CANADA DEFEATS AUSTRALIA TO REACH THE SEMIFINALS OF THE DAVIS CUP BY RAKUTEN FINALS IN MADRID Canada to play in the third semi in its Davis Cup history
Madrid, Nov. 21, 2019 – After dominating Group F in the first stage of the Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals, Canada enjoyed a well-deserved day off before returning to the courts on Thursday to take on Australia, the winner of Group D. In the end, it was the decisive doubles that propelled Canada into the semifinals, thanks to a 2-1 win.
For this third showdown, BMW Canadian Davis Cup team captain Frank Dancevic once again chose Denis Shapovalov (Richmond Hill, ON) and Vasek Pospisil (Vernon, BC) to battle in singles, while Team Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt called up Alex De Minaur (18) and John Millman (48e). Millman was selected over Nick Kyrgios, who competed in the team’s two previous second singles matches.
For the third time in as many clashes, Pospisil got the tennis balls rolling for Canada. The 29-year-old overpowered John Millman (7-6(7), 6-4) to chalk up his third consecutive victory over a member of the Top 50. In the physically demanding first set, the World No.150 clawed his way back from 0-3 and two set points in the tiebreaker. In the second set, Pospisil earned his second break of the match at 5-4 to deliver Canada’s first point of the day.
“I was expecting to play Nick until an hour before the match, which is when the captains have to give their lineup. It took me five minutes to digest the news, and then I started focusing on my preparation,” confessed Pospisil. “I had to adjust my mentality on how I was going to play the match because they are two very different players.”
It was then up to Shapovalov to secure the nation’s ticket into the semifinals for the third time in its history. The World No.15 got off to a terrific start, relying on his offensive game to break his opponent at 2-1 and go on to win the first set 6-3. But De Minaur’s fierce sense of competition carried him back into the match and forced a third set in which he grasped the set’s only break point at 5-5 and served for the match. With the win (3-6, 6-3, 7-5), De Minaur kept Team Australia in the mix.
“I lost my concentration a little bit after playing a great first set. I think I also let my foot off the gas a little bit,” said Shapovalov. “But one the other hand, he also raised his level. He started serving much better. He played a great match and I felt like I was playing catch up for the second and third set. He deserves a lot of credit for the win, he was the better player today.”
A few minutes later, Pospisil and Shapovalov were back on Centre Court at Caja Magica to face John Peers and Jordan Thompson in doubles. The Canadians were raring to go. They locked in the first break point that gave them the first set. They got off to a rockier start in the second, falling behind 0-3, but played impressive tennis to neutralize the Australians and claim victory (6-4, 6-4) and send Canada to the semifinals.
“Going into the doubles, we had to make a decision. Félix being ready to go, we had many good options,” explained Pospisil. “Once we took the decision, we were ready to go on court and be very focus and intense from the first point. I thought Denis and I played great together tonight. We served and returned extremely well and I’m just happy we were able to do that in such an important match.”
“I’m extremely happy right now. It was a surreal week here. We had a great team, and I knew our players could beat anyone. But playing back-to-back matches like Vasek and Denis did is pretty incredible. It was physically and mentally demanding. And now, there’s no limit. With a bit of luck, we can go all the way,” declared Dancevic after all was said and done.
Today marked the teams’ first meeting since 1964. Canada and Australia had gone head-to-head on nine previous occasions in which Australia was undefeated.
Canada will play in the Davis Cup semifinals for the third time in its history and the first since 2013, when the squad was eliminated by Serbia. Canada could get a chance for a rematch, since the team will face the winner of the showdown between Russia and Serbia that will be decided tomorrow. The semifinal is scheduled for Saturday as of 4:30 a.m. EST.
About Davis Cup Davis Cup by Rakuten is the World Cup of Tennis. It is the largest annual international team competition in sport, with 133 nations entered in 2019. The competition is 119 years old, having been founded in 1900. In 2019, the all-new Davis Cup by BNP Paribas finals will be hosted at the iconic La Caja Magica in Madrid, Spain. Twenty-four nations will contest the Qualifiers on 1-2 February, competing in 12 locations around the world on a home-and-away basis. The 12 winning teams will join the 2018 semifinalists plus two wild card teams in an 18-nation Davis Cup season finale.
About Tennis Canada Founded in 1890, Tennis Canada is a non-profit, national sport association with a mission to lead the growth of tennis in Canada and a vision to become a world-leading tennis nation. We value teamwork, passion, integrity, innovation and excellence. Tennis Canada owns and operates the premier Rogers Cup presented by National Bank WTA and ATP World Tour events and one professional ITF sanctioned event. Tennis Canada also owns and financially supports 13 other professional tournaments in Canada. Tennis Canada operates junior national training centres/programs in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. Tennis Canada is a proud member of the International Tennis Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the International Wheelchair Tennis Association, and serves to administer, sponsor and select the teams for Davis Cup, Fed Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and all wheelchair, junior and senior national teams. Tennis Canada invests its surplus into tennis development. For more information on Tennis Canada please visit our Web site at: www.tenniscanada.com and follow us on Facebookand Twitter.
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Sheldon Keefe was named the 31st head coach in Maple Leafs history on November 20, 2019. Prior to being named head coach, Keefe served as head coach of the Toronto Marlies (AHL) for the past five seasons. In 319 regular season games, Keefe led the Marlies to a 199-89-22-9 record and won the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy as the AHL’s top team in the regular season on two occasions. He led the Marlies to a 38-21 record in four post-season appearances, including the franchise’s first Calder Cup championship in 2018. Keefe joined the Marlies after a three-year stint as head coach for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League. In two seasons with the Greyhounds, the club posted a regular season record of 98-29-2-7 while reaching the second round (2013-14) and third round (2014-15) of the playoffs. Keefe also served as GM and head coach of the CCHL’s Pembroke Lumber Kings, capturing five consecutive league championships (20072011). Record with Maple Leafs: 0 Games, 0-0-0
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (9-10-4 – 22 Points) vs.
ARIZONA COYOTES (13-7-2 – 28 Points)
NOVEMBER 21, 2019 ▪ 9:00 PM EST
GILA RIVER ARENA (GLENDALE, AZ) ▪ TV: SPORTSNET ONTARIO ▪ RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
MAPLE LEAFS HISTORY versus ARIZONA
ALL-TIME RECORD:
37-53-8-2 (100 Games)
ALL-TIME ON THE ROAD:
16-26-6-0 (48 Games)
2018-19:
0-2-0
LAST FIVE:
2-3-0
LAST 10:
2-7-1
MAPLE LEAFS CAREER LEADERS versus ARIZONA
GAMES PLAYED:
Jake Muzzin (29), Jason Spezza (22), Tyson Barrie (21)
GOALS:
Jason Spezza (9), John Tavares (9), Jake Muzzin (6)
ASSISTS:
Jason Spezza (12), Jake Muzzin (10), Morgan Rielly (6), John Tavares (6)
POINTS:
Jason Spezza (21), Jake Muzzin (16), John Tavares (15)
PENALTY MINUTES:
Jake Muzzin (34), Nick Shore (8), Zach Hyman (6), Morgan Rielly (6)
MAPLE LEAFS – COYOTES TEAM STATS
TORONTO
ARIZONA
GOALS FOR (Rank):
72 (8th)
61 (t-17th)
GOALS AGAINST (Rank):
79 (30th)
49 (2nd)
POWER PLAY [%] (Rank):
13/74 [17.6%] (18th)
12/70 [17.1%] (20th)
PENALTY KILL [%] (Rank):
57/78 [73.1%] (27th)
55/67 [82.1%] (t-14th)
SHOTS (Rank):
763 (2nd)
672 (t-14th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPTS FOR (Rank):
1161 (1st)
940 (14th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % (Rank):
53.5% (2nd)
48.4% (24th)
FACEOFF % (Rank):
53.8% (1st)
48.8% (24th)
MAPLE LEAFS – COYOTES NOTES
FIRST MATCHUP BETWEEN CLUBS:
Nov. 10, 1979 at WPG (Toronto 8, Winnipeg 4)
ALL-TIME RECORD:
37-53-8-2 (100 Games)
ALL-TIME RECORD AT HOME:
21-27-2-2 (52 Games)
ALL-TIME RECORD ON THE ROAD:
16-26-6-0 (48 Games)
LAST WIN VS. OPPONENT ON THE ROAD:
Dec. 28, 2017 (Toronto 7, Arizona 4)
MAPLE LEAFS MILESTONES vs. COYOTES
Martin Marincin
First NHL point (Jan. 24, 2014 (EDM) vs. PHX)
Auston Matthews
100th career NHL game (Nov. 20, 2017 vs. ARI)
Jake Muzzin
First NHL goal (Jan. 26, 2013 (LAK) at PHX)
William Nylander
100th career NHL point (Dec. 28, 2017 at ARI)
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
CATEGORY
LEADER
GOALS
14 (Matthews)
ASSISTS
14 (Marner, Rielly)
POINTS
27 (Matthews)
POWER PLAY POINTS
7 (Marner, Matthews)
SHORTHANDED POINTS
2 (Kapanen)
PIMs
16 (Kerfoot, Rielly)
SHOTS
86 (Matthews)
FACEOFF WIN%
59.2% (Gauthier)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %
57.8% (Spezza)
BLOCKED SHOTS
45 (Ceci)
TAKEAWAYS
24 (Marner)
HITS
50 (Muzzin)
TOI PER GAME
25:11 (Rielly)
PP TOI PER GAME
3:24 (Matthews)
SH TOI PER GAME
3:25 (Ceci)
MAPLE LEAFS PLAYER NOTES
Frederik Andersen
– Is 3-2-0 on the road this season with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. – Has a 7-3-4 record with a .933 save percentage and a 1.88 goals-against average in 15 career games against Arizona.- Fifth in the NHL in saves (489) and sixth in even-strength saves (386).
Tyson Barrie
– Eighth among NHL defencemen in shots on goal (59). – Has assists (2) in consecutive games heading into tonight.
Cody Ceci
– Tied for 12th among NHL skaters in blocked shots (45).- One of 12 NHLers to have recorded at least 40 hits (40) and 40 blocked shots (45).
Travis Dermott
– Has a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 52.3 percent in 10 games since returning from injury.
Pierre Engvall
– Made his NHL debut on November 19 at Vegas and played 9:27 in ice time.
Frederik Gauthier
– Has won 61.0 percent (75 won, 48 lost) of his defensive zone faceoffs.
Justin Holl
– Has a 5-on-5 unblocked shot attempt percentage of 53.2, which is the highest among Maple Leafs defencemen who have appeared in at least 10 games.
Zach Hyman
– Scored his first goal of the season November 19 at Vegas. – Averaging 18:05 per game in ice time through three games since returning from injury.
Kasperi Kapanen
– Leads the Maple Leafs in road points this season with nine (4-5-9) in 10 road games.
Kasimir Kaskisuo
– Made his NHL debut on November 16 at Pittsburgh.
Auston Matthews
-Fifth among NHL skaters in goals (14).- Tied for fourth among NHL skaters in even-strength goals (10).- Fifth in the NHL in shots on goal (86).- Has recorded a goal and an assist in three career games at Arizona. – Has one goal, six assists in 10 games on the road and 13 goals, seven assists in 13 games at home.
Ilya Mikheyev
– Leads the NHL in shorthanded shots on goal (10).- Leads all NHL rookies in shots on goal (54).
Jake Muzzin
– Ranks third among Maple Leafs in time on ice per game (21:51).- One of five NHL defencemen to have registered at least 45 hits (50) and at least 45 shots on goal (45).
William Nylander
– Averaging 18:33 per game in ice time against Pacific Division opposition, his highest average against a single division.- Has eight points (5 goals, 3 assists) through nine games in November.
Nic Petan
– Has a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 63.9 percent (115 for, 65 against) through nine games, which is the second-highest percentage among NHLers who have appeared in at least five games.
Morgan Rielly
– Tied for seventh among NHL defencemen in points (3-14-17).- Tied for sixth among NHL defencemen in even-strength points (3-9-12).- Sixth among NHL skaters in TOI per game (25:11).- 10th among NHL skaters in shifts per game (29.2).
Nick Shore
– Tied for second among all NHLers in defensive zone starts (145).
John Tavares
– Has seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in eight games since returning from injury on November 5 vs. Los Angeles.- Recorded eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) in seven road games thus far in 2019-20.- Leads the Maple Leafs in power play faceoffs won (58.8% – 40 won, 28 lost).
CURRENT POINT STREAKS
Tyson Barrie
Has assists (2) in two consecutive games.
Jason Spezza
Has goals (2) and points (2-1-3) in two consecutive games.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
John Tavares
Two assists from 400 career NHL assists.Two games from 100 games as a Maple Leaf.
RECENT MILESTONES
Pierre Engvall
First NHL game (November 19 at VGK)
Kasimir Kaskisuo
First NHL game (November 16 at PIT)
INJURY REPORT
Alex Kerfoot (Dental Fractures)
Out indefinitely.
Mitch Marner (Ankle)
On injured reserve.
Trevor Moore (Shoulder)
On injured reserve.
Man Games Lost: 49
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
November 18
Recalled forward Pierre Engvall from the Toronto Marlies (AHL).Placed forward Trevor Moore on injured reserve.
COYOTES NOTES
LAST GAME Coyotes 3, Kings 0 – Nov. 18, 2019 – Gila River Arena ARI Goals: Garland (10, GWG), Stepan (4, PPG), Chychrun (5, PPG) ARI Goalie: Antti Raanta – 31 saves on 31 shots LAK Goalie: Jack Campbell (L) – 24 saves on 27 shots PP: 2-4 PK: 4-4 Notes: Vinnie Hinostroza skated in his 200th career NHL game…Antti Raanta secured his first shutout of the season and first since Mar. 31, 2018…The Coyotes recorded consecutive shutouts for the first time since March 29, 31 and Apr. 3, 2012…Conor Garland (1- 1-2), Christian Dvorak (0-2-2), and Nick Schmaltz (0-2-2) all recorded multi-point games.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS Nov. 9 – Assigned goaltender Eric Comrie to Tucson for conditioning (AHL) INJURY UPDATE (total man games lost to injury: 38 games) Niklas Hjalmarsson…IR…Lower Body
PACK FACTS Nick Schmaltz (1-7-8) leads the team in home scoring. The Coyotes five wins when trailing first are tied for the fourth-most in the NHL. Christian Dvorak leads the NHL with a 62.5 FO%. The Coyotes are 8-1-2 when Clayton Keller records a point this season. Arizona has outshot their opponent by 57 in the first period which leads the NHL. Oliver Ekman-Larsson is one goal away from tying Calle Johansson (119 goals) for the fifth-most by a Swedish-born player in NHL history. The Coyotes are 8-1-1 when scoring the first goal of the game and 7-0-0 when scoring a PPG. Derek Stepan ranks sixth among US-born skaters with 459 points since entering the NHL in 2010. The Coyotes 89.7% home penalty kill percentage is fourth in the League. The Coyotes are the only team that has played in at least three shootouts to not lose and they lead the NHL with an 83.3 shooting percentage. Phil Kessel enters tonight having played in 796 consecutive games, which is the third longest active streak (Keith Yandle: 818 games, Patrick Marleau: 806 games) and the seventh longest streak in NHL history. He last missed a game on Halloween night in 2009. Alex Goligoski entered the 2019-20 as one of four NHL defensemen to have at least 10 consecutive 20 assist or more seasons (Keith Yandle, Duncan Keith, Ryan Suter) and currently leads Coyotes blueliners in scoring with 1-10-11. Last year, Lawson Crouse set a franchise record with 288 hits, which ranked second in the NHL…His 533 career hits are the most by any player drafted in 2015. Among American-born players, Phil Kessel only trails Patrick Kane in goals and points since 2006-07. … Michael Grabner’s 22 career SHGs are second (Brad Marchand: 26 SHGs) among all active players.
UPCOMING GAMES
Thur. Nov. 21 7:00 p.m. Vs. TOR Gila River Arena FOX Sports Arizona 910 AM
Sat. Nov. 23 2:00 p.m. At LAK Staples Center FOX Sports Arizona+ 910 AM
Sun. Nov. 24 6:00 p.m. Vs. EDM Gila River Arena FOX Sports Arizona+ 910 AM
. STORYLINES VS. TORONTO Arizona wraps up a three-game homestand against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Coyotes enter tonight having won four of their last five games and have gone 6-3-1 during their recent 10-game in 17 day stretch (Nov. 2-18). If the Coyotes post another shutout, it would be just the fourth time in franchise history the team shutout their opponent in three consecutive games. Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s next point will surpass him with Radim Vrbata for 11th on the franchise points list and his next assist will tie him with Randy Carlyle (226) for the fifth-most assists in franchise history. Derek Stepan is two assists away from 300 career NHL assists
. Season Series: 2/11 at TOR The Coyotes were 2-0-0 vs. TOR last season: at TOR: Jan. 20 (W, 4-2), vs. TOR: Feb. 16 (W, 2-0) ARI owns a 55-36-8-1 all-time record vs the Maple Leafs and are 26-16-6-1 at home. The Coyotes are 14-3-1 in their last 18 games against the Leafs. Phil Kessel recorded 181-213-394 in 446 career games with the Maple Leafs from 2009-15.
SCORING NOTABLES AGAINST THE MAPLE LEAFS :
Derek Stepan…4-16-20…26 career games Michael Grabner…9-5-14…22 career games Carl Soderberg…6-4-10…15 career games
SHUT DOWN, LOCK DOWN – Arizona’s 49 goals against are the second-fewest in the NHL, only trailing the New York Islanders (46 goals). – The Coyotes have posted consecutive shutouts for the first time since the team posted three consecutive shutouts from Mar. 27- Apr. 3, 2012… It’s also the sixth time in franchise history the team had a multi-game shutout streak. – The consecutive shutouts was the first time in franchise history the feat was done by two different goaltenders. – Since Jan. 1, 2018, the Coyotes have given up the second-fewest goals in the NHL (375 goals) and only trail the Dallas Stars (360 goals).
TALK OF THE TOWN – The Coyotes enter tonight with a 13-5-2 record in their last 20 games and have posted the third-most points in the NHL since that date (WSH: 30 points, NYI: 29 points). – Arizona won seven games in the month of October for just the sixth time in franchise history (1982, 1999, 2000, 2009, 2013). – The Coyotes became the first team in NHL history to defeat the past two Stanley Cup champions on consecutive nights on the road (Nov. 11-12). – On Oct. 25 and 28, the Coyotes came from two goals behind in both games and won, which was just the third time in franchise history (Mar. 18-20, 2010 and Feb. 21-23, 2012) that they won consecutive games after trailing by multiple goals.
KUEMPERATURE CHECK – Darcy Kuemper went 13 consecutive games (Mar. 23-Oct. 22) allowing two goals or less which is a new franchise record and the 12th longest in NHL history…. He posted a 7-4-2 mark with a .954 SV% and 1.41 GAA during his record-breaking stretch. – Since Jan. 6, 2019, the 29-year-old’s seven shutouts the second-most in the NHL (Sergei Bobrovsky: 8). His next shutout will surpass Curtis Joseph (8 shutouts) for the sixth-most in franchise history. – His .937 SV% ranks second while his 1.85 GAA leads all NHL goaltenders. – Kuemper, along with Antti Raanta, are ranked among the Coyotes franchise leaders in 30 plus save shutouts.
Laval: M. Peca (2) (D. Sklenicka) Goaltender: C. Lindgren (19/21)
Toronto: S. Pooley (1) (T. MacMaster, B. Harpur), K. Agostino (9) (T. Liljegren, J. Bracco) Goaltender: M. Hutchinson (32/33)
ON THE SCORESHEET
Scott Pooley scored at 3:03 of the second period. This is his first goal for the Marlies in his first game this season. Pooley has 13 points (10 goals, 3 assists) through 12 games with Newfoundland (ECHL).
Kenny Agostino scored the overtime winning goal at 4:35 of extra time. He now leads the Marlies in goals (9). Agostino has six points (5 goals, 1 assist) in four games.
Tanner MacMaster recorded the primary assist on Pooley’s second period goal. MacMaster has four points (1-3-4) in four consecutive games.
Ben Harpur registered the secondary assist on Pooley’s second period goal. Harpur has four assists through 13 games this season.
Timothy Liljegren picked up the primary assist on Agostino’s overtime goal. Liljegren has nine points (1 goal, 8 assists) through 14 games.
Jeremy Bracco had the secondary assist on Agostino’s overtime goal. Bracco leads the Marlies in assists (12). Bracco has four assists in three games.
Michael Hutchinson stopped 32 of 33 shots he faced. Hutchinson is now 2-0-0-0 on the season with a 0.943 save percentage and a 1.93 goals against average.
OF NOTE…
Toronto is undefeated at home this season. This is the most consecutive wins (7) at home since 2016-17. Toronto has outscored their opponents 30-17.
Assistant coaches Rob Davison and A.J. MacLean assumed duties behind the bench for tonight’s game against the Laval Rocket.
Sheldon Keefe finished his Marlies coaching career with a record of 199-89-22-9 (0.672) and was 15 games into his fifth season. He led Toronto to their first Calder Cup championship in 2018 and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals twice. He also won the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy twice as the regular season champions.
Toronto was 3-for-3 on the penalty kill and was 0-for-1 on the power play.
Laval had a 33-21 edge in shots in all situations. Pontus Aberg and Kenny Agostino led the Marlies with three shots on goal.
The Marlies are 5-0-2-1 against North Division opponents and are 1-0-0-1 against the Rocket. This is the second of eight games this season against Laval this season.
REGULAR SEASON LEADERS
Goals: K. Agostino (9)
Assists: J. Bracco (12)
Points: P. Aberg 16)
PPG: E. Korshkov (4)
Shots: P. Aberg (52)
+/-: B. Harpur (+10)
PIMS: G. Wilson (41)
RECORD WHEN…
The Marlies are 3-0-1-0 when trailing after the first period and 3-1-0-1 when tied after the second period.
Toronto is 5-2-1-1 when outshot by their opponent.
The Marlies are 2-1-0-0 in Wednesday games and are 5-2-0-1 in November.
CURRENT POINT STREAKS
Tanner MacMaster has points (1-3-4) in four consecutive games.
MARLIES UPDATES.
Darren Archibald (forearm strain) did not dress for tonight’s game against Laval. He has not dressed since November 6 against Rockford.
Kevin Gravel (illness) did not dress for tonight’s game against Laval.
Rasmus Sandin (rib contusion) did not dress for tonight’s game against Laval. Heleft Toronto’s game midway through the second period against Texas on November 16.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
November 18: Recalled forward Pierre Engvall from loan by Toronto (NHL).
November 15: Recalled forward Scott Pooley from loan to Newfoundland (ECHL).
November 15: Reassigned defenceman Joseph Duszak by Toronto (NHL) to Newfoundland (ECHL).
POSTGAME QUOTES
ASSISTANT COACH A.J. MacLEAN
On the emotions around the team with the announcement of Sheldon Keefe as head coach of the Maple Leafs: For me personally, (Sheldon) means everything, to my career. Along with my father and Kyle Dubas, they’re the people who’ve really groomed me to be where I am. Once I got done playing they took a chance on me in the Soo and every step of the way he’s been an incredible mentor and basically a big brother to me through life and through coaching. For here with the development of all the Marlies, he’s been absolutely incredible. He genuinely cares about every player that’s come through here. He puts a lot of time and effort in to make sure that each and every player has an opportunity to reach their maximum potential, and that’s our day-in and day-out process, is to try and get the players to their potential.
On if he spoke with Keefe following the announcement: Briefly, just as a group (chat) we have, not one-on-one. But we got to talk to him a bit when the news came to us and we wished him all the best and told him how proud we are of him. We’re looking forward to watching him go.
On the benefits of giving personal attention to each player: I think you just know if somebody cares about you, you go through a wall for them, and that’s what you see almost all the time here with the Marlies. The guys go through the wall for him. They really want to get better because us as a staff really want to see every player reach their potential and it all starts with him.
JEREMY BRACCO (1 ASSIST)
On Sheldon Keefe’s style of communication: I think you know where you stand. I think you know where you are in the lineup, you know what you need to do, you know what you need to do to contribute to play a lot and he expects you to be better in the areas that you’re not so good at. He’s very easy to talk to about life, not even hockey. I’ve gone to him about multiple different things and he’s been there, open door policy, and I think that’s something they’ll appreciate up there.
ADAM BROOKS
On today’s win against Laval: I mean obviously we knew that today was a crazy day and we knew going into this game that we didn’t want to use it as an excuse. We still have a great leadership group in there and we’re still led by two great coaches. We knew what we needed to do heading into this one and thanks to Kenny and a great play by Hutch, we were able to come out of there with the win.
On what Sheldon Keefe meant to his development: He was huge. I was very fortunate to play under Sheldon for parts of three years now. When I came into the league it was a huge adjustment for me, probably a little harder than I thought it was going to be and he was there the whole way. He’s a great coach, he always tells you exactly what he wants from you and when he sees that your game’s not going the way he wants it to be, he straightens it out and shows you the things that you’re doing wrong. I can’t thank him enough for everything he’s done for us and the development that he’s done for so many guys that you’ve seen made that jump to the NHL. With a few more going this year already, it just shows what kind of coach that Sheldon Keefe is.
NEXT GAME:
November 23 vs Manitoba – 4:00 p.m. ET November 24 vs Manitoba – 4:00 p.m. ET November 29 at Rochester – 7:05 p.m. ET November 30 vs Utica – 1:30 p.m. ET (Scotiabank Arena) December 1 vs Utica – 4:00 p.m. ET
RJ Barrett has been treated to a hero’s welcome to New York and the Knicks. In his first NBA win, Barrett’s first double-double (19 points, 15 rebounds) took a back seat to Bobby Portis’ timely shooting and 28 points off the bench. In the rookie’s first road win, he endured the worst shooting night (1-for-9) […]
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OneTeam will be led by founding CEO Ahmad Nassar, President of NFL Players Inc., and President Brent Stehlik, an Operating Partner at RedBird Capital and formerly Chief Revenue Officer of the Cleveland Browns and San Diego Padres. The Company’s Board of Directors will include representatives from each of the founding partners – NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark, RedBird Capital Founder and Managing Partner Gerry Cardinale and RedBird Capital’s Alec Scheiner, formerly the President of the Cleveland Browns and SVP and General Counsel of the Dallas Cowboys.
“The creation of OneTeam has the potential to advance the interests of athletes in all sports,” said NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith. “We have grown through innovation in the past decade, whether through the creation of ACE Media, One Team Collective, or REP Worldwide, and OneTeam is the next step in our ability to expand our services to players and partners.”
“Athletes across all sports are interested in connecting more directly and authentically with their fans,” MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark said. “The OneTeam partnership provides a platform for athletes to provide additional value in new and innovative ways while strengthening the bonds and sense of community between athletes worldwide. We’re pleased to join with Redbird Capital and the NFLPA to launch this exciting new venture.”
Gerry Cardinale continued: “We are honored to partner with the NFLPA, the MLBPA and their players. The commercial opportunity for collective player rights has been steadily growing in recent years, as many players associations have brought ownership of their rights back in-house as they seek new monetization opportunities. With OneTeam, we are capitalizing a new platform company across Leagues with experienced leadership focused on maximizing the value of these rights. Through this independent platform, all the participating associations will be able to accelerate current revenue streams, as well as develop future revenue categories on behalf of their members.”
“I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to lead OneTeam,” said CEO Ahmad Nassar. “Our mission is to empower world-class athletes to own their individual and collective intellectual property. We see the opportunity for athlete-centric sports properties around the world to leverage and fully monetize their group licensing rights on an independently capitalized basis. To that end, we will build upon REP Worldwide, the brand management and representation business founded by the NFLPA, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association and the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association. Ultimately, our goal is for OneTeam to work with and support every athlete in every country.”
As part of the Company’s formation, OneTeam will launch a venture fund that includes other Players Associations including the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association and the Major League Soccer Players Association. This fund will invest in sports-related, early stage companies that can benefit players and player performance.
OneTeam will be headquartered in Washington D.C. and New York, with localized operations in every major city in the United States and select cities around the world.
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About RedBird Capital Partners
RedBird Capital Partners is a principal investment firm which provides flexible, long-term capital to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. With offices in New York and Dallas, RedBird seeks investment opportunities in growth-oriented private companies where its capital, investor network and strategic relationships enable business owners to achieve their corporate objectives. Founded by former Goldman Sachs Partner Gerald Cardinale, RedBird has invested and/or led $2.5 billion of equity to support its entrepreneur-led platforms, connecting patient capital with business founders to help them outperform operationally, financially and strategically. For more information, please go to www.redbirdcap.com.
About the National Football League Players Association
The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players’ interests. The NFLPA has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to assure that the rights of players are protected—including ceasing to be a union, if necessary, as it did in 1989. In 1993, the NFLPA again was officially recognized as the union representing the players and negotiated a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL. The current CBA will govern the sport through 2020. For more information, please visit www.nflpa.com.
About the Major League Baseball Players Association
The Major League Baseball Players Association (www.MLBPLAYERS.com) is the collective
bargaining representative for all professional baseball players of the thirty Major League Baseball teams and serves as the exclusive group licensing agent for commercial and licensing activities involving active Major League baseball players. On behalf of its members, it operates the Players Choice licensing program and the Players Choice Awards, which benefit the needy through the Major League Baseball Players Trust (www.PlayersTrust.org), a charitable foundation established and run entirely by Major League baseball players. Follow: @MLB_Players; @MLBPlayersTrust; @MLBPAClubhouse.
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield had his $12,500 fine for criticizing officials overturned on appeal, Jake Trotter of ESPN reports. Mayfield’s criticism was deemed “not strong enough to warrant a fine,” per Trotter. Mayfield had questioned the officiating after the Browns’ loss to the Seahawks in Week Six, saying, “I’ll probably get fined for this, but…
RAPTORS NOTES • The Toronto Raptors look to extend their unbeaten streak at home tonight when they welcome the Charlotte Hornets to Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors are one of five NBA teams to remain undefeated at home this season, joining Utah (6-0), Boston (5-0), Miami (5-0) and Philadelphia (4-0). Toronto has won five of the last seven games vs. the Hornets with both of those losses coming in the last two meetings. Toronto only plays five of their 13 games in November at home.
• On Saturday night the Raptors outscored Dallas 19-7 in fast-break points. Toronto is the only NBA team that has scored as many or more fast-break points as their opponent in every game this season. The Raptors currently lead the NBA averaging 21.7 fast-break points through 12 games played.
• The Raptors rank second in the NBA in three-point shooting percentage (.399) trailing only Detroit (.405). Toronto also ranks second in the league in percentage of points from three pointers (38.5 per cent) behind the Houston (39.7). The Raptors have made 172 threes this season ranking third in the NBA.
• Pascal Siakam has scored 30+ points for in five of his 12 games this season. He had five 30-point performances in 80 games played last season after not reaching the 30-point mark in either of first two NBA seasons. Siakam finished with 15 points and seven assists Nov. 16 at Dallas.
• Fred VanVleet has recorded 20+ points in three of the last four games after scoring 24 points Nov. 16 at Dallas. It marked the fourth time this season VanVleet has scored at least 20 points in a game after recording five games of 20+ points in 64 games last season. VanVleet has had at least four more assists than turnovers in each of the last seven games (Oct. 30 – Nov. 16). During this span, VanVleet has totaled 66 assists compared to just 17 turnovers.
• The Raptors currently rank first in the NBA in opponent field goal percentage (.406). Toronto has held its opponent below 40 per cent shooting from the floor five times this season. •
• Rondae Hollis-Jefferson set season highs with 16 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes Nov. 13 at Portland – his 27th career double-double and first with the Raptors. Hollis-Jefferson is averaging 10.8 points and 6.8 rebounds over the last four games (Nov. 10-16) after being a DNP the previous five games.
• ROOKIE REPORT: Matt Thomas scored a career-high 10 points Nov. 16 at Dallas … Thomas currently leads all rookies in the NBA with a .579 three-point shooting percentage (11-for-19) … ranks fourth among rookie in +/- rating … Davis has finished with a plus (or even) rating in each of the last seven games (Nov. 2-16) … Davis has scored in double figure twice this season. • CHARLOTTE CONNECTIONS: Charlotte Hornets centre Bismack Biyombo was part of the Raptors team that reached the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals … Biyombo averaged 5.5 points and 8.0 rebounds in 82 games during his lone season in Toronto (2015-16) … Former Raptors head coach Jay Triano is in his second season as an assistant with the Hornets … Charlotte assistant coach Nate Mitchell spent three seasons as an assistant with Raptors 905.
PROBABLE STARTERS
OG ANUNOBY #3 • Recorded eight points and five rebounds in 32 minutes of action Nov. 16 at Dallas. • Has scored 10 or more points six times, including a season-high 21 points Nov. 8 at New Orleans. • Ranks second in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage (.525); has made multiple threes in six games.
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43 • Finished with 15 points, three rebounds and a career high-tying seven assists in 41 minutes Nov. 16 at Dallas. • Has recorded five games of 30+ points; had five 30-point performances in 80 games played last season. • Ranked ninth in the NBA in scoring (26.2) and fourth in minutes per game (37.1). C – MARC GASOL #33 • Contributed six points, a team-high nine rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes Nov. 16 at Dallas. • Reached 12,000 career points in the NBA against the Mavericks on Saturday. • Has collected 10+ rebounds three times, including a season-high 12 rebounds Nov. 2 at Milwaukee.
G – NORMAN POWELL #24 • Scored a season and team-high 26 points Nov. 16 at Dallas; made a career-best six three-point field goals. • Averaging 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 30.6 minutes in four games as a starter. • Has scored in double figures in four of the last five games (Nov. 8-16); averaging 15.0 points during this stretch.
G – FRED VANVLEET #23 • Recorded 24 points, five rebounds and a team high-tying seven assists in 39 minutes Nov. 16 at Dallas. • Has recorded at least five assists in all 12 games this season – the longest streak of his career. • Ranks seventh in the NBA in assists (7.6) and second in minutes per game (38.5).
MORE NOTES
• The Raptors went 3–2 on their five-game west coast road trip (Nov. 8-16). It marked the first time the Raptors finished with a winning record on a road trip of five or more games – all against Western Conference teams – since November 2001, when they went 4–2 on a trip through Utah (W), Denver (L), Sacramento (L), Golden State (W), LA Clippers and Phoenix (W).
• Pascal Siakam was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Nov. 4-10 – earning the honour for the second time in his career. Siakam averaged team highs of 30.3 points and 11.3 rebounds in three victories. He posted at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in all three games, and tied his career high with 44 points Nov. 8 at New Orleans.
• Kyle Lowry played his 500th game as a Raptor on Oct. 26 at Chicago. He is the fifth player in franchise history to accomplish the feat; joining DeMar DeRozan, Morris Peterson, Jose Calderon and Chris Bosh. Lowry is the longest-serving member of the Raptors – entering his eighth season with the club. His five All-Star Game appearances (2015-19), including two as a starter, are tied with Vince Carter and Bosh for the most in team history.
• Following Spain’s triumph at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, Marc Gasol became just the second player to win an NBA title and a FIBA world gold medal in the same year, joining Lamar Odom (2010). Gasol is a highlydecorated member of the Spanish National Team, helping the country capture nine medals since 2006.
• Forwards Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Stanley Johnson played one season together at Arizona (2014-15) prior to entering the 2015 NBA Draft. Johnson (13.8) and Hollis-Jefferson (11.2) ranked first and third, respectively, in team scoring that season. The duo helped the Wildcats reach the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament and captured the Pac-12 Championship. Arizona finished with a 34-4 record (.895) during the 2014-15 campaign.
• The Raptors won their first NBA Championship last June, defeating Golden State in the NBA Finals. In the 2019 postseason, Toronto went 16-8 while also eliminating Orlando, Philadelphia and Milwaukee – the top seed in the Eastern Conference. During the regular season, the Raptors won 58 games and set franchise records for points per game (114.4), assists per game (25.4), rebounds per game (45.2) and three-point field goals made (1,105).
Nick Nurse became the ninth first-year NBA head coach to win an NBA title, and first since Tyronn Lue in 2016. He is also the only head coach to have both an NBA and G League championship. Nurse won the G League title with Rio Grande Valley in 2013 and Iowa in 2011.
• Since the beginning of the NBA Lottery in 1985, the Raptors became the first team to capture the NBA title without a single lottery pick on their Finals roster. Toronto did have a lottery pick earlier in the year but traded former fifth overall selection Jonas Valanciunas to the Memphis Grizzlies for Marc Gasol. Greg Monroe, the seventh pick by Detroit in the 2010 NBA Draft, was also traded to Brooklyn at the trade deadline.
INJURY REPORT
Serge Ibaka (Right ankle sprain) – Out Kyle Lowry (Distal phalanx fracture – left thumb) – Out Patrick McCaw (Left knee surgery) — Out.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS LAST GAME’S STARTERS
0 MILES BRIDGES F • 6-6 • 225 • Michigan State PPG • 11.6 RPG • 5.1 APG • 2.2 Drafted 12th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft Scored a career-high 20 points vs. BOS on 3/23 Scored 14 points along with six rebounds, three steals and a block in his first career start vs. WAS on 2/22 25 PJ WASHINGTON F • 6-7 • 236 • Kentucky PPG • 13.1 RPG • 5.8 APG • 1.5 Scored a franchise-record 27 points in his NBA debut on 10/23 Made an NBA-record seven threes in his first career game Drafted 12th overall in the 2019 NBA draft
40 CODY ZELLER C • 6-11.8 • 240 • Indiana PPG • 12.4 RPG • 9.1 APG • 1.3 Missed 33 games due to injury in the 2018-19 season Recorded a double double in each of his first four appearances this season – the first Charlotte player to do so since Okafor (05-06)
4 DEVONTE’ GRAHAM G • 6-1 • 195 • Kansas PPG • 18.8 RPG • 3.5 APG • 7.1 Collected a career-high 35 points along with four rebounds, six assists and three steals vs. IND (11/5) Averaging a career-high 7.3 assists per game, ranking 8th among all players in the NBA this season.
3 TERRY ROZIER G • 6-1 • 195 • Louisville PPG • 16.9 RPG • 4.0 APG • 4.7 Acquired by the Hornets on July 6, 2019 Spent first four seasons with the Boston Celtics Career averages of 7.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 20.0 minutes per game .
HORNETS NOTES
3-TAE In the Hornets’ win over the Knicks on 11/16, Devonte’ Graham scored 29 points on 10-19 shooting, including a career-high nine made threes on 16 attempts. Graham’s final three-pointer of the game sealed the 103-102 victory with 2.1 seconds left in the game. Graham is averaging 3.5 three-point field goals per game, ranking seventh in the league this season.
COMEBACK KIDS In Charlotte’s defeat of the Knicks on 11/16 the Hornets trailed by as many as 15 points in the second half before securing the 103-102 win. In each of the Hornets’ six victories this season the team has trailed by ten-or-more points before coming back to secure a victory. Charlotte leads the league with the most double-digit comeback wins in the NBA this season, per Elias Sports.
UPTOWN MONK In the Hornets’ win over the Pistons on 11/15 reserve guard Malik Monk scored 19 points, including the game-winning shot. This follows a game in which Monk scored a season-high 20 points along with five assists and a career-high tying eight rebounds in 29 minutes (11/13). Monk scored 15-ormore points in three-straight games (11/10 – 11/15) – a career-long streak of such games.
DEVONTE’ DOUBLE DOUBLE In Charlotte’s 109-106 win over Detroit on 11/15 Devonte’ Graham finished with 19 points, ten assists and five rebounds. This is Graham’s fourth points-assists double double of the season and his career. Graham’s four points-assists double doubles have him tied with Phoenix’s Rubio for the fifth-most in the NBA this season.
HIVE HUSTLE Through 13 games both rookie Cody Martin and Devonte’ Graham have drawn six charges, tied with only each other for the fifth-most charges drawn in the league this season.
STOP AND SMELL THE ROZES In Charlotte’s loss to Memphis on 11/13 Terry Rozier scored a career-high tying 33 points (last: at SAC, 3/25/18), on 13-21 shooting, including a season-high seven three pointers on 12 attempts (prev: three, done multiple times). Rozier scored 18 of his 33 points in the first half of the loss alone, the highest first-half points total by any Charlotte player this season. This is Rozier’s third career game of 30-or-more points and the second by any Hornets player this season.
CHARLOTT3 HORN3TS Through 13 games the Hornets are shooting 36.8% from three, good for eighth-best in the league and are ninth in three pointers made per game with 12.9. In the 10/23 win over the Bulls the Hornets connected on a franchise-record 23 three-point field goals on 44 attempts (prev: 22 at CLE, 4/9/19). The 23 threes in the season opener are the most by any NBA team in their season debut (prev: 19, done multiple times).
TEN-GAME TOTALS Through the first ten games of the 2019-20 season (10/23 – 11/10) Devonte’ Graham recorded 179 points, 76 assists, 36 rebounds and nine steals. Graham is the first player in NBA history to record 175-or-more points and 75-or-more assists off the bench through the first ten games of his season.
SCARY TERRY In his first year with the Hornets Terry Rozier is averaging career highs in points (17.0), assists (4.9), steals (1.3) and blocks (0.3) in 32 minutes per game. Rozier recorded 20-or-more points in a career-long streak of three straight games (10/30 – 11/5). Rozier has scored 15-or-more points in eight of his 12 appearances this season.
THREE-J WASHINGTON Through 13 games PJ Washington ranks third among all rookies in total threes made (22), third in threes per game (1.7) and is shooting 50.0% from three – second-highest percentage among all rookies (min: ten attempts). In the season-opening win over Chicago on 10/23, PJ Washington scored 27 points on 9-17 shooting, including 7-11 from three. The rookie’s seven three-point field goals set an NBA record for three pointers by a rookie in his career debut (prev: 5, done twice).
SWARMING HORNETS The Hornets have made a conscious effort to get out in transition this year and are taking 16.1% of all their field goals in transition this year, good for eighth-most in the league. Devonte’ Graham is leading the Hornets efforts adding 2.9 points per 100 possessions in transition.
PJ PARTY In Charlotte’s 11/10 loss to the Sixers Hornets rookie PJ Washington scored 15 points, along with four rebounds and four steals. Washington is the first Charlotte rookie to record 15-or-more points and four-or-more steals in a game since DJ Augustin (12/12/08). Washington joins Philadelphia’s Matisse Thybulle and New York’s RJ Barrett as the only three rookies to log four-or-more steals in a single game this year.
Highlights: Paul George | Clippers vs. Hawks Paul George scores 37 points and four rebounds just in 20 mins against the Hawks. 150-101 NBA News via NBA Basketball News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games https://ift.tt/2vcJMIj November 16, 2019 at 11:00PM
– 31 saves on 31 shots LAK Goalie: Jack Campbell (L) – 24 saves on 27 shots PP: 2-4 PK: 4-4 Notes: Vinnie Hinostroza skated in his 200th career NHL game…Antti Raanta secured his first shutout of the season and first since Mar. 31, 2018…The Coyotes recorded consecutive shutouts for the first time since March 29, 31 and Apr. 3, 2012…Conor Garland (1- 1-2), Christian Dvorak (0-2-2), and Nick Schmaltz (0-2-2) all recorded multi-point games.
The view from left field 