The Good and Bad About Olympic Ice Hockey

Olympic ice hockey is different than the NHL game in many ways, including how players are treated. Fighting is not allowed and if it occurs, the offending player will be penalized and possibly ejected from the game. The rinks used for Olympic games are also larger than those found in the NHL and a team is only allowed to dress 11 players for each game. If a team is short of a legal number of players (five skaters and a goalie), they must forfeit the game.

The Good:

One of the most iconic moments in Olympic ice hockey came in the 1980 Games in Lake Placid when U.S. player Mike Eruzione scored the “Miracle on Ice.” The United States was trailing the Soviet Union in the semifinal game when Eruzione picked up a loose puck in the Soviet zone, used his defenseman as a screen and wristed it past goalie Vladislav Tretiak to win the game and the gold medal for America.

The Bad:

In the same year, a controversial incident in the final game of the men’s Olympic tournament saw a puck that appeared to cross the goal line be ruled no good by the linesman. The puck had been slowed down by a stick in the attacking team’s zone, which caused it to wobble and come to rest on the line — not fully crossing. Despite the incident, Canada won the gold medal. The following year, the IIHF introduced a shootout to determine a winner in a tied medal-game contest.

The NFL Draft 2025 Projections

The NFL draft 2025 features a deep class of running backs, tight ends and offensive tackles. It also boasts more impact players on the defense, especially at cornerback and edge defender. PFF’s lead draft analyst Trevor Sikkema provides his projections of how each team will fill out their roster in this year’s class, including potential Day 3 selections.

New England

The Patriots have been renovating their front four, adding Milton Williams, K’Lavon Chaisson and Harold Landry in the past two offseasons. They could continue that work here by taking Carter, a powerful pass rusher with the ability to win in man and zone coverage.

Dallas

The Cowboys need more help to complement wide receivers Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley. They’ll look to add depth with Noel, a big wide receiver who excels in short-yardage situations and has enough speed to play the slot.

Cleveland

The Browns need to upgrade their run defense and want to ensure they can protect rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield against opposing defensive fronts. Grainger has the athleticism to develop into a starting linebacker and is a good developmental player at inside linebacker.

Pittsburgh

The Steelers need a deep group of pass rushers to help prevent big plays and limit yards after catch. Egbuka is one of the most polished, safe and reliable prospects in this year’s class. He’s big, powerful and a willing blocker who knows how to anticipate routes in man coverage and stay glued to his assignment in zone.

How to Capture the Heart of Fan Protest Stories

Last weekend, thousands of Manchester United fans marched in protest at their club’s ownership. A week earlier, there was a similar protest at Chelsea, and at Tottenham and Fulham there are rumblings of discontent too. In fact, it seems there are problems to be solved at roughly three-quarters of Premier League clubs.

Fans are often at the heart of these stories, but it can be hard to know what to do about them. They are not easy to categorize as political activists, and even if they are, their goals can be difficult to pin down. Often, they are acting out of pure fandom, but other times their actions have real-world political significance. In the Civil Rights Movement, Black folks turned their fandom into a nonviolent weapon, and they brought that same passion to the stands of their teams.

It is a good idea to try to find some sort of common thread or motivation that unites the protesters, and if possible, get them to talk about it in interviews. That can help you capture the tone of the story, and it also gives readers a more complete picture of what was happening on the ground and why it mattered to them.

One thing we have found is that stories that humanize the teenager whose death led to the protest prompted more positive attitudes toward the teenager,5 and they also tended to make people view the protests as more credible. This research, which was part of our Connective Democracy project, is consistent with what we’ve found in our research on other topics such as immigration.

Weekly Roundup of Esports Tournament News

Whether you’re looking to get into competitive video gaming or just want to learn more about it, this weekly roundup of esports tournament news has you covered.

Esports (electronic sports) are contested in multiplayer online battle arena, first-person shooter, fighting game, card and real-time strategy games, with popular titles including League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike, Valorant, Overwatch, and Street Fighter. Esports are professionally run and organized, and players compete one-on-one or in teams based on game rules and strategy. The most successful esports players become known as superstars, earning millions of dollars in prize money and a reputation for excellence.

The most important esports events are the World Championships, which draw huge audiences and showcase jaw-dropping gameplay. LoL’s World Championship has produced some of the most emotional, unforgettable moments in esports history, and will be no different this year as the best teams compete for their shot at immortality.

Other notable esports competitions include the Valorant Champions Tour, a series of high-stakes FPS tournaments that feature some of the most intense action on the circuit. The event has exploded in popularity this season with top eight finishes by teams like Soniqs, DarkZero Esports and Spacestation Gaming already making waves.

In a significant step towards mainstream sports recognition, the Olympic eSports Games will take place in 2025, featuring top-tier competition across several games. The games will be officially backed by the Olympics and could be the beginning of the transition to mainstream sports. The University of North Dakota has taken a leadership position in this field, becoming the first college to offer a Bachelor of Science in esports, with an interdisciplinary curriculum that includes kinesiology, communication and business.

The Benefits of Combat Sports

Combat Sports involve forced physical contact between participants through striking, grappling, kicking and weapon handling or a combination of techniques. They are regulated to minimize permanent injury by organized officiating and the use of protective equipment and clothing/armor. A number of combat sport modalities are popular and have gained in popularity, including boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, karate, judo, Capoeira, taekwondo and mixed martial arts (MMA).

Training in a combat sport requires a high level of mental preparedness, discipline, and focus. It provides a platform for building self-esteem and self-respect. The physical exertion releases endorphins that boost mood and promote a feeling of well-being. Furthermore, the camaraderie among trainers and fellow fighters fosters a supportive community that motivates athletes to persevere through difficult times.

Moreover, the discipline and grit fostered through combat sports is directly transferable to academic pursuits. Students learn to set goals with a strategic mindset, remain resilient in the face of adversity, and draw strength from their support system.

In addition to promoting health and fitness, combat sports also serve as a form of entertainment and can be lucrative for top athletes. The enduring influence of icons like Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, and Conor McGregor inspire many individuals to take up the sport, as they exemplify the unwavering dedication required to excel in this realm.

How to Get the Most Out of Athlete Endorsements

Athletes are in a unique position to drive brand recognition, shape cultural trends, and build consumer trust. The popularity of athletes and their ability to influence public perception justify nine-figure and even billion-dollar endorsement deals. In a competitive market, athlete endorsements add value and set products apart from competitors. However, the value of an endorsement depends on a strong connection between the athlete’s personal image and the brand’s core message. This authenticity is reflected in the effectiveness of an endorsement campaign, increasing visibility and driving sales.

Long-term partnerships create deeper, more meaningful connections between the athlete, brand, and audience. They also allow for consistency and evolution, extending campaigns over time and creating an integrated narrative. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-term partnership with Nike reinforces the brand’s presence in global soccer and fashion markets. He regularly showcases the brand’s latest products and innovations, promoting cohesion across marketing channels.

Align the athlete’s values with your product ethos to make campaigns feel more authentic and increase consumer trust. For example, Naomi Osaka’s activism for social justice aligns with Nike’s messaging around empowerment and equality, enhancing the impact of her endorsement campaign.

Leverage digital platforms to interact directly with fans, fostering an active and engaging community. Athletes can share behind-the-scenes content, personal stories, and experiences with the product to enhance authenticity. Athletes can also promote interactive campaigns like live Q&A sessions, social media challenges, and product giveaways to encourage audience participation and loyalty.

Measure and analyze campaign performance with comprehensive metrics such as engagement rates, conversion rates, and sales lift. Using AI-powered sentiment analysis, brands can monitor real-time feedback and adjust their strategy accordingly.