The NHL Department of Player Safety announced announced on Sunday that New York Islanders forward Bo Horvat had been fined $2,500 for his unsportsmanlike conduct towards San Jose Sharks’ William Eklund during their 2-1 win on Saturday at SAP Center on the road.
The incident occurred with less than four minutes to play in the third period. Horvat skated towards the Sharks bench, let go of his stick and flicked Eklund’s helmet aggressively before skating away. The interaction drew no response from Eklund, although Sharks’ Tyler Toffoli was seen getting agitated by Horvat’s actions.
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Unfortunately for the Isles center, the NHL Department of Player Safety also didn’t take kindly to the incident. They gave a briefing about their judgment of the fine on Sunday, which read:
“New York Islanders forward Bo Horvat has been fined $2,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct against San Jose Sharks forward William Eklund at the San Jose bench during NHL Game No. 999 in San Jose on Saturday, March 7, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.
“The incident occurred at 16:15 of the third period. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.”
Fans reacted on social media after the announcement. They felt that the league was too harsh on Horvat and the massive fine wasn’t warranted.
Here are a few reactions:
“(George) Parros is getting soft in his old age,” a fan said about the head of the NHL Department of Player Safety.
Parros is getting soft in his old age
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“So players can’t joke around anymore??? What is this,” a fan questioned.
So players can’t joke around anymore ??? What is this
“$2500 for a little bench chat? NHL’s lost the plot,” a fan wrote.
$2500 for a little bench chat? NHL’s lost the plot
“Chirping someone on the bench is a fine ?? Lol,” a fan commented.
Chirping someone on the bench is a fine ?? Lol
“Cross checks to the face are accepted but a helmet flip is a fine??” another fan questioned.
Cross checks to the face are accepted but a helmet flip is a fine??
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“Bruh this is literally human nature, grow up NHL,” a fan added.
Bruh this is literally human nature, grow up @NHL
Both Horvat and Eklund are key players on their respective lineups. Horvat has scored 27 goals in 50 games for the club and is eight goals away from a career high for a season. Eklund is the No.7 overall pick from the 2021 NHL Draft. He has 148 points in his career with 38 coming this season.
Macklin Celebrini shies away from commenting on Matthew Barzal hit
Many fans contested on social media that instead of Horvat, Isles’ Matthew Barzal should have been penalized for a huge hit on Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini a few moments before his incident occurred in the third period. While traversing towards the puck that was in possession of the Islanders, Celebrini took a hit from Barzal and looked shaken up.
During the postgame interviews he walked away when asked about Barzal’s conduct.
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The Sharks are locked in battle for the Western Conference Wild Card spots. They are trailing the Seattle Kraken, who hold the second spot, by a point after Sunday.
Maria Jose Marin’s only Augusta National error came long after she pulled away from the best field in women’s amateur golf on Saturday.
The Arkansas star, who won the NCAA individual title last summer, tapped in a two-inch par putt on the 18th hole to cement her Augusta National Women’s Amateur title and immediately ran to find her family. There’s no running at Augusta National, but in Marin’s case, they’ll make an exception after she went 65-69 at Champions Retreat and capped it off with a 68 at Augusta National to beat Stanford’s Andrea Revuelta by four.
“When that last putt sank in, I just thought to myself, well, I made it,” Marin said after her win. “All of my hard work has paid off, and I’m just extremely proud of myself.”
Marin and her parents had discussed the night before that, if she won, they would be right off the 18th green so that she could embrace them after her moment of glory. Maria Jose Marin ran and immediately embraced her father, mother, and 10-year-old brother with the Augusta National crowd still serenading its newest champion.
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Her father, who caddied for her at last year’s ANWA, stepped off the bag so that his daughter could find someone to help her navigate the pressure that comes with trying to become a champion at this place. It was a selfless decision that was a catalyst for the historic moment that Maria Jose Marin conjured on Saturday.
“He said, you need someone that knows. I love you with all my heart, but you need someone that knows how to handle a tournament of this level. I think it was one of the most beautiful decisions that he could have ever made because he was totally selfless. He was like, I know that you need someone else, but I’m going to be there supporting you.”
But Maria Jose Marin’s emotional coronation didn’t end there. In fact, it was just the start.
Because Maria Jose Marin didn’t get to the winner’s circle at Augusta National by herself. She has an entire extended family trying to will her to the place where her dreams reside. And they were all there at Augusta National to usher her into history.
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After celebrating with her parents, Marin made her way up the rope line and was mobbed by Arkansas coach Shauna Taylor, her teammates Reagan Zibilski and Sara Brentcheneff and Arkansas alum and ANWA runner-up Maria Fassi.
“Walking up 18, I pictured it in my mind,” Marin said in Butler Cabin. “What was the moment going to be like? Having Maria there, she inspired me so, so much. When she played with Jennifer Kupcho [at the 2019 ANWA], that was truly inspiring for me. And to get it done in front of them, it’s great.”
“It’s everything I dreamed of.”
Marin started the day one shot back of 17-year-old Asterisk Talley. She birdied the par-5 second but gave it right back with a bogey at the third. Marin closed the front nine with birdies at 5, 7 and 9, but Talley was showing no signs of flinching behind her.
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Marin parred 10 and 11 to stay one behind Talley and then arrived at the par-3 12th facing a defining shot. “Golden Bell” has doomed numerous would-be champions over the years. It’s a place where dreams go to die if you don’t have the proper club and a committed stroke.
Marin checked the wind and sent her ball into the Amen Corner air. But her shot hung in the air and landed short of the green, starting back to trickle towards Rae’s Creek. There have been countless moments in Masters history where a shot just like Marin’s ends up in a watery grave. But Marin’s ball somehow stopped rolling and hung up on the ridge. She went on to save par, and when Talley made a quadruple-bogey 7 at the 12th behind her, she suddenly had a three-shot lead.
“When my ball stayed there — I think it’s a miracle that my ball stayed there,” Marin said. “I just kind of have to make par and walk away out of here because this just happens once.
“The ball staying on that ridge on 12. I’ve never seen a ball stay there, and I think it was just God holding the ball there, like, don’t move. This is happening for something.”
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A birdie at the 13th gave her a four-shot lead, and once she birdied the par-3 16th, all that was left was for Maria Jose Marin to walk to her destiny and become the first Colombian champion in Augusta National history.
It was a win that she will carry with her for the rest of her life, and one that she hopes inspires the next generation of Latin American girls to draw themselves into the stars.
“I can just say dream big,” Marin said. “Never give up on your dreams. I would never, ever think that I was going to be right here right now, but it’s just because of all of my hard work and my perseverance and the love that I have for the game.”
That’s the rare gift of the ANWA. It’s a championship that allows the top women’s amateurs in the game to dream of something that, until 2019, wasn’t a possibility, and puts them in a position to boost the next generation on their shoulders — that a win for you can be a win for someone else down the line.
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And in Maria Jose Marin’s case, an Augusta National victory can be one for all who helped you get to the place your heart always wanted.
“Just extremely proud of myself and all of the hard work and the ability that I had out there to overcome all the pressure because winning in this place,” Marin said. “I don’t think there’s ever going to be a feeling to describe it. It’s just magical.
“This is the temple of golf, and just getting this win, it’s amazing for me.”
This weekend in London, Derek Chisora became just the second man to lose to Deontay Wilder and hear the final bell.
The veteran heavyweight clash was suitably chaotic and entertaining, with both the Brit and the American having success in spurts. It was Wilder who scored the only two knockdowns in the fight, but he was also deducted a point for what referee Mark Bates deemed a push through the ropes.
Both men showed impressive chins, and Chisora, though he hit the canvas, appeared to go down as much through exhaustion as from being hurt. Wilder, however, claimed post-fight that he saw his opponent was in trouble and chose to have mercy, putting less into his shots and targeting the body.
Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Chisora said Wilder’s power does indeed matched the hype.
“Good 12 rounds. He can hit … Yeah [the power was as good as expected]. He loads it up though. He’s got tell signs before he chucks. But, when he gets you, he can hit.”
“Wilder’s got power for the first three rounds, then after he fades away. I’m not gonna take that away from him. He has got power.”
Asked if anything surprised him about the former WBC heavyweight champion, Chisora said:
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“He likes to hold a lot. I thought he was good on the inside but he’s not. I know what I did. I love Deontay, but I know he broke two things – his hand and his rib.”
During Black Caviar’s remarkable run, veteran Peter Moody rarely got teary, but post Sheza Alibi’s breathtaking win in the Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick, emotions overflowed for the trainer.
From a position near the rear among 16 starters, the favourite at $1.90 confronted a tough ask swinging for home, only to devour rivals rapidly and bolt in by 4¼ lengths over Autumn Boy ($10).
Moody, who honed his skills at Randwick under T J Smith and cared for Lygon Arms, the 1988 Doncaster champ, described the success as deeply meaningful.
“I remember my time with T J and that’s why it’s always special. Randwick was always home to me,” Moody said.
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“I’ve been blessed to train one of the greatest we have ever seen, but this filly is just amazing. I’m not saying she is Black Caviar, but how good.
“She is just a special, special horse. Crikey. Where’s the ceiling? You don’t know.”
The Doncaster Mile now counts Sheza Alibi as its first three-year-old filly winner since Sunline in 1999, positioning her among the top prospects.
Autumn Glow, unbeaten mare, sidestepped for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but Moody expects their paths to cross later.
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“I’m happy Autumn Glow wasn’t here, I can tell you that,” Moody said.
“She’s a superstar and we saw her strut her stuff here earlier in the day.
“The day will probably come – let’s hope it does for Australian racing – where they meet.”
Snapped up online for $10,000 after a Rockhampton maiden debut loss, Sheza Alibi has triumphed in seven of 10 races.
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Moody observed her unremarkable physique hides vast talent.
“She is so nondescript. She doesn’t stand out in the yard. She doesn’t stand out at home in training. She is just a tradesman, she’s got a great hip, a big deep girth and a hell of a lot of ability,” he said.
Jockey Jamie Melham, adding to his Doncaster Mile tally with Cascadian in 2021, was overwhelmed by her ride.
“I’ve sat on some very special horses before, but I don’t think any come close to the feel she just gave me then,” Melham said.
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“What a horse. I trialled her the other day and she gave me a nice feel, but with blinkers on today, Jesus Christ. I’ve never sat on a horse that has given me goosebumps like that before.”
With attendance surpassing 15,000, Sheza Alibi mastered the field, Autumn Boy second gallantly, and Militarize ($41) from Chris Waller third by 1¼ lengths to the placegetter.
Discover leading betting sites offering racing odds for Doncaster Mile stars.
Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell (8) reacts after shutting down a fake punt attempt by Troy, delivering a momentum play Sept. 6, 2025, during a matchup at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. The defensive stop halted the trick play and energized the Tigers sideline. Mandatory Credit: Alex Martin-Greenville News
Weekly, we track our versions of the “Nopedy Nopes” in the Minnesota Vikings’ orbit, usually items that are flatly wrong, just really bizarre, or didn’t work out as everyone thought.
Three popular Vikings ideas get a closer look, and each faces real pushback.
This time, it’s mainly about the draft and free agency, as the regular season is about five months away.
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A Few Popular Vikings Talking Points Need More Scrutiny
The Vikings’ Nopedy Nopes segment for the first weekend in April.
Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell stands on the practice field following drills, taking in instruction and recovery time Mar 5, 2025, at the Allen N. Reeves Football Complex in Clemson, South Carolina. The young defender continued developing technique and consistency as part of Clemson’s spring preparation cycle. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
The Nopedy Nope: Avieon Terrell could be the Vikings’ draft pick at No. 18.
Terrell’s Round 1 draft stock is in jeopardy.
The Clemson Insider’s Gavin Oliver wrote Monday, “After not participating in Clemson’s Pro Day on March 12, former Tiger cornerback Avieon Terrell held a private pro day at Clemson on Monday morning, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Unfortunately for Terrell, his workout for NFL teams was not injury-free. Schefter reported that Terrell aggravated his hamstring injury on the first run of his private pro day.”
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“It’s a setback for Terrell, who has been frequently projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which is set to take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. Longtime ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Terrell as the third-best cornerback in this year’s draft class. Terrell did not run the 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, but did impress during on-field drills there.”
Terrell didn’t participate at the NFL Combine. He wasn’t at Clemson’s Pro Day. And he got hurt on the first play of his private Pro Day.
That sound you hear is Terrell’s draft stock falling to Round 2.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Terrell as a bonafide CB option for Minnesota at pick No. 18.
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The Nopedy Nope: Minnesota could draft OT Spencer Fano and convert him to center.
While most of the world mock-drafts Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman to the Vikings, Bleacher Report flipped the script this week. It nominated Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano for the purple team, recommending an immediate conversion to center.
BR’s Scouting Report explained the pick: “The Minnesota Vikings have an opportunity to land the class’s best offensive tackle prospect and then move him to center. While the approach may come across like a poor use of resources, the type of versatility that Utah’s potentially brings will help the entire offense, while simultaneously upgrading a unit that will be vital as Minnesota attempts to find its long-term solution at quarterback.”
Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano participates in on-field drills during the NFL Scouting Combine, showcasing strength and movement skills Mar 1, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Evaluators observed his technique and athletic profile as he worked through positional testing in front of league personnel. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Brandon Thorn at BR chimed in, “Minnesota has a hole at center following Ryan Kelly’s retirement, while right tackle Brian O’Neill is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season. Fano’s profile is reminiscent of current Packers right tackle Zach Tom coming out of Wake Forest.”
“While rumors of Tom sliding inside to center never materialized, Fano’s would in this scenario. Minnesota is set at the other four spots for the upcoming season. Still, Fano’s athletic ability is an instant weapon within Kevin O’Connell’s designed run game and offers a potential long-term option at right tackle if O’Neill is not retained.”
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Drafting a center in Round 1 is usually a little silly — they can be found in Rounds 2 through 7 — and picking one to convert to center might take cake.
What are we doing here?
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on the Vikings working out patchwork offensive line solutions when they have a clean slate at No. 18. Unbelievable.
The Nopedy Nope: K.J. Osborn is an option for the Vikings’ WR3 in 2026.
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One week ago, Osborn hopped on a show, declaring his desire to rejoin the team that drafted him six years ago.
Talking to the Caps Off podcast, Osborn told the show, “You can’t help but look at Minnesota. With Kyler Murray going back. Jalen Nailor, I’m so happy for him. Speedy, congrats bro, my guy, he just got 3 years for $35 million from the Raiders. So that spot WR3 is back open. Just looking around. But home is where the heart is. So, we’ll see.”
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn secures a touchdown reception in the fourth quarter, completing a scoring play against Detroit Sep 25, 2022, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The catch helped extend Minnesota’s lead late in the game, highlighting Osborn’s role as a reliable target. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
A few days later, Osborn signed with the Tennessee Titans, where he’ll compete for an active roster spot in July and August.
The Vikings, meanwhile, have these WR3 options left in free agency:
Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has praised the “grit” shown by his side in grinding out a 28-24 win over Ospreys in Saturday’s European Challenge Cup last-16 tie at a windswept Affidea Stadium in Belfast.
Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann, Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney all scored tries as the Irish province defied the difficult conditions to book a quarter-final against French side La Rochelle in Belfast on Friday.
The Welsh side led 17-14 at half-time but with the wind in their favour after the break, Murphy’s team battled back to claim victory.
The hosts survived a scare in the dying minutes when Kieran Hardy’s potential match-winning try was ruled out because of a forward pass in the build-up after consultation with the Television Match Official [TMO].
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“A little bit of relief definitely. It never was going to be easy and the conditions obviously made it very difficult,” said Murphy after the game.
“We created quite a few opportunities in the first half but didn’t quite pick the right pass.
“That put us under a little bit of pressure and we conceded a couple of early scores to them and defensively we were just a little bit off but we are in the last eight, we’ve got work to do and we’ve got a week’s prep now to lead into La Rochelle which will be really exciting.”
The Ulster head coach added that some handling errors were inevitable given the weather conditions, which he described as the worst he had witnessed for a game during his tenure.
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“We showed a nice bit of grit, we stuck at it and we got over the line.
“Created the opportunities, didn’t take them, so next week we’ve got to work on our skills in training and make sure we take them next time,” he reflected.
Murphy says the prospect of taking on Ronan O’Gara’s team next week is an exciting one.
“It’s a massive game for us, it’s at home. I know they have had a tough enough season but they’re one of the top teams in Europe and when they come to town it’s really exciting.
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“We’ll brush ourselves down, we’ll review really hard on Monday and get back to work and make sure we turn up a little bit more polished, a little bit more tidy in and around our decision making.
“If we can do that we can cause any team a threat so we’re excited about what’s ahead.”
Nikola Jokic outshone fellow Most Valuable Player contender Victor Wembanyama with a game-high 40 points as the Denver Nuggets ended the San Antonio Spurs’ 11-match winning streak.
Serb Jokic, a three-time winner of the NBA’s MVP award, starred as Denver recorded their eighth straight win with a 136-134 triumph in overtime.
Wembanyama led San Antonio with 34 points but the Frenchman’s team squandered a 107-96 advantage in the fourth quarter.
Both players are among the leading names to claim this season’s coveted individual award, given to the best performer during the regular season, and were full of praise for the other after the match.
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Jokic said of Wembanyama to ESPN: “I think the first time I played against him, I told you guys he’s going to change the league. He’s going to change basketball.
“I still think that. And I think he has an opportunity, a chance to be the most unique basketball player to ever play the game.”
Reflecting on defeat, Wembanyama said: “I think it was an amazing game. One of the most fun games. I wish we could have closed it out.
“It was a real test against a team that’s playing for something right now. They’ve got the best offensive player in the world.”
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Both teams have already clinched a place in the post-season play-offs, which begin on 18 April.
But while San Antonio are assured of a top-two seeding in the Western Conference – they trail reigning champions Oklahoma City Thunder – Denver’s final placing within the top six is still to be decided.
The Thunder can move closer to a third straight Western Conference title against the Utah Jazz on Sunday, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seeks back-to-back MVP crowns.
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic could be out of MVP contention after the NBA’s leading scorer was ruled out for the rest of the regular season with a hamstring injury on Friday.
Former Chennai Super Kings batter Ambati Rayudu has backed Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag, stating that the young captain has already earned the trust and respect of his teammates early in his leadership stint.Rajasthan edged past Gujarat Titans by six runs in a tense encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium on April 4. After posting 210/6, RR managed to restrict Gujarat to 204/8, sealing a narrow but impressive win.
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Shashank Singh on Punjab’s strong start, Priyansh’s growth & team mentality | IPL 2026
Speaking during a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Rayudu highlighted how Parag has settled into the role and how the squad appears to be responding positively to his leadership.“He is doing a fantastic job and I am sure the coaching staff are giving him all the freedom. I can easily see the RR group having great respect for him. That is great to watch. When you have a young captain, the biggest challenge is to command that respect. I can see a lot of respect for him in the squad. They look to be enjoying themselves, which is a great sign.”Parag was handed the captaincy ahead of IPL 2026 after Sanju Samson moved to CSK. The 24-year-old had already gained some leadership exposure last season, stepping in as stand-in captain during Samson’s injury phase.Former Australia captain Aaron Finch also weighed in, pointing out a key factor that has helped Parag ease into the role. He noted that the absence of a dominant senior figure in the dressing room has worked in the young skipper’s favour.“What is also important in that regard when you have got a young captain – there is not an overshadowing figure who has missed that opportunity to lead the side. Often there can be a resentment there towards the person who has got the job. He has got a team of young superstars. He can almost guide them through the next phase of their career and forge a generation of seriously good players for RR.”Under Parag’s leadership this season, Rajasthan have made a strong start, winning both of their matches so far. While his individual returns with the bat have been modest — 14* off 11 against CSK and 8 against GT — he has contributed with the ball as well, picking up the wicket of Kumar Kushagra in the latter game.With early results going his way and strong backing from former players, Parag’s captaincy stint has begun on a promising note, both in terms of results and dressing-room dynamics.
Scottish world curling champion Bruce Mouat is ready to embrace pyrotechnics, pints and possibly a bit of profanity if it draws audiences to Rock League, his sport’s answer to cricket’s The Hundred.
The first professional curling league counts a trio of NFL players amongst its early investors and will premiere Monday in a condensed proof-of-concept tournament set to feature live music, dramatic walk-outs, innovative formats, fans in fancy dress and even an on-ice spectator bar.
Its founders drew influence from darts, golf and the WWE in an attempt to entice the committed and curious to a venture they are confident will eventually be profitable, and, most importantly for athletes like 31-year-old Mouat, provide a rare income stream.
“I think curling has had a lot of tradition in its past, and we still hold on to that at some points,” Northern United captain Mouat told the Press Association. “But I don’t think we should shy away from having pyrotechnics and a good time.
Bruce Mouat is ready to embrace Rock League (PA Wire)
“I think as the sport evolves we need to evolve with it. You see The Hundred in cricket has created this, more similar to the darts, they want to make it a bit of a party, a bit of a laugh, people come in costumes, people choose one franchise to support.”
The first season will see curlers converge on Toronto, where six mixed-nationality franchises based in Europe, Canada, the United States and “Asia-Pacific” will face off.
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Teams collectively compete for a $250,000 (£189,000) prize pot across a multi-format week that, unusually, includes mixed fours. Athletes also receive a participation fee, a development which Mouat admitted “wasn’t necessarily something I thought was going to happen in my career lifespan.”
Curling received considerable attention at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, largely due to ‘Boopgate’, a clash between the Canadian and Swedish teams – including an f-bomb caught on a hot mic – over alleged cheating.
Mouat and Jennifer Dodds represent Northern United (Andrew Milligan/PA) (PA)
Mouat, who skipped the British men to Olympic silver in Italy, said: “That moment brought a lot of eyes to our sport, and they say no publicity is bad publicity.
“We’ve seen a massive influx of people looking at our sport because of that situation. It was also quite a meme-able moment for curling.
“You have to have a bit of a laugh. As much as it was intense in the moment, I think it’s now a bit of a funny story for a lot of the curlers.”
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Rock League’s early investors include NFL tight ends George Kittle and TJ Hockenson, and Hall of Fame defensive end Jared Allen.
The Canadians found themselves at the centre of controversy (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Founder Nic Sulsky, who also owns parent company The Curling Group, is happy to take on disgruntled purists.
“Sport needs villains,” he told the Press Association. “If I have to play (that role) in the early days, that’s cool.
“You can’t dislike what we’re doing and the change we’re trying to bring into the sport and at the same time, loving the curlers who are supporting what we’re doing.
“You can’t love curling without respecting the fact that curlers should be paid more money.”
The Derby win allowed Baker to accomplish a key career target, emulating his father, famed New Zealand preparer Murray Baker with five victories in the storied Randwick feature.
This Derby ranks among the country’s most enduring premier races, first held in 1861 coinciding with Archer’s initial Melbourne Cup triumph.
After the colt’s dominant display, Baker affirmed intentions to target the 2026 Melbourne Cup with Green Spaces.
“Melbourne Cup – bring it on!” Baker said
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King delivered a tactically superb steer to become the first woman jockey to win the Derby, just 40 minutes after Jamie Melham prevailed on Sheza Alibi in the Doncaster Mile.
“This is just so satisfying,” King said.”I’ve had some much belief in this horse, the whole team has, they’ve done an amazing job and Bjorn has timed the colt’s Derby preparation to perfection.
“He’s a beautiful horse and I was very confident he would stay. He relaxed so well and did everything I asked.”
Green Spaces, at $4.40, proved his class with superior staying power, bolting in by more than three lengths from Dezignation ($151) and Storm Leopard ($4.60) a long neck away in third.
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Favourite Observer ($3) fought back to fifth but was not fully at ease on the “shifty” track.
Those beaten by Green Spaces have few alibis, such was his total command.
Baker had long planned the Derby for Green Spaces after the colt’s easy win in the Group 3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle’s lone meeting last November.
“This is so special, what a great watch,” Baker said.”When they are in the zone like that, his trackwork has been in the zone, I was very confident, I couldn’t have him any better going into today.
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“Every time I looked at him in the box, his coat was great, he was in the zone, and his work on Tuesday was great.”
With Murray’s five Derby successes in 12 years – Quick Thinker (2020), Jon Snow (2017), Mongolian Khan (2015), It’s A Dundeel (2013), Nom Du Jeu (2008) – Baker tapped his father for tips this week.
“I spoke to Murray a lot this week, I asked him what would you do with this horse,” Baker said.”He said don’t leave him short son. Then when the rain came this morning, I was very confident he was fit enough.”
Baker highlighted King’s ride as exceptional in the Derby.
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“Rachel’s done so much work for our stable and she delivers, she delivers on the big stage,” Baker said.”She rode him perfectly today, it was an exceptional ride.”
King hailed Baker as a “massive supporter of mine”.”I disappear for a month to ride in Japan but he’s always there for me when I come back,” King said.”I made an effort this year to come back and trial this horse during my trip because I wanted to stay with the colt so thanks to Bjorn and the Godolphin team for sticking with me.”
Godolphin-Darley’s Street Boss notches a fourth unique Group 1 winner this season via Green Spaces, after Tentyris, Tempted and Pericles.
Anamoe, the champion former Horse of the Year, is also by Street Boss.
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Dezignation, prepared by Matthew Smith, ran a huge second, grinding home best over the tough 2400m Derby distance bar the superb Green Spaces.
“He has run out of his skin,” said jockey Tyler Schiller, rider of Dezignation. “He stays all day.”
Storm Leopard’s rider Tommy Berry sensed a win after passing Observer inside on the corner to lead.”I thought it was an extraordinary effort off the back up,” Berry said of Storm Leopard, who won the Tulloch Stakes last week.”The winner was set for the race and won accordingly but Storm Leopard has a bright future in the staying ranks.”
Visit trusted betting sites to check racing odds for the Australian Derby.
INDIANAPOLIS — The ultimate hero of UConn’s game-clinching sequence in its 71-62 Final Four victory over Illinois on Saturday night inside Lucas Oil Stadium was a familiar one, as freshman phenom Braylon Mullins drilled a 3-pointer from the left wing with 52 seconds left that cemented the outcome.
But the defining shot of a tight late-game situation required something from all five starters who were on the floor with just over a minute to play as the Huskies surged to the national title game for the third time in the past four seasons.
“If that moment is going to be set up for me, absolutely,” said Mullins, who was 0 for 5 in the second half. “You’ve got to shoot it with confidence, and if that moment arises, then we’re going to hit it.”
Therein lies the beauty of Mullins’ place on the UConn roster. He’s played the role of hero lately, and it’s because the entirety of the Huskies’ machine of a program sets him up perfectly to nail the role.
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Illinois had roared back from a 14-point deficit to cut the UConn edge to just 63-59, and the Illini were one defensive stop away from potentially trimming the Huskies’ lead down to one possession for the first time since late in the first half.
Before Mullins planted his feet and sank a memorable sequel to his heroic Elite Eight game-winner against Duke, four other players did their part.
First, senior forward Alex Karaban hit Illinois’ Kylan Boswell with a sinister pump fake that created an opportunity for a clean 3-point look at the 1:13 mark. It clanged off the iron, but point guard Silas Demary Jr. fought for the offensive rebound over two taller Illinois players.
Demary, who has been gutting through an ankle injury, then passed the ball to the safety in the hands of Solomon Ball, who had the presence of mind to pass up a wide open 2-point look, instead opting to pull the ball out and run more clock.
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The last and most aesthetically pleasing sequence of the game-clinching possession involved center Tarris Reed catching just enough of Illinois guard Keaton Wagler on a screen so that Mullins could get a clean look. As he fired off the Reed screen, Mullins squared up and caught a pass from Demary in stride. Then, he banged home the dagger from beyond the arc that put UConn ahead 66-59 with 52 seconds remaining.
“We have so many actions, and it’s tough for a team to be locked in on the movement,” Karaban said
For four seasons, Karaban has been the master of peeling off of UConn’s intricate web of screens for quality looks. He spoke of Mullins’ footwork on the clinching shot like a proud uncle.
“He does it better than I do,” Karaban said. “I think it took him time to adjust just with the speed. You’ve got to come off pins reading whether guys are going to go under or whether they’re chasing you. So it’s definitely an adjustment from high school that he’s done a great job of. But, shoot, he gets the ball off quicker than I do, so I didn’t teach him nothing.”
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Demary followed up his massive offensive rebound — which was his ninth board of the night — by hitting Mullins right in the heart of his shooting pocket for his seventh assist.
“I think as the year went on and the chemistry got better and better, I was able to read his feet when he’s coming off that screen so he can get into his one-two, and not pass it too early but pass it just on time,” Demary told CBS Sports.
And don’t forget about the screener. Reed has been an NCAA Tournament hero in his own right for UConn with monster stat lines. Quality screens don’t get properly quantified anywhere on a box score. But for the Huskies to be effective in their detailed off-ball actions, they are a necessity. Reed’s name shows up nowhere in the official play-by-play documenting the clinching sequence, but the 6-foot-10 bruiser played the role of screener to perfection.
“When he really screens, no one wants to keep running through that screen over and over again,” Demary said. “So now guys are second-thinking, ‘should I run through this screen, or should I try and find a way to run around him?’ I think that’s what makes him get even more option shots.”
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Reed led the Huskies in points with 17 and rebounds with 11. Demary led the Huskies in assists. Ball led UConn in +/- at a remarkable plus-19, and Karaban is the anchor of it all as the program’s all-time wins leader.
Collectively, they have created the framework for Mullins’ glorious return to Indianapolis. Collectively, they set the stage on Saturday night for the pride of nearby Greenfield, Indiana, to continue living the hero’s role that no other program could have cast so well.
“I wouldn’t want to be doing it anywhere else,” Mullins said. “I’m so happy for the spot that we’re in. This is what the coaching staff pushed for, so just to be a part of this moment, it’s a blessing.”
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