Sports

NHL: Bolts Mark New Franchise Territory with 11th Straight Win

Published

7 years ago

February 18, 2020

Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov (#86) and goalie Curtis McKelhinney (#35) celebrate a goal against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado on Monday, February 17, 2020. Photo: NHL.

DENVER, Col. (FNN SPORTS) – The Tampa Bay Lightning made franchise history last night with their 11th straight win with an overtime victory against the Colorado Avalanche and what a game it was to watch! Both the Lightning and the Avalanche are known for having very skilled players. Nathan MacKinnon is among some of the most skilled and fastest skaters in the league, making it no surprise that he got Colorado on the board first, thanks to a pass from Mikko Rantanen.

The remainder of the first period went without goals due to solid efforts from both goalies. The Bolts controlled most of the second period. Under five minutes in, Alex Killorn wrapped the puck around the glass in the Avalanche’s offensive zone to Ondrej Palat and Palat fed it back to Killorn for his 23rd goal of the season, tying up the game. This set the momentum train in motion, because less than two minutes after Killorn’s goal, Cameron Gaunce ripped a shot off in traffic to put the Bolts in the lead 2-1. Gaunce said after the game, “it’s been something I’ve been working on a lot, when the puck comes off the board, getting that shot, and seeing it go in has a nice feel.”

As the period began winding down, Brayden Point made a fast effort up the ice in attempts to score, but his shot came off the goalie’s pad, creating another scoring opportunity that Steven Stamkos maximized on. Diving onto the ice to get the puck in the net, sending the Lightning up 3-1. 1:34 before the second period ended; MacKinnon danced through the Lightning o-zone to hit a top shelf goal and his second goal of the game minimizing the Bolts lead.

The third period opened up with Tampa Bay still in the lead 3-2 and continued scoring attempts up and down the ice. With 7:17 left in the third period, Colorado, with some quick puck movement, caused enough confusion for Cale Makar to come down the center and score a wrist shot, tying the game 3-3. The Bolts and the Avs held each other off from scoring, taking the game into overtime.

Strong defensive plays continued and one in particular was the game changer: As MacKinnon skated to set up an opportunity to pass or score, there was just enough room for Kucherov to steal the puck for a breakaway and score in the goalie’s five hole, sealing the Lightning’s 11th straight win with a final score of 4-3, the most consecutive wins in franchise history.

Although an entertaining game nonetheless, Kucherov had a closer perspective and diagnosis of the game, saying, “it wasn’t a good game for us. We need to have the puck on our sticks more, and more puck possession in their o-zone.” But it’s that kind of “we can do better” mentality that separates good teams from great teams and the Lightning have all the potential to be a great team.

The Lightning head off to Las Vegas to face the Golden Knights, and the newest addition to Tampa Bay’s defense will officially join them. Blake Coleman, the Bolts recent trade acquire as of Sunday, February 16, 2020, will make his Lightning debut. In his initial trade statement, Coleman expressed his excitement for this new chapter and how he feels he’ll fit in with this team. Coleman said, he’s familiar with Coach Cooper’s coaching and playbook style after facing him in the USHL. Coleman said, “They’re bringing me in because I have a playoff-type game, a will to compete and a will to win.” We’ll see how this new chapter unfolds and if Tampa Bay can make it 12 wins on Thursday.

___________________________________________

Kasey Hudson is the Associate Sports Editor for Florida National News. | sports@floridanationalnews.com

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Sports

LIV Golf to begin winding down operations Nov. 9 after five years, $5 billion spent

Published

14 hours ago

November 7, 2026

FNN SPORTS

LIV Golf sign in a landscaped setting in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Florida National News

NEW YORK CITY, NY (FNN SPORTS) – LIV Golf plans to begin winding down operations Monday, Nov. 9, following five years and more than $5 billion in spending.

Attorney Matthew Williams outlined the league’s plans during a bankruptcy court hearing Thursday, Nov. 5, in New Jersey. The process includes selling its remaining assets.

“We believe the wind down path is the best path,” Williams told the court.

LIV Golf confirmed the decision after a proposed restructuring deal fell through. The league said it will continue considering alternatives during the shutdown process.

Basketball

USF Women’s Basketball Opens Season With 80–54 Victory Over Furman

Published

2 days ago

November 5, 2026

NISEY LOU S.

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — On Monday November 2, at the Yuengling Center, the South Florida women’s basketball team opened with a successful debut undernew head coach Kristy Curry.

The Bulls established control early with a 9–0 opening run, taking a 27–12 lead after the first quarter. Furman narrowed the margin before halftime, but South Florida maintained a 46–32 advantage heading into the break.

A dominant third quarter proved decisive, as USF outscored Furman 23–9 to extend its lead to 69–41 entering the fourth.

Balanced Scoring Leads the Bulls

Stefanie Ingram led South Florida with 15 points, followed by Hannah Kohn with 13 and Kendall Puryear with 12 points and nine rebounds.

The Bulls placed six players in double figures, shot 51.6 percent from the field and controlled the boards with a 48–25 rebounding advantage.

A Winning Debut for Kristy Curry

The victory marked Curry’s first win leading South Florida after arriving from Alabama.

Ahead of the season opener, Curry expressed confidence in the program’s potential:

“I’m so excited to be here. I truly think the sky’s the limit at USF.”

— Kristy Curry, USF Head Coach, in pregame remarks published by USF Athletics.

South Florida (1–0) will face Belmont on Friday, November 6, in Nashville, Tennessee.

– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com

Central Florida News

USF Defeats UAB 30–10, Secures Fourth Consecutive Bowl-Eligible Season

Published

4 days ago

November 3, 2026

NISEY LOU S.

C.J. Hicks (#1) USF defensive end lines up before the snap during the Bulls’ 30–10 victory over UAB at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on October 31, 2026. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

Bulls overcome early deficit behind defensive touchdowns and a record-tying performance from C.J. Hicks.

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The University of South Florida (USF) secured its sixth victory of the season Saturday, October 31, defeating the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) 30–10 at Raymond James Stadium. The victory improved the Bulls’ record to 6–2 overall and 2–2 in American Conference play, making the program bowl-eligible for the fourth consecutive season.

Defense Turns the Game Around

UAB opened the game with a 10–0 first-quarter lead, but South Florida responded with 30 unanswered points, highlighted by two defensive touchdowns.

Defensive end C.J. Hicks delivered one of the game’s most significant performances, recording four sacks to tie the USF single-game record. Two of those sacks forced fumbles that resulted in touchdowns.

Late in the second quarter, Hicks forced a fumble by UAB quarterback Ryder Burton, allowing USF defender Asani Redwood to recover the football and return it six yards for a touchdown. The play gave South Florida a 17–10 halftime lead.

Asani Redwood and UAB #71 UAB defensive lineman #71 attempts to tackle USF’s Asani Redwood during the October 31, 2026, matchup at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

Hicks created another scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter, forcing a second fumble that linebacker Grayson Howard recovered and returned 13 yards for a touchdown, extending USF’s lead to 27–10.

South Florida’s defense finished with six sacks and 11 tackles for loss, limiting UAB to just 177 total offensive yards, including 17 rushing yards.

Offensive Adjustments Provide Momentum

Following an injury to starting quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., sophomore Luke Kromenhoek entered the game and helped shift momentum in South Florida’s favor.

Luke Kromenhoek (#17) USF quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (#17) carries the football while facing pressure from a UAB defender during the Bulls’ 30–10 victory at Raymond James Stadium on October 31, 2026. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

Kromenhoek finished with a career-high 92 rushing yards, including a 42-yard run that helped establish the Bulls’ offensive rhythm.

Running back Jason Collins Jr. added a six-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter to tie the game at 10–10.

Kicker Nico Gramatica contributed three field goals, connecting from 31, 30 and 33 yards to help secure the victory.

Bowl Eligibility Marks Another Program Milestone

With its sixth win, South Florida secured bowl eligibility for the fourth consecutive season, matching the second-longest such streak in program history.

The accomplishment allows USF to qualify for postseason bowl consideration, although an official bowl invitation and destination have yet to be determined.

The victory also kept the Bulls competitive in the American Conference standings, with four regular-season games remaining following the UAB matchup.

Looking Ahead

USF will return to conference competition Friday, November 6, traveling to face East Carolina as the Bulls continue their pursuit of a stronger conference finish and a postseason bowl invitation.

Final Score: USF 30, UAB 10