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sports Diahuebs 10 september 2020

Spanish league forced to reschedule games after dispute

(AP) — New season, same tion.” But it added that it will
old story. The Spanish continue to fight to play on
league and the Spanish Mondays and Fridays and
soccer federation are at would appeal to the nation's
odds again, this time be- sports council to try to keep
fore the season has even the second-round games un-
started. This week’s sched- changed. The league said it
uled start of the league was unfair for a judge linked
had to be hastily changed to the federation to be mak-
as the result of a dispute ing the ruling.
between the two entities The federation and the
over whether matches can league have long argued
be played on Fridays and over whether matches can be
Mondays. The league was played on Fridays and Mon-
set to begin with a match days, with each side getting
between Granada and favorable rulings from dif-
Athletic Bilbao on Friday ferent courts. The federation
night, but the federation made concessions at the end
forced the game to be of last season because of the
moved to the weekend be- coronavirus pandemic, al-
cause it opposes matches lowing the league to sched-
on Mondays and Fridays. ule matches on those days
to guarantee that the season
The game was rescheduled could finish in time.
after the ruling of a judge in The federation had warned,
the federation's competitions though, that it maintained ers’ association. The league, year amid the pandemic, but ing champion Real Madrid.
committee late Wednesday. its stance against playing on meanwhile, argues that those it didn’t take long before the The league had hoped to have
Monday’s game between Mondays and Fridays. The days are important for its sides began disagreeing again. fans back at the stadiums this
Alavés and Real Betis also league felt that it could still broadcasters who pay for the Only seven of the 10 first- season but matches will still
was moved to the weekend, play on those days this season league’s television rights. round matches will be played be played without spectators
as were a couple of second- as matches will continue to this week after the league as Spain battles a new surge
division matches. The Span- take place without fans and Federation president Luis postponed games involving in coronavirus cases.
ish league said it would under strict health protocols. Rubiales and Spanish league the teams that played later Teams will still be allowed
change the schedule this time The federation's stance president Javier Tebas have into the season because of to make five substitutions in
“to avoid irreparable dam- against playing on Mondays been at odds over several is- European competitions, in- each match, as was the case
ages to the clubs affected by and Friday is based in part on sues in recent years. A peace cluding Barcelona, Sevilla, when the league resumed af-
this nonsense by the federa- complaints by Spain’s play- deal was struck earlier this Atlético Madrid and defend- ter the pandemic.q

Stars, Golden Knights reach ‘chess match’ part of West final

(AP) — Tyler Seguin in Game 1 of the West final. playoffs. “It’s a real balance
tried to answer what Vegas looked like its old self and I think a lot of it has to
happened in the Western when the puck started to go do with who you’re playing
Conference final to the in. against,” said Dallas' Jim Nill,
Dallas offense that lit it up who was named a finalist for
last round.“Two different Even when it hasn't, the the general manager of the
teams — or Vegas is a penalty kill has been year award. “Vegas is a very
different team," he said. excellent — a perfect 15 of good team. ... We’re both big,
Dallas hasn't looked like 15 over the past five games. heavy teams, we both support
the same team that put And the Golden Knights are the puck well and we both
up 31 goals in seven games siphoning confidence from got great goaltending. So,
against Colorado. After the Stars and building on it, I think what you’ve seen is
winning the Western final knowing they can handle what you’re going to get.”
opener 1-0 and getting taking the odd penalty or
shut out by the Golden two. “A lot of it is confidence Unfortunately for the Stars,
Knights in Game 2, the hopping over the boards and the Golden Knights have
Stars need to find their having the confidence in the been in control since the
offense in a showdown PK’s case to take that extra third period of Game 1 and
between two similar, big Since scoring on their first Perry have each gone without foot of ice or challenge that in Robin Lehner and Marc-
teams that could come shot of Game 1, they've had a point for six consecutive play a little bit quicker than Andre Fleury have two
down to little adjustments 19 attempts blocked by a games. you normally would if you goaltenders that are on a
determining who goes Vegas defender, 48 stopped by don't have that confidence,” roll. To turn things around
on to play for the Stanley a goalie and missed the net 14 “It could be frustrating, coach Peter DeBoer said. “I and avoid the “self-inflicted
Cup. times. The Golden Knights but at the same time, we’ve just think we’ve got a little bit problems” coach Rick
have 57 shots on goal so far won a few hockey games,” of swagger there right now, Bowness said cost them in
"This whole series will be a and chased Anton Khudobin Perry said. “We’re battling and we want to keep that.” Game 2, it's up to him and his
chess match," Dallas captain with three second-period out there. We’re trying to do staff to counter what Vegas is
Jamie Benn said Wednesday goals Tuesday. other things to help the team, Dallas doesn't lack belief doing better: beating the Stars
ahead of Game 3 Thursday and those will come. We’re in its overall team game, at their own brand of hockey.
night. “It just goes to show Benn thinks the power play getting our looks, and goals which is predicated on being For now.
how well-structured and how has to make a difference, will come.”That was the aggressive in the offensive
good of a team Vegas is. They and Dallas is 0 for 4 in that Golden Knights' approach zone and defending well. It's “I think we’ve got two well-
don’t give you much, and department, as well. It's high after they ran into a hot goalie basically the same strategy coached teams, two very
you’ve got to take advantage time for some of the Stars' late in their second-round as Vegas, which makes this disciplined teams,” Nill said.
of your opportunities." best to produce, as Seguin series against Vancouver and much more of a mirror match "They’re going to be tight
The Stars haven't done that. and veteran winger Corey put up their own goose egg than any series so far in the games the rest of the way.”