Brossoit’s helmet keeps father in back of his mind
Laurent Brossoit has worn the same message on his helmet for years as a tribute to his father who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis.
Good morning and welcome to The Morning Column presented by The Sporting Tribune. Please subscribe if you haven’t done so already. It’s free and will be delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. OK, let’s get to it!
1. Brossoit’s helmet keeps father in back of his mind
Laurent Brossoit has worn the same message on his helmet for years as a tribute to his father who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. The Sporting Tribune’s W.G. Ramirez has more on this incredible story.
It would be easy for Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Laurent Brossoit to wear emotions on his sweater.
Instead, he dons a stronger one on his helmet.
"We don't know how strong we are until being strong is the only choice we have."
It's accompanied by an orange ribbon, and the words "Multiple Sclerosis Awareness."
It's a message he's worn since his time in juniors as a tribute to his father, John, who suffers from MS, the disabling disease of one's central nervous system.
Ask the veteran netminder about the surgery he endured last summer, the struggles of being waived and eventually being relegated to the minors as a 30-year-old, the mental anguish of watching the Golden Knights the first four months of the season, and the trauma of suffering another injury - he's an open book and extremely poignant with his thoughts.
Ask him about his father, and it's tough.
It's been tough.
2. Knights overcome Draisaitl, Oilers in big Game 1 win, 6-4
Despite four goals from Edmonton's star Leon Draisaitl, the Vegas Golden Knights outlasted the Oilers 6-4 to win Game 1 Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena. The Sporting Tribune’s Steve Carp has more from “The Fortress.”
Well, that was fun.
We all knew the second round Stanley Cup Playoffs series between the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights was going to be exciting. And if the rest of the series is going to be anything like Wednesday’s Game 1 at T-Mobile Arena, we’re in for a hell of a run.
The Knights did just enough things right in holding off the Oilers, 6-4, in front of 18,243 to take the first of the best-of-seven series. Game 2 is Saturday afternoon, giving both participants and spectators time to regroup and re-energize.
“We had our legs,” Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “The question was would we lose our competitive edge? But we managed the puck well for a team that hadn’t played in a competitive environment for almost a week.”
3. Steve Cherundolo’s recipe for success with LAFC
Equal parts ambitious, pragmatic, honest, hard-working, introspective, humble and empathetic, Steve Cherundolo is exactly the unlikely leader LAFC needed, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Chandrima Chatterjee.
In 2022, LAFC accomplished a feat that just four other MLS teams have – winning the MLS Cup and Supporters Shield in the same season. But it whetted their appetite for more.
“They would like to do everything in their power to get a trophy because they like it,” head coach Steve Cherundolo deadpanned after LAFC trounced Philadelphia Union 3-0 at BMO Stadium in the second leg of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League Semifinal, and continued, “and they will do everything in their power to make it happen.”
He didn’t smile. He rarely smiles in post-game pressers. Even as he promised the locker room was a scene of joy stating “we are ecstatic to be in the Final of this competition. It was a highlight on our calendar,” not a whiff of a pride or contentment showed across Cherundolo’s face.
It's not that the LAFC coach is not happy. He simply doesn’t focus on the present moment longer than needed, whether it is a success or a failure. He explains, “We don’t dwell on the successes too much. Nor do we dwell on games that didn’t go our way.”
4. Angel City get their first shutout in a tie with the OL Reign
Angel City only allowed one shot on goal during a shutout tie with the Reign and The Sporting Tribune’s Kamran Nia has more on the match.
The NWSL Challenge Cup has allowed teams to test their depth. Most clubs opt to start most of their reserves to keep their starters healthy and see their bench in game action. Angel City utilizes it for similar reasons but also to keep their squad competitive. And they did so against the OL Reign in their second Challenge Cup game of the season.
"I think that the Challenge Cup is a great opportunity for players that haven’t had as many minutes in games to showcase that and put pressure on people that are starting," said head coach Freya Coombe.
One player trying to carve out a more prominent role is midfielder Lily Nabet. She practiced for extra hours during training by working on her fitness and more. Because of her dedication and improvement, Coombe gave her a spot in the starting eleven against the Reign, her first start of the season.
5. Padres outslug Reds to win second consecutive series
Fernando Tatis Jr.’s long anticipated return to Petco Park finally arrived as the Padres look to have turned the corner this season, write The Sporting Tribune’s Gabriel Santiago.
As Fernando Tatis Jr.’s long anticipated return to Petco Park finally arrived on Monday, Padres fans certainly had reason to smile. Coming down from their Mexico City-high of sweeping the division rival Giants, the Friars (16-15) got right back to it against the visiting Cincinnati Reds (13-18).
In the bottom of the opening frame, Tatis Jr. stepped up to lead things off for San Diego–the Friar Faithful on hand were sure to deliver a raucous applause for his first appearance back home since September of 2021. His leadoff at bat on Monday resulted in an infield single, and from there, Manny Machado followed by drawing a walk. Tatis Jr. and Machado then scored the first runs of the game after a double to center field from Juan Soto: 2-0 Padres.
Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell pitched efficiently against the Reds on Monday to earn his first win of 2023, going six full innings with three earned runs, seven strikeouts and no walks. He gave up two runs in the third inning and one run in the fourth (via home run from Nick Senzel), but managed to cruise from there.
6. Jon Jones contemplates retirement after Stipe Miocic fight
Jon Jones may retire following his mega-fight against Stipe Miocic, but has one fighter in mind that could motivate him to stay around a little longer. The Sporting Tribune’s Gabriel Ornelas has more on what’s next for Jones.
Jon Jones has his eyes set on the finish line.
The UFC heavyweight champion is expected to fight Stipe Miocic for the title later this year in New York City at Madison Square Garden, and he thinks that could be his final fight.
“I feel like the Stipe fight will be plenty for me,” Jones told Fox Sports Australia. “I feel like I don’t have much to prove after beating Stipe Miocic. I’ve been in the game for a long time… I could see it coming to an end really soon and I’m happy with that. I’m proud of my career.”
“Bones” is considered amongst many as the greatest MMA fighter of all time. Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) boasts an incredible resume along with holding the longest unbeaten streak in the UFC (19) and holds a perfect record in UFC title fights (15-0). Jones’ only loss came against Matt Hamil, which came via disqualification for illegal elbows.
7. Odds and Ends presented by Circa Sports
Here are some odds at Circa Sports if you’re thinking about placing a wager today:
8. Ticket Time presented by TickPick
Here are the “get in” prices for tickets at TickPick in the area if you’re thinking about going to a game Friday:
6:30 p.m. – Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels – $15
9. On the Air presented by Coca-Cola
Here are the game times and television channels for professional teams in the region today:
10:15 a.m. – Los Angeles Angels at St. Louis Cardinals – Bally Sports West
6:00 p.m. – Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors – ESPN
10. The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune
The Sporting Tribune’s Arash Markazi is joined by Brandon Deutsch and Armani Buckets to discuss the Lakers beating the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals to steal home court advantage, the growing belief that this Lakers team might actually win a championship this season and should Rob Pelinka have gotten more love for the NBA Executive of the Year Award?
Listen to The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune on The Mightier 1090 ESPN Radio in Southern California, 98.5 The Bet in Las Vegas and the Hawaii Sports Radio Network 95.1 FM and 760 AM in Hawaii. You can also listen to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Stitcher.
Thank you for reading. Please click below to subscribe to The Morning Column presented by The Sporting Tribune. It’s totally free and will be delivered to your inbox every morning.
That’s it for today. Talk to you tomorrow!