All articles tagged with #rivalry
USA and Canada meet in the Olympic men's ice hockey final as NHL stars return for the first time since 2014; Canada is the favorite, but the US is eager to upset, driven by a fierce rivalry highlighted by Brady Tkachuk. Sidney Crosby’s knee injury leaves his participation in doubt for Canada, while the US last captured Olympic gold in 1980 and Canada last won in 2014.
The U.S. and Canada meet in the women’s Olympic hockey gold medal game as Hilary Knight and Marie-Philip Poulin prepare for a seventh showdown, with Knight chasing a storybook ending in what could be her final Olympics and Poulin aiming to extend her all‑time Olympic goal‑scoring record, as the Americans arrive on a seven‑game win streak and a 31-1 tournament scoring margin behind three straight shutouts from goalie Aerin Frankel.
NC State, led by Copeland’s 18 points, handed rival North Carolina an 82-58 defeat in Will Wade’s first matchup with the Tar Heels, marking the Wolfpack’s largest win over UNC since 1962. UNC played without top scorers Wilson and Veesaar and struggled from three, while NC State got balanced scoring from Able, Williams and Lubin. The win comes amid the ACC’s shift to 18 conference games, with this year’s meeting the lone regular-season rivalry game.
Matt Walsh will be in the stands for the sold-out Florida–Kentucky matchup in Gainesville, adding a nostalgic wrinkle as UK eyes an upset of the reigning champions. The piece revisits famous Florida “villains” from the series’ history, notes other Florida stars attending, and frames the game as a pivotal SEC clash in the Mark Pope–Todd Golden era.
Seth Trimble hit a fadeaway corner 3 with 0.4 seconds left after Derek Dixon’s pass, sealing UNC’s dramatic win over Duke. The piece collects five perspectives from players and coaches on the final play’s design, execution, and pressure.
Seth Trimble buried a late 3 to lift No. 14 North Carolina past No. 4 Duke 71-68 in a dramatic rivalry finish in Chapel Hill, with former coach Roy Williams celebrating as the Tar Heels snapped the Blue Devils' run.
UNC edged Duke 71-68 at the Smith Center as Seth Trimble buried a go-ahead 3 from a Derek Dixon feed with 0.4 seconds left, in a rivalry night that saw two court-storming moments. Caleb Wilson led UNC with 23 points and Henri Veesaar added 13 points and 11 rebounds as UNC rallied from a 64-58 deficit with a 13-4 run in the final two minutes, potentially the latest Tar Heel game-winner in UNC-Duke history. The win also featured a touching James Spurling tribute and a club-like, celebratory scene in the tunnel, as UNC looks ahead to Miami.
In a heated Tampa Bay–Florida clash, the Lightning’s win over the Panthers featured a late third-period brawl between Brandon Hagel and Matthew Tkachuk, a confrontation the author says was necessary after Florida’s postseason intimidation. The 6-1 victory, plus how the team stood up for one another and captain Victor Hedman’s involvement, signals that Tampa Bay won’t be pushed around. While vengeance isn’t advisable, the Lightning—who have won 19 of their last 21 and own the Eastern Conference’s best record—have become a tougher, sharper team with improved defense and continued elite scoring, setting the stage for a possible playoff rematch.
UNC freshman Caleb Wilson urged Tar Heel fans attending the UNC-Duke rivalry game to wear Carolina Blue, arrive early, and be loud at the Dean E. Smith Center.
Indiana held off Purdue 72-67 in Bloomington, handing the Boilers their third straight loss after a 17-1 start. Purdue faltered early, yielding eight first-half 3-pointers and a 40-29 halftime deficit. In the second half, Purdue moved Trey Kaufman-Renn to center and Jack Benter to the four to spark a rally with a Smith–Kaufman-Renn pick-and-roll, trimming the margin to two, but IU answered with timely shooting and free throws to seal the win as Purdue couldn’t complete the comeback.
The New York Knicks routed the Brooklyn Nets 120-66 at Madison Square Garden, snapping a four-game skid and delivering the Knicks’ biggest margin of victory in franchise history. Jalen Brunson scored 20 points as NYK built a 60-38 halftime lead and dominated in the second half, outscoring Brooklyn 60-28. The Nets shot 29.1% (23-for-79) and were led by Michael Porter Jr. with 12 points.
Baker Mayfield stoked the Bucs-Falcons rivalry by clapping back at a Twitter jab about his Cleveland days, calling the critique a “reach” and underscoring his competitive fire as he heads into the matchup. The piece notes Mayfield’s career arc—from guiding the Browns to the 2020 postseason to stints with the Panthers and Buccaneers—and frames his swagger as adding extra spice to the Tampa Bay–Atlanta clash.
Indiana’s improbable climb to the national championship game against Miami has Purdue fans reeling, turning a storied in-state rivalry into a “living nightmare” for some as IU’s football ascent unfolds alongside Purdue’s 2025 2-10 season. The piece contrasts IU’s Rose Bowl rout of Alabama and Peach Bowl run with Purdue’s struggles, highlights fan tensions (including Purdue supporters torn between rivalry and state pride), and notes the broader basketball rivalry—IU’s five national titles to Purdue’s none—while drawing parallels between IU football’s Curt Cignetti and Purdue basketball’s Matt Painter in building winning programs.
The Bears and Packers face off in a crucial NFC Wild Card playoff game at Soldier Field, with the Bears holding the NFC North title and the Packers aiming to advance as a wild card. The rivalry is evenly matched, with both teams having split their recent season series, and the game features key players like Caleb Williams and Jordan Love. The outcome will determine who advances to the NFC Divisional Round in a highly anticipated matchup.
The Green Bay Packers will face the Chicago Bears in an NFC Wild Card playoff game, marking their third postseason meeting and the most played rivalry in NFL history, with the Packers holding a series lead and recent dominance at Soldier Field. The game will be broadcast on Prime Video and other local and national outlets, featuring notable player and coaching connections to Illinois and Wisconsin.