Texas and Ohio State coaches offer prayers

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, a California native, opened the Cotton Bowl news conference Thursday by offering thoughts and prayers for everyone affected by the ongoing wildfires in the greater Los Angeles area, and for those impacted by a deadly terror attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.

The Longhorns are in North Texas to play in the College Football Playoff semifinals against Ohio State on Friday night.

“With the recent tragic events in New Orleans and obviously what’s happening in Los Angeles right now … speaking on behalf of myself, coach (Ryan) Day, both of our programs, our thoughts and prayers are with all of those that have been affected by this,” Sarkisian said. “What is happening in Los Angeles right now is unfathomable.”

The Buckeyes beat Oregon last week in an CFP quarterfinal game at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day, before the outbreak of what are now multiple wildfires.

Both coaches gave an opening statement before taking questions Thursday. Day began his by saying he echoed Sarkisian’s comments.

“Certainly just being there last week has given our coaches and team an opportunity to pause and certainly give our thoughts and prayers to those that are going through that difficult time, and certainly those in New Orleans,” Day said.

The CFP quarterfinal game at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans scheduled for New Year’s Day was postponed by one day because of the terror attack not far from the Superdome. Notre Dame beat Georgia in that game.

Sarkisian was born in Torrance, California, and grew up in the Los Angeles area. He spent nine seasons on the football staff at Southern California, seven as an assistant and parts of two as head coach.

“Being from Los Angeles, a lot of friends and family there that are affected,” Sarkisian said. “And so I just hope everybody out there can keep their thoughts and prayers with those, and obviously those in New Orleans, with some of the tragic events that have occurred.”

Crosby moves into 9th on NHL’s career scoring list

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists to move into ninth on the NHL’s career scoring list as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers 5-3 on Thursday night.

The Penguins captain tied Hall of Famer Joe Sakic at 1,641 points with an assist on Bryan Rust’s first-period goal. Crosby then moved past Sakic with an assist on Drew O’Connor’s sixth goal of the season later in the period as the Penguins raced to a 4-1 advantage.

Rust also had a goal and two assists for Pittsburgh, which snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Oilers for the first time since Dec. 20, 2019. Alex Nedeljkovic made 40 stops for the Penguins and Rickard Rakell scored his team-high 21st goal as Pittsburgh won without injured center Evgeni Malkin.

McDavid finished with three assists. Leon Draisaitl scored twice to boost his season total to an NHL-best 31, but the Penguins beat Stuart Skinner four times in the first 14 minutes.

Skinner settled down to finish with 21 saves but it wasn’t enough as the Penguins ended Edmonton’s four-game winning streak.

Takeaways

Oilers: Their attention to detail in the first period was shaky. While Skinner wasn’t at his best, the Penguins also had little trouble generating chances.

Penguins: Pittsburgh remains a work in progress at midseason but showed it can compete with the league’s best on a given night.

Key moment

Crosby’s 12th goal 5:42 into the second put the Penguins up 5-1, some welcome wiggle room for a team that has struggled to hold multiple-goal leads.

Key stat

80 — The number of points Crosby needs to tie Penguins icon Mario Lemieux for eighth (1,723) on the career list.

Up next

Edmonton finishes a four-game trip at Chicago on Saturday. The Penguins continue a five-game homestand on Saturday against Ottawa.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL