WASHINGTON (AP) — Connor McMichael scored twice, Alex Ovechkin got an empty-netter for the 855th goal of his NHL career and the Washington Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers 6-3 Wednesday night for their fifth consecutive victory.
The Flyers clawed back from a four-goal deficit to make things interesting, but they still lost their sixth in a row since winning their season opener. They have been outscored 29-14 during this skid that have continued to snowball thanks to a mix of turnovers, bad goaltending and not enough offense to compensate.
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Washington Capitals right wing Taylor Raddysh (16) celebrates his goal with defenseman Dylan McIlrath (52) and right wing Brandon Duhaime (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals center Hendrix Lapierre (29) battles for the puck against Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov (82) and defenseman Travis Sanheim (6) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) stops a shot by Philadelphia Flyers center Morgan Frost (48) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler, left, and Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) scuffle during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals center Connor McMichael (24) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals right wing Taylor Raddysh (16) celebrates his goal with defenseman Dylan McIlrath (52) and right wing Brandon Duhaime (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals center Connor McMichael (24) celebrates his goal next to Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton (21) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington was undisciplined in almost blowing a big lead but kept rolling after getting 26 saves from Logan Thompson and production from up and down the lineup. In addition to McMichael's second and third goals of the season, fourth-line forwards Taylor Raddysh and Nic Dowd also scored for the Capitals, and Pierre-Luc Dubois also had an empty-net goal.
Philadelphia's Ivan Fedotov allowed four goals on 24 shots in his fourth NHL start and still has yet to win a game. Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett and Matvei Michkov had the Flyers' goals.
Flyers: Trying to dig out of a deep hole is not the way to go and structure is still lacking, but Michkov, who also had an assist, is as advertised at age 19 and will only get better.
Capitals: Ovechkin, who has two goals this season, is now 40 from breaking Wayne Gretzky's career record.
Thompson denied Morgan Frost on a breakaway late in the second period, then made a series of saves the following shift before intermission to maintain a two-goal lead when the Flyers were pressing.
The Flyers have been outscored 13-5 in second periods this season.
The Flyers host Minnesota on Saturday afternoon in the first half of a home back-to-back this weekend, while the Capitals visit Tampa Bay that same night.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Washington Capitals right wing Taylor Raddysh (16) celebrates his goal with defenseman Dylan McIlrath (52) and right wing Brandon Duhaime (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals center Hendrix Lapierre (29) battles for the puck against Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov (82) and defenseman Travis Sanheim (6) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) stops a shot by Philadelphia Flyers center Morgan Frost (48) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler, left, and Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) scuffle during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals center Connor McMichael (24) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals right wing Taylor Raddysh (16) celebrates his goal with defenseman Dylan McIlrath (52) and right wing Brandon Duhaime (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals center Connor McMichael (24) celebrates his goal next to Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton (21) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
DULUTH, Ga. (AP) — Donald Trump pushed supporters at a lively rally Wednesday in Georgia to vote for him — with an early ballot or in-person on Election Day — in a state that could be crucial in the presidential election, speaking at a filled-to-capacity event organized by conservative provocateur Charlie Kirk and the group he founded.
“Just vote — whichever way you want to do it,” Trump told the crowd, which broke into cheers and chants as Trump spoke.
The Trump campaign strategy of encouraging supporters to vote either early or on Election Day is a turn from when the former president blamed his 2020 election loss on mail ballots, and the number of people voting early has surged this year. Over 1.9 million voters have cast early ballots in Georgia, and voters nationwide have returned a total of over 23 million advance ballots in the 2024 general election. That’s broken records in states across the country and is partly driven by Republicans embracing early voting at Trump’s direction.
Yet as the election contest with Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris enters its final days, allies like Kirk are searching for people who lean toward Trump but may still sit the election out when it comes to casting a ballot.
“You need to go to every single person you know and say, ‘Are you voting for Trump?’” Kirk told the crowd Wednesday before Trump took the stage.
The 31-year-old Kirk has an outsize role in this year's election, using his online presence and the organization he founded, Turning Point Action, to make himself one of the nation's most recognizable conservatives and a central part of Trump's operation. The former president has put a particular emphasis on courting younger men, the “bro vote,” trying to reach them through podcasts, social media and influencers such as Kirk.
The rally at the Gas South Arena in Duluth was filled with pyrotechnics and interspersed with meme-laden videos. At one moment, it also featured three figures who represent the new coalition that Trump is trying to assemble: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who ran his own campaign for president this year before endorsing Trump; former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democrat who announced this week that she is joining the Republican Party; and Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News commentator who has attracted millions of followers with his bravado-heavy social media presence.
Carlson cast Trump as America’s “Dad” and said a Trump victory over Harris would mean: “Dad’s home! And he’s pissed!”
Later in the night as Trump spoke, some in the crowd shouted out, “Daddy’s home!”
Wednesday's rally was strategically located in part of the swath of metro Atlanta where Trump underperformed four years ago in his reelection campaign, losing to Democrat Joe Biden. Kirk and Trump are also scheduled to appear at a rally Thursday evening in Las Vegas.
Trump praised Kirk for “working so hard” on the rally and other campaign efforts.
In turn, Kirk described the election as a Christian “spiritual battle” between good and evil. Trump’s rise and continued place in U.S. politics is the work of a “divine” author, he said, as he pressured Georgia pastors to speak out on Trump’s behalf.
Earlier in the evening, the crowd broke into a chant not usually heard at the former president’s rallies: “Christ is King! Christ is King! Christ is King!”
Trump on Wednesday also took questions at a faith-focused town hall held at a church in Zebulon, about 50 miles south of Atlanta. He told the crowd that Christians don’t vote in high numbers, but that people are energized this year.
“When you have faith, when you believe in God, it’s a big advantage over people that don’t have that,” he said.
At the end of what was billed as a “Believers and Ballots” event, Trump moved outside to address an overflow crowd. Several hundred people were assembled in the church parking lot, chanting “USA!”
Harris, meanwhile, participated in a Philadelphia town hall that was televised on CNN. She said Trump is showing that he is “increasingly unstable and unfit to serve in office.”
Kirk's Turning Point is pitching state and local Republican officials in a get-out-the-vote operation in Arizona, Wisconsin and elsewhere. Critics question the group's claims and its use of an app that has minimal protections to secure voters’ personal information. In a recording of one meeting obtained by The Associated Press, a group operative declared, “We now are an official arm of the Trump campaign.”
Earlier this week, Kirk and Vivek Ramaswamy took the stage in downtown Atlanta, a decidedly liberal environment for the conservatives to hold court with college students. The event was part of Kirk’s “You’re Being Brainwashed Tour,” which stops on college campuses across the swing states. More than the field work, the “Brainwashed” tour has become perhaps his most visible presence in the closing months of the campaign.
Within minutes, Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur who sought the Republican presidential nomination this year, and Kirk were jousting with Georgia State University undergraduates over their choices in the Nov. 5 presidential election.
Trump and his aides argue that his populist nationalism appeals to younger voters frustrated by an inflationary economy and rising housing prices.
“I’m definitely voting for Trump because he reflects my values as a conservative and as a Christian more than Ms. Harris,” said 25-year-old Jean Pierre. He credited figures such as Kirk and Candace Owens for “helping me recognize I’d always been a conservative.”
Yet Pierre seemed vastly outnumbered in the crowd by students who were there to push back at the host or simply to watch the combative exchanges.
Jason Evans and Tyler Hill showed up in “White Dudes for Harris” attire.
Said Hill: “I’m just here for the show.”
Kirk delved into specious claims and conspiracy theories.
He repeated Trump’s misrepresentation that Harris has been singularly responsible for immigration policy. He amplified the falsehood that 325,000 children have been “lost” at the border during Biden’s term.
Kirk also defended the Trump supporters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as Congress met to certify Biden’s election.
Ashli Babbitt, who was shot dead by a Capitol Police officer inside the building, was unarmed, Kirk said. He asked rhetorically whether the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man killed by a white Minneapolis police officer in 2020, was acceptable. That drew jeers and more than a few expletives.
Kirk, who is white, went on to say: “Black people in America are getting put last, which seems to be a theme the last 60 years when Democrats are in charge.”
The crowd, which reflected the racial and ethnic diversity of Georgia State’s enrollment, largely did not react. Turning Point staffers and local conservatives cheered.
Associated Press writer Stephen Groves in Washington contributed reporting.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., speaks during a campaign rally with Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Duluth, Ga. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump shakes hands with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., at a Turning Point Action campaign rally, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Duluth, Ga. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard hugs Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump as Tucker Carlson yells during a campaign rally Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Duluth, Ga. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks to an overflow crowd after a faith town hall at Christ Chapel Zebulon, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Zebulon, Ga. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
People listen as Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks to an overflow crowd after a faith town hall at Christ Chapel Zebulon, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Zebulon, Ga. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks to an overflow crowd after a faith town hall at Christ Chapel Zebulon, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Zebulon, Ga. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks during a faith town hall with Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones at Christ Chapel Zebulon, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Zebulon, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks during a faith town hall with Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones at Christ Chapel Zebulon, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Zebulon, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Supporters arrive before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a Turning Point Action campaign rally, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Duluth, Ga. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Jason Aldean speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a Turning Point Action campaign rally, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Duluth, Ga. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump listens during a faith town hall with Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones at Christ Chapel Zebulon, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Zebulon, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at a Turning Point Action campaign rally, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Duluth, Ga. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a Turning Point Action campaign rally, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Duluth, Ga. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
