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Gary Bettman heading to Calgary to look at potential World Cup venue

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ANAHEIM — Gary Bettman is coming to Calgary on Monday for a site visit of Scotia Place.

Could an announcement that Calgary will host the 2028 World Cup of Hockey soon follow?

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly told Sportsnet he will join the commissioner for a sit-down with ownership, a tour of the arena’s construction site and an update on the building’s progress.  

The timing is fascinating, given the fact Calgary is on the short list to host the next incarnation of best-on-best hockey, which fans are already anticipating given the triumphant return to the Olympics by NHLers.

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The NHL and NHLPA have whittled the list of 25 applicants down to just a few North American candidates to host four nations in round-robin play, followed by a playdown that would also be hosted on this side of the pond.

A European city will host the other four teams before they make the trans-Atlantic flight to start playing elimination games.

Daly revealed on Sunday the venue announcements are two weeks away.

He said there would be no need to announce the participants at that time, as there is still plenty of time to see how the situation in Ukraine unfolds before determining whether Russia and Belarus could be reinstated, or if Slovakia could be the eighth team.

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The other seven will be Canada, U.S., Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Switzerland and Germany.       

Slated to open in the fall of 2027, the $1.2 billion event centre would be the perfect place to showcase a battle for international hockey supremacy slated for February 2028.   

Imagine Matthew Tkachuk returning to Calgary wearing Team USA colours, alongside his brother, as Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby and Co. try to avenge the overtime loss in last month’s Olympic gold-medal game.

Dare to dream Calgary, as plenty of sources suggest the world-class pitch tabled by the Flames and city partners is going to be hard to beat.

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The plan goes well beyond hosting games, as Calgary is promising a festival‑style atmosphere built around concerts, fan events, and community celebrations. 

Think of the energy that swept through the city during the Olympics, then add the modern production value of a league‑run event.

Imagine the economic impact, the global attention, the chance to christen Scotia Place with the biggest hockey event the city has seen since the Flames’ run to the 2004 Stanley Cup Final.

This is the kind of moment that defines a new arena’s legacy before the paint is even dry.

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In a city that came within a plebiscite of hosting the Olympic games we just watched, the legacy of volunteerism, support and spirit is all part of the appeal that would make it an event guaranteed to make the league proud.

In terms of pedigree, the city has proven conclusively how well it welcomes the world, with millions attending the Stampede every year.  

Bettman has a long history of rewarding cities that get new venues built by awarding them flagship events like the draft or an all-star game.

Murray Edwards’ influence in league circles doesn’t hurt either, but what’s really pushing Calgary forward is the sheer scale of what’s being proposed: not just a tournament, but a two‑week celebration of the sport, wrapped around the debut of what will be the world’s newest, most modern hockey arena.

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There’s also a geopolitical wrinkle working in Calgary’s favour. With Donald Trump’s threats to move FIFA World Cup games out of cities with Democratic leadership, creating uncertainty around major events in the U.S., surely American bids for the World Cup of Hockey suddenly look less stable.

Boston already hosted the playoffs and final of the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Calgary, by contrast, offers stability, enthusiasm, and a proven volunteer base that made the 1988 Olympics one of the most memorable of all five-ring parties. The Saddledome last hosted a major league event in 2000, when the NHL Draft came to town. 

A new arena changes everything.

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 The league knows it. The city knows it. Bettman knows it.

Calgary’s bid checks every box: a new arena, a global‑event pedigree, a hockey‑mad market, and a plan that elevates the tournament beyond the ice.

If the league wants a showcase, Calgary is ready to deliver one.

Now we wait to see if Bettman and the NHLPA agree.

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Corbin Carroll slam extends D-backs’ win streak, Jays’ skid

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MLB: Toronto Blue Jays at Arizona DiamondbacksApr 18, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll (7) steals secondbase under the tag by Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Andrés Giménez (0) in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Corbin Carroll broke a tie with an opposite-field grand slam in the eighth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks extended their winning streak to four games with a 6-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Phoenix on Saturday.

Ildemaro Vargas singled off Jeff Hoffman (1-2) to open the eighth, extending his season-opening hitting streak to a franchise-record 14 games.

Alek Thomas singled and Ketel Marte walked to bring up Carroll, who hit his fourth career grand slam on a 3-1 fastball.

The D-backs, who have won eight of 10, lead the majors with 10 comeback victories.

Geraldo Perdomo had three singles and an RBI and Thomas had two hits and an RBI for the Diamondbacks, who had eight hits.

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Nathan Lukes had three hits, Kazuma Okamoto had two hits and an RBI and Ernie Clement and Eloy Jimenez had two hits apiece for the Blue Jays, who have lost four straight, six of seven and 12 of 15.

Juan Morillo (1-1) struck out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a 100 mph fastball with a runner on first to end the seventh and keep the game tied at 2. He allowed one hit and struck out two over 1 1/3 innings of relief.

Toronto starter Max Scherzer gave up two runs on five hits in six innings, with one strikeout and one walk.

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Arizona starter Zac Gallen permitted two runs and nine hits, leaving after Okamato’s single tied the game at 2 with two outs in the sixth. He struck out three with no walks.

Lukes, Guerrero and Jesus Sanchez singled in the top of the first, with Sanchez’s one-out single driving in Lukes for a 1-0 lead. Guerrero has a nine-game hitting streak.

The D-backs tied it in their half of the first when Carroll walked, stole second and scored on Perdomo’s single. Thomas grounded a two-out double inside the bag at first to drive in Jose Fernandez, who had singled, to give Arizona a 2-1 lead in the fifth.

Toronto tied it in the sixth after an apparent double play was changed after a review. Jimenez singled with one out, and Gallen appeared to get out of the inning when Andres Gimenez grounded to Fernandez to start what originally was called an inning-ending double play.

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Perdomo was ruled to have missed the bag on the play, leaving Jimenez at second, and he scored on Okamoto’s single to tie the game.

–Field Level Media

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5 Reasons why Gunther defeated Seth Rollins at WWE WrestleMania 42

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One of the matches that actually delivered on the first night at WWE WrestleMania was Gunther vs Seth Rollins. The Ring General and The Visionary delivered a banger show and impressed everyone in the crowd.

However, the match concluded when Bron Breakker returned to WWE and destroyed Seth Rollins. This attack allowed the Career Ki**er to defeat the Architect and secure the victory.

Following the match, the new Big Dog continues his domination and spears the former Vision leader again. Meanwhile, in this article, we will be looking at five reasons why The Ring General defeated Rollins at Showcase of Immortals Night 1.


#5. To continue Gunther’s undefeated streak

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Over the past few months, Gunther continued his domination in the squared circle. In the last few months, the former Imperium Leader retired Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles.

Not only this, but he also has an impressive winning streak in the squared circle in singles matches. The last time Gunther suffered a loss in a singles match was at SummerSlam 2025, where CM Punk defeated him to become the new World Heavyweight Champion.

Since then, The Ring General has defeated everyone in his match in singles bouts. So, it seems WWE wants to keep Gunther’s undefeated streak going. As a result, he defeated The Visionary at ‘Mania on Saturday.


#4. To set up a WWE rematch down the road

Gunther defeating Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 42 opens the door for a potential rematch in the near future. If The Visionary had defeated the Career Ki**er at ‘Mania, it would have concluded their rivalry as Rollins stopped his threat amid a feud with the Vision faction.

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However, this doesn’t happen, and the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion put The Architect in a sleeper hold after Bron Breakker’s interruption. Now, WWE can use this angle to set the stage for a rematch between them later this year.

If the Ring General mocks Rollins for beating him at Mania 42, Seth will indeed seek revenge for this loss, setting the stage for another bout. The chances are likely if Seth manages to win the world title later this year.


#3. Paul Heyman now owes Gunther a favor

If Seth Rollins had defeated Gunther at the Grandest Stage of Them All, it might have created a hindrance for the Ring General to redeem his favor from Paul Heyman. After saving the Oracle on Monday Night RAW, the former Imperium Leader confirmed that Heyman owed him a favor.

After defeating the Visionary at Shows of the Shows, Gunther can firmly claim his favor from the Advocate anytime he wants. Many predicted it might lead to a Gunther vs. Brock Lesnar dream showdown, considering that the Hall of Famer is still working with the Beast Incarnate.

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So, this appears to be another major reason behind the loss of Seth Rollins at Mania 42.


#2. To heat things between Seth Rollins & Bron Breakker

One of the primary reasons why Gunther defeated Seth Rollins at Showcase of Immortals was Bron Breakker. The WWE comeback of Bron and his attack on the Visionary gave the Ring General a major advantage to put the ex-Vision leader into a sleeper hold.

So, to heat things between Breakker and Rollins could be another potential reason why the Career Ki**er defeated Seth on Mania Saturday. Now, in the aftermath edition of Monday Night RAW, Rollins will indeed call Breakker out and punish him for his actions.

This will lead to the much-anticipated match between Seth and Bron in the Stamford-based promotion.

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#1. It doesn’t hurt Seth Rollins’ momentum post-Mania

BRON BREAKKER SPEARS SETH ROLLINS AGAIN!!! #WrestleMania OH MY 😱

It’s crucial to note that Gunther indeed secured victory at WrestleMania 42. However, this only happened when the Visionary passed out from the sleeper hold. The Ring General failed to secure a pinfall victory over the Architect.

Even the Visionary never tapped out from Gunther’s submission. The match ended when the referee checked Rollins, and he faded out from that choke. Also, the former World Heavyweight Champion only managed to put this submission move tight on the beloved WWE star after Bron Breakker’s disruption.

Overall, this doesn’t hurt the Architect’s momentum post-WrestleMania 42, and it’s another reason WWE booked Gunther to defeat Seth at the Shows of the Shows.

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Despite this loss, Rollins will still appear strong in his forthcoming feud against Bron Breakker. Meanwhile, if Seth had defeated the Ring General, it would have not only ended his undefeated streak but also impacted his momentum post-WrestleMania.

So, these are all the potential reasons why Gunther defeated Seth Rollins at WWE WrestleMania 42 on Saturday. The RAW after Mania show will be interesting to witness, particularly after Bron Breakker returns to the Sports Entertainment juggernaut.

Also, it remains to be seen what’s next for the WWE Career Ki**er after his massive victory over the Visionary.