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A22 SPORTS
Wednesday 10 July 2019

In this Tuesday, March 12, 2019 file photo, Buffalo Sabres
forward Alexander Nylander (92) skates during the third
period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars in
Buffalo N.Y.
Associated Press
Blackhawks acquire

France cycling race over 214 kilometers (133 miles) with start in Reims and finish in Nancy, France, F Alex Nylander in
Italy’s Elia Viviani celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the fourth stage of the Tour de
Tuesday, July 9, 2019.
Associated Press trade with Sabres
Tour de France: Viviani storms By JAY COHEN 22-year-old Strome had

bunch sprint to win Stage 4 AP Sports Writer struggled since he was
CHICAGO (AP) — The drafted by Arizona with
Chicago Blackhawks the No. 3 pick in 2015,
By SAMUEL PETREQUIN with no change at the top of the overall are taking a chance on but he broke out with the
AP Sports Writer standings. Both men hugged warmly after another underachieving Blackhawks, collecting
NANCY, France (AP) — Elia Viviani had left their team produced a second straight young forward. 17 goals and 34 assists in
the Giro d’Italia utterly disappointed. stage win. They hope it goes the 58 games.
Two months later, the Italian rider left bit- “I just need to thank the team, they were same way it did last time. Nylander “is one of those
terness and his sprinting rivals in his wake really unbelievable,” Viviani said. The Blackhawks traded players, there’s not a lot
to claim his first career stage win in the Tour The Italian speedster might soon be rac- promising defenseman of them that have the
de France after storming a bunch sprint on ing without his favorite teammates, how- Henri Jokiharju to Buffalo ability to create oppor-
Tuesday with an impressive display of pow- ever, amid reports he might join Cofidis on Tuesday for Alex Nyl- tunities out of nothing,”
er and speed. next season as the French outfit seeks to ander, who hasn’t quite general manager Stan
The 30-year-old track specialist, arguably replace its top sprinter. lived up to expectations Bowman said.
the fastest man in the peloton this season, Viviani said he has yet to make up his mind since he was selected “He can dance around
had left his home race empty-handed in and that his Tour campaign will determine by the Sabres with the the offensive zone with
May under controversial circumstances. his future. eighth overall pick in the the puck and make
Viviani, who has now posted stage wins After Alaphilippe led the Deceuninck- 2016 draft. those high-end plays,
at all three Grand Tours, was stripped of Quick Step train to the front, Max Richeze “Buffalo, that kind of stuff, which are hard to do.
a victory in Italy after the race jury ruled and Michael Morkov set a very fast tempo that’s in the past. Obvi- “Sometimes with players
he had irregularly changed his line and to launch Viviani’s final acceleration. Krist- ously thought maybe of that style, I think being
blocked an opponent in the sprint. off opened up the sprint in the final stretch I would be in the NHL able to do it all the time
There was no such hiccup on the finish line but could not hold off Viviani on the left sooner than I have been, is something that takes a
in the eastern city of Nancy, and Viviani side of the road. but I’m just really excited, little bit of time to learn.”
was clearly the best. Alaphilippe was cheered throughout the looking forward to being Nylander had two goals
The 2016 omnium Olympic champion was stage. After several dozen fans greeted part of the Blackhawks and two assists in 12
ideally set up by the Deceuninck-Quick him at his team hotel in the morning, sup- organization,” Nylander games with Buffalo last
Step leadout train in the finale and made porters lining streets across the small vil- said. season. He also had 12
the most of the slight uphill finish to prevail. lages of eastern France wildly cheered “Really good with de- goals and 19 assists in 49
Viviani edged Alexander Kristoff and Ca- him on, shouting “Loulou, Loulou!” — the velopment players, so games with Rochester
leb Ewan, claiming the fourth stage of the Frenchman’s nickname. they actually know what of the American Hockey
three-week race. Alaphilippe enjoyed a day free of pres- they’re doing.” League.
“It means a lot. Probably I can’t believe it. sure, well protected in the main pack by The 21-year-old Nylander Nylander’s father, Mi-
It was a big goal of the year,” said Viviani, teammates, and then played a role in the made his NHL debut with chael, played for the
who dedicated his win to his fiancée and final sprint to launch Viviani’s final effort. Buffalo in April 2017, but Blackhawks from 1999-
parents. Defending champion Geraint Thomas and he had just three goals 2002.
The 213.5-kilometer (133-mile) flat route other main contenders enjoyed a calm and three assists in 19 Jokiharju, the No. 29 se-
from Reims to Nancy did not pose any ma- day too, just making sure they rode at the games with the Sabres. lection in the 2017 draft,
jor difficulty and was a perfect opportunity front to avoid crashes or splits. Thomas and He has had some trouble made his NHL debut in
for sprinters to get a stage win, a day af- his Ineos teammate Egan Bernal remained with injuries and inconsis- October and finished
ter Viviani’s teammate Julian Alaphilippe seventh and sixth, respectively, in the over- tency. with no goals and 12 as-
seized the yellow jersey with a solo effort. all standings. Chicago missed the play- sists in 38 games in his first
“My father and mother were on the finish “The team has been amazing. I haven’t offs last season for the season with the Black-
line today, they were set to leave yester- had to do anything, just follow the wheels, second straight year, but hawks.
day but finally decided to stay because and everyone has done their job perfect- one of the bright spots He also helped Finland
the stage was for sprinters,” Viviani said. ly. It’s been ideal,” Thomas said. was a trade for Dylan win two international
Alaphilippe, the first Frenchman to wear Under bright sunshine in Reims, three riders Strome in November. The tournaments this year. q
yellow in five years, kept the overall lead, attacked from the off.q