In Wednesday’s “On Sports,” struggling Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry gave his first interview since being sent down to the American Hockey League last week. Meanwhile, in his place, Alex Nedeljkovic has put together some nice starts back-to-back.
Plus, a couple of former Steeler quarterbacks are chasing a Super Bowl appearance with their new teams.
Finally, Duquesne, enjoying an impressive turnaround since beginning the year 0-6, suffered a lopsided loss at the hands of Dayton on Tuesday night.
Jarry speaks in Wilkes-Barre
Tristan Jarry, demoted to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Jan. 16 after going unclaimed on waivers, chatted with Inside AHL Hockey’s Tony Androckitis on Tuesday.
Jarry, who is in the second year of a five-year contract worth $5.375 million annually, struggled during his time in Pittsburgh this season, going 8-8-4 with a 3.31 goals-against average and .886 save percentage.
“I think it was just the inconsistency of my game, within games and playing consecutively that ultimately led me back here,” Jarry told Androckitis.
“It is a different situation for me. It’s something that I’m going to have to learn, and I guess something that I’m going to have to adapt to. Being back down here, I want to help the team as much as possible and do everything I can to help them play well so I get another opportunity (in the NHL).”
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton does not play again until Friday.
Jarry, who had previously joined the AHL Penguins in late October for a few weeks on a conditioning assignment, compiled a 4-1 record, 2.16 GAA and .926 save percentage over five starts.
Meanwhile, back with the NHL club, Alex Nedeljkovic has looked good in net for the Penguins since Jarry departed.
After making NHL history during Friday’s win vs. Buffalo by becoming the first goalie to notch an assist and score a goal in the same game, Nedeljkovic followed it up with a 26-save performance Monday in the Penguins’ victory over the L.A. Kings.
Over that span Nedeljkovic has denied 65 of opponents’ 68 shots on goal for a save percentage of .956.
More sports
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• Penguins find balance with Erik Karlsson-Matt Grzelcyk defensive pairing
• Paul Skenes 1-of-1 autographed rookie card found
Curious possibility for Super Bowl LIX
Two discarded former Steelers quarterbacks are knocking on the door of the Super Bowl.
Mitch Trubisky of the Buffalo Bills and Kenny Pickett of the Philadelphia Eagles are in backup roles ahead of the AFC and NFC Championship games set for Sunday.
Trubisky, who is back as Josh Allen’s backup (the same role he played there in 2021 before joining the Steelers for two seasons), has appeared in nine games this season, completing 19 of 26 passes for 179 yards and two scores.
Over 12 games (seven starts) with the Steelers in 2022 and ‘23, Trubisky went 2-5 with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Pickett has played in five games while serving as Jalen Hurts’ backup, going 25 of 42 with two touchdowns and an interception.
With Hurts out with a concussion, Pickett started against the Cowboys on Dec. 29.
Buffalo’s path to the Super Bowl runs through Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium while Pickett and the Eagles host the Washington Commanders.
Dukes thumped by Dayton
Duquesne men’s basketball suffered its worst conference loss yet Tuesday at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, falling 82-62 to Dayton.
The defeat, only the second by the Dukes since Dec. 14, dropped them to 9-10 (4-2 Atlantic 10).
Tre Dinkins led the Dukes with 14 points in the losing effort while Dayton’s Enoch Cheeks, a Robert Morris transfer, paced all scorers with 23.