Change of pace: Peter Laviolette brings an up-tempo style to Rangers as third coach in four seasons

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:59:29 GMT

Change of pace: Peter Laviolette brings an up-tempo style to Rangers as third coach in four seasons NEW YORK (AP) — Peter Laviolette is the New York Rangers’ third coach in four seasons. His arrival in the offseason brought in another system, another philosophy and another coaching style. The championship expectations remain the same.Laviolette, who led Carolina to the Stanley Cup championship in 2006, said he knows how he wants the Rangers to play as they pursue their first title since 1994.“When you watch the the teams that find success, they’re pushing the pace, they’re pushing forechecks, they’re pushing pucks with speed, they’re quick to defend,” he said. “We can compete hard on pucks, we can have a great work ethic. That’s what I’m looking for.”It’s a change that has been welcomed and embraced by the players after their stinging first-round exit that resulted in Laviolette replacing the fired Gerard Gallant. “The attitude he brings, the energy, enthusiasm,” captain Jacob Trouba said of the new coach, “There’s a little direction he brings. I thin...

Sabres rookie goalie Devon Levi poised to make the giant step from college directly to NHL

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:59:29 GMT

Sabres rookie goalie Devon Levi poised to make the giant step from college directly to NHL BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — When the whistle blows for one of each period’s three commercial timeouts, Sabres goalie Devon Levi skates to the blue line and then back toward the net before stopping to kneel between the face-off dots to find his moment of Zen.As shovel-pushing ice crew members whiz around him, and music cranks from the public address speakers, Levi tunes out by closing his eyes and resting his arms on his stick balanced across his pads. It’s a meditative practice the Buffalo rookie turned to during the 2021 world junior championships when Levi encountered his first lengthy on-ice breaks.“It’s easy to get distracted or kind of lose focus in those five minutes,” Levi said. “So I just take that time just to focus on staying present.”It’s what Levi describes as his way of stopping time. The 21-year-old might well be ahead of his time in potentially becoming one of hockey’s first goalies to make the leap from college directly to the NHL without a stop in the minors.Levi’s NHL dev...

Leading Polish candidates meet for debate on state TV six days before a national election

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:59:29 GMT

Leading Polish candidates meet for debate on state TV six days before a national election WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Leading Polish candidates are holding an energized debate on state TV Monday in which they hope to sway undecided voters, six days before a national election that many Poles believe is the most important one since communism was toppled.Debates in Poland’s post-1989 democratic era have in some cases sealed the destiny of candidates, creating a sense of anticipation surrounding the event. Supporters gathered outside the studio to encourage their preferred leaders.The ruling conservative Law and Justice party is leading in the polls with around 35% support, yet it is at risk of losing its majority in parliament. Its nearest rival, the Civic Coalition led by Donald Tusk, is just a few points behind but has gained momentum lately. The Civic Coalition and two other opposition groups together have greater support than the ruling party, but they are weakened by not running together. Small swings in the performance of the smaller parties could shift the final resu...

New Zealand claims another emphatic Cricket World Cup win after beating Netherlands by 99 runs

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:59:29 GMT

New Zealand claims another emphatic Cricket World Cup win after beating Netherlands by 99 runs HYDERABAD, India (AP) — Mitchell Santner became the first New Zealand spinner to grab a five-wicket haul at a Cricket World Cup as the Black Caps thumped the Netherlands by 99 runs on Monday to claim their second successive victory in the tournament.New Zealand didn’t feel the absence of captain Kane Williamson for the second game in a row as it powered to 322-7 on a slow, dry wicket, with top-order batters Will Young (70), stand-in skipper Tom Latham (53) and Rachin Ravindra (51) all shining.Santner, who also made a quickfire unbeaten 36 off 17 balls, then took 5-59 with his left-arm spin as the Netherlands was bowled out for 223 in 46.3 overs. It was the Netherlands’ second consecutive defeat after losing its opening game against Pakistan by 81 runs.New Zealand had already avenged its narrow defeat in the 2019 World Cup final after beating England by nine wickets in Ahmedabad last week.One of the heroes of that win, Devon Conway, and opening partner Young provided a solid st...

American Airlines, Carnival fall; Northrop Grumman, ConocoPhillips rise, Monday, 10/9/2023

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:59:29 GMT

American Airlines, Carnival fall; Northrop Grumman, ConocoPhillips rise, Monday, 10/9/2023 NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks that are trading heavily or have substantial price changes on Monday: Northrop Grumman Corp. (NOC),up $49.11 to $472.35.Military contractors jumped on rising tensions as Israel and Hamas waged war.American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL), down 66 cents to $12.10.Airlines suspended flights to Israel as the U.S. State Department warned about travel to the region.ConocoPhillips (COP), up $5.33 to $120.66.Energy stocks rose along with a jump in oil prices.Carnival Corp. (CCL), down 76 cents to $12.50.Cruise lines companies and other travel-related stocks fell amid increased worries about global conflicts.General Motors Co. (GM), down 23 cents to $30.67.A labor strike against Detroit automakers entered its fourth week.Apollo Global Management Inc. (APO), down $1.26 to $89.31.The private equity firm is reportedly preparing a joint buyout offer for Vodafone’s Spanish unit.Exelon Corp. (EXC), up 35 cents to $38.43.Utilities held up better than most of the market as in...

Last chance to drive at Bandimere Speedway

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:59:29 GMT

Last chance to drive at Bandimere Speedway DENVER (KDVR) -- On Tuesday, Bandimere Speedway is hosting the last Challenger Race before the location closes for good. This will be the last time you can drive a race car on the speedway before it closes.In 1958, John Bandimere Sr. bought a piece of land southwest of Denver which became known as the Bandimere Speedway. The world-renowned track hosts over 90 events every year.On the 65th anniversary, Bandimere Speedway announced that it will be moving. It currently seats 28,500 spectators, but the owners want a bigger track.While the race track plans to move, it will be at least a year before it opens back up at a new location. This will be the last community ride at this location. Where is Bandimere Speedway moving? Family gives plan insights The track has six more events before it closes in late October, but this is the only time people, who are usually attendees, can hit the track. The only requirements are that you're over 18 years old, have a driver's license, are in good h...

Suspect in Hollywood Walmart arson appears erratic in court hearing

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:59:29 GMT

Suspect in Hollywood Walmart arson appears erratic in court hearing A suspect in connection with a potential arson incident at a Hollywood Walmart appeared before a judge when he displayed erratic behavior. A judge told 37-year-old Doniel Cordones that he will remain behind bars until he can receive a mental health screening. Cordones is accused of starting a fire inside a Walmart, located on Hollywood Boulevard and North State Road 7 on Saturday. Cellphone footage captured flames inside the large retailer, prompting the evacuation of everyone inside while firefighters extinguished the blaze. Following the incident, the store was closed, and it remained shuttered on Sunday. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Cordones made an appearance in Bond Court where he exhibited verbally abusive behavior and issued threats after the judge recommended mental health treatment. “Sir, I find probable cause for your arrest,” said the judge. “I’m actually giving you a no-bond hold because I feel you are a danger to the community and that...

Teenage barista brutally beaten in Florida Dunkin’ Donuts

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:59:29 GMT

Teenage barista brutally beaten in Florida Dunkin’ Donuts FORT MYERS Florida (WBBH) — A group of women brutally beat a teenage barista while she was working at a Dunkin’ Donuts coffee shop in the Whiskey Creek community of Fort Myers Friday afternoon.The 19-year-old girl was so badly hurt that she needed to be taken to the hospital for treatment, according to her family.According to the victim’s family, a group of at least three women walked into the coffee shop at the corner of College Parkway and Whiskey Creek Drive around 1 p.m. The women were relatives of a disgruntled ex-employee and came for an unknown reason, the victim’s family said.After shouting at the employees working, they were asked to leave the store by the teenage victim. That’s when one of the women jumped over the front counter, starting the assault.“Get off of her! Get off of her,” shouted someone in a recording of the attack that lasted more than two minutes.In the video, you can see three women attack the young girl, who was filling in at this location for the da...

Hamas threatens to kill an Israeli hostage whenever Israel hits Gaza civilians without warning

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:59:29 GMT

Hamas threatens to kill an Israeli hostage whenever Israel hits Gaza civilians without warning JERUSALEM (AP) — The military wing of the militant Hamas group says it will kill one Israeli civilian captive any time Israel targets civilians in their homes in Gaza “without prior warning.”Abu Obeida, the spokesman of the Qassam Brigades, said in an audio released Monday night that the past hours have witnessed intense strikes by Israel on civilian areas in which homes were destroyed over people’s heads.“We have decided to put an end to this and as of now and we declare that any targeting of our people in their homes without prior warning will be regrettably faced with the execution of one the hostages of civilians we are holding,” he said.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.Israel’s military ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip on Monday, halting deliveries of food, water, fuel and supplies to its 2.3 million people as it pounded the Hamas-ruled territory with waves of airstrikes in retaliation for the militants’ bloody weekend incursion.More th...

Coach Paul Maurice is entering Year 2 with the Florida Panthers, looking for even more fun

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:59:29 GMT

Coach Paul Maurice is entering Year 2 with the Florida Panthers, looking for even more fun CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (AP) — Paul Maurice’s two training camps as coach of the Florida Panthers have been brutal. End-of-practice laps that leave most players doubled over in agony. Sessions on the stationary bike that tend to make people wobble. Days are long, demands are many, smiles are few and any praise is earned.Everything has a purpose. And as the Panthers learned last year, there also can be a payoff.The Panthers are coming off a season where they won the Eastern Conference, went to the Stanley Cup Final and shed any notion that the franchise can’t contend for hockey’s biggest prize. The journey to all that started in camp last fall, and Maurice almost took glee in making this year’s camp even tougher.“The reinvestment,” Maurice said, “has to be made.”The Panthers are entering this season with one goal, and everyone knows what it is. Florida’s season starts Thursday night at Minnesota, when the Panthers’ 56-year-old head coach – quietly, one of the most accomplished in NHL his...