The Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel and the Montreal Canadiens’ Juraj Slafkovsky dropped the gloves in Game 2 on Tuesday.
The incident unfolded during the second period when Hagel landed a solid right hand that dropped Slafkovsky to the ice. Hagel then taunted him on the way to the penalty box with a sleeping gesture and chirped toward the Canadiens’ bench.
Watch the video below:
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The Canadiens and the Lightning, meanwhile, are battling hard in overtime after a 2-2 tie in regulation. Brandon Hael and Nikita Kucherov were the scorers for the Bolts. Meanwhile, Lane Hutson and Josh Anderson scored for the Canadiens.
This is a developing story that will be updated later.
Nick Wright, Kevin Wildes, Chris Broussard, and Danny Parkins react to the New York Knicks dropping Game 2 to even the series at 1-1, breaking down what went wrong and what it means moving forward. Danny then unveils his Top 10 teams that must hit in the upcoming NFL Draft, highlighting the franchises under the most pressure and why this draft could define their future. Willie Colon and Coach Eric Mangini join the debate in the Front Office segment, highlighting top prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft and where they could land.
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As rapper Drake rolls out the latest promotion for his upcoming “Iceman” album, it appears he’s also taking a jab at Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in the process.
The Canadian artist posted a photo on Monday of himself rocking a Green Bay Packers jacket in front of blocks of ice that were set up in downtown Toronto with the release date of his highly anticipated album hidden inside. The promotion led to fans trying to speed up the melting process of the heavy blocks.
A streamer who goes by “Kishka” ended up finding the envelope, took it to Drake’s home in the area, and the May 15 release date was eventually revealed for all to see.
Rapper Drake performs onstage during the Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration Concert at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga., on Dec. 9, 2022.(Prince Williams/Wireimage)
The Packers even reposted the pictures of Drake, with a simple “Hi” in their caption while tagging the famous rapper.
So, where does Caleb Williams come into play here?
Well, as Williams helped lead the Bears to the playoffs, he claimed himself the “Iceman” after coming from behind for dramatic wins during a remarkable 2025 campaign.
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Then, Williams took it to another level, trying to trademark the nickname in March, though he received scrutiny not from Drake, but Basketball Hall of Famer George Gervin. The four-time scoring champ and 12-time All-Star was called “Iceman” throughout his career.
But now, Drake is claiming himself the “Iceman.” And while it could just be a coincidence Drake was wearing the Packers bomber jacket, he is quite known for jabs at his “foes,” whether straight-forward or through subtle things like his attire.
Drake performs live on stage during day two of Wireless Festival 2025 at Finsbury Park in London on July 12, 2025. He is headlining all three nights of the festival.(Simone Joyner/Getty Images for ABA)
Drake has been hinting at this new album for some time now, slowly releasing promos since last summer. Considering his love for sports, he made sure to play that up to build anticipation for the album.
At Scotiabank Arena, the home of the Toronto Raptors, Drake had fake icicles placed on the two courtside seats that he usually sits in when he attends NBA games. They were spotted on April 12 — a 136-101 blowout win for the home team.
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Meanwhile, Bears fans have learned to enjoy “Iceman” Williams, even if the games are rollercoasters at times. The 24-year-old threw for 3,942 yards with 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, while leading the team to the playoffs with an 11-6 record.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 4, 2026.(David Banks/Imagn Images)
The Bears eventually fell to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round in an overtime thriller. It wasn’t Williams’ best game, throwing for two touchdowns, but three interceptions in the loss.
But feelings around the Bears are that the No. 1 overall pick is the right guy to continue leading the franchise, especially when it comes to defeating divisional opponents like the Packers.
The Los Angeles Lakers expect to be without star guard Luka Dončić for the remainder of their first-round series with the Houston Rockets, but Austin Reaves has returned to on-court activity and could return late in the series, according to ESPN, if it reaches that point. The Lakers have a 2-0 lead after a 101-94 win in Game 2 on Tuesday night in L.A.
Dončić suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain during the Lakers’ loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2 and has been ruled out indefinitely. Prior to the playoffs, Dončić went to Spain to undergo special treatment on his hamstring. He has since rejoined the team, but his timeline to return to play remains unclear.
Reaves went down with a Grade 2 oblique strain in the same game against the Thunder, but is closer to a return than his backcourt mate. Here’s more from Shams Charania:
“The sense around the Lakers is that Austin Reaves is actually the one that’s further along than Luka Doncic in their respective rehab processes. I am told Austin Reaves has started 1-on-1 on-court work. The next step for him is to continue to go through the progression of 3-on-3, 5-on-5. Remember, early April he had a four-to-six week timetable, so theoretically that puts him on track late in this series, potentially early in the next series.”
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The Lakers caught a real break with the schedule for their first-round series, which is why there’s optimism that Reaves could play against the Rockets. There were two full days off between Games 1 and 2, and there will be another full two days off between Games 2 and 3 and Games 4 and 5. Here’s a look at the unique schedule, which will stretch into May if it gets to six games.
Game 3: Lakers at Rockets, April 24
Game 4: Lakers at Rockets, April 26
Game 5*: Rockets at Lakers, April 29
Game 6*: Lakers at Rockets, May 1
Game 7*: Rockets at Lakers, May 3
*If necessary
The Lakers winning Games 1 and 2 could change the team’s thinking some here. The Rockets lost Game 2 even with Kevin Durant back in the lineup, but the series could certainly be lengthened as it shifts back to Houston. Again, Reaves got hurt on April 2, and the initial timeline was four to six weeks, so it certainly would be conceivable that he could play by Game 6 or Game 7.
Getting Reaves back would be a massive boost for the Lakers. He averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game on 49/36/87.1 shooting splits and put up career highs in both scoring and rebounds. He was second on the team in scoring and would have been 18th in the league if he had played enough games to qualify for the official leaderboard.
While they got a huge night from Luke Kennard in Game 1 (27 points, four rebounds and three assists on 9 of 13 from the field, including 5 of 5 from 3-point range) and an outstanding performance from Marcus Smart in Game 2 (25 points, seven assists, five steals) they can’t count on that every night. Reaves, even at less than 100%, would give their offense another top-level creator who could get his own shots and take pressure off everyone else.
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If the Lakers get Reaves back and pull off an upset in this series to advance to the second round, that would give Dončić time to get back on the floor.
The Premier League could boast six clubs in the Champions League for a second season running if all the right pieces fall into place.
The extra fifth place was sealed after Arsenal reached the Champions League quarter-finals. It is the second consecutive year that the Premier League has earned an additional spot, with the English top flight at the top of the European Performance Standings (EPS).
Last term saw an unprecedented six English clubs qualify for the Champions League; five by their league position, and with Tottenham earning their place in the league phase after winning the Europa League.
The same could happen again this term, with the Premier League appearing as one of the more prominent beneficiaries to the competition’s expansion to 36 teams that came into effect at the beginning of 2024/25.
Here’s what needs to happen:
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Why six Premier League teams could qualify for the Champions League
As with every season, thetop four clubs in the Premier League table are guaranteed a spot in the 2026/27 edition – but like last year, England have earned an additional place.
That fifth spot is earned by being one of the best-performing two nations in each season’s European club competitions. English teams performed particularly well in the Champions League league phase, which boosted their points tally in Uefa’s standings, and while last-16 exits of Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle and Tottenham threatened their ranking, Arsenal’s success has eased any fears of the Premier League being limited to four berths next term.
The Premier League will therefore definitely have a quintet of Champions League teams by the end of the campaign. But wait, there’s more! The winner of the Europa League is also awarded a place in the Champions League – and Aston Villa will be playing Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals, with Freiburg and Braga on the other side of the draw.
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What happens if Aston Villa win the Europa League?
Aston Villa are the favourites to lift the title. Unai Emery is a serial winner of the competition and Villa stormed past Bologna 7-1 on aggregate to reach the semi-finals, where they will face a Nottingham Forest side that is also battling relegation this season.
Villa are currently fourth in the Premier League, way ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea. As it stands, they are looking on course to qualify for the Champions League anyway. If Villa win the Europa League and finish fourth, the Premier League will stay with five teams in the Champions League.
But if Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth the additional place in the Champions League awarded by the EPS will drop down to the team that finishes sixthin the Premier League.
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This is of interest to several Premier League teams, with the race for sixth extremely competitive this season. There are just three points separating sixth-placed Chelsea to Fulham, in 12th.
What happens if Nottingham Forest win the Europa League?
Forest are embroiled in a relegation battle at the other end of the table so their requirements are more straightforward; if they win the Europa League, a sixth spot in the continent’s premier competition will be sealed, just like Tottenham last season.
Unlike Aston Villa, Europa League glory does not need to come at the expense of domestic success for the Premier League to earn an extra Champions League spot (Reuters)
The Premier League could have had an unprecedented seventh seat at Europe’s top table, which might have come if an English team won the Champions League but also finished outside of the top five.
However, after how things panned out in the quarter-finals, that is no longer possible. Liverpool, who are fifth in the Premier League, were knocked out by holders Paris Saint-Germain, while Arsenal – still in the competition and set for a semi-final tie with Atletico Madrid – cannot mathematically finish outside the Champions League qualification places, sat 22 points ahead of sixth at the top of the English top flight.
Vafaei beat Barry Hawkins in the first round at the Crucible last year before losing 13-10 to Mark Williams.
An injury wrecked the start of this season but an intensive physio programme got him back playing, although he then had a poor run of results following his return.
“With my injury, I took two or three months [out] and after that I lost my form,” he added. “It was a shoulder problem, it was hurting my fingers and all the nerves on my left side.
“It was tough to get back my form and to find something and the struggles started from there.
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“I’m under lots of pressure. I’m not having a good season. A lot of people have been like ‘where is he? what’s he doing?’. They’re thinking I’ve stopped playing snooker.
“I’ve had a tough year mentally, personally, and everything.”
But there has been some encouragement on the table as before his success at qualifying, he beat Williams and Zhang Anda to reach the quarter-finals of last month’s World Open where he was beaten by Trump.
However, he said news from back home meant he was often not focused on snooker.
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“You get a bad text in the day and you can’t focus on your job. How can I focus?” said Vafaei.
“No-one knows how tough it is but hopefully it will be over soon, then the safety comes back to my country.”
Mike Tomlin didn’t stay with the Minnesota Vikings for long (2006), but purple fans still claim him nevertheless. Now, a few months removed from the Pittsburgh Steelers, he’s heading into the booth as an analyst.
Tomlin’s move to NBC may look like a career detour, but it also keeps him relevant to any future Vikings coaching speculation.
The arrangement could be a one-year pit stop for the future Hall of Fame coach.
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Yes, Tomlin Could Make Sense in MIN’s Long-Term Orbit
If you thought you’d miss Tomlin, well, he’s already back.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin reacts on the sideline during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium, on Jan 4, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, showing visible intensity as his team battled a division rival in a late-season matchup with playoff implications. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Tomlin the Announcer
It’s Sunday Night Football for Tomlin. ESPN’s Brooke Pryor wrote Tuesday, “For the first time in two decades, Mike Tomlin won’t be on an NFL sideline this fall. Tomlin, known for his one-of-a-kind oration, will be in the studio instead. The former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach is joining NBC’s Sunday night pregame show, ‘Football Night in America,’ as a studio analyst, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.”
“Talks between Tomlin and the network picked up steam in Augusta, Georgia, two weeks ago, sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Tomlin, 53, is the second former Steelers head coach to make a foray into broadcasting, joining his predecessor, Bill Cowher, who joined CBS as a studio analyst in 2007 after stepping down from the Steelers. Cowher never returned to coaching.”
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It’s not a hot take to suggest Tomlin will be marvelous in the role.
The Athletic‘s Andrew Marchand also noted, “Fox showed some interest in Tomlin, but NBC had the biggest need for his services. The network is reimagining its pregame show, a move that has already led to Tony Dungy’s dismissal after 17 seasons.”
“The roles of Rodney Harrison, Jac Collinsworth and Chris Simms are also in question as the network seeks more current star power and fewer people on the show. NBC Sports declined to comment. Tomlin will join host Maria Taylor, ex-Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett and Devin McCourty on set.”
The Split from PIT
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Over the last decade, the Steelers habitually did the same thing: post a winning record, exalt Tomlin to the high heavens for it late December and early January, get to the playoffs, and refuse to win a game. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stands on the sideline during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium, on Nov 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio, monitoring the action as Pittsburgh worked through a physical AFC North matchup on the road. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
The routine evidently grew stale, as Pittsburgh and Tomlin mutually parted ways after the Houston Texans crushed the Steelers in the playoffs in January. There was not much steam about Tomlin interviewing for head coaching jobs around the league thereafter, and in fact, many exactly predicted the eventual outcome — he’d join the booth somewhere.
And that’s what happened.
The Steelers later hired Mike McCarthy from Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys fame, which was funny because he’s basically Tomlin, in a nutshell, though he doesn’t have the same consistent success.
A Name to Keep an Eye on for the Vikings if Things Go Bad
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Tomlin to Minnesota would not be weird. Let’s just get out there. His connection with Vikings ownership will forever position him as a candidate whenever the head coach role is considered.
The 2026 season will be the critical juncture for Kevin O’Connell’s tenure. If the Vikings make significant progress — securing a postseason berth and finally achieving a playoff win — speculation will cease. O’Connell’s job will be secure, and external chatter will stop.
However, O’Connell’s current record — four seasons, two playoff appearances, and zero playoff wins — remains a significant factor. While he has earned more patience than many NFL head coaches, such a track record typically shortens a coach’s leash. External pressure will intensify if results don’t improve, and by the 2026 training camp, you can already expect to see O’Connell on “hot seat” lists.
Should the 2026 season conclude without a substantial playoff push, the coaching door will swing wide open. A change at that point would surprise no one. Tomlin, with his stability, experience, and established connection to the Vikings’ owners, would become an obvious candidate.
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches from the sideline during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium, on Dec 18, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio, observing as Pittsburgh secured a narrow 24-20 victory in a tightly contested divisional game. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
The only hassle? The Vikings would have to trade for Tomlin. He has the Sean-Payton-Saints deal, where his next team might have to donate draft picks to get him. An annoyance.
Other Possible 2027 Destinations
Tomlin turned 54 last month. Assuming the Sunday Night Football relationship is a one-hit wonder — it may not be — he’ll obviously have a market during next year’s coaching carousel. In addition to the Vikings, if O’Connell doesn’t produce, here’s a list of possible teams that could pursue Tomlin:
Carolina Panthers
Cincinnati Bengals
Dallas Cowboys
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Indianapolis Colts
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
New York Jets
Philadelphia Eagles
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Washington Commanders
Of course, if any of those teams win and play well, their respective head coaches won’t be fired. The list assumes that things go poorly or a coach retires.
HOUSTON — Traditions take years, sometimes decades, to take hold but they’re a vital part of professional golf. They help tell the story of the game’s most important tournaments. Think the green jacket at the Masters, or U.S. Open Sunday on Father’s Day.
But it has. In 2023, when the Chevron moved from Mission Hills in California to The Club at Carlton Woods in Houston, the players told the tournament’s organizers that they wanted to keep the pond jump alive. So the organizers dredged a pond and ringed it with gator netting to give players peace of mind.
The tradition appeared in danger this year, with the tournament moving to Memorial Park, a Houston muni that doesn’t have water on the 18th hole. But the LPGA and tournament organizers heard from numerous players about the importance of the pond jump’s legacy and so made short- and long-term plans to keep it alive. For the 2026 edition, organizers constructed a temporary plunge pool off to the right of the 18th green, measuring 15 feet by 10 feet and 4 1/2 feet deep. If a ball goes into the pool during tournament play, players will get free relief in the same way they would if they hit an approach into a grandstand.
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The LPGA knows the makeshift pool is not a perfect solution and has already drawn a few eyeball rolls on social media, but given the time constraints, it was the most feasible solution. After the 2026 tournament, course architect Tom Doak will redesign the finishing hole with a permanent pond.
The temporary plunge pool on the 18th hole at Memorial Park
LPGA
Rendering of the 18th hole at Memorial Park after planned redesign
LPGA
“When a tradition matters, you find a way to honor it — and bring fans closer to it, too,” the LPGA said in a statement to GOLF. “The winner’s jump has become one of the most fun and distinctive traditions at The Chevron Championship, and what makes it especially meaningful is that it was created organically by the players themselves.
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“It is a nod to the championship’s history, a bridge to the future and part of creating a more engaging fan experience by giving spectators a place to connect with and experience this tradition up close. And, as always, it is entirely up to the winning player whether she wants to take the plunge.”
Stacy Lewis made the jump into Poppie’s Pond after winning the 2011 Chevron at Mission Hills. Lewis said that plunge, not how she played at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course, is what most sticks with her about her first major win.
“There has been a lot of debate about the pond and the jump,” Lewis said Tuesday at Memorial Park. “I’ve told a lot of people that I don’t remember getting the trophy. A lot of things I don’t remember about that ceremony. But I remember the jump and what that felt like and how cold that water was in California.”
As the LPGA and women’s golf seek to grow in popularity, the importance of building traditions is crucial. Women’s golf hasn’t been good at that. The number of majors has gone from three to four to five. The LPGA Championship became the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Things get lost.
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But Lewis and other past champions are adamant that the leap into the pond should continue. She knows the temporary pool isn’t an ideal solution but years down the road this spell won’t be remembered — only the jump will.
“What did it take, almost 20 years to develop the pond jump?” Lewis said. “Traditions don’t just happen overnight. I just think it’s so important that we keep it and that it’s — is it a little bit different this year? Yes. Does it look great? I mean, it’s up for debate, right? But somebody is still going to jump in there, and it’s still going to be — when we look back on 10 years, we’re going to put all these jumps together, and they’re all going to look the same. So I just think we’ve got to get through this year, but it has to continue.”
Lewis thought the temporary pond would “be bigger,” but is pleased with the LPGA and Chevron’s decision to keep the tradition in play. Lewis, who is 41 and retiring after this week, also believes the course will benefit from the addition coming in 2027.
“They did a really good job of doing the best they could given the situation,” Lewis said. “It’s going to be a lot better when we come back next year, and frankly, the 18th green is going to be a lot better, too. It’s going to fit more with the golf course, and now, the last four finishing holes will all have water on them.”
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Given the depth of the pool, there won’t be any cannonballs this year, and the number of team members who go in with the winner will be limited. It’s even possible that the victor could forgo wading into the temporary pool.
Nelly Korda jumped into the pond at Carlton Woods in 2024. Should she be the last woman standing this week at Memorial Park, there’s no question, she’s going in.
“I think when it comes to what people think about it, you’re always going to be in a lose-lose situation,” Korda said Tuesday. “Once you kill a tradition, it’s killed forever. If you kind of look at it, maybe some people don’t like it that it’s at a different golf course, different venue. I still give props to Chevron and to the LPGA for wanting to keep that tradition alive.
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“I know that there is a bigger plan for it to be a better jump into Poppie’s Pond. But at the end of the day, if I’m hoisting the trophy, like I’m going to jump in.”
And once the winner exits and puts on the tournament robe, the work will begin to ensure that tradition remains just that.
VANCOUVER — Tereza Vanisova scored and contributed a pair of assists, and the Vancouver Goldeneyes held on for a 4-3 win over the Montreal Victoire on Tuesday.
Sarah Nurse tallied her eighth goal of the season, Ashton Bell added a power-play marker midway through the second and Claire Thompson rounded out the scoring for the Goldeneyes (9-2-4-14).
Thompson’s goal at the 5:06 mark of the third period gave Vancouver a 4-0 lead, but Montreal (16-5-2-6) pulled goalie Sandra Abstreiter with more than seven minutes left on the game clock in favour of an extra attacker.
Hayley Scamurra responded with three goals over two minutes and 44 seconds to cut the Victoire’s deficit to a single goal with the first hat trick of her PWHL career. Nicole Gosling registered three assists and Erin Ambrose had two helpers.
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Vancouver goalie Kristen Campbell stopped 25 of the 28 shots she faced and Abstreiter made 14 saves for Montreal.
The Victoire have locked up their playoff spot but are still looking to secure first place so they can pick their semifinal opponent. The Goldeneyes have been eliminated from post-season play, but are aiming to rack up draft order points with strong showings in their final games.
Goldeneyes: Earned their first-ever win against Montreal. The Victoire came out on top in the three previous meetings this season by a combined score of 8-2. … Defender Sophie Jaques contributed an assist on Thompson’s goal, marking her 50th PWHL point.
Victoire: Outshot Vancouver 10-4 across the first period but couldn’t get a puck past Campbell. … Ann-Renée Desbiens did not dress for the game. The Montreal goalie leads the league in save percentage (. 955) and goals-against average (1.12), and is tied with Aerin Frankel of the Boston Fleet for most wins (18).
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Victoire star Laura Stacey picked off a puck in the defensive zone for a short-handed breakaway midway through the second period and steamed up the ice unimpeded, only to see Campbell make a solid save, sending the blistering shot off the knob of her stick.
The Goldeneyes have earned at least one point against every other PWHL team during their first season in the league.
Victoire: Visit the Seattle Torrent on Saturday.
Goldeneyes: Close out their inaugural season Saturday when they host the Minnesota Frost.
Tolu Arokodare’s Wolverhampton Wanderers have been relegated from the Premier League following a disappointing 2025–26 campaign.
Their drop was confirmed on Monday after other results went against them, leaving Wolves unable to close the gap on teams above and ending their eight-year run in the top flight.
It has been a frustrating season from the start. Wolves failed to win a league match until January, putting them under early pressure. Although results improved later, including a draw with Arsenal and wins over Aston Villa and Liverpool, they remained stuck in the relegation zone.
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A change in the dugout saw Rob Edwards replace Vítor Pereira, but the situation did not improve enough. Wolves struggled in attack and defence, conceding 61 goals and scoring only 24 in 33 matches, leaving them with the worst goal difference in the league.
Relegation means the club must now regroup in the Championship, with key decisions expected about the squad. For Arokodare, it brings uncertainty over whether to stay and fight for promotion or seek a move elsewhere.
Arokodare’s difficult debut season
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The Nigerian striker joined from KRC Genk in September 2025 after finishing as the Belgian league’s top scorer. However, his first season in England did not meet expectations.
He featured in 28 league games, mostly as a substitute, scoring three goals and providing one assist. It was a modest return for a player brought in to lead the attack.
There were a few bright moments. His first Premier League goal came as a late header against Arsenal, showing his strength in the air. He also contributed in a surprise win over Liverpool and impressed more in cup competitions, scoring twice in the EFL Cup.
However, he struggled for consistency. Despite his height and physical presence, he found it difficult to convert chances, reflecting a low scoring rate. Like many of his teammates, adapting to the speed and intensity of the league proved challenging.
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Off the pitch, his situation became more complicated after reports of a dressing-room clash with teammate Mateus Mané following a heavy loss to West Ham United. The incident led to disciplinary action, including a fine and his omission from the squad.
Big decision ahead
At 25, Arokodare faces an important choice. He could remain with Wolves and try to rebuild in the Championship, where his physical style may suit the demands of the league.
With more regular playing time and better support, he has the chance to regain confidence and rediscover his scoring form, similar to his time in Belgium. However, staying would also require him to rebuild trust within the squad and prove himself again to the coaching staff as Wolves prepare for a fresh start.
Lucknow Super Giants’ skipper Rishabh Pant and teammates. (ANI Photo)
LUCKNOW: Lucknow Super Giants return to the Ekana Stadium on Wednesday needing more than a win — what they need is a course correction. LSG have lost four of their first six matches, including a 54-run defeat to Punjab Kings in their previous outing, and are still without a home win this season after two losses in Lucknow. Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, arrive better placed, with four wins from six games and third place on the points table.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!For LSG, the concern is straightforward: their top order has not given them enough. The side has too often been forced into recovery mode and on a ground where setting up the innings matters, another shaky start could leave them chasing the game early. That makes the first six overs the clearest tactical window of the contest. Asked what whas wrong with their batting unit, LSG’s Aiden Markram said, “It’s probably just a case of maybe struggling for a bit of rhythm. It’s quite strange. We laugh about it in the sense that one or two guys can struggle, it’s part of the game, but when the full batting lineup does so… the odds of that happening normally are quite slim.”Rajasthan look better equipped in that phase. Jofra Archer has been their early enforcer, with nine wickets in his last eight T20s, and he goes up against an LSG batting group still searching for rhythm. If Archer breaks through up front, Rajasthan can immediately squeeze a middle order that has not consistently played from positions of control. Lucknow’s counter lies with Prince Yadav, whose recent numbers also stand out.
He has been one of LSG’s few bright spots with the new ball and his duel with Rajasthan’s aggressive opening pair of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaswal could shape the match. If Prince can strike in the Powerplay, LSG would have already done half the job.There is also a wider context for LSG. They are yet to feel at home at the Ekana stadium after three winless games. Home cannot become a disadvantage and on a red-soil pitch, Lucknow’s batter have a lot to play for.
82 – Sanju Samson’s unbeaten knock off 52 balls in Jaipur on March 24, 2024 is the highest individual score in matches involving RR and LSG.
4/41 – Yuzvendra Chahal’s bowling performance for RR at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on April 10, 2022 is the only four-wicket haul in games involving these two teams.
DENVER — Los Angeles interim coach D.J. Smith quickly ducked when shattered glass fell on him after a pane broke behind the Kings bench Tuesday night in Game 3 against Colorado.
It happened right after Quinton Byfield was stopped on a penalty shot by Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood with 16:48 remaining in the second period. The glass began to sway as fans pounded on it in excitement and then gave way, with pieces raining on Smith. He covered his head and then brushed the glass off his suit before heading down the tunnel to the locker room. He returned a few minutes later.
The Avalanche cleanup crew brought out shovels and buckets to clean up the fragments from the L.A. bench. The Kings players mingled on the ice as they waited for a new pane to be brought in and installed.
Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog told ESPN hockey analyst Erik Johnson he’s never seen something like that happen before. Landeskog added: “It was loud there when ‘Wedgy’ made that save and fans got a little too excited.”
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The delay took more than 15 minutes. The score was 0-0 when play was halted.
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