Page 23 - ARUBA TODAY

A23
SPORTS Friday 23 august 2019

In this March 31, 2019, file photo, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) carries the puck
past Columbus Blue Jackets forward Josh Anderson (77) during the first period of an NHL hockey
In this June 30, 2019, file photo, United States’ Christian Coleman game in Buffalo, N.Y.
wins the men’s 100-meter race at the Prefontaine Classic IAAF Associated Press
Diamond League athletics meet in Stanford, Calif. Sabres Dahlin tells AP he’s
Associated Press
AP sources: Sprint better prepared for 2nd season

star Christian Coleman By JOHN WAWROW the end of November. The the summer adding weight

could face ban AP Hockey Writer Sabres then won just 16 of and strength to better
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Last their final 57 games to miss handle the rigors of an 82-
season didn’t sit well with the playoffs for an eighth game schedule and face
By EDDIE PELLS and PAT GRAHAM Buffalo Sabres defenseman straight season, the NHL’s elite opposition.
AP Sports Writers Rasmus Dahlin. longest active drought. Dahlin’s rookie season mir-
Gold-medal sprint contender Christian Coleman’s Olym- Unaccustomed to losing “We played so well in the rored much of that of his
pic prospects might be in jeopardy after three missed and no longer a rookie, beginning of the season, so team when it came to in-
drug tests, two people familiar with the case told The As- Dahlin told The Associated that made you frustrated consistency. He had a goal
sociated Press. Press on Thursday he feels because we know how and eight assists during the
The “whereabouts failures” are said to have happened better prepared and is far good we can play,” he 10-game win streak, but
over 12 months, which can be treated as a positive test more driven to help trans- said. “Yeah, we’re going to followed with two goals
and doping violation. form the Sabres into con- get something good going and four assist over his next
The people spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday tenders. on here.” 17 games. Though he led
because cases are considered confidential. “I’m putting more pressure Expressing unhappiness Sabres defenseman and
The 23-year-old Coleman is the reigning national cham- on myself. We’re going to and acknowledging frus- finished third among NHL
pion at 100 meters. In 2017, he finished second to Jus- be a winning team and be tration is new for Dahlin, rookies with 44 points (nine
tin Gatlin at the world championships — and one spot in the playoffs,” Dahlin said. who spent much of last goals, 35 assists), he closed
ahead of Usain Bolt. “I think everyone is putting year looking mostly at the the season with a goal and
The 2019 worlds are next month in Qatar, and Coleman more pressure on ourselves bright side. When asked six assists in Buffalo’s final
has the world’s leading time in the 100 the past three now, and we’re ready to late last season if Buffalo’s 19 games. Dahlin showed
years. He also has qualified for worlds in the 200 meters. go.” 49 losses (including over- some rust Thursday, when
Athletes are required to provide authorities with their The first player selected in time and shootouts) were the usually smooth-skating
whereabouts so they can be tested for drugs without no- the 2018 draft is so eager the most he ever endured player took a spill — “Oh,
tice. Failing to provide the information, or not being pres- to put last year behind him, in one year, Dahlin smiled yeah, I slipped,” he said —
ent when a tester shows up, is considered a violation. he was among the first Sa- and responded by saying while being untouched at
Three missed tests trigger the equivalent of a doping vio- bres players to hit the ice at the team’s 33 wins were the blue line. He bounced
lation. Most who get hit for a first doping violation receive the team’s practice facility, also a season-high for him. back a few moments later,
two-year bans, but exceptions are often made for differ- some three weeks before A year ago, Dahlin was ex- when he drove in from the
ent circumstances. teams open training camp. pressing hope he’d simply right point and converted
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which deals with cases in- He arrived in Buffalo from make the season-opening Jason Pominville’s no-look
volving American athletes, does not discuss specific cas- his native Sweden on Tues- roster. Now he’s begun pass for a goal.
es. day, and would have been to find his voice as a key Declaring himself ready
With the track world looking for someone to fill the mas- back in town a few days member of the team. to go, Dahlin already had
sive vacuum Bolt left in the sport when he retired in 2017, earlier if not for travel com- “I feel more prepared. I feel his first face-to-face meet-
Coleman signed a reported seven-figure deal with Nike plications. more mature,” said Dahlin, ing with new coach Ralph
when he turned pro the same year. The rookie of the year final- who turned 19 in April. “Like Krueger on Wednesday.
His main rival in the 100 at the worlds figures to be Gatlin, ist is motivated after how that one year of experi- “He seems like a really
who, like Coleman, attended the University of Tennessee. Buffalo unraveled immedi- ence, I know what’s com- good coach and a good
The 200 was setting up to be one of the featured events ately following a 10-game ing this season. I feel more man,” he said of Krueger,
at the worlds in a showdown between Coleman and winning streak that had comfortable in my posi- who takes over after Phil
Noah Lyles. This rivalry will be one to watch heading into the team briefly sitting first tion.” Housley was fired following
the Tokyo Games — assuming Coleman is eligible.q in the overall standings at He said he spent much of two sub-par seasons.q