Connect with us

Sports

Panthers' Evan Rodrigues makes history as he leads Florida to Stanley Cup Final Game 2 win

Published

on

Panthers' Evan Rodrigues makes history as he leads Florida to Stanley Cup Final Game 2 win

When the Florida Panthers were in need of a goal in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers, an unlikely hero emerged.

The Panthers and Oilers were tied 1-1 going into the third period after Nikko Mikkola scored in the second to tie the game.

Evan Rodrigues #17 of the Florida Panthers celebrates after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in Game Two of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 10, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Evan Rodrigues then stepped up for the Panthers. He put one past Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner about 3 minutes into the frame. But he wasn’t done.

Advertisement

The Panthers were on a power play following a Leon Draisaitl roughing penalty against Aleksander Barkov. Rodrigues struck again with his second goal of the night and third of the Stanley Cup Final. It was more than enough for the Panthers to close out the game.

Aaron Ekblad scored an empty-netter and Florida would win Game 2, 4-1.

“We want the Cup” chants rang throughout the arena in Sunrise, Florida, as the seconds ticked off of the clock.

Brandon Montour #62 of the Florida Panthers makes a face as Evan Rodrigues #17 celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period of Game Two of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on June 10, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

NHL PROSPECT SAYS TEAM ASKED HIM WHAT HIS UBER RATING, SNAPCHAT SCORES WERE AHEAD OF DRAFT

Advertisement

Rodrigues was the first player in Panthers history to have a multiple goal game in a Stanley Cup Final.

Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky also stepped up to the plate for the second consecutive game. He shut down several shots from Connor McDavid, including a 1-on-1 opportunity with Matthew Tkachuk hanging all over the three-time Hart Trophy winner.

“Bob” finished with 18 saves.

Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers has his shot saved by Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game Two of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 10, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Elsa/Getty Images)

McDavid was held scoreless once again on three shots. He had an assist on Mattias Ekholm goal. Draisaitl had two shots and Zach Hyman had one.

Advertisement

The series will head to Edmonton for Games 3 and 4 starting Thursday night. The Panthers are just two games away from winning their first Stanley Cup title.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Sports

Second Lady Usha Vance joins celebrity-filled crowd for Team USA’s group-stage finale in LA

Published

on

Second Lady Usha Vance joins celebrity-filled crowd for Team USA’s group-stage finale in LA

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Team USA’s final group stage match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup may not have had any implications for either team, but patriotism was in full force for the home country as Second Lady Usha Vance was among the many prominent figures at Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday night.

As the U.S. national anthem rang across the stadium, with players and fans singing in unison, the FOX Sports broadcast showed Vance in a suite with a huge smile on her face as “The Star-Spangled Banner” ended.

Vance was present at the match just two days after FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that President Donald Trump would present the World Cup trophy to the winning team at the final in New Jersey on July 19.

Advertisement

U.S. Second Lady Usha Vance attends the 2026 World Cup Group D match between Turkey and the United States at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 25, 2026. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

Vance was just the beginning of the stars that showed out in Inglewood, as Paris Hilton was seen presenting the match ball before kick-off.  Then, cameras started to pick up the many high-profile faces throughout the crowd.

Among them were Edward Norton and Brad Pitt, a pair that many movie lovers know from their hit classic “Fight Club.” Some social media users even hoped that the discussion they were seen having was about a sequel.

TOM CRUISE, DAVID BECKHAM, KATY PERRY AND MORE CELEBRITIES SPOTTED AT 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP MATCHES

Also, movie star Ashton Kutcher was seen speaking with Los Angeles Rams standout wide receiver Puka Nacua, who knows the confines of SoFi Stadium (what it is called outside of FIFA play) very well.

Advertisement

Then, Colin Farrell, though Irish born, was rocking a replica Team USA jersey alongside his son in the stands to support the Stars and Stripes. Leonardo DiCaprio, Scottie Pippen and more were also seen in the seats.

U.S. Second Lady Usha Vance sings the anthem during the 2026 World Cup Group D match between Turkey and the U.S. at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 25, 2026. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

There has been a tremendous outpouring of support for the USMNT from everywhere, celebrity or not, throughout this tournament. The 4-2 win over Paraguay at the same Los Angeles stadium caused a frenzy in the stands, as the U.S. made a statement to begin the tournament on home soil for the first time since 1999.

USA WORLD CUP TEAM CLINCHES SPOT IN KNOCKOUT STAGE AFTER ANOTHER HISTORIC PERFORMANCE VS AUSTRALIA

Then, it was on to Seattle, where a 2-0 victory over Australia not only led to a spot in the knockout round, but led to a bellowing of the John Denver classic, “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” from everyone in the stands. The USMNT saluted their fans after yet another successful match.

Advertisement

It was a much different look for the USMNT entering Thursday night’s matchup against Türkiye, with nine changes to the starting XI after the team had already secured its place in the knockout stage. The Americans will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on July 1.

Paris Hilton is seen with children before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Türkiye and USA at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on June 25, 2026. (Sarah Stier/FIFA)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

No matter who’s on the pitch, some of the biggest names in the country are showing support for the team that has inspired tremendous national pride to kick off this tournament.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Sports

Shohei Ohtani is the first Dodger to be named 2026 All-Star

Published

on

Shohei Ohtani is the first Dodger to be named 2026 All-Star

Shohei Ohtani was the first Dodger to be named a 2026 All-Star, after leading the majors in Phase 1 voting for the All-Star game on July 14 in Philadelphia. Six other Dodgers were finalists through the fan ballot, giving them a chance to claim starting spots in Phase 2 of voting.

Ohtani locked down the starting DH spot for the National League squad, with 3,341,257 votes. The top vote-getters in each league bypass Phase 2. Second baseman Ernie Clement of the Toronto Blue Jays was the top vote-getter in the American League, with 3,232,932 votes.

Ohtani was the expected choice, despite a slow offensive start. His red-hot June boosted him up the leaderboards. He entered Thursday with the second-highest OPS in the National League (.963), barely trailing Mets outfielder Juan Soto (.965).

Pitchers aren’t chosen through the fan vote — hurlers and reserves have to wait for the player ballot (which includes votes from players, coaches and managers) and commissioners picks. But Ohtani has been just as impressive on the mound this year.

He has a 1.58 ERA, the fourth-best mark among NL pitchers who have thrown at least 50 innings this season.

Advertisement

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (2,666,008 votes), third baseman Max Muncy (2,890,181) and outfielder Andy Pages (2,158,664) also led their respective NL position groups in voting. Other Dodgers finalists, who advance to voting Phase 2, include catcher Will Smith (1,871,805), shortstop Mookie Betts (1,762,343 ) and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (1,569,932).

The vote totals reset for Phase 2, which runs from next Monday through Thursday. The remainder of the All-Star starters are set to be announced on July 4 on Fox Sports.

Continue Reading

Sports

How to watch USA vs Turkey: Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Published

on

How to watch USA vs Turkey: Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The United States men’s national team opened its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a commanding 4-1 rout of Paraguay behind two goals from Folarin Balogun, and after taking care of Australia, the team has one match left in the group stage against Turkey on Thursday night.

The Americans took care of Australia last week 2-0 to keep their strong start rolling. The victory clinched a knockout-round berth for Team USA. The USMNT will look to carry its momentum into their match against Turkey as the Stars and Stripes return to Los Angeles Stadium.

Players of the United States celebrate their first goal, an own goal by Cameron Burgess of Australia, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match at Seattle Stadium in Seattle, Washington, on June 19, 2026. (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

WATCH USA VS TURKEY ON FOX ONE

Advertisement

Australia began its World Cup run with a win over Turkey before suffering a setback against the U.S. The Australians will meet Paraguay on Thursday in a match featuring two teams already beaten by the Americans during the group stage.

Late last month, the Americans defeated Senegal, 3-2, in a World Cup tuneup match.

Under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT entered the tournament as the No. 17 team in the FIFA World Rankings. FIFA determines its world rankings using the Elo rating system, which rewards teams for wins and penalizes them for losses while also factoring in the strength of the competition.

Alex Freeman of the United States celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between the U.S. and Australia at Seattle Stadium on June 19, 2026. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE

Advertisement

This year’s World Cup features an expanded field of 48 teams.

Here’s how to watch the game, including start time, TV information and streaming options.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed on stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw on Dec. 3, 2025. (Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

 

How to Watch United States vs Turkey

When: Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET

Where: Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California.

Advertisement

TV: FOX

Stream: Watch on FOX One and FOX Sports.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending