Stanley Cup Finals
FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2017, file photo, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks walks behind the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Tampa, Fla. This has been a year for Tampa Bay sports like no other, though the area's three successful professional teams haven't had a chance to truly capitalize on the boom and connect with re-energized fan bases. Derrick Brooks says he feels for the fans not being able to go to the games and celebrate their teams victories and success.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Missed opportunity: Tampa teams soar, fans watch from afar

By Fred Goodall Nov. 03, 2020 02:54 PM EST

FILE - In this March 11, 2020, file photo, San Jose Sharks' Joe Thornton (19) moves the puck as Chicago Blackhawks' Brandon Saad (20) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago. The Toronto Maple Leafs signed 41-year-old forward Thornton to a one-year, $700,000 contract Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty, File)
Joe Thornton points to talk with Joe Montana in Toronto move

Oct. 18, 2020 10:56 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2019, file photo, New Jersey Devils right wing Kurtis Gabriel works out prior to an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Newark, N.J. The NHL is hoping to move to Phase 2 of its return-to-play protocol, including the opening of practice facilities and allowing small group workouts, early next month. The league, which was forced to pause its season on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, released a 22-page memo detailing the plan Monday, May 25, 2020. The document stresses there's no exact date for the start of Phase 2 or a timetable for how long it will last. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
The Latest: Iowa St AD sees football games with 30,000 fans

By The Associated Press May. 26, 2020 11:59 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 11, 2010, file photo, Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan is shown during an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas. The Utah Jazz have announced that Jerry Sloan, the coach who took them to the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998 on his way to a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame, has died. Sloan died Friday morning, May 22, 2020, the Jazz said, from complications related to Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. He was 78. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
Column: Sloan, other coaching greats who were denied a title

By Paul Newberry May. 22, 2020 05:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 19, 2019, file photo, Steve Yzerman walks into the news conference where he was introduced as the new executive vice president and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings NHL hockey club in Detroit. The Red Wings could actually benefit from an adjusted draft lottery that gives him better odds at the top pick, likely Alexis Lafreniere. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Mixed feelings around hockey about holding NHL draft early

By Stephen Whyno May. 09, 2020 11:46 AM EDT

Kansas City Chiefs players, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15), stretch after NFL football training camp Saturday, July 27, 2019, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Chiefs' Pat Mahomes living up to his 'Showtime' nickname

By Dave Skretta Jul. 29, 2019 06:33 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 22, 2019 file photo, Terry Pegula, arrives to the NFL football owners meeting in Key Biscayne, Fla. Rather than fullfilling his promise of delivering Buffalo a championship, Pegula has instead overseen a team that's endured fitful starts and stops, gone through a revolving door of players and coaches, and is in the midst of a franchise-worst eight-year playoff drought, the NHL's longest active streak. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File )
Sabres owner Pegula tells AP: It's time to start winning

By John Wawrow Jun. 29, 2019 12:33 PM EDT

St. Louis Blues center Ryan O'Reilly carries the Stanley Cup during the Blues' NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory celebration in St. Louis on Saturday, June 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Fans pack downtown St. Louis to cheer on the champion Blues

By Jim Salter Jun. 15, 2019 03:27 PM EDT

Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy checks the clock as time winds down during the third period in Game 7 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final against the St. Louis Blues, Wednesday, June 12, 2019, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Year of parades ends in Boston with Bruins' Stanley Cup loss

By Jimmy Golen Jun. 13, 2019 06:57 PM EDT

St. Louis Blues fan Marge Kirchhoefer poses for a portrait in her St. Louis home, Thursday, June 13, 2019. At age 100, Kirchhoefer is among the oldest St. Louis Blues fans, and now that they're Stanley Cup champions, she knows exactly how she'll celebrate. She plans to drink champagne and says she "may get loaded." There's a lot of that going around in St. Louis, now that the Blues have knocked off the Boston Bruins to win their first NHL championship since they arrived as an expansion team 52 years ago. (AP Photo/Jim Salter)
Heartache turns to triumph for St. Louis sports fans

By Jim Salter Jun. 13, 2019 03:51 PM EDT

Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy watches from behind the bench during the first period in Game 7 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Wednesday, June 12, 2019, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Bruins fall apart and give up early goals in Game 7 loss

By Ken Powtak Jun. 12, 2019 11:12 PM EDT

St. Louis Blues' Ryan O'Reilly skates with the Conn Smythe trophy after the Blues' win over the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Wednesday, June 12, 2019, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The Latest: O'Reilly wins Conn Smythe as playoff MVP

Jun. 12, 2019 08:18 PM EDT

New England Patriots' Julian Edelman, left, roars as he waves the Boston Bruins banner before Game 7 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final between the Bruins and the St. Louis Blues, Wednesday, June 12, 2019, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
St. Louis Blues at Boston Bruins 6/12/2019

Jun. 12, 2019 08:18 PM EDT

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington, right, stops a shot at the goal line as Boston Bruins' David Krejci, left, of the Czech Republic, pokes at it during the third period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Thursday, June 6, 2019, in Boston. A video review confirmed there was no goal on the play. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
St. Louis Blues at Boston Bruins 6/6/2019

Jun. 07, 2019 12:45 AM EDT

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington, right, stops a shot at the goal line as Boston Bruins' David Krejci, left, of the Czech Republic, pokes at it during the third period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Thursday, June 6, 2019, in Boston. A video review confirmed there was no goal on the play. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Binnington, Blues beat Bruins 2-1, lead Stanley Cup 3-2

By Jimmy Golen Jun. 07, 2019 12:42 AM EDT

St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn, second from right, flips past Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88), of the Czech Republic, during the first period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Saturday, June 1, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Bruins rout Blues 7-2, take 2-1 lead in Stanley Cup Final

By Stephen Whyno Jun. 01, 2019 11:16 PM EDT

A St. Louis Blues fan looks at the scoreboard during the first period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final between the Blues and the Boston Bruins Saturday, June 1, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Boston Bruins at St. Louis Blues 6/1/2019

Jun. 01, 2019 10:33 PM EDT

Boston Bruins center Sean Kuraly celebrates after scoring against the St. Louis Blues during the first period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Saturday, June 1, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Latest: Bruins rout Blues 7-2, take 2-1 Cup series lead

Jun. 01, 2019 10:30 PM EDT

Fans arrive for Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final between the St. Louis Blues and the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
St. Louis Blues at Boston Bruins 5/29/2019

May. 29, 2019 08:04 PM EDT

Boston Bruins' Matt Grzelcyk, center, is assisted from the ice by Jake DeBrusk, left, and David Krejci, right, after an injury during the first period in Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final against the St. Louis Blues, Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
The Latest: Bruins' Grzelcyk taken to hospital after hit

May. 29, 2019 08:02 PM EDT