ACCESS 7 TUESDAY EYE-OPENER
Tyler Johnson made history as the Tampa Bay Lightning evened the Eastern Conference final at a game apiece. Johnson scored the Lightning franchises’ first playoff hat trick to lead Tampa Bay in a 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers. Alex Killorn added two goals and Steven Stamkos rounded out the attack.
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The Edmonton Oilers appear close to signing a new head coach. Media reports say the Oilers will announce the hiring of former San Jose bench boss Todd McLellan sometime this week. McLellan coached the Sharks for the last seven seasons before parting ways with the team this April. He also led Canada to gold at the world hockey championships this weekend.
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Oakville, Ontario’s James Hinchcliffe remains in stable condition in the I-C-U of an Indiana hospital after having surgery on his left leg. Hinchcliffe sustained his injuries when he crashed into a wall at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. His left thigh was pierced by the car’s right front rocker. Surgery was needed to remove the equipment and stop massive bleeding.
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The Toronto Blue Jays started their homestand with a bang. Jose Bautista hit a home run as Toronto toppled the Los Angeles Angels 10-6 at Rogers Centre to halt an ugly five-game slide. Bautista, Canadian catcher Russell Martin and third baseman Josh Donaldson had three hits apiece. The Blue Jays continue their four-game series against the Angels tonight.
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A pair of Raptors assistant coaches have paid for Toronto’s poor playoff performance. A league source confirmed to The Canadian Press that Tom Sterner and Bill Bayno have been fired from Dwane Casey’s coaching staff.
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A solicitation charge against Hall of Famer Warren Sapp, who was arrested during Super Bowl week on suspicion of assault and soliciting a prostitute, has been dismissed by a Phoenix judge. Court records show Sapp has successfully completed a Prostitution Solicitation Counseling Program and still needs to complete a diversion program for the assault charge to avoid possible jail time.
(CP/NHL.com)
