Category: Sports

Today in History

On Dec. 30, 1916, Grigory Rasputin, the so-called “Mad Monk” who wielded considerable influence with Czar Nicholas II, was killed by a group of Russian noblemen in St. Petersburg. In 1853, the United States and Mexico signed a treaty under which the U.S. agreed to buy some 45,000 square miles of land from Mexico for $10 million in a deal known as the Gadsden Purchase.

Wild win 12th in a row, 6-4 against Islanders

… the first time in NHL history two teams have had concurrent win streaks of at least 12 games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. “They have a will to win,” Minnesota coach Bruce Boudreau said of his team. “I mean, they like this. I’m sure …

Abhay Singh Chautala to resign if IOC disapproves decision

New Delhi: Embattled Abhay Singh Chautala yesterday offered to relinquish the life presidency of the Indian Olympic Association, but only if the International Olympic Committee has reservations about his elevation to the position. Chautala, who has been chargesheeted in a disproportionate assets case, and 2010 CWG corruption scandal tainted Suresh Kalmadi were made Life Presidents at the IOA’s Annual General Meeting in Chennai on December 27, leaving the Sports Ministry fuming.

Cal State Northridge snaps 4 game skid, beats Morgan State

Kendall Smith scored 19 points and Cal State Northridge built an insurmountable early lead and cruised in the second half to an 82-61 win over Morgan State on Thursday night. Tavrion Dawson had 16 points while Aaron Parks and Rakim Lubin each added 12 for the Matadors , who snapped a four-game losing streak.

Bucs want to finish strong, despite only slim playoff hopes

Tampa Bay’s slender playoff prospects are not foremost on Jameis Winston’s mind heading into what’s likely to be his team’s season finale against the Carolina Panthers . What matters more to the young quarterback is the Buccaneers not only finish strong against the defending NFC champions, but play with a fervor that doesn’t reflect the disappointment of letting a potential postseason berth slip away.

Smith, Ravens seek a rare upbeat ending in Cincinnati

What feels like the end of the road for Steve Smith isn’t at all what he or the Baltimore Ravens expected. They were mere seconds away from taking control of the AFC North when the Steelers snatched it away from them, scoring a touchdown with 9 seconds left for a 31-27 win that ended Baltimore ‘s chances last week.

Raiders-Broncos finale represents a role reversal

Spoiler is an unfamiliar role for Von Miller and Chris Harris Jr., who get to see what it’s like to play for nothing but pride Sunday when the Denver Broncos host the Oakland Raiders . The Broncos were eliminated from playoff contention last week, so they won’t get a chance to defend their Super Bowl 50 title.

Brandon Robinson plays first game in Atlanta

… North Carolina has won two straight since a Dec. 17 loss to Kentucky, 100-103, in Las Vegas as part of the CBS Sports Classic. The Tar Heels only other loss was 76-67 at Indiana in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Robinson has played in all 14 of the Tar …

KC seeks AFC West title; Chargers face possible SD finale

Already in the playoffs for the third time in four years, Alex Smith and the Chiefs need to beat the Chargers and have the Denver Broncos beat the Oakland Raiders in order to clinch the AFC West title and a first-round bye. The games kick off at the same time, and it’ll be tempting for the Chiefs to check the antiquated Jumbotron at the aging stadium for Raiders-Broncos updates.

Blue Jackets win 14th straight, on to historic game vs. Wild

Columbus Blue Jackets’ Brandon Saad scores on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Michael Hutchinson as Dustin Byfuglien and Mathieu Perreault defend during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky makes a save against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Dolphins’ Matt Moore at ease in starting gig vs Patriots

Quarterback Matt Moore hadn’t started a game since 2012 when he was elevated to the top spot on the Miami Dolphins’ depth chart following an injury to Ryan Tannehill in Week 14. Moore always understood he was one injury away from overseeing an offense again. So, when he finally was called, he was prepared to step in and step it up.

Patriots: Cyrus Jones hoping he gets another shot

Cyrus Jones remains confident in his abilities as a kick returner, even if the decisions of the coaching staff indicate that their confidence is not necessarily mutual. A chance to return kicks or punts on Sunday at Miami, to Jones, would just be a chance to break a season-defining play.

Steelersa Brown asks Jetsa Marshall to pay up on car bet

Antonio Brown is in the driver’s seat in his car bet with Brandon Marshall, so he’s looking for the Jets receiver to turn over the keys. Marshall felt so confident during the summer that he was going to have a big season, he issued a friendly challenge to the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver on Twitter: If he had more yards receiving, Brown would give him his Rolls-Royce.

Serena wins at love again; says a yesa to engagement in poem

The tennis great announced her engagement to Alexis Ohanian on Thursday, posting a poem on Reddit that she accepted the proposal of the social news website’s co-founder. “I came home/A little late/Someone had a bag packed for me/And a carriage awaited/Destination: Rome/To escort me to my very own “charming”/Back to where our stars first collided/And now it was full circle/At the same table we first met by chance/This time he made it not by chance/But by choice/Down on one knee/He said 4 words/And I said yes.”

2016, a strip search

The Mongolian wrestling coaches, with honey-comb guts and teddy bear chests, stripped to their briefs to protest the referee’s decision. It was surprising, shocking, heartbreaking and amusing a an undefineable mixed emotion that visited most minds throughout the year.

Yuma eyes budget cuts for next fiscal year

With the state’s passage of Proposition 206 to raise the minimum wage, the city of Yuma is facing some immediate cuts in its parks and recreation department, and discussed possible cuts for the police and fire departments at a recent council meeting. The minimum wage increase, which is $10 an hour through 2017, will affect 250 part-time employees at parks and recreation, according to the department’s director Debbie Wendt.

Kiernan did not commit an assault – Warburton

Rangers manager Mark Warburton has insisted his defender Rob Kiernan has no case to answer ahead of a potential Scottish FA misconduct charge next week. St Johnstone captain Steven Anderson accused Kiernan of punching him in the ribs during Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw at McDiarmid Park.

Two days after Rex Ryan was fired, Bills seemingly face uncertainty over QB Tyrod Taylor’s future

In addition to deciding which coach presents the best chance to snap the Bills’ 17 straight seasons of playoff-less football in January, the organization’s offseason checklist appears to include whether or not quarterback Tyrod Taylor will be in the fold beyond this season. Taylor, seemingly a Rex Ryan favorite, could be facing a uncertain future in Buffalo just months after agreeing to a five-year contract extension.