Sharks get two back, still have many absentees left
SAN JOSE » Andrew Cogliano was back on the ice for the San Jose Sharks’ practice Monday morning, but Kevin Labanc joined a lengthy list of individuals who did not skate or were otherwise unavailable.
Cogliano was among the seven Sharks players who were placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol on Saturday and did not take part in the team’s 2-1 overtime win over the Winnipeg Jets. Labanc played Saturday but was absent from Monday’s practice for yet-unexplained reasons.
Other Sharks team members who were in the league’s COVID protocol Saturday were coach Bob Boughner, forwards Jonathan Dahlen and Matt Nieto, and defensemen Erik Karlsson, Jake Middleton, Radim Simek, and MarcEdouard Vlasic. Their status for Tuesday’s game with the Buffalo Sabres at SAP Center remains unclear.
Sharks captain Logan Couture also returned to the ice Monday. Couture was ill Saturday and did not play, but his absence was not COVID-related, according to the team.
The Sharks announced Oct. 7 that all players and coaches in their camp at that time were fully vaccinated. BETTMAN DEFENDS NHL » Commissioner Gary Bettman defended the NHL’s decisions and discipline meted out following an investigation into the Chicago Blackhawks’ handling of sexual
assault allegations in 2010.
Bettman called the organization’s $2 million fine significant and stood by decisions to let Joel Quenneville coach one more game and not discipline Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff based on his limited role in Chicago’s front office at the time. Quenneville resigned as Panthers coach after meeting with Bettman last week.
In his first public comments since the report detailing the Blackhawks investigation was released, Bettman said he did not want anyone to think he was prejudging Quenneville, who was Chicago’s coach when allegations surfaced that video coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted prospect Kyle Beach 11 years ago.
NASCAR
TITLE RACE HAS FINAL FOUR » NASCAR’s championship has come down to a pair of Hall of Fame team owners, two Chevrolets against two Toyotas, racing in the Arizona desert for the sport’s top prize.
Rick Hendrick, the winningest team owner in NASCAR history, is sending Kyle Larson and reigning Cup champion Chase Elliott to Phoenix Raceway on Sunday in search of a 14th title for Hendrick Motorsports.
Soccer
TOTTENHAM FIRES NUNO » Tottenham fired manager Nuno Espírito Santo after losing half of his 10 Premier League matches in charge of the club.
The dismissal, after only four months in the job, followed a 3-0 home loss to Manchester United on Saturday when Nuno was booed and fans chanted “You don’t know what you’re doing” at the Portuguese coach.
College football TCU PARTS WAYS WITH PATTERSON »
TCU and football coach Gary Patterson mutually agreed to immediately part ways Sunday before the completion of his 21st season.
The announcement came a day after the Horned Frogs (3-5, 1-4 Big 12) lost 31-12 at Kansas State, Patterson’s alma mater. It was their fifth loss in six games, and they are 21-22 overall since the start of 2018.