Tavares Heats Up in March to win Hockey Stick Fittings Award 

Few players in the NHL embody consistency and leadership quite like John Tavares, and this March, the veteran forward took his game to another level. The 34-year-old Maple Leafs center has been named the HockeyStickFittings.com Sniper of the Month after an outstanding offensive run—burying 13 goals in 15 games, including three multi-goal performances that helped propel Toronto in the Eastern Conference standings.

Tavares’ scoring surge is a reminder of why he was selected first overall in the 2009 NHL Draft. While younger stars like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner often take the spotlight in Toronto, the former captain remains an integral piece of the puzzle. His hockey IQ, elite positioning, and ability to capitalize on scoring chances have been on full display, making him a nightmare for opposing goaltenders.

One Last Shot at Glory for Tavares?

With Tavares in the final year of his current contract, the clock is ticking on his best opportunity to secure an elusive Stanley Cup championship. Despite the Maple Leafs’ consistent regular-season dominance, their postseason struggles are well-documented. The franchise’s inability to advance beyond the second round in the salary-cap era has frustrated both fans and players alike.

“THE CANADIENS COME BACK FROM DOWN 3-1 IN THE SERIES AND ELIMINATE TORONTO THE MAPLE LEAFS HAVE NOW LOST EIGHT STRAIGHT SERIES-CLINCHING GAMES AND EXTEND THEIR LEAGUE-LEADING 54-YEAR CHAMPIONSHIP DROUGHT.”
— ESPN (@ESPN), JUNE 1, 2021

This year, Tavares is doing everything in his power to help rewrite that script. His scoring touch and veteran presence could be the difference in a deep playoff run—if the Leafs can overcome their past demons.

The Stick Behind the Scoring Surge

Tavares’ success isn’t just about raw talent—his equipment plays a key role as well. The CCM Tacks XF Pro, his weapon of choice, is built for powerful, accurate shots from any angle. With a mid kickpoint and a feather-light 376g construction, the stick provides the perfect balance of strength and precision—ideal for Tavares’ game, which relies on quick releases and finishing scoring chances in high-danger areas.

Find the Perfect Stick for Your Game

Want to score more goals like Tavares? The right stick can make all the difference. At HockeyStickFittings.com, our smart fitting algorithm takes just a few inputs about your playing style and generates a personalized, interactive report—comparing the best sticks on the market.

No phone, no email, no credit card required. Just free, expert recommendations to help you dominate on the ice.

 Find your perfect stick today at HockeyStickFittings.com!

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Jake Mangum got two hits from each side of the plate to finish 4 for 4 in his second major league game, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 on Monday night in their first game under the lights at Steinbrenner Field.

The Rays had just four players with a four-hit game all of last season.

The 29-year-old Mangum, who made his big league debut on Sunday, got his first career hit in the third inning and then stole his first base. He finished with a double, three singles and two RBIs.

Tampa Bay took control after sending 10 men to the plate in a four-run fourth that Mangum capped with a single up the middle, scoring two.

Mangum also scored from second in the sixth when José Caballero hit a deep shot that went off the glove of right fielder Jack Suwinski.

Four Tampa Bay pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts and no walks. Drew Rasmussen (1-0), coming back from his third elbow procedure, rejoined the starting rotation and allowed two hits in five scoreless innings, while striking out four.

Pittsburgh starter Carmen Mlodzinski (0-1) allowed four runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Key moment

In the fourth, Jonathan Aranda hit his fourth double in four games. Then Christopher Morel singled in Junior Caminero to give the Rays a 1-0 lead.

Kameron Misner’s stand-up double made it 2-0 on the Rays’ fourth straight. Mangum added a two-run single.

Key stat

Tampa Bay went 4 for 13 with runners in scoring position.

Up next

The teams meet again Tuesday as the Rays continue a season-opening six-game homestand at their temporary ballpark. RHP Shane Baz starts for Tampa Bay. The Pirates had not announced a starter.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Most Carded Teams in Süper Lig: 2025 Current Status

The Trendyol Süper Lig continues with the 29th week after the international break, and the race for the championship is intensifying. The excitement in the league is not only among the teams competing for the top spot but also among those battling for European cup spots and survival. However, one of the most striking statistics in Süper Lig is related to the level of discipline of the teams.

The teams with the most cards in the league have been revealed, and these cards provide important insights into the teams’ defensive strategies and playing styles. Here are the teams in Süper Lig with the most yellow and red cards and their card statistics.

Currently, the team with the most cards in Süper Lig is Hatayspor. Hatayspor leads the chart with 79 yellow cards and 4 red cards. This high card count reflects the team’s aggressive playing style and intense defense against their opponents. Hatayspor’s tough approach towards opponents often catches the attention of referees, leading to an increase in their card tally.

In second place is Sivasspor. Sivasspor has accumulated 62 yellow cards and 8 red cards, which is quite impressive. The team frequently resorts to fouling to stop their opponents, leading to both yellow and red cards. Sivasspor’s disciplined defensive play can sometimes make it harder for them to build up their own offense.

The third place belongs to Konyaspor, with 73 yellow cards and 3 red cards. Konyaspor is known for its combative style, often making aggressive tackles against their opponents. However, this aggression can sometimes lead to negative results, as many of these challenges are penalized by referees.

Gaziantep FK follows in fourth place with 71 yellow cards and 3 red cards. Gaziantep frequently uses fouls to disrupt the pace of the game and break their opponent’s rhythm. This strategy makes them more aggressive in possession but also leads to an increase in their card count.

Eyüpspor also has 71 yellow cards and 3 red cards, mirroring Gaziantep’s performance. Eyüpspor sometimes loses its sense of discipline on the field, using a tough playing style to challenge their opponents, which leads to more cards.

On the other hand, Başakşehir (64 yellow cards, 4 red cards) and Rizespor (63 yellow cards, 4 red cards) also stand out with high card numbers. Başakşehir is known for their tough defensive tactics, while Rizespor sometimes plays with more aggression, resulting in a higher card count.

Kayserispor (61 yellow cards, 5 red cards) is another team that struggles with ball control and uses an aggressive playing style to pressure opponents. Alanyaspor (70 yellow cards, 2 red cards), while more offensive in nature, sometimes picks up cards due to defensive struggles.

Galatasaray (65 yellow cards, 2 red cards) and Kasımpaşa (59 yellow cards, 3 red cards) are also among the teams with the most cards in the league. These teams often make interventions to disrupt the flow of the game, which can sometimes lead to card penalties from the referees.

Samsunspor (61 yellow cards, 2 red cards), Trabzonspor (58 yellow cards, 2 red cards), and Göztepe (53 yellow cards, 3 red cards) are also listed among the top teams for most cards. These teams tend to play more aggressively, resulting in penalties from referees.

Finally, Adana Demirspor (54 yellow cards, 2 red cards) and Bodrum FK (47 yellow cards, 4 red cards) are teams with lower card numbers but still occasionally commit fouls that result in cards.

Fenerbahçe (58 yellow cards, 0 red cards) stands out as the team with the fewest red cards. Fenerbahçe is known for its disciplined playing style, making careful interventions to avoid penalties.

These card statistics in Süper Lig reveal a lot about the teams’ playing styles, defensive strategies, and how they interact with referees. Teams that accumulate a higher number of cards may need to reassess their approach to discipline, as a reduction in cards could improve their overall performance.

Most Carded Teams – Summary Table