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Deadspin | Kyle Higashioka’s homer helps Rangers extend Mariners’ skid Apr 7, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka (11) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Nathan Eovaldi pitched six quality innings and Kyle Higashioka hit a go-ahead home run, rallying the Texas Rangers to a 3-2 win over the struggling Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas. Eovaldi, making his 300th career major league start, picked up his first win of the season after two losses, allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks. George Kirby (1-2) threw an eight-inning complete game for Seattle, which lost its fourth straight and its sixth in the last seven games. The Mariners took a quick lead against Eovaldi, who was seeking his first win and first effective start of the season as he entered with an 11.42 ERA. Eovaldi reached 1,500 career strikeouts when he got Josh Naylor swinging to end the top of the first inning but not before serving up a first-pitch leadoff home run to Seattle’s Brendan Donovan to begin the game. The Mariners went up 2-0 in the top of the fifth inning on a two-out rally. A Cole Young single, Eovaldi wild pitch and Cal Raleigh’s RBI single had the Mariners up two with Kirby and his 8-0 career record against the Rangers on the mound. But the Rangers were able to get to Kirby in the bottom of the fifth. Back-to-back singles for Joc Pederson and Evan Carter — with a throwing error from Donovan on the first — made it 2-1. Higashioka drilled a Kirby fastball into the seats in left field to give Texas the lead for good with a two-run homer. Kirby (1-2) needed just 90 pitches to get through eight innings, allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts. The Rangers got two scoreless innings of relief from left-hander Jacob Latz, who has not given up a run in five appearances this season. Jakob Junis allowed back-to-back singles to open the ninth inning, but got the next three hitters in order for his second save in as many nights. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Kyle #Higashiokas #homer #helps #Rangers #extend #Mariners #skid

Deadspin | Kyle Higashioka’s homer helps Rangers extend Mariners’ skid
Deadspin | Kyle Higashioka’s homer helps Rangers extend Mariners’ skid Apr 7, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka (11) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Nathan Eovaldi pitched six quality innings and Kyle Higashioka hit a go-ahead home run, rallying the Texas Rangers to a 3-2 win over the struggling Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas. Eovaldi, making his 300th career major league start, picked up his first win of the season after two losses, allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks. George Kirby (1-2) threw an eight-inning complete game for Seattle, which lost its fourth straight and its sixth in the last seven games. The Mariners took a quick lead against Eovaldi, who was seeking his first win and first effective start of the season as he entered with an 11.42 ERA. Eovaldi reached 1,500 career strikeouts when he got Josh Naylor swinging to end the top of the first inning but not before serving up a first-pitch leadoff home run to Seattle’s Brendan Donovan to begin the game. The Mariners went up 2-0 in the top of the fifth inning on a two-out rally. A Cole Young single, Eovaldi wild pitch and Cal Raleigh’s RBI single had the Mariners up two with Kirby and his 8-0 career record against the Rangers on the mound. But the Rangers were able to get to Kirby in the bottom of the fifth. Back-to-back singles for Joc Pederson and Evan Carter — with a throwing error from Donovan on the first — made it 2-1. Higashioka drilled a Kirby fastball into the seats in left field to give Texas the lead for good with a two-run homer. Kirby (1-2) needed just 90 pitches to get through eight innings, allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts. The Rangers got two scoreless innings of relief from left-hander Jacob Latz, who has not given up a run in five appearances this season. Jakob Junis allowed back-to-back singles to open the ninth inning, but got the next three hitters in order for his second save in as many nights. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Kyle #Higashiokas #homer #helps #Rangers #extend #Mariners #skidApr 7, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka (11) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Nathan Eovaldi pitched six quality innings and Kyle Higashioka hit a go-ahead home run, rallying the Texas Rangers to a 3-2 win over the struggling Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas.

Eovaldi, making his 300th career major league start, picked up his first win of the season after two losses, allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks.

George Kirby (1-2) threw an eight-inning complete game for Seattle, which lost its fourth straight and its sixth in the last seven games.

The Mariners took a quick lead against Eovaldi, who was seeking his first win and first effective start of the season as he entered with an 11.42 ERA.

Eovaldi reached 1,500 career strikeouts when he got Josh Naylor swinging to end the top of the first inning but not before serving up a first-pitch leadoff home run to Seattle’s Brendan Donovan to begin the game.


The Mariners went up 2-0 in the top of the fifth inning on a two-out rally. A Cole Young single, Eovaldi wild pitch and Cal Raleigh’s RBI single had the Mariners up two with Kirby and his 8-0 career record against the Rangers on the mound.

But the Rangers were able to get to Kirby in the bottom of the fifth. Back-to-back singles for Joc Pederson and Evan Carter — with a throwing error from Donovan on the first — made it 2-1. Higashioka drilled a Kirby fastball into the seats in left field to give Texas the lead for good with a two-run homer.

Kirby (1-2) needed just 90 pitches to get through eight innings, allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts.

The Rangers got two scoreless innings of relief from left-hander Jacob Latz, who has not given up a run in five appearances this season.

Jakob Junis allowed back-to-back singles to open the ninth inning, but got the next three hitters in order for his second save in as many nights.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Kyle #Higashiokas #homer #helps #Rangers #extend #Mariners #skid

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Apr 7, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka (11) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Nathan Eovaldi pitched six quality innings and Kyle Higashioka hit a go-ahead home run, rallying the Texas Rangers to a 3-2 win over the struggling Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas.

Eovaldi, making his 300th career major league start, picked up his first win of the season after two losses, allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks.

George Kirby (1-2) threw an eight-inning complete game for Seattle, which lost its fourth straight and its sixth in the last seven games.

The Mariners took a quick lead against Eovaldi, who was seeking his first win and first effective start of the season as he entered with an 11.42 ERA.

Eovaldi reached 1,500 career strikeouts when he got Josh Naylor swinging to end the top of the first inning but not before serving up a first-pitch leadoff home run to Seattle’s Brendan Donovan to begin the game.

The Mariners went up 2-0 in the top of the fifth inning on a two-out rally. A Cole Young single, Eovaldi wild pitch and Cal Raleigh’s RBI single had the Mariners up two with Kirby and his 8-0 career record against the Rangers on the mound.

But the Rangers were able to get to Kirby in the bottom of the fifth. Back-to-back singles for Joc Pederson and Evan Carter — with a throwing error from Donovan on the first — made it 2-1. Higashioka drilled a Kirby fastball into the seats in left field to give Texas the lead for good with a two-run homer.

Kirby (1-2) needed just 90 pitches to get through eight innings, allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts.

The Rangers got two scoreless innings of relief from left-hander Jacob Latz, who has not given up a run in five appearances this season.

Jakob Junis allowed back-to-back singles to open the ninth inning, but got the next three hitters in order for his second save in as many nights.

–Field Level Media

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IPL Valuations Surge: What It Reveals About Indian Sport’s Imbalance <div id="content-body-70836947" itemprop="articleBody"><p>There is a moment in every boom when the numbers stop feeling real.</p><p>When Royal Challengers Bengaluru commands a sale price of USD 1.78 billion and Rajasthan Royals follows at USD 1.63 billion, it is tempting to read this as the triumph of Indian sport. It is, in truth, the triumph of one sport and an indictment of the rest.</p><p>In India, cricket is no longer merely leading the pack; it has lapped every other sport in the country.</p><p>The Indian Premier League is not a league in the conventional sense. It is a tightly held, 74-match property, compressed into a two-and-a-half-month window to engineer maximum yield. Its economic engine is calibrated and controlled: centralised media rights, franchise permanence, revenue sharing, all designed to compound value, season after season.</p><p>But to credit the IPL alone is to mistake the fruit for the tree.</p><p>Its extraordinary valuation rests on foundations laid long before April 18, 2008, when Brendon McCullum unleashed bedlam in Bengaluru. Beneath the spectacle lies a domestic system that stages over 2,000 matches a year, giving the league the depth it leans on. Without it, the IPL would be hollow.</p><p>No other sport in India has built that base.</p><p>Football comes closest in ambition. The All India Football Federation conducts roughly 1,800 matches across 22 national tournaments. The Indian Super League arrived in 2014 with money, momentum and a touch of glamour, with names like Alessandro Del Piero, Roberto Carlos and David Trezeguet briefly turning Indian stadiums into something resembling a global stage. But without promotion, relegation or a coherent calendar, it drifted, uncertain of an identity to build or sustain.</p><p>The Hockey India League flickered. The Pro Kabaddi League, once a television disruptor, now carries the fatigue of repetition, its novelty worn thin without a deeper sporting ecosystem to support its growth.</p><p>While others chased the IPL’s visibility, they missed the harder, slower work that makes such visibility durable.</p><p>This is where a comparison with the United States sharpens the contrast. In the US, sporting success is diversified, with the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL operating as self-sustaining, deeply rooted systems. Talent advances through collegiate pathways, revenues are equitably distributed, and calendars are respected, each league playing its part in a wider sporting economy.</p><p>India, for now, has built excellence in isolation. The spectacle has been replicated in parts, but not the system.</p><p>And so Indian sport sits at an inflection point. Cricket’s rise has not come at the cost of others, but its dominance has exposed their structural fragility.</p><p>The money has arrived. The system, beyond cricket, remains a work in progress.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 08, 2026</p></div> #IPL #Valuations #Surge #Reveals #Indian #Sports #Imbalance

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In an age of hurry, Sai Sudharsan keeps his own time <div id="content-body-70836961" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Unlike most of his contemporaries, B. Sai Sudharsan employs a bat-down technique. He awaits the bowler in his crease with the bottom edge of the bat resting on the ground.</p><p>He raises his bat to load his shot only when the bowler reaches the popping crease, adjusting the extent of his backswing based on his reading of length and shot choice.</p><p>It is a batting style from a bygone era, one that makes the process seem tougher than it should be. For Sai Sudharsan, it is a habit born of childhood frailty, one he has considered changing but ultimately retained.</p><p>“I started playing by keeping my bat down when I was young,” explains Sai Sudharsan in an interview with <i>Sportstar</i>.</p><p>“The main reason at the time was that I was not very strong. My coaches would say, ‘You’re not so strong. So, don’t lift your bat. Otherwise, you’ll get tired soon. Just keep your bat down.’ That’s how I started.”</p><p>“But it is helping me. Yes, I had some temptations in between to change it. But I think I had more trust in this. The way I batted, the set-up I have, I trusted this more,” he added.</p><p>The 24-year-old’s faith in his natural style has brought rich rewards, most notably the Orange Cap in IPL 2025, when he accumulated 759 runs at an impressive strike rate of 156.17 for Gujarat Titans.</p><p>That massive haul was the punctuation mark on an upward trajectory that has defined his IPL career: 145 runs in 2022, 362 in 2023, and 527 in 2024.</p><p>At the heart of his progression has been a willingness to adapt by adding new shots to his repertoire, particularly behind square. The southpaw has integrated a variety of ramps and scoops into his strokeplay as he has expanded his run-scoring methods.</p><p>This evolution has been the result of conscious planning and focused off-season training, driven by a desire to add new tools without unsettling his batting foundation.</p><p>“I definitely do it [prepare for such shots] beforehand. The way the sport is going, we need multiple options against the bowler. Without disturbing my strengths, how can I still improve my range? That is the thought process. It takes time to develop a new shot, but I think I’ve done a very good job.”</p><p>While Sai Sudharsan has impressed individually, it is his opening partnership with skipper Shubman Gill that has underpinned Gujarat Titans’ team plan.</p><p>Over the last two seasons, the pair has aggregated a league-leading 1453 runs at an average of 63.17. With an emphasis on accumulation and risk minimisation, the two are expected to provide a stable base for the middle order to capitalise on.</p><p>Sai Sudharsan believes this is a perfect alignment of team strategy and individual strengths.</p><p>“I think it was in unison, where our strengths aligned with what the team required. The team requirement was also very similar. We focus more on taking the game deeper and winning it from there,” he says.</p><p>In addition to his appetite for runs, the Tamil Nadu batter is known for his quirky preparation routines. During the England Test series in 2025, he was spotted jotting in his journal before walking out to bat and engaging in visualisation exercises. This is in addition to his habit of not batting on the eve of a game and assessing the pitch by walking on it barefoot.</p><p>It would be easy to label these as superstitions and dismiss them. But in a high-pressure environment like competitive sport, such forms of pattern-building are essential for performance, he believes.</p><p>“Most sportsmen do it. It’s a feel-good thing. Whatever you do, even practice, it’s about making you feel good and confident. So, whatever helps us feel that way is good. There is a reason for me to do these things — to be in a good headspace and be expressive and natural when I step onto the ground.”</p><p>Sai Sudharsan also admits that he has toned down his routines, sticking only to pragmatic ones.</p><p>“I used to have a lot of superstitions, but over time I have reduced them and made everything more practical and logical. Sometimes I would eat the same food — it could be ice cream or biryani. If the game went well, I would repeat it for 14 games. I have done that before, but now I have taken it out of my system. It’s just an example,” he says.</p><p>The left-hander was last in action in national colours against South Africa in a home Test series, where India suffered a 2-0 defeat.</p><p>Sai Sudharsan featured only in the second Test in Guwahati and managed just 29 runs across both innings. It was a failure that prompted serious introspection.</p><p>“I had so much anger towards myself that I was not able to execute when the team needed it. But once the series finished, I understood that I need to work more, be better prepared, and be ready when the situation comes again. That was the biggest thing on my mind.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 08, 2026</p></div> #age #hurry #Sai #Sudharsan #time

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Romanian football legend Mircea Lucescu — a serial trophy winner as a player and a coach — passed away aged 80 on Tuesday.

Lucescu’s death was confirmed by Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, where he had been admitted after reportedly suffering a heart attack on Friday morning.

“Mr. Mircea Lucescu was one of the most successful Romanian football coaches and players, the first to qualify the Romanian national team for a European Championship, in 1984,” the hospital said in a statement. “Entire generations of Romanians grew up with his image in their hearts, as a national symbol.”

Lucescu had a lengthy coaching career and was in his second spell with the Romanian national team until stepping down last Thursday after falling ill during training. Three days earlier, Romania had missed out on qualification to the World Cup after losing to Turkey in a playoff.

As a player, Lucescu captained his country at the 1970 World Cup.

Lucescu’s coaching career spanned almost half a century, from late-1970s Romania to 2026 World Cup qualifying, as Eastern European football was transformed by political and economic changes after the fall of communism, and later by the effects of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Lucescu spent 12 years as coach of Shakhtar Donetsk, where billionaire Rinat Akhmetov’s backing assembled a squad filled with up-and-coming Brazilian talents. Lucescu forged a team that became a Champions League regular and won the UEFA Cup in 2009.

Romanian legendary manager Mircea Lucescu passes away aged 80 Romanian football legend Mircea Lucescu — a serial trophy winner as a player and a coach — passed away aged 80 on Tuesday.Lucescu’s death was confirmed by Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, where he had been admitted after reportedly suffering a heart attack on Friday morning.“Mr. Mircea Lucescu was one of the most successful Romanian football coaches and players, the first to qualify the Romanian national team for a European Championship, in 1984,” the hospital said in a statement. “Entire generations of Romanians grew up with his image in their hearts, as a national symbol.”Lucescu had a lengthy coaching career and was in his second spell with the Romanian national team until stepping down last Thursday after falling ill during training. Three days earlier, Romania had missed out on qualification to the World Cup after losing to Turkey in a playoff.As a player, Lucescu captained his country at the 1970 World Cup.Lucescu’s coaching career spanned almost half a century, from late-1970s Romania to 2026 World Cup qualifying, as Eastern European football was transformed by political and economic changes after the fall of communism, and later by the effects of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.Lucescu spent 12 years as coach of Shakhtar Donetsk, where billionaire Rinat Akhmetov’s backing assembled a squad filled with up-and-coming Brazilian talents. Lucescu forged a team that became a Champions League regular and won the UEFA Cup in 2009. Mircea Lucescu (second from right) celebrates winning the Ukrainian top division with Shakhtar Donetsk. He won eight top flight titles with the side.. | Photo Credit: REUTERS Mircea Lucescu (second from right) celebrates winning the Ukrainian top division with Shakhtar Donetsk. He won eight top flight titles with the side.. | Photo Credit: REUTERS By the time Lucescu left in 2016, Shakhtar had left its home city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine after a takeover by Russia-backed separatists.His later moves to Russia’s Zenit St. Petersburg and to Shakhtar’s bitter Ukrainian rival Dynamo Kyiv were less well-received by Shakhtar fans.Internationally, Lucescu coached Turkey as well as Romania. His second spell with Romania started in 2024, 38 years after he’d left the national team the first time. His last game was the loss to Turkey.Lucescu coached Pisa, Brescia, Reggiana and Inter Milan in Italy and is remembered fondly in the north of the country, especially at Brescia — despite his tenure being marked by several ups and downs.His team there was dubbed Brescia Romeno after Lucescu signed four of his compatriots, including one of Romania’s greatest ever players, Gheorghe Hagi, between stints at Barcelona and Real Madrid.Published on Apr 08, 2026 #Romanian #legendary #manager #Mircea #Lucescu #passes #aged

Mircea Lucescu (second from right) celebrates winning the Ukrainian top division with Shakhtar Donetsk. He won eight top flight titles with the side.. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

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Mircea Lucescu (second from right) celebrates winning the Ukrainian top division with Shakhtar Donetsk. He won eight top flight titles with the side.. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

By the time Lucescu left in 2016, Shakhtar had left its home city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine after a takeover by Russia-backed separatists.

His later moves to Russia’s Zenit St. Petersburg and to Shakhtar’s bitter Ukrainian rival Dynamo Kyiv were less well-received by Shakhtar fans.

Internationally, Lucescu coached Turkey as well as Romania. His second spell with Romania started in 2024, 38 years after he’d left the national team the first time. His last game was the loss to Turkey.

Lucescu coached Pisa, Brescia, Reggiana and Inter Milan in Italy and is remembered fondly in the north of the country, especially at Brescia — despite his tenure being marked by several ups and downs.

His team there was dubbed Brescia Romeno after Lucescu signed four of his compatriots, including one of Romania’s greatest ever players, Gheorghe Hagi, between stints at Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Published on Apr 08, 2026

#Romanian #legendary #manager #Mircea #Lucescu #passes #aged">Romanian legendary manager Mircea Lucescu passes away aged 80 Romanian football legend Mircea Lucescu — a serial trophy winner as a player and a coach — passed away aged 80 on Tuesday.Lucescu’s death was confirmed by Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, where he had been admitted after reportedly suffering a heart attack on Friday morning.“Mr. Mircea Lucescu was one of the most successful Romanian football coaches and players, the first to qualify the Romanian national team for a European Championship, in 1984,” the hospital said in a statement. “Entire generations of Romanians grew up with his image in their hearts, as a national symbol.”Lucescu had a lengthy coaching career and was in his second spell with the Romanian national team until stepping down last Thursday after falling ill during training. Three days earlier, Romania had missed out on qualification to the World Cup after losing to Turkey in a playoff.As a player, Lucescu captained his country at the 1970 World Cup.Lucescu’s coaching career spanned almost half a century, from late-1970s Romania to 2026 World Cup qualifying, as Eastern European football was transformed by political and economic changes after the fall of communism, and later by the effects of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.Lucescu spent 12 years as coach of Shakhtar Donetsk, where billionaire Rinat Akhmetov’s backing assembled a squad filled with up-and-coming Brazilian talents. Lucescu forged a team that became a Champions League regular and won the UEFA Cup in 2009. Mircea Lucescu (second from right) celebrates winning the Ukrainian top division with Shakhtar Donetsk. He won eight top flight titles with the side.. | Photo Credit: REUTERS Mircea Lucescu (second from right) celebrates winning the Ukrainian top division with Shakhtar Donetsk. He won eight top flight titles with the side.. | Photo Credit: REUTERS By the time Lucescu left in 2016, Shakhtar had left its home city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine after a takeover by Russia-backed separatists.His later moves to Russia’s Zenit St. Petersburg and to Shakhtar’s bitter Ukrainian rival Dynamo Kyiv were less well-received by Shakhtar fans.Internationally, Lucescu coached Turkey as well as Romania. His second spell with Romania started in 2024, 38 years after he’d left the national team the first time. His last game was the loss to Turkey.Lucescu coached Pisa, Brescia, Reggiana and Inter Milan in Italy and is remembered fondly in the north of the country, especially at Brescia — despite his tenure being marked by several ups and downs.His team there was dubbed Brescia Romeno after Lucescu signed four of his compatriots, including one of Romania’s greatest ever players, Gheorghe Hagi, between stints at Barcelona and Real Madrid.Published on Apr 08, 2026 #Romanian #legendary #manager #Mircea #Lucescu #passes #aged

Deadspin | Hurricanes edge Bruins in OT to clinch division title Apr 7, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) skates with the puck against Carolina Hurricanes left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (44) during the first period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images Jaccob Slavin scored 1:13 into overtime as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the visiting Boston Bruins 6-5 to clinch the Metropolitan Division on Tuesday night at Raleigh, N.C. Logan Stankoven, William Carrier and Taylor Hall scored within a 3 1/2-minute stretch in the second period and teammates Andrei Svechnikov and K’Andre Miller scored earlier for the Hurricanes (50-22-6, 106 points). Jackson Blake and Sean Walker both had two assists and Brandon Bussi made 16 saves. By reaching overtime, the Hurricanes wrapped up the division in their home finale. They have four games remaining. Boston’s Morgan Geekie had a hat trick, while Pavel Zacha had a goal and an assist. Zacha’s goal tied the game with 7:27 left in regulation. The Bruins (43-26-10, 96 points), though, were unable to capitalize on a late power play. Carolina outshot Boston 1-4 in the third period. Viktor Arvidsson, Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak and Nikita Zadorov all assisted on two goals. Jeremy Swayman made 18 saves on 23 shots before he was pulled before the midway mark of the second period. Joonas Korpisalo made 16 saves the rest of the way, but Boston completed a 0-2-2 road trip. Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho both assisted on the winning goal. Geekie scored twice in a four-minute stretch late in the first period against one of his former teams. His third goal came with 1:10 to play in the second period, pulling the Bruins to within 5-4 and pushing his career-high goals total to 37. The teams combined for five goals in the first period. Hampus Lindholm opened the scoring 4:40 into the game. Svechnikov and Miller catapulted the Hurricanes into the lead with their goals 94 seconds apart. Stankoven’s power-play goal pulled the Hurricanes even 5:17 into the second period. Carolina captain Jordan Staal was back in action after missing Sunday’s loss at Ottawa for an undisclosed reason. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Hurricanes #edge #Bruins #clinch #division #titleApr 7, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) skates with the puck against Carolina Hurricanes left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (44) during the first period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Jaccob Slavin scored 1:13 into overtime as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the visiting Boston Bruins 6-5 to clinch the Metropolitan Division on Tuesday night at Raleigh, N.C.

Logan Stankoven, William Carrier and Taylor Hall scored within a 3 1/2-minute stretch in the second period and teammates Andrei Svechnikov and K’Andre Miller scored earlier for the Hurricanes (50-22-6, 106 points). Jackson Blake and Sean Walker both had two assists and Brandon Bussi made 16 saves.

By reaching overtime, the Hurricanes wrapped up the division in their home finale. They have four games remaining.

Boston’s Morgan Geekie had a hat trick, while Pavel Zacha had a goal and an assist. Zacha’s goal tied the game with 7:27 left in regulation. The Bruins (43-26-10, 96 points), though, were unable to capitalize on a late power play. Carolina outshot Boston 1-4 in the third period. Viktor Arvidsson, Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak and Nikita Zadorov all assisted on two goals.

Jeremy Swayman made 18 saves on 23 shots before he was pulled before the midway mark of the second period. Joonas Korpisalo made 16 saves the rest of the way, but Boston completed a 0-2-2 road trip.


Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho both assisted on the winning goal.

Geekie scored twice in a four-minute stretch late in the first period against one of his former teams. His third goal came with 1:10 to play in the second period, pulling the Bruins to within 5-4 and pushing his career-high goals total to 37.

The teams combined for five goals in the first period.

Hampus Lindholm opened the scoring 4:40 into the game. Svechnikov and Miller catapulted the Hurricanes into the lead with their goals 94 seconds apart.

Stankoven’s power-play goal pulled the Hurricanes even 5:17 into the second period.

Carolina captain Jordan Staal was back in action after missing Sunday’s loss at Ottawa for an undisclosed reason.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Hurricanes #edge #Bruins #clinch #division #title">Deadspin | Hurricanes edge Bruins in OT to clinch division title Apr 7, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) skates with the puck against Carolina Hurricanes left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (44) during the first period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images Jaccob Slavin scored 1:13 into overtime as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the visiting Boston Bruins 6-5 to clinch the Metropolitan Division on Tuesday night at Raleigh, N.C. Logan Stankoven, William Carrier and Taylor Hall scored within a 3 1/2-minute stretch in the second period and teammates Andrei Svechnikov and K’Andre Miller scored earlier for the Hurricanes (50-22-6, 106 points). Jackson Blake and Sean Walker both had two assists and Brandon Bussi made 16 saves. By reaching overtime, the Hurricanes wrapped up the division in their home finale. They have four games remaining. Boston’s Morgan Geekie had a hat trick, while Pavel Zacha had a goal and an assist. Zacha’s goal tied the game with 7:27 left in regulation. The Bruins (43-26-10, 96 points), though, were unable to capitalize on a late power play. Carolina outshot Boston 1-4 in the third period. Viktor Arvidsson, Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak and Nikita Zadorov all assisted on two goals. Jeremy Swayman made 18 saves on 23 shots before he was pulled before the midway mark of the second period. Joonas Korpisalo made 16 saves the rest of the way, but Boston completed a 0-2-2 road trip. Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho both assisted on the winning goal. Geekie scored twice in a four-minute stretch late in the first period against one of his former teams. His third goal came with 1:10 to play in the second period, pulling the Bruins to within 5-4 and pushing his career-high goals total to 37. The teams combined for five goals in the first period. Hampus Lindholm opened the scoring 4:40 into the game. Svechnikov and Miller catapulted the Hurricanes into the lead with their goals 94 seconds apart. Stankoven’s power-play goal pulled the Hurricanes even 5:17 into the second period. Carolina captain Jordan Staal was back in action after missing Sunday’s loss at Ottawa for an undisclosed reason. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Hurricanes #edge #Bruins #clinch #division #title

Arsenal substitute Kai Havertz scored ​a stoppage-time goal to snatch a 1-0 win at Sporting in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on ‌Tuesday.

The Germany forward was found unmarked inside the box by Gabriel Martinelli before calmly slotting ​the ball past goalkeeper Rui Silva to settle a tactical encounter.

After a first half ⁠in which Sporting’s Maxi Araujo and Arsenal’s Noni Madueke struck the woodwork, the visiting side had a Martin Zubimendi effort disallowed before David Raya produced several late saves to deny the home side.

The deadlock was finally broken in added time by ‌Havertz, who replaced the injured Martin Odegaard in the 70th minute, to secure the advantage before the return leg next week.

“Beautiful and that’s the impact you need when you get to ‌this stage of the season. Everybody has to make an impact and they certainly did that ‌tonight,” ⁠Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told Amazon Prime regarding the winner.

“We had a goal disallowed, and ⁠there were two or three occasions where we were close, but we lacked that final pass. In the end, a magic moment from the finishers wins us the game.”

The winner of the tie will face Barcelona or Atlético Madrid, which play at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, in the semifinals.

ARSENAL REDEMPTION

Arsenal arrived in ‌Lisbon seeking to bounce back from Saturday’s FA Cup quarterfinal exit at second-tier Southampton, and will be delighted with the win, but the sight of captain Odegaard limping off will concern Arteta.

The Norway midfielder appeared to struggle throughout the match, having recently returned from a long-term injury layoff.

The first half was ‌a cagey affair, with the woodwork denying both sides an opening goal. Araujo came close for ​the hosts, seeing his powerful left-foot strike rebound off the post following a break into the box in the opening minutes.

However, Arsenal grew into the contest and nearly led ⁠through Madueke. The winger rose to meet an outswinging corner, but his header clipped the bar with Silva beaten.

Despite the near misses, both teams struggled to find a consistent rhythm, with the tie remaining finely balanced heading ‌into the second half.

Arsenal thought it had the breakthrough shortly after the hour when Zubimendi curled the ball into the net at the near post, but it was ruled out after a VAR review found former Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres to be offside in the build-up.

RAYA WINS PLAYER OF THE MATCH

With the host dominating the latter stages, Raya was forced into several crucial interventions, including a diving save to divert Geny Catamo’s low header behind for a corner, with the Spaniard’s performance earning the Player of the Match award.

“It’s something ‌that I’m there for. I’m trying to help the team as much as possible in any single action, not just defending but ​commanding and on the ball,” Raya said.

The match seemed headed for a draw until a late lapse from the Sporting defence gave Havertz the space to control the ball ⁠and find a clinical finish to put Arsenal in the driving seat.

The result marks a return to winning ways ⁠for Arsenal following consecutive defeats, including its FA Cup exit and defeat by Manchester City in the League Cup final.

“We’ve come from two losses, learn from those moments, that pain when you ‌lose a game” Raya added.

“Use that pain in the belly to go out there and express yourself, be yourself and try to be better every single day. That’s the main message we have to ​send out there.”

Premier League leader Arsenal will try to keep up the momentum when it hosts Bournemouth on Saturday.

Published on Apr 08, 2026

#Champions #League #Havertzs #stoppagetime #winner #Arsenal #slender #lead #quarterfinals">Champions League: Havertz’s stoppage-time winner gives Arsenal a slender lead in quarterfinals Arsenal substitute Kai Havertz scored ​a stoppage-time goal to snatch a 1-0 win at Sporting in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on ‌Tuesday.The Germany forward was found unmarked inside the box by Gabriel Martinelli before calmly slotting ​the ball past goalkeeper Rui Silva to settle a tactical encounter.After a first half ⁠in which Sporting’s Maxi Araujo and Arsenal’s Noni Madueke struck the woodwork, the visiting side had a Martin Zubimendi effort disallowed before David Raya produced several late saves to deny the home side.The deadlock was finally broken in added time by ‌Havertz, who replaced the injured Martin Odegaard in the 70th minute, to secure the advantage before the return leg next week.“Beautiful and that’s the impact you need when you get to ‌this stage of the season. Everybody has to make an impact and they certainly did that ‌tonight,” ⁠Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told Amazon Prime regarding the winner.“We had a goal disallowed, and ⁠there were two or three occasions where we were close, but we lacked that final pass. In the end, a magic moment from the finishers wins us the game.”The winner of the tie will face Barcelona or Atlético Madrid, which play at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, in the semifinals.ARSENAL REDEMPTIONArsenal arrived in ‌Lisbon seeking to bounce back from Saturday’s FA Cup quarterfinal exit at second-tier Southampton, and will be delighted with the win, but the sight of captain Odegaard limping off will concern Arteta.The Norway midfielder appeared to struggle throughout the match, having recently returned from a long-term injury layoff.The first half was ‌a cagey affair, with the woodwork denying both sides an opening goal. Araujo came close for ​the hosts, seeing his powerful left-foot strike rebound off the post following a break into the box in the opening minutes.However, Arsenal grew into the contest and nearly led ⁠through Madueke. The winger rose to meet an outswinging corner, but his header clipped the bar with Silva beaten.Despite the near misses, both teams struggled to find a consistent rhythm, with the tie remaining finely balanced heading ‌into the second half.Arsenal thought it had the breakthrough shortly after the hour when Zubimendi curled the ball into the net at the near post, but it was ruled out after a VAR review found former Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres to be offside in the build-up.RAYA WINS PLAYER OF THE MATCHWith the host dominating the latter stages, Raya was forced into several crucial interventions, including a diving save to divert Geny Catamo’s low header behind for a corner, with the Spaniard’s performance earning the Player of the Match award.“It’s something ‌that I’m there for. I’m trying to help the team as much as possible in any single action, not just defending but ​commanding and on the ball,” Raya said.The match seemed headed for a draw until a late lapse from the Sporting defence gave Havertz the space to control the ball ⁠and find a clinical finish to put Arsenal in the driving seat.The result marks a return to winning ways ⁠for Arsenal following consecutive defeats, including its FA Cup exit and defeat by Manchester City in the League Cup final.“We’ve come from two losses, learn from those moments, that pain when you ‌lose a game” Raya added.“Use that pain in the belly to go out there and express yourself, be yourself and try to be better every single day. That’s the main message we have to ​send out there.”Premier League leader Arsenal will try to keep up the momentum when it hosts Bournemouth on Saturday.Published on Apr 08, 2026 #Champions #League #Havertzs #stoppagetime #winner #Arsenal #slender #lead #quarterfinals

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