PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Aleksei Kolosov became the first Belarusian-born goalie in NHL history Sunday night when he started for the Philadelphia Flyers against the Montreal Canadiens.
The 22-year-old Kolosov was recalled by the Flyers on Saturday night and immediately inserted into the lineup against Montreal. He made 20 saves in Philadelphia' 4-3 loss to the Canadiens, the Flyers' seventh loss in eight games.
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Montreal Canadiens' Nick Suzuki (14) scores against Philadelphia Flyers' Aleksei Kolosov (35) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Flyers' Matvei Michkov, right, and Aleksei Kolosov talk during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Flyers' Aleksei Kolosov plays during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Montreal Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher (11) scores against Philadelphia Flyers' Aleksei Kolosov (35) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Flyers' Aleksei Kolosov, right, blocks a shot by Montreal Canadiens' Nick Suzuki during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Flyers' Aleksei Kolosov waits to warm up before an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Flyers' Aleksei Kolosov waits to warm up before an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Montreal Canadiens' Kirby Dach, left, tries to get a shot past Philadelphia Flyers' Aleksei Kolosov during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Flyers' Aleksei Kolosov stretches before an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The Flyers have gotten spotty goaltending so far from starter Samuel Ersson and backup Ivan Fedotov. When announcing Kolosov as his starter before the game, Flyers coach John Tortorella said the Flyers had not gotten the performances they needed from Fedotov so far this season.
“Ivan hasn’t played well enough,” Tortorella said. “We’re trying to solve, trying to look at the situation and see where it goes.”
Kolosov was a third round pick by the Flyers in 2021. He spent parts of four seasons in the KHL before coming over to North America for the first time at the end of last season, playing in two games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers’ AHL affiliate.
Kolosov and the Flyers had a tumultuous summer. First, the goalie chose not to take part in Philadelphia’s rookie camp in July and later didn’t report for the start of training camp, citing a desire to void playing in the AHL again.
Through his agent, he indicated to the Flyers that he wanted to play in the NHL or be loaned back to his Minsk team in the KHL. The Flyers wouldn’t comply with the loan and there was a short stalemate between the sides before Kolosov agreed to come over near the end of training camp. He played in one preseason game with the Flyers before being sent down to Lehigh Valley.
Part of the agreement to get him to report included the Flyers telling him he would be given an opportunity at the NHL level at some point this season.
That opportunity came in Philadelphia’s ninth game.
The Flyers feel Kolosov put the issues he experienced at the end of last season and in the summer behind him and that he’s in a better place now after just a few weeks in the AHL.
“As far as attitude and where Kolosov’s mind is right now, we have gotten good reports as far as how he has gone about his business down there,” Tortorella said.
Kolosov started four games with the Phantoms before being recalled. He had a 3.29 GAA and an 0.875 save percentage.
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Montreal Canadiens' Nick Suzuki (14) scores against Philadelphia Flyers' Aleksei Kolosov (35) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Flyers' Matvei Michkov, right, and Aleksei Kolosov talk during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Flyers' Aleksei Kolosov plays during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Montreal Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher (11) scores against Philadelphia Flyers' Aleksei Kolosov (35) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Flyers' Aleksei Kolosov, right, blocks a shot by Montreal Canadiens' Nick Suzuki during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Flyers' Aleksei Kolosov waits to warm up before an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Flyers' Aleksei Kolosov waits to warm up before an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Montreal Canadiens' Kirby Dach, left, tries to get a shot past Philadelphia Flyers' Aleksei Kolosov during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Flyers' Aleksei Kolosov stretches before an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump hosted a rally featuring crude and racist insults at New York’s Madison Square Garden Sunday, turning what his campaign had dubbed as the event where he would deliver his closing message into an illustration of what turns off his critics.
With just over a week before Election Day, speakers labeled Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage,” called Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris “the devil,” and said the woman vying to become the first woman and Black woman president had begun her career as a prostitute.
“I don’t know if you guys know this, but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico,” said Tony Hinchcliffe, a stand-up comic whose set also included lewd and racist comments about Latinos, Jews and Black people, all key constituencies in the election just nine days away.
His joke was immediately criticized by Harris’ campaign as it competes with Trump to win over Puerto Rican communities in Pennsylvania and other swing states. Puerto Rican music superstar Bad Bunny endorsed Harris shortly after Hinchcliffe's appearance.
The normally pugnacious Trump campaign took the rare step of distancing itself from Hinchcliffe. “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign," senior adviser Danielle Alvarez said in a statement.
But other speakers also made incendiary comments. Trump’s childhood friend David Rem referred to Harris as “the Antichrist” and “the devil.” Businessman Grant Cardone told the crowd that Harris ”and her pimp handlers will destroy our country.”
The marquee event reflected the former president's tone throughout his third White House campaign. Though he refrained from doing so Sunday, Trump often tears into Harris in offensive and personal terms himself, questioning in recent weeks her mental stability and her intelligence as well as calling her “lazy,” long a racist trope used against Black people.
The event was a surreal spectacle that included former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, TV psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, politicians including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Reps. Byron Donalds and Elise Stefanik, and an artist who painted a picture of Trump hugging the Empire State Building.
And that was all before Trump was to take the stage, running more than two hours late.
After being introduced by his wife, Melania Trump, in a rare public appearance, the former president began by asking the same questions he’s asked at the start of every recent rally: “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” The crowd responded with a resounding “No!”
“This election is a choice between whether we’ll have four more years of gross incompetence and failure, or whether we’ll begin the greatest years in the history of our country,” he said.
Trump on Sunday added a new proposal to his list of tax cuts aimed at winning over older adults and blue-collar workers, which already includes vows to end taxes on Social Security benefits, tips and overtime pay: A tax credit for family caregivers.
This comes after Harris has talked about the “sandwich generation” of adults caring for aging parents while raising their children at the same time. Harris has proposed federal funding to cover home care costs for older Americans.
Trump otherwise repeated familiar lines about foreign policy and immigration, calling for the death penalty for any migrant who kills a U.S. citizen and saying that the day he takes office, “The migrant invasion of our country ends.”
As Trump’s remarks came up on an hour, some of the crowd began trickling out.
Tech mogul Elon Musk, who spoke earlier and introduced Melania Trump, was a prominent part of Trump’s closing campaign message. The former president called Musk “a genius” and “special.”
Musk nodded to Trump's recent plan to allow him to lead a government efficiency commission to audit the entire federal government. Several of Musk's businesses, including Tesla and SpaceX, have major government contracts or have relied on U.S. subsidies, and Musk has faced criticism after reports that he has spoken privately with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Your money is being wasted and the department of government efficiency is going to fix that," Musk said before taking a place offstage beside Melania Trump.
Many of the speakers Sunday appeared on stage at the Republican National Convention. This time, the same speakers shouted and railed more against Democrats.
Hogan, returning to the venue where he performed years ago as a professional wrestler, seemed to reprise his character, emerging wearing a giant red, orange and yellow boa and violently waving a large American flag as he posed and danced. He spat on the stage during his speech, flexed his muscles repeatedly and told the audience: “Trump is the only man that can fix this country today.”
Some Democrats, calling Trump a fascist, have compared his Sunday event to a pro-Nazi rally at the Garden in February 1939. Several speakers on Sunday ripped Hillary Clinton, the Democrat defeated by Trump eight years ago, for saying recently that Trump would be “reenacting” the 1939 event. One of them, radio host Sid Rosenberg, directed a profanity at Clinton.
“Hey guys, they’re now scrambling and trying to call us Nazis and fascists,” said Alina Habba, one of Trump’s attorneys, who draped a sparkly “MAGA” jacket over the lectern as she spoke. “And you know what they’re claiming, guys? It’s very scary. They’re claiming we’re going to go after them and try and put them in jail. Well, ain’t that rich?”
Declared Hogan in his raspy growl: “I don't see no stinkin' Nazis in here.”
Trump has denounced the four criminal indictments brought against him as politically motivated. He has ramped up his denunciations in recent weeks of “enemies from within,” naming domestic political rivals, and suggested he would use the military to go after them. Harris, in turn, has referred to Trump as a fascist.
The arena was full hours before Trump was scheduled to speak. Outside the arena, the sidewalks were overflowing with Trump supporters in red “Make America Great Again” hats. There was a heavy security presence. Streets were blocked off and access to Penn Station was restricted.
“It just goes to show ya that he has a bigger following of any man that has ever lived,” said Philip D’Agostino, a longtime Trump backer from Queens, the borough where Trump grew up.
Trump has a complicated history with the place where he built his business empire and that made him a tabloid and reality TV star. Its residents indicted him last year on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He was found guilty in that case, and also found liable in civil court for business fraud and sexual abuse.
But Trump has been talking about wanting to hold a rally at the venue dubbed “The World’s Most Famous Arena” since he launched his campaign.
The rally was one of a number of detours Trump has made from battleground states, including a recent rally in Coachella, California, and rallies on the Jersey Shore and in the South Bronx.
While some have dismissed the stops as nothing more than vanity events aimed at boosting Trump’s ego, the rallies guaranteed Trump national coverage that could help him reach the country’s few remaining undecided voters, many of whom don’t get their news from traditional outlets.
New York has not voted for a Republican for president in 40 years. But that hasn't stopped Trump from continuing to insist he believes he can win. New York is also home to a handful of competitive congressional races that could determine which party controls the House next year.
Trump routinely uses his hometown as a foil before audiences in other states, painting a dark vision of the city that bears little resemblance to reality. He’s cast it as crime-ridden and overrun by violent, immigrant gangs who have taken over Fifth and Madison avenues and occupied Times Square.
On Sunday, however, Trump was much more complimentary of the city. He said “no city embodies the spirit” and energy of the American people more and talked about attending basketball and hockey games at the Garden.
After Trump concluded his speech after over an hour, opera singer Christopher Macchio came on stage to perform the song “New York, New York.”
The former president smiled and swayed slightly, his wife standing next to him on stage.
Attendees cheer at a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., attends a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Rudy Giuliani speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Hulk Hogan waves an American flag at a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Hulk Hogan rips his shirt at a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Elon Musk arrives to speak a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Former first lady Melania Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump greets former first lady Melania Trump during a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rudy Giuliani speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
David Rem speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Attendees cheer at a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
A crowd stands in line before a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Signs are placed in seats before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Signs are placed in seats before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Supporters of Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump gather for his campaign rally outside Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
A police officer stands in front of the campaign video boards for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump outside Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
People walk past video boards displaying information about the campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump outside Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Signs are placed in seats before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Supporters of Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump gather for his campaign rally outside Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Supporters of Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump enter a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Supporters of Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump gather for his campaign rally outside Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Video boards display information about the campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump outside Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Screens inside the venue are pictured before a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
A worker places signs in seats before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Supporters of Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump gather for his campaign rally outside Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Supporters of Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump gather for his campaign rally outside Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Supporters pray before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
An attendee salutes at a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
A video from the movie "Patton" is played before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Scott Lobaido unveils a painting before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Signs in seats before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Video boards outside Madison Square Garden display information about the campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Workers place signs in seats before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Video boards outside Madison Square Garden display information about the campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
FILE - President George W. Bush addresses the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden in New York, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 20, 1939 file photo, New York City's mounted police form a line outside Madison Square Garden to hold in check a crowd that packed the streets where the German American Bund was holding a rally. (AP Photo/Murray Becker, File)
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Bryce Jordan Center, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
