I Dig Sports
LAS VEGAS Corey Heim made a mistake on pit road, but his crew picked up the slack when it counted.
A lightning-fast stop under caution on Lap 86 put Heim in the lead, and that was the impetus the driver of the No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota needed to win Friday nights Ecosave 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The stellar work of the pit crew allowed Heim to overcome a pit road speeding penalty he incurred at the end of the first stage on Lap 31.
First of all, the pit crew did such a good job of getting the truck up front, said Heim, who won his second race of the season, his first at LVMS and the 13th of his career. I made that mistake in Stage 1 when I sped on pit road and put us behind.
In a race run in uncharacteristically cold weather and stopped twice for sudden rain showers, Heim took the lead for good on Lap 101, passing Layne Riggs after the final restart following the fourth and final caution for Jack Woods accident in Turn 4 on Lap 93.
Heim led a race-high 42 of 134 laps to 39 for Stage 2 winner Tyler Ankrum and beat runner-up Grant Enfinger to the finish line by 0.825 seconds.
This wasnt exactly what we wanted in terms of the weather being cold and whatnot, Heim said. It seems to be a lot better when its hot and greasy, and were sliding around
I was doing everything I can there. I think all of us were completely wide open at the end. I spent a lot of time looking at my mirror, and it worked out.
Enfinger passed Tanner Gray for the second spot on Lap 126 but couldnt catch Heim over the final eight laps. Enfinger felt the battle with Gray might have cost him a chance to win.
We got side by side and lost a little but right there, Enfinger said. And we probably went over our tire limit a little bit right there and that hurt us at the end.
Corey was a lot better than us in the short run, and (crew chief) Jeff (Stankiewicz) really got this (No. 9 Chevrolet) really, really strolling on the long run. Our pit crew did an amazing job getting us from 11th to fifth (on the final stop). And when we were in the top five, we could race with those guys.
Gray held third place at the finish, followed by reigning series champion and Stage 1 winner Ty Majeski and Riggs. Stewart Friesen, Rajah Caruth, Chandler Smith, Matt Crafton and Ankrum completed the top 10.
There were 21 lead changes among 12 drivers, both race records. Rain interrupted the race at the end of the first two stages, with red-flag periods lasting 55 minutes, 51 seconds and 19 minutes, 42 seconds, respectively.
MARYVILLE, Tenn. In 11 previous World of Outlaws Late Models races at Smoky Mountain Speedway, no driver from the Midwest had ever rolled into victory lane.
That was until Bobby Pierce came to town.
In his first trip to Maryville, the driver of the No. 32 led every lap of the Tennessee Tipoff on the way to win No. 32 with the series.
A lot went through our minds coming here, thinking if we could come away with a top 10, that would be good, top five would be great, Pierce said. Definitely would not have imagined winning this race. Ive never been here, but on top of that, it is red dirt, thats not what Im from and everyone knows that. We had a good car, thats all I can say.
Pierce began the 35-lap showdown from the outside of the front row next to Bilstein Pole Award winner Nick Hoffman. A strong run around the outside propelled the Smooth Operator to the early advantage while Hoffman raced Devin Moran for second behind him.
The gap between Pierce and Hoffman began to close once Pierce caught the tail of the field, but by that point, all eyes were on Jonathan Davenport, who drove from eighth to third in nine laps and was quickly running down the leaders.
Twelve laps in, Superman dove to the bottom entering Turn 3 and slid up in front of Hoffman to take over second. At that point, a head-to-head duel between two of dirt late model racings winningest drivers over the past decade was on.
Davenport got within range of Pierce on multiple occasions in the closing laps, but as the racing groove began to narrow late in the going, he ran out of opportunities to make the winning move as Pierce cruised to his first World of Outlaws win of the season.
The win netted Pierce the series points lead by 12 markers over Hoffman. Given the circumstances of racing on a new track that was wildly different than anything the series typically faces, the win proved that Pierce and team have both the speed and versatility to vie for a second title in three years.
If we can win on tracks we dont think were going to be good at, thats what it takes, Pierce said. I just want to be top five on tracks Im not good at and then hopefully win the tracks Im good at, thats how you win the points.
After an unlucky redraw, Davenport took his chances with his tire choice in an effort to get to the front as soon as possible. He did just that, but was ultimately unable to get past the last car on his list in Pierce.
I was just going where they werent, Davenport said. We went for a little bit different tire combination, started so far back. Short race, I didnt figure there would be a lot of cautions with how slick the place was. We gambled a little bit and it paid off, got us close. I just needed the lap cars to work out a little bit different a time or two.
Hoffman rounded out the podium in third for the second-straight race. After a week that included a last-minute trip to Illinois to pick up a substitute toter home, the strong run and subsequent second spot in points was exactly what Hoffman needed to make the extra effort worthwhile.
I felt decent at the beginning of the race, just keeping pace with Bobby, Hoffman said. JD just blew my doors off and slid me there and then we just got in a train. I peeked the nose a couple times, got him to move down and debated on going back to the middle to try and roll back around him and it just didnt play out.
Dale McDowell finished fourth in his first start of the year in the Shane McDowell Racing No. 17m, while Devin Moran completed the top five.
Saturday nights weekend finale was canceled because of the threat of severe weather.
The finish:
Bobby Pierce, Jonathan Davenport, Nick Hoffman, Dale McDowell, Devin Moran, Jimmy Owens, Sam Seawright, Mike Marlar, Carson Ferguson, Garrett Alberson, Tanner English, Camaron Marlar, Cory Hedgecock, Ricky Thornton Jr, Cody Overton, Max Blair, Brandon Sheppard, Brandon Overton, Ryan Gustin, Tim McCreadie, Brian Shirley, Ashton Winger, Ethan Dotson, Drake Troutman, Kyle Bronson, Hudson ONeal.
KENNEDALE, Texas Texas might be known for barbecue sauce, but it was all about Hot Sauce on Friday night in the Lone Star State.
Giovanni Scelzi wasnt about to let victory slip away as the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars kicked off the Cowtown Classic at Kennedale Speedway Park.
Less than two weeks ago he and his KCP Racing team were forced to settle for second at Volusia Speedway Park after leading the opening 14 laps. It was the defending series champion David Gravel prying the win away that night, and a similar situation looked to be shaping up Friday.
But Scelzi wouldnt let it happen again.
The Fresno, Calif., native led from the pole as the 25-lap main event began, but the second-starting Gravel wasted no time mounting a charge. The driver of the Big Game Motorsports No. 2 found some speed in the middle and began to pressure Scelzi.
Gravel put his nose next to Scelzi down the back straightaway several times, but Scelzi closed the door. Ultimately, Scelzi had just enough to hold on for his first win of 2025.
I feel like the outside lane was better in (Turns) 1 and 2 than it was in (Turns) 3 and 4, Scelzi explained. The bottom of 3 and 4 had so much grip that it was kind of no mans land to get out of it. I thought I heard someone at one point down the backstretch, but I didnt know if I should risk it and try to get around him and get hung out or just follow them. Glad it went there from five laps on to the end. Im just proud of my guys.
Scelzis score bumped him up to 10 career victories with , making him the 51st different driver to reach double digits. KCP Racing climbed to a dozen World of Outlaws wins as a team. Its the second straight year Scelzi has won in the state of Texas to go along with his Cotton Bowl Speedway checkered flag from 2024.
Adam (Clark) has worked extremely hard, Scelzi said of his crew chief. Its been I feel like a lot of swings here. Weve only raced eight or nine times and went from DIRTcar (Nationals) to being fast at Bike Week to then being fast at Magnolia and making mistake and got one back in the heat race. Just super proud of Blake and Harley and getting, I think, both of their first Outlaw wins. Very cool.
Gravel settled for second as his incredible start to 2025 continued. The Watertown, Conn., native still hasnt missed the top five, and Fridays runner-up gave him seven consecutive podiums. His point lead is now at 58 markers.
I ran hard there for a while on that one restart, and I was really close, and he was using up the whole racetrack, Gravel said. He obviously heard and saw me and just was racing defensive and did what he had to do to win the race. We had a couple shots. During the last corner I drove in a little bit too hard and slid up in the middle and thought I was going to be able to try something there at the end. But I didnt want to risk blowing a tire or risk crashing there.
Rounding out the podium was Carson Macedo in the Jason Johnson Racing No. 41.
Hats off to Philip Dietz, Adam Zimmerman, and Robby McQuinn Macedo said. I thought we were decent there early. We were able to sweep into third right away and try to transition. Its tough to know where youre at, so I started getting my wing back forward because I was getting tight.
Sheldon Haudenschild and Bill Balog completed the top five.
The finish:
Feature (25 Laps): 1. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[1]; 2. 2-David Gravel[2]; 3. 41-Carson Macedo[4]; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[5]; 5. 17B-Bill Balog[12]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart[3]; 7. 23-Garet Williamson[6]; 8. 39M-Anthony Macri[8]; 9. 27-Emerson Axsom[7]; 10. 83-Michael Kofoid[10]; 11. 15-Donny Schatz[13]; 12. 55-Hunter Schuerenberg[16]; 13. 2C-Cole Macedo[14]; 14. 7S-Chris Windom[15]; 15. 6-Zach Hampton[11]; 16. 28M-Conner Morrell[9]; 17. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[17]; 18. 2KS-Cory Eliason[18]; 19. J2-John Carney II[23]; 20. 99-Skylar Gee[20]; 21. 52-Blake Hahn[22]; 22. 24T-Christopher Thram[21]; 23. 17GP-Landon Crawley[24]; 24. 20G-Noah Gass[19]
NHL playoff standings: Dissecting the Eastern wild-card race
Each of the teams in the Eastern Conference playoff mix has 15 to 17 games remaining in the regular season.
Three teams in the Atlantic Division have all but clinched their spots -- the Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning -- and two from the Metro are essentially shoo-ins, the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes. The New Jersey Devils are knocking on that door, and a current three-game winning streak certainly helps.
The Ottawa Senators have opened up a nice gap as the first wild card, with 75 points and 26 regulation wins in 65 games. Beyond them, things get interesting.
The Columbus Blue Jackets technically are in the second wild-card spot thanks to getting to 70 points in fewer games played (65) than the New York Rangers (66). The Montreal Canadiens (69 points) are right behind them, followed by the Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins, both with 68 points.
If it comes down to the regulation-wins tiebreaker at season's end, the Rangers have an upper hand over all the rest, with 29 in that column, compared with 23 for the Jackets, Red Wings and Bruins, and just 22 for the Habs.
Four of the five teams are in action Saturday:
The Bruins host the Lightning at 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Canadiens host the Panthers also at 7 p.m. (NHL Network)
The Blue Jackets face the visiting Rangers also at 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
And if they have their sights set on catching the Senators, these clubs are all rooting for the Maple Leafs, who host Ottawa (7 p.m., ESPN+). It's a great night for multiple streaming devices!
There is a lot of runway left until April 17, the final day of the regular season, and we'll help you track it all with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide details on all the playoff races, along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today's schedule
Yesterday's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Columbus Blue Jackets
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 Calgary Flames
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Saturday's games
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).
Vegas Golden Knights at Buffalo Sabres, 12:30 p.m.
New Jersey Devils at Pittsburgh Penguins, 3 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Washington Capitals at San Jose Sharks, 5 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.
Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Florida Panthers at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. (NHLN)
Carolina Hurricanes at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m.
New York Rangers at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
St. Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Los Angeles Kings, 8 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Friday's scoreboard
Carolina Hurricanes 4, Detroit Red Wings 2
Edmonton Oilers 2, New York Islanders 1 (OT)
Winnipeg Jets 4, Dallas Stars 1
Colorado Avalanche 4, Calgary Flames 2
Anaheim Ducks 2, Nashville Predators 1
Seattle Kraken 4, Utah Hockey Club 2
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Florida Panthers
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 16
Points pace: 105.6
Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 17
Points pace: 102.2
Next game: vs. OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 17
Points pace: 99.7
Next game: @ BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.8%
Tragic number: N/A
Ottawa Senators
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 17
Points pace: 94.6
Next game: @ TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 98.7%
Tragic number: N/A
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 87.1
Next game: vs. FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 10%
Tragic number: 34
Detroit Red Wings
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 84.5
Next game: vs. VGK (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 11.1%
Tragic number: 31
Boston Bruins
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 83.2
Next game: vs. TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 8%
Tragic number: 29
Buffalo Sabres
Points: 56
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 71.8
Next game: vs. VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 23
Metro Division
Washington Capitals
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 16
Points pace: 116.8
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 84
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 16
Points pace: 104.4
Next game: @ PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
New Jersey Devils
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 15
Points pace: 95.5
Next game: @ PIT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 97.1%
Tragic number: N/A
Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 17
Points pace: 88.3
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 19.2%
Tragic number: N/A
New York Rangers
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 87.0
Next game: @ CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 41%
Tragic number: 33
New York Islanders
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 83.3
Next game: vs. FLA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 12.7%
Tragic number: 31
Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 64
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 78.3
Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 1.7%
Tragic number: 25
Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 64
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 77.2
Next game: vs. NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.6%
Tragic number: 23
Central Division
Winnipeg Jets
Points: 96
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 15
Points pace: 117.5
Next game: @ SEA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Dallas Stars
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 17
Points pace: 108.5
Next game: @ COL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Colorado Avalanche
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 15
Points pace: 101.6
Next game: vs. DAL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Minnesota Wild
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 16
Points pace: 98.2
Next game: vs. STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 94.6%
Tragic number: N/A
St. Louis Blues
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 85.7
Next game: @ MIN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 22.7%
Tragic number: 31
Utah Hockey Club
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 85.7
Next game: @ VAN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 31.8%
Tragic number: 31
Nashville Predators
Points: 57
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 71.9
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 21
Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 60.9
Next game: @ VAN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 11
Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 17
Points pace: 107.2
Next game: @ BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Edmonton Oilers
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 16
Points pace: 99.4
Next game: @ NYR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.4%
Tragic number: N/A
Los Angeles Kings
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 18
Points pace: 101.2
Next game: vs. NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.4%
Tragic number: N/A
Calgary Flames
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 17
Points pace: 89.6
Next game: @ TOR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 29.2%
Tragic number: N/A
Vancouver Canucks
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 89.6
Next game: vs. CHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 22.9%
Tragic number: 35
Anaheim Ducks
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 80.8
Next game: @ STL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 27
Seattle Kraken
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 75.9
Next game: vs. WPG (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 22
San Jose Sharks
Points: 45
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 55.1
Next game: vs. WSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 5
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL's Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board.
1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 45
Regulation wins: 13
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
3. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 56
Regulation wins: 21
4. Nashville Predators
Points: 57
Regulation wins: 21
5. Seattle Kraken
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
6. Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 64
Regulation wins: 17
7. Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 64
Regulation wins: 18
8. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 21
9. New York Islanders
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23
10. Boston Bruins
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 23
11. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 23
12. Utah Hockey Club
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 21
13. Montreal Canadiens
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 22
14. St. Louis Blues
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 22
15. New York Rangers
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 29
16. Vancouver Canucks
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23
The reigning champion Orlando Pride opened the National Women's Soccer League season on Friday night with a 6-0 home field rout over the Chicago Stars.
Barbra Banda scored a pair of goals for the Pride, who tied the club record for most goals in a match.
In the other match on the league's opening night, the Washington Spirit held off the Houston Dash 2-1.
It took just seven minutes for Haley McCutcheon to open scoring for the Pride, with a left-footed shot that got past Chicago keeper Alyssa Naeher. In the 36th minute, Ally Watt doubled Orlando's lead with a glancing near post header from Marta's corner kick.
Chicago's Hannah Anderson had an own goal 90 seconds after the restart, before substitute Julie Doyle coolly finished from the center of the Chicago box in the 65th.
Banda, Orlando's top scorer in 2024 with 17 goals scored in the 80th and 87th minutes. Her second was the goal of the night: She ripped a shot from 25 yards out that went up and over Naeher.
The only sour note was Doyle departing with an injury in the 74th minute, just 11 minutes after she had entered the match.
It was the largest margin of defeat in Stars history, and just the second time that the team has conceded six goals in one match. Chicago was without marquee player Mallory Swanson, out for personal reasons. But defender Sam Staab made her return from a ruptured Achilles that had kept her sidelined since July.
Before the match, the Florida club honored last year's Shield and Championship-winning team by hanging two banners at Inter&Co Stadium.
Last season's NWSL runners-up opened the new season with a win on the road.
Makenna Morris poked home a rebound from close range in the 16th minute after Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell made an impressive save on Ashley Hatch's header.
Chloe Ricketts' shot hit the crossbar and appeared to come down over the line. Hatch followed up the shot off the bar and tapped in the rebound in the 33rd.
Houston responded in the second half. Avery Patterson wafted a cross to the back post for Ryan Gareis to head toward the goal, with Maggie Graham getting the final touch to make it 2-1.
Trinity rodman, who has battled a back injury since last season, appeared as a second-half substitute for the Spirt after remaining on the bench throughout last week's NWSL Challenge Cup win over Orlando.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk has said winning a second Carabao Cup trophy on Sunday against Newcastle United would give him a place among the captains who had achieved great things at the Premier League club.
The Dutch defender scored the winner in the 118th minute against Chelsea at Wembley last year, securing his first trophy as skipper.
The 33-year-old replaced Jordan Henderson as captain in 2023 under Jürgen Klopp and has retained the armband under successor Arne Slot.
"If you were to lift the two trophies, I think you have a pretty good chance to be on a nice list of captains that have achieved great things in this club," Van Dijk told British media.
"That's obviously a big dream of mine since I became the captain of the club. We're not there, we have a lot of hard work still to do."
Van Dijk's contract expires in June but he said he has not been fazed by the uncertainty over an extension.
"I feel I am in one of the best shapes in my career and you have been seeing that," he said.
"I enjoy playing, I enjoy leading the boys out, I enjoy being there for each and every one of them and I enjoy the responsibility more than ever, maybe because I am getting older slowly. So let's wait and see."
Liverpool hold a 15-point lead in the Premier League and will host Merseyside rivals Everton on April 2 after the international break.
Silk 94* lifts Tasmania as NSW's Shield finals hopes take a hit
Tasmania 309 for 7 (Silk 94*, Ward 64) against New South Wales
Third-placed NSW entered the match knowing they needed to win to have any hope of reaching the final, which will be hosted by South Australia.
The strong first-innings total by Tasmania means NSW have plenty of work ahead of them to get a positive result.
Tasmania slipped to 44 for 2 after Jake Weatherald (nine) was caught a slip and Nivethan Radhakrishnan (10) was trapped lbw by Ben Dwarshuis.
But a 65-run stand between Ward and Jewell, followed by a 82-run stand between Ward and Silk put Tasmania into a strong position.
Silk has the chance to post his 12th first-class century when play resumes on Sunday.
Tasmania sit in last spot on the table and are no hope of reaching the final.
But it's all on the line for NSW, who must beat Tasmania and then rely on second-placed Queensland failing to get a win against ladder leaders South Australia.
The match also represents another opportunity for NSW opener Sam Konstas to put his name up in lights ahead of Australia's Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's in June.
Konstas made a stunning Test debut against India in the Boxing Day Test, but his topsy-turvy form of late has been a big talking point.
The 19-year-old rebounded with an important half-century in last week's Shield draw with WA at the WACA, and his performance against Tasmania will be highly scrutinised as Australia's selectors mull over who should partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order.
Handscomb, debutant Peake hold their own with attrition on WACA green top
Western Australia 10 for 1 (Bancroft 8*, Sutherland 1-2) trail Victoria 197 (Peake 52, Handscomb 48, Rocchiccioli 5-67, Paris 3-37) by 187 runs
It was a good fightback from Victoria led by Peake. Coming to the crease at 5 for 2 in the seventh over, the left-handed batter was unflustered by the conditions and WA's strong attack to finish with 52 off 168 balls.
Both teams remain in the race to play South Australia in the final starting on March 26, but will need an outright victory and also Queensland and New South Wales to not win their respective matches.
With a very green pitch unveiled and grey clouds lurking above, Whiteman had no hesitation to bowl first. He had to be satisfied with his decision after the first delivery when left-arm quick Joel Paris beat the outside edge of Campbell Kellaway, who entered in form after scores of 79 and 77 last week against South Australia.
With the ball seaming wickedly around and rearing off the surface, the Victoria openers had a torrid time and former Test opener Marcus Harris succumbed for 2 after Cameron Bancroft took a sharp catch at second slip off Cameron Gannon.
Blake Macdonald was then bowled by a cracking inswinging delivery from left-arm quick Joel Paris, who was typically accurate with the new ball.
Peake had the toughest of initiations, but his nerves eased when he got off the mark after a fumble from Cooper Connolly at point allowed him an easy single that was greeted with cheers from his team-mates in the terraces.
But Peake couldn't add to his tally for some time as he focused on firm defence to repel the threat. Peake did lose concentration when he tried to bludgeon Paris and he was fortunate to not get an edge.
With speedster Lance Morris missing the match due to load management, Whiteman in the 12th over turned to Rocchiccioli who enjoys coming in early due to his knack of producing bounce.
He proved a handful as he spun the ball sharply past the bat on several occasions. The bowling changes worked a treat with quick Brody Couch - a like-for-like replacement for Morris - striking in his first over after trapping Kellaway lbw with a full delivery that was spearing down the legside.
Kellaway was dismayed at the dismissal as Victoria slumped to 20 for 3. But Handscomb mustered his wealth of experience and provided a steadying presence alongside Peake as they fought through to lunch.
With the match in a stalemate, Whiteman brought on Hilton Cartwright whose handy seam bowling these days hovers at speeds of around 125 kph. But he hit a divot with his first ball that climbed steeply and whacked Handscomb on the thumb of his left hand.
Handscomb dropped his bat immediately and sought medical attention, but resumed batting and soon after - on his 103rd delivery faced - cracked his first boundary of the innings when he hit Gannon through point.
Peake's third boundary was his best with a lovely cover drive off Cartwright and just before tea he reached his half-century off 153 balls in a landmark that was well appreciated by his team-mates.
But the break halted their momentum and the match flipped on resumption with Handscomb on 48 edging the hard-working Rocchiccioli to short leg. It triggered a collapse with Peake finally falling and Harry Dixon, another high-rated youngster, also falling to Rocchiccioli, who has a knack of taking wickets in clumps.
Rocchiccioli clinched his second five-wicket haul of his first-class career when Gannon took a blinder of a catch high to his right at slip to dismiss Peter Siddle.
Returning after a long stint abroad, where he made his Test debut and opened in the Champions Trophy semi-final against India, Connolly bowled just two overs and was wicketless.
Victoria are without spearhead Scott Boland, who did not travel to Perth as he manages knee soreness, with former WA quick David Moody playing his first Shield match in two years.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth
Source: 49ers, Juszczyk reunite after brief split
Nine-time Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk is returning to the San Francisco 49ers on a two-year, $8 million deal, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Saturday.
It had been a brief split, as the 49ers released Juszczyk on Tuesday before bringing him back into the fold. Juszczyk, 33, and the 49ers had nearly parted ways last offseason before he agreed to a pay cut.
A source said Juszczyk took less than what the Pittsburgh Steelers were offering to return to San Francisco.
Juszczyk was one of the first free agents whom 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch signed after taking over in 2017.
He has been named to the Pro Bowl after each of his eight seasons in San Francisco, and he was first-team All-Pro in 2023 and second-team All-Pro in 2024. He has rushed for 212 yards and five touchdowns on 60 carries and caught 184 passes for 1,895 yards and 13 scores in his time with the team.
A fourth-round selection by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2013 draft, Juszczyk has 378 receptions for 2,664 yards and 18 touchdowns in his career. He has rushed for 237 yards and six touchdowns.
ESPN's Nick Wagoner contributed to this report.
Expanding on the success of the MLB Debut Patch, Topps, MLB and Nike have partnered to recognize baseball's elite performers from last season with custom gold-embellished MLB logos on their jerseys that will then be used to create trading cards.
Six award winners from the 2024 season -- New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil (AL Rookie of the Year), Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (NL Rookie of the Year), Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (AL MVP), Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter/pitcher Shohei Ohtani (NL MVP), Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (NL Cy Young) and Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (AL Cy Young) -- will have unique gold MLB logos on the backs of their game-issued jerseys.
Throughout the season, these jerseys will be authenticated by MLB, and 10 from each player will be used to create trading cards following the 2025 season. Each golden MLB logo patch will be removed from the jersey and wholly inserted into Topps cards. The resulting insert cards will be known as Gold Logoman cards.
Fanatics, which acquired Topps in early 2022 and introduced the MLB Debut Patch for the 2023 season, will also produce retail versions of these six players' authentic jerseys in home, away, City Connect and alternate editions.
The first player to sport the special embroidery was Ohtani when the Dodgers took the field Saturday for an exhibition game against the Yomiuri Giants.
The 2025 MLB season begins with a two-game Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs on March 18-19.
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