On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Calgary Flames prospect Andrew Basha capped off his return from a five-month injury absence by helping the Medicine Hat Tigers triumph over the Spokane Chiefs in the decisive fifth game of the 2025 WHL Championship Series on Friday night.
Basha, 19, recorded a pair of assists — including the secondary helper on Hunter St. Martin’s series-clinching goal — in Medicine Hat’s 4-2 win in Spokane on Friday, putting him up to six points in five games since returning to the lineup in Game 1.
Presumptive 2026 No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna also scored as Medicine Hat built a 3-0 lead midway through the third period. Spokane, led by Andrew Cristall (WSH), attempted to mount a comeback in the final frame before an empty-net goal by Tigers defenceman Bryce Pickford sealed the deal.
The highlight of Basha’s playoff return came in Game 3 on Tuesday, when he scored one of the nicest goals of the playoffs during 4-on-4 play to help clinch a 6-0 win — a victory that came to define the rest of the series after a back-and-forth first two games.
#Flames prospect Andrew Basha scored a beauty last night in game 3 of the WHL Championship Series
: TSN | WHL pic.twitter.com/iDczQD1yAO
— FlamesNation (@FlamesNation) May 14, 2025
The Flames originally selected Basha in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft . Many Flames fans had hoped the club would pick the local boy on Day 1 of the draft — they instead opted for Matvei Gridin with their second of two first-round selections — but they ended up having it both ways when Basha fell to Calgary at pick No. 41.
The 6’0″, 187-pound Basha racked up 30 goals and 85 points in 63 games with the Tigers during his draft year but was limited to just 29 appearances in the 2024-25 regular season before being sidelined with an ankle injury. After a long, arduous rehabilitation process, Basha hit the ice for the first time in 2025 on May 9 and made an immediate impact, scoring the first goal of the series just 54 seconds into Game 1.
WHO ELSE BUT ANDREW BASHA?!
The @NHLFlames prospect opens the scoring at the #WHLChampionship in his FIRST shift back from injury!
| @TSN_Sports
| @victoryplustv#FeedingtheFuture | #Flames | @tigershockey pic.twitter.com/sLvFrK09u5— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) May 10, 2025
The Flames signed Basha to a three-year, entry-level contract back on Sept. 29, 2024. He’s eligible to play with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers in 2025-26, or return to the Western League as an overage player.
Of course, Basha’s 2024-25 season is far from over. Now that the Tigers have won the Ed Chynoweth Cup, their next objective is to compete against the London Knights, Rimouski Océanic, and Étienne Morin’s Moncton Wildcats in the 2025 Memorial Cup.
More must-reads:
- Is Kirill Kaprizov worth a record-setting contract?
- Reporter predicts how Commanders will handle Terry McLaurin trade request
- The 'NFL mascot names' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Boston Bruins Forward Chooses to Walk Away From the NHL, Signs Multi-Year Deal Overseas
Jakub Lauko has flashed great potential as an NHLer, but now, the former third-round pick and current Boston Bruin is headed home after signing a new deal overseas. Back in 2018, the Boston Bruins used a third round pick on Czech forward Jakub Lauko, and after some promising seasons with the Providence Bruins in the AHL, it appeared as though they had a solid forward of the future on their hands. Since arriving in the NHL however, the 6-foot-1 centre has tallied just 11 goals and 28 points in 139 games played, and after putting up just 5 points in 18 games a season ago, many wondered if he indeed had a future in the National Hockey League. Now, that question has officially been answered, as the 25-year old has signed a deal overseas with HC Dynamite Pardubice of the Czech Extraliga, suggesting that he'll be heading home in 2025/26. While he was never a prolific scorer, Lauko was always seen as a very dynamic bottom-six player at the NHL level, but unfortunately he just hasn't been able to develop and consistently produce at the next level, and it's clear that he has disappointed in the league so far. At 25-years of age, there's plenty of time for Lauko to turn things around and find his way back to the NHL at some stage, but with the opportunity to play on the biggest stage back in his home country in a league that continues to grow in quality and popularity, he may want to spend the rest of his career there, but for now, he's got a great opportunity to do either one.
Tiger Woods Sends Strong Message to Retiring CBS Broadcaster on Sunday
At Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, Sunday’s final round of the 2025 Wyndham Championship closed out the PGA Tour’s regular season. It also marked the end of an era for one of golf’s most revered broadcasters. For the last time, Ian Baker-Finch manned the hole-announcing microphone for CBS Sports, capping 30 years in the booth following a playing career that peaked with his victory at the 1991 Open Championship. Before the day was over, Tiger Woods took to X to salute "Finchy." "Congrats Finchy for 30 incredible years behind the microphone. You brought insight into things that the viewing audience could understand and relate to. From all of us—thanks for the memories." The message joined tributes from Jack Nicklaus, Jason Day, Adam Scott and others, underscoring Baker-Finch’s standing among champions past and present. Ian Baker-Finch: From Major Champion to Broadcast Mainstay Baker-Finch turned pro in 1979, winning 17 professional tournaments worldwide. His lone major title came at Royal Birkdale in 1991, where he secured the Open Championship by five strokes. After retiring in the mid-1990s, Baker-Finch transitioned smoothly into broadcasting. He cut his teeth as an analyst on Australian television before joining ESPN and ABC in 1998. In 2007, he became CBS Sports’ dedicated hole announcer, a role he held through 2025, calling golf’s defining moments with a blend of technical acumen and warm delivery. Over 19 seasons with CBS, he covered five Masters and contributed to countless PGA Tour telecasts. Throughout Woods’ five green-jacket haul (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019), Baker-Finch was a trusted on-course voice that helped demystify championship golf for television audiences. As a player, Baker-Finch remains one of only seven Australian men to win a major championship and is one of a select few to dominate links golf on British soil. As a broadcaster, Baker-Finch’s voice guided generations of fans through golf’s signature moments, shaping how millions understand the game’s subtleties. When the G.O.A.T. of professional golf uses his platform to honor your contribution to the sport, it signals a broadcast career worth remembering.
Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love’s ‘Fiery’ Response to Wife’s Take on Franchise’s Timeless Tradition
DK Metcalf makes huge claim about Steelers defense
D.K. Metcalf has faced plenty of steep competition through his first six NFL seasons, both during games and practice, but the star wide receiver has noticed something different in his first training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During an interview with Ian Rapoport and Steve Smith of NFL Network on Sunday, Metcalf discussed some of his first impressions of the Steelers. He spoke about how challenging it has been to go up against cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay every day. When asked how the practice competition compares to what he saw with the Seattle Seahawks, Metcalf made a bold claim about his new teammates. "You don't want my opinion, because I think they're the best defense I've ever seen," Metcalf said. "There's some dogs everywhere on the field, and I tip my hat to them because they come to work every day and we don't have any choice but to get better." There is no question that the Steelers should have one of the best defensive backfields in the NFL on paper. While they sent five-time Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins in the Ramsey trade, their cornerback trio of Ramsey, Porter and Slay is as talented as any in the league. The Steelers allowed 20.4 points per game last year, which ranked eighth in the NFL. Their pass defense surrendered 228 yards per game, which only ranked 25th. If Metcalf's assessment is accurate, Pittsburgh should show great improvement against the pass in 2025.
Michael Soroka embraces 'new life' ahead of Cubs' debut vs. Reds
Michael Soroka is scheduled to make his Chicago Cubs debut when the right-hander takes the mound against the visiting Cincinnati Reds in the opener of the teams' three-game series on Monday night. Soroka (3-8, 4.87 ERA) was acquired from the Washington Nationals on Wednesday for the No. 13 and 14 prospects in the Chicago farm system in shortstop Ronny Cruz and outfielder Christian Franklin. "It's new life," Soroka said. "Kind of like a new start to the season for me. You get some long days in July. You're looking forward to this [MLB] trade deadline and seeing what happens. Obviously, joining a team like this, it's a new breath of adrenaline and life. So looking to take that through the end of the season and, hopefully, help this team compete for a World Series." Soroka spent his first four major league seasons with the Atlanta Braves, developing a friendship with current Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson. Soroka missed the 2021 and 2022 seasons after twice rupturing his Achilles tendon but got to witness Atlanta's run to the World Series up close in 2021. "Although it was exciting to be along with the team and a lot of guys that I played with those previous couple years, it's still something that's burning me to this day that I really didn't do a ton that year," he said. "I didn't throw a pitch, so looking to rewrite that and have new memories this time." Soroka will go from pitching in front of one of the poorest defenses in the majors to one of the best. "It's exciting," he said. "A goal this year was coming in and being relentless inside the strike zone. It helps a ton when the defense is as good as it is. I obviously got to watch Dansby for a long time with the Braves, and this is a team, from the outside looking in, you see that as well." Soroka is 1-2 in three career starts against the Reds with a 3.94 ERA. He will face a Cincinnati team that spent the previous two days in Bristol, Tenn., trying to squeeze in the first MLB game played in Tennessee. The weather finally was good enough for the Reds to face the Atlanta Braves on Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway. Cincinnati lost 4-2 in the rubber match of the three-game series after the first two games were played in Ohio. Nick Lodolo (8-6, 3.09 ERA) is set to take the mound for the Reds in the series opener on Monday. He is coming off a solid July in which he went 3-1 in five starts with a 1.89 ERA. The left-hander most recently received a no-decision after holding the Los Angeles Dodgers to two runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings last Tuesday, striking out a season-high 11 batters in his team's 5-4 loss. He handed over a 4-2 lead to the bullpen, but Los Angeles scored two runs in the seventh and one run in the ninth. The start was the career-high 22nd of the season for Lodolo. "It means a lot," he said of his starts. "That was my goal I set out for in the offseason. ... I don't want to just barely beat [his career high in starts], I want to blow past it. I feel good and in a position to do that." Lodolo is 2-2 in seven career starts against the Cubs with a 4.46 ERA.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
