Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has backed planned demonstrations against right-wing extremism in Germany as he prepares his players for their Bundesliga clash with Werder Bremen.
The club’s honorary president Uli Hoeness made a statement against Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party during a memorial ceremony for the nation’s football great Franz Beckenbauer on Friday, while Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso and Freiburg counterpart Christian Streich have also spoken out.
Asked about the protests at his pre-match press conference, Tuchel said: “We can’t stand up enough.
“There’s no doubt about fighting against all forms of extremism, but obviously also against right-wing extremism in particular given the discussion and our history. There can be no doubt there.”
Tuchel’s comments came a day after Germany paid an emotional tribute to Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup both as a player and a manager.
He said: “Franz was in the same league as Pele and Diego Maradona – you can’t get bigger than that.
“It was a nice, respectful and dignified service. The speeches were very powerful.”
Bayern returned to action after the league’s winter break with a 3-0 victory over Hoffenheim last Saturday and head into Sunday’s fixture sitting in second place behind Bayer Leverkusen with a game in hand.
Tuchel, who confirmed loan signing Eric Dier will be in the squad, said: “It’s obviously a classic fixture that had a huge allure when I was a kid.
“There’s always a special energy and lots of goals. Bremen have a special way of playing, always looking to attack.
“It’s about three points. We’ll adjust everything for what’s best for us to get the three points.”
Bremen head coach Ole Werner, who will be without suspended duo Marvin Ducksch and Leonardo Bittencourt, knows his team will have to be at their best to extend a four-game unbeaten run.
Werner told a press conference: “We need to be on our A game throughout the full 90 and hope that Bayern aren’t at their absolute best. That being said, we’re preparing for the challenge with what we have available to us.
“We’ll have to mentally adapt to having less possession than we usually would. In the moments where we do have the ball, we have to make the most of our chances.
“We could dwell forever on the fact that Bayern are the league front-runners, but it’s important that we just focus on ourselves.”
Dan Skelton is willing to bide his time before deciding whether Warwick winner Grey Dawning heads to the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Chase next or goes straight to the Cheltenham Festival.
A drop back in trip for the Sandown Grade One had been mentioned as a potential next stepping stone for the versatile Hampton Novices’ Chase victor, but his handler would like to wait a little longer before deciding if that would be the right thing to do by his likeable charge.
The Grade Two scorer could instead head straight to Prestbury Park where the three-mile Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase has been nominated as the likely port of call at the Festival in March.
“I’m going to have a think about Grey Dawning,” said Skelton.
“Immediately after the race I thought we would go to Sandown. Whether that is clever or not, I will give it a week to think about.
“I think we would just go for the three-mile race at Cheltenham if we didn’t (go to Sandown), but that’s not me looking to not run.
“I want to run him because he’s a horse who loves racing, but I would only run him if I was really, really certain it was the right thing to do.”
Stablemate Galia Des Liteaux was also in action at Warwich, where she was stayed on strongly in vain when second in the Classic Chase.
The classy eight-year-old will now be pointed towards the Randox Grand National, with Skelton following the same route he took to Aintree with Le Milos 12 months ago by stopping off at Kelso’s bet365 Premier Chase in March first.
“Galia Des Liteaux will go for the Listed chase up at Kelso on March 2 before going for the Grand National,” continued Skelton.
“We tried it with Le Milos last year and it didn’t quite come off, but it doesn’t mean we won’t try it again.”
Asian Master earned Cheltenham quotes in taking his record to two from two under rules in the Race Displays Rated Novice Hurdle at Navan.
A point-to-point winner for Tony Costello, he switched to Willie Mullins for his hurdling campaign and struck at the first time of asking at Thurles.
Made the 4-6 favourite to follow up in the hands of his amateur rider Thomas Costello, the market leader was always moving well on the heels of pacesetter Better Days Ahead.
Ridden to take over going to the last, Asian Master quickly went clear to score by 10 lengths from Better Days Ahead.
The seven-year-old was introduced at 40-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle by Betfair and Paddy Power.
“I thought my horse travelled very sweet and I could see Jack Kennedy niggling his lad (Better Days Ahead) to stay in front,” said Costello, who is the grandson of the renowned late bloodstock dealer Tom Costello, whose graduates included such luminaries as three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate.
“I thought he travelled way better than him everywhere and jumped better. I fancied him today and thought he’d win to be honest. His work at home was very good, he has a fantastic attitude and takes everything in his stride.
“Jack’s horse was the horse to take out of it and I thought he’d beat him.
“We’re enjoying every day we have with him and fingers crossed, if he stays safe and lucky, we’ll have another few days out of him.”
Costello is extremely tall for a jockey and said: “I’d like to say I’m 6 (foot) 4 (inches) but I wouldn’t like to measure myself at the same time in case I got a fright!”
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti insists there is no debate within the club over the number one goalkeeper.
Andriy Lunin and Kepa Arrizabalaga have been in and out of the side over recent weeks, with both coming under fire for high-profile mistakes, as Ancelotti continued rotating his keepers in the long-term absence of Thibaut Courtois.
Lunin made an error which contributed to Real’s Copa dey Rey exit at the hands of rivals Atletico Madrid in midweek, with Ancelotti confirming immediately after that Kepa would return for Sunday’s LaLiga clash at home to Almeria.
“There are no immaculate goalkeepers. There are mistakes and both Kepa and Lunin have made them,” Ancelotti told a press conference.
“There is no internal debate. The debate is outside, but not inside. There is no debate here. I choose the goalkeeper and he is done.”
A number of Real players were criticised after the defeat by Atletico which came just four days after they won the Spanish Super Cup with a 4-1 victory over Barcelona in Riyadh.
Aurelien Tchouameni was picked out for his role in Antoine Griezmann’s goal which put Atletico 3-2 up in extra time.
Ancelotti admitted the France midfielder could have done better but is confident his squad remain in good shape.
“He (Tchouameni) played the Super Cup final at his best level, perhaps his best game. The cup match he did not play from the beginning because he was tired,” Ancelotti added.
“He came on, he tried to give what could to help. He could have done better on Griezmann’s goal, yes, in this sense there are no doubts.
“I listen and try to see what is happening in the dressing room environment. We continue in a good dynamic and we are motivated. The team is competing and playing football very well.”
Real have lost just once in LaLiga this season but sit second, a point behind surprise frontrunners Girona, albeit with a game in hand.
Ancelotti’s men welcome an Almeria side who are cut adrift at the foot of the table with just six points having failed to win any of their 20 matches so far.
The 64-year-old is keen to see Los Blancos take advantage of a run of league matches before the Champions League returns in February.
“It is an important moment of the season because we have five league games before the Champions League and we want to do well in these games,” Ancelotti said.
“We are focused on tomorrow’s game and we play against a team in which the data says that it has six points.
“It is a team to respect and with quality. They are still alive and tomorrow they’re going to fight to win the game. We have to be prepared.”
Allaho bids to bounce back from King George defeat in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles on Sunday.
The Grade Two contest has twice proved a springboard to Cheltenham Festival glory for the Willie Mullins-trained gelding, with his 2021 and 2022 triumphs preceding a pair of stunning front-running victories in the Ryanair Chase for owners Cheveley Park Stud.
He was similarly jaw-dropping when winning the 2022 Punchestown Gold Cup, but having since spent 19 months on the sidelines, there is a question mark over how much of his former brilliance he retains.
The 10-year-old was solid rather than spectacular when making a successful comeback in November’s Clonmel Oil Chase and could finish only third as a hot favourite for Kempton’s Boxing Day showpiece.
“Allaho came out of his last race fine,” said Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson.
“I think it’s fair to say we were hoping for a bit more from him (in the King George), maybe the ground was a bit lively and there is maybe a slight question mark whether he really stayed the three miles.
“I think coming back in trip will suit him well, so hopefully he can run well on Sunday and then we can head back for the Ryanair again.”
Henry de Bromhead’s Envoi Allen, who proved a super-sub for Allaho when winning last season’s Ryanair Chase, has also been declared for the Cheveley Park team.
Allaho is one of four runners for the champion trainer alongside Appreciate It, Capodanno and Stattler, with the Mouse Morris-trained French Dynamite completing the field.
The latter has been kept fresh since finishing third behind Classic Getaway, trained by Mullins and owned by Cheveley Park, at this track in November.
“He’s grand, the ground is good so I’d be hoping for a good run,” said Morris.
“It’s a good race, they always are but this is the right race for him. It’s a Grade Two on good ground and I don’t have a lot of options.
“I still have to get him qualified for the National, he needs to be in the first four over three miles so I don’t know just yet. I’m hoping for a big run this weekend anyhow.”
Teenager Linda Noskova blew the women’s draw wide open at the Australian Open by stunning world number one Iga Swiatek in the third round.
There are no top-10 seeds left in the top half after 19-year-old Czech Noskova came from a set down to claim a 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory on Rod Laver Arena.
Swiatek had dug herself out a major hole in the second round against Danielle Collins but she was unable to repeat the trick here.
“Physically, I didn’t feel anything,” said Swiatek. “Mentally, as well, I felt like actually I came back in my match against Danielle and I could kind of start over and not expect a lot, just try to play my game.
“I would say that I wasn’t returning overall in this tournament the same way as usual, especially the second serves.
“But still, I know that I did everything I could to try to make it work. Technically it didn’t work. But I know I did everything I could. I have no regrets.
“For sure I wish I could have played a little bit better in this tournament.
“I just want to get back to work. I know I’m going to have plenty of chances during the season to show my game.”
The never-ending production line of Czech female talent is one of the wonders of tennis, and 19-year-old Noskova is at the head of a new generation.
Ranked 50 but set to rise rapidly, she showed superb maturity to turn the match around after losing the first set, hitting 10 aces in a tally of 35 winners.
Swiatek speculated that Noskova would feel she had nothing to lose, but the teenager denied that, saying: “I know my game. I know that I have improved a lot in the last year-and-a-half. I just believed my game tonight.
“I just really wanted this win because I didn’t really come to that court with the thought of ‘I have nothing to lose’. I took it very seriously. It was like a match as any other. I just know that, when I’m going to be aggressive, I can play with anyone.”
She is the first teenager to beat a world number one at the Australian Open since Amelie Mauresmo defeated Lindsay Davenport in 1999.
Noskova next plays 19th seed Elina Svitolina, who was a comfortable 6-2 6-3 winner over Viktorija Golubic and will fancy her chances of reaching a first grand slam final.
So, too, will 12th seed Zheng Qinwen, who is the highest-ranked player left in the top half and is making waves, 10 years on from Li Na’s historic triumph.
Zheng needed two hours and 40 minutes to make it past countrywoman Wang Yafan 6-4 2-6 7-6 (8) on Friday as China took centre stage in the day session on Rod Laver.
But her power hitting eventually got her over the line and there was a special treat after the match when she was congratulated by Li, who is here to play in the legends event.
“That was totally a surprise for me,” said Zheng. “She just went to me, say congratulations. I was feeling super happy to meet her and have the chance to talk with her because I never talked with her in person.
“She said to me ‘don’t think too much, just keep (it) simple’. I think that’s – right now – what I need to do as well.”
Zheng revealed in her on-court interview that she had watched Li’s final victory over Dominika Cibulkova here in 2014 10 times.
Li remains the only Chinese winner of a grand slam singles title having become the first Asian champion when she claimed the French Open crown in 2011.
There is a growing number of Chinese players, both men and women, pushing towards the top of the game, but Zheng is at the head of the queue.
In the last 16, she will take on Oceane Dodin, who defeated fellow unseeded French player Clara Burel 6-2 6-4 to reach the fourth round at a slam for the first time.
One of Zheng, Dodin, 26th seed Jasmine Paolini and Russian Anna Kalinskaya is guaranteed to make a first slam semi-final.
Paolini ended the run of Anna Blinkova, who knocked out Elena Rybakina in round two, while Kalinskaya beat former finalist Sloane Stephens 6-7 (8) 6-1 6-4.
It is turning into an excellent tournament for Ukraine, with Dayana Yastremska joining Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk in the last 16, thanks to a 6-2 2-6 6-1 upset of 27th seed Emma Navarro.
She next faces two-time former champion Victoria Azarenka, who is again looking strong in Melbourne and came from 2-5 down in the second set to beat Jelena Ostapenko 6-1 7-5.
Teenager Linda Noskova pulled off a huge upset to knock world number one Iga Swiatek out of the Australian Open in the third round.
Swiatek had dug herself out a major hole in the second round against Danielle Collins but she was unable to repeat the trick against Noskova, going down 3-6 6-3 6-4.
The never-ending production line of Czech female talent is one of the wonders of tennis, and 19-year-old Noskova is at the head of a new generation.
Ranked 50 but set to rise rapidly, she showed superb maturity to turn the match around after losing the first set.
Noskova began to outhit her illustrious rival through the second set and into the third, where a break of serve for 5-3 proved the crucial moment.
She looked stunned after converting her first match point, and said: “I’m speechless, obviously.
“I knew it’s going to be an amazing match with the world number one and such a player. I didn’t really think it would end up like this but I’m just really glad to get through this round.”
She is the first teenager to beat a world number one at the Australian Open since Amelie Mauresmo defeated Lindsay Davenport in 1999.
Noskova hit 10 aces in a tally of 35 winners, with a forehand return drilled over the baseline from Swiatek sealing her fate.
It is only the second time in the last 13 grand slam tournaments that Swiatek has failed to make it beyond the third round but it represents a second early exit in a row after she lost in the fourth round of the US Open.
She is guaranteed to hang onto top spot in the rankings, though, with her nearest challenger Aryna Sabalenka unable to gain points having won the tournament last year.
Nikola Jokic honoured the memory of his former mentor Dejan Milojevic by starring in the Denver Nuggets' crucial road win over the Boston Celtics on Friday, says coach Michael Malone.
Golden State Warriors assistant coach Milojevic died at the age of 46 on Wednesday after suffering a heart attack, prompting an outpouring of emotion across the NBA.
Before his arrival in San Francisco, Milojevic was credited with kickstarting the career of two-time NBA MVP Jokic when the duo worked together at Belgrade-based team KK Mega Basket.
On Friday, Denver had the daunting task of attempting to halt Boston's 20-0 run at TD Garden this season, and Jokic's 34 points helped them on their way to a huge win over a fellow championship contender.
Jokic also added 12 rebounds and nine assists while Jamal Murray finished with 35 points as the defending champions improved to 29-14.
Speaking after the game, Nuggets coach Malone expressed pride in Jokic and said the events of recent days made his dominant performance all the more impressive.
"As I mentioned to our team after the game, I couldn't be more proud of Nikola for playing the way he played with the tragic passing of Deki," Malone said.
"That's what you do, though. That's why I'm proud of Nikola. You just lost somebody that you love and you care about that meant a lot to you, that was a mentor and a coach to you.
"So go honour him. You know what I mean? Nikola went out there, he honoured Deki's memory and his legacy by playing at the level he played at.
"It's not easy to do with a heavy heart, but Nikola is a special person, obviously. It was incredible to watch him play with that heavy heart, when you consider who we were playing and you add everything else to the mix.
"That's why Nikola is the best player in the world."
The Celtics found themselves 98-95 up with just under five minutes to go in the fourth quarter, but they missed eight of their final nine shots – four of them from Jayson Tatum – to allow the Nuggets back in.
Malone feels the victory amounted to a statement from his team, saying: "You're playing against the best team in the NBA. It was like a playoff game.
"I know this is only Game 43, 44, whatever it is, but it was kind of like a playoff game, a playoff atmosphere and two really good teams.
"They were in the Finals two years ago. They were in the Eastern Conference Finals last year. They have high hopes, as do we.
"It was a game that we were all in. We put all of our chips in and we were lucky enough to get the outcome that we desired."
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes his team have returned refreshed from their mini-break and are ready to push on in the Premier League title race.
They returned to training on Wednesday – a week after their last game – and head to Bournemouth looking to extend their advantage at the top to five points.
While they will still be missing talisman Mohamed Salah, who is at the Africa Cup of Nations, and are waiting for the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai to return from injury, Klopp believes everyone benefited from a break from the intensity of the Premier League.
“Friday was the third session since we are back and you could see it was really important to everybody, for everybody,” he said.
“As much as they like going on holiday, the thing they like most is actually playing football and that’s really cool to see.
“Nobody wanted to have three or four weeks, we are in the middle of a season (and) we love what happened so far.
“We are looking forward to what’s coming up, but these four days were just top class. We had a break and now we can go for the rest of the season.”
Victory at the Vitality Stadium would bring up 22 points away from home, just one short of their previous campaign, and Liverpool are already 16 points ahead of where they were at this point last season.
However, Bournemouth are one of the top flight’s form teams with six wins and a draw from their last eight league matches and have not lost at home in the league since October 21 after new manager Adoni Iraola turned things around after just one win in their first 11 matches.
“When you don’t play them at the weekend I really have time to admire what he (Iraola) is doing there,” said Klopp.
“They turned it around – that’s real coaching – and he found a way to set this team up.
“It will be a difficult game, but I don’t think they are now preparing the game against us and thinking, ‘Thank God Liverpool is coming’ because we feel good as well.”
Part of Bournemouth’s recent success is the contribution from former Liverpool forward Dominic Solanke, who has eight goals in as many league appearances, and 12 in 19 top-flight league games so far after just one in 21 league games for the Reds.
“He made the absolute right decision to go,” said Klopp.
“He went the hard way, trying here, realising, ‘Maybe a bit too early’ and then going to Bournemouth.”
Liverpool winger Luis Diaz is one goal away from recording his best scoring campaign (six) since joining in January 2022.
After going through the trauma of having his parents kidnapped in his native Colombia, he was reunited with his family for Christmas on Merseyside and Klopp has seen a change in the winger’s demeanour.
“After after the most challenging time of his life, which nobody is prepared for, he’s back. You can see it in each training session it’s different,” said Klopp.
“He cannot not smile when he is on the ball. There were a few weeks where I missed that a little bit, but the smile is back.”
Jordan Henderson believes he is wiser for his experiences on and off the field after returning to Europe following his ill-fated move to Saudi Arabia.
The former Liverpool captain signed for Dutch side Ajax this week after terminating his controversial stay with Al-Ettifaq less than six months into a three-year deal.
The 33-year-old feels he can still play for several more seasons at the top level.
“I still physically feel very good,” said Henderson as he was formally presented as an Ajax player at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
“I train very hard, I look after myself, I dedicate my life to football. I have done since I was a kid and I hope to play for many, many years to come.
“Obviously with age comes more experience, you learn a lot, you go through different experiences both in football and in life.
“I feel as though I’m a wiser person now at my age and hopefully I can take that onto the pitch, take that into the team and help a lot of the younger players make the next step in their careers, and at the same time be at the level where I need to perform at the highest level every single game.”
With question marks remaining over the standard of competition in the Saudi Pro League – despite obvious huge recent investment in players by its clubs – Henderson’s move could help him maintain his England place ahead of Euro 2024.
Henderson did not deny that was a motivation but insisted his immediate goal was to make his mark in the Eredivisie with Ajax.
He said: “I’ve always got the Euros in mind. I’ve always got England in mind. It’s a big thing for me, playing for my country, as everybody knows, and that’s always been the case wherever I’ve played.
“But ultimately, I’ve got to be doing my job on the pitch for Ajax and doing well for Ajax. That’s my main priority. If I’m doing that, then hopefully I’ll be called up to the England squad.”
Henderson will not be able to make his debut against RKC Waalwijk this weekend as he awaits a work permit. It is unclear how long that will take to come through and, in the meantime, he cannot even train with his new team-mates.
He said: “I’m ready to play as soon as possible but obviously I’ve got to wait. As soon as everything’s good and ready, I’ll be ready to go.”
Ten years on from Li Na’s historic win at the Australian Open, China’s Zheng Qinwen is making waves at Melbourne Park.
The 21-year-old 12th seed is considered one of the rising stars of the game and she is now the favourite to reach the semi-finals in a wide open section of the draw.
Zheng needed two hours and 40 minutes to make it past countrywoman Wang Yafan 6-4 2-6 7-6 (10/8) on Friday as China took centre stage on Rod Laver Arena.
But her power hitting eventually got her over the line, and there was a special treat after the match when she was congratulated by Li, who is here to play in the legends event.
“That was totally a surprise for me,” said Zheng. “She just went to me, say congratulations. I was feeling super happy to meet her and have the chance to talk with her because I never talked with her in person.
“She said to me don’t think too much, just keep simple. I think that’s right now what I need to do as well.”
Zheng revealed in her on-court interview that she had watched Li’s final victory over Dominika Cibulkova here in 2014 10 times.
Li remains the only Chinese winner of a grand slam singles title having become the first Asian champion when she claimed the French Open crown in 2011.
There is a growing number of Chinese players, both men and women, pushing towards the top of the game, but Zheng is at the head of the queue.
In the last 16, she will take on Oceane Dodin, who defeated fellow unseeded French player Clara Burel 6-2 6-4 to reach the fourth round at a slam for the first time.
One of Zheng, Dodin, 26th seed Jasmine Paolini and Russian Anna Kalinskaya is guaranteed to make a first slam semi-final.
Paolini ended the run of Anna Blinkova, who knocked out Elena Rybakina in round two, while Kalinskaya beat former finalist Sloane Stephens 6-7 (8) 6-1 6-4.
Jamal Murray scored 35 points and Nikola Jokić had 34 with 12 rebounds and nine assists as the Denver Nuggets held on to send the Boston Celtics to their first home loss of the season, 102-100 on Friday.
Jayson Tatum had a chance to hit the tying basket in the closing seconds, but he missed a one-legged fadeaway off the rim.
Denver ended Boston’s streak of 20 consecutive home wins this season and a 27-game run dating to last season.
Derrick White scored 24 points, Tatum finished with 22 and eight rebounds and Kristaps Porzingis had 21 for the Celtics, who will visit the defending NBA champions on March 7.
Booker scores 52 to lift Suns
Devin Booker poured in a season-high 52 points for his second straight 50-point game against the New Orleans Pelicans and the Phoenix Suns won their fourth straight, 123-109.
Booker, who had 25 points in the first quarter, had 58 points in a win over the Pelicans on Dec. 17, 2022. In this one, he shot 18 of 30 from the field, 6 of 11 from 3-point range and hit all 10 free throws.
This was the sixth 50-point game for Booker, who scored a career-high 70 at Boston on March 24, 2017.
Kevin Durant added 26 points and Jusuf Nurkic had 15 rebounds for the Suns, who led by 30 in the second half.
Zion Williamson scored 24 points for New Orleans, which has traded wins and losses in its past six games.
Pacers’ Siakam debuts in loss to Trail Blazers
Jereami Grant scored 37 points and Malcolm Brogdon added a season-high 30 as the Portland Trail Blazers spoiled Pascal Siakam’s debut with the Indiana Pacers in a 118-115 win.
Siakam scored 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting with five rebounds in his debut after he was acquired from Toronto on Wednesday.
Myles Turner had 29 points and 12 rebounds and Tyrese Haliburton added 21 points and 17 assists in his return after missing five games with a hamstring injury.
Kirill Kaprizov scored two of the Wild’s franchise record-tying five power-play goals and Ryan Hartman also tallied twice to lead Minnesota to a 6-4 win on Friday over the Florida Panthers.
Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello also scored on the power play and Brock Faber had three assists for the Wild, who have won two of three following a four-game skid.
The Wild had five power-play goals for the fourth time and first since Nov. 29, 2008, against Nashville.
Minnesota’s Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 10 of 11 shots before leaving with an injury midway through the second period. Filip Gustavsson finished with 21 saves for the win.
Sergei Bobrovsky was pulled at the same time Fleury left, allowing four goals on 15 shots.
Florida lost its fourth straight after a nine-game winning streak.
Svechnikov lifts Hurricanes over Red Wings
Andrei Svechnikov scored on the Hurricanes’ only power play of the game in the third period and Carolina allowed just 12 shots in a 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings.
Jordan Martinook and Martin Necas also scored and Sebastian Aho tallied into an empty net as the Hurricanes won for the eighth time in 10 games (8-1-1).
Antti Raanta needed to make only 10 saves as Carolina held a 14-4 shots advantage in the third period and 30-12 overall.
Devils score 4 in 2nd period in win
Alexander Holtz, Nico Hischier and Nathan Bastian scored 6:03 apart during a four-goal second period and the New Jersey Devils defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets, 4-1.
New Jersey’s other goal came from John Marino and Vitek Vaneck stopped 28 shots as it moved two points behind Tampa Bay and Detroit for the two wild card spots in the Eastern Conference.
Cole Sillinger scored for the Blue Jackets, who have lost four of five and haven’t won consecutive games since Nov. 22 and 24.
Sam Burns shot a second round 61 as he took a one-shot halfway lead at The American Express tournament in California.
Burns’ career-low round leaves him on 17 under par, one shot ahead of fellow American Michael Kim with South Korean’s KH Lee and American amateur Nick Dunlap a further shot back.
A pair of eagles and seven birdies had put Burns in with a chance of breaking 60, but he could only par the last two holes.
Dunlap, who plays at the University of Alabama, fired a 65 at the Stadium Course – one of three being used for the tournament – to follow his opening 64.
A group of six, including American Ryder Cup star Patrick Cantlay and joint overnight leader Alex Noren of Sweden, sit on 14 under par.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry shot a second round of 67 to lie seven shots off the lead.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
