Darren Cave will captain Ulster in Saturday's Pro14 derby against Leinster to mark his retirement from the game.

Cave, 32, is retiring at the end of the season after 13 years at the club and will lead the team out at Kingspan Stadium for the last Conference B game.

Head coach Dan McFarland said it will be "a huge day" for the outside centre.

"It means a lot to Darren to represent this province, to have played for one club throughout his career," he said. "He's so proud to have done that."

Cave has made 226 appearances for the province, three short of all-time record holder Andrew Trimble.

As well as earning 11 caps for Ireland, he was part of the Ireland Under-20 side that won the Grand Slam 12 years ago - when his current club boss was coaching their forwards.

"I've known Darren since 2007," said McFarland. "There were a lot of players in that team who went on to have great careers and Darren is one of them.

"I've got a lot of time for him and one of the things I've noticed, he's a smart fella. He doesn't mind speaking his mind.

"He's going to be successful. He's confident and he's got opinions.

"In terms of what he's done with the squad this year: a lot of the charity work that's done in the background, Darren has a leading hand in that.

"We've got plenty of people who can captain that team but Darren is a good leader of men. He'll do a good job as the captain.

"I think that will add to the performance but there's also the aspect that he's playing at Kingspan when he's retiring at the end of the year. It's a great honour to do that."

Ulster and Leinster are expected to rest many of their established regulars for what is essentially a dead rubber on Saturday, with both teams already guaranteed a place in the Pro14 play-offs.

Connacht will travel to Belfast for a quarter-final on 4 May but McFarland will demand a performance from his side against Leinster this weekend, even if there appears to be nothing at stake.

"Momentum is important definitely, but it will really test our squad," said the head coach.

"That's what [Leinster] do all the time, that's how they run their squad. We're not there yet but we want to get there, utilising your whole squad throughout the year.

"We've used 47 players in the Pro14 this year; that will probably go up over 50 this weekend. Clearly, you need that."

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The American Flat Track title contenders will jump right back into the fight this weekend as the series arrives at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Ariz., for the Law Tigers Arizona Super TT presented by RideNow Powersports on Saturday.

The Super TT earns its title with a layout primed for drama – featuring multiple jumps and a variety of right- and left-hand corners – and a primetime schedule with the main events set to be contested at night under the Musco lights.

Reigning AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines champ Jared Mees comes in fresh off his victory in the Texas Half-Mile and eager to build up the sort of crushing momentum he rode to back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018. While he may have originally made his name on the half miles, he’s proven to be a threat at the TTs in recent seasons as well, scoring two wins and two runner-ups in the discipline since ‘17.

However, current points leader Briar Bauman is similarly accomplished, scoring a pair of TT wins, a second, and a third over that same time span.

No one in the history of the sport can rival the career TT record of Henry Wiles, who boasts a remarkable 19 career TT Main Event triumphs.

Two other riders to keep close tabs on are Estenson teammates Jake Johnson and J.D. Beach. The race is set near Estenson’s headquarters and the venue was a popular test locale for the team prior to the end of the track testing window for the 2019 season. Beyond that, Johnson is a five-time TT winner himself, while Beach has demonstrated mammoth potential on TT circuits where his roadracing chops serve him exceptionally well.

Meanwhile, in Roof Systems AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneysaction, the early-season title leaders are expected to resume their battle up front. The top four riders in the points – Atlanta Short Track winner Dalton Gauthier, Texas Half-Mile runner-up Mikey Rush, Daytona TT winner Jesse Janisch and reigning class champion Dan Bromley – are all established TT standouts.

Last weekend’s top performer – Shayna Texter – looks for another chance to exhibit her extensive off-season TT training in hopes of solidifying her position in the championship hunt.

That Estenson home-track advantage could come into play on the undercard with 2016 AFT Singles champion Ryan Wells being well motivated to get his title campaign on track.

History has repeatedly shown that TT’s play to the strengths of series part-timers with versatile skill sets developed in other forms of motorsports. Don’t overlook the chances of legends Ryan Sipes and Jeff Ward.

CONCORD, N.C. – Jerry Savoie isn’t sure how many events he will race during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

There are, however, two definite locations on his list and two races he wasn’t going to miss. The first was the four-wide race in Las Vegas, while the second is this weekend’s 10th annual NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.

The Pro Stock Motorcycle veteran has thoroughly enjoyed the unique races at the pair of Bruton Smith-owned tracks, and the 2016 world champion enters this weekend as the defending event winner of the Charlotte race. Looking to get his season on track on his White Alligator Racing Suzuki, a trip to the Bellagio of dragstrips for the biggest spectacle in drag racing might do the trick.

“Vegas and Charlotte are the two best tracks in the country,” Savoie said. “The preparation of the tracks, the shutdown areas, there should be no stress for anybody. This track, it’s the best of the best and it’s a total package as a racer. For me, I like the four-wide. It’s a chance to see the best of the best actually screw up. I think it’s pretty neat and it just comes down to mental preparation. If you’re mentally prepared for this race, you’ve got a good shot at winning.”

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), and Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners. It is the third of 16 events during the Pro Stock Motorcycle season for Savoie, who is seeking his 10th career victory in the class at the 10th anniversary one of the most unique experiences in motorsports.

Savoie enjoys the sometimes-chaotic pace on the starting line during this weekend, staying focused on an approach that has worked well for him over the years at zMAX Dragway. With a pair of quarterfinal appearances this year, Savoie, who is currently fifth in the points standings, is looking to take the next step this year. The team, led by standout tuner Tim Kulungian, has been searching diligently for more power and Savoie hopes that work starts to pay off in Charlotte.

“We’re still having some problems, but the guys are working hard and we’ll get it straight,” Savoie said. “We’re down on power, but when we find it, everybody will know. It’s just evolution. We’ll figure it out. If you qualified No. 1 every time and won every race, it’s basically not a challenge, so when you fall behind and then catch up, it’s pretty rewarding.”

It also adds a great deal of joy when that work leads to a trip to the winner’s circle. That’s the goal this weekend in Charlotte for Savoie, but he’ll have to get past a talented group of riders that includes points leader Andrew Hines, who won in Gainesville, Vegas winner Hector Arana Jr., Eddie Krawiec, defending world champion Matt Smith and Joey Gladstone. Savoie hasn’t been able to match the class frontrunners so far this year, but he remains confident that will come.

“I say give it a couple more races and we should have it figured out,” Savoie said. “Tim has been working his butt off and everyone is working hard. I think we have what it takes to do it. I believe that strongly or I wouldn’t have come out this year. It’s just a matter of putting the parts and pieces together, but Tim is definitely one of the best crew chiefs in the industry. We’ll get it figured out.”

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Race team owner and former champion race car driver Bobby Rahal will be honored on June 27 by the International Motor Racing Research Center as the winner of the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for Outstanding Contributions to Motorsports.

The award will be the sixth presented by the IMRRC. Chip Ganassi was the inaugural recipient in 2014. Richard Petty and Roger Penske were honorees in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Mario Andretti was cited in 2017 and Jim France and the France Family were honored in 2018.

Rahal is co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, along with David Letterman and businessman Michael Lanigan. In an 18-year race-driving career spanning Formula One, Can-Am, Le Mans, IMSA and CART, Rahal notched three CART championships, including the 1986 Indianapolis 500 win, and victories at the 1981 24 Hours of Daytona and the 1987 12 Hours of Sebring endurance races.

He helped bring Honda into North American open-wheel racing in the early ’90s, and, after retiring from driving in 1998, he joined Jaguar’s F-1 effort. He returned to the U.S. in 2002 to be the interim boss of CART.

The team is in its 28th year of competing in open-wheel racing and so far has notched 27 wins, including the 2004 Indianapolis 500 from pole position with Buddy Rice.

In 2009, BMW Team RLL was formed and went on to win the 2010 GT team and manufacturers’ championships in the American Le Mans Series. The team swept the top two spots in the 2011 12 Hours of Sebring, earning the 2011 ALMS GT drivers’ championships for Joey Hand and Dirk Mueller. Most recently, the 2019 season brought a GTLM class win in the Rolex 24 At Daytona in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. To date, BMW Team RLL has earned 20 wins, 26 poles and 75 podium finishes.

Rahal operates Bobby Rahal Automotive Group, a string of car dealerships in Pennsylvania, is President of the Road Racing Drivers Club, former Chairman of the International Motor Racing Research Center Governing Council at Watkins Glen (2015- 2018) and is active in the community through the Bobby Rahal Foundation. He was Chairman of the USA Bobsled & Skeleton Foundation from 2012-2016.

Rahal will receive the Argetsinger Award at a gala dinner presented by Sahlen’s, NASCAR, International Speedway Corp., Watkins Glen Int’l and IMSA. The dinner, which is open to the public, will be at the internationally renowned Corning Museum of Glass in nearby Corning, N.Y.

The dinner precedes the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen IMSA weekend at Watkins Glen Int’l.

Sahlen’s, familiar to race fans in the Northeast, is a family-owned producer of quality meat products since 1869 in Buffalo, N.Y.

“We at Sahlen’s are proud to support the IMRRC and this year’s dinner honoring Bobby Rahal,” said Joe Sahlen, company president. “Bobby owns a remarkable racing record, and has shown outstanding leadership as the outgoing IMRRC Chairman and as a team owner in two dynamic racing series.”

“Bobby Rahal has always been a difference maker in our sport,” said Watkins Glen Int’l President Michael Printup. “From his accomplishments while in the driver’s seat as an Indianapolis 500 winner and IndyCar champion to his many contributions since. It is an honor and a privilege to call him a friend, and I’m so glad that we are taking the opportunity to give him the recognition he so deserves. It’s going to be a special night, and one that we’re all looking forward to very much.”

“While Bobby Rahal certainly and deservedly made the biggest name for himself in IndyCar racing, he’s part of an exclusive group to have achieved success as an open-wheel driver as well as at the highest levels of sports car racing with victories at both Daytona and Sebring,” said IMSA President Scott Atherton. “What moves him even further into rarefied air is his additional success as a team owner in both IndyCar and IMSA sports cars. Just this year, his team managed to duplicate his achievements as a driver in sports cars, adding a Rolex 24 At Daytona win to previous victories at the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, along with multiple IMSA team championships. It’s been my honor to know and work with Bobby for more than three decades, just as it is an honor to extend – on behalf of IMSA – our sincere congratulations to Bobby as this year’s recipient of the prestigious Cameron R. Argetsinger Award.”

“Having been fortunate to know Bobby Rahal throughout my career, I’ve always considered him one of the true gentlemen in our industry,” said NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton. “He’s also a true ‘racer.’ Bobby has won championships as a driver and team owner in open wheel and sports car competition, including the Rolex 24 At Daytona in both capacities. He’s as solid as they come – and a most deserving recipient of the Cameron  R. Argetsinger Award.”

Other supporters of the dinner include Corning Enterprises and Foundation, Team Penske, Gregory G. Galdi, Archie Urciuoli/Larry Kessler/Bob Newman, American Honda, Chip Ganassi Racing, Hilliard Corp., BMW of North America, Porsche Cars North America, Gorsline Company, SCCA Inc. and Foundation, Welliver, Elmira Savings Bank, and Glenora Wine Cellars.

The award memorializes Cameron R. Argetsinger, founder and organizer of the first races at Watkins Glen 70 years ago.

“The IMRRC is proud to honor our former Chairman and a racing legend, Bobby Rahal, with this award,” stated IMRRC Chairman John Saunders. “Bobby is one of only a handful of individuals who have won the Indy 500 as both a driver and a team owner. His driving career spanned more than two decades and he continues as an IndyCar owner dedicated to developing young talent and growing the future of our sport. Bobby Rahal is more than deserving of the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for Outstanding Contributions to Motorsports.”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The National Motorsports Appeals Panel has upheld a penalty against NASCAR K&N Pro Series East crew chief Kevin Reed Jr.

Reed was working as crew chief on the No. 19 Toyota driven by Hailie Deegan at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway on April 6. He became involved in an altercation with a NASCAR officials after being given a directive by NASCAR.

As a result of the confrontation, Reed was fined $2,500, his NASCAR license was revoked and he was indefinitely suspended from NASCAR.

National Motorsports Appeals Panel decided that Reed violated the rules set forth in the penalty notice and upheld the original penalty. The Panel consisted of three people – Chuck Deery, Bill Mullis and Dale Pinilis.

Reed has the right to appeal the decision of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel to the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer in accordance with Section 15 of the NASCAR Rule Book.

NHL players and coaches were split Wednesday on whether changes are needed to video review protocol a day after a major penalty played a dramatic role in San Jose's Game 7 victory over Vegas.

Cody Eakin was assessed a major penalty for cross-checking and injuring Joe Pavelski in the third period, and the Sharks responded by scoring four times on the ensuing five-minute power play to set themselves up to win in overtime. The major was assessed after officials discussed the incident and a bloodied Pavelski was helped off the ice.

The Golden Knights were livid about the call, since Pavelski was not injured by the cross-check. The NHL declined comment Wednesday, but the incident was surely discussed at league headquarters.

The league for five years has debated expanding video review beyond goals. There remains no consensus on potential changes.

"We've been saying that forever," said Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour, whose team also dealt with a questionable major penalty given to Micheal Ferland in Game 2 against Washington. "The game's too fast. It's hard on refs. I don't know how they do it. I watch it live and sometimes I think the same thing they do, and then I get to sit there and stare at a [tablet] and I can go, 'It's obviously the wrong call.' So, I think they're heading to that. The NHL has got to sit down."

Eakin cross-checked Pavelski off a faceoff, and the Sharks captain bounced off Vegas forward Paul Stastny before his head hit the ice and blood pooled underneath him. Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant said one of the referees told him it was a cross-check to the face. Series supervisor Don Van Massenhoven afterward said the officials judged it to be a penalty causing a significant injury and deemed it worthy of a major. The Sharks trailed 3-0 at the time and won 5-4 in overtime to advance to the second round.

There have only been two major penalties -- not counting fighting -- so far in the playoffs after 27 in the regular season. They are not subject to video review, which is limited to the puck going in or not on a goal or coach's challenges for goaltender interference or offsides, which have been around the past four seasons.

Vegas' Jonathan Marchessault after the game wondered: "Why don't you have hockey replay or something?" because it drastically altered the game.

The topic was broached as recently as March by league general managers after the missed pass interference in the NFL playoff game between the Saints and Rams prompted changes by the NFL.

Officials are "only allowed to look at coach's challenges," senior executive vice president and director of hockey operations Colin Campbell said at the time. "We asked the managers, 'Should they look at everything?'"

Not everyone is convinced. Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen said slow-motion replays can distort what happens on the ice at full speed, and teammate Brett Connolly isn't on board with adding to what's already reviewed.

"I think that's kind of the refs' discretion," Connolly said. "I think you've got to let the refs make that call. I don't know. It's tough. You don't want to be reviewing every play."

WASHINGTON -- The Capitals never lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in the regular season, and they never faced a series deficit in the team's first-round matchup -- until it was over.

By the time Hurricanes winger Brock McGinn netted the series-clincher in a 4-3 double-overtime victory in Game 7 on Wednesday, the defending Stanley Cup champion Capitals were out of gas and out of answers.

Carolina advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals on the Caps' home ice, with a win that most people in the building believed the Canes deserved.

For Washington, the deflation was palpable. Speaking barely above a whisper, the Caps' leaders explained in stunned silence what it was like to exit in the first round of the playoffs after holding two separate two-goal leads on home ice and two separate leads in the series.

"It's disappointing," said Alex Ovechkin, who had a series-high nine points but still has never scored a playoff overtime goal. "It's not where we expected to be. But you know, it's a hard-fought series, and they just ended up being in more plays than we did.

"Obviously, I thought the first two periods we dominated. It was a great series. Lots of toughness, lots of hard plays over there. Two teams fighting to win, and in overtime, you see it's not a pretty goal. The stick hit the whatever, and it goes in. We controlled the game [at first]. But if you get a lead, you have to play kind of careful. It doesn't matter who scored."

According to Elias Sports Bureau, this is the first time in the divisional era (since 1967-68) that no division champion won a playoff series. It's also the first time since 2012 that both Stanley Cup finalists from the previous season failed to win a playoff series.

Braden Holtby, who finished with 38 saves, credited a Canes team that never stopped putting shots on net.

"They kept coming the whole time," Holtby said. "They play a consistent style of hard work, and in the end, that's what beat us. You gotta give credit where credit's due. On paper, you wouldn't expect them to be the team that they are. That's credit to them and their coaching. They play a team game, and that's why the series was so close.

"It was obviously there to take, but ... we just weren't good enough. I gotta come up with more saves in order to win a series, and that's pretty much the bottom line."

Canes first-year head coach Rod Brindamour kept his shifts short, and it resulted in a team that appeared to have more energy than the Capitals in the two extra periods. Caps center Nicklas Backstrom wasn't going to use it as an excuse.

"I think both teams were [gassed]. Players played a lot of minutes," he said. "It's the same thing for everyone."

The series had quite a few turning points. Between Ovechkin getting into a fight for the first time in a decade, T.J. Oshie suffering an injury that knocked him out of the series and a controversial call that would have ended Game 6 and allowed the Caps to advance, there were a host of reasons the defending champs came up short.

But in Wednesday's matchup, Sebastian Aho's short-handed goal in the second period, which came after the Caps led 2-0, was clearly the boost the Canes needed to keep life.

Evgeny Kuznetsov put Washington up 3-1 a few minutes later, but Carolina went on to score the game's last three goals.

"Looking back at that, we need to find a way to shut them down there. Especially when you've got a 3-1 lead. But we gave it to them," Backstrom said.

Backstrom also bemoaned a lost opportunity in the second overtime, when the Capitals failed to produce a single chance during a power play.

"That's another scenario we need to do a better job there," he said. "I mean, at least get a shot on net."

The Capitals were outshot and outhit, and they drew two fewer penalties while winning more faceoffs. Without Oshie and with defenseman Michal Kempny having been ruled out before the series, they were undermanned and ultimately outworked. Coming off the most exciting season in the history of the franchise, the letdown was obvious.

"When the season is over, you understand that. You fight through 82 games, then Game 7, they score one goal, and it's the kind of situation where you're disappointed," Ovechkin said. "It's frustrating."

The Hurricanes finished behind the Metropolitan division champion Capitals in the regular season, but everyone in the Washington locker room acknowledged that Carolina deserved to move on in this year's run to the Stanley Cup.

"They thrive off hard work, and they kept coming the same way that they've played," Holtby said. "Got to give them credit. They earned it."

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman is expected to miss the start of the 2019-20 season following ACL surgery, the team announced Thursday.

The team said Hyman, 26, tore his ACL during the first round against the Boston Bruins, though he appeared in all seven games of the series. Surgery is scheduled for Monday.

He is expected to miss at least six months, which would stretch into the start of next season.

Hyman posted 21 goals and 20 assists during the regular season. He had one goal in the postseason.