ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021 SPORTS 15 Slovakia again pin ‘hopes’ on Hamšík LONDON, June 2, (AP): After Lightning edge Canes for 2-0 lead reaching the last 16 at the European Championship five years ago, Slovakia’s hopes for Vasilevskiy the hero success at this year’s tourna- ment will be pinned on the same player as last time. RALEIGH, N.C. June 2, Five different coaches have been in charge and a handful of (AP): Andrei Vasilevskiy regulars have retired since Euro has spent two games turn- 2016, but captain Marek ing nearly every shot away Hamšík remains the team’s fig- urehead. for the Tampa Bay Now without the likes of Lightning. A couple more, Martin Škrtel, Stanislav Šesták, and the reigning Stanley Adam Nemec and Ján urica, Milan Škriniar leads the defense Cup champions could be while the team relies on headed to the next round. Hamšík’s creativity and vison Alex Killorn and Anthony for their attacking game. Cirelli scored while Vasilevskiy carried a shutout into the final SOCCER minutes, helping the Lightning beat the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 on Tuesday night for a 2-0 lead in No one has played more their second-round series. games (126) or scored more As in the first round against Florida, goals (26) for Slovakia than the Lightning have opened a best-of- Hamšík, who made his interna- seven series with a pair of road wins. tional debut in 2007. This time, it comes against the Central The big question for Slovakia Division champion and a team that coach Štefan Tarkovi, however, was in the Presidents’ Trophy hunt is whether Hamšík can still pro- until the final week of the regular sea- duce on the biggest stages. son. The attacking midfielder, who turns 34 in July, disap- ICE HOCKEY peared from the spotlight after ending his 11-year stint at Napoli in early 2019 to join Chinese club Dalian. “We’ve been through (road playoff Travel issues amid the coro- games) before,” Tampa Bay coach Jon navirus pandemic and his aim Cooper said. “And we’ve got a group to get playing time ahead of that believes in how to play and what Euro 2020 prompted him to you need to do to shut a game down. ... return to European soccer this I think when you just have that overall year. mentality and everybody puts the team Carolina Hurricanes’ Dougie Hamilton (19) works for the puck against Tampa Bay Lightning’s Blake Coleman (20) during the second period of Game 2 He joined IFK Gothenburg first, good things and magical things of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series in Raleigh, NC. (AP) in March on a half-year con- can happen. And that’s what these tract. Gothenburg hoped guys are doing.” Now Tampa Bay Both games ended the same way, when he whipped a straightaway shot legs as they skated by each other. ing with Vasilevskiy’s stick out of his Hamšík would bring the club heads home for two games, with Game with Carolina down 2-1 and spending past Alex Nedeljkovic. The goaltender Trocheck put little to no weight on his hand and spinning on the ice as he closer to its first domestic title 3 on Thursday, and a chance to sweep. the final minute with the empty net was shielded by teammate Jaccob right leg as he skated to the bench, slam- flailed at the puck. since 2007, but a calf injury “It was rocking these last two and extra attacker in a desperate tying Slavin tussling with Cirelli and didn’t ming his stick along the way before “I think we as forwards, including forced him to sit out the start of games,” Lightning captain Steven attempt. appear to see the puck until it was past heading to the locker room. myself, we’ve got to get in front of this the Swedish league season in Stamkos said of PNC Arena with more Andrei Svechnikov got Carolina on him in the net. He played one short shift in the third guy and get around the net and get April. than 16,000 rowdy fans. “To come in here and get both wins was huge. We the board with 1:30 left, taking a feed Cirelli added to Tampa Bay’s lead but didn’t return. more guys there when the puck’s Slovakia will face Poland from Jordan Staal and finishing from by taking Victor Hedman’s stretch Tampa Bay was without defense- going there,” Staal said of creating and Sweden in St. Petersburg know how hard it is to win this time of the year, period.” Vasilevskiy finished the top of the crease. pass and shaking free from Brady man David Savard for a second traffic around Vasilevskiy. and Spain in Sevilla in Group E. Carolina had a 32-15 edge in shots Skjei before converting a backhand to straight game due to an upper-body Killorn’s goal marked the seventh Euro 2020 marks Slovakia’s with 31 saves after being named one of three finalists for the Vezina Trophy on goal, but it also had more than make it 2-0 at 8:06 of the third. injury. time in eight playoff games, and sixth in third appearance at a major double the giveaways (23-11) while The Hurricanes took a significant hit The Hurricanes’ chances included a row, that the Hurricanes have surren- tournament since becoming presented annually to the league’s top goaltender. That came two days after Tampa Bay blocked 16 shots. in this one when Vincent Trocheck was Martin Necas going wide of the net on dered the game’s first goal. The excep- an independent country in Killorn got the Lightning on the hurt late in the second when the center a short-handed 2-on-1 breakaway in tion was a shutout win against Nashville 1993. he made 37 stops in Game 1, including 15 saves in the opening period. board 7:09 into the second period and teammate Warren Foegele banged the second period, with that play end- in Game 2 of the first-round series. Russia dominate Belarus Title candidates US win group, Canada reach quarters Ronaldo backed by talented RIGA, Latvia, June 2, (AP): Kevin Portugal squad at Euro 2020 Labanc and Conor Garland scored two goals apiece and the United States won ‘Right move for me at this time’ LONDON, June 2, (AP): A record- their sixth straight game with a 4-2 vic- chasing Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be tory over Italy in their final preliminary the only attraction for Portugal when game at the world hockey championship . they try to win a second straight With the victory, the U.S. clinched Real hire Ancelotti to replace Zidane European Championship title. first in Group B and will play Slovakia Ronaldo will attempt to become the in the single-elimination quarterfinals, MADRID, June 2, (AP): Real during his first spell in the Real “I would like to thank Everton all-time leading scorer with a national which start Thursday. Madrid picked an experienced for- Madrid hot seat,” Madrid said in a FC, my players and the supporters team, but this time there will be a lot “Seventeen days ago, we came mer coach instead of another former statement. “The new coach boasts for giving me the opportunity to more to watch for in Portugal’s squad. together some of us not knowing each player to try to put the team back on vast experience and an impressive manage this fantastic and historical The defending champions are bring- other, and to now be sitting here in track after a disappointing season. trophy haul.” club,” Ancelotti said on Twitter. “I ing one their most talented teams in first place, we’re a proud group,” Madrid hired Carlo Ancelotti on He will take over a squad that decided to leave as I have a new years to Euro 2020, loaded with play- coach Jack Capuano said. to replace Zinedine Zidane, who was marred by injuries this season. challenge with a team that was ers who can support Ronaldo and Jake Oettinger made nine saves in quit last week after the team’s first It was unclear if some key players always in my heart, Real Madrid.” make Portugal a contender again. winning for the third time in the tour- trophyless season in more than a will return, including Sergio Ramos. Zidane was Ancelotti’s assistant The talent pool is arguably greater nament. Brian Boyle took over as cap- decade. Many expected the job to There’s also uncertainty about when Madrid won their 10th than it was five years ago in France, tain with Justin Abdelkader sidelined go to former Madrid great Raúl whether players like Gareth Bale European trophy. Zidane eventually when Portugal won the title with a with an injury. González, who like Zidane had will be back after being away on led Madrid to consecutive squad that succeeded with efficiency Italy lost all seven games in the been coaching the team’s “B” squad loan. Big signings are not expected rather than extraordinary play. The tournament. Italian goaltender Davide before taking over the main squad. as the club continues to struggle Portuguese earned the trophy with Fadani made 39 saves. But club president Florentino financially. SOCCER only one victory in 90 minutes during In this Sunday, Nov 17, 2019 filer, Finland, Germany and Canada also Pérez instead went with the coach Ancelotti joined Everton in the entire tournament. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo cele- advanced in Group B.