English professional system.

Born in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, she played in five matches at the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup as England finished runners-up and also played a Test match against Australia in 2019.

She committed her future to Scotland last December, but has only recently recovered from a back injury.

Kathryn Bryce captains a group that has three changes from the World Cup qualifier in Nepal earlier this year.

Young seam duo Gabriella Fontenla and Maisie Maceira are both included, along with Gordon, as Niamh Robertson-Jack, Mollie Parker and Hannah Rainey – who left the squad in Nepal because of injury – miss out.

Robertson-Jack and Ellen Watson will join a wider squad for a pre-tournament tri-series against the Netherlands and Bangladesh, before the Scots travel to Manchester for their opening World Cup match against Ireland at Old Trafford on 13 June.

Scotland also play England, West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Group B.

Indian boxing’s preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games have been thrown into uncertainty after the escalating conflict between the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) forced the suspension of the final selection trials for the national squad.

With elite boxers awaiting clarity on selection procedures, evaluation standards and national camp participation, the dispute has created fresh instability in a crucial season for the sport.

SAI halts BFI’s selection trials

The latest confrontation between the two sports authorities emerged after SAI directed the BFI to halt the proposed assessment tests for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games squads, citing concerns over transparency and fairness in the evaluation process.

SAI raises objections over evaluation framework

The latest communication from SAI to the BFI highlighted multiple concerns regarding the federation’s proposed assessment mechanism for the national camp and final team selection.

In a letter issued by the office of TOPS CEO NS Johal, SAI stated that the federation had failed to provide adequate details regarding the technical and tactical evaluation matrix that would be used during the assessments.

SAI accuses BFI coaches of favouritism

The authority also sought clarification on the composition of the High Performance Unit (HPU), including the qualifications and credentials of officials responsible for evaluating athletes during the camp. Apart from the evaluation framework, SAI questioned the proposed list of coaches and support staff and asked the BFI to explain the criteria adopted by the Coaches Commission while recommending appointments.

Another key issue flagged by SAI was the possibility of coaches associated with the national camp being directly involved in the selection process, something the authority had earlier advised against to prevent favouritism and conflicts of interest. SAI further informed the federation that all expenses related to the conduct of trials or assessments would have to be borne entirely by the BFI.

BFI defends process amid growing disagreement

The BFI has maintained that the proposed procedures and evaluation policies had already been discussed with SAI during the Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC) meetings. Federation officials believe the assessment process was designed to streamline selections and ensure a performance-based pathway for boxers ahead of the major international events.

However, the continuing disagreement between the two bodies over selection norms, trial structures and staffing appointments has delayed the start of preparations for the upcoming multi-sport competitions. The standoff has also left several boxers uncertain about their participation in the national camp and their chances of representing India.

COAS Cup controversy deepens selection dispute

The dispute has also revived controversy surrounding the 2nd Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Cup, conducted in Pune from March 30 to April 5. The BFI had recognised the event as an official qualification route to the national camp, with gold and silver medallists across 20 categories earning eligibility for the final trials.

SAI, however, refused to acknowledge the competition and termed it a “closed-door” tournament. The decision has effectively left nearly 40 medal-winning boxers outside the selection pathway despite their performances at the event.

Several affected athletes are now preparing to move the Delhi High Court seeking inclusion in the trials and a fair opportunity to compete for national selection.

Boxers seek clarity over national selection

The uncertainty has triggered frustration among several leading Indian boxers, including 2021 World Championships silver medallist Deepak Bhoria and reigning Asian champion Sanjeet, both of whom secured medals at the COAS Cup.

In a joint statement, the two boxers expressed disappointment over the absence of clarity regarding the status of COAS Cup medallists and the selection process for the national camp. They stated that the federation had earlier informed athletes that gold and silver medallists from the tournament would become part of the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games pathway, but no official confirmation has yet been provided.

The ongoing administrative deadlock has now stalled the selection process at a time when Indian boxing was expected to intensify preparations for two of the biggest sporting events of the cycle.

Commonwealth Games and Asian Games 2026 schedule

The 2026 Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2. The 2026 Asian Games will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.

Joshua Zirkzee was handed his first start of 2026 on Saturday but the forward doesn’t look a good fit for Man Utd or the Premier League.

Manchester United will pay the final instalment owed to Bologna for Joshua Zirkzee this summer, but the forward’s time at Old Trafford looks to be coming to an end just as debts are settled.

Zirkzee was handed a first start under Michael Carrick at Sunderland on Saturday and did little to convince he had a future at the club. Despite his height and physical presence, he is a lightweight No.9 who looked ill-equipped to thrive in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light.

The Netherlands international was an opportunistic signing in 2024, when United were really feeling the pinch financially and needed more competition for Rasmus Hojlund, a £72million acquisition from Atalanta the year before.

Click here to find out the latest Manchester United news in our daily newsletter

Zirkzee had a release clause of just over £34million (€40million) in his Bologna contract, but United opted to pay £36.5million to spread the fee over three years, giving them more cash to play with in that window.

There is an argument that is financially prudent, but the bigger concern is what attracted them to Zirkzee in the first place. He had scored 12 goals in his final season in Serie A, spearheading Bologna’s surprise qualification for the Champions League, but he was a quirky forward who had thrived in a system that played to his strengths.

He had never been prolific and was clearly a technically skilled forward who might do well in a team built around him, but not exactly a line-leading striker ready for the muck and nettles of the Premier League.

That was a summer of chaos at United, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe pondered sacking Erik ten Hag only to take weeks to decide to keep the faith. Omar Berrada and Dan Ashworth both started work at the club midway through the summer and it was never clear who was pulling the strings, which led to signings like Zirkzee.

It’s hard to imagine that deal happening in 2026. United’s approach to recruitment seems more aligned now, and the greater emphasis on data would have surely red-flagged a signing like Zirkzee, who has never looked at home in England.

Nearly two years on, it’s still difficult to know what his best position is. He is often referred to as a nine-and-a-half, but what does that even mean? Perhaps he would be a good false nine, but United don’t play that system. His best performances came as one of two No.10s in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1, but his only route to games now is as a No.9.

His performance at the Stadium of Light proved he doesn’t have that in him. He has scored nine goals in 73 games for United, and 51 in 231 games throughout his career. Carrick said on Saturday that Zirkzee wouldn’t be judged on one game, but the file of evidence is much thicker than that. He is never going to be a prolific forward.

There will be a market for Zirkzee back in Italy. His technical skills can prosper in Serie A in a way they haven’t in the Premier League, especially in this iteration of the league, where forwards are barely given time to breathe.

An issue for United will be the lack of finance in Italy. Recouping the fee they paid will be impossible and they might end up with a loan and an option or obligation to buy.

They will at least bank £38million from Napoli for Hojlund this summer. That is money that can be reinvested in adding another forward to take the heat off Benjamin Sesko.

The Slovenian has looked more suited to life as Old Trafford’s No.9 than Hojlund or Zirkzee, but he needs support. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha can play the role, but they are very different options, more likely to drop deep than stretch the play, and they might well be required elsewhere.

United might well look to sign a versatile forward to replace Zirkzee, someone who can play wide as well as through the middle. Or they might look for an older head.

Danny Welbeck is an obvious candidate, with a year left on his contract at Brighton. United have twice considered bringing him back to Old Trafford in recent years. He will turn 36 in November but has had another good season at the Amex and his experience could be valuable.

There will be other options out there. United spent around £108million on Hojlund and Zirkzee, and will be lucky to get half of that back. This summer, they should look for a much cheaper option and rely on the recruitment team to unearth the right kind of player.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

The Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Kyler Murray in March, but he will not be handed the QB1 job without a battle, according to NFL.com and Tom Pelissero.

Murray has the resume. McCarthy still has his opening.

The incumbent starter, J.J. McCarthy, has a puncher’s chance to keep his job, and folks should fully expect a legitimate competition at training camp.

Minnesota’s QB Competition Now Has National Confirmation

Get the popcorn ready because it’s a quarterback mano a mano.

NFL.com: It’s a QB Battle in MIN

Training camp will have suspense. NFL.com’s Grant Gordon wrote Sunday, “If it was assumed that Kyler Murray was going to be handed the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback reins following two ill-fated years for J.J. McCarthy, that won’t be the case. Minnesota will host a good, old fashioned quarterback battle between McCarthy and Murray this offseason, according to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.”

“McCarthy’s struggled in his two years in the NFL since the Vikings chose him 10th overall in an already celebrated 2024 NFL Draft. Some of his struggles have been self-inflicted (12 interceptions in 10 games), while others have been the result of injuries, as he missed all of his rookie campaign with a knee injury and dealt with multiple injuries in his sophomore season.”

Pelissero personally said, “They envision it being a true competition: Kyler Murray versus J.J. McCarthy. And both these guys are going to go into this believing they’re gonna win this job.”

“I don’t know, frankly, how friendly that quarterback room is going to be. It’s going to be a very competitive quarterback room. From everything that I’ve understood, it is truly wide open; they’re keeping an open mind as a coaching staff.”

The Case for Murray

It should not be a hot take to announce this: Murray is a better quarterback than McCarthy. He’s faster, more accurate, has a stronger arm, and has more experience. The Cardinals merely soured on him because he was in the QB1 chair for seven seasons, and Arizona failed to win a playoff game.

McCarthy is taller than Murray by about five inches, and that matters, but other than height, Murray has McCarthy beat in almost every talent-related category.

There are also the numbers. Across 17 starts, on average, Murray produces about 4,000 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns, and roughly 600 rushing yards. He’s basically Lamar Jackson on a bad team without the marketing.

Murray will also have a chip on his shoulder later this summer; getting kicked out of Arizona is rather embarrassing, all things considered.

The Case for McCarthy

The Vikings drafted McCarthy in 2024 to unabashedly be the quarterback of the future. Hell, the franchise said “no thanks” last offseason to Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and Aaron Rodgers in favor of McCarthy.

McCarthy also showed flashes of brilliance in 2025, his first season as a starter. He made throws that many cannot make, and his attitude in the Vikings’ locker room was infectious. McCarthy knows how to lead and has the drive to become a franchise quarterback.

The third-year pro also has youth on his side. He’s 23. Murray will turn 29 this summer. Per the original plan, it would probably be “better” if McCarthy just showed up to training camp, suddenly showcasing improved mechanics, maturity, and moxie.

NBC Sports‘ Mike Florio on the battle: “For McCarthy to win it, he’ll need to step up. Ball out. Outplay the first overall pick in the 2019 draft. The player who was named offensive rookie of the year before making it to the Pro Bowl in 2020 and 2021.”

“Even if McCarthy wins the job, he’ll need to hold it. That means staying healthy. He has missed all of his rookie year due to a preseason knee injury. In 2025, he missed seven games. A ‘true competition’ will help both get ready to play. Chances are they both will.”

Prediction

There’s a world where McCarthy takes July and August by storm; fans would love it. It would also align with historical timelines — quarterbacks taking the next step in Year No. 3.

However, this battle is probably Murray’s to lose. Some have compared Murray’s arrival in Minnesota to the aforementioned Darnold’s two years ago or Baker Mayfield’s in Tampa Bay three years ago. It’s an understandable analogy, but Murray has played consistently well since 2019. Darnold and Mayfield were deemed busts before their career reclamations.

McCarthy has a shot, but Murray will likely win this thing. It’s important to note that Murray is susceptible to injury — he’s missed 26% of all career starts — so McCarthy might get a chance to strut his stuff sometime in 2026 if history repeats.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

Trainer Tom Charlton will separate two key horses from his yard across state borders this coming weekend, positioning Linebacker for the Luskin Star Stakes at Scone as promising speedster Napoleonic takes on the Group 1 Doomben 10,000.

Linebacker features in entries for the pair of races, but Charlton is inclined to choose Scone where the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) offers 100m more, fitting the horse’s optimal range.

“He is nominated for both, and we can think about it, but he will probably go to Scone and Napoleonic will go to Queensland,” Charlton said.

“With Linebacker, 1300 is a distance he’s very effective at. He will enjoy Scone and if we can get a bit of confidence in him, we can get him to the Stradbroke (Handicap).”

Winner of the 2025 Randwick Guineas, Linebacker competed at high levels during autumn.

He was beaten by a mere 1-1/2 lengths from Joliestar in his first-up Canterbury Stakes (1300m), held midfield in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) won by Autumn Glow, and claimed sixth place solidly in the Doncaster Mile (1600m).

According to Charlton, the gelding should improve with a freshening and shorter distance as he aims to return to the winners’ list.

“His Canterbury Stakes run was great, and the George Ryder turned out to be a very good form race, and he wasn’t too bad in hindsight,” Charlton said.

“In the Doncaster, he put himself in a good position and they went very quick. He presented like he was going to be in the finish, but the pattern of that race probably played against him.

“He was the best on-speed horse, and he might appreciate a freshen up and coming back to that 1300 and 1400 metres.”

Napoleonic received a spell post his competitive Canterbury Stakes run and has dominated two recent barrier trials.

Second across the line in the Eskimo Prince Stakes as well as the Hobartville Stakes, the three-year-old eyes the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), stepping via the Doomben 10,000 (1200m) this Saturday and Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Eagle Farm in two weeks.

“He’s still improving and developing, and his trial is indicative he has improved again,” Charlton said.

“We came back this time thinking he was on a three-run Stradbroke campaign.

“James (McDonald) is riding him, so clearly he thinks he’s capable of winning.”

Discover competitive racing betting markets ahead of the Luskin Star Stakes.

For a long time, it has been reported that Kasper Hjulmand is practically certain to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

Now, Bild reports that Die Werkself have made a final decision on the Danish coach’s future.

Advertisement

The German tabloid claims that Hjulmand’s time at the club will be over at the end of the season, and that his final game in charge will be Saturday’s match against Hamburger SV.

Even though it is still mathematically possible for Leverkusen to qualify for the Champions League, Die Werkself almost certainly threw away their chance of reaching Europe’s premier club competition on Saturday with a 3-1 loss to VfB Stuttgart.

With just one game left to play, Leverkusen sit sixth, three points behind both Hoffenheim and VfB Stuttgart in fifth and fourth place respectively.