Sports

NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning Winning Streak Extends to 8 with Canucks Win

Published

7 years ago

January 8, 2020

Victor Hedman (#77) and Alex Killorn (#17) celebrate a goal against the Vancouver Canucks at Amalie Arena Tuesday, January 7, 2020. Photo: NHL.

TAMPA BAY, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – In the first home game of 2020, the Lightning returned home with a seven-game win streak under their belt and prepped to host the Vancouver Canucks in hopes to extend their streak. The first period opened up in a mild manner, with both teams trying to find their footing and both goalies making significant saves. It wasn’t until under the final two minutes of the first period that a goal was finally scored. Getting on the board first was Vancouver, thanks to Elias Pettersson.

Heading into the first intermission down 1-0 to the Canucks, the Bolts must have had a motivating pep talk. The second period opened up and in less than five minutes, Hedman found Palat, Palat found Johnson and Johnson found the net for his 10^th goal of the season. Tying up the game fueled the Lightning, and after another five minutes of play in the second period Point set up Stamkos to score his 17^th goal of the season. Vancouver’s Eriksson tied up the game in response to Stamkos’s goal, but it was Alex Killorn’s speedy unassisted goal that ignited the Bolts to floor the gas. The Lightning solidified three goals in under a minute. Verhaeghe took the Bolts to four goals, then Kucherov knocked the score up to 5-2, and with 1:58 left in the second period, Cernak with a slap shot closed the period with a 6-2 lead.

Third period meant three more goals for the Lighting. After the attack the Lightning led against the Canucks goalie in the second, it was clear they got in his head. The Bolts defense and exemplary goalie Vasilevskiy stepped up, holding the Canucks off from any scoring opportunities, creating a lot of frustration for Vancouver, which showed. Brayden Point relentlessly shooting on goal scored top shelf 4:37 into the third period and then it turned into the Verhaeghe show as Carter Verhaeghe got two more goals for the Lightning projecting the score to a 9-2 lead and gifting the audience with his first NHL hat trick. The fans began tossing their hats into the rink in celebration of Verhaeghe’s successful night and career milestone.

The playoff conversation is beginning to sing a different tune for Tampa Bay. Now with an eight-game winning streak the Lightning set their eyes and intentions to make the streak nine as they host the Arizona Coyotes at 7pm Thursday evening.

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

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Central Florida News

Orlando Magic Fall to 0-2 Under Sean Sweeney After 115-93 Loss to Timberwolves

Published

1 week ago

October 24, 2026

FNN NEWS

Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, wearing a white No. 5 jersey, dribbles while Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards defends in a blue uniform.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero controls the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards at Kia Center in Orlando on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. Minnesota defeated Orlando 115-93, dropping the Magic to 0-2. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News.

Shooting struggles and a costly third quarter leave Orlando winless through two games under first-year coach Sean Sweeney
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — A new coaching era has opened with consecutive losses for the Orlando Magic, who fell 115-93 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night at Kia Center.

Orlando dropped to 0-2 under first-year head coach Sean Sweeney as shooting struggles again slowed its offense. The Magic also struggled with turnovers and missed free throws, repeating problems from their season-opening loss to Atlanta. Yahoo Sports

Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards holds the basketball while airborne as Orlando’s Paolo Banchero contests behind him and another Magic defender raises both arms.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards handles the ball as Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero contests the play at Kia Center in Orlando on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. Minnesota defeated Orlando 115-93. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News.

Third-quarter struggles prove costly

Minnesota led 57-45 at halftime before taking control in the third quarter. The Timberwolves closed the period with a 17-3 run, building an 86-60 advantage heading into the fourth. Orlando could not recover from the 26-point deficit. reuters.com

Carter leads Orlando

Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 20 points and nine rebounds to lead the Magic. Franz Wagner scored 18 points before fouling out, while Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs added 14 apiece.

Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels each scored 15 points for Minnesota, which improved to 2-0. Rudy Gobert contributed 14 points and nine rebounds. Reuters

Perimeter shooting remains a concern

Orlando made just eight of its 39 attempts from 3-point range, shooting 20.5%. Minnesota connected on 37.8% of its attempts from beyond the arc. reuters.com

Two games offer a limited measure of Sweeney’s tenure, but the early results identify an immediate challenge: improving offensive execution and preventing difficult stretches from becoming decisive runs.

Central Florida News

Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Select 25 Coaches for 2027 Academy, Five for Fellowships

Published

1 week ago

October 22, 2026

FNN SPORTS

The fourth class will receive scholarships for a weeklong program in Tampa, with five participants returning for training camp and preseason.

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are accepting applications for their 2027 National Coaching Academy, offering 25 finalists an opportunity to learn from NFL coaches and participate in rookie minicamp activities.

Applications close Dec. 31, 2026. The program uses rolling admissions, and applicants are encouraged to apply early, according to the team.

Presented by ReliaQuest, the academy was established by the Glazer family to create pathways for coaches seeking NFL opportunities. The upcoming class will be its fourth.

Eligibility and Scholarships

Applicants must have at least three years of coaching or work experience in a football program at the high school, college or semiprofessional level.

The 25 finalists will receive full scholarships covering costs while in Tampa for the weeklong academy.

After completing the program, five participants will be selected to return as fellows for training camp and the preseason.

On-Field Experience and Coaching Instruction

Finalists will attend team meetings and participate in on-field coaching sessions during rookie minicamp.

The program includes master classes led by Buccaneers coaches, along with Super Bowl-winning head coaches Jon Gruden, Bruce Arians and Tony Dungy, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronde Barber, according to the announcement.

Additional sessions cover film review, media training, business insights and networking.

Program Draws International Interest

The academy has attracted more than 3,000 applicants from 22 countries over its first three years, the team said. Dozens of previous finalists have since earned new positions or promotions at their institutions.

Applications for the 2027 class are open now until Dec. 31, 2026, with a rolling admissions program. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. More information can be found HERE.

Central Florida News

Orlando Magic Expand ThreatLocker Partnership With Warmup Branding, Cybersecurity Campaign

Published

1 week ago

October 22, 2026

FNN SPORTS

Orlando Magic, ThreatLocker Add Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign and Courtside Branding

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Orlando Magic and Orlando-based cybersecurity company ThreatLocker have expanded their partnership to include player warmup branding, courtside signage and a cybersecurity awareness campaign, the team announced Oct. 21.

ThreatLocker’s branding will appear on the Magic’s player warmup shirts for all home and away games, as well as front-row courtside seatback covers at Kia Center.

Campaign to Share Online Safety Tips

Timed to coincide with Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, the awareness campaign includes an opening-night commercial featuring ThreatLocker CEO and co-founder Danny Jenkins.

The spot will offer tips to help fans and Orlando-area residents protect themselves online, according to the announcement.

“As a Magic Champion of the Community partner since 2023, ThreatLocker has demonstrated a strong commitment to the local community,” Magic President of Business Operations Charlie Freeman said. “We’re excited to help raise cybersecurity awareness and continue growing their brand and our collective community impact.”

Branding Extends Across Games and Broadcasts

The agreement also includes a season-long commercial campaign and a custom-branded broadcast feature. ThreatLocker will receive exposure through MagicTV 27 in Central Florida and the team’s regional over-the-air broadcast network.

Warmup shirt branding will give the company visibility during pregame activities, player-focused content and game broadcasts, according to the announcement.

“We’re delighted that this partnership will help fans stay safe online,” Jenkins said. “And with October being Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s a great opportunity to share a few simple steps everyone can take to better protect themselves and their families.”