PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cole Knuble has fond memories of the Philadelphia Flyers' home arena from his father, Mike, playing for them during his lengthy career.
On Monday night, he made his NHL debut for the team he grew up rooting for, with his parents in attendance. The 22-year-old was one of three players called up from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League to fill in for injured forwards Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster and Travis Konecny against Colorado.
“Obviously I have been a fan of this team my whole life, so I think it’s extra special,” Knuble said.
A fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft, Knuble nearly made the team out of training camp. He was disappointed to get sent to the minors but quickly adjusted his thinking.
“I came (to camp) trying to make the team,” Knuble said. “But I think once I got down to Lehigh, the staff was so great. The players were all very welcoming, and I got to play in every situation. If you’re doing that, you can’t really complain too much, and I get an opportunity every game to kind of showcase myself and it’s a lot of fun.”
Mike Knuble played 362 games, counting playoffs, with Philadelphia from 2005-09 and 2013.
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Philadelphia Flyers' Cole Knuble walks to the ice before an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Angel Reese had 30 points and 16 rebounds, Allisha Gray added 18 points and the Atlanta Dream stymied Golden State on both ends in the second half, beating the Valkyries 79-65 on Monday night to even the best-of-seven WNBA Finals at one game apiece.
Rhyne Howard set a Finals record with six steals, while Jordin Canada contributed 13 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as the Dream earned the franchise's first Finals victory after going winless in three previous trips — 0-10 overall. They now head home having salvaged a split in front of the boisterous “Ballhalla” crowd at Chase Center.
“This environment is tough to play in. Shoutout to the fans. Shoutout my team, though,” Reese said. “We came and fought. I mean, that Game 1 was tough for us. But we moved on.”
Reese became the third player with at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a Finals game, joining Jonquel Jones for Connecticut in 2019 and Breanna Stewart for Seattle in 2020.
“She was definitely way more aggressive, she had a great game,” Valkyries center Kiah Stokes said. “We let everyone kind of have their way.”
Game 3 is Wednesday in Atlanta, where the next two matchups were moved to the NBA Hawks’ State Farm Arena so more fans could attend. It holds more than 17,000, as opposed to the Dream’s regular home, Gateway Center Arena, which accommodates only 3,500.
Chase Center holds 18,064 and has sold out every game since the Valkyries began playing last year.
Gabby Williams finished with 14 points on 3-for-15 shooting after she was the only Golden State player to score in double figures with 26 points in Saturday’s 68-64 Game 1 win. The Valkyries shot 34.4% and went 7 for 24 from 3-point range.
“We shot terribly,” point guard Veronica Burton said. “We missed shots that we make all the time.”
Foul trouble almost did in the Dream this time — but Reese simply wouldn’t have it. She went scoreless in the second half of the opener but delivered the big baskets and key defensive stops two days later, finishing 10 for 16 from the floor while dishing out three assists and blocking two shots.
“We watched film and saw the things that we messed up on. When I said that they didn’t do anything to mess us up, it was literally just us,” Reese said. “And we can see that tonight. And we’re gonna carry that over in Atlanta. Atlanta, y’all better pull up and pop out, I’m looking forward to it.”
Atlanta scored 24 points off Golden State's 19 turnovers to hand the Valkyries their first loss in regulation since a 73-70 defeat at Chicago on Aug. 21. The Dream had just eight points off turnovers in Game 1 but returned to the defensive formula that advanced Atlanta this far.
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Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (1) passes the ball while defended by Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese, left, during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals in San Francisco, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) reacts during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Golden State Valkyries, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
Atlanta Dream guard-forward Rhyne Howard, left, steals the ball from Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (1) during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) calls a play against the Atlanta Dream during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) reacts during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Golden State Valkyries, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
Golden State Valkyries and Warriors owner Joe Lacob, middle, watches with Warriors president and chief operating officer Brandon Schneider, middle left, and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr during the second half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams celebrates after Game 1 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Atlanta Dream, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Golden State Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen reacts after scoring against the Atlanta Dream during the first half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball finals, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) celebrates with guard-forward Kaila Charles (6) during the second half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball finals, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
