The Sportsletter - Sunshine Stanley 🏆

BY JEFF YODER & MARISSA KASCH

JUNE 25, 2024 |  SUBSCRIBE  |  WEB VIEW

It's a Morning of Champions 🏆

A pair of first-time champs were crowned last night. The ice. The diamond. The emotions. Let’s celebrate.

“It’s not a dream anymore. It’s reality.”

— Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers)

Letter Rip!

  STANLEY CUP FINALS   🏆

Sunshine, Stanley! ☀️

Photo: Eliot J. Schechter / Getty Images

Florida Panthers Win Game 7 (2-1) to Capture 1st Stanley Cup in Franchise History

Lord Stanley resides in the Sunshine State! After one of the most round-about seven-game series in Stanley Cup Finals history, the Florida Panthers are champions for the first time ever. The Panthers won Games 1-3 before the Oilers won Games 4-6. The Cup itself flew from Miami to Canada and back again over the past week with four consecutive potential clinch games. Now, it’s staying in South Florida.

How Game 7 Was Won: The Oilers had solved the puzzle of Sergei Bobrovsky in Games 4-6, but not in Game 7. The Florida goaltender made 24 saves and allowed just one goal. Both teams traded goals in the first seven minutes with Carter Verhaeghe (FLA) and Mattias Janmark (EDM) lightning the lamp. It was Sam Reinhart with a wrister late in the second period that became the deciding goal. Bobrovsky locked down Edmonton the rest of the way, and the rats came flying onto the ice.

Panthers’ Playoff to Remember: It took the Panthers every bit of 24 playoff games to get the job done by one goal in Game 7. They beat the Lightning in five (4-1), Bruins in six (4-2), Rangers in six (4-2), and Oilers in seven (4-3). They held opponents to two goals or less in 17 of those 24 games. The defense, Bobrovksy, and a team effort in goal-scoring earned the franchise its first Cup.

Panthers’ Points Leaders: Aleksander Barkov (8 goals, 14 assists) and Matthew Tkachuk (6 goals, 16 assists) led Florida’s playoff run with 22 points each, but it was Carter Verhaeghe (10 goals, 9 assists) who led the scoring. Verhaeghe (1G, 1A) had his stick on both goals in the deciding Game 7.

Maurice’s Moment: Panthers’ head coach Paul Maurice finally lifted the Cup after 26 seasons and 1,848 games. He coached in 137 playoff games over nearly three decades before raising the chalice last night. Sweet moment.

Conn Smythe: Connor McDavid (Oilers)

Despite losing the Cup, Oilers’ superstar Connor McDavid was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy recognizing the MVP of the entire playoffs. McDavid finished with 42 points (8G, 34A) through 25 games. His 42 assists broke Wayne Gretzky’s Stanley Cup Playoff record, and it’s the first time since 2003 that a player from the losing team won the award. Florida fans booed with clear belief that Bobrovsky should’ve been given the honor.

Thank You, Hockey: Florida’s first Cup has been claimed while Canada’s Cup curse continues into Year 32 (1993). That’s a wrap on the Stanley Cup Finals and the 2023-24 NHL season. Congratulations to the Florida Panthers!

Watch: Panthers Win Game 7 (2-1) to Capture 1st Stanley Cup

Read More

The Hockey News: Reigning Rats: Florida Panthers Win Stanley Cup

ESPN: Panthers’ Journey From NHL Punch Line to Stanley Cup Champs

Yahoo! Sports: Panthers Win Game 7 Thriller to Secure 1st Championship in Franchise History

  MCWS  

Rocky Top Title 🏆

Photo: Jamie Schwaberow / Getty Images

1-Seed Tennessee Takes Game 3 (6-5) To Win 1st Men’s College World Series Title in Omaha (By Marissa Kasch)

In a do-or-die Game 3, Tennessee brought its first Men’s College World Series title to Rocky Top. The Volunteers donned their famous black uniforms — despite Omaha turning up the heat (literally) to triple digits — and became first No. 1 seed since 1999 Miami to win the World Series Finals.

How Game 3 Was Won: After a dominant 4-1 win in Game 2 to force a winner-take-all Game 3, the Vols continued their momentum and got on the board first thanks to a leadoff homer from Christian Moore in the bottom of the 1st. That was the first momentum shift for the Aggies. It was A&M's first game without a home run in the 1st inning during the MCWS Finals. Nevertheless, they tied it up in the 3rd when Gavin Grahovac ripped a base hit to bring Travis Chestnut home. The Volunteers responded just as quickly with a Dylan Dreiling RBI in the bottom of the 3rd, and the Vols added more insurance runs before Dreiling went yard in the 7th. He became the first player to homer in all three games of the MCWS Finals. What a feat.

Dog-Pile on the Diamond: Texas A&M came alive in the 8th and 9th innings to pull within one run, but Tennessee was able to limit the damage by throwing Kirby Connell and Aaron Combs. Combs secured Tennessee’s one-run victory with the MCWS-clinching strikeout. Vols, champs! Commence dog-pile. 

The MCWS was going to celebrate a first-time champion from the SEC either way on Monday. Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello took his team to the (Rocky) top of the mountain after seven years on the job.

Watch: Tennessee Tops Texas A&M (6-5) for 1st College World Series Title

Editor’s Note: Plenty of stars showed up to support the Vols, including Morgan Wallen and Peyton Manning. How about that good luck charm? The Sheriff, Peyton Manning, celebrating in... ‘Omaha!’

Read More

ESPN: Tennessee Wins First Men's College World Series Title

Yardbarker: Tennessee Earns Redemption With College World Series Win

  NBA  

NBA Draft Week Notebook 📋

Photo: Robert Gauthier / Getty Images

Cavs Hire Kenny Atkinson, Raptors Ink Scottie Barnes & J.J. Redick Calls Out the Haters Before the NBA Offseason Begins

The NBA offseason is warming up, and the headlines will start to come in waves. Yesterday, the Cavaliers found their next head coach while the Lakers introduced theirs with some fireworks. Big contracts are on the horizon with free agency opening this Friday. And don’t forget the NBA Draft on Thursday. The Atlanta Hawks own the No. 1 pick. Let’s go rapid-fire on some NBA offseason notes from yesterday.

NBA Offseason Notebook

Cavaliers Hire Warriors’ Kenny Atkinson as HC

Previously Coached the Nets (2016-2020)

Raptors Sign Scottie Barnes to Max Extension

5 Years, Up To $270 Million (Highest-Paid Raptor Ever)

Lakers Introduce New Coach J.J. Redick

Offers Insight Into Hiring Decision, Podcast Future & More

Timberwolves Extend Head Coach Chris Finch

4-Year Extension After Best Season in Franchise History

*Stay Tuned for Tomorrow's NBA Mock Draft

Read More

B/R: Potential No. 1 Pick Alex Sarr Prefers Wizards to Hawks

The Ringer: 2024 NBA Draft Team Needs for Every Team

SI: JJ Redick Addresses Lakers’ Public Pursuit of Dan Hurley

ESPN+: Edey to the Heat, Sarr to the Wizards, Predicting All 58 Draft Picks

  HIGHLIGHTS   🎥

⚾️ MLB

Giants Celebrate Mays With Walk-Off (5-4)

Beat Cubs Wearing Willie Mays No. 24 Jerseys

Phillies Turn Historic 1-3-5 Triple Play

1st Triple Play of its Kind in 95 Years

Jose Ramirez’s Hits Game-Winning HR

Guardians Beat Jays (3-2), J-Ram 3rd in Franchise History

⚽️ Soccer

COPA: 🇨🇴 Colombia def. 🇵🇾 Paraguay (2-1)

COPA: 🇧🇷 Brazil draw 🇨🇷 Costa Rica (0-0)

EURO: 🇪🇸 Spain def. 🇦🇱 Albania (1-0)

Spain Finish Perfect in Group B to Advance

EURO: 🇮🇹 Italy draw 🇭🇷 Croatia (1-1)

98th-Minute Goal Saves Italy Draw to Reach Last 16

  STORYLINES   

🏛️ The NCAA’s Division I Split

Unveiled during this week’s meetings of conference commissioners was a new governance model for Division I. Stemming from the NCAA’s antitrust settlement, the model further separates the four power leagues from the others. (Yahoo! Sports)

🏀 WNBA Power Rankings

A month into this season, the back-to-back champion Las Vegas Aces were .500 and had already lost as many games as they did in 2023. If not for A'ja Wilson's individual brilliance, they may have been even further down the standings. (CBS Sports)

🥊 The Free-Fall of Connor McGregor

The fantasy became a reality as Conor McGregor stood face-to-face with Floyd Mayweather in a memorable picture taken on July 12, 2017. The pay-per-view, gate, and sponsorships brought him $100 million. “Money changes everything.” (ESPN)

  NEWS   📰 

⚾️ Mets’ Edwin Diaz Denies Using Foreign Substance After Ejection (SI)

🏈 Ed Policy to Succeed Mark Murphy as Packers President in 2025 (ESPN)

👟 Snoop Dogg Delights Olympics Fans With Track & Field Commentary (Sporting News)

🏈 Chiefs Reportedly Release Isaiah Buggs After Numerous Offseason Legal Issues (Yahoo! Sports)

🏈 Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy Reportedly ‘Fed Up’ With Owner Jerry Jones (CBS Sports)

⚾️ Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. Placed on IL With Right Thigh Injury (FOX Sports)

👟 Olympic Track Trials Disaster Sees 800M Favorite Athing Mu Tangled Up, Finished Last (USA Today)

🏀 Cameron Brinks’ Spot on USA 3x3 Team Filled by Sparks Teammate, Dearica Hamby (SI)

  SCHEDULE   🗓️

Today's Must-Watch List

⚽️ International Soccer

🇫🇷 France vs. 🇵🇱 Poland (Noon ET, FOX)

🇳🇱 Netherlands vs. 🇦🇹 Austria (Noon ET, FS1)

🇩🇰 Denmark vs. 🇷🇸 Serbia (3:00 pm ET, FS1)

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England vs. 🇸🇮 Slovenia (3:00 pm ET, FOX)

🇵🇪 Peru vs. 🇨🇦 Canada (6:00 pm ET, FS1)

🇨🇱 Chile vs. 🇦🇷 Argentina (9:00 pm ET, FS1)

⚾️ MLB

Yankees at Mets (7:10 pm ET, TBS)

Rangers at Brewers (8:10 pm ET, MLBTV)

Cubs at Giants (9:45 pm ET, MLBTV)

🏀 WNBA

Lynx at Liberty (8:00 pm ET, PRIME)

  POLL   📊 

MLB Power Rank: Fan Vote

We’re nearing the halfway point in the MLB season. Which of the 50-ish-win teams do you think should be No. 1 in tomorrow’s Power Rankings? (click to vote)

Phillies (52-26)

Yankees (52-28)

Guardians (50-26)

Orioles (49-29)

Dodgers (49-31)

Yesterday, we asked: Which team’s advantage gave them the edge in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals? Surprise, surprise. The Florida Panthers shocked everyone after going dark for three games.

❌ 78% — All the Momentum (Oilers)

✅ 22% — Home-Ice Advantage (Panthers)

  THE TEAM  

Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

Assistant Writer: Marissa Kasch

Social Media: Aaron Yorke

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