Sports
Islanders aim to continue hot streak in rematch vs. Flyers
Jan 28, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) sprays water on his face during the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images The New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers will square off for the third time in two weeks on Thursday night when they reconvene in Philadelphia.
The Flyers visited Long Island for a matchup with the Islanders on Jan. 16 and then again last Friday. Philadelphia won the first meeting 5-3, but the Islanders have won all five games they’ve played since then, including 3-1 in the rematch.
Now comes the rubber match of their three-game January series. The teams’ only other matchup of the season will take place April 12 in Philadelphia. In the meantime, both teams are desperate for more wins as they continue to look up at a bevy of teams in the standings.
The Islanders, even with their recent hot stretch, sit in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division, one point behind the Flyers.
New York has allowed only seven goals in its last five games, including another crisp defensive effort Tuesday in a 5-2 victory against the Colorado Avalanche.
“On this stretch, we’ve gotten (back) to our brand of hockey,” Islanders captain Anders Lee said. “We executed (our style) well. It feels natural, the way it’s come together.”
Ilya Sorokin made 30 saves against Colorado, while Simon Holmstrom collected two goals and an assist. Bo Horvat also scored for New York, giving him eight goals in the last 10 games.
“Ilya was outstanding in that game,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy said in highlighting the Russian netminder.
The Islanders scored four times during the third period Tuesday, turning a close game into a lopsided affair. Nevertheless, Roy knows there is still room for improvement.
“How many times have I said (that) you don’t need to be perfect to win hockey games?” Roy said. “That’s exactly what we did. We gave ourselves a chance tonight.”
On the contrary, the Flyers basically gave themselves no chance to win Wednesday. Samuel Ersson allowed four goals — two on the power play — before Philadelphia coach John Tortorella pulled him near the midpoint of a 5-0 setback to the New Jersey Devils.
“I still think we’re there. It just got away from us with not being able to kill penalties,” Tortorella said.
He acknowledged after the game that Ivan Fedotov, who came on in relief of Ersson, will start in net against New York. If nothing else, the veteran coach is grateful for the opportunity to take the ice again Thursday to quickly get Tuesday’s loss behind his team.
“That’s all we’re looking for,” Tortorella said.
The Flyers have lost three of their last four games, scoring a total of two goals in those three setbacks. One of those defeats, of course, was the most recent matchup with the Islanders in which Tyson Foerster beat Sorokin in the first period, only to watch Brock Nelson register a goal and an assist as the Islanders surged for a 3-1 victory.
As for Wednesday’s defeat, “We got beat tonight, fair and square,” Flyers forward Scott Laughton said. “We’re lucky that we get another division game (Thursday), but we got beat tonight. It’s a good hockey team, but we need to be better at this time of year.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
Oct 31, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Tyler Reif (41) during the NASCAR Truck Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Tyler Reif was treated for heat exhaustion after Saturday night’s street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Reif, 18, was transported to an area medical facility after finishing 16th in the race in the No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet. He was later released.
“Tyler and his family would like to express their gratitude to the NASCAR officials, track medical workers and the local medical facility staff for their care,” Niece Motorsports said in a release.
Reif made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series in 2025. Saturday’s race was just his third on the circuit, including a 17th-place finish at Atlanta on Feb. 21.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: RB David Montgomery 'wants out' of Detroit
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Lions running back David Montgomery “wants out” of Detroit after three seasons, ESPN reported on Sunday.
Montgomery, however, immediately appeared to refute the report on X, posting: “Damn, Dmo told you that?”
The ESPN report claims the Lions would want “a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder)” in the 2026 NFL Draft in return for Montgomery, who turns 29 in June and is owed $6 million next season.
The report follows general manager Brad Holmes’ remarks after the season about Montgomery being unhappy with his playing time in 2025. Sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, Montgomery rushed for a career-low 716 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (no starts).
“Those are conversations that we’re going to have to have because I’ve got a lot of respect for that player,” Holmes said of Montgomery in January. “He deserves to be in a situation where his skillset can be utilized, and so yeah would love for it to be here, but if it can’t be here then you’d just love to see where could work out best for him.”
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Holmes said the situation with Montgomery is “fluid.” He signed a two-year extension during the 2024 season that runs through the end of the 2027 campaign.
“Yeah, I have been in touch with David’s agent, and his representation,” Holmes revealed. “Obviously, we love David, he’s a great player, we love to have him, you know, kind of want to put last year in the rear view, and just move forward. But, obviously, a player has to want to be at a certain place as well. The conversations are still fluid, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Montgomery has rushed for 2,506 yards and 33 touchdowns in 45 games (28 starts) in three seasons with Detroit (2023-25). He has 76 catches for 650 yards in that span.
He began his career with the NFC North rival Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. Montgomery rushed for 3,609 yards and 26 scores in 60 games (51 starts) with the Bears (2019-22).
–Field Level Media
Sports
Yankees LHP Ryan Yarbrough joins U.S. roster for WBC
Jun 18, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Ryan Yarbrough (33) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images New York Yankees left-hander Ryan Yarbrough was added to the Team USA roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic on Sunday.
The 34-year-old reliever replaces Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan, who is dealing with low back tightness. Ryan moves into the designated pitcher pool, meaning he is eligible for a call-up after each round of the WBC.
Yarbrough went 3-1 with a 4.36 ERA and one save in 19 games (eight starts) during his first season with the Yankees in 2025, striking out 55 batters and walking 19 in 64 innings.
Ryan Yarbrough has been added to our roster for the World Baseball Classic!#ForGlory???? pic.twitter.com/RrtKJQ20gz
— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) March 1, 2026
Team USA will play its first game of the 2026 WBC on Friday night, meeting Brazil in a Pool B contest in Houston.
Yarbrough has a career record of 56-41 with a 4.22 ERA and four saves in 215 games (76 starts) with the Tampa Bay Rays (2018-22), Kansas City Royals (2023), Los Angeles Dodgers (2023-24), Toronto Blue Jays (2024) and Yankees. The side-arming southpaw signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal in November to return to New York in 2026.
–Field Level Media
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
Report: RB David Montgomery 'wants out' of Detroit
