With deadline looming, baseball risks missing bigger picture - Sportsnet.ca

TORONTO – When these negotiations started, they offered baseball’s owners and players a chance to think big.

For instance: Could all involved benefit from two new expansion teams? Beyond a pitch clock, what on-field changes could allow baseball to evolve at a time when the entertainment landscape is more competitive than ever? Might a shortened season of 144 games or so improve the overall product without excessively cutting into revenues?

In reality, talks have unfolded differently in Jupiter, Fla. this week and the focus has been on dividing revenues rather than growing them. A pitch clock may be coming, but expansion hasn’t been a priority in these talks, which have instead centered around core economics: competitive balance tax thresholds and penalties, arbitration, big-league minimums, revenue sharing, pre-arbitration bonus pools and service time manipulation.

Those areas are essential, no doubt about it. And if there were no agreement on those fronts, we’d soon be able to shift our attention from revenue sharing and anti-tanking measures to spring training, a trade market that’s expected to move quickly and the top remaining free agents – a group that still includes the likes of Carlos Correa, Freddie Freeman and Kris Bryant. You know, actual baseball. The kinds of stories that excite old fans and pull in new ones.

Unfortunately, it’s not happening that way, and on the final day before the league’s deadline to reach a deal with enough lead time to play a full season significant distance remains between the players and owners. Despite suggestions over the weekend that a real pathway to a deal existed, multiple sources close to the negotiations pushed back on that sentiment.

“Beyond absurd,” said one person connected to the players.

According to people familiar with the talks, MLB would have to move significantly off its current position for a deal to come together by Monday. So far, the league has moved slowly and incrementally, waiting six weeks after locking the players out to make an offer then finally moving on the competitive balance tax by just $1 million from $214 million to $215 million – an increase of just 0.47 per cent and far below the players’ target of $245 million.

Because the progress has been so slow, many players are angry. In fact, some believe the owners’ slow pace and apparent willingness to miss games actually brings the players together.

“Only strengthens their resolve,” one industry source said.

Regardless, with each passing hour, it becomes more likely that a labour dispute will cost the sport games for the first time since 1995. And as for the fans? Some existing fans may find the back and forth interesting, but it’s likely baseball will lose more fans than it gains from now until the moment a resolution is reached. Labour talks do not make for entertaining television. Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Shohei Ohtani do.

Editor’s Note: One of the 30 MLB teams, the Toronto Blue Jays, is owned by Rogers Communications Inc., which also owns Sportsnet.

It’s still possible that an unforeseen shift will accelerate talks on time to preserve the season. Yet owners have shown little inclination to meet the MLBPA’s asks and sources close to the players say they’re equally resolute – especially after the last CBA nudged the sport’s economics firmly in the owners’ favour.

A week or two of missed games would hardly stop the sport in its tracks, especially if the result is a deal that works for everyone, but the lasting damage done by the 1994-95 strike shows the danger in being cavalier over work stoppages. The risk now is that the game as a whole will suffer.

Already, spring training games are being cancelled every week. Depending on how Monday goes, regular-season games could soon be lost, too. Owners say that would mean missed salaries for the players. Players say that would mean no expanded 2022 playoffs for the owners.

If that’s where these talks are headed, there would be lower revenues, less cultural significance and missed opportunities to create new fans. In other words, the game would be shrinking rather than growing. And if this fight costs baseball revenue and cultural impact, a win on arbitration or the competitive balance tax won’t matter as much in the end.

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2022-02-28 15:06:00Z
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Canucks @ Rangers 2/27 | NHL Highlights 2022 - NHL

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2022-02-28 03:24:43Z
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Canadian men’s basketball team unbeaten after second FIBA qualifier window - Sportsnet.ca

Kyle Wiltjer scored 24 points as the Canadian men's basketball team closed its second window of FIBA World Cup qualifying, routing the U.S. Virgin Islands 94-46 Sunday to remain undefeated.

Wiltjer drilled six three-pointers in the win as Canada, in general, shot the lights out from deep, going 15-of-33.

And defensively, Canada was solid, holding the U.S. Virgin Islands to 26.7 per cent shooting from the floor while turning them over 19 times.

The Canadian led the Virgin Islands by as much as 51 in the contest.

Canada beat the Dominican Republic on Saturday, 85-79, in the first of this two-game qualifying window.

With the 48-point victory over the Virgin Islands, Canada now carries an overall point differential of plus-132 through four qualifying games.

Rakeem Christmas, who has had a cup of coffee in the NBA before, led all Virgin Islands scorers with 15 points.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup will begin Aug. 25, 2023, hosted by Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.

Reaching The FIBA World Cup is an important first step in reaching the 2024 Paris Games. A good part of Olympic qualification is directly tied to World Cup results.

Playing in the second of a six-window process, Canada is now 4-0 so far in its qualifying campaign and atop of Group C in the Americas qualifiers as the only undefeated team in the group.

Canada will next play in the third qualifying window on July 1 and 4, once again against the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands, at a location that is still to be determined.

Given the timing of the third window, there's a chance that some of Canada's high-level NBA talent, who were not present during this second window, will be available to play then.

Following the third window's conclusion the fourth-place team in each of the four groups in the Americas region will be eliminated and the qualification process will then enter the second round where the top-three teams in each of the groups will then be split into two new groups.

In Canada's case, should it make it out of the first round, it would enter a new group with the two other top Group C finisher and the top-three finishers of Group A, which features Argentina, Panama, Paraguay and Venezuela.

From these two new groups, the top-three finishers from each of them and the better fourth-place finisher between the two groups will advance to the FIBA World Cup.

In order to determine the better fourth-place finisher, overall record, including from the first round, will be taken into account. As well, in the event of identical records, point differential is an important determining factor in tiebreakers.

The Canadian men's basketball team hasn't reached an Olympic Games since 2000.

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2022-02-27 20:59:00Z
1309546423

Marner, ‘dumbfounded’ Maple Leafs salvage highest-scoring win since ’80s - Sportsnet.ca

“Welcome to the 1980s!” Sportsnet play-by-play czar Chris Cuthbert said during a third period that should’ve forced TV viewers to adjust their antennae. Or duck outside and check their driveway for a DeLorean.

Because what in the name of Miroslav Frycer were they watching?

The final score was 10-7.

And, no, neither the Detroit Lions nor the Toronto Argonauts were playing.

Same goes for the four goalies involved, three of whom were pulled due to performance.

“Wild game, completely,” Mitch Marner said.

“I've never played in a game like that," Auston Matthews said. “I don’t really have words for that third.”

The Toronto Maple Leafs led the Detroit Red Wings 7-2 after 40 minutes on Saturday.

In a night terror disguised as reality, the Leafs saw that goose-down cushion flatten to 7-6, then 8-7, before they pulled Jack Campbell, burned their timeout, and beared down.

“Dumbfounded” is how coach Sheldon Keefe described his bench.

“Hockey’s a funny game,” Michael Bunting said. “It wasn’t that fun to be a part of because we were getting scored on, and then it was fun again. It was up and down emotions.”

Key rush goals from depth wingers Ilya Mikheyev and Ondrej Kase (shorthanded) righted the ship and stunted a crowd-charged comeback.

“Adversity comes in different forms,” Keefe said. “When push came to shove, our team rose up.”

So, the Leafs sigh relief and jet out of Motown on the happy side of the franchise’s highest-scoring game since the Leafs defeated the Edmonton Oilers 11-9 on Jan. 8, 1986.

Frycer — Petr Mrazek’s first agent — snapped four goals for Toronto that night. Wayne Gretzky ripped a hat trick and posted six points.

In Saturday’s throwback, it was Marner hitting the Wings with four goals and six points, while the hottest trio in hockey, Bunting–Matthews–Marner, combined for a ridiculous six goals and 15 points.

“That line was outstanding today,” Keefe praised.

Marner gets his trick

On 14 occasions in his six seasons, Marner has scored twice in a single game. But not until Saturday has he triggered the caps to rain.

Well, Marner did so in style Saturday, scoring a natural hat trick in a span of eight minutes and 46 seconds during a dominant second period.

“It was pretty cool. I won't lie,” Marner said.

Marner hit ’em with the four to cap off the night, thanks to a very Marner-esque setup by Bunting.

Can’t buy a save

All four goalies appeared in Saturday’s shootout, Detroit’s Alex Nedeljkovic twice.

Here are their save percentages: .800, .760, .750, .714.

Pretty, it was not.

Keefe started the suddenly shaky Campbell, in part, because he wanted to give him a game in his home state of Michigan.

But Campbell was so out of sorts to start the third period — allowing four goals in a five-minute span — that he was yanked with a lead.

Although the coach knew he was putting Mrazek in “a horrible spot,” throwing him in cold and late as the Wings stormed, he also couldn’t stand there and let Campbell’s confidence crumble. Or two points slip away.

The goaltending is a growing issue in Toronto.

One must believe Mrazek starts Monday in Washington, right?

Is Robertson being showcased?

“Time flies,” said Nick Robertson as he conducted his Detroit pre-game media availability inside the dressing room of the Little Caesars AAA club, his alma mater.

Robertson — also a former Toronto Red Wing in his minor hockey travels — found himself back in a familiar town facing some familiar colours.

“It’s kind of surreal. It kind of brings you back,” Robertson went on. “I was proud to wear these colours, and now I’m here playing for the Leafs.”

The 20-year-old was stuck in snowy traffic Friday, expecting a trip to Rochester with the AHL Marlies when he received a call from GM Kyle Dubas. The highly touted and often injured prospect was getting called up to the Show.

Pleased with his progression since returning from October’s broken leg but believing he needs more reps to reach his “absolute best,” Dubas’s call took the winger by surprise.

Unlike the 2020 playoff bubble and his six appearances in the Canadian Division, this time Robertson would be performing for fans.

"I'm just excited,” he said. “To be in a familiar area like Michigan, because I grew up here, it's nice to have some family friends come out for the game."

With Pierre Engvall sidelined due to illness, Robertson skated 9:19 on the fourth line, nearly scoring on a wraparound attempt, registering three shots with a minus-1 rating, and taking a boarding penalty.

An NHL-level left wing, Kyle Clifford, was already on the Leafs roster. So, was Robertson being rewarded for his determined play on the farm? Or is he being showcased a few weeks out from the trade deadline?

“Anything’s possible,” Robertson told The Athletic’s Joshua Kloke of the March 21 trade deadline. “I’ve got to prepare myself and showcase myself out there for any possibilities.”

“I’ve seen guys get traded out of nowhere, and they thought they were going to be somewhere forever. Like I said, I want to play as well as possible. And after the deadline, if I’m here, I’m here. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Keefe says the Leafs will take it a day at a time with Robertson: “We want to give him some more experience and an opportunity to grow.”

Bunting refuses to change his game

Bunting says he won’t alter his greasy, in-your-grill, crawl-under-your-skin style of play despite his recent $2,000 fine for embellishment.

He vows to continue to crash the crease, stare down opponents, and absorb their hacks and whacks.

“I’m willing to put the body on the line,” Bunting said. “If I get cross-checked and taken down, it's a power play for the team.

“That gritty style—I don’t shy away from that,” he went on. “It gets me into the game. It kinda wakes me up. So, I don’t mind it.”

Keefe shrugged off the ding for diving. Because the emotional Bunting is always in the thick of the action, officials are paying attention.

“The big thing with Bunts is that he’s an absolute competitor,” Keefe said. “Because he’s involved in everything, he’s usually the most hated guy on the ice.”

When Toronto visited Detroit last month, Bunting registered a hat trick. Matthews teased his winger, asking if he’d be eating the same pre-game meal. Bunting conceded he probably would. Chicken and pasta. Typical.

The food fueled Bunting’s five-point showing and a climb up the Calder Trophy power rankings.

He co-leads all rookies in goals (18) and now ranks second in points (40).

Hey! Detroit has a couple of Calder candidates, too

Some nice insight into the Red Wings’ stud freshmen by teammate Sam Gagner on Spittin’ Chiclets this week.

Gagner on Mortiz Seider: “He has great hockey IQ. He's one of those guys who isn't afraid of the moment — ever. If you saw a clip earlier in the year, after a whistle, he just takes the puck from [Victor] Hedman and is just toying with him. It's situations like that that he's just not scared of the moment, which is awesome. I imagine in playoff hockey he’s going to be an absolute beast.”

Gagner on Lucas Raymond, who enjoyed a three-point Saturday: “He controls the game like a Mitch Marner would. Everything kind of goes through him. The puck’s on his stick all the time. He makes a ton of great plays. He's got amazing hockey IQ. And he’s one of those guys who just keeps getting better as the year goes on. It's been awesome. Both those kids, they're great kids, too. They want to get better. So, it's been a lot of fun.”

One-Timers: Jake Muzzin (concussion) was spotted around the Maple Leafs practice facility Friday, which is a positive sign. If he’s healthy before season’s end, he’ll play…. John Tavares did not get a point Saturday, extending his goal drought to 12 games, his longest since 2011-12…. Justin Holl had himself a three-assist, plus-3 night, a fine response after consecutive healthy scratches…. Ilya Lyubushkin registered his first point as a Leaf.

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2022-02-27 05:25:00Z
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Poland refuses to play World Cup qualifier with Russia - Al Jazeera English

Poland and Sweden will not play a Qatar 2022 playoff in March in Moscow after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Poland will not play its football World Cup qualifier against Russia next month following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“In light of the escalation of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, the Polish national team is not going to play a match against Russian Republic,” the president of the Polish Football Association, Cezary Kulesza, said on Saturday.

It is the “only correct decision,” he said.

Moscow is scheduled to host Poland in the semi-finals of its strand of the World Cup playoffs on March 24 and, if its team advances, is scheduled to host either Sweden or the Czech Republic on March 29 in the Path B final.

Kulesza added the association was in talks with Swedish and Czech associations to present a common position to FIFA.

Polish national team players also took to social media to express their support for the move.

National team captain Robert Lewandowski said he couldn’t “imagine playing a match with the Russian National Team in a situation when armed aggression in Ukraine continues”.

“Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we can’t pretend that nothing is happening,” he wrote on Twitter.

It is the right decision! I can’t imagine playing a match with the Russian National Team in a situation when armed aggression in Ukraine continues. Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we can’t pretend that nothing is happening. https://t.co/rfnfbXzdjF

— Robert Lewandowski (@lewy_official) February 26, 2022

Kamil Glik, Mateusz Klich, Matty Cash and other players said it was not an easy decision but “there are more important things in life than football”.

They also expressed solidarity with Ukraine “and our friend from the national team, Tomasz Kedziora, who is still in Kyiv with his family”.

Sweden later on Saturday also announced it would not play the soccer World Cup qualifiers against Russia.

“The illegal and deeply unjust invasion of Ukraine currently makes all football exchanges with Russia impossible,” Swedish Football Association chairman Karl-Erik Nilsson said.

“We therefore urge FIFA to decide that the playoff matches in March in which Russia participates will be cancelled. But regardless of what FIFA chooses to do, we will not play against Russia in March.”

The conflict has entered a third day since Russian leader Vladimir Putin unleashed a full-scale invasion that has killed dozens of people, forced more than 100,000 to flee Ukraine in just 48 hours and sparked fears of a wider conflict in Europe.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino refused to take a decision regarding the playoffs when he held a press conference hours after the invasion began on Thursday.

He said “FIFA condemns the use of force” adding he was “shocked” by what he had seen but would not be rushed into a decision over moving the matches.

“The first match is in a month, we hope of course that this situation will be resolved well before then,” he said.

European football’s governing body UEFA punished Russia on Friday by stripping Saint Petersburg of hosting European club football’s showpiece event the Champions League final on May 28 and awarded it to Paris.

UEFA made no reference to its relationship with Gazprom, the Russian state energy giant that is one of their key sponsors, but is reportedly in talks to cut ties.

It also announced that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams competing in international competitions must play home matches at neutral venues “until further notice”.

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2022-02-26 11:58:28Z
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Landeskog too much for Jets yet again as Avs rally from big hole - Sportsnet.ca

DENVER — Gabriel Landeskog scored three times, Nathan MacKinnon added two more and the Colorado Avalanche stormed back from a three-goal deficit to beat the Winnipeg Jets 6-3 on Friday night.

It was Landeskog’s second hat trick this season against the Jets.

The Avalanche captain was mobbed by teammates along the boards after his third goal gave Colorado a comfortable 6-3 advantage. The Avalanche scored six unanswered goals after falling behind 3-0 following a forgettable first period.

Andre Burakovsky gave the Avalanche the lead for good with a low lower through the pads of Connor Hellebuyck 56 seconds into the final period. It was Burakovsky’s first goal since Jan. 14.

Landeskog scored twice down low in the second period. He pushed the puck past Hellebuyck to get the Avs started and then tied it up at 3 apiece when he tipped it past the Jets goaltender. In between, MacKinnon scored in his return after missing a game due to a lower-body ailment.

Kyle Connor, Evgeny Svechnikov and Adam Lowry scored for the Jets, who fell to 0-2-1 on their four-game trip. They were cruising along after Lowry’s short-handed goal made it 3-0 with 3:34 remaining in the first period.

About that time, Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar drifted over and gave goaltender Pavel Francouz a reassuring tap on the pads. It seemed to do that trick as Francouz stopped 16 shots after that.

With Colorado up big, things turned chippy. Pierre-Luc Dubois was given a late misconduct penalty and Josh Morrissey drew a slash call for coming down on MacKinnon’s arm.

Connor got the Jets started early with a goal 2:13 into the game. He continues to make himself right at home away from home, with at least a point in 22 of his 28 road contests this season.

BO UPDATE

Colorado defenseman Bowen Byram (personal) skated before the team’s morning session Friday. Byram hasn’t played since Jan. 10, and there remains no timetable for his return.

“The road to recovery is usually never a straight line,” coach Jared Bednar said. “We’re hopeful at some point here he’ll able to come back and join us. We’re trusting the player and his timeline and not putting any pressure on him to get back anytime soon.”

MCNAB UPDATE

Avalanche analyst Peter McNab announced an update on his health through AltitudeTV’s social media: “Yesterday I received news from my doctor that my cancer is in remission. You can only imagine my emotions yesterday and today, but as exciting as this is, the overwhelming emotion I have is gratitude.”

THIS & THAT

Mikko Rantanen had three assists, while Devon Toews, Makar, Valeri Nichushkin and Nazem Kadri each had two assists. .... Colorado beat Winnipeg 7-1 in Denver on Jan. 6.

UP NEXT

Jets: Close their trip Sunday in Arizona.

Avalanche: At Vegas on Saturday. The Avalanche are 5-0-1 in the second game of a back-to-back this season.

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2022-02-26 05:04:00Z
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Flames @ Canucks 2/24 | NHL Highlights 2022 - NHL

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2022-02-25 06:25:27Z
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Canada barely misses out on Arnold Clark Cup title after loss to Spain - Sportsnet.ca

WOLVERHAMPTON, United Kingdom — While Canada leaves the Arnold Clark Cup on the back of a 1-0 loss to an impressive Spain side, coach Bev Priestman saw plenty of positives for the Olympic champions.

Despite having half of her roster in pre-season mode back home with their NWSL teams and missing talismanic captain Christine Sinclair and experienced forward Adriana Leon, the sixth-ranked Canadian women tied No. 8 England 1-1 and beat No. 3 Germany 1-0 before running into a stylish Spanish side that played well above its No. 9 ranking.

"I think we've taken a step forward," Priestman said after Wednesday's match at a near-empty Molineux Stadium. "I feel like we found ways to get (star fullback) Ashley Lawrence higher (up the pitch). We've got more combinations and more trusted players. I think we've widened the depth — I've tested more players.

"I said coming into this we'd come away with more European experience. We've done that … I'm so glad we attended this tournament. I think we've got some massive learnings. And there are some players that really had to step up."

A victory Wednesday and Canada (1-1-1) would have won the tournament.

Spain (1-0-2) appeared headed to hoist the trophy until goals by Millie Bright and Fran Kirby in the 84th and 94th minute, respectively, gave England (1-0-2) a 3-1 victory over Germany (0-2-1) in the late game at Molineux.

That left England and Spain tied on points. But the English women got the nod by virtue of a plus-two goal difference, compared to plus-one for Spain. Canada finished third and Germany fourth.

Attendance was announced at 13,463 during the England-Germany game.

Spain came as advertised, classy and confident, aggressive on defence and comfortable on the ball in attack.

Star midfielder Alexia Putellas, winner of the Ballon d'Or, Best FIFA Women's Player and UEFA Player of the Year, pulled the strings for Spain as it extended its unbeaten streak to 19 games (17-0-2) since a 1-0 loss to the U.S. at the SheBelieves Cup in March 2020.

While Spain had more of the ball early on, Canada seemed up to the task and created several chances of its own to start.

But Spain went ahead in the 21st minute after Patri Guijarro stole the ball off Lawrence in midfield. Five passes later it was in the back of the net with a low shot from an unmarked Putellas, who made a stealthy run into the middle of the penalty box and beat Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.

The 28-year-old Barcelona star almost scored a second in the 63rd minute, but her header off a corner hit the woodwork.

The game grew scrappier in the second half as substitutions were made. Canada came on late but was unable to break through, with two Canadian attackers unable to get to a dangerous Lawrence cross that flashed through the Spanish penalty box in the dying seconds.

As in the two previous matches, Priestman liked parts of the performance.

"For us it's been three games of half-a-game, to be honest with you, across this tournament," she said. "I can only walk away from this game very happy with the second half and a poor first half. But that's credit to Spain."

Spain finished with 60 per cent possession and outshot Canada 14-7 although the Canadians had a 3-1 edge in shots on target.

The defeat was only the fourth for Canada under Priestman, whose record is 10-4-6 including two shootout wins at the Tokyo Olympics. The other losses were to the U.S., Brazil and Mexico.

The Spanish women arrived in England on a 16-game winning streak during which they outscored their opposition 96-0. And despite playing to two ties, Spain looked dangerous against Germany and England, posing problems with its smothering press.

The Spanish starting 11 featured six players from Champions League winner Barcelona, including Putellas. The attacking midfielder scored 26 goals and added 19 assists as Barcelona won the Spanish League, Cup and Champions League last season. Barca teammate Jenni Hermoso, who tied for the Spanish league scoring lead with 31 goals, served as captain.

"It was a very competitive game. We battled hard,'' Spain coach Jorge Vilda said through an interpreter. "We played well for certain periods of the game albeit without making the best start and that's something that we'd like to improve on. We did then take control of the game, created chances.

"Alexia Putellas scored the goal and I feel we dominated from that point onwards."

Priestman made four changes to the team that beat Germany, giving Marie-Yasmine Alidou her senior debut while also inserting Shelina Zadorsky, Deanne Rose and Jordyn Huitema.

Alidou, a 26-year-old midfielder from Saint-Hubert, Que., plays in Austria for SK Sturm Graz.

Eight of Canada's 11 starters Wednesday were European-based and in-season.

Centre back Kadeisha Buchanan, earning her 116th cap, captained Canada in the absence of Sinclair, who stayed at home following the recent death of her mother. Jessie Fleming served as skipper against England while fellow midfielder Desiree Scott wore the captain's armband against Germany.

Sheridan started in goal for the third straight game at the tournament, giving way to Sabrina D'Angelo at halftime. Buchanan, Fleming, Lawrence, Scott, Janine Beckie and Jayde Riviere also started all three contests.

Canada came close in the 28th minute when Huitema headed a Beckie free kick off the crossbar. The ball bounced back into play, just missing an onrushing Buchanan. Spain goalkeeper Lola Gallardo appeared to get a finger to the ball, sending it off the woodwork.

Putellas showed her pedigree on numerous occasions, including late in the half when she nutmegged Scott, who was making her 173rd senior appearance, before heading to the Canadian goal.

Riviere had to be helped off in the 53rd minute in obvious pain after having her wrist stepped on by a Spanish player after falling. There was no immediate update on her condition.

Canada was unable to threaten until later in the second half, with the final passing often missing its mark although forward Cloe Lacasse made her presence felt after coming on in the 77th minute.

The Canadian women had only played Spain twice before, drawing 0-0 in May 2019 in Logrones and losing 1-0 in March 2017 in Sao Joao da Venda.

The Canadian women are gearing up for the CONCACAF W Championship in July in Mexico, which will determine World Cup and Olympic qualification. Next up for Canada is a planned friendly in April.

The England tournament's title sponsor, Arnold Clark, is a family-run car dealer.

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2022-02-23 17:34:00Z
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Canadiens promote Sedgwick to assistant GM - TSN

TSN.ca Staff

The Montreal Canadiens announced Wednesday that the team has promoted John Sedgwick to assistant general manager.

Sedgwick was hired by the club in April 2013 as the Canadiens' Director of Legal Affairs. His main responsibilities include contract negotiations with players, salary cap management, arbitration cases, and managing situations regarding the collective agreement between the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association.

He was promoted to VP, hockey operations and legal affairs in July 2017.

Sedgwick was also part of the NHL's Hockey Operations department from 2006 to 2013.

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2022-02-23 19:18:00Z
1303464051

7 Maple Leafs Takeaways: Time to worry about the goalies? - Sportsnet.ca

“A lot better than our past two outings,” Auston Matthews said, following the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. “We can be more proud of the effort tonight.”

Which isn’t saying much, considering how low the bar had slunk against the St. Louis Blues and Montreal Canadiens over Family Day weekend.

But Matthews and the Leafs indeed responded with a much more respectable defensive effort at Nationwide Arena Tuesday.

It was a good-news-bad-news night that resulted in Toronto’s first three-game losing skid since October but also some positive signs that the slump should be short-lived.

“Our guys competed hard today. The play was structured, and I thought we easily could have had two points here,” coach Sheldon Keefe said.

“They played hard against us, so it wasn’t any easy night for us, and I liked a lot of things about how we played.”

Another night dressing the second-best goalie

The question must be asked: Is Toronto simply regressing to the mean? Or is goaltending going to be an issue here?

Once Petr Mrazek got healthy, we were expecting he and Jack Campbell to battle it out for the crease. But, lately, it seems neither wants to snatch it outright.

Since Dec. 1, the Maple Leafs rate 31st in 5-on-5 save percentage. The club’s overall save percentage spiked early but has tumbled to the middle ground of 11th overall (.909). Just OK.

The Jackets’ canon blasted at least once too often Tuesday.

The Leafs held a decided edge in scoring chances (30-16) and high-danger chances (10-3), yet emergency call-up J.F. Berube stopped 39 pucks and out-duelled Campbell.

“I thought we deserved two points,” Campbell said. “They just shot and beat me, and it’s not acceptable on my part. We should’ve won 3-0 or whatever.”

Yes, Campbell was screened at times. Yes, he had to deal with an elite spot-picker in Patrik Laine. But his team needed one more save.

Campbell has surrendered four or more goals in seven of his past 13 appearances.

Keefe singled out this Adam Boqvist’s end-to-end game-tying power-play rush early in the third that beat Campbell clean:

Marner, Matthews keep making magic

After going a couple of games without a point, Mitch Marner popped back on the board with one of the better assists you’ll see this month.

Marner’s gift to Michael Bunting gave the 26-year-old his 17th on the season, tops among all rookies:

Not to be outdone, centreman Matthews factored in on all three Leafs goals and ripped a game-high 11 shots.

His pair of assists and 34th goal resulted in his 21st multi-point night this season and sixth consecutive 60-point campaign.

Matthews is the only Leaf to start his career with such a productive run.

We got a flash of the old 2016 draft class duel, as Matthews and Laine traded goals less than 10 minutes apart.

Laine was supposed to be backchecking Matthews, who simply out-positioned the No. 2 pick and deked Berube off a pretty backhand feed from David Kämpf.

“I was screaming for it, and Kämpfer made an unbelievable pass," Matthews said of the defensive centre. “His playmaking ability is pretty underrated.”

Lyubushkin takes baby steps in debut

No practice. Just directly into the fire.

Keefe first met with Sunday’s trade acquisition, Ilya Lyubushkin, Tuesday morning to gauge his readiness for action.

“There was no doubt in his mind that he wanted to get right in, so that speaks to his character,” Keefe said. “We got to understand that it's going to be a process for him to really adjust to our team and his teammates.”

The coach scratched righty Justin Holl, who’s had a rough go lately, paired the Russian Bear with Rasmus Sandin, and sheltered his minutes.

The former Coyote stuffed some plays in the D-zone, skated 15:28 (lowest among all Toronto defenders), threw a solid hit, drew a tripping penalty on Jakub Voracek, and (over?)played the pass when Laine sniped a puck past Campbell on an all-day 2-on-1 rush.

“When you're a big, stay-at-home defenceman like that, it's gotta be hard to play on a team that loses a lot and has different objectives, that is rebuilding and stuff like that,” Jason Spezza said.

“He's probably pretty excited to come to a team that’s trying to contend, get some playoff experience, and he's going to help.”

It helps that Lyubushkin already knows Ilya Mikheyev.

“I’m so excited to play here,” he said. “It’s big experience for me. It’s, like, unbelievable.”

Some appreciation for Spezza, shall we?

Jason Spezza is the only Leafs skater that took Monday’s highly optional skate at the Bell Centre, taking shootout attempts on Campbell (that evening’s backup) and claiming that he pulled “a Radulov!” when he deked the goalie high with a backhand.

Later that night, Spezza was the one to drop his gloves and stick up for Justin Holl when the D-man got steamrolled (cleanly, mind you) by Nick Suzuki.

Then, on Tuesday, as a 38-year-old making minimum wage and playing the tired half of a back-to-back, he’s the one tapped to be the extra attacker with Campbell pulled.

He goes and scores the tying goal on a maybe kicked in but definitely foot-directed goal to salvage a standings point.

The world would be a better place if we all fight for our dreams so hard.

How’s Muzzin doing?

Considering Jake Muzzin has a recent concussion history and was laying down on the Bell Centre ice for nearly two minutes Monday night after a fluke collision with Chris Wideman, Tuesday was a positive day for the tough D-man.

Muzzin went to a Montreal hospital for observation and tests after Monday’s loss, slept at the hotel, then flew home to Toronto Tuesday.

He is resting with his family and will undergo concussion protocol for the second time in 2022.

The Maple Leafs will exercise caution and patience here and are not placing a timeline on return.

“The head stuff is scary. It's scary when you see a guy that you're close with go down,” Spezza said. “It definitely puts guys a little more on notice than a normal injury.”

Marner has been checking in with Muzzin regularly since he skated off the ice. Just as he did when Muzzin was at home dealing with January’s concussion.

“Probably the guy I'm closest with on this team, realistically speaking, just hanging out with and stuff like that,” Marner said.

“I think it gets lonely at times, because you're kinda sitting at home some days and not feeling great. You just gotta be by yourself and being in quiet spots.”

Laine is on a heckuva heater

The NHL is a more fun league when Patrik Laine is relevant.

Over the pending RFA’s current 10-game point streak, he has scored 12 goals, 20 points and ripped three game-winners, including Tuesday’s clock-freezer 20 seconds into the fourth period.

Laine also drew a critical hooking penalty on Morgan Rielly with 11 seconds left in the second period that helped set up Columbus’s game-tying power-play strike early in the third. Keefe highlighted that penalty and goal as the night’s turning point.

The winger has flipped from a minus-29 skater last season in Columbus to a plus-5.

“This year, I’ve gone back to my old days, how I used to play. I feel like I’m better than I used to be, but there’s so much more — so much more — there. I’m not even close to hitting the ceiling.” Laine told The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline

There is much consternation in Ohio over whether Laine would be willing to ink a long-term deal with the Jackets.

“Of course,” Laine said. “I’ve got nothing bad to say about this place, the organization, the city, the players.

“I don’t think about (the contract). It’s pretty much up to them. What are they thinking? I do what I do on the ice, and the rest is in their hands.”

Tavares shows frustration

John Tavares is the posterboy for even keel. But a rare 10-game(!) goal drought is eating at him.

Tavares and William Nylander, the offence drivers of Toronto’s second line, came into Columbus averaging 2.2 and 2.7 shots, respectively, in February. Too many nights the ice has been tilted against them.

So, although neither found the net Tuesday, it was at least a positive that that duo combined for nine shots, played solid defence, and generated a number of good looks.

When the captain couldn’t get anything to fall, however, he wore it on his face more than usual, and slammed his stick in annoyance.

“The offensive stuff is going to come,” Keefe assured. “My focus was how they defended, and I thought they did a good job today.”

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2022-02-23 05:30:00Z
1289968402

Stephen A. & JJ Redick disagree about Juwan Howard's 5-game suspension & $40K fine | First Take - ESPN

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2022-02-22 16:00:20Z
1306121677

NHL Highlights | Kraken vs. Canucks - Feb. 21, 2022 - SPORTSNET

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2022-02-22 06:11:21Z
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Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews gives snarky response to reporter's 'great question' - Yahoo Canada Sports

Auston Matthews will call you out for asking a weird question.

During his game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, the Toronto Maple Leafs star collided mouth-first into the crossbar and ended up losing a tooth.

After the damage to his pearly whites, one reporter asked the 24-year-old about the incident and Matthews snapped back with a huge dose of sarcasm.

“I saw the crossbar and I just decided I think it would be a great idea if I just put my face right through it,” he said with a wry and swollen smile. "Great question."

But don’t worry about the crossbar getting away with potentially damaging Matthews’ modelling career. Teammate Mitch Marner took some revenge during practice the next day, picking a fight with the post.

Luckily for the Leafs and Matthews himself, he didn’t miss any games for losing his tooth, continuing his elite season that should earn him some heavy Hart Trophy consideration.

Through 45 games, Matthews has scored 33 goals and his 59 points are 12 more than his next closest Toronto teammate. He is just two goals behind the Rangers’ Chris Kreider for the NHL lead in goals scored.

Matthews and the Maple Leafs are back in action Monday in a road tilt with the rival Montreal Canadiens.

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NHL Highlights | Wild vs. Oilers - Feb. 20, 2022 - SPORTSNET

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2022-02-21 04:09:23Z
1305606924

Rangers @ Senators 2/20 | NHL Highlights 2022 - NHL

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2022-02-21 00:52:40Z
1306471865

Maple Leafs place Ryan Dzingel on waivers after trade with Coyotes - Sportsnet.ca

| February 20, 2022, 2:04 PM

February 20, 2022, 2:04 PM

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas confirmed on Sunday that newly acquired forward Ryan Dzingel has been placed on waivers.

If Dzingel clears waivers, the Leafs intend to assign him to the AHL's Toronto Marlies. The forward was traded to Toronto along with defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin in a deal for Nick Ritchie and a conditional draft pick.

Defenceman Rasmus Sandin has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies in order for the Leafs to get under the cap. Lyubushkin is expected to join Leafs in Columbus on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old is a seven-season NHL veteran who was first drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the seventh round of the 2011 draft. He played three-and-a-half seasons in Ottawa before he was traded to the Blue Jackets.

He has since had stints with the Carolina Hurricanes and he made a return to the Senators before he signed this past summer with Arizona.

In 26 games played this season, Dzingel has seven points and 35 penalty minutes.

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2022-02-20 19:04:00Z
1296247809

IOC president declares the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games closed - CBC Sports

After an action-packed 16 days of competition, the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games were officially declared closed on Sunday during the the closing ceremony at the city's National Stadium, also known as the "Bird's Nest" for its unique web of 35 kilometres of twisting steel.

As the ceremony, which was shorter than usual due to cold weather conditions, drew to a close, International Olympic Committee head Thomas Bach addressed the athletes.

"We were deeply touched how you were wishing and cheering for your competitors to achieve their best as well. You not only respected each other. You supported each other. You embraced each other, even if your countries are divided by conflict," he said.

"You overcame these divisions, demonstrating that in this Olympic community we are all equal — regardless of what we look like, where we come from, or what we believe in. This unifying power of the Olympic Games is stronger than the forces that want to divide us: you give peace a chance. 

May the political leaders around the world be inspired by your example of solidarity and peace."

WATCH | Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games closing ceremony:

Olympic Winter Games Morning - Closing Ceremony | Beijing 2022

4 hours ago

Duration 3:35:00

Watch CBC's coverage of the Closing Ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games Beijing 2022 as the festivities come to a close on Day 16. 3:35:00

Bach also struck a political tone when he acknowledged the difficulties brought by the pandemic and urged the international community to ensure vaccines are made available "for everybody around the world."

He then marked the Beijing Games closed.

"In accordance with tradition, I call upon the youth of the world to assemble four years from now in Milano Cortina, Italy, to celebrate with all of us the 25th Olympic Winter Games."

Volunteers carrying each country's flag then gathered together in the centre of the stadium as the Olympic rings rose from the ground, passing the snowflake cauldron as it was lowered. As the children once again sang the Olympic theme, as well as the Beijing 2022 theme You and Me, the Olympic torch was extinguished.

WATCH | Olympic cauldron extinguished to close Beijing 2022:

Olympic cauldron extinguished to close Beijing 2022

1 hour ago

Duration 6:28

Children sang as the snowflake cauldron was extinguished and a magnificent firework show lit up Beijing. 6:28

As is customary, the ceremony ended with a fireworks display that included the Olympic rings, as well as the Chinese characters and English words "One world one family." A dance of golden dragons gave way to a golden ring.

Earlier, after Bach and China's President Xi Jinping entered the stadium, the closing ceremony got underway in much the same way as the opening ceremony ended: with the lighting of the unconventional Olympic cauldron, which for Beijing was in fact a giant snowflake with the Olympic torch inside.

The snowflake theme that ran throughout the opening ceremony is continuing for the closing ceremony, as children using snowflake-shaped lanterns lit up an emblem on the stadium floor inspired by the Chinese character for "winter."

The lanterns also mark the Chinese tradition of lighting lanterns in the days leading up to and following the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, known as the Yuanxiao Festival. The closing ceremony falls on the 20th day of the Lunar New Year.

After the Chinese flag was raised and anthem played, the athletes began parading in to the stadium. Team Canada was led by speed skater Isabelle Weidemann, three-time medallist at these Games, who was unveiled as flag-bearer Sunday morning in Beijing (Saturday evening in. Canada). Weidemann won a medal of each colour — gold, silver and bronze — as part of a successful Team Canada campaign that saw the country claim a total of 26 medals: four gold, eight silver and 14 bronze.

WATCH | Isabelle Weidemann carries Canadian flag into closing ceremony:

Isabelle Weidemann carries Canadian flag into closing ceremony

1 hour ago

Duration 2:20

The Canadian speed skater was named Canada's flag bearer after winning gold, silver and bronze medals at Beijing 2022. 2:20

Just over 100 of the 215 Canadian athletes who competed were still in Beijing at the end of the Games to attend the closing ceremony.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a statement on Sunday congratulating the country's Olympians.

"As we celebrate our Olympians and their 26 medals, let us also recognize the years of training, sacrifice, and perseverance it took them to get this far and the many challenges they've had to overcome, including the COVID-19 pandemic," Trudeau said. "With courage and dedication, all members of Team Canada delivered incredible performances at this year's Games, inspiring Canadians of all ages."

Athletes from Canada march into the stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games on Sunday in Beijing. (Natacha Pisarenko/The Associated Press)

As the athletes paraded in, a traditional Chinese knot appeared on the floor of the stadium to mark China's connection with the world and the Olympic spirit of togetherness. The knot was rendered with augmented reality (AR) technology and presented in high definition — no physical knot was present.

As the athletes walked in to the sounds of Beethoven's infamous Ode to Joy, giant skates in the shapes of the 12 animals that make up the Chinese zodiac zoomed around the stadium floor. 

Short-track speed skater Charles Hamelin, who competed in his fifth and final Games and won gold in the men's relay, said the team is still relishing its win.

"We're still on the roll of partying and having fun with everyone," Hamelin said. "It's something that you get [to do] only one time when you're at the Olympics."

As is custom at the closing ceremony, a medal ceremony for a late event was held. In this case, ross-country skiing medals were awarded for the women's 30 km and men's 50 km mass start free events. At previous Olympics, a medal ceremony was only held for a men's event. But beginning last summer in Tokyo, medals were handed out in a men's and women's event, in an ongoing effort to bring more gender equity to the Games.

After a moment to recognize the Games' many volunteers and the introduction of the new members of the IOC's athletes' commission, a little bit of Canadian content appeared in the soundtrack to a video montage of top moments from the Games. The highlight reel went along to the song You Can Get It by Hamilton, Ont., band Arkells, featuring K.Flay.

Before the Greek flag was raised and anthem played was the customary moment of remembrance. For Beijing, that included a willow twig, which is given when two good friends part ways, a custom that dates back thousands of years in China. The Chinese character for "willow" is also a homophone for the character for "staying," or "longing," making the willow a symbol not only of friendship, but also of longing for loved ones.

As the Olympic flag was lowered, the Malanhua'er Children's Choir from the mountains of Fuping country, Hebei province, returned for the closing ceremony to sing the Olympic anthem. As it is customary to wear new clothes after the Lunar New Year, the children wore different costumes that were adorned with patterns representing prosperity for the new year.

The children sang the Olympic anthem in Greek, which took them three months to learn.

The flag was then handed over to the mayors of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, which will host the next Olympic Winter Games in 2026. Organizers note that Milano Cortina 2026 will mark the first time an Olympics will be hosted by two cities, two regions (Lombardia and Veneto) and two provinces (Trento and Bolzano), representing two distinct but complementary areas: the city and the mountains.

Just as Beijing 2022 marked the first time a city has hosted two Olympics (the first was the 2008 Summer Games), Cortina hosted the Winter Olympic in 1956.

Organizers of the 2026 Games had a few moments in the closing ceremony to preview the event, and chose to highlight the main vision: harmony between mankind and nature. First, the Italian anthem was interpreted by two musicians from the two regions, singer Malika Ayane and violinist Giovanni Andrea Zanon.

Viewers were then taken on a video tour of the two cities alongside two unknown characters, who then appeared live in the National Stadium to perform a pas de deux as the souls of the mountains and the city, showing the importance of a "respectful dialogue" between mankind and nature.

In the spirit of sustainability, some 92 per cent of venues for the 2026 Games already exist.

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2022-02-20 14:56:36Z
1269384327

Germany's Nolte wins Olympic women's bobsleigh gold, Canada's de Bruin 5th - CBC Sports

A poor start in her third run was enough to distance Christine de Bruin from the lead pack and eventually leave the Canadian and brakewoman Kristen Bujnowski off the medal podium in Olympic bobsleigh on Saturday.

They rebounded with a quicker start in the fourth and final run but recorded a slower finish, placing fifth in a combined time of four minutes 6.37 seconds in the two-woman event at Yanqing National Sliding Centre.

"I'm just really proud of us. This experience really shows we're a strong team," de Bruin of Stony Plain, Alta., told CBC Sports. "If one of us messed up, it didn't matter, [we] just [kept] going at it. We're fighters, and that's nice."

De Bruin, 32, was nearly a second behind fellow pilot Elana Meyers Taylor of the United States, who clocked 4:05.48 for bronze with first-time Olympian Sylvia Hoffman and collected her fourth career medal in the event.

Meyers Taylor is now the most decorated Black Winter Olympian after capturing monobob silver on Monday. Five medals is two more than any other Olympic bobsledder, male or female, has won for the U.S.

"That is overwhelming," the 37-year-old said. "It's so crazy to hear that stat and know that I'm part of a legacy that's bigger than me."

Germany's Laura Nolte won gold in 4:03.96, followed by teammate Mariama Jamanka (4:04.73), the 2018 Olympic champion.

WATCH | Nolte wins 2-woman gold after narrowly missing monobob podium:

German Laura Nolte captures bobsleigh gold in Olympic debut

5 hours ago

Duration 4:05

The 23-year-old and partner Deborah Levi took home the gold medal with 0.77 second margin of victory. 4:05

Germany now has eight gold in nine events and 14 medals overall in the three sliding sports at the Beijing Olympics. The Germans will likely add to that on the final day since they have the top two sleds at the midpoint of the four-man competition that will end Sunday. They already have more gold, and more medals, in sliding events than any nation ever has at any Olympics.

American Kaillie Humphries, who won two-woman Olympic gold sliding for Canada in 2010 and 2014, was seventh on Saturday in 4:07.04 after winning Monday's monobob, which made its Winter Games debut in China.

Humphries reportedly was battling a right leg injury that adversely impacted her start times with Olympic rookie Kaysha Love.

"It hurts, I won't lie," Humphries said. "I gave every ounce of everything I had to the last two days and it wasn't there. We can't be fearful of not being the best."

Humphries plans to miss the next one or two seasons to start a family and insisted Saturday she would race at one final Olympics in 2026.

Toronto native Cynthia Appiah (4:07.52) finished eighth after starting the day in that position while Melissa Lotholz of Barrhead, Alta., climbed four spots to 12th in a time of 4:08.37 with Sara Villani.

A tough third run by de Bruin extended to Appiah, who cleaned up some early mistakes and had a good entrance into the 12th of 16 corners before avoiding serious injury after hitting the left wall and tipping her sled.

WATCH | Appiah crashes in 3rd run coming out of 13th curve:

Canada's Appiah suffers crash during 3rd run of Olympic bobsleigh event

7 hours ago

Duration 1:50

Canada's Cynthia Appiah and brakewoman Dawn Richardson Wilson crash during their third run of the 2-woman bobsleigh event at Beijing 2022. 1:50

Appiah, who exited the sled under her own power along with brakewoman Dawn Richardson Wilson, was given a 1:01.95 finish time.

Appiah also hit the wall in the same spot, coming out of the 13th curve, in her final run but had a clean finish to her Olympic debut after being an alternate four years ago. The 31-year-old former track and field athlete was ready to quit bobsleigh after leaving Pyeongchang, South Korea, but pressed on and transitioned to being a pilot on the track.

"This is where I was supposed to be" 👏<br><br>Olympic bobsled debutant, Dawn Richardson-Wilson on what it means to represent more than just your country on the world's largest stage <br><br>WATCH ‘Being Black in Canada at the Olympic Games': <a href="https://t.co/VybzDnfc5u">https://t.co/VybzDnfc5u</a> <a href="https://t.co/fswcheXULJ">pic.twitter.com/fswcheXULJ</a>

&mdash;@CBCOlympics

Meanwhile, de Bruin and Bujnowski couldn't make up for slowness at the top of the track in their third run. Their last run in Beijing included a faster start, a hit wall on the ninth curve and too much height on others.

Earlier this season, Graham Richardson, team manager and technical driver coach for Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton, noticed improved physical ability from the duo.

"Christine had a tendency when running fast behind the sled to have a shorter stride length that would kill her velocity," Richardson said of de Bruin, who placed seventh with Lotholz at the 2018 Olympics after missing the 2014 Games with a back injury. "In her general training, she's worked at making sure the steps are more powerful. Her start times are getting better but, more importantly, the velocity's getting better.

"Christine knows when to get in the sled to let Buj accelerate. It's so technically difficult to get into the sled [to] add velocity, but working with Jamie McCartney, our push coach, they have improved a great deal."

However, a 5.51-second start in the third run was de Bruin and Bujnowski's downfall on Saturday as Meyers Taylor set a start record of 5.30 to extend her lead over the Canadians to 72-100ths of a second.

De Bruin and Bujnowski were quicker off the start in the fourth run (5.45-5.35) but too far behind Meyers Taylor, who topped this season's World Cup standings.

WATCH | 5th-place de Bruin improves 2 spots from 2018 Olympics:

Canadian Christine de Bruin places 5th in 2-woman bobsleigh

5 hours ago

Duration 2:12

de Bruin and partner Kristen Bujnowski finished just under one second off the podium at Beijing 2022. 2:12

Bujnowski said she learned more about herself at these Games and how to better handle stressful situations.

"I feel really confident going forward and racing because I think we can accomplish a lot," said Bujnowski, while de Bruin nodded in approval.

We can look at each other and know what we're thinking. The communication is strong, and we really are a team.— Canadian bobsleigh pilot Christine de Bruin

Talk of de Bruin and Bujnowski as serious medal contenders at these Games increased after they earned four bronze in eight World Cup starts this season to follow a bronze performance at a Beijing test event in October.

The world's fourth-ranked tandem clicked early following the return of Bujnowski, who sat out last season because of COVID-19 restrictions after straining her right calf. The 29-year-old from Mount Brydges, Ont., showed little rust in lowering the women's push record to 5.36 seconds at Calgary's Ice House before the Olympic test event.

De Bruin and Bujnowski had a 2018-19 breakthrough season featuring two World Cup silver and world championship bronze. A year later, they added another World Cup silver and world bronze.

"We can look at each other and know what we're thinking," de Bruin said. "The communication is strong, and we really are a team. It's not just the pilot telling the brakeman what to do."

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.

(CBC)

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2022-02-19 17:54:55Z
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After Kamila Valieva debacle, IOC president takes rare shots at Russians - CBC.ca

IOC President Thomas Bach joined the global bandwagon of support for Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva Friday, criticizing her entourage and questioning whether 15-year-old athletes should be put under such pressure at the Olympics.

His tone surprised Olympic observers – accustomed to hearing Bach defend Russian athletes despite the massive 2014 doping scandal – and drew a quick rebuke from Moscow.

Valieva's emotional breakdown after a mistake-strewn skate and unforgiving questioning by her coach made millions of viewers cringe, especially after a week-long drama over her positive drug test. Bach said he felt the same way, spending much of his news conference taking rare swipes at Russia.

"I was very, very disturbed yesterday when I watched the competition on TV," Bach said at an Olympics that began with Vladimir Putin sitting in the VIP section at the opening ceremony despite a Russian troop buildup near the Ukraine border.

Bach had direct criticism of Valieva's entourage, saying they showed "a tremendous coldness, it was chilling to see this."

The IOC leader did not mention Eteri Tutberidze, though he clearly targeted the preeminent coach of Russia's dominant women's figure skating program.

Bach's words got him into a testy exchange with a Russian reporter. Later, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Bach "does not like the toughness of our coaches, but everyone knows that in elite sports the coach's toughness is key to the students' victories."

WATCH l Valieva struggles in free skate, finishes 4th:

15-year-old Kamila Valieva struggles in free skate, finishes 4th

1 day ago

Duration 9:02

The Russian figure skater fell twice in the final skate of her controversial performance at Beijing 2022. 9:02

The endless Olympic story of unethical behaviour by Russian sports officials is casting a shadow over a fifth straight Games in Bach's nine years as president. Many critics of the IOC say Valieva's doping scandal is a direct result of Russia flouting the rules for decades without real punishment from the IOC.

Olympic sports have lived through a decade of Russian doping and cover-ups after the home team was caught cheating at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, a personal project of Putin. Through much of that time, the IOC and Bach made excuses for lighter than expected punishments.

Even in Beijing, Russia is technically banned from its third straight Games, but hundreds of Russian athletes are competing in their traditional colours with "Russian Olympic Committee" uniforms and flags. And they are winning medals – more than any country other than Norway.

The Bach-led IOC has consistently tried to keep Russia in the Games, citing the need to let a new generation of "clean athletes" compete as one reason not to ban Russia outright.

"This lack of leadership perpetuates athletes abuse and exposes the lack of oversight," Rob Koehler of the Global Athlete activist group said Friday.

Trusova, 17, brings up retirement

Global reaction to the Russian teenage skaters' tears after the women's figure skating results seemed to change the IOC's tone. Anna Shcherbakova won gold, Alexandra Trusova won silver, and Valieva stumbled out of the medals into fourth.

Trusova and Valieva sobbed as the scores were read, Trusova talked about retiring at 17 and viewers around the world questioned how youngsters could be put under such pressure.

Athlete mental health and safeguarding young women in sports are key responsibilities for sports bodies, and Bach had to react.

His attack on the entourage did not address the larger culture that has helped Tutberidze flourish, even as her athletes retire in their teens and suffer serious injuries. She is the International Skating Union's coach of the year and the most powerful figure in Russian skating.

WATCH l Mental performance expert breaks down Valieva's Olympic journey:

Mental performance expert breaks down Kamila Valieva's Olympic journey

19 hours ago

Duration 6:54

Longtime Olympic sport psychologist Peter Jensen talks to Dylan Moscovitch and Asher Hill and puts Kamila Valieva's mental challenges in Beijing into context. 6:54

Bach also lamented the ruling in Beijing that let Valieva skate, pending the full doping investigation. Over the years, Bach has defended decisions and rulings that allowed Russian athletes continue to compete.

"The IOC always points blame at everyone else and never accepts accountability," Koehler said.

Perhaps the most striking response to Valieva's plight came from Bach's home country of Germany. Katarina Witt, the last woman to win figure skating gold at two different Olympics, was tearful as she commentated on the event.

"It is so irresponsible what was done here," said Witt who grew up as a skating phenom in authoritarian East Germany before winning Olympic gold in 1984 and '88. "The whole world was watching and then she broke. She is 15. She's a child."

"There was a political pressure placed on her. I wish someone like her mother or someone responsible would have taken her out of there," Witt said.

Proximity to Putin a regular criticism of the IOC

A regular criticism of the IOC under Bach is that it has been indulgent of Russia and too close to Putin, who is set to join Olympic sports bodies in May for part of a week-long conference in Ekaterinburg.

Minutes after Bach's comments about Valieva's team, a journalist wearing a Russian Olympic Committee team jacket questioned the IOC.

He asked if Bach felt partly responsible for "media chaos" around Valieva that included "hate speeches", "bullying of a 15-year-old" and "political propaganda."

An untypically confrontational Bach replied with "the ones who have administered this drug in her body, these are the ones who are guilty."

Bach generally withholds comments from ongoing investigations. On Friday, he directly contradicted Valieva's lawyers' arguments that the sample was accidentally contaminated by her grandfather's heart medication.

Russian anti-doping officials are responsible for the doping case, but IOC and World Anti-Doping Agency officials have said they will also investigate. Whatever the findings, expect appeals and counter investigations that stretch out for months.

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2022-02-18 15:59:21Z
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