MIAMI (AP) — Have a day, Mika Zibanejad.

He made Sweden’s Olympic team, had a hat trick and put together the first five-point NHL outdoor game in history, all in the span of a few hours, to help the New York Rangers beat the Florida Panthers 5-1 on Friday night in the Winter Classic — the first outdoor game played in the Sunshine State.

Artemi Panarin scored twice, Alexis Lafrenière had three assists and Igor Shesterkin stopped 36 shots for the Rangers, who improved to 6-0-0 when playing outdoors.

“I think it’s hard to grasp the whole day,” Zibanejad said. “But yeah, a great 12, 16 hours. It’s been a fun day.”

Sam Reinhart scored for Florida, which was playing outdoors for the first time and lost for the fourth time in its last six contests overall. The Panthers gave up goals to Zibanejad and Panarin 64 seconds apart late in the first period, giving New York a 2-0 lead, and the Rangers kept control the rest of the way.

Panthers coach Paul Maurice said the NHL deserved enormous credit for pulling off an event he called “spectacular.”

“A Southern setting (and) the ice was fine,” Maurice said. “The spectacle was incredible. It was just brilliant, the entire kind of weekend. … I would imagine the Rangers really loved it. But for the losing coach, it was an incredible memory.”

Florida outshot New York 37-20 and had 38 hits to New York’s 20, but watched the Rangers block of its 27 shot attempts.

The star of the night was Zibanejad, who reached five points in a game for the fourth time.

“He’s one of our core players,” Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said. “We rely on him in so many circumstances out there on both sides of the puck.”

Zibanejad’s third goal was an empty-netter with 1:28 left. Rangers fans tried throwing hats to no avail; the seats were too far from the ice for any of them to get even close to the playing surface.

“We have amazing support wherever we go,” Zibanejad said.

The roof was open, as were the huge window panels behind what typically is left field at loanDepot Park — home of Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins. There was some snow falling from the edges of the stadium, there were blasts of fire and after years of planning, there was hockey on a baseball field.

“Awesome experience,” Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad said. “Really happy I was able to able to experience something like this. Would have loved to get the win, but at the end of the day, a true first-class experience.”

Did it work? Outdoor ice typically doesn’t hold up with temperatures in the 60s, and there were some player complaints that the surface wasn’t conducive to speedy play. But it worked well enough for the Rangers, who were 4-6-3 in their last 13 games coming into Friday.

“These events are a lot more fun and a lot more memorable when you win,” Zibanejad said.

The temperature of 63 degrees Fahrenheit (17 Celsius) at game time was the second-warmest of any of the NHL’s 44 outdoor games that have counted in the standings. It was 2 degrees cooler than on Feb. 27, 2016, when Detroit beat Colorado at Denver’s Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies.

The Rangers — with a snow effect around their walkway — were called to the ice at 8:13 p.m. The Panthers — as fire shot skyward along their path — came out about a minute later. And that’s about when snowflakes began falling from the top of the stadium, as the roof continued opening.

There was another celebration before faceoff, when Rangers and Panthers players who will be part of the U.S. Olympic hockey team at the Milan Cortina Games next month were introduced. Panthers defenseman Seth Jones made the team earlier Friday, as did injured Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk.

Tkachuk placed an American flag over Jones’ shoulders and the crowd roared.

It was a spectacle, as expected. The Rangers showed up in all-white outfits, as if it was a beach day. The Panthers came with a “Miami Vice” theme, wearing white suits, pastel shirts and even showing up in Ferraris instead of a bus.

“If you would have asked me 25 years ago … this might be the last place that I thought it would take place,” Sullivan said. “So, I just think it speaks volumes for technology and its advancements and the ability to put a sheet of ice down in this type of environment.”

Up next

Rangers: Host Utah on Monday.

Panthers: Host Colorado on Sunday.

___

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

Before each game, Furones and Perkins will select a “Best Bet” and a “Longshot.” The “Best Bet” selection is a near 50-50 proposition while the “Longshot” is at least +300 or a 3-to-1 probability.

They don’t place dollar amounts on their bets, but you’re welcome to wager as much as you can afford.

Furones is 9-7 on his “Best Bets” while Perk is 3-13. On the “Longshot,” Furones is 5-11 and Perk has slumped to 3-13.

Perkins and Furones use the Hard Rock Bet app for odds. Be sure to check the Sun Sentinel predictions for Sunday’s overall outlook.

By the way, this week’s Dolphins prop bet options were limited due to uncertainty regarding their injury situation.

Perk’s Best Bet: Rhamondre Stevenson anytime TD (-110)

The Miami Dolphins‘ run defense remains feast or famine. And while TreVeyon Henderson is the Patriots’ leader in yards and touchdowns, I could see Stevenson crossing the goal line once on Sunday. Besides, I could use some good fortune here.

Furones’ Best Bet: TreVeyon Henderson over 57.5 rushing yards (-115)

The rookie has been excellent from a yards-per-carry standpoint. It’s not a big number because he splits the workload with Stevenson. I wonder about Dolphins tackling as they get deeper in a cold-weather game after having to bring down the two all evening.

Furones lost his Best Bet last week of running back De’Von Achane rushing for 74.5 yards or fewer while Perk lost his Best Bet of tight end Darren Waller achieving 24.5 or more yards receiving.

Perk’s Longshot: Rasul Douglas over 0.5 INT (+800)

Douglas, Miami’s top cornerback, is the team leader in interceptions (two) so it makes sense that he could get one on Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. The Dolphins have been more adept at forcing turnovers in the second half of the season and Douglas has had a good year, so he gets the nod here. By the way, a good pass rush would likely help him get an interception.

Furones’ Longshot: Julian Hill anytime TD (+700)

Hey, what better time than now for Hill to score his first career touchdown? Darren Waller is out, De’Von Achane is doubtful, Jaylen Waddle questionable, and after Greg Dulcich just caught one from Quinn Ewers last game. Maybe this is Hill’s chance slipping away off play action near the goal line.

Perk lost his Longshot last week of a Waller anytime TD while Furones lost his Longshot of tight end Cade Otton having an anytime TD.

And they were armed with paintbrushes, not hockey sticks.

The Panthers — a few hours before their Winter Classic outdoor game at the Miami Marlins’ ballpark against the New York Rangers — unveiled a couple dozen panther sculptures, all painted in a unique way and now being auctioned off with hopes of raising $1 million for cancer research.

Gretzky commissioned a sculpture that displays some of his stats, Johnson arranged one depicting a scene from Augusta National, Bublé’s is adorned in rhinestone braille, the NBA’s Heat commissioned a pair of sculptures with some of the team’s themes, artist Romero Britto painted one as well and Navratilova didn’t technically paint hers — she dipped tennis balls into paint and then served them into the panther, creating a polka-dotted splash of various colors.

“To be able to have the privilege to reach out and make those contacts and have those folks say, ‘Of course,’ what a gift that was,” Panthers general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito said. “It’s just so neat.”

About $700,000 has been raised already, Zito said. The idea for the fundraiser — “Panthers on the Prowl,” they call it — is loosely built around Chicago’s “Cows on Parade” art project. Zito and his wife Julie co-chair the Panthers’ project; she is a breast cancer survivor, and Zito has lost a number of relatives to the disease.

“It was my wife Julie’s idea,” Zito said. “And we lived in Chicago during ‘Cows on Parade,’ and then Romero Britto said we should auction them. I can’t take credit for any of it.”

Many of the panthers were on display at LoanDepot Park on Friday, where about 35,000 fans attending the Winter Classic would see them.

“There’s a tear and a smile,” Zito said. “And then you think, you know what, there’s a reason that everybody is engaged. There’s a reason that everybody gave their time and their talent. And it’s because it works and it’s right.”

The 24-year-old Bragg was a 17th-round draft pick by the Twins in 2023. He finished last season with Double-A Wichita.

Wagaman batted .250 with 28 doubles, nine home runs and 53 RBIs in 140 games as a rookie last season for the Marlins, finishing strong with a team-leading .328 average over 61 at-bats during the month of September. The 28-year-old Wagaman started 94 games at first base and 13 games in left field in 2025, after appearing in 18 games with the Los Angeles Angels in his debut in 2024.

Drafted in the 13th round in 2017 by the New York Yankees, Wagaman was designated for assignment earlier this week by the Marlins. He’ll provide the Twins more potential depth at first base along with Kody Clemens behind veteran Josh Bell, who signed a one-year, $7 million contract last month.

Lee stumbled early, but has since found his footing to become his team’s leading scorer five of the past seven games. The 6-foot-4, 180-pound Canadian now stands as perhaps the No. 22 Gators (8-4) most important and improved player entering conference play Saturday night at Missouri (10-3).

“He’s come a long way, just being comfortable, being consistent,” coach Todd Golden said. “He’s showing the player we knew he was capable of being when we got him. I’m happy for him. I’m happy for us. It’s given us a big lift.

“Now he’s got to do it in SEC play.”

Lee still has room to grow and areas to address.

Despite Golden’s efforts in the transfer portal, Florida’s backcourt has lagged behind while shouldering the Herculean task of replacing the legendary, national championship-winning trio of Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin and Will Richard.

“They won it all, so it’s not the easiest thing in the world,” Lee said. “But it’s a new year. We’re trying not to recreate. We’re trying to do something ourselves.”

Lee and Co. hope to rise to the occasion during the Gators’ title defense.

A more traditional point guard than Clayton, Arkansas transfer Boogie Fland organizes the offense and excels as an on-ball defender, but has had limited impact offensively. Lee hasn’t provided the outside shooting and defensive tenacity of Martin or Richards. Ohio University transfer AJ Brown of Orlando is on track to redshirt after offseason shoulder surgery.

Although they are one of the nation’s top rebounding teams, led by bruising center Rueben Chinyelu and frenetic power forward Alex Condon, the Gators are still shooting a Power Four-worst 28.15% from 3-point range — including 25.3% for Lee and 22.2% for Fland.

“Our margin of error is a little thinner with the 3-point shooting percentage,” Golden said. “But we’re big. We’re athletic. We put pressure on the glass on both ends of the floor. If we can shoot it a little bit better, we can be pretty dang good.”

Early on, Lee became the face of Florida’s 3-point woes during Golden’s quest to find a shotmaker even in the same universe as Clayton. Lee was 7-of-42 from long range (17%) before  a 4-of-9 effort in a loss to TCU. Lee finally got on track three games later, shooting 4-of-7 from 3-point range against George Washington.

“It’s the player that we expected when we when we brought him in,” Golden said a few days after the 80-70 win in Sunrise. “I made a joke with him at practice. I said, ‘No, turning back. Now you’ve arrived.’ It’s time to keep this up for the rest of the year.”

Lee’s 3-point shooting remains a work in progress, but other aspects of his game are on point a season after he averaged 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists at Princeton to earn All-Ivy League first-team honors for the second time. He leads the Gators with 45 assists — against just 18 turnovers — and averages 4.6 rebounds, best among Florida guards by a 2-to-1 ratio.

“I’ve usually been a scorer, shooter my career,” he said. “When that’s not going too well for me, I try and make sure I’m trying to impact the game however I can. I feel like I’m a winner first, no matter what it is.”

Lee is at his best in the open court, where his athletic ability shined during a 19-point, six-rebound, five-assist, zero-turnover night during a narrow loss Dec. 9 against No. 5 UConn. In New York City’s Madison Garden, Lee showcased the creativity developed on the playgrounds of Toronto amid the pandemic.

COVID’s spread shut down the Canadian AAU circuit for around 15 months. A shoulder injury had begun to shift Lee’s focus from baseball, but a growth spurt coupled by daily pickup games amid the pandemic spurred his basketball future.

“I would bike to the park and would play pickup in the park every day,” he recalled. “That’s where my play style comes from, and just my love of the game. That’s kind of where my story started.”

Lee’s journey led him to the Perkiomen School in New Oxford, Pa., during the fall of 2021 where future Florida teammate Tommy Haugh also played. Lee left for Princeton after one season.

The academic rigors of the Ivy League and basketball became a high-wire juggling act requiring time management and moral support. It helped that roommate Caden Pierce was a fellow economics major, but Lee’s self-reliance and diligence were tested.

“It’s a great education — the degree’s amazing,” he said. “But it was equally as challenging. Being a Princeton basketball player, you don’t get any (extra) help, in terms of the school. You get the help that the class provides, which is valid. But it’s a lot harder when you’re practicing every day.

“We were really in there by ourselves.”

But Lee’s parents, both lawyers in Toronto, instilled the value of education. Athletics were his own thing.

Three seasons at Princeton and a wave of Canadian success in hoops, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Andrew Wiggins and former Gator Andrew Nembhard, eventually made Lee a top transfer target in America and marketable back back home.

Lee signed a multi-year deal with international footwear brand Serious Player Only to become the first NCAA athlete with an international shoe endorsement and earn him a reported $6 million in total NIL earnings.

“They believe in me, and I believe in their product,” Lee said. “They want to be one of next big name in the shoe space and apparel game.”

Lee has been taking orders, especially SPO’s DryLite Training Pants and socks, since Haugh  helped lure his former teammate to Gainesville to help rebuild Florida’s backcourt.

A dozen pairs of pants arrived during the fall for his fellow Gators.

“They all ask for the baggy pants,” he joked.

Lee now has a chance to win over the fan base.

A few more 3-pointers, some clutch shot-making a la Clayton and more playmaking in the open court should put the 21-year-old on solid footing.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Acquired in the offseason from the Los Angeles Clippers at the low, low, low price (with all due respect) of Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson (who were rerouted to the Utah Jazz in the three-team trade), Powell now has the Heat’s four highest-scoring games of the season.

The latest was Thursday night’s 36 points in the 118-112 road victory over the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena, two points off his season-high against the New York Knicks in November.

In addition to the performances against the Knicks and Pistons, Powell also had a 33-point game in November against the Cleveland Cavaliers and a 32-point game in November against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Factor in a 30-point game at the start of last month against the Clippers, and Powell stands with five of the Heat’s eight 30-point games this season (the others being 31-point outings by Andrew Wiggins, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Bam Adebayo).

Thursday night’s 36-point performance largely was built off 7-of-14 3-point shooting, often manipulating the stout Detroit defense to create his own shooting space.

“He was getting so many of his points in random situations, and you need to against a good defense,” coach Erik Spoelstra said, with the Heat next turning their attention to Saturday’s 5 p.m. visit by the Minnesota Timberwolves to Kaseya Center. “You can’t just always run a play call. But Norm was getting them in transition.

“He was getting them on random catch-and-goes, offense rebounds, relocations. And he has a great skill for that, and we want to lean into that.”

To Powell, it was doing what was necessary, with the Heat again without sidelined Tyler Herro and Pelle Larsson.

“They were denying me, so I really had to hunt in transition to get some good looks,” Powell said. “I was able to do that throughout the course of the game.”

Sometimes, Powell said, it has to be Plan B.

“They’re going to take us out of our first and second and third options,” he said of quality opposing defenses. “So we got to be able to adjust and work the ball around and get the looks that we want.”

Most importantly during the winning streak, Powell said, is to let it roll.

“I think a lot of times around the league, when you start winning, you let things slide because you’re getting Ws,” he said. “But in winning, you can still have lessons in ways you can get better. So as long as we continue to focus on how we can continue to improve, that’s the biggest thing, you know, not letting our wins cover up all the mistakes.”

Injury report

The Heat’s injury report for Saturday features a few twists, including Keshad Johnson being sent to the G League for the first time this season.

In addition, Larsson’s ankle sprain might wind up being a one-game absence, with Larsson upgraded to questionable.

Herro, though, remains out, to miss his 12th game with a toe bruise.

Listed as probable with nagging ailments are Adebayo (back), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (thigh) and Nikola Jovic (elbow).

Remaining on G League assignment are two-way players Vlad Goldin and Jahmir Young.

On the Heat injury report but listed as available are Simone Fontecchio (ankle) and Dru Smith (elbow).

Jaquez for the W

For all Powell accomplished Thursday, it ultimately came down to an 8-foot baseline jumper from Jaquez that put it away for the Heat with 29 seconds to play, creating a four-point lead.

“Jaime really kind of just settled in, and they didn’t double, and he just got to a spot that he was very comfortable with, and he put it away,” Spoelstra said

It capped a 9-of-13, 19-point night for Jaquez.

For Jaquez, it was a matter of getting back to his basics.

“I saw everybody hugged up on their man and an opportunity to go down and make a play,” he said. “Just get into my spot that I know I’m comfortable in and just trying to win a game.”

Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff noted the impact of Jaquez’s conversion.

“Just down the stretch they made a tough shot over the top of us that gave them a little bit of cushion,” Bickerstaff said.

The Knights (11-1, 0-0 Big 12) are set to host No. 17 Kansas (9-3, 0-0 Big 12) at Addition Financial Arena (2 p.m., Peacock).

UCF celebrated its first Big 12 home victory against the Jayhawks, clinching a 65-60 win on January 10, 2024. However, since then, the Knights have lost three consecutive games to Kansas.

Still, with 13 newcomers on the roster, this team is totally different from past teams.

“It’s important for us to understand that we have some experience,” said UCF coach Johnny Dawkins. “We have some guys who have been in big moments before on different teams. That experience, combined with what they’ve accomplished at their previous stops, will help them as we move into the Big 12. Obviously, this is the toughest league in college basketball.”

UCF began the week ranked No. 36 in the latest NCAA NET rankings, rolling through its non-conference schedule with quality wins over Pittsburgh and Texas A&M, with the only loss coming against No. 11 Vanderbilt.

The Knights are ranked 10th among Big 12 teams in the latest ESPN Power Index, with the seventh-most demanding remaining schedule in the conference. The Jayhawks are ranked 4th overall and feature the second-most difficult remaining schedule.

Kansas, meanwhile, has a No. 16 NET ranking despite three losses to ranked opponents: No. 25 North Carolina (87-74), No. 5 Duke (78-66) and No. 5 UConn (61-56).

“You want to play those types of teams,” said UCF forward Jamichael Stillwell. “It’s a big opportunity, another opportunity to get better. I feel like it’s another chance to prove myself on the bigger stage.”

UCF kicks off conference play as one of the top three-point shooting teams in the league, hitting 41% of its shots from beyond the arc. In contrast, Kansas boasts the league’s toughest three-point defense, limiting opponents to just 25% accuracy from long range.

Riley Kugel (22-55), Carmelo Pacheco (22-55) and Jordan Burks (21-53) are among the top 3-point shooters for the Knights at about 40%.

Kansas is led by forward Flory Bidunga, who is averaging 14.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, and guard Tre White, who is averaging 14.5 points and 7 rebounds per game. True freshman guard Darryn Peterson is averaging 19.3 points in just four games.

A win over the Jayhawks would extend UCF’s winning streak to 11 games, the longest since the 2011-12 season. It would also improve the program’s overall record against ranked foes to 4-16 since joining the Big 12 in 2023. Yet, Dawkins doesn’t want to put too much onus on a win over Kansas.

“They are going to count the same for us,” he said. “We did the same thing through preseason. We didn’t put too much on one game or another. We approached every game the same way, and our guys did a really good job of staying focused. We have to do the same thing through conference play.”

“We’re just trying to go 1-0 every game we play,” added Burks. “We don’t really look at what’s on the front or the back of the jersey. Our biggest competition is ourselves. So we just got to dive in and play UCF basketball.”

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.

The big news for the Dolphins on Thursday night was that Aikman, who also serves as a NFL television analyst, will assist the franchise in its search for a general manager. The Dolphins parted ways with ex-general manager Chris Grier on Halloween.

“I’m not opposed to more information ever,” McDaniel said. “I think (in) prioritizing the importance of a decision, you educate yourself. And I think Troy Aikman speaks for himself in terms of his relationships that he’s had within the National Football League and knows a lot of things. Information is a positive to me. And being able to resource that, we’re fortunate. I’m excited for that.”

McDaniel, after being asked if he thinks Aikman’s participation in the GM search affects his job status for 2026, reiterated he doesn’t think about his future.

“As far as everything else, again, I’m not going to spend one second of this job prioritizing what my job is under some other, ‘Does this work for me?’ ” he said. “My priority is I’m a head coach and I’m going to take those responsibilities (seriously) as they relate to everybody involved in the organization. I’m going to take those serious and focus on that. And I’m not joking, lying, misleading. I don’t think about all those questions ever. It’s a waste of my time and I don’t try to waste my time or other people’s.” 

Also, McDaniel seemed to be aware that Aikman, working as a television analyst, was critical of the Dolphins’ clock management in the game at Pittsburgh on Dec. 15.

“When things work, people will applaud,” McDaniel said. “When they don’t work they’ll have critiques. And if I expect anything else that’s a level of entitlement that doesn’t really hit me correctly. So it’s kind of the nature of the biz. So you’re telling me he didn’t like us not scoring points and taking up too much time. Neither did I. That was not the intent, and he’s doing his job. 

“And when I signed up for this job, it was inherent that results dictate all narratives regardless of if something was good, bad, or whatever. So it doesn’t bother me in the least. As a matter of fact, I think it would be funny if it did.”

Chubb gives thumbs up to Champ Kelly

Champ Kelly, the Dolphins interim general manager, has a major supporter in outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, the team leader in sacks (8.5), a team captain and the Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, who wishes “nothing but the best for him.”

Kelly, who is incredibly popular among everyone from players to security workers at Hard Rock Stadium, was appointed interim general manager after Grier’s dismissal. Kelly, hired by the Dolphins in March as senior personnel executive, will reportedly get an interview for the job.

Chubb was asked about Kelly on Wednesday.

“He’s an outstanding dude,” Chubb began. “I was actually talking to ‘JB’ (outside linebacker Jordyn Brooks) about this not too long ago; it’s funny how God works because at the beginning of the season during camp and (organized team activities), he had torn his Achilles so he was in the training room, just around, in the sauna, in the cold tub. 

“Us being players, we just see him in there, talking to him, building that relationship without him even possibly being the GM at the time, and then when he did become the GM, we already had that relationship with him. Everybody already had that certain type of familiarity with him. He just stayed doing the same things he was doing.

“He’s always around, always rapping it with us, talking with us, joking with us,” Chubb continued. “It’s just like we didn’t miss a beat from the person who was the executive to the person who’s the GM now. He just carries that same energy through the games. You look over to the sideline, you see him, it just makes you want to go a little harder because he cares about it, his heart is in it. It was in it before he got that job, too, so it’s been dope to see. I wish nothing but the best for him.”

Waller, Fitzpatrick to miss finale

Tight end Darren Waller (groin) has been placed on the injured reserve list, meaning his season is over, and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf) has been declared “out” for the New England game, according to the week’s final report on Friday.

Seven players are questionable: running back De’Von Achane (shoulder), wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (ribs), center Aaron Brewer (neck), linebacker Jordyn Brooks (hamstring), outside linebackers Chop Robinson (concussion) and Quinton Bell (illness), and right tackle Austin Jackson (groin). Achane hasn’t practiced all week.

McDaniel said kicker Riley Patterson will handle kicking duties instead of the team activating kicker Jason Sanders (hip) from the injured reserve list.

In a roster move, the Dolphins signed running back Donovan Edwards off Washington’s practice squad and placed him on the active roster. The Dolphins released cornerback Clarence Lewis from the practice squad.

Chop assessment

Robinson, the 2024 first-round pick who is trying to rebound from a concussion sustained last week, has had a tough year statistically with 4.0 sacks after posting 6.0 last year as a rookie. Outside linebackers coach Sean Ryan was asked about areas where Robinson has done well this season.

“I think, No. 1, he’s taking on different blocks in the run game,” Ryan said. “I think he improved there. I think he’s always going to work on rushing the passer because it’s one of his strengths. But I think his counter rushes, things that he does off of what he does really well.

“But those counter rushes, when the speed and the things off the edge don’t work, what do you have next to go to? And I think he really developed in those ways. So those two stand out to me right off the jump, to be honest with you.”

Wease gets praise

Undrafted rookie wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. (three receptions, 95 yards, one touchdown) has been a preferred target for rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, largely because of their time together in training camp and on the practice squad. Wide receivers coach Robert Prince said he’s seen development from Wease this season even though he’s only played in two games.

“The thing with Theo is he was one of the guys that we really targeted, looking to draft him,” Prince said. “He fell through the cracks and we were able to get him so we’re extremely happy with that and with his development.”

Prince credited Jonathan Krause, the Dolphins’ assistant wide receivers coach, for working with Wease as well as other practice squad wide receivers Tahj Washington and A.J. Henning after practice to sharpen their techniques.

“That’s really helped speed up the process with those guys,” Prince said, “and you can see the proof in the pudding with Theo.”

Barkov did not participate in Thursday’s Panthers practice, but he did skate before practice, with getting on the ice representing another step toward his return.

The Milano Cortina Olympics begin Feb. 6, 2026.

The Panthers are well-represented on Finland’s team, even without Barkov.  Niko Mikkola, Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell all made the cut.

When USA Hockey announced its Olympic roster on Friday, Panthers defenseman Seth Jones was on the list, joining forward Matthew Tkachuk, who was named to the preliminary roster in June 2025.  Panthers general manager Bill Zito was named as assistant general manager for the team, and Panthers head equipment manager Teddy Richards will serve as equipment manager.

Other Panthers who will be playing for their countries are Uvis Balinskis (Latvia), Sam Reinhart (Canada) and Brad Marchand (Canada).

Sam Bennett, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP for the Panthers and also played on Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off team, was not on Canada’s roster.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

It was as if a previous rendition of the Heat was back, as if Erik Spoelstra’s team was mimicking the third-quarter failures of Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, third quarters becoming the social-media snark of turd quarters.

Now?

Now third quarters of heft and substance, including in Thursday night’s road victory over the Detroit Pistons that extended the winning streak to four going into Saturday’s 5 p.m. game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Kaseya Center.

Addressed and answered.

The exit from the halftime locker room no longer a road to ruin.

“Well, we’ve had enough games where we were a dud out of it, and I credit the locker room,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “In our meeting on Christmas Eve, basically everybody was talking about that, that we need to have more consistency coming out of the locker room.

“We’ve had a lot of halftime leads or played great first half basketball. Even in those losses, we had so many of those games where we played really well, and then the third quarter would just do us in. And so our guys have taken that to heart to try to be more consistent throughout the course of the game.”

Thursday night, the Heat outscored the Pistons 31-27 in the third. But it was a 15-2 start to the period that let the Eastern Conference leaders know Spoelstra’s team wasn’t going to fade, the surge creating enough of a gap to help withstand a late Detroit rally within two.

From rant, to results — and maybe a bit less Spoelstra stress during intermissions.

“Definitely a conversation,” center Bam Adebayo said of the Spoelstra talking point during both the slump and now the revival. “But more so our mentality going into the third.. We feel like we have a drop off to start the third. Our coach is a maniac and he’s going to emphasize it and pick at it until we get it right.

“So we’ve been getting this right, keep this going so he can stay off our backs.”

Jaime Jaquez Jr., who again helped boost the bench, this time with 19 points on Thursday night, said getting it right in the third was the acknowledged pathway to this on ramp of success.

“I think, you know, we’re just coming out with a different energy, different mentality,” he said, one of four Heat players with 15 or more points on Thursday night. “Really just trying to assert our presence and our dominance. Especially if we have a lead going into the next half, we want to come out and be really strong.”

Forward Norman Powell, who led the Heat with 36 points, said getting it done on both ends was essential in Thursday’s third, with the Heat limiting the Pistons to .429 shooting in the quarter, including 2 of 10 on 3-pointers.

“Not every night, like I’ve said before, we’re going to score 140,” he said of what the Heat accomplished their previous two games. “Everybody wanting to see that is great, but we got some good teams here that play defense, that are physical. They’re going to take us out of our first and second and third options.

“So we’ve got to be able to adjust and work the ball around and get the looks that we wanted. I thought we did a great job throughout the course of the game doing that, not letting their physicality take us out of what we wanted to do and playing together, trusting one another through the 48.”

While the 31-point third period hardly was overwhelming by recent Heat scoring standards, finding a way to come out of the period with a 13-point lead is what Spoelstra said mattered most.

“Sometimes you just need to get some of those possessions in the mud, and we were able to get some second opportunities,” he said. “And it’s a different way for us to impact the game. Third quarters are looking much better.”