Armed Forces Night at Sharon Speedway

Armed Forces Night at Sharon Speedway

Hartford

Track officials hope the good weather continues Saturday night for another Menards “Super Series” event. Kams Electric Night will feature the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply “410” Sprint Cars, Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, HTMA/Precise Racing Products RUSH Sportsman Modifieds, and the Summit Racing Equipment Econo Mods.

It’s Armed Forces Night with free general admission for veterans and those in active service. Race time is 7 p.m.

Grandstand admission for those 14 and over is $13, while senior citizens are $10. Patio seating upgrades are just $5 and fan suite seating upgrades are just $20 over the cost of general admission. In order to reserve either of these ahead of time, call the office Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 330-772-5481. As always, children under 14 and parking is free. Pit passes are $30.

Orpik retires after 15 NHL seasons, 2 titles

Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik has decided to retire after 15 NHL seasons and two Stanley Cup championships.

The 38-year-old announced his retirement Tuesday. Orpik says his body is telling him “it is time to move on to something new” after 1,171 regular-season and playoff games.

Orpik won the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009 and Washington in 2018. The rugged blue liner was a respected leader in the Capitals’ locker room the past four seasons. Teammates nicknamed him “Batya,” the Russian word for “Dad.”

The San Francisco native was mostly known for his physicality and defense. But Orpik scored the Game 2-winning goal for Washington in the 2018 final, the franchise’s first title.

Bengals OT Williams likely out for year

CINCINNATI

Bengals rookie offensive tackle Jonah Williams is expected to miss the season after surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

The team said in a statement that Williams is expected to make a full recovery. He was injured at a practice earlier this month.

The Bengals drafted Williams at No. 11 overall in April, looking to upgrade an offensive line that has been a longstanding problem. They also took guard Michael Jordan in the fourth round and drafted center Billy Price in the first round last year. Cordy Glenn is expected to play left tackle.

Blues sign Berube to 3-year extension

ST. LOUIS

The Blues signed coach Craig Berube to a three-year contract extension Tuesday after he led St. Louis to its first Stanley Cup championship.

The Blues were in last place at the start of the year, but Berube led them on an 11-game win streak in January and February to position them for the playoffs. They went 38-19-6 in the regular season, then beat the Jets, Stars and Sharks in the playoffs to reach the Stanley Cup Final.

The Blues beat the Bruins in seven games to win the first championship in their 52-year history.

Berube joined the franchise as an associate coach in 2017. His new deal will be formally announced at a news conference today.

Rays owner supports Tampa-Montreal split

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.

The principal owner of the Rays says it’s unrealistic for his team to play full time in the Tampa Bay area, and a shared season with Montreal is the best option.

Stu Sternberg said at a news conference Tuesday he would be “hard-pressed” for the team to stay exclusively in Tampa or St. Petersburg. He believes “strongly in the sister-city concept” with Montreal and is “asking for open minds.”

Tampa Bay is averaging less than 15,000 fans a game. Commissioner Rob Manfred says the Rays have “broad permission to explore what’s available.”

An agreement between the Rays and St. Petersburg for Tropicana Field runs through 2027. St. Petersburg’s mayor has shot down the two-city possibility.

Staff/wire report