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Flames Takeaways: Dramatic rookie breakthrough a sign of things to come

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The Calgary kid who almost hijacked the Presidents’ Trophy party in Denver Thursday night wasn’t even supposed to be in the lineup.

Tyson Gross, a 23‑year‑old college free agent who was supposed to be watching this one from the press box until Ryan Strome fell ill, nearly authored the Flames’ feel‑good moment of the season.

Down 2–0 late, with Dustin Wolf miraculously keeping things close by making 38 saves, Ryan Huska tapped Gross on the shoulder for an offensive‑zone draw with the goalie pulled. A show of trust for a kid playing just his third NHL game.

Gross rewarded him by winning it, as he did on eight of ten attempts, and then going straight to the blue paint.

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Seconds later, he was living the dream.

A rebound popped loose at the top of the crease, and Gross, on his backhand, shoveled it home with three minutes left.

His first NHL goal. The bench erupted. 

“Obviously it’s something you dream of your entire life, so to be able to get it is special,” he told reporters after the game.

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“It’ll go in my parents’ house for sure.”

As he told Sportsnet’s Brendan Parker, “I kind of blanked out a little bit. It took a second to realize I scored a goal in the NHL.”

And then, just a few minutes later, he did it again, prompting captain Mikael Backlund to stare wide-eyed from the bench and mouth the words all Flames fans were thinking: “Wow.”

Alas, the celebration lasted only long enough for the replay to hit the Jumbotron.

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Colorado challenged for offside, and it didn’t take long to see why. Gross had entered the zone early on a Matt Coronato pass. The dramatic, “is this really happening” goal was wiped out.

It ruined the type of story Flames fans hope to see much more of, as the Flames’ youth movement is bound to produce all sorts of milestone moments from its future stars as they try to gain footing in the bigs.

“Unfortunately the second one didn’t go in to tie the game up,” Gross said. 

“But hopefully more opportunities in the future.”

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The Avs added an empty‑netter moments later to seal a 3–1 win, leaving the kid who grew up 20 minutes west of the Saddledome with a souvenir puck on its way to being mounted and presented to his family.

Huska, who is doing well to give all sorts of youngsters primo chances to make impacts, couldn’t hide his pride in the rookie.

“He did a really good job winning draws and he went right to the net,” the coach said. 

“We’re quite excited for him to score his first goal in the NHL at a big moment. He should leave here feeling a lot more confident.”

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Gross became just the ninth Calgary‑born player ever to score for the Flames.

The college season came to an end in the Frozen Four semifinal for Flames prospects Abram Wiebe, Cole Reschny and Cade Littler Thursday when North Dakota lost 2-1 to Wisconsin. The Flames sent assistant GM Brad Pascall and director of player development Ray Edwards to take in the action in Vegas, and will do their best to ink Wiebe to an NHL contract while they are there. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound left-shot defenceman was acquired in the Rasmus Andersson trade, and will graduate one year early, meaning the clock is ticking on the Flames signing him before he is eligible to be a free agent. The Flames have saved one of their two open contract spots for Wiebe, and would love to see the third-year finance major make his NHL debut next week when the Flames wrap up the season with three games at home.  

Wiebe, 22, was a seventh-round pick of the Golden Knights who had five goals and 29 points in 39 games.   

Reschny, who was the Flames’ 18th pick overall last summer, had a solid freshman season, with 35 points in 35 games, not to mention a stellar world juniors showing.

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The Flames said they want to talk to the 19-year-old Saskatchewan native about his future plans before helping him map out what’s best for his development.

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Three more veterans were scratched from the lineup Thursday, including Kevin Bahl, who left two shifts into the team’s last game with a lower body injury.

After making awkward contact with Thomas Harley along the end boards, Bahl immediately grabbed his left knee and limped off the ice in obvious discomfort. He left for the dressing room soon thereafter and was sent back to Calgary for further observation.

Strome was ill, and Blake Coleman missed the game as he had rushed back to Dallas to attend the birth of his fourth child.

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The Flames played in Dallas Tuesday, where he got to spend time with his family, but after flying to Denver with the team he was immediately summoned by his wife Jordan to return in time to meet little Cade, who decided to show up a little earlier than expected.

The Avs played without former Flame Nazem Kadri, who left Colorado’s last game after blocking a shot. The team hopes to have the veteran centre back in time for the playoffs.

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‘It was very difficult’: Harmanpreet Kaur reacts to key absence in India’s T20 World Cup squad | Cricket News

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'It was very difficult': Harmanpreet Kaur reacts to key absence in India’s T20 World Cup squad
Harmanpreet Kaur (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India captain Harmanpreet Kaur admitted that Amanjot Kaur’s injury has created a big problem for the team ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup in England, but she remains hopeful the replacements can deliver when needed.Seam-bowling all-rounder Amanjot has been ruled out for four to five months with a back injury, after also missing India’s recent T20I series in South Africa. Harmanpreet made it clear how important Amanjot was to the side.“Amanjot was our key player. Unfortunately, she is not available. She is away from cricket for the next four to five months now,” Harmanpreet said.“In place of her, it was very difficult to find someone like her who can fulfil that place.”India have now turned to Bharti Fulmali and Radha Yadav to strengthen the squad. Bharti retained her place after limited chances in South Africa, while experienced spinner Radha returns to the T20I setup after strong domestic performances.

India banking on new options

Radha’s comeback also comes after injuries to Amanjot and Kashvee Gautam, who will undergo knee surgery. Harmanpreet said the team management is trying to build the best possible balance with the players available.“But still, we are trying – Bharti, whatever opportunity she got, she tried to prove herself. We have got Radha back in the side because she is also an all-rounder who can contribute with bat, ball, and field,” the skipper added.“So, Amanjot’s replacement was very hard to find. But now, like whatever players were available, we are trying to balance the team with them so that whenever we need somebody, they are ready for us.”The skipper also defended the bowling attack after the recent South Africa series loss, saying one bad series should not define the team.“This was the only series where our bowling didn’t click much… in one series, I can’t judge my players,” she explained.Harmanpreet added that the upcoming camp and England series will help India regain momentum before the World Cup. She also praised Bharti Fulmali and uncapped pacer Nandni Sharma for grabbing their opportunities through strong domestic and WPL performances.

India Women’s squad for 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup and T20I series vs England

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandini Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav.

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How Chaz Bowker went from chef to YouTube golf fame

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If you’re a fan of online golf influencers, chances are you’ve heard of Chaz Bowker, also known as “Chazzy Golf.”

Bowker, who is 4-foot4 and plays regularly in adaptive golf tournaments, participated in last year’s viral Internet Invitational — a made-for-YouTube tournament that pitted 48 golf personalities against each other for a million dollar prize, and where every moment was filmed and later released in six parts that spanned 16 hours and spawned millions of views — and gained a legion of new fans with his clutch play.

On this week’s episode of Subpar, Bowker told hosts Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz the story of how he went from working as a chef in a high-end restaurant to becoming an internet golf star.

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A pair of sunglasses rests on a golf ball on green grass, reflecting palm trees and a clear sky. The text SHADY RAYS GOLF appears at the top—perfect for YouTube golf fans or anyone channeling their inner chef like Chaz Bowker.

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Bowker said his golf life began when he was a child, hitting shots with a sawed-off club. When he was in middle school, Bowker realized his size didn’t hinder his game, and he could compete with — and beat — “normal-size” players. Bowker made his varsity golf team as a freshman, and then went to a culinary arts school in Italy after graduating from high school.

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After his time in Italy, Bowker worked as a chef for 12 years, playing golf all the while. But it wasn’t until he connected with trick-shot artist and YouTube personality Josh Kelley that his career path really took a turn.

“[Kelley] went on my Instagram Live and said come out and play Atlantic City Country Club,” Bowker explained. “Went out and played, and it was just like a hit. Like we’ve known each other for three, four years and it’s been history since.”


Chaz Bowker hits a drive

How Callaway has helped adaptive golfer Chaz Bowker | Fully Equipped


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Jack Hirsh



At the time of his first round with Kelley, Bowker said he had about only 4,000 followers on Instagram, but he quickly realized that life as an online personality could be possible and decided to give it a go.

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“I was already playing the adaptive tour, and I went up to my chef,” Bowker said. “I said, Chef, I don’t think I can cook anymore. He goes, why? I go, I’m gonna go play golf. He goes, I’ve been waiting for you to say that because I, I believe in you. And he just said, if you ever need another job, whatever, golf doesn’t work out, come right back and put your apron on.”

Based on his success since then, it doesn’t appear that Bowker will be returning to restaurant work anytime soon. He now has more than 168,000 followers on Instagram and 30,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel.

To hear more from Bowker, including the details of his Internet Invitational experience, check out the full episode of Subpar below.

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Jannik Sinner beats Fils, reaches Madrid Final

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Jannik Sinner defeated Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4 to reach the final of the Madrid Open.

Sinner is now the youngest player in history to reach the final of all nine Masters 1000 events. He becomes just the fourth man to achieve this, joining Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

The win also extends his run to 27 consecutive victories at the Masters level. He has now won 54 of his last 56 sets in these events and 44 of his last 46 matches overall.

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This will be his 13th Masters final and his first in Madrid. It is also his fifth consecutive Masters 1000 final.

After the match, Sinner said: “I tried to be aggressive. I felt very comfortable on the return. Very happy about the general performance today. I’m trying to play the best possible tennis I can in this moment.

He added: “First rounds are always tough. Then you have to raise your level. I tried to adapt to the conditions and I’m very happy with how I played.

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Sinner is also the third player to reach the final of the first four Masters events in a season, after Federer and Nadal.

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Evgeni Malkin doesn’t rule out playing for another team should Penguins contract negotiations fall through 

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Evgeni Malkin will become a free agent on July 1 as his contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins comes to an end. While there is no update on the Russian center’s future, he has now made a statement that is generating quite the buzz on social media.

On X, DX Pittsburgh Sports uploaded a video on Friday in which reporter Taylor Haase asked Malkin about his future. In his response, Hasse said he won’t rule out playing for another NHL team if the Penguins decide to move on from him.

Malkin said:

“I want to play in the NHL, for sure, but I know it’s not easy for (Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas). Maybe he wants new blood here. I understand it’s a business,” Malkin said. “For me, I want to play one more year in the NHL. … But if not Pittsburgh, I hope some (NHL) team.”

Evgeni Malkin has been with the Pittsburgh Penguins for nearly 20 years. In his career with the Penguins, Malkin has won three Stanley Cups: in 2009, 2016 and 2017. The 39-year-old is also a three-time first-team All-Star and has done enough to cement his place as a legend in Pittsburgh.


Evgeni Malkin’s ex-teammate predicts which team the Russian will be playing for next year

Evgeni Malkin’s situation with the Pittsburgh Penguins is complicated because, time after time, Malkin has constantly said his future lies in Pittsburgh. However, his recent statement is a complete U-turn from what he once said, and his time in the NHL is now a matter of discussion and speculation.

Recently, one of Malkin’s former teammates spoke about the former’s situation and offered his insight. The ex-teammate in question is Tyler Kennedy. During an appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Kennedy seemed concerned that Malkin was on his way out of Pittsburgh. He said:

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“I don’t think. I don’t see Malkin. I don’t know what he’s looking for price-wise, but I’m telling you right now, you can’t let Malkin walk, because you know where he’s going to go, boys?”

Further, Kennedy revealed where he thinks Malkin could go.

He’s going to Washington Capitals,” Kennedy said. “He’s very close with (Alexander) Ovechkin. I think Ovechkin’s coming back, and if they don’t sign Malkin, who do you think his first call is going to be? He’s going to Washington Capitals to play with Ovechkin, his last year, and that’s the last thing I want to see, the last thing the Pittsburgh Penguins want to see.”

Kennedy believes that Evgeni Malkin’s relationship with Alex Ovechkin could be a key factor in his decision to move to Washington. According to Kennedy, Malkin would want to play with someone like Ovechkin, who has pushed him to be better all these years.