Quick Hitters
Iaffalo’s hat trick helps Kings stun Coyotes in OT
GLENDALE — Alex Iafallo scored 24 seconds into overtime, completing a hat trick that lifted the Los Angeles Kings over the Arizona Coyotes 3-2 on Thursday night and ended their five-game losing streak.
Iafallo tied the game with 2:54 left in regulation, then won it moments later. Jack Campbell stopped 26 shots and Anze Kopitar assisted on two goals for the Kings, who got their second win of the month.
Christian Dvorak gave the Coyotes a 2-1 lead with 56 seconds left in the second period, and Nick Schmaltz also scored for Arizona. But the Coyotes lost their fourth straight and are 1-5-2 in their last eight games.
Greg Olsen’s Carolina days over after 9 seasons
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Greg Olsen’s playing days with the Carolina Panthers are over.
The 34-year-old tight end announced on Twitter Thursday that he’ll be leaving the team, calling it a mutual decision that followed a meeting with general manager Marty Hurney.
Olsen has one year remaining on his contract and is due to cost $11.675 million against the salary cap in 2020. If the Panthers release him, they would be on the hook for $3.7 million in dead cap money. If he retires, the team could recoup that money.
“The team and I are both on the same page that it is best we go in different directions for now,” Olsen said. “On the field, I will always cherish the nine seasons we shared together. The wins, the losses, standing at midfield holding the Halas Trophy as NFC champs. The reality of going to the Super Bowl was beyond words, as was the disappointment of falling short.”
The Arizona Western softball team arguably had its best season under 11thyear head coach Nikki Bethurum in 2019.
The Matadors won 53 games, their most since 2001, and reached the NCJAA postseason for the first time since 2014, and just the second time under Bethurum.
The goal remains the same in 2020 as AWC is aiming for another NJCAA tournament appearance.
“I know the sophomores want to go back,” Bethurum said. “I mean, that’s always the goal. It’s always a unique perspective because if you would have asked me the last two times we went to nationals at this time of the year, I couldn’t say yes or no. Judging by our practices, we have a good chance.”
The Matadors return seven sophomores, a unique position for junior college programs, as rosters are usually dominated with freshman. However, in 2020, AWC bolsters plenty of talent that has experienced the road to the postseason.
Outfielder Azalea Moore, shortstop Cassandra Valle, Chloe Garcia, first baseman Nicole Moran, left fielder Nylze Salazar, outfielders Reina Tsuma and Karina Guerra make up the returning players for Bethurum’s team.
Valle is one of the premier players in the conference. As a freshman, she