Nichushkin's personal life is in a 'good spot' ahead of Avalanche-Stars playoff series, coach says

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Nichushkin's personal life is in a 'good spot' ahead of Avalanche-Stars playoff series, coach says

2025-04-19 04:52 Last Updated At：05:22

DENVER (AP) — Valeri Nichushkin took strides to take his hard-checking, goal-scoring game to another level this season.

Same with his life away from the rink, his Colorado Avalanche teammates, coach and GM maintain.

It was nearly a year ago against the Dallas Stars when Nichushkin was suspended for six months and placed in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. The announcement came just before Game 4 of the second-round series, marking the second straight postseason where the right winger from Russia was unavailable because of circumstances away from the ice.

Nichushkin and the Avalanche are facing the Stars — the team that drafted him in 2013 — in a first-round series that starts Saturday in Dallas.

“His personal life’s in a really good spot,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Friday before the team boarded a plane for Dallas. ”I’m just really happy for him and proud that he put in the work."

Added teammate Logan O’Connor: "Anyone that goes through that personal adversity, it’s hard not to root for them. The comeback he’s had has been remarkable. To play at the level he has, it’s definitely something that guys are proud of for him, and we certainly root for him all the time.”

When in the lineup, the 30-year-old Nichushkin has been a valuable piece for the Avalanche. The team is 224-79-29 all-time when he plays. But he’s missed the past two playoff losses for off-the-ice issues.

Earlier this week, general manager Chris MacFarland was asked about potential trust issues given what's transpired with Nichushkin.

"I’ve got the utmost confidence and faith in Val,” MacFarland said. “I look at what he’s done on the ice and what he’s had to go through, and again, have the utmost faith in him that he’s in a great place, and he’ll continue to to grind it out here for us and be a good player.”

Nichushkin missed the opening 17 games because of the suspension before making his season debut on Nov. 15 against Washington. He’s banged up, too, and sidelined for 21 games due to a lower-body injury. Still, he finished with 21 goals and 13 assists in averaging just under 20 minutes of ice time.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Nichushkin is a “forechecking machine,” according to defenseman Erik Johnson, and contributes on special teams. He had his first regular-season hat trick last month.

“Just a player everyone needs but not everybody has,” Johnson said of Nichushkin, who was an integral part of Colorado winning the Stanley Cup in 2022. “We’re luck to have him.”

It was a blow for the Avalanche losing him against the Stars. Colorado went on to lose the series in six games.

This after Nichushkin abruptly left the team in a 2023 first-round playoff series against Seattle for what was described as personal reasons. He missed the final five games of that postseason as the Avalanche lost the series 4-3.

“He took the right necessary steps to get in a healthy place. We had his back the whole time,” O’Connor said. "He's been awesome. I think he’s really improved on his own well-being, and he’s opened up more. As a locker room, we maybe weren’t doing as good of a job making him feel open before that as well. It’s collectively been really healthy this year. You’ve seen the results on the ice, and we’re really proud of him.

"It’s been a tough journey for him, but we’re happy he’s at where he’s at. He’s in a great place.”

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Barcelona clinches its 28th La Liga title as Yamal's stunning strike seals domestic treble

2025-05-16 07:35 Last Updated At：07:40

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — This was Lamine Yamal's season.

So it just had to be the teenage phenom who scored the decisive goal to clinch Barcelona's 28th Spanish league title.

And what a goal it was for the player who still wears dental braces and sports a new dyed-blond hairdo.

The 17-year-old struck the winner in Barcelona's 2-0 victory at crosstown rival Espanyol on Thursday when he slid past two defenders outside the area and whipped one his now trademark left-footed curlers into the corner of the net.

It was a perfect culmination to Yamal's last 10 months.

After helping Spain win the European Championship last summer, Yamal excelled for Barcelona this campaign with his goals, dribbling and playmaking as he confirmed his status as the next big star of global soccer. Along with Raphinha, Pedri and company, and Barcelona was unstoppable.

“I always try my best and today I was lucky it went in,” Yamal said. "I am very happy I could help the team and celebrate it.”

Fermín López ensured the win in stoppage time after Espanyol was reduced to 10 men in the 80th when Leandro Cabrera received a direct red for hitting Yamal in the stomach while disputing a ball.

Barcelona won the title with two rounds remaining. It completed a domestic double with the Copa del Rey title — treble if you add the Spanish Super Cup — and reached the Champions League semifinals in a fantastic first season for coach Hansi Flick.

Flick’s team virtually ended Madrid’s title defense when it beat its top rival 4-3 on Sunday, making it four of four clasico victories across all competitions this season.

Madrid's victory over Mallorca on Wednesday prevented Barcelona from winning the title without playing. But the Catalan club needed just two points from its final three games of the season.

Barcelona’s players danced briefly on the field to celebrate while sprinklers doused them with water.

“You don’t win a league every day and we have to enjoy this and give it the value it has,” said Barcelona midfielder Pedri after completing his 200th game for his club at age 22.

Lionel Messi posted a message on Instagram sending his “Congratulations” for his old team. Real Madrid also congratulated its fierce rival on X, while thousands of Barcelona fans gathered to celebrate in downtown Barcelona.

Barcelona dominated the domestic competitions, winning 15 and drawing two of its league games in 2025. Toss in the cups, and the only tiny blemish was coming oh-so-close to reaching the Champions League final before it fell in gut-wrenching fashion at Inter Milan.

Yamal credited his coach for inspiring a core of players who had won nothing last season under Xavi Hernández.

“We are thankful for what Xavi have us, but it is true that coach (Flick) has given us a new life,” Yamal said.

Looking back on his arrival in the summer, Flick said that he had instilled a “positive” attitude in his team and it had adapted well to his style of play that requires a high defensive line and all-in pressing.

“Barcelona has to win titles and three titles is really great,” Flick said. “I suffered a bit after the game in Milan, but after winning three titles I am very happy and the club is too.”

Espanyol outplayed its wealthier rival in the first half. But Urko González shot wide on a counterattack early on and Javi Puado couldn’t beat Wojciech Szczesny in a one-on-one opportunity.

But Yamal's great shot in the 53rd minute put Barcelona in control. Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García, who is linked to a move to a big club this summer, including Barcelona, dove but couldn’t reach the perfectly placed shot.

On Yamal’s goal, Pedri said: “He scored two goals like that today in practice. We are fortunate to have him on our side.”

Espanyol needed to a good result from the derby as it hopes to stay out of the relegation fight. Espanyol remained in 16th place and five points from the drop zone.

The game was briefly paused by the referee in the opening minutes when a car rammed into a crowd outside the RCDE Stadium, injuring several people. Authorities said it was an accident and not related to the game.

Fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao secured a Champions League spot after winning 2-0 at Getafe.

Third-placed Atletico Madrid lost 2-0 at Osasuna, while Real Betis stumbled in its fight for a fifth-place finish and the last Champions League spot after drawing 2-2 Rayo Vallecano.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer