Simpson took a big hit late in the second half and didn't appear to be 100%.
Jalyn Brown scores 20 for No. 24 Michigan State women in 80-60 win over Indiana
The Spartans pulled away in the second half, including an 11-1 run late in the fourth quarter that lasted over five minutes.
Islanders allow season-worst seven goals in blowout loss to Mammoth
NEW YORK (AP) — Dylan Guenther had his first career hat trick and added an assist and the Utah Mammoth topped the New York Islanders 7-2 on Thursday.
Nick Schmaltz scored twice and added an assist, Clayton Keller and Mikhail Sergachev each had a goal and two assists, while Lawson Crouse and Barrett Hayton each had two assists. Karel Vejmelka returned from a two-game absence and finished with 20 saves as the Mammoth snapped a two-game skid.
Cal Ritchie and Matthew Schaefer scored for New York, and Max Shabanov had two assists. David Rittich made nine saves on 14 shots, but was replaced by Marcus Hogberg 5:41 into the third period.
Guenther scored his second goal of the game when he buried a backhand feed from Crouse to give Utah a 2-1 lead midway through the second period. He also opened the scoring just 36 seconds into the middle period.
The Islanders briefly tied it 1-1 early in the second period when Ritchie fired a wrist shot over the glove of Vejmelka.
Schmaltz beat Rittich with less than four minutes remaining in the second period to extend Utah’s lead to two goals.
Mammoth forward Alex Kerfoot took a four-minute high-sticking penalty late in the second, but the Islanders didn’t capitalize on the ensuing power play.
Sergachev and Keller scored in the first six minutes of the third period to stretch Utah’s lead to 5-1 and prompt the Islanders to change goaltenders.
Guenther completed the hat trick and scored his 20th goal of the season by sliding the puck between the legs of Hogberg with less than seven minutes remaining.
Schaefer scored a power-play goal midway through the third period for his 10th of the season.
Up next
Mammoth: visit the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.
Islanders: host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.
Texas Tech’s blowout loss just the latest College Football Playoff humiliation for Brett Yormark, Big 12
While the four power conferences appear to be trying to box out the other leagues while expanding the field, the Big 12's abysmal playoff record just got even worse with another bad loss.
Observations after Maxey nearly posts triple-double in Sixers' win over Mavs
Observations after Maxey nearly posts triple-double in Sixers' win over Mavs originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Tyrese Maxey was just two rebounds shy of his second career triple-double Thursday night in Dallas.
He led the Sixers to a 123-108 victory at American Airlines Center by tallying 34 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and two steals.
The Sixers improved to 18-14 this season. Dallas dropped to 12-23.
VJ Edgecombe posted 23 points, five rebounds and four steals. Joel Embiid had 22 points, six assists and four boards.
Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee LCL sprain) and Trendon Watford (left adductor strain) were still out for the Sixers.
The Sixers are now 2-2 on their road trip and will close it out Saturday night against the Knicks. Here are observations on the team’s win over the Mavs:
Defense late to the party again
For the third straight game, the Sixers’ stops were minimal in the early going.
Dallas began 9 for 10 from the floor and took a 20-14 lead when Cooper Flagg burst forward for a fast-break jam.
The Sixers gave the Mavs far too many opportunities to score inside and allowed 26 first-quarter points in the paint. Overall, the Sixers’ defense has not been stellar this season in first quarters. Ahead of Thursday night’s game, here was the team’s defensive rating by quarter:
- First quarter: 119.4 (22nd in NBA)
- Second quarter: 109.6 (Fourth)
- Third quarter: 123.6 (30th)
- Fourth quarter: 104.3 (First)
Across the Sixers’ last three games, their opponents have combined to start a staggering 25 for 27 from the field (92.6 percent).
Sixers’ stars key big, entertaining second quarter
Offensively, the Sixers’ stars flowed together nicely and spearheaded an excellent second quarter.
Maxey sped past Caleb Martin and laid the ball in as his former teammate stumbled to the floor. Embiid assisted a Quentin Grimes corner three. Paul George drove through the Mavs’ defense and threw down a dunk that delighted his teammates.
The Sixers went up 11 points late in the second quarter when Edgecombe drained a long-range jumper. Edgecombe was one of the Sixers’ four double-figure scorers in the first half. Grimes added eight second-quarter points, too.
Edgecombe is up to nine 20-point games in the NBA, including six over his last eight outings.
Grimes plays important part in Sixers closing it out
The Sixers used five players off the bench. Grimes logged 38 minutes as their sixth man.
Justin Edwards was the odd man out and Jabari Walker returned to the rotation after Dominick Barlow picked up two early fouls. Andre Drummond got the first crack at backup center minutes, but Adem Bona assumed that role in the second half and also got a stint next to Embiid for the last 84 seconds of the second quarter.
Barlow never escaped his foul trouble and ultimately committed his sixth personal with 7:33 left in the fourth quarter. Bona replaced him.
As they had in their Dec. 20 loss to the Sixers, the Mavs shoot poorly from three-point territory, going 6 for 28. Even without much three-point assistance, Dallas cut its deficit to 94-90 on a Naji Marshall leaner early in the fourth quarter.
The Sixers then produced a stretch of big-time shotmaking across the board.
Maxey kept delivering driving buckets and had a true do-it-all performance. Embiid buried a tightly guarded mid-range jumper, Grimes made a wing three and the Sixers’ lead was soon back in double digits.
Grimes played his best game in weeks with 19 points on 7-for-9 shooting, seven rebounds and two assists.
Edgecombe’s hustle and defense shined as his team neared the finish line, Grimes nailed an important jumper to snap a late 7-0 Mavs run, and the Sixers gave themselves a shot at a winning road trip.
Observations after Maxey nearly posts triple-double in Sixers' win over Mavs
Observations after Maxey nearly posts triple-double in Sixers' win over Mavs originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Tyrese Maxey was just two rebounds shy of his second career triple-double Thursday night in Dallas.
He led the Sixers to a 123-108 victory at American Airlines Center by tallying 34 points, 10 assists, eight rebeounds and two steals.
The Sixers improved to 18-14 this season and 2-2 on their five-game road trip. Dallas dropped to 12-23.
VJ Edgecombe posted 23 points, five rebounds and four steals. Joel Embiid had 22 points, six assists and four boards.
Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee LCL sprain) and Trendon Watford (left adductor strain) were still out for the Sixers.
The Sixers are now 2-2 on their road trip and will close it out Saturday night against the Knicks. Here are observations on the team’s win over the Mavs:
Defense late to the party again
For the third straight game, the Sixers’ stops were minimal in the early going.
Dallas began 9 for 10 from the floor and took a 20-14 lead when Cooper Flagg burst forward for a fast-break jam.
The Sixers gave the Mavs far too many opportunities to score inside and allowed 26 first-quarter points in the paint. Overall, the Sixers’ defense has not been stellar this season in first quarters. Ahead of Thursday night’s game, here’s the team’s defensive rating by quarter:
- First quarter: 119.4 (22nd in NBA)
- Second quarter: 109.6 (Fourth)
- Third quarter: 123.6 (30th)
- Fourth quarter: 104.3 (First)
Across the Sixers’ last three games, their opponents have combined to start a staggering 25 for 27 from the field (92.6 percent).
Sixers’ stars key big, entertaining second quarter
Offensively, the Sixers’ stars flowed together nicely and spearheaded an excellent second quarter.
Maxey sped past Caleb Martin and laid the ball in as his former teammate stumbled to the floor. Embiid assisted a Quentin Grimes corner three. Paul George drove through the Mavs’ defense and threw down a dunk that delighted his teammates.
The Sixers went up 11 points late in the second quarter when Edgecombe drained a long-range jumper. Edgecombe was one of the Sixers’ four double-figure scorers in the first half. Grimes added eight second-quarter points, too.
Edgecombe is up to nine 20-point games in the NBA, including six over his last eight outings.
Grimes plays important part in Sixers closing it out
The Sixers used five players off the bench. Grimes logged 38 minutes as their sixth man.
Justin Edwards was the odd man out and Jabari Walker returned to the rotation after Dominick Barlow picked up two early fouls. Andre Drummond got the first crack at backup center minutes, but Adem Bona assumed that role in the second half and also got a stint next to Embiid for the last 84 seconds of the second quarter.
Barlow never escaped his foul trouble and ultimately committed his sixth personal with 7:33 left in the fourth quarter. Bona replaced him.
As they had in their Dec. 20 loss to the Sixers, the Mavs shoot poorly from three-point territory, going 6 for 28. Even without much three-point assistance, Dallas cut its deficit to 94-90 on a Naji Marshall leaner early in the fourth quarter.
The Sixers then produced a stretch of big-time shotmaking across the board.
Maxey kept delivering driving buckets and had a true do-it-all performance. Embiid buried a tightly guarded mid-range jumper, Grimes made a wing three and the Sixers’ lead was soon back in double digits.
Grimes played his best game in weeks with 19 points on 7-for-9 shooting, seven rebounds and two assists.
Edgecombe’s hustle and defense shined as his team neared the finish line, Grimes nailed an important jumper to snap a late 7-0 Mavs run, and the Sixers gave themselves a shot at a winning road trip.
CFP teams with a first-round bye have lost their first six quarterfinal games
Since the College Football Playoff expanded to 12 teams ahead of the 2024 season, teams with a first-round bye lost their first six games.
Playoff parity is here as Ohio State’s loss ensures 4 new teams fill out CFP semis
The semifinals of the first two 12-team College Football Playoffs have featured eight different programs.
"They're Helping Us Along": Red Wings Praise Fans For Energizing Little Caesars Arena
The Detroit Red Wings closed out the calendar year of 2025 on a winning note, defeating the Winnipeg Jets by a 2-1 final score at Little Caesars Arena in their annual New Year's Eve game in downtown Detroit.
For the Red Wings, it was their sixth victory in their last seven outings on home ice, improving their overall record to 14-7-1 in front of the home fans.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
Red Wings forward Mason Appleton, who collected his second goal in as many games in the victory over the Jets on Wednesday evening, explained that Detroit wants to be a club that their opposition fears when they arrive at Little Caesars Arena.
"You want to be a team that's feared when someone comes into your building," he said. "To kind of establish something like that and build toward it, it goes a long way, because you want teams to fear you and have that doubt in their heads before you even drop the puck."
Head coach Todd McLellan can feel the energy in the building from the routinely sold out crowds in the venue, noting that the team feeds off it.
"I think maybe we don't talk about it enough, and maybe we should, but you can feel the energy (in the building) build with each game," McLellan said. "I feel like when we come now, it's there, and there's excitement. The games are tight, and we may not always win them, but they're competitive games."
One of the most passionate fan bases in the NHL, the fans have remained with the Red Wings through thick and thin and have brought the energy night in and night out at Little Caesars Arena, which has yet to host a Stanley Cup Playoff game since opening in 2017.
"It Feels Good" Former Jet Mason Appleton Relishes In Scoring For Red Wings Former Winnipeg Jets forward Mason Appleton scored what proved to be the game-winning goal against his former club as part of the Detroit Red Wings' 2-1 victory on Wednesday evening. However, if the Red Wings continue on their current path, playoff hockey could very well be returning to the Motor City for what would be the first time since 2016. While the energy in the venue from the fans has been strong, the playoffs would bring an entirely new level of spirit and passion.
"When I can feel it, I'm sure the players can, too," McLellan said of the fans. "So, they're helping us along, they really are, and we appreciate it."
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Blues' Zach Dean Cleared By NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program; Will Return To Springfield Thunderbirds
St. Louis Blues forward Zach Dean has been cleared by the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program and will return to the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL.
Prior to the start of the season, the 22-year-old was placed in the program and has yet to play any games. Dean played just 11 games with the Thunderbirds last year, scoring one goal and four points.
The previous season was his first playing professionally. He skated in nine NHL games with the Blues but failed to record a point. In his rookie AHL season, he scored nine goals and 14 points.
Dean was originally a first-round pick (30th overall) in 2021 by the Vegas Golden Knights, but was acquired by the Blues in a trade that sent Ivan Barbashev the other way. Standing 6-foot, 176 pounds, Dean plays at a high pace, blending slick puckhanding skills and playmaking vision.
Dean is set to become an RFA at the end of the season and is due for a contract extension. It's been challenging to access Dean's play due to the missed time, but the Blues hope he can improve his play in the AHL and earn another call-up to the NHL.
The Thunderbirds are currently in sixth place in the Atlantic Division with an 11-12-4-2 record.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Nick Saban thinks he can fix college football, but he says no one will listen to him
College football doesn't need a czar.
Edwards leads way with 25 as No. 3 South Carolina wins 24th straight game over Alabama 83-57
Joyce Edwards scored 25 points and No. 3 South Carolina won its 24th straight game over previously undefeated Alabama 83-57 on Thursday to start Southeastern Conference play. Raven Johnson added 17 points for the Gamecocks (14-1, 1-0 SEC), who played without injured Ta'Niya LSatson, who is second on the team with a 16.9-point average. It was another outing in which the Gamecocks were less than full strength.
Sunderland 0-0 Manchester City: Premier League – as it happened
Pep Guardiola’s team could find no way past Sunderland at a rowdy Stadium of Light
Regis Le Bris also spoke to Sky: “A few weeks ago we struggled because they were really good and efficient through their counter pressing. I hope we learnt the lesson but it will be another experience at home with another energy so we’ll see.”
Pep Guardiola has been speaking to Sky: “Tough place and it means that anyone could win here. Hopefully we can perform. Josko [Gvardiol] had a few niggles, an incredible run of playing every three days and Savinho has speed and is fresh.
Continue reading...Ottawa Senators Ring In The New Year With 4-3 Win Over Washington
Fabian Zetterlund’s goal with less than three minutes to play lifted the Ottawa Senators to a 4–3 victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday afternoon, snapping the Sens' three-game losing streak and starting the New Year on a positive note.
The goal was Zetterlund’s 10th of the season, and perhaps the easiest he’ll score all year, as he buried a gorgeous backhand feed from Thomas Chabot. It was a strong response after Aliaksei Protas had tied the game at the three-minute mark, less than two minutes earlier.
Leevi Meriläinen earned the win for the Senators, who outshot the Capitals 32–29 on the afternoon. Shane Pinto paced Ottawa’s offense with two assists.
Just 13 hours after the ball dropped on 2026, the Senators got their New Year off to a sluggish start in this one. Tom Wilson, fresh off a Gordie Howe hat trick and a Canadian Olympic selection the day before, opened the scoring with his 22nd goal of the season, cashing in on a rebound.
Dylan Strome added to the lead on the power play. Strome dangled past a stick check from Claude Giroux at the blue line, then walked down main street and beat Meriläinen with a strong, low wrist shot with just over a minute remaining in the first period.
But for Auld Lang Syne, a former Capital then pushed back against his old team.
Nick Jensen scored his second goal of the season right after Jake Sanderson rang one off the crossbar. The rebound kicked out to Jensen, who beat Logan Thompson with a wrist shot. It was a timely goal for Jensen, who had lost his man on the opening goal and had been a rare healthy scratch in the previous game.
Then, with 29 seconds left in the second, Ridly Greig, battling in front, knocked in his fifth goal of the year to tie the game at two after 40 minutes.
Early in the third, less than three minutes in, veteran David Perron scored to give the Senators a 3–2 advantage. Nick Cousins did some strong work behind the Washington net to free up the puck for Stephen Halliday, who made a great pass out front to Perron. Perron one-timed it past Thompson.
A few minutes later, the Sens celebrated what they thought was a Shane Pinto goal. Either the whistle had gone first, or officials ruled Pinto pushed Thompson’s pad with his stick. There wasn’t much discussion, they announced 'no goal' and that was that.
The Capitals pushed hard in the final 90 seconds with the goalie pulled but the Senators weathered the storm.
The Sens improve to 19-15-5 and will be back at it on Saturday night, hosting the Winnipeg Jets.
By Steve Warne
The Hockey News - Ottawa
Fans attending Winter Classic will have lots to do before heading inside ballpark, including welcoming players
It’s going to be a fun day in and around loanDepot park ahead of the 2026 Winter Classic on Friday.
In the hours leading up to the big game between the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers, there will be plenty for hockey fans to do to enjoy the event.
The NHL has already announced a special pregame festival taking place in the West Plaza and West Lot 3 of loanDepot park.
The 2026 Enterprise NHL Pregame will feature a wide variety of activations and interactive experiences, which will be open to all Winter Classic ticket holders.
Additionally, the NHL announced that fans will have the opportunity to welcome the players from each team to the ballpark when they arrive for the big game.
The Rangers are scheduled to get there around 4:45 p.m. and the Panthers at approximately 5:15 p.m.
Both teams are also expected to be wearing matching, themed attire for their arrivals to the ballpark, which is something that has become a tradition in recent years for outdoor games.
Fans interested in welcoming the players during their arrivals should gather on Sixth Street between 14th Avenue and 16th Avenue.
Former Panthers defenseman and NHL media personality Jason Demers will be on hand to welcome and interview players as they enter the ballpark.
The outdoor festival will run from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m., when the puck drops on the big game inside.
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