HAMPTON, Ga. — A frustrated Josh Williams made a dramatic exit in the caution-marred first stage of NASCAR’s Xfinity Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, leaving his car parked on the start-finish line for dramatic effect.
Four cautions covered 26 of 40 laps in the first stage, including a final yellow after debris came off Williams’ No. 92 Chevrolet and he was ordered to park his vehicle.
A frustrated Williams followed instructions, but on his terms. He parked his car on the checkered start-finish line, climbed out and walked toward his pit crew with a wave to the fans, apparently delivered with sarcasm.
Before exiting his car, Williams angrily complained to his crew on his radio it was “apparently” NASCAR regulations to park your vehicle following a wreck “of any kind.” Added Williams: “This is some bull you know what. I’ve never heard of this in my life.”
Williams was taken to the infield care center and then escorted to his team hauler without speaking to reporters.
It was an ominous start to a day filled with cautions in the Atlanta doubleheader of truck and Xfinity races. There were a race-record 11 cautions in Christian Eckes’ second career truck series win earlier Saturday.
The first caution in the Xfinity race came out on only the second lap following a collision between Ceasar Vacarella and Joev Gase. The second caution followed only 10 laps later.
DENVER — With a five-goal third-period barrage that saw a different player score each goal Friday night, the Colorado Avalanche showed the version of the team they believe can make up for last year’s first-round exit a year after winning the Stanley Cup.
The Avs cruised to a 6-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets to take a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conference quarterfinals.
“Last year, we had no goals outside of our top three forwards and defensemen,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “This year, I don’t know, you’d have to total it up, but it’s huge contributions. We’re a deeper team. There’s no question about it.”
A lack of secondary and tertiary scoring last season contributed to the Avs scoring 19 goals in the first round before they were eliminated in seven games by the Seattle Kraken.
They already have 17 goals through three first-round games this year, with 10 of them coming from beyond their first line and their top defensive pairing.
Veteran winger Zach Parise, who signed with the Avs in February to win his first Stanley Cup, staked the team to a 1-0 lead before the Jets used the second period to take a 2-1 lead through Tyler Toffoli and Josh Morrissey.
Penalties, however, played a role in grounding the Jets in the third period.
“Since I’ve been here, I thought the third was the best period we’ve played,” said Avalanche center Casey Mittelstadt, the team’s trade deadline acquisition who finished with three assists.
A power-play goal from Nathan MacKinnon tied the score a little more than two minutes into the third. The Avs took the lead through another power-play goal from Valeri Nichushkin almost two minutes later.
Goals from Artturi Lehkonen and Ross Colton extended the lead to 5-2 before Devon Toews’ empty-net goal made it 6-2 with 3:35 remaining in the game.
“I think for us, being down one in the third there, we didn’t sit back on our heels,” Colton said. “I think we just kind of took it to them. When we play with that speed and that energy, we’re a good team. Obviously, we had some power plays, but we drew them with hard work and getting in on the forecheck and putting them under pressure. It all starts with that.”
At the end of the game, there was an on-ice scrum between the Avs and Jets that saw Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon emerge with a bloodied, lacerated left hand. Dillon immediately left the ice and entered the Jets’ dressing room.
Jets coach Rick Bowness said there was no immediate update available on Dillon’s condition.
“Obviously, a scary situation there,” Morrissey said. “I don’t really have anything to say, but we’re all really concerned for him and just hoping everything is OK.”
Brad Marchand immediately reclaims the lead for Boston
Brad Marchand gives the Bruins a 3-2 lead late in the third period after the Maple Leafs tied it up.
Game 1: BOS 5, TOR 1 | Recap Game 2: TOR 3, BOS 2 | Recap | Replay Game 3: BOS 4, TOR 2 | Recap | Replay Game 4: BOS @ TOR | April 27, 8 p.m. (TBS) | Preview Game 5: TOR @ BOS | April 30, 7 p.m. (ESPN) | Preview Game 6: BOS @ TOR | May 2* | Preview Game 7: TOR @ BOS | May 4* | Preview
Sebastian Aho scores to restore the Hurricanes’ two-goal lead vs. the Islanders.
Game 1: CAR 3, NYI 1 | Recap Game 2: CAR 5, NYI 3 | Recap | Replay Game 3: CAR 3, NYI 2 | Recap | Replay Game 4: CAR @ NYI | April 27, 2 p.m. (TBS) | Preview Game 5: NYI @ CAR | April 30, 7:30 p.m. (TBS)* | Preview Game 6: CAR @ NYI | May 2* | Preview Game 7: NYI @ CAR | May 4* | Preview
Central Division
Regular-season records:
Stars: 52-21-9, 113 points Golden Knights: 45-29-8, 98 points
Noah Hanifin puts Knights on top before third period
Noah Hanifin scoops the puck and makes a nice shot to give the Knights a 2-1 lead heading into the third period versus the Stars.
Game 1: VGK 4, DAL 3 | Recap | Replay Game 2: VGK 3, DAL 1 | Recap | Replay Game 3: DAL @ VGK | April 27, 10:30 p.m. (TBS) | Preview Game 4: DAL @ VGK | April 29 (ESPN) | Preview Game 5: VGK @ DAL | May 1* | Preview Game 6: DAL @ VGK | May 3* | Preview Game 7: VGK @ DAL | May 5* | Preview
Game 1: WPG 7, COL 6 | Recap | Replay Game 2: COL 5, WPG 2 | Recap | Replay Game 3: WPG @ COL | April 26, 10 p.m. (TNT) | Preview Game 4: WPG @ COL | April 28, 2:30 p.m. (TNT) | Preview Game 5: COL @ WPG | April 30 | Preview Game 6: WPG @ COL | May 2* | Preview Game 7: COL @ WPG | May 4* | Preview
Colton Sissons finishes the rebound for Predators’ 3rd goal
Nashville extends their lead to 3-0 over the Canucks thanks to this Colton Sissons goal.
Game 1: VAN 4, NSH 2 | Recap | Replay Game 2: NSH 4, VAN 1 | Recap | Replay Game 3: VAN @ NSH | April 26, 7:30 p.m. (TBS) | Preview Game 4: VAN @ NSH | April 28, 5 p.m. (TBS) | Preview Game 5: NSH @ VAN | April 30, 10 p.m. | Preview Game 6: VAN @ NSH | May 3* | Preview Game 7: NSH @ VAN | May 5* | Preview
Anze Kopitar finds the back of the net early in overtime to lift the Kings to a Game 2 win over the Oilers.
Game 1: EDM 7, LA 4 | Recap | Replay Game 2: LA 5, EDM 4 (OT) | Recap Game 3: EDM @ LA | April 26, 10:30 p.m. (TBS) | Preview Game 4: EDM @ LA | April 28, 10:30 p.m. (TBS) | Preview Game 5: LA @ EDM | May 1 | Preview Game 6: EDM @ LA | May 3* | Preview Game 7: LA @ EDM | May 5* | Preview