Sports
Aleksander Barkov lifts Panthers over Stars in his native Finland
Oct 28, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images Aleksander Barkov enjoyed his homecoming in a big way Friday, leading the Florida Panthers to a 6-4 victory over the Dallas Stars in an NHL Global Series game Friday at Tampere, Finland.
The Tampere native notched a goal and three assists as Florida won its fourth straight. The Panthers’ captain has six points since his return Monday from a lower-body injury that sidelined him for eight games.
He was not the only Finn to find the back of the net, either. Florida’s Anton Lundell scored his sixth goal of the season, and Niko Mikkola added an assist. Esa Lindell notched a goal and an assist for the Stars, who saw their two-game winning streak end.
Florida jumped out early and never looked back, with Barkov getting the secondary assist on Evan Rodrigues’ second goal of the season. Rodrigues, who last scored in Florida’s season opener on Oct. 8, redirected a blueline blast from Aaron Ekblad to beat Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger just 28 seconds into the game.
That was the first of three assists for Ekblad.
Oettinger, who entered the game with a 1.84 goals-against average, gave up a season-high six goals on 28 shots.
Rodrigues got an assist less than seven minutes later on Barkov’s second goal of the season that made it 2-0. Sam Reinhart also assisted.
Reinhart added two goals for a three-point performance. His third short-handed goal came in the second period, and he added an even-strength goal, his 11th overall, midway through the third. Barkov assisted on both.
Dallas cut the Panthers’ lead to 2-1 on Tyler Seguin’s fifth of the season midway through the first period and 3-2 on Lindell’s just 92 seconds into the second period.
However, Florida never wavered. Lundell scored a power-play goal with 4:08 left in the first period to make it 3-1. Mikkola assisted along with A.J. Greer on Mackie Samoskevich’s with 17:29 remaining in the contest to make it 5-2.
Dallas scored twice in the final five minutes, with rookie Mavrik Bourque getting his first career goal and Jamie Benn getting one past netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, who made 32 saves in the win.
These same two teams will conclude the series Saturday in Tampere.
–Field Level Media
Sports
A's place top pitcher J.T. Ginn (blister) on 15-day IL
Jul 18, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics starting pitcher J.T. Ginn (35) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images The Athletics placed right-hander J.T. Ginn on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a blister on his right middle finger.
The move is retroactive to Saturday for Ginn, who leads the team’s starters in wins (eight), ERA (3.46) and strikeouts (100) while making 22 appearances (19 starts) this season.
Ginn, 27, allowed just one hit and struck out seven batters over 6 1/3 scoreless innings in a 15-1 romp over the Washington Nationals in his last trip to the mound.
He is 13-14 with a 4.20 ERA in 53 career games (41 starts) with the Athletics.
Also on Wednesday, the A’s recalled right-hander Mason Barnett from Triple-A Las Vegas.
Barnett, 25, is 1-0 with two saves and a 4.64 ERA in 13 relief appearances with the Athletics this season. He is 3-1 with a 4.34 ERA in 10 games (all starts) with the Aviators.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jasper Philipsen wins Stage 17 of Tour de France
Premier Tech’s Jasper Philipsen reacts after winning stage 17 of the Tour de France. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/Pool Jasper Philipsen won his first Tour de France stage of 2026 and the 11th of his career on Wednesday to extend a win streak by Belgian riders.
Philipsen’s victory in Stage 17 from Chambery to Voiron followed countryman Remco Evenepoel’s back-to-back triumphs in Stages 15 and 16, the longest streak for Belgium since 1981.
Philipsen, 28, completed the flat 174.7-kilometer trek just ahead of Switzerland’s Mauro Schmid and the Netherlands’ Olav Kooij.
Four-time champion Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia maintained the overall leader’s yellow jersey. His lead over Evenepoel is 4 minutes and 32 seconds, with Mexico’s Isaac del Toro in third place.
Stage 18 on Thursday is a mountainous 185.2-kilometer journey from Voiron to Orcieres-Merlette. The 113th edition of the Tour de France concludes on Sunday in Paris.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Inter Miami sign Brazilian superstar M Casemiro
June 29, 2026; Houston, Texas, U.S.; Brazil’s Casemiro celebrates after the match. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Inter Miami announced the signing of Brazilian superstar midfielder Casemiro on Wednesday.
Casemiro, 34, is under contract through 2027 with an option until June 2029 following five years with Premier League side Manchester United. Inter Miami acquired his discovery priority from the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Casemiro just helped Brazil reach the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, increasing his career totals to 91 caps and 10 goals with the national team. It was his third World Cup.
“What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow. The project the club presented to me, along with the effort everyone made to bring me here, means a lot to me,” Casemiro said.
“I’m incredibly grateful, and I can’t wait to get started so I can repay that trust — not only during the 90 minutes on matchday, but every day in training as well. All I can say is thank you, and I’ll give everything I have to return the affection and confidence the club has shown me.”
Casemiro has recorded 73 goals and 61 assists in 663 club appearances with Brazil’s Sao Paulo, Spain’s Real Madrid, Portugal’s Porto and Manchester United. His 21 club trophies include five UEFA Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns with Real Madrid from 2013-22.
“Casemiro’s arrival reflects the vision and ambition that define Inter Miami,” said managing owner Jorge Mas. “We never settle. We’re always looking to grow, improve, and raise our standards every season. We’ve built a global club with the vision of becoming not only the best club in the United States, but also a benchmark globally.
“Casemiro embodies everything this club stands for: leadership, a winning mentality, and an extraordinary track record at the highest level of the game,” Mas added. “After achieving virtually everything there is to achieve in fútbol, his decision to join Inter Miami shows that he shares our ambition and our commitment to the highest standards as we continue building for the future. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Inter Miami family.”
Casemiro now joins forces with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, his former rivals at FC Barcelona.
“I’m very proud to welcome Casemiro and his family to Inter Miami,” said co-owner David Beckham. “He is a person and a player that I have admired for a long time. He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game, and after such an incredible career with Real Madrid and Manchester United, I’m delighted that he’s decided to make Miami his next home.”
Defending MLS Cup champion Inter Miami (15-9-2, 31 points) are in second place in the Eastern Conference as they return from the World Cup break to host the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night.
–Field Level Media
A's place top pitcher J.T. Ginn (blister) on 15-day IL
Jasper Philipsen wins Stage 17 of Tour de France
