What's up guys!

It's time for some news that you'll actually care about.

Max Domi suspended for sucker punching Aaron Ekblad in NHL preseason game

Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo called Max Domi's sucker punch on Aaron Ekblad "gutless" and predicted that the league would look at it.

The NHL did just that on Thursday, suspending Domi for the remainder of the Canadiens' preseason games.

Domi was given a match penalty for punching Ekblad in the nose in the third period in the Panthers' 5-2 exhibition victory against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night. 

Ekblad had slashed Domi's stick and the Canadiens forward tried to goad the Panthers defenseman into a fight, though Ekblad tried to skate away.

"Frustrated by Ekblad's unwillingness to fight, Domi drops his stick and glove and delivers a forceful blow to Ekblad's face, causing a cut that required medical attention," the league said in its suspension video.

Former college football players taking their athletic talents to NASCAR pit crews

NASCAR teams are increasingly turning to former college athletes to fill positions on their over-the-wall pit crews, having found that the strength, mobility and speed of the former players fits well with the need for rapid pit stops. Virtually every major team has a football connection on pit road.

“There are some really good athletes out here,” said Rowdy Harrell, who is one of them. A tire carrier for Hendrick Motorsports and driver Alex Bowman’s team, Harrell was a member of three University of Alabama national championship teams as a linebacker. He has gone from Roll Tide to roll tires.

The sports clearly are different, but, Harrell said, the attributes that make successful football players often transfer to the pressure and teamwork of 15-second pit stops.

Chicago Cubs survive 30-day odyssey, on verge of NL Central title

It’s two minutes until midnight - Chicago time - when Anthony Rizzo and Jason Heyward come out of the visiting clubhouse Wednesday night, and slowly trudge down the Chase Field corridor. 

They are the last two Cubs to leave.

They walk together toward the player bus, take the 15 minute drive to Sky Harbor Airport, and board a three-hour flight they’ve never been so happy to take. 

Thursday - Day 31 - finally is the day the Chicago Cubs got to rest. 

The Cubs had an honest-to-goodness day off for the first time since Aug. 20. No game. No weather delays. No flights. No bus trips.  

“This was something unique, something we never should have had to do,’’ pitcher Mike Montgomery told USA TODAY Sports. “But we managed to get through it. Guys were mad and upset. I know I was. Every day to have to be ready for 30 straight days, it’s a lot to ask of any human being. Maybe when we look back, we’ll be stronger for it. It was an accomplishment, a boost in morale, knowing that we did it, and did it well."

The Rangers are reportedly contemplating replacing manager Jeff Banister after the season

With less than two weeks to go in the 2018 regular season, the Texas Rangers have been eliminated from postseason contention, and they sit in last place in the AL West at 64-88. General manager Jon Daniels admitted the team is in rebuilding mode earlier this year, when Cole Hamelsand Keone Kela were traded away at the deadline.

The rebuild may involve more than roster changes, as it turns out; the Rangers are "contemplating" replacing manager Jeff Banister following the season. 

Wilson adds that no final decision has been made about Banister's future at this time. He notes communication issues, which date back to Banister being hired before the 2015 season, are an ongoing problem.

Ohio State star lineman Nick Bosa undergoes surgery to repair core muscle, out indefinitely

The status of Ohio State star defensive end Nick Bosa has been in doubt ever since he left Saturday's win over TCU in the second half. That status became clear on Thursday, and it's not good news for the Buckeyes. 

Coach Urban Meyer said on 97.1 The Fan on Thursday that Bosa underwent surgery to repair a core muscle and will be out indefinitely.

Bosa went to the locker room following the injury, and returned in street clothes as the Buckeyes closed out the win over the Horned Frogs. The star junior -- who is projected to be a first round draft pick after this season -- has a team-high 14 tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks this season. 

The 6-foot-4, 263-pounder was a first-team AP All-American prior to the season, and the centerpiece along the defensive line. With Bosa out, Dre'Mont will likely take over that role until further notice.

Thanks for stopping by, I still feel bad for poor Bosa.

See ya on Monday!

Cheers,
Dan

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