Sports
Oilers strike for quick-fire goals in 2nd period, take down Utah
Dec 31, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard (2) celebrates with defenceman Mattias Ekholm (14) and right winger Vasily Podkllxin (92) and left winger Viktor Arvidsson (33) after a goal during the first period against Utah Hockey Club at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Troy Stecher scored 20 seconds apart in the second period as the Edmonton Oilers shut down the 2024 calendar year with a 4-1 victory over the visiting Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday night.
With the game tied at 1, Nugent-Hopkins notched the go-ahead goal at the 4:53 mark on an odd-man break before Stecher created a two-goal margin shortly thereafter.
Mattias Ekholm had a goal and an assist and Leon Draisaitl also scored as the Oilers moved to 9-1-0 in their past 10 games at home. Connor McDavid and Connor Brown had two assists apiece for Edmonton. Goaltender Stuart Skinner had 26 saves for his 14th win of the season.
For Utah, Jack McBain scored while goalie Jaxson Stauber made 34 saves as the club lost its fifth straight game (0-4-1). Clayton Keller, who has a team-high 37 points on the season, was a late scratch due to an illness.
The Oilers got on the board at 4:26 of the first period when defenseman Ekholm stepped up into the left circle and ripped home a slap shot.
However, Utah’s leading goal-scorer, Dylan Guenther, played the role of giver 1:34 later, dishing the puck from the half-boards into the slot to a charging McBain, who slickly beat Skinner for the equalizer.
In a fast-paced first period, Edmonton fired 15 shots on Stauber, but the 25-year-old goalie turned away 14 of them.
The home side broke the game open in the second period with a pair of quick goals.
Nugent-Hopkins, who had the game-winning goal in overtime against the Utah Hockey Club on Nov. 29 in Salt Lake City, forced a turnover and finished a breakaway off a pass from McDavid. Stecher then made it 3-1 before Nugent-Hopkins’ tally had even been announced.
In the third, Utah had a chance to cut into the deficit on its second power play of the game, but it came up empty.
Draisaitl’s league-leading 27th goal of the season went into an empty net at 18:58 of the third to finish off the win.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Hannah Green wins her 2nd HSBC Women's World Championship
Aug 21, 2025; Mississauga, Ontario, CAN; Hannah Green plays her tee shot at the third hole during first round play at the CPKC Women’s Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Australia’s Hannah Green held off Auston Kim on Sunday to win the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore for the second time.
Green, the 2024 champion, balanced three birdies and three bogeys on an eventful back nine to finish with a 3-under 69 and a final score of 14-under at Sentosa Golf Club. The 2019 Women’s PGA Championship winner tapped in for bogey at the 18th for her seventh LPGA Tour title.
“When I did win Singapore two years ago, I went on to win two other tournaments that season and pretty much had my best season on tour,” said Green, 29. “So having a win so early in the season gives me a bit more flexibility with the tournaments that I can play. So I’m hoping that this puts me in good stead for the rest of the year.”
Green was at 16-under after birdies at the first, 11th and 13th holes and an eagle at the par-5 eighth hole. Her birdie at the par-3 15th helped her survive a bogey-bogey finish.
“I knew that I had enough of a lead to be able to get away with making mistakes coming down the stretch. But I think 15 was the real turning point,” she said.
First- and second-round leader Kim nearly chased down her first title, matching the low round of the day with a 67 to finish one shot behind Green in the 72-hole, no-cut tournament.
Kim carded six birdies and an eagle at No. 8, but a bogey at the par-3 15th proved costly for the 25-year-old American.
“Overall, I think it was a really solid week,” Kim said. “A great way to start the year. I hit a lot of bad shots but I also hit a lot of good ones, and it was really confidence boosting. I hit all these bad shots, and I didn’t feel like I had anything chose to my A game, but I was still able it pull off a result like this and play some really solid golf.”
Australia’s Minjee Lee (72 on Sunday), Angel Yin (71) and France’s Pauline Roussin-Bouchard (68) tied for third place at 11-under with South Korea’s Haeran Ryu (72) another shot back in solo sixth.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand finished with a 73 and tied for 31st at 2-under, one shot behind defending champion Lydia Ko (72) of New Zealand.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Feb 22, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on from inside the dugout against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season, the team announced Sunday.
Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, which holds an option for the 2029 season.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time — and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.
“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow. I am energized to continue working with him towards the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”
Marmol, 39, has guided the Cardinals to a 325-323 record during his four seasons as the skipper. He led St. Louis to the National League Central title in 2022 before the team fell in the wild-card series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the Cardinals posted a 78-84 record to finish in fourth place in the NL Central.
Marmol was a coach with St. Louis from 2017-21 under previous managers Mike Shildt and Mike Matheny.
–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
