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Deadspin | Dustin Wolf, Flames deal defeat to playoff-bound Mammoth   Apr 12, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud (28) and Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) battle for the puck in front of Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports   Brayden Pachal scored his first goal of the season and added two assists, and the host Calgary Flames beat the Utah Mammoth 4-1 on Sunday night.  Matt Coronato, Connor Zary and Mikael Backlund also scored for the Flames (33-38-9, 75 points), who had lost three straight and are eliminated from playoff contention. Dustin Wolf made 28 saves. In two wins versus Utah this season, Wolf stopped 56 of 57 shots.  Lawson Crouse scored his 23rd goal of the season for the Mammoth (42-32-6, 90 points), who have clinched a playoff berth and lead the Los Angeles Kings by three points for the first wild card in the Western Conference. The Kings have played one fewer game, but Utah holds the regulation wins tiebreaker (32-21). Vitek Vanecek made 19 saves.  Clayton Keller (assist) extended his point streak to eight games (four goals, 13 assists).  The Mammoth went 0-for-3 on the power play; the Flames were 0-for-4.   Coronato gave the Flames a 1-0 lead at 7:06 of the first period when he took the puck away from Vanecek behind the net, circled out front and buried it for his 100th career point.  Zary made it 2-0 at 8:27 of the second period. Vanecek made a save against Zary in front and the loose puck went in off Zary’s skate.  Backlund increased the lead to 3-0 at 6:01 of the third period. Blake Coleman came in a partial breakaway and, after shooting, slid into the Vanecek and the net. Backlund knocked in the loose puck and the play was ruled a goal on the ice. Utah challenged for goaltender interference against Coleman, but after a review the goal was upheld.  Pachal made it 4-0 at 9:10 when he scored on a slap shot from the point off a pass from Aydar Suniev.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Dustin #Wolf #Flames #deal #defeat #playoffbound #Mammoth

Deadspin | Dustin Wolf, Flames deal defeat to playoff-bound Mammoth
Deadspin | Dustin Wolf, Flames deal defeat to playoff-bound Mammoth   Apr 12, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud (28) and Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) battle for the puck in front of Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports   Brayden Pachal scored his first goal of the season and added two assists, and the host Calgary Flames beat the Utah Mammoth 4-1 on Sunday night.  Matt Coronato, Connor Zary and Mikael Backlund also scored for the Flames (33-38-9, 75 points), who had lost three straight and are eliminated from playoff contention. Dustin Wolf made 28 saves. In two wins versus Utah this season, Wolf stopped 56 of 57 shots.  Lawson Crouse scored his 23rd goal of the season for the Mammoth (42-32-6, 90 points), who have clinched a playoff berth and lead the Los Angeles Kings by three points for the first wild card in the Western Conference. The Kings have played one fewer game, but Utah holds the regulation wins tiebreaker (32-21). Vitek Vanecek made 19 saves.  Clayton Keller (assist) extended his point streak to eight games (four goals, 13 assists).  The Mammoth went 0-for-3 on the power play; the Flames were 0-for-4.   Coronato gave the Flames a 1-0 lead at 7:06 of the first period when he took the puck away from Vanecek behind the net, circled out front and buried it for his 100th career point.  Zary made it 2-0 at 8:27 of the second period. Vanecek made a save against Zary in front and the loose puck went in off Zary’s skate.  Backlund increased the lead to 3-0 at 6:01 of the third period. Blake Coleman came in a partial breakaway and, after shooting, slid into the Vanecek and the net. Backlund knocked in the loose puck and the play was ruled a goal on the ice. Utah challenged for goaltender interference against Coleman, but after a review the goal was upheld.  Pachal made it 4-0 at 9:10 when he scored on a slap shot from the point off a pass from Aydar Suniev.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Dustin #Wolf #Flames #deal #defeat #playoffbound #MammothApr 12, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud (28) and Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) battle for the puck in front of Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Brayden Pachal scored his first goal of the season and added two assists, and the host Calgary Flames beat the Utah Mammoth 4-1 on Sunday night.

Matt Coronato, Connor Zary and Mikael Backlund also scored for the Flames (33-38-9, 75 points), who had lost three straight and are eliminated from playoff contention. Dustin Wolf made 28 saves. In two wins versus Utah this season, Wolf stopped 56 of 57 shots.

Lawson Crouse scored his 23rd goal of the season for the Mammoth (42-32-6, 90 points), who have clinched a playoff berth and lead the Los Angeles Kings by three points for the first wild card in the Western Conference. The Kings have played one fewer game, but Utah holds the regulation wins tiebreaker (32-21). Vitek Vanecek made 19 saves.

Clayton Keller (assist) extended his point streak to eight games (four goals, 13 assists).


The Mammoth went 0-for-3 on the power play; the Flames were 0-for-4.

Coronato gave the Flames a 1-0 lead at 7:06 of the first period when he took the puck away from Vanecek behind the net, circled out front and buried it for his 100th career point.

Zary made it 2-0 at 8:27 of the second period. Vanecek made a save against Zary in front and the loose puck went in off Zary’s skate.

Backlund increased the lead to 3-0 at 6:01 of the third period. Blake Coleman came in a partial breakaway and, after shooting, slid into the Vanecek and the net. Backlund knocked in the loose puck and the play was ruled a goal on the ice. Utah challenged for goaltender interference against Coleman, but after a review the goal was upheld.

Pachal made it 4-0 at 9:10 when he scored on a slap shot from the point off a pass from Aydar Suniev.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Dustin #Wolf #Flames #deal #defeat #playoffbound #Mammoth

Apr 12, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud (28) and Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) battle for the puck in front of Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Brayden Pachal scored his first goal of the season and added two assists, and the host Calgary Flames beat the Utah Mammoth 4-1 on Sunday night.

Matt Coronato, Connor Zary and Mikael Backlund also scored for the Flames (33-38-9, 75 points), who had lost three straight and are eliminated from playoff contention. Dustin Wolf made 28 saves. In two wins versus Utah this season, Wolf stopped 56 of 57 shots.

Lawson Crouse scored his 23rd goal of the season for the Mammoth (42-32-6, 90 points), who have clinched a playoff berth and lead the Los Angeles Kings by three points for the first wild card in the Western Conference. The Kings have played one fewer game, but Utah holds the regulation wins tiebreaker (32-21). Vitek Vanecek made 19 saves.

Clayton Keller (assist) extended his point streak to eight games (four goals, 13 assists).

The Mammoth went 0-for-3 on the power play; the Flames were 0-for-4.

Coronato gave the Flames a 1-0 lead at 7:06 of the first period when he took the puck away from Vanecek behind the net, circled out front and buried it for his 100th career point.

Zary made it 2-0 at 8:27 of the second period. Vanecek made a save against Zary in front and the loose puck went in off Zary’s skate.

Backlund increased the lead to 3-0 at 6:01 of the third period. Blake Coleman came in a partial breakaway and, after shooting, slid into the Vanecek and the net. Backlund knocked in the loose puck and the play was ruled a goal on the ice. Utah challenged for goaltender interference against Coleman, but after a review the goal was upheld.

Pachal made it 4-0 at 9:10 when he scored on a slap shot from the point off a pass from Aydar Suniev.

–Field Level Media

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IPL 2026: Prolonged interruptions, slow over-rate in MI vs RCB pose threats to the very purpose of T20s <div id="content-body-70856306" itemprop="articleBody"><p>If the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s innings — which stretched more than half an hour beyond the prescribed 90 minutes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) — was an example of cricket’s quickest format moving at a snail’s pace, the worst was yet to follow at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday night.</p><p>After a 16-minute innings break, the Mumbai Indians’ (MI) chase lasted 124 minutes.</p><p>The match eventually wrapped up nine minutes shy of midnight, taking the total duration to four hours and 21 minutes. It was long enough to set social media abuzz, with fans debating whether the marquee clash had outlasted several Indian films — not just Lagaan but even Dhurandhar.</p><p>To be fair, Mumbai experienced perhaps its hottest day of the summer so far, with players battling dehydration and requiring frequent medical attention. The match also featured 11 reviews and at least five injury-related stoppages, each contributing to the sluggish pace.</p><p>Yet, such prolonged interruptions defeat the very purpose of T20 cricket and test the concentration of players at the crease.</p><p>Sherfane Rutherford, whose lone fightback helped MI reduce the margin of defeat, admitted that maintaining focus amid repeated stoppages proved challenging.</p><p>Rutherford waited patiently as Rasikh Salam went down thrice in the 18th over before eventually heading back to the pavilion after the fifth ball — an over that epitomised the stop-start nature of the contest.</p><p><b>ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/ipl-2026-mi-vs-rcb-game-result-match-report-royal-challengers-bengaluru-mumbai-indians/article70855091.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Batters fire Royal Challengers Bengaluru past Mumbai Indians in high-scoring contest</a></b></p><p>“Yes, that was the toughest part for me. Every time Rasikh bowls, he takes five minutes,” Rutherford said.</p><p>“As a batter, you need momentum. Every time you have momentum, when there is a stop and start, it just keeps slowing up the game. It’s something that no one can control. You just have to learn from it. Hopefully, next time, you just try and stay in the game or try some way of being ahead of the game.”</p><p>With temperatures expected to rise further and an extreme heatwave forecast for the Maximum City later this week, prolonged T20 contests could become a recurring theme when MI hosts Punjab Kings on Thursday.</p><p>Another contributing factor is the IPL’s revised slow over-rate regulations. Until 2024, captains faced match bans — along with heavy fines — after three offences.</p><p>Since the 2025 season, however, the IPL governing council has introduced a demerit points system, with suspensions a distant possibility over a 36-month period. The shift appears to have reduced the urgency among captains to maintain over-rates, further slowing down the game.</p><p>It is perhaps time to remind everyone involved in the IPL that T20 cricket is supposed to be fast-paced in terms of speed of the game, not just the run-rate. Is anybody listening?</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 13, 2026</p></div> #IPL #Prolonged #interruptions #slow #overrate #RCB #pose #threats #purpose #T20s

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Ayush Shetty needed more patience in Badminton Asia Championships final; can be in top five: Sagar Chopda <div id="content-body-70856216" itemprop="articleBody"><p>India’s impressive run in men’s singles at the Badminton Asia Championships fell short in the final, but Sagar Chopda, head coach at the Centre for Badminton Excellence, believes silver-medallist Ayush Shetty has the potential to reach the very top of the sport.</p><p>The Indian shuttler went down in straight games against World No. 2 Chinese Shi Yu Qi in Ningbo on Sunday.</p><p>“I believe Ayush has the potential to be a top-five player in the world. We’ve always believed he can become a true champion,” Chopda told <i>PTI </i>after the 20-year-old won silver at the continental meet.</p><p>“We just need to be patient, but he definitely has the potential to reach that level,” he added.</p><p>Shetty’s campaign ended against home favourite Shi, with Chopda pointing to a key area that could have made a difference.</p><p>“He probably needed to be a little more patient. At times, he went for outright winners a bit too early, and many of those shots either went out or ended up in Shi’s hitting zone.</p><p>“Shi didn’t give him many opportunities, and at this level you have to make the most of whatever chances you get,” he said.</p><p>Despite the loss, the unseeded Shetty’s run, which included victories over Li Shi Feng, Jonatan Christie and Kunlavut Vitidsarn, marked a significant breakthrough after a string of early exits earlier in the season.</p><p>Chopda revealed that a back injury had disrupted Shetty’s preparation at the start of the year, forcing him into rehabilitation instead of building fitness. The turnaround, he said, came down to belief.</p><p>“At the start of the season, Ayush had a slight back injury, so he had to focus on rehab for about four to five weeks. That affected his preparation.</p><p>“The biggest plus this week was belief. He felt fitter, stronger and didn’t check himself. He showed great patience in long rallies, which is crucial at this level,” he said.</p><p>The coach, who trains Shetty in Bengaluru, also credited work behind the scenes, including sessions with a sports psychologist, for the player’s improved mental strength during the tournament.</p><p>While the results underline his rapid rise, Chopda was quick to point out areas that still need refinement.</p><p>“Endurance is still a work in progress. Ayush needs to get much fitter, although he is improving. He has been doing a lot of off-court sessions with the trainers and physios.</p><p>“Being a tall player, his movement has improved, especially side-to-side and in defence, but there is still room for improvement,” Chopda said.</p><p>Shetty has also begun working with Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, a move Chopda believes will benefit him in the long run.</p><p>“He has been the national coach of the Indonesian side when players like Jonatan Christie and Anthony Sinisuka Ginting were at their peak, so having someone like him on board is going to be helpful for Ayush,” Chopda noted.</p><p>Given his height and playing style, comparisons with two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen have already begun, something Chopda acknowledged.</p><p>“Because he’s so tall, he’s always been compared to Viktor Axelsen. In fact, he’s gone and trained with him a couple of times,” Chopda said.</p><p>“Viktor has mentioned that he sees similarities and that Ayush reminds him of his younger days.” However, Chopda was quick to add that there is still ground to cover.</p><p>“He has a strong net game and a big hit, but he needs to develop more variation, half-smashes, softer drops to become even more dangerous at this level.” Looking ahead with the World Championships and Asian Games in sight, consistency remains the key focus.</p><p>“Consistency is key. He has a lot of expectations from himself, and that probably added pressure in previous tournaments,” he said.</p><p>“He needs to consistently reach the later stages of tournaments and aim for podium finishes. Winning a big title and doing well at events like the World Championships and Asian Games should be his targets.”</p><p>“He has a big smash and a strong net game, but he needs to add more control, half-smashes, softer drops and better variation to consistently win at this level.</p><p>Chopda also pointed out that while Shetty had shown promise earlier, including during a title run at the U.S. Open, sustaining that level will be the real challenge.</p><p>“This tournament will give him a lot of confidence, but he needs to keep delivering so that people continue to notice him,” he added.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 13, 2026</p></div> #Ayush #Shetty #needed #patience #Badminton #Asia #Championships #final #top #Sagar #Chopda

Deadspin | Jake McCarthy, Tomoyuki Sugano help Rockies eke out win vs. Pirates  Jun 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Jake McCarthy (31) slides into home ahead of Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis (32) on an in the park home run in the first inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images   Jake McCarthy hit an inside-the-park home run and also doubled, Tomoyuki Sugano tossed six strong innings to outduel Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes and the Colorado Rockies survived a chaotic ninth inning to beat the Pirates 2-1 in Denver on Saturday night.  Sugano (8-4) scattered four hits over six innings and Jaden Hill got the final two outs for his second save.  Spencer Horwitz homered and singled for Pittsburgh, which started the game with back-to-back hits and had just four more the rest of the way for a grand total of six.  Skenes (6-7) was nearly untouchable against the Rockies in Pittsburgh on May 12, taking a no-hitter into the seventh and tossing eight scoreless innings. He wasn’t as dominant Saturday night but allowed just two runs on four hits and fanned eight over six innings.  He was nearly saved from a loss when his team loaded the bases with one out in the ninth. Tyler Callihan struck out and Jake Mangum hit a grounder to third baseman Kyle Karros, who couldn’t make a throw to any base.  However, the umpires ruled baserunner Billy Cook interfered with Karros and called him out to end the game.   Horwitz led off the game with a blast into the second deck in right field, his fifth career leadoff home run, but he was upstaged by McCarthy when he led off  the bottom of the first.  McCarthy drove a tailing liner to center that got by the diving Mangum. It rolled to the wall where Callihan had trouble picking it up, giving McCarthy time to circle the bases and tie the game.  McCarthy doubled in the third and scored what would be the winning run on TJ Rumfield’s two-out single.  Sugano settled down after Horwitz’s home run and Brandon Lowe’s single that followed to hold down the Pirates. Sugano allowed a one-out double to Mangum in the second and Horwitz’s single in the third but Pittsburgh couldn’t cash in, finishing 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Jake #McCarthy #Tomoyuki #Sugano #Rockies #eke #win #PiratesJun 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Jake McCarthy (31) slides into home ahead of Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis (32) on an in the park home run in the first inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Jake McCarthy hit an inside-the-park home run and also doubled, Tomoyuki Sugano tossed six strong innings to outduel Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes and the Colorado Rockies survived a chaotic ninth inning to beat the Pirates 2-1 in Denver on Saturday night.

Sugano (8-4) scattered four hits over six innings and Jaden Hill got the final two outs for his second save.

Spencer Horwitz homered and singled for Pittsburgh, which started the game with back-to-back hits and had just four more the rest of the way for a grand total of six.

Skenes (6-7) was nearly untouchable against the Rockies in Pittsburgh on May 12, taking a no-hitter into the seventh and tossing eight scoreless innings. He wasn’t as dominant Saturday night but allowed just two runs on four hits and fanned eight over six innings.

He was nearly saved from a loss when his team loaded the bases with one out in the ninth. Tyler Callihan struck out and Jake Mangum hit a grounder to third baseman Kyle Karros, who couldn’t make a throw to any base.


However, the umpires ruled baserunner Billy Cook interfered with Karros and called him out to end the game.

Horwitz led off the game with a blast into the second deck in right field, his fifth career leadoff home run, but he was upstaged by McCarthy when he led off the bottom of the first.

McCarthy drove a tailing liner to center that got by the diving Mangum. It rolled to the wall where Callihan had trouble picking it up, giving McCarthy time to circle the bases and tie the game.

McCarthy doubled in the third and scored what would be the winning run on TJ Rumfield’s two-out single.

Sugano settled down after Horwitz’s home run and Brandon Lowe’s single that followed to hold down the Pirates. Sugano allowed a one-out double to Mangum in the second and Horwitz’s single in the third but Pittsburgh couldn’t cash in, finishing 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Jake #McCarthy #Tomoyuki #Sugano #Rockies #eke #win #Pirates">Deadspin | Jake McCarthy, Tomoyuki Sugano help Rockies eke out win vs. Pirates  Jun 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Jake McCarthy (31) slides into home ahead of Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis (32) on an in the park home run in the first inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images   Jake McCarthy hit an inside-the-park home run and also doubled, Tomoyuki Sugano tossed six strong innings to outduel Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes and the Colorado Rockies survived a chaotic ninth inning to beat the Pirates 2-1 in Denver on Saturday night.  Sugano (8-4) scattered four hits over six innings and Jaden Hill got the final two outs for his second save.  Spencer Horwitz homered and singled for Pittsburgh, which started the game with back-to-back hits and had just four more the rest of the way for a grand total of six.  Skenes (6-7) was nearly untouchable against the Rockies in Pittsburgh on May 12, taking a no-hitter into the seventh and tossing eight scoreless innings. He wasn’t as dominant Saturday night but allowed just two runs on four hits and fanned eight over six innings.  He was nearly saved from a loss when his team loaded the bases with one out in the ninth. Tyler Callihan struck out and Jake Mangum hit a grounder to third baseman Kyle Karros, who couldn’t make a throw to any base.  However, the umpires ruled baserunner Billy Cook interfered with Karros and called him out to end the game.   Horwitz led off the game with a blast into the second deck in right field, his fifth career leadoff home run, but he was upstaged by McCarthy when he led off  the bottom of the first.  McCarthy drove a tailing liner to center that got by the diving Mangum. It rolled to the wall where Callihan had trouble picking it up, giving McCarthy time to circle the bases and tie the game.  McCarthy doubled in the third and scored what would be the winning run on TJ Rumfield’s two-out single.  Sugano settled down after Horwitz’s home run and Brandon Lowe’s single that followed to hold down the Pirates. Sugano allowed a one-out double to Mangum in the second and Horwitz’s single in the third but Pittsburgh couldn’t cash in, finishing 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Jake #McCarthy #Tomoyuki #Sugano #Rockies #eke #win #Pirates

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