NHL:
In the NHL, the Islanders beat Buffalo 2-1, Pittsburgh bested Detroit 5-2, Carolina doubled up Washington 4-2, Chicago edged Colorado in overtime 4-3, Minnesota defeated St. Louis 3-1, Dallas blasted Nashville 5-1, Anaheim blanked Edmonton 1-0, Los Angeles won against Calgary 4-1, and it was Arizona over Winnipeg 4-2.
The Boston Bruins open 2016 this afternoon with an outdoor matchup against the rival Montreal Canadiens at Gillette Stadium in the annual NHL Winter Classic. Boston is hosting the league's showcase game for the second time after beating the Flyers at Fenway Park in 2010. Play starts at 1 p.m. on NBC.
The New York Rangers have signed forward Ryan Gropp to an entry-level contract. General manager Jeff Gorton announced the signing of the 2015 second-round draft pick on Thursday. Gropp has skated in 32 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (WHL) this season, collecting 18 goals and 14 assists. The 19-year-old leads the Thunderbirds in goals, ranks fourth on the team in points, and ranks fifth in assists. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder has 66 goals and 66 assists in 158 career WHL games over three seasons. Gropp was the 41st pick overall in the draft.
NCAA:
The College Football Championship will see No. 1 Clemson going up against No. 2 Alabama on January 11th.
Top-ranked Clemson has worked its way into the CFP title game by dominating the second half of a 37-17 win over No. 4 Oklahoma. Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson ran for a touchdown and threw for another while rolling up 332 total yards. He completed 16 of his 31 throws for 187 yards, and also ran for 145 yards on 24 carries as part of Clemson's 312-yard ground attack.
The Alabama Crimson Tide have moved into the CFP championship game by posting a 38-0 pounding of Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl. Jake Coker completed 25 of his 30 passes for 286 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry had a pair of TD runs while carrying 20 times for 75 yards.
A pair of top-10 men's basketball teams were knocked off by ranked squads on New Year's Eve. Rodney Bullock scored a career-high 25 points and Kris Dunn contributed 20, seven rebounds and nine assists as 12th-ranked Providence topped No. 9 Butler 81-73. Ryan Arcidiacono (ahr-chee-dee-ah-KAH'-noh) hit seven 3-pointers and finished with 27 points as No. 16 Villanova beat sixth-ranked Xavier 95-64.
TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin has been suspended by the team after being charged with felony assault of a police officer in a bar Thursday morning. The incident took place in San Antonio where TCU is getting ready for the Alamo Bowl. Boykin was being heckled by fans, and when police arrived, he took a swing and made contact with a police officer. The suspension brings to an end his career and prevents him from showcasing his talents for the pro scouts one final time.
NFL:
On Sunday at 1 p.m., the Jets open with their chance to make it to the playoffs when they take on the Bills in Buffalo, New England is in Miami, and Philadelphia faces the Giants.
A person with direct knowledge of discussions has told The Associated Press that the Buffalo Bills plan to cut high-priced defensive end Mario Williams this offseason. Williams has struggled in his first season under new head coach Rex Ryan.
NBA:
In the NBA, the Clippers beat New Orleans 95-89, Oklahoma City bested Phoenix 110-106, Utah defeated Portland 109-96, Golden State topped Houston 114-110, Detroit won against Minnesota 115-90, and it was Milwaukee over Indiana 120-116.
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