NHL, players approve plan to resume season
Pro hockey’s return is potentially three weeks away, and with it an assurance of labor peace through September 2026.
In separate votes announced Friday, the NHL and its players’ union ratified a returntoplay plan to have games begin Aug. 1 in Toronto and Edmonton.
Both sides approved a fouryear extension to the collective bargaining agreement, which provides the league a path out of the economic challenges raised by the coronavirus pandemic.
Hockey will resume with an expanded 24team playoff format that does not include the Sharks, beginning with a qualifying round and the first two rounds played in Canada. The Stanley Cup Finals would begin in late September, and the 202021 season would open in December.
ELSEWHERE Morikawa builds lead at Muirfield
Cal alum Collin Morikawa ran off four straight birdies after making the turn, finished with another birdie and shot 6under 66 for a sixshot lead when thunderstorms hit the Workday Charity Open in Dublin, Ohio.
His 13under 131 was one shot off the course record. Ian Poulter (69) was six shots behind. NASCAR: Austin Cindric dominated a 300mile Xfinity Series at Kentucky Speedway, one night after racing to his first career oval win in an overtime finish. The Team Penske driver was even stronger in the No. 22 Ford Mustang in the second half of the doubleheader. He was third in the first stage, won the second and stretched it out in the final segment. He trailed briefly on the final restart, then sliced through two cars out of Turn 2 and rolled to victory by 2.262 seconds over points leader Chase Briscoe. Baseball: Prized pitching prospect Michael Kopech wouldn’t play for the White Sox this year. No reason was given for his decision. Star third baseman Yoan Moncada and pitcher Jose Ruiz went on the 10day injured list because of unspecified ailments. Kopech and Moncada have been absent since the White Sox resumed workouts last week.
Texas slugger Joey Gallo and San Diego outfielder Tommy Pham can get back on the field after previously testing positive for coronavirus.
The Cubs pushed back some of their schedule on Friday because of delays in getting the results of the tests taken on Tuesday.
John Means will pitch the Orioles’ July 24 opener in Boston.
The Blue Jays will move Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from third base to first base. Travis Shaw will play third.
NFL: Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill, 55, was hospitalized with COVID19. He is expected to be released this weekend.
Former NFL MVP Randall Cunningham joined the Raiders as a chaplain, ESPN reported.
The Jaguars announced they will play home games in front of fans up to 25% of their stadium’s 67,000seat capacity. Fans will be required to wear face coverings.
Obituaries: Dutch world champion shorttrack speed skater Lara van Ruijven, 27, died as a result of complications from an autoimmune reaction, the Netherlands skating association said.
Mike Ryan, backup catcher on Boston’s 1967 “Impossible Dream” team during a 35year career in baseball, died at age 78.