Australia and New Zealand gather in Turkey to commemorate WWI battle

ISTANBUL (AP) — Officials and visitors from Australia, New Zealand and Turkey gathered in northwest Turkey on Saturday to commemorate the 111th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli.

The solemn ceremony began at 5:30 a.m. local time near a beach where the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, or Anzacs, first landed at Gallipoli at dawn on April 25, 1915.

The hour-long event included mournful hymns, prayers and the laying of wreaths by the participants, which included representatives from many countries around the world.

The Gallipoli campaign, part of a British-led effort to defeat the Ottoman Empire, ultimately failed, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides during the eight-month conflict. It aimed to secure a naval route from the Mediterranean Sea to Istanbul through the Dardanelles, and knock the Ottomans out of the war.

The battle helped forge Australia and New Zealand’s national identities as well as friendship with their former adversary, Turkey.

“From great suffering, understanding can grow. From former enemies, friendships can blossom. The relationship between Turkey, Australia and New Zealand is built on remembrance, respect and recognition of our shared humanity,” said Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro during the opening address.

Turkish Col. Fatih Cansiz read from the tribute Turkey’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk made in 1934 for the fallen: “Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives … you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side in this country of ours.”

Ataturk first rose to prominence as commander of the Turkish forces at Gallipoli, then went on to lead Turkey’s War of Independence and ultimately found the Turkish Republic.

Deputy Commander of the French Strike Force Vice Admiral Yannick Bossu places red carnations at the Turkish Martyrs' cemetery after the international service in recognition of the Gallipoli campaign at Mehmetcik monument, a day before ANZAC Day, in the Gallipoli peninsula near Canakkale, Turkey, Friday, April 24, 2026. (Sercan Ozkurnazli/Dia Photo via AP)

A British soldier plays a pipe during a ceremony in recognition of the fallen during Gallipoli campaign, at the Cape Helles British memorial site in the Gallipoli peninsula near Canakkale, Turkey, Friday, April 24, 2026. (Sercan Ozkurnazli/Dia Photo via AP)

Australian and New Zealand soldiers pay their respects during a ceremony in recognition of the fallen during Gallipoli campaign, at the Cape Helles British memorial site in the Gallipoli peninsula near Canakkale, Turkey, Friday, April 24, 2026. (Sercan Ozkurnazli/Dia Photo via AP)

A New Zealand soldier marches during the international service in recognition of the Gallipoli campaign at Mehmetcik monument, a day before ANZAC Day, in the Gallipoli peninsula near Canakkale, Turkey, Friday, April 24, 2026. (Sercan Ozkurnazli/Dia Photo via AP)

New Zealand soldiers march during the international service in recognition of the Gallipoli campaign at Mehmetcik monument, a day before ANZAC Day, in the Gallipoli peninsula near Canakkale, Turkey, Friday, April 24, 2026. (Sercan Ozkurnazli/Dia Photo via AP)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Lawson Crouse scored twice in a 5:42 span in the second period and the Utah Mammoth won the first NHL playoff game in the state, beating the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 on Friday night for a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is Monday night in Salt Lake City. Utah evened the series in Las Vegas on Tuesday after winning 3-2. Vegas won the series opener 4-2 on its home ice on Sunday.

The Mammoth are in their second season in Utah after leaving Arizona.

Crouse’s goals capped an early flurry that saw the Mammoth score four times over the first 30 minutes while being limited to only eight shots on goal during that stretch.

“Over the years, we’ve been a team that’s been able to generate in different ways,” Utah captain Clayton Keller said. “Sometimes we’re going to have more shots than other nights. Quality over quantity sometimes and just bearing down on the looks that you do get. I think that’s the most important thing.”

MacKenzie Weegar and Dylan Guenther scored for Utah in the first period, with Guenther striking on a power play. Crouse followed in the second. He tipped in the puck at the 4:06 mark and then struck on a long shot between the circles at 9:48 to make it 4-0.

Carter Hart stayed on the ice for the Golden Knights through all three periods despite giving up four goals by the midway point of the second.

“I have full faith in him. He wants to work through it,” Vegas coach John Tortorella said. “He has an attitude and a mental toughness about him at that position. He’ll be fine.”

Karel Vejmelka made 29 saves for the Mammoth, who had only 12 shots on goal against Hart. Keller had two assists for the first multi-point game of his playoff career.

Jack Eichel got Vegas on the board with 6:40 left in the second. Nic Dowd made it 4-2 with 3:08 left in the third.

Vegas went 0 of 4 on the power play while Utah converted its lone opportunity.

“I think (Vejmelka) was rock solid and made keys saves at key moments on the PK,” Mammoth coach Andre Tourigny said. “We had a great performance from our special teams.”

Weegar opened the scoring with 7:01 left in the first, tracking down a feed from Liam O’Brien and blasting the puck between the circles.

Guenther converted on a power play with 2:14 to go in the period on a slap shot from the top of the left circle.

AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) scores against Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) during the second period of Game 3 of the first round in an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, Friday, April 24, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) blocks a shot by Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) during the second period of Game 3 of the first round in an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, Friday, April 24, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (92) fights with Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) during the first period of Game 3 of the first round in an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, Friday, April 24, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Utah Mammoth center Clayton Keller (9) celebrates a goal with teammates against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of Game 3 of the first round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, Friday, April 24, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Utah Mammoth celebrate after a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of Game 3 of the first round in a NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series, Friday, April 24, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)