Flames Coach Addresses Unfortunate Filip Chytil's Puck-to-Head Moment
Vancouver Canucks forward Filip Chytil’s first goal of the season came in one of the strangest and most brutal sequences one could imagine.
The Canucks forward fired a shot that smashed Calgary Flames defenseman Kevin Bahl in the head, tracked the ricochet, and buried the rebound to double Vancouver’s lead in a 5–1 rout Thursday night at Rogers Arena.
The bizarre play unfolded just under three minutes into the third period. Chytil had just stepped out of the penalty box and skated into the slot before releasing a quick wrister toward the net. The puck struck Bahl squarely in the back of the helmet, dropping the six-foot-six blueliner to the ice.
As Bahl crumpled and Flames goalie Dustin Wolf lost track of the puck while most players were left a bit paralyzed by the situation, the puck bounced right back to Chytil, who calmly collected it and swept it into the open net for a 2–0 lead.
Bahl left the ice visibly shaken, did not return to the game, and left Flames head coach Ryan Huska addressing the situation postgame and pointing to that moment as the game changer on Thursday.
“It was an unfortunate play on their second goal,” Huska said. “That was a tough one for us to give up. … The next goal we gave up, we missed a grade-A chance in front of the net, we missed the net, and they ended up coming back with that breakaway, and that was pretty much it. The game got away from us after that.”
The goal capped a chaotic stretch that turned the game in Vancouver’s favor. Just minutes later, Chytil struck again to make it 3–0.
The brace marked Chytil’s seventh career two-goal game, and his first since joining the Canucks in the offseason trade that sent J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers.
For Chytil, who missed the final two months of last season with a concussion, scoring twice in his return to the ice seemed to be a meaningful moment.
“I just want to be the best version of myself,” he said. “This was the first game, and there’s still room to work on so many things. I can be happy until midnight that we won, and tomorrow is another day.”
Vancouver head coach Adam Foote, who earned his first win behind the bench, praised the 26-year-old’s resilience and timing.
“He’s a big piece for us,” Foote said. “For him to be healthy and contribute like that is huge.”
The Canucks will visit the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday for their second game of the season, with puck drop scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
BREAKING: Ex-Bears Cut by Giants From Practice Squad After 2 Weeks, Pleads for Bears Reunion
Chicago, IL – Cornerback Greg Stroman Jr., a former Chicago Bears player, has been released by the New York Giants from their practice squad just a few days after joining, leaving him back on the free-agent market. The move occurred on the evening of October 7, and Stroman has quickly expressed his desire to return to the Bears – the team he once called home.
Stroman, 28, was a seventh-round pick by the Washington Commanders in the 2018 NFL Draft. After stints with the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams, he joined the Bears in 2022, playing in 4 games, recording 5 tackles, and making an impact on special teams. However, he was cut from the Bears' 53-man roster in August 2024 to make room for new talent. Recently, Stroman signed a practice squad deal with the Giants on October 1, but was let go shortly after.
On X, Stroman posted: "Giants gave me a brief shot, but my heart is still in Chicago. Bears, if you need a CB for special teams or depth, I’m ready to fight! #BearDown." The post garnered support from Bears fans, especially given the team’s current challenges on defense.
Currently, the Bears are grappling with an injury crisis at the running back (RB) position. D'Andre Swift suffered an ankle sprain during the 21-28 loss to the Lions on October 5 and is expected to miss 2-3 weeks. Roschon Johnson also sustained a hamstring issue, exiting after just 15 snaps. Travis Homer, the only remaining backup, has yet to exceed 50 rushing yards in any game this season. This situation has forced the team to consider roster adjustments, and Stroman – with 29 NFL games, 65 tackles, and 3 interceptions under his belt – could be a temporary solution if called back to the practice squad.
GM Ryan Poles has not commented, but with the defense needing depth, Stroman’s chances of returning to Soldier Field appear promising. Fans are eagerly awaiting the coaching staff’s decision.
BREAKING: Jason Varitek Emerges as Red Sox’s Emotional Choice to Replace Cora — “I’ll Never Turn My Back on This Clubhouse” Ignites Fenway With Hope and Nostalgia
In a move that could blend nostalgia with new leadership, the Boston Red Sox are reportedly considering Jason Varitek as a leading candidate to replace Alex Cora as manager if the two sides fail to agree on an extension.
According to a report from The Athletic, the Fenway Sports Group has placed Varitek high on its shortlist — a decision that has already sent ripples of excitement through Red Sox Nation. For fans who grew up during Boston’s championship runs in the early 2000s, the idea of “Captain Tek” returning to lead the clubhouse feels like something out of a baseball dream.
“This move would electrify Boston — and heal the fanbase,” wrote The Athletic’s insider piece.
Varitek, now 52, has been a part of the Red Sox coaching staff since 2021, serving as game-planning coordinator and assistant to Cora. He has long been viewed as one of the most respected minds in the organization — a bridge between the franchise’s golden years and its uncertain present.
When asked about the speculation, Varitek didn’t deny his interest, offering a quote that instantly resonated with fans:
“I’ll never turn my back on this clubhouse.”
The words carried the same quiet strength that defined his playing days. For years, Varitek was the heartbeat of Boston’s dynasty — the captain who guided a mix of veterans and underdogs through two World Series titles and the historic 2004 comeback against the Yankees. His leadership, intensity, and deep understanding of the Red Sox culture made him one of the most beloved figures in franchise history.
Now, nearly two decades later, the idea of him stepping into Cora’s shoes feels both poetic and powerful.
“This is more than a managerial discussion — it’s an emotional reconnection,” said one team executive. “Jason represents everything Fenway stands for: accountability, pride, and unity. If Cora moves on, there’s no better person to carry that torch.”
Alex Cora’s future remains uncertain. Despite his success and deep connection with players, recent reports suggest he may be exploring opportunities beyond Boston, possibly in broadcasting or front-office roles. While both sides have expressed mutual respect, insiders believe contract negotiations have stalled over long-term vision and control.
For fans, however, the potential of Varitek stepping into the role has sparked something rare in recent seasons — optimism. After years of managerial turnover and inconsistent results, the thought of a homegrown legend leading the dugout again feels like a return to identity.
“He knows what it means to wear that jersey,” said former teammate David Ortiz in a recent interview. “Tek was the voice when things got tough. If he manages, he’ll make everyone play for the name on the front, not the one on the back.”
The Red Sox, who have spent much of the offseason evaluating both leadership and roster structure, appear to be at a crossroads. Hiring Varitek would be a sentimental yet strategic decision — a move that unites generations of fans while giving the clubhouse a familiar face of authority.
Those close to Varitek describe him as a meticulous planner, deeply analytical, yet emotionally grounded. “He’s not a yeller,” said one Red Sox player. “He’s a teacher. When Tek talks, you listen — not because you have to, but because you want to.”
Whether or not Cora stays, the conversation around Varitek has already reignited Boston’s passion.
At a time when Fenway Park feels caught between eras — the past’s glory and the future’s uncertainty — Jason Varitek represents something rare in modern baseball: continuity. A thread connecting triumph, tradition, and tomorrow.
For the Red Sox, it may not just be about finding a new manager. It might be about finding their soul again.
