Oilers' lineup tinkering produces positive results vs. Golden Knights
Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl (29) skates against the Utah Hockey Club during first period NHL action in Edmonton on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (JASON FRANSON/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
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CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Halifax fighter looking to punch ticket to UFC contender series
Fighter Abdel "the Mummy" Abdelaziz and coach Gavin "Guv'nor" Tucker from Tower One Combat Sports in Dartmouth, N.S., are pictured. (Brianne Foley/CTV Atlantic) Abdel 'The Mummy' Abdelaziz is no stranger to the cage, but he said fighting at home, is a good feeling. The fighter is competing in the main event of Fight League Atlantic 20 against Justin Vazquez out of Miami, Fla., at the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth, N.S., Saturday night. 'I'm very excited for this one,' Abdelaziz said. Fighting in Dartmouth, N.S., means his friends and his teammates can watch him fight live without booking a plane ticket. Abdelaziz is 7-0 in professional fights but he said this one is a big one. 'I'm thinking of this one as kind of my application, my chance to make a statement for the Contender Series,' he said. 'If that doesn't pan out, you know, I feel like I still have a lot of opportunities.' The Contender Series is put on by UFC president Dana White. On the show, fighters are given an opportunity to compete for a UFC contract. Abdelaziz's coach – the owner of Tower One Combat Sports in Dartmouth and UFC fighter Gavin 'Guv'nor' Tucker – said he believes his fighter is ready for the big show. 'He was my main body for a lot of years and he got really good,' said Tucker. 'He's a really intelligent fighter, you know, an absolute soldier. He's here twice a day, every day. Abdelaziz started sparring with Tucker in 2020 when the UFC veteran was looking for a training partner because of COVID-19. 'I was interested in the UFC as a fan and stuff like that,' said Abdelaziz. 'But then I started training with Gavin because we were at the same gym at the time.' Abdelaziz said working with Tucker led to his transition to Mixed Martial Arts and his impressive professional record. Tucker said Abdelazis is already fighting at a UFC level. 'He's already beating guys above his weight class,' said Tucker. 'He's already tested himself in different gyms, in the big-name gyms across the country. He knows what he can do. The sport is insane and unpredictable and so obviously there's always that feeling of 'what ifs.' But he's ready. He's there.' Abdelaziz, who was born in Egypt, is currently ranked third in Canada in the professional men's featherweight division. He lived in Kuwait before moving to Nova Scotia to study engineering. His sponsorships come from across the country, but he said he still sees Egypt as the home he's honoured to represent. 'And then Halifax, I've been here for a long time, and I really like living here,' he said. 'So it's a privilege.' Tucker, from Ship Cove, N.L., said Abdelaziz's determination is what makes him stand out. 'I trained with great coaches and just kept the work going in a very similar manner to what Abdel's doing right now,' Tucker said. At 38-years-old Tucker said he still loves the sport and helping Abdel achieve his dream is his top priority. 'He's got a real engineer's mind,' Tucker said 'So, I think that helps me stay motivated to coach. We have people like that around, and I'm really blessed.' The goal for Abdelaziz, his coach and the team at Tower One is clear. 'The UFC for sure,' said Abdelaziz. 'That's the pinnacle of the sport. That's what we're working towards. If you want to become the best, that's kind of where you get to make your statement.' For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Vancouver Sun
an hour ago
- Vancouver Sun
Draisaitl-McDavid combo gives Oilers a nuclear fallback plan against Panthers
If the early part of the series is any indication, the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers will be nothing short of a war of attrition that lasts all seven games. You would be hard pressed to find two more evenly matched teams, who are butting heads over hockey's Holy Grail for the second year in a row, with every give on one side followed by an equal but opposite take, until one battle is won and it's straight on to the next. The Oilers' biggest weapon isn't exactly a secret one. But it has been effective throughout these playoffs. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. While Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl typically start off centring their own lines, more often than not, head coach Kris Knoblauch will shuffle the deck and combine his top two superstars on the same line at some point in the game when things haven't been going as planned. And it's about as much of a nuclear option as there can be on any NHL roster out there, let alone one of the two remaining ones in these playoffs. 'We know how much scoring power they have, obviously they're a talented team,' said Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. 'But it shouldn't change our game. 'Obviously, we want to try and play with the puck as much as possible, and in their zone as much as possible. We tried to do that in Game 1, but it didn't work that well for us.' Don't feel bad, Florida. You're not the only ones who have trouble handling Edmonton's one-two punch. After all, since McDavid entered the NHL in 2015, no one has scored more than his 1,082 points (361 goals, 721 assists), with Draisaitl's 947 points (397 goals, 550 assists) right behind in second. That's right. No one has scored more than McDavid or Draisaitl during their time together. Period. So, when they get put together in a game, it's no surprise when things end up working out in Edmonton's favour. 'That's just an inevitable part of it,' Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said of facing both at the same time. 'You'll find it usually maybe a minute and a half more on the road than you would at home.' Which begs the question, why don't they just play together all the time, instead of just on the power play and when the Oilers have some catching up to do? 'It's nice to know that when those two get together midgame, that the results are pretty good,' head coach Kris Knoblauch said. 'But, yeah, it's something that we can't rely on.' There is, after all, such a thing as having too much of a good thing. And there's something to be said for the opposition not knowing exactly when the nuclear strike is going to take place, even if they can see it coming from a mile away by now. When the Oilers start them off in the top two centre spots, it gives them more of a set of top lines, like a 1-A and 1-B, if you will, which they can use to wear down the opposition and make things miserable when it comes to matching lines. And then, when they combine, they are unmatched, which then opens up opportunities for the rest of the roster. Make no mistake, these playoffs have hardly been the McDavid & Draisaitl Show. Secondary scoring and contributions from all up and down the lineup have been the biggest improvements separating this year's squad from last season's near-miraculous run all the way to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. 'I think it also allows the rest of our team to know they've got a role,' Knoblauch said. 'They've got to play well, and we're not just relying on this one line that's going to do all the work.' At other times, McDavid is finding Draisaitl with the perfect pass to set up the winner 19:31 into overtime of Game 1, like on Wednesday. But just what is it about Edmonton's dynamic duo that makes them so effective together? 'We've definitely developed a sense of understanding what the other one's thinking in any given moment,' McDavid offered. 'Leo and I have a great understanding of each other, what each other is thinking. 'And sometimes, all it takes is a look to know what's going on.' E-mail: gmoddejonge@ On X: @GerryModdejonge Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun.
Ottawa Citizen
an hour ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Draisaitl-McDavid combo gives Oilers a nuclear fallback plan against Panthers
If the early part of the series is any indication, the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers will be nothing short of a war of attrition that lasts all seven games. Article content You would be hard pressed to find two more evenly matched teams, who are butting heads over hockey's Holy Grail for the second year in a row, with every give on one side followed by an equal but opposite take, until one battle is won and it's straight on to the next. Article content The Oilers' biggest weapon isn't exactly a secret one. But it has been effective throughout these playoffs. Article content Article content While Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl typically start off centring their own lines, more often than not, head coach Kris Knoblauch will shuffle the deck and combine his top two superstars on the same line at some point in the game when things haven't been going as planned. Article content And it's about as much of a nuclear option as there can be on any NHL roster out there, let alone one of the two remaining ones in these playoffs. Article content 'We know how much scoring power they have, obviously they're a talented team,' said Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. 'But it shouldn't change our game. Article content 'Obviously, we want to try and play with the puck as much as possible, and in their zone as much as possible. We tried to do that in Game 1, but it didn't work that well for us.' Article content Article content Don't feel bad, Florida. You're not the only ones who have trouble handling Edmonton's one-two punch. Article content Article content After all, since McDavid entered the NHL in 2015, no one has scored more than his 1,082 points (361 goals, 721 assists), with Draisaitl's 947 points (397 goals, 550 assists) right behind in second. Article content So, when they get put together in a game, it's no surprise when things end up working out in Edmonton's favour. Article content 'That's just an inevitable part of it,' Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said of facing both at the same time. 'You'll find it usually maybe a minute and a half more on the road than you would at home.'
