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PWHL officially passes 1M attendance mark for first time

The Professional Women's Hockey League surpassed one million fans in the regular season for the first time in its three-season history, the league announced Tuesday.

In all, 120 games were played, with slightly more than 1.1 million people filling the seats for an average of 9,304 per game.

That total is an increase of 28 percent over last season, including the playoffs, and 71% over the first season of 2023-24. The average total of fans in the stands was 5,448 per game in the first season, 7,230 in the second.

On April 17, the PWHL surpassed one million fans in a single season for the first time in league history, reaching the milestone in 109 regular season games, 30% fewer than the PWHL needed to reach its first million fans.

The attendance mark was helped by the addition of the expansion Seattle Torrent and Vancouver Goldeneyes, which The Athletic reported had the largest average attendance of all franchises at home this season. Seattle averaged 12,875 fans, with Vancouver bringing in 11,234 per game.

The league is expected to announce further expansion soon.

Before that, the league will hold the Walker Cup Playoffs beginning Thursday. The top-seeded Montreal Victoire and reigning champion Minnesota Frost will meet in one semifinal, with the Boston Fleet and Ottawa Charge in the other pairing. The winners of the two best-of-five series will play for the Walker Cup.

--Field Level Media

byAlex Forten

in

April 29, 2026

PWHL officially passes 1M attendance mark for first time

The Professional Women's Hockey League surpassed one million fans in the regular season for the first time in its three-season hist...

Anze Kopitar's 2-decade career with the Los Angeles Kings ends in cheers and tears with playoff loss

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anze Kopitar skated to center ice and slowly circled, his arm raised in gratitude, while he took in one last standing ovation. His Los Angeles Kings teammates pounded their sticks on the ice before escorting him to the bench and up the tunnel for the final time.

After the final game of his career, Los Angeles Kings' Anze Kopitar, center, waves to the fans following Game 4 in the first round of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche, Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Scott Strazzante)

After the final game of his career, Los Angeles Kings' Anze Kopitar (11) skates off the ice following Game 4 in the first round of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche, Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Scott Strazzante)

Colorado Avalanche's Gabriel Landeskog, right, greets Los Angeles Kings' Anze Kopitar (11) after Kopitar's final game of his career during Game 4 in the first round of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Scott Strazzante)

Los Angeles Kings' Anze Kopitar (11) celebrates a goal by Joel Edmundson against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period of Game 4 in the first round of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Scott Strazzante)

Avalanche Kings Hockey

The Kings captain's two-decade NHL career ended Sunday with the pain ofa first-round playoff sweepby the Colorado Avalanche, yet he also basked in the love and well-wishes of every fan and teammate who came along for the last stretch of this remarkable journey.

“It was hard to keep it together, really,” Kopitar said. “Being here for 20 years, more than half of my lifetime, it’s extremely special. I really appreciate the fans.”

After arriving inLos Angelesas a raw Slovenian teenager, Kopitar played more games andscored more pointsthan anybody in Kings history. He grew into a team captain and a family man with a wife and two children.

And he won two Stanley Cups, of course.

With a formidable legacy secured, Kopitar could smile through tears as he began the next chapter of his lifein retirement.

“It’s very bittersweet, for sure," Kopitar said afterward with his kids standing nearby. "There's going to be some tears, yes, but that's the way life goes, right? It’s a circle. It’s been one hell of a ride for 20 years. The good, the bad and the ugly. Not the way we wanted to go out, but it happened, and we've got to live with it.”

Kopitar's 20th season with the Kings ended with their 5-1 loss to the powerhouse Avalanche, who have looked like the NHL's best team for most of this season. Kopitar had experience in being on the best team during Los Angeles' run to its only two championships and a Western Conference finals in a three-season stretch of glory from 2012-14.

The Kings never recaptured that excellence in his second decade, losing seven consecutive first-round playoff series, but he served as their captain for 10 years and cemented his status asa beloved sports figure in Southern California.

Even after the Avalanche won the first three games of this series, Kopitar was hopeful his career wasn't quite over. When Colorado went up 4-1 in the third period of Game 4, he realized time was short.

“It hit me with about five, six minutes to go that this could be it,” Kopitar said. “For the last 20 years, I’ve never experienced that. There’s always a next game, there’s always a next year, and now it’s done. So it’s hard to comprehend.”

His fans in Los Angeles didn’t want to say goodbye: They chanted his name repeatedly in the third period and serenaded him with “Thank you Kopi!” He got standing ovations on his final two shifts before the final horn.

He then got hugs from Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog and superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in a warm postgame handshake line.

“He’s a special guy on and off the ice with what he’s done and what he’s meant to this city,” said Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns, who spent many years playing against Kopitar with the rival San Jose Sharks.

Adrian Kempe and other Kings were in tears afterward when they contemplated life after Kopitar’s captaincy. Drew Doughty, Kopitar's teammate since 2008, was uncharacteristically lost for words.

“I'm trying not to think about it right now, but man, he had an unbelievable career,” said Doughty, now the only player left in Los Angeles from its two championship teams. “He means so much to this organization. It's going to be tough without him.”

The Kings made 11 playoff appearances with Kopitar, who played in a franchise-record 107 postseason games. Only Wayne Gretzky scored more points for Los Angeles in the playoffs than Kopitar.

He ended the regular season as the Kings' career leader in games played (1,521), assists (864), points (1,316 afterfinally passing Marcel Dionnelast month), overtime points (34) and game-winning goals (79). He scored his final goal on March 28, and he went scoreless in the four-game series against Colorado.

The farewell that began in September with his retirement announcement finally ended in late April. Kopitar has said he is moving his family back to Slovenia next year to allow his children to pursue their passions in hockey and figure skating.

“That's what they deserve,” Kopitar said of his kids. “They've been 11 years (and) 9 years with a so-called part-time dad, and now they'll get full time.”

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

byAlex Forten

in

April 29, 2026

Anze Kopitar's 2-decade career with the Los Angeles Kings ends in cheers and tears with playoff loss

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anze Kopitar skated to center ice and slowly circled, his arm raised in gratitude, while he took in one last standin...

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trolls Dillon Brooks with 'Cancun on 3' jersey after Thunder sweep

Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks has a history of getting under his opponent’s skin. Throughout the team’s series against the Oklahoma City Thunder,Brooks tried his bestto do that with Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but his attempts didn’t seem to land.

After the Thunder swept the Rockets, Gilgeous-Alexander went so far as to compliment Brooks, saying the Rockets instigator was a “really good guy.” The two evenshared an embrace on the courtand some friendly words when the series was over.

But that friendliness didn’t last long. On Tuesday, Gilgeous-Alexander dropped a photo dump on Instagram which featured an image of Brooks wearing a “Cancun on 3” jersey.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s caption was also a nod to Brooks’ villain persona.

Brooks definitely took notice of the post, responding to it by saying, “Sounds like a ghost writer.” Brooks signed that comment with “The Villain.” Rapper Drake also commented, because of course he did.

Overall, this feud — if you can call it that — feels pretty tame, especially considering Brooks’ history.

Despite Brooks’ presence, Gilgeous-Alexander still managed to put up some excellent numbers in the Thunder’s four-game sweep of the Suns. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 33.8 points in the series … and refused to engage in Brooks’ trolling tactics.

With the Thunder moving on, Gilgeous-Alexander can now focus on leading the team to back-to-back titles. After dominating in the regular season and the playoffs last year, the Thunder turned in a similarly strong performance this season, once again earning the top seed in the Western Conference.

While Brooks and the Suns turned in a good year, the team wound up as the No. 8 seed in the playoffs, meaning the road will only get tougher for Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder from here.

byAlex Forten

in

April 29, 2026

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trolls Dillon Brooks with 'Cancun on 3' jersey after Thunder sweep

Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks has a history of getting under his opponent’s skin. Throughout the team’s series against the Oklahom...

Congo creates a paramilitary mining guard backed by US and UAE funding

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) —Congoon Monday announced the creation of a paramilitary guard to secure its vast mining operations, backed by U.S. and Emirati investments, as Washington tries to lock in access to critical minerals amid afragile peace processin the troubled east.

The central African country's General Inspectorate of Mines said in a statement the new unit would be deployed gradually, with an initial 2,500 to 3,000 personnel expected to be operational by December following six months of training in military collaboration.

The paramilitary force is projected to have more than 20,000 personnel across all of Congo's 22 mining provinces by the end of 2028, with the aim of boosting investor confidence and strengthening state oversight of mineral production.

The $100 million program is funded through partnerships with the United States and United Arab Emirates, the statement said.

Congo is amajor supplier of coltan, a metallic ore that contains the rare metal tantalum, a key component in the production of smartphones, computers and aircraft engines.

The vast country has long struggled with illicit mineral trafficking and chronic insecurity, particularly in its eastern provinces, where fighting between government forces and Rwanda-backed rebels has killed thousands of people and displaced hundreds of thousands.

Congo's president aims to "clean up the entire mining sector, by eliminating practices that run counter to good governance, transparency and the traceability of minerals,” the inspector general of mines, Rafael Kabengele, said in the statement.

The paramilitary guard will take over security duties currently performed by conventional military forces. Its mandate includes securing mine sites, escorting mineral shipments to processing facilities and border crossings and protecting foreign investments.

Washington is trying to reduce China’s dominance over critical mineral supply chains. Congo and the U.S. signed a minerals partnership last year under which American firm Virtus Minerals has taken over copper-cobalt miner Chemaf. Other Western companies have expressed interest, including some assets located in rebel-held territory.

Congo produced about 40% of the world’s coltan in 2023, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. More than 15% of the world’s supply of tantalum comes from the rebel-controlled Rubaya mines in the east.

Eastern Congohas been in and out of crisis for decades, with dozens of armed groups active.

Last year, the Congolese and Rwandan governmentssigned a peace dealbrokered by the U.S., which also opened up access to critical minerals for the U.S. government and American companies.

Negotiations continue between M23 rebels and Congo. However, fighting continues on several fronts in the east.

Mwanamilongo reported from Bonn, Germany.

byAlex Forten

in

April 28, 2026

Congo creates a paramilitary mining guard backed by US and UAE funding

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) —Congoon Monday announced the creation of a paramilitary guard to secure its vast mining operations, backed by U.S...

Cyndi Lauper Curses Out Heckler During Opening Night of Las Vegas Residency

Cyndi Lauper cursed out a heckler during the opening night of her Las Vegas residency on April 24

Cyndi Lauper performs in Las Vegas on April 24, 2026Credit: Denise Truscello

NEED TO KNOW

“If you’re trying to shade me, bitch, I’m going to come for you," the singer said
Lauper is performing as part of her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

Cyndi Lauperhas no time for troublemakers.

The singer, 72, kicked off her Las Vegas residency, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Friday, April 24.

At one point, a heckler called Lauper out while she was onstage, telling her to sing and not talk. In response, the star responded, "I don’t know what the f--- he’s saying. Please remember where you are, okay?"

“If you’re trying to shade me, bitch, I’m going to come for you. I’m from Brooklyn, and if I want to f---ing talk, I will do a tap dance if I f---ing want," she continued.

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Lauper's residency in Sin City is based on her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun farewell tour that ended in August 2025 after nearly 70 shows across four continents.

The short-run set of Vegas shows feature 16 songs, multiple wigs, an onstage costume change in full view and a “community of light,” otherwise known as the audience.

The show was a story of Lauper's catalog, and colorful production on the oversized screen behind the stage used modern-day technology to enhance songs, some more than 40 years old.

For over two hours, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and her all-female band performed songs spanning Lauper's career, but mostly hits from the ‘80s and ‘90s, including “Change of Heart,” "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough” and “I Drove All Night" — a song also famously covered by former Vegas headlinerCéline Dion, who performed on the Caesars stage for the better part of 16 years."There weren't any songs on the radio about women driving, and driving is like a power thing because you don't have to be beholden to anyone,” Lauper said. “You could get in your car and drive, and so I did it as a power song.”

In the lead-up to the residency, Lauper often referred to Vegas as “Cyn City." And while she came out on stage donning an over-the-top black headpiece, à la a showgirl, she largely stayed away from Vegas clichés.

Still, Lauper was her eccentric self, speaking gleefully about art and asserting that it was the reason for her Vegas run.

“I heard there was an art community here, and I wanted to come and do art and music,” she said. "And tonight we're trying to do ... It's like an artist collaborative, okay?”

Lauper did spend a significant amount of time addressing the audience in between songs, speaking about her ties to professional wrestling, her family (even admitting she has a “cousin Vinny”) and joking about her lack of “people skills.”Not one to shy away from her politics, Lauper steered clear of the topic for the most part during the show. However, she and her band raised their fists during “True Colors” in front of the Progress Pride Flag.

Later, she spoke of herGirls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights Fund, which supports the health of women and the LGBTQ+ community.

“I think it's so important that people tell their stories, because we may not agree on politics, this or that. You have to understand the person you're talking to. You have to remember your humanity, right?” she said.

Tickets to see Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun residency can be purchasedhere.

Read the original article onPeople

byAlex Forten

in

April 28, 2026

Cyndi Lauper Curses Out Heckler During Opening Night of Las Vegas Residency

Cyndi Lauper cursed out a heckler during the opening night of her Las Vegas residency on April 24 NEED TO KNOW “If...

Angel Reese’s shot, confidence and versatility already trending up in Atlanta

CHAMBLEE, GA ― Shot by shot,Angel Reeseis finding her comfort with theAtlanta Dream.

Reese has spent the first 10 days afterher introductory press conferenceon April 17 focusing on basketball. She's praised her teammates and the "electric" environment they've provided, making her acclimation to the team "seamless." Reese also shouted out second-year head coach Karl Smesko for his coaching and guidance, helping to improve her shot.

"We’ve been working a lot. Forty-five (degrees), straight — he’s very big on analytics — so he’s helped me a lot. I can see the improvement already from yesterday to today,"Reese said on April 20. "But it’s been great. It’s been seamless. Amazing. Picking up things on the fly … but it’s been a great adjustment.”

Reese said earlier this month that she wanted to be coached hard. Smesko appears to be delivering.

On Monday, the former Florida Gulf Coast women's basketball coach spoke to his team in a calm but firm voice that noticeably cut through the silence in the gym with booming authority. Smesko, with a whistle in hand and arms extended outward, demanded extra attention to detail and focus from every player on the court.

He pointed out mistakes ― the incorrect set, a pending shot clock violation or defensive effort he wasn't pleased with ― by making his team run things again or asking them to take the reins on pointing out where they went wrong.

Smesko also heaped praise on his group when they did something well, and the team responded, including Reese, who kept up her intensity and communication throughout the portion of the practice open to the media. After practice, Reese smiled gleefully when asked about her first training camp under Smesko.

LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese drives around South Carolina's Laeticia Amihere in the second half at Colonial Life Arena on Feb. 12, 2023.