NHL – National Hockey League
Last Night

Washington Capitals 7, Chicago Blackhawks 3

Carolina Hurricanes 1, Detroit Red Wings 0

Capitals 7, Blackhawks 3 – Ovechkin reaches 800 goals as Capitals beat Blackhawks 7-3

Alex Ovechkin scored three times to become the third NHL player with 800 career goals, and the streaking Washington Capitals beat the lowly Chicago Blackhawks 7-3. Nic Dowd, Anthony Mantha, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Dmitry Orlov also scored as Washington earned its fifth straight win. Conor Sheary had two assists, and Charlie Lindgren made 26 stops. The Capitals went 6-2-1 during a nine-game stretch that had only one home date. They play seven of their next nine at home, beginning Thursday night against Dallas. Chicago dropped to 1-11-1 in its last 13 games. It has scored just four goals during a four-game slide.

Hurricanes 1, Red Wings 0 – Skjei gives Carolina 1-0 win; Detroit’s Larkin leaves game 

Brady Skjei scored the only goal and Pyotr Kochetkov made 27 saves in the Carolina Hurricanes’ 1-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings 1-0 in the 100th career meeting between the teams. Carolina improved to 5-0-1 on its current road swing, tying a record for most wins and setting a record for points on the road — passing Hartford’s 10-point trip from Jan. 30-Feb. 11, 1996. Ville Husso made 26 saves for the Red Wings. Detroit captain Dylan Larkin blocked a shot earlier in the game and did not return for the third period. Coach Derek Lalonde said Larkin would not be able to play on Wednesday but didn’t elaborate.

Tonight

Detroit Red Wings at Minnesota Wild, 7:30 p.m.

NCAAFB – Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach dies at 61

Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach has died following complications from a heart condition. The pioneering coach helped revolutionize the college football passing game with the Air Raid offense. Leach had been hospitalized over the weekend and had a bout of pneumonia late this season. He died Monday night. In 21 seasons as a head coach at Texas Tech, Washington State and Mississippi State, Leach went 158-107. Six of the 20 best passing seasons in major college football history were by quarterbacks who played for Leach, including four of the top six. Mike Leach was 61.

NCAAFB – Mississippi St faces tough decisions following Leach’s death

No. 24 Mississippi State will be playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Illinois on Jan. 2 in Tampa, Florida. That is one of the few solid things around the football program following the sudden death of coach Mike Leach at the age of 61. Mississippi State is facing a search for a new coach. The annual signing day for recruits is coming up next week. Some players may transfer. And MSU is already looking for a permanent athletic director. Bracky Brett is serving in an interim role since John Cohen left to become AD at Auburn.

NCAAFB – CFP – Ryan Day, Buckeyes feel urgency behind second chance at CFP

Ohio State didn’t get to control its playoff destiny after losing to rival Michigan at the end of the regular season. No matter. The Buckeyes are in the postseason and they’re yearning for redemption. Coach Ryan Day said Tuesday the No. 4 Buckeyes had productive practices last week and realize the opportunity they have in front of them with a semifinal showdown against top-ranked Georgia. The Buckeyes took the back door into the College Football Playoff, benefiting from USC’s second loss this year to Utah in the Pac-12 Championship game. Defending champion Georgia will host Ohio State on New Year’s Eve in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.

NFL – Cardinals QB Kyler Murray out for season with torn ACL

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season. Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury confirmed the extent of the injury during his Tuesday news conference. The news is not a surprise after the 25-year-old injured his knee on the third play of Monday night’s 27-13 loss to the New England Patriots. The fourth-year quarterback was flushed out of the pocket and running to his right when he tried to juke past a Patriots defender, but tumbled to the grass in obvious pain. Players from both teams surrounded the quarterback before he was carted off the field with a towel draped over his head.

NBA – National Basketball Association
Tonight

Detroit Pistons at Charlotte Hornets, 7:00 p.m.

Golden State Warriors at Indiana Pacers, 7:00 p.m.

New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

NBA – Warriors’ Green says Bucks fan ‘threatened’ him; fan tossed

A fan was ejected following a complaint by Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green during a game at Milwaukee on Tuesday night. The Bucks said they are investigating the incident and consulting with the NBA. Security personnel removed the man, who was sitting a few rows beyond the baseline, during a stop in play in the third quarter. Green said he pointed out the fan’s behavior to a game official, and the situation was taken care of from there. Green said the fan said “some threatening stuff to my life.” The Warriors lost the game 128-111.

NCAA – Michigan State must disclose deals with 2 big sports donors

A judge has ordered Michigan State University to release donor agreements with two alumni who gave or pledged millions of dollars to the athletic department. Michigan State has acknowledged that some of the money will help pay for a $95 million contract with football coach Mel Tucker. Tucker got a new deal in 2021 while leading the Spartans to an 11-2 record. But Michigan State has refused to release the agreements with Mat Ishbia and Steve St. Andre, citing a privacy exemption in the state’s public records law. A judge rejected that argument Monday. Michigan State has 10 days to release the records. The lawsuit was filed by the Detroit Free Press.

MLB – AP source: Carlos Correa, Giants reach $350M, 13-year deal

All Star shortstop Carlos Correa and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a $350 million, 13-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations has told The Associated Press. The 28-year-old Correa also was a free agent one year ago after leaving the Houston Astros, and he reached a $105.3 million deal with the Minnesota Twins. That agreement gave him the right to opt out after one year and $35.1 million to hit the market again. Correa batted .291 with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs in his one season with Minnesota.

ECHL – ECHL Hockey League
Today

Kalamazoo Wings at Iowa Heartlanders, 11:35 a.m.

Wheeling Nailers at Indy Fuel, 7:00 p.m.

Toledo Walleye at Norfolk Admirals, 7:05 p.m.

NBAGL – NBA G-League
Tonight

Sioux Falls Skyforce at Grand Rapids Gold, 7:00 p.m.

Windy City Bulls at Motor City Cruise, 7:00 p.m.

FIFA – World Cup 2020 – Qatar
Yesterday
Semifinal 1

Argentina 3, Croatia 0

Argentine 3, Croatia 0 – Messi, Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to reach World Cup final 

Lionel Messi is back in the World Cup final with Argentina on his mission to win soccer’s biggest prize for the first time. He could hardly be playing any better. Messi converted a penalty and had a hand in the other two goals by Julián Álvarez to lead Argentina to a 3-0 win over Croatia. It set up a meeting with either France or Morocco in Sunday’s title match. It will be the 35-year-old Messi’s second World Cup final in what might be his last ever appearance at the tournament. Croatia failed in its bid to reach a second straight World Cup final.

Today
Semifinal 2

France vs. Morocco, 2:00 p.m.

FIFA – Morocco faces France in politically charged WCup semifinal

As Morocco faces France in the World Cup semifinal, many players and fans of both diverse teams grapple with family tales of colonial history, challenges of immigration, questions of national loyalty. The match has political and emotional resonance for both nations. It dredges up everything that’s complicated about the relationship in which France still wields considerable influence. For many in the former protectorate, the match against the defending champion is an opportunity to show that Morocco is a formidable foe — on the soccer pitch at least — even though immigration between the two countries has blurred the lines for many in France and in Morocco about who to support Wednesday in Qatar.

MHSAA – High School Sports
Last Night
Boys Basketball
SMAC

Battle Creek Central 52, Lakeshore 28

-J.J. Frakes led Lakeshore with 9 points in a 52-28 loss at Battle Creek Central. Jackson Bushu added 7 in the loss.

Kalamazoo Central 51, St. Joseph 43

-After St. Joe took a 10-5 lead after the first quarter, Kalamazoo Central tied the game at 19-19 at the half and outscored St. Joe 17-4 in the third quarter before holding off a Bear comeback in the 4th quarter of a 51-43 win.  Chase Sanders had 13 points to lead St. Joe while Luke Lehner had 12.  Kai Wyndarden came off the bench and had 11.  Hutch ward had 27 for KC.

Mattawan 69, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 57

Portage Central 57, Gull Lake 51

Battle Creek Lakeview 67, Portage Northern 54

Wolverine

Otsego 53, Sturgis 43

Edwardsburg 62, Paw Paw 57

Plainwell 57, Three Rivers 33

Niles 49, Vicksburg 28

BCS

Countryside 54, Our Lady of the Lake 42

-Ja’Vrius Gordan scored 23 points for Countryside in a 54-42 win over Our Lady of the Lake.

Eau Claire 88, New Buffalo 45

SAC

Bridgman 53, Coloma 29

Parchment 73, Delton-Kellogg 39

Kalamazoo Hackett 83, Galesburg-Augusta 50

Lawton 48, Gobles 20

Constantine 76, Holland Black River 62

Saugatuck 74, Allegan 44

Southwest 10

Cassopolis 66, Bangor 12

White Pigeon 74, Comstock 50

Lawrence 52, Mendon 49

Centerville 70, Decatur 49

-Jesse Bauschke had 21 points to lead Decatur.

Non-Conference

River Valley 55, Dowagiac 44

Schoolcraft 57, Marshall 53

Girls Basketball
SMAC

Lakeshore 52, Battle Creek Central 26

-Lakeshore had three players in double figures, led by Emily Lockman’s 15 points in a 52-26 win over Battle Creek Central, Paige Lies had 13, while Megan Wurster scored 11.

Kalamazoo Central 64, St. Joseph 41

-Jaslynn Ward had 14 points to lead St. Joe in a 64-41 loss at Kalamazoo Central.

Mattawan 47, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 34

Portage Central 31, Gull Lake 24

Battle Creek Lakeview 39, Portage Northern 19

Wolverine

Otsego 66, Sturgis 44

Edwardsburg 53, Paw Paw 40

Three Rivers 50, Plainwell 45

Vicksburg 67, Niles 7

BCS

Our Lady of the Lake 59, Countryside 8

-Abby Schrauben had a game high 12 points to lead the Lakers over Countryside Academy 59-8.

Michigan Lutheran 36, Howardsville Christian 28

Eau Claire 19, New Buffalo 17

SAC

Kalamazoo Christian 61, Gobles 27

Martin 39, Kalamazoo Hackett 35

Lawton 42, Saugatuck 35

Southwest 10

Bangor 67, Cassopolis 22

White Pigeon 53, Comstock 22

Mendon 48, Lawrence 29

Centreville 51, Decatur 22

Non-Conference

Watervliet 55, Hartford 6

Dowagiac 50, River Valley 24

GR Ottawa Hills 60, Allegan 35

Tonight
Boys Basketball

Eau Claire at Kalamazoo Phoenix, 8:00 p.m.Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin holds his 798, 799, and 800th career goal pucks in the locker room next to hats collected for his hat trick after an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)Detroit Red Wings goaltender Ville Husso (35) stops a Carolina Hurricanes right wing Stefan Noesen (23) shot in the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

NHL – National Hockey League 
Last Night 
Washington Capitals 7, Chicago Blackhawks 3 
Carolina Hurricanes 1, Detroit Red Wings 0

Capitals 7, Blackhawks 3 – Ovechkin reaches 800 goals as Capitals beat Blackhawks 7-3 
Alex Ovechkin scored three times to become the third NHL player with 800 career goals, and the streaking Washington Capitals beat the lowly Chicago Blackhawks 7-3. Nic Dowd, Anthony Mantha, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Dmitry Orlov also scored as Washington earned its fifth straight win. Conor Sheary had two assists, and Charlie Lindgren made 26 stops. The Capitals went 6-2-1 during a nine-game stretch that had only one home date. They play seven of their next nine at home, beginning Thursday night against Dallas. Chicago dropped to 1-11-1 in its last 13 games. It has scored just four goals during a four-game slide.

Hurricanes 1, Red Wings 0 – Skjei gives Carolina 1-0 win; Detroit&#8217;s Larkin leaves game 
Brady Skjei scored the only goal and Pyotr Kochetkov made 27 saves in the Carolina Hurricanes’ 1-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings 1-0 in the 100th career meeting between the teams. Carolina improved to 5-0-1 on its current road swing, tying a record for most wins and setting a record for points on the road — passing Hartford’s 10-point trip from Jan. 30-Feb. 11, 1996. Ville Husso made 26 saves for the Red Wings. Detroit captain Dylan Larkin blocked a shot earlier in the game and did not return for the third period. Coach Derek Lalonde said Larkin would not be able to play on Wednesday but didn&#8217;t elaborate.
Tonight 
Detroit Red Wings at Minnesota Wild, 7:30 p.m.
NCAAFB – Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach dies at 61 
Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach has died following complications from a heart condition. The pioneering coach helped revolutionize the college football passing game with the Air Raid offense. Leach had been hospitalized over the weekend and had a bout of pneumonia late this season. He died Monday night. In 21 seasons as a head coach at Texas Tech, Washington State and Mississippi State, Leach went 158-107. Six of the 20 best passing seasons in major college football history were by quarterbacks who played for Leach, including four of the top six. Mike Leach was 61.
NCAAFB – Mississippi St faces tough decisions following Leach&#8217;s death 
No. 24 Mississippi State will be playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Illinois on Jan. 2 in Tampa, Florida. That is one of the few solid things around the football program following the sudden death of coach Mike Leach at the age of 61. Mississippi State is facing a search for a new coach. The annual signing day for recruits is coming up next week. Some players may transfer. And MSU is already looking for a permanent athletic director. Bracky Brett is serving in an interim role since John Cohen left to become AD at Auburn.
NCAAFB – CFP – Ryan Day, Buckeyes feel urgency behind second chance at CFP 
Ohio State didn’t get to control its playoff destiny after losing to rival Michigan at the end of the regular season. No matter. The Buckeyes are in the postseason and they’re yearning for redemption. Coach Ryan Day said Tuesday the No. 4 Buckeyes had productive practices last week and realize the opportunity they have in front of them with a semifinal showdown against top-ranked Georgia. The Buckeyes took the back door into the College Football Playoff, benefiting from USC’s second loss this year to Utah in the Pac-12 Championship game. Defending champion Georgia will host Ohio State on New Year’s Eve in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
NFL – Cardinals QB Kyler Murray out for season with torn ACL 
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season. Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury confirmed the extent of the injury during his Tuesday news conference. The news is not a surprise after the 25-year-old injured his knee on the third play of Monday night’s 27-13 loss to the New England Patriots. The fourth-year quarterback was flushed out of the pocket and running to his right when he tried to juke past a Patriots defender, but tumbled to the grass in obvious pain. Players from both teams surrounded the quarterback before he was carted off the field with a towel draped over his head.
NBA – National Basketball Association 
Tonight 
Detroit Pistons at Charlotte Hornets, 7:00 p.m. 
Golden State Warriors at Indiana Pacers, 7:00 p.m. 
New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
NBA – Warriors&#8217; Green says Bucks fan &#8216;threatened&#8217; him; fan tossed 
A fan was ejected following a complaint by Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green during a game at Milwaukee on Tuesday night. The Bucks said they are investigating the incident and consulting with the NBA. Security personnel removed the man, who was sitting a few rows beyond the baseline, during a stop in play in the third quarter. Green said he pointed out the fan&#8217;s behavior to a game official, and the situation was taken care of from there. Green said the fan said “some threatening stuff to my life.” The Warriors lost the game 128-111.
NCAA – Michigan State must disclose deals with 2 big sports donors 
A judge has ordered Michigan State University to release donor agreements with two alumni who gave or pledged millions of dollars to the athletic department. Michigan State has acknowledged that some of the money will help pay for a $95 million contract with football coach Mel Tucker. Tucker got a new deal in 2021 while leading the Spartans to an 11-2 record. But Michigan State has refused to release the agreements with Mat Ishbia and Steve St. Andre, citing a privacy exemption in the state’s public records law. A judge rejected that argument Monday. Michigan State has 10 days to release the records. The lawsuit was filed by the Detroit Free Press.
MLB – AP source: Carlos Correa, Giants reach $350M, 13-year deal 
All Star shortstop Carlos Correa and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a $350 million, 13-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations has told The Associated Press. The 28-year-old Correa also was a free agent one year ago after leaving the Houston Astros, and he reached a $105.3 million deal with the Minnesota Twins. That agreement gave him the right to opt out after one year and $35.1 million to hit the market again. Correa batted .291 with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs in his one season with Minnesota.
ECHL – ECHL Hockey League 
Today 
Kalamazoo Wings at Iowa Heartlanders, 11:35 a.m. 
Wheeling Nailers at Indy Fuel, 7:00 p.m. 
Toledo Walleye at Norfolk Admirals, 7:05 p.m.
NBAGL – NBA G-League 
Tonight 
Sioux Falls Skyforce at Grand Rapids Gold, 7:00 p.m. 
Windy City Bulls at Motor City Cruise, 7:00 p.m.
FIFA – World Cup 2020 &#8211; Qatar 
Yesterday 
Semifinal 1 
Argentina 3, Croatia 0
Argentine 3, Croatia 0 – Messi, Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to reach World Cup final 
Lionel Messi is back in the World Cup final with Argentina on his mission to win soccer’s biggest prize for the first time. He could hardly be playing any better. Messi converted a penalty and had a hand in the other two goals by Julián Álvarez to lead Argentina to a 3-0 win over Croatia. It set up a meeting with either France or Morocco in Sunday’s title match. It will be the 35-year-old Messi’s second World Cup final in what might be his last ever appearance at the tournament. Croatia failed in its bid to reach a second straight World Cup final.
Today 
Semifinal 2 
France vs. Morocco, 2:00 p.m.
FIFA – Morocco faces France in politically charged WCup semifinal 
As Morocco faces France in the World Cup semifinal, many players and fans of both diverse teams grapple with family tales of colonial history, challenges of immigration, questions of national loyalty. The match has political and emotional resonance for both nations. It dredges up everything that’s complicated about the relationship in which France still wields considerable influence. For many in the former protectorate, the match against the defending champion is an opportunity to show that Morocco is a formidable foe — on the soccer pitch at least — even though immigration between the two countries has blurred the lines for many in France and in Morocco about who to support Wednesday in Qatar.
MHSAA – High School Sports 
Last Night 
Boys Basketball 
SMAC 
Battle Creek Central 52, Lakeshore 28 
-J.J. Frakes led Lakeshore with 9 points in a 52-28 loss at Battle Creek Central. Jackson Bushu added 7 in the loss.
Kalamazoo Central 51, St. Joseph 43 
-After St. Joe took a 10-5 lead after the first quarter, Kalamazoo Central tied the game at 19-19 at the half and outscored St. Joe 17-4 in the third quarter before holding off a Bear comeback in the 4th quarter of a 51-43 win.  Chase Sanders had 13 points to lead St. Joe while Luke Lehner had 12.  Kai Wyndarden came off the bench and had 11.  Hutch ward had 27 for KC.
Mattawan 69, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 57 
Portage Central 57, Gull Lake 51 
Battle Creek Lakeview 67, Portage Northern 54
Wolverine 
Otsego 53, Sturgis 43 
Edwardsburg 62, Paw Paw 57 
Plainwell 57, Three Rivers 33 
Niles 49, Vicksburg 28
BCS 
Countryside 54, Our Lady of the Lake 42 
-Ja’Vrius Gordan scored 23 points for Countryside in a 54-42 win over Our Lady of the Lake.
Eau Claire 88, New Buffalo 45
SAC 
Bridgman 53, Coloma 29 
Parchment 73, Delton-Kellogg 39 
Kalamazoo Hackett 83, Galesburg-Augusta 50 
Lawton 48, Gobles 20 
Constantine 76, Holland Black River 62 
Saugatuck 74, Allegan 44
Southwest 10 
Cassopolis 66, Bangor 12 
White Pigeon 74, Comstock 50 
Lawrence 52, Mendon 49 
Centerville 70, Decatur 49 
-Jesse Bauschke had 21 points to lead Decatur.
Non-Conference 
River Valley 55, Dowagiac 44 
Schoolcraft 57, Marshall 53
Girls Basketball 
SMAC 
Lakeshore 52, Battle Creek Central 26 
-Lakeshore had three players in double figures, led by Emily Lockman’s 15 points in a 52-26 win over Battle Creek Central, Paige Lies had 13, while Megan Wurster scored 11.
Kalamazoo Central 64, St. Joseph 41 
-Jaslynn Ward had 14 points to lead St. Joe in a 64-41 loss at Kalamazoo Central.
Mattawan 47, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 34 
Portage Central 31, Gull Lake 24 
Battle Creek Lakeview 39, Portage Northern 19
Wolverine 
Otsego 66, Sturgis 44 
Edwardsburg 53, Paw Paw 40 
Three Rivers 50, Plainwell 45 
Vicksburg 67, Niles 7
BCS 
Our Lady of the Lake 59, Countryside 8 
-Abby Schrauben had a game high 12 points to lead the Lakers over Countryside Academy 59-8.
Michigan Lutheran 36, Howardsville Christian 28 
Eau Claire 19, New Buffalo 17
SAC 
Kalamazoo Christian 61, Gobles 27 
Martin 39, Kalamazoo Hackett 35 
Lawton 42, Saugatuck 35
Southwest 10 
Bangor 67, Cassopolis 22 
White Pigeon 53, Comstock 22 
Mendon 48, Lawrence 29 
Centreville 51, Decatur 22
Non-Conference 
Watervliet 55, Hartford 6 
Dowagiac 50, River Valley 24 
GR Ottawa Hills 60, Allegan 35
Tonight 
Boys Basketball 
Eau Claire at Kalamazoo Phoenix, 8:00 p.m.Washington Capitals&#8217; Alex Ovechkin holds his 798, 799, and 800th career goal pucks in the locker room next to hats collected for his hat trick after an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)Detroit Red Wings goaltender Ville Husso (35) stops a Carolina Hurricanes right wing Stefan Noesen (23) shot in the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

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WSJM Sports

NHL – National Hockey League Last Night Washington Capitals 7, Chicago Blackhawks 3 Carolina Hurricanes 1, Detroit Red Wings 0 Capitals 7, Blackhawks 3 – Ovechkin reaches 800 goals as Capitals beat Blackhawks 7-3 Alex Ovechkin scored