SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 5/24/2020 Anaheim Ducks Philadelphia Flyers 1185168 Quite a power play as Ali Downey represents Ducks and 1185192 NHL players’ union takes step toward returning; Flyers critical care nurses with class may face Pens-Habs winner 1185193 2020 NHL draft profile: Daniel Torgersson has 'unique Arizona Coyotes size,' ability to 'dominate' 1185169 Arizona Coyotes to host blood drive at Gila River Arena 1185170 NHLPA agree on 24-team playoff framework to resume Pittsburgh Penguins season 1185194 Penguins A to Z: John Marino shows he’s ready 1185195 Analysis: Why the Penguins shouldn't overlook Montreal in Boston Bruins play-in round 1185171 Jillian Dempsey and teachers everywhere have given an A-plus performance San Jose Sharks 1185172 Phil Esposito a hockey hero the world over 1185196 Sharks top prospect Ryan Merkley modeling his game 1185173 When should 2020 NHL Draft happen? Mark Recchi gives after Erik Karlsson honest take St Louis Blues Chicago Blackhawks 1185197 BenFred: NHL proposal might not guarantee Blues a top 1185174 NHL’s 24-team playoffs pit the Chicago Blackhawks seed, but that might not be so bad against Edmonton Oilers, creating an incredible turn of 1185198 Players' association votes to move forward with NHL's even 24-team postseason plan Dallas Stars Tampa Bay Lightning 1185175 Coronavirus pandemic has provided a quiet pause for live 1185199 Lightning reportedly one of two to vote against NHL’s sports — and it isn’t all that bad 24-team playoff format 1185176 Why Jason Dickinson and the Stars voted ‘yes’ on NHL’s 1185200 Why the Lightning were one of two teams to vote ‘no’ on return-to-play proposal 24-team format Detroit Red Wings Toronto Maple Leafs 1185177 How Robby Fabbri reignited career after Detroit Red 1185201 Canada’s NHL teams offer varying refund options to Wings stole him from Blues season-ticket holders 1185178 Even with empty stadiums, television a big driver in the 1185202 Doug McKay played one NHL game. And made history push to bring back pro sports amid coronavirus Vancouver Canucks Edmonton Oilers 1185208 Ed Willes: Benning marks six years as Canucks' GM. Are 1185179 TYCHKOWSKI: NHL's return to play strategy could cost finest days still to come? fans in the long run 1185180 JONES: Edmonton Oilers only looking ahead in NHL's Vegas Golden Knights possible return to play 1185203 Several details remain unresolved in NHL’s return-to-play 1185181 Lowetide: Why Kailer Yamamoto represents ‘Money Puck’ plan value for NHL teams Washington Capitals Florida Panthers 1185204 T.J. Oshie doesn't believe shootouts should dictate results 1185182 NHL players approve format for return; Panthers would in the Stanley Cup Playoffs qualify for playoffs 1185205 T.J. Oshie had no nerves entering shootout with Russia in 2014 Sochi Olympics Minnesota Wild 1185206 Making sense of the NHLPA's statement: What it means 1185183 Fans should enjoy any Wild playoff run even if sportstuff and what it doesn't will be missing 1185207 Remembering the 2018 Eastern Conference Final and the best two-game stretch in Capitals history Montreal Canadiens 1185184 Hickey on hockey: Canadiens part of NHL playoff plans Websites 1185209 Sportsnet.ca / Quick Shifts: 24-team playoff injects hope, New Jersey Devils raises questions 1185185 NHL better not cheat the teams bound for draft lottery 1185210 Sportsnet.ca / World Cup of Hockey: Halak vs. Price added spark to improbable final New York Islanders 1185211 TSN.CA / Ducks' Miller on racism in hockey: "I hope the 1185186 Newsday photographer David Pokress was in the right conversation moves forward" place at the right time for Bobby Nystrom's Stanley Cup-wi 1185187 Top 10 Islanders goals of all time World Leagues News 1185212 Baseball: Coronavirus puts global spotlight on Taiwanese New York Rangers league 1185188 NHL better not cheat the teams bound for draft lottery 1185213 Basketball put on pause for Native Americans amid 1185189 Top 10 Rangers goals of all time coronavirus outbreak 1185214 No sporting event in India in near future, have to live with Ottawa Senators new normal of sports behind closed doors: Rijiju 1185190 The next step for the Ottawa Senators is a decision on the 1185215 Germany’s Bundesliga soccer has a model for how sports lottery and the draft by the NHL can return amid coronavirus. The world is watching. 1185191 GARRIOCH: Ottawa Senators' 2019-20 season quietly comes to an official end SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1185168 Anaheim Ducks dedication into caring for their patients and building that rapport with people was something that really drew me to it.” She got her license in 2014 and worked in home health nursing before Quite a power play as Ali Downey represents Ducks and critical care she was hired at MemorialCare Orange Coast. The hospital has treated nurses with class some COVID-19 patients during the pandemic, an eye-opening experience for Downey. By HELENE ELLIOTT SPORTS COLUMNIST “I think a lot of us in the medical field would say we would be more prepared for something like a natural disaster. I know for myself, that’s MAY 23, 20207 AM how I felt,” she said. “I never really expected a pandemic to come about that was going to be this serious where things were shutting down. I would have been prepared more for an earthquake here in California or a The two halves of Ali Downey’s life couldn’t be more different. mass accident, something of that nature. It’s definitely been something that I wasn’t prepared for. However, you’re trained for everything.” Three days a week, for shifts that can carry past 12½ hours “if somebody’s a little bit more sick or you get somebody from the She’s grateful for the respect being shown to healthcare workers but emergency room or if they’re crashing,” she’s a critical care nurse at initially was uncomfortable with being labeled a hero. To her, being a MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley. It’s a nurse is simply what she was meant to do. “You think of servicemen and calling she recognized as a child, when she’d comfort other kids or bring women for their service, and police officers and firemen and people like wounded animals to her Huntington Beach home to nurture them back to that and tell them they’re a hero,” she said. “I understand it now. The health. “It’s just been in me, this feeling, my entire life,” she said. recognition that nurses and medical staff are getting has been absolutely amazing and I’m always at a loss for words when people say things like During hockey season, when her work schedule permits, she’s a member that to me. of the Ducks’ Power Players squad, a 16-woman group that brings energy to Honda Center on game nights and represents the team at “I don’t consider myself a hero but it is nice to hear, all the same, and I promotional events. Some Power Players are part of the crew that clears appreciate anyone that feels that way about me.” debris and snow and maintains the ice during stoppages in play, a role She’s also eager to resume the hockey half of her life and return to the Downey hopes to add next season. Given that she basically relearned Ducks, though that probably won’t happen until next season. “I would how to skate two weeks before she aced her audition last summer, absolutely love it. It’s been an amazing experience and I’m so proud to there’s every reason to believe she will succeed there too. be part of the organization,” she said. Her two dramatically different jobs form a satisfying whole for Downey, They’re lucky to have her. So are her patients. Not everyone can bring whose rookie year on the ice was cut short when the NHL paused the such grace and care while successfully balancing two such different season March 12 because of the coronavirus outbreak. Interacting with worlds. fans and leading cheers for the Ducks was a release valve for the stress of nursing, creating a perfect equilibrium that enhances her appreciation of each role. LA Times: LOADED: 05.24.2020 “In nursing, it’s definitely a very serious atmosphere, especially in critical care. So I don’t get to express as much of my goofy self there,” she said in a phone interview. “There’s times when there’s a little bit of down time when I can be a little bit more of myself, but when I’m there I am a lot more serious. Whereas at the Ducks, it’s just been such a great fit and an outlet to really use my outgoing personality. We’re on the Jumbotron and doing dance cams and dealing with fans and little kids and everything so it’s different, but I love that I have both of those.” Downey, 29, is a few years older than most Power Players, but her life experience was a plus when she tried out on the recommendation of a friend who was on the squad. She hadn’t skated since she was a kid, but she pushed herself to regain her old skills. “I did not fall at all, which I was shocked about,” she said, laughing. Ali Downey is a member of the Anaheim Ducks’ Power Players ice crew and also a critical care nurse at a hospital in Fountain Valley. The Ducks didn’t see an inexperienced skater. They saw an accomplished young woman who was naturally at ease with people and with herself, someone who was an asset to her community and who would be an asset to their team.