Cale Makar, Parker Kelly lead Avalanche past Ducks 5-1 for a SoCal sweep

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Cale Makar had a goal and two assists, Nathan MacKinnon secured his fourth consecutive 100-point season with a third-period assist, and the NHL-leadingColorado Avalanchesnapped the Anaheim Ducks' five-game winning streak with a 5-1 victory Tuesday night.

Avalanche Ducks Hockey

Parker Kelly scored two goals and Scott Wedgewood made 27 saves for the Avs, who have won three straight and four of five since the Olympic break. Martin Necas got his 27th goal and Gabriel Landeskog also scored to completeColorado's back-to-back sweepof the Southern California clubs.

Cutter Gauthier scored his 29th goal and Lukas Dostal stopped 21 shots for the Ducks, whose eight-game home winning streak since Jan. 2 also ended.

Anaheim would have moved into first place in the Pacific Division with a point, but the loss kept Vegas one point ahead. The Ducks are in a playoff race down the stretch for the first time since 2018.

After two fruitless Ducks power plays in the opening minutes, Makar put the Avs ahead from the slot with his 18th goal.

Necas added his seventh power-play goal of the season 2 1/2 minutes later, beating his Czech Olympic teammate with a high shot. The goal was just the second on the power play in the last 12 games for the Avalanche, who inexplicably have the NHL's worst man-advantage unit despite their overall excellence.

Advertisement

Gauthier hammered home a one-timer early in the second after a superb cross-ice pass from Jackson LaCombe, but Kelly got his 14th goal later in the period.

Landeskog then scored a goal in his second straight game, connecting early in the third on a one-timer from MacKinnon, who got his 59th assist to go with his NHL-leading 41 goals.

Up next

Avalanche: At Dallas on Friday night.

Ducks: Host New York Islanders on Wednesday night.

AP NHL:https://apnews.com/NHL

byCosmopolite

in

March 03, 2026

Cale Makar, Parker Kelly lead Avalanche past Ducks 5-1 for a SoCal sweep

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Cale Makar had a goal and two assists, Nathan MacKinnon secured his fourth consecutive 100-point ...

Read More

Hurley goes out a winner in what could be his final home game at Arizona State

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Fans spilled out of the stands onto the court, jumping and shouting in celebration of Arizona State's massive upset.

Kansas Arizona St Basketball

As the chaos swirled around him, Bobby Hurley, a coach known for his fiery sideline demeanor, calmly walked along the scorer's table shaking hands with Kansas' coaches and players before heading up the ramp.

No fist pumps, no shouts of joy, even if may have been his final home game.

Just a coach proud of the way his team fought through adversity — just as he did throughout his career.

"These kids care about the game, they want to play the right way, and a lot of them are underdogs, like I always was," Hurley said afterArizona State's 70-60 victoryover No. 14 Kansas on Tuesday night. "And that's why I could relate to them."

Hurley's role as the ultimate underdog was part of what made his hiring 12 years ago such a big splash.

An undersized point guard, he won two national championships at Duke and is still the NCAA's career assists leader. He played five seasons in the NBA before a car accident cut his career short.

Hurley won almost immediately after becoming a head coach, taking Buffalo to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in his second season.

He also won at Arizona State, just not enough.

Through 11 years of ups and downs, Hurley entered the final season of his contract likely needing an NCAA Tournament berth to keep his job. The Sun Devils fell well short, leaving them needing a miracle run at the Big 12 Tournament or bust.

"He is the greatest coach that's ever coached me," said Arizona State guard Moe Odum, who had 23 points against Kansas. "I'd go to war with him anytime. I don't care what anybody says."

If Tuesday night was his final home game, it was quite a way to go out.

Advertisement

Two of the biggest highlights of Hurley's tenure — outside of three NCAA Tournament appearances — were wins over Kansas in consecutive seasons.

The Sun Devils won at Allen Fieldhouse in 2017 against the second-ranked Jayhawks, part of a 12-0 start that propelled them to No. 3 in the AP Top 25, matching the highest ranking in program history.

The Sun Devils did it again the following season in Tempe, taking down Kansas for their only home win over a No. 1 team.

Fate brought the Jayhawks back for the potential end of Hurley's home finale in the desert.

The Sun Devils came out with the same fire their coach has on the sideline and during his playing days, smothering the Jayhawks while building a 20-point lead.

A coach was ejected and it wasn't Hurley — Bill Self was tossed for arguing an offensive call on Jayhawks star freshman Darryn Peterson.

Kansas stormed back, pulling with four, then back to two after Arizona State again stretched the lead to double digits.

Unlike some of the games they couldn't find a way to finish, the Sun Devils pushed back, shoving the Jayhawks out the door and Hurley to a win in what could be his final game at Desert Financial Arena.

"I don't think it was me," Hurley said. "It would have been a nice storyline, but I really believe that's who they are."

Competitive to the end, just like their coach.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphereandhere(AP News mobile app). AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

byCosmopolite

in

March 03, 2026

Hurley goes out a winner in what could be his final home game at Arizona State

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Fans spilled out of the stands onto the court, jumping and shouting in celebration of Arizona State...

Read More

2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational purse, payouts: Scottie Scheffler leads loaded field again as PGA Tour hits Bay Hill

The PGA Tour's "off week" is behind us, and we've now got back-to-back signature events ahead of us.

A loaded field is at Bay Hill Club and Lodge this week in Orlando, Florida, for the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational. Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler leads the way, and is once again a massive +350 favorite to win on BetMGM. Scheffler hasn't played since his T12 finish at the Genesis Invitational last month, where he had to make the weekend on the number to keep his cut streak alive. That was his worst finish all season.

Every golfer inside the top 10 in the Official World Golf Rankings is in the field this week, including Rory McIlroy. Heplayed his way into the final groupat the Genesis Invitational, but couldn't quite catch up to eventual winner Jacob Bridgeman. Justin Thomas is also back on Tour. He'llmake his first start since he underwent back surgeryafter the Ryder Cup last fall.

Shane Lowry will return, too, and will tee off alongside Xander Schauffele in the first two rounds. Lowry blew athree-shot lead down the stretch on Sundayin a stunning collapse at last week's Cognizant Classic, which opened the door for Nico Echavarria to grab the win instead.

The event carries a $20 million purse, with $4 million going to the winner on Sunday afternoon. It's the final event before The Players Championship next week, which is the Tour's marquee event on its schedule.

The Tour will also play the Puerto Rico Open this week at Grand Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande as an alternate event. That tournament carries a $4 million purse, and will offer the winner 300 FedExCup points.

Advertisement

Here's everything you need to keep up with the action at Bay Hill this week.

The 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational Basics

Dates: March 5-8Course: Bay Hill Club & Lodge | Orlando, Florida2025 Winner: Russell HenleyFedExCup Points: 700Purse: $20 million

How To Watch the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational

All times ET

Thursday & Friday2 p.m. — 6 p.m. | Golf Channel

Saturday & Sunday12:30 p.m. — 2:30 p.m. | Golf Channel2:30 p.m. — 6 p.m. | NBC, Peacock

2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational Payouts

1. $4 million2. $2.2 million3. $1.4 million4. $1 million5. $840,0006. $760,0007. $700,0008. $646,0009. $600,00010. $556,00011. $514,00012. $472,00013. $430,00014. $389,00015. $369,00016. $349,00017. $329,00018. $309,00019. $289,00020. $269,00021. $250,00022. $233,00023. $216,00024. $200,00025. $184,00026. $168,00027. $161,00028. $154,00029. $147,00030. $140,00031. $133,00032. $126,00033. $119,00034. $114,00035. $109,00036. $104,00037. $99,00038. $94,00039. $90,00040. $86,00041. $82,00042. $78,00043. $74,00044. $70,00045. $66,00046. $62,00047. $58,00048. $56,00049. $54,00050. $52,00051. $51,00052. $50,00053. $49,00054. $48,00055. $47,00056. $46,00057. $45,00058. $44,00059. $43,00060. $42,00061. $41,00062. $40,00063. $39,00064. $38,00065. $37,00066. $36,00067. $35,00068. $34,00069. $33,00070. $32,00071. $31,00072. $30,000

byCosmopolite

in

March 03, 2026

2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational purse, payouts: Scottie Scheffler leads loaded field again as PGA Tour hits Bay Hill

The PGA Tour's "off week" is behind us, and we've now got back-to-back signature events ahead of us. ...

Read More

Big payday ahead for RB Kenneth Walker III thanks in part to a soft RB NFL Draft class?

While it's hard to label a Super Bowl MVP landing a lucrative deal in free agency a shocker, there was definitive buzz in the agent and executive ranks that Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III will end up getting a deal that puts him in the top three or four highest-paid at his position, with an annual average value that could reach $13 to $14 million per season.

That's a number solidly north of the $9 to $10 million window that some were predicting prior to the Seahawks' Super Bowl-winning run, and still north of the $12 million average that some agents were slotting him at heading into the combine.

The Seahawks aren't expected to use the franchise tag on Walker before Tuesday's deadline, paving the way for the running back to hit the free-agent market,ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.

Why the change of free agency fortunes for Walker? There are two main reasons.

Advertisement

​​[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2026 MLB season]

First, during the week of the scouting combine, New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey was very suggestive that the team would use the franchise tag on Breece Hall if they couldn't get a deal done by the tag deadline. TheJets reportedly followed through on Tuesday, tagging Hall.

That was at least a surprise, taking the best running back aside from Walker out of the free-agent pool.

The second development in Walker's favor was the running back class being generally soft in this draft and disappointing with a lot of players at the position sitting out portions of workouts at the combine. While there were certainly some combine bright spots, Walker entered this week a winner, now being far and away the best free-agent option at his position and still having several years of prime left ahead of him.

byCosmopolite

in

March 03, 2026

Big payday ahead for RB Kenneth Walker III thanks in part to a soft RB NFL Draft class?

While it's hard to label a Super Bowl MVP landing a lucrative deal in free agency a shocker, there was definitive bu...

Read More

Grammy-Winning Blues Legend John Hammond Dies at 83

Blues guitarist and singer John Hammond has died at the age of 83

NEED TO KNOW

• News of his death was confirmed by Toronto blues musician Paul Smith in a Facebook post on Sunday, March 1

• "The blues world has lost a giant," Smith wrote in the post

Legendary blues guitarist and singer John Hammond has died. He was 83.

In aFacebook postshared on Sunday, March 1, Toronto blues musician Paul Smith shared that Hammond's wife Marla confirmed news of his death.

"Marla Hammond called me yesterday with the heartbreaking news that my dear friend John Hammond has passed away. The blues world has lost a giant. I've lost my best friend. My heart goes out to Marla and the family. Rest easy, John," he wrote.

Smith added: "I've just been going through the photos we've shared over the years — from the Horseshoe Tavern to Albert's Hall, from London to Montreal, to Edmonton to Ottawa — and each picture tells a story of great music, great people, and unforgettable nights." He was such an inspiration to me, I'll miss him terribly...."

According to a report fromBillboardCanada, Hammond died of cardiac arrest.

PEOPLE has reached out to Hammond's reps for additional comment.

Known as both John P. Hammond and John Hammond Jr., the late musician was the son of producer and talent scout John Henry Hammond Jr.

Advertisement

Hammond began playing guitar in high school and dropped out after studying Antioch College in Ohio after a year to pursue his professional music career.

In 1963, he signed with Vanguard Records and his self-titled debut album featured music written by blues icons like Muddy Waters, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Robert Johnson, as well as covers of tracks like Chuck Berry's "Maybellene."

Throughout his career, Hammond released more than 30 albums and he even won a Grammy in 1985 won a Grammy for his work on the compilation recordBlues Explosion, which was recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1982.

In the following years, Hammond received additional nominations for his 2009 album,Rough & Tough, which earned a nod for Best Traditional Blues Album.

Hammond also received Grammy nominations for albums includingYou Can't Judge a Book by the Cover(1993),Trouble No More(1994),Found True Love(1996),Long As I Have You(1998), andIn Your Arms Again(1995).

He was inducted into the Blues Foundation's Blues Hall of Fame in 2011.

Read the original article onPeople

byCosmopolite

in

March 03, 2026

Grammy-Winning Blues Legend John Hammond Dies at 83

Blues guitarist and singer John Hammond has died at the age of 83 NEED TO KNOW News of his death was confirm...

Read More

Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mac to call Wrexham match as pair celebrate 5 years of club ownership

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac will celebrate the fifth anniversary of their purchase of the Welsh soccer team by doing live commentary during a match later this month.

Reynolds and Mac, who purchased the then-non-League club in 2021, will call the game on a special broadcast when Wrexham hosts fellow English Football League Championship side Swansea at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. It is expected to provide "behind-the-scenes insight" and "documentary-style insider access" over the course of the match, which will be broadcast on Paramount+ in the U.S.

Advertisement

"As with our decision to take over Wrexham five years ago, we genuinely have no idea how this is going to go, but we will give it our best. Neither of us have called a sporting event of any variety, let alone a sport we basically learned the rules of five years ago,"the pair said in a joint statement.

"Either way, it will be another unpredictable day at the STōK Cae Ras and we can't wait. We're grateful to our partners at the EFL and Sky Sports, the latter of which we hope is ready with the bleep button."

Wrexham currently sits in sixth place in the Championship table, holding on to one of the four playoff places. The Red Dragons have won anunprecedented three consecutive promotions since 2023and are looking to be one of the three teams from the division that will move up to the Premier League next season.

The Hollywood duo purchased Wrexham for $2.5 million in 2020. Since they acquired the club, it has drawn international recognition — thanks in part to the "Welcome to Wrexham" documentary series the two have produced on FX.

byCosmopolite

in

March 03, 2026

Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mac to call Wrexham match as pair celebrate 5 years of club ownership

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac will celebrate the fifth anniversary of their purchase of the Welsh soccer team...

Read More

Chase Pistone, NASCAR driver in the 2000s, dies at 42

Former NASCAR driver Chase Pistone has died at the age of 42.

Martin Chivers, soccer, 1945-2026

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Sports figures we lost in 2026

His older brother, Nick Pistone, posted a message on social media, announcing his death, which did not include a cause or where he died.

But Chase's brothers, Tom and Nick, requested that Legends Nation "post the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which is 988 on a phone or text."

Advertisement

"Chase was not only a wheelman in Legends and Late Models, but his Chase Pistone Inc. Legends team was a force to be reckoned with every time they showed up at a track, and they usually walked away with the winner's trophy,"Legends Nation postedon social media.

During his career, Pistone, who is the grandson of two-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner Tom Pistone, competed in the ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and NASCAR Xfinity (now NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts) Series.

"Well, my young brother and best friend is gone,"Nick Pastone saidon social media. "I'm broken-hearted and don't know if I'll ever get over this. I miss you Chase already and I hope you are you are in a better place. I love you and I miss you so much already!!!!!!!"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Former NASCAR racer Chase Pistone dies at 42

byCosmopolite

in

March 03, 2026

Chase Pistone, NASCAR driver in the 2000s, dies at 42

Former NASCAR driver Chase Pistone has died at the age of 42. Martin Chivers, soccer, 1945-2026 " st...

Read More