🏒 Oh, what a night! | Sports Daily Newsletter

So I’ll admit, I’m not an avid hockey fan. But I’ll never forget Keith Primeau’s fifth-overtime goal in 2000 against the Penguins in a game that didn’t end until after 2 a.m. As I watched that entire overtime portion in real time, it became something that wasn’t forgotten.

Last night — against the same team, coincidentally — made a hard run at second. So now the Flyers are moving on to face Carolina, which has all the makings of another battle, with a familiar face in Hurricanes head coach and former Flyers great Rod Brind’Amour.

OK, let’s not get ahead of ourselves; last night was made for recapping, and Inquirer writer Jackie Spiegel starts your Thursday doing exactly that.

You’ll need that umbrella today. Highs are approaching the low-60s, but expect a shower or two.

— Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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❓What were your thoughts on last night’s Flyers game? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Joel Embiid said it, and he was right. In Game 5 against Boston, the Sixers “locked in.” As a result, we’re preparing for Game 6 tonight in Philly in what is a pair of glorious back-to-back nights of playoff fever here at home.

As Sixers writer Gina Mizell said, “The Sixers defended and rebounded. Joel Embiid, in his second game back from an appendectomy, asserted himself offensively, and the Sixers appropriately complemented the former MVP.”

Now, a chance to run it back and tie things up happens inside Xfinity Mobile Arena tonight (8 p.m., Peacock). Before all that, the team divulged what’s driving them to make this series a battle.

👏🏽 Applauding: Steve Donahue wins Big 5 men’s Coach of the Year after starting the season as head coach of St. Joseph’s with so many questions.

🗣️ Relaying: The Union’s jersey sponsorship deal with Bimbo Bakeries remains intact as the company plans to leave its longtime offices in Horsham.

🏈 Counting: The number of local ties to the most recent NFL draft. Spoiler alert: There are quite a few.

☝🏾 Reminding: There’s a doubleheader today at the ballpark after Wednesday’s Phillies game against the San Francisco Giants was rained out.

👀 Watching: Fans finding out in real time that Phillies manager Rob Thomson was fired.

From an overlooked and overweight high school football player four years ago to the 68th pick in the NFL draft this past weekend, new Eagles offensive tackle Markel Bell epitomizes the term “never say die.”

However, there’s a bit of mystery in the Eagles’ third-round pick this past week, one that Inquirer writer Jeff Neiburg unpacks in his latest piece.

A month into the season, the Phillies haven’t pitched or played defense like a winning team. They sure as heck haven’t hit like one. They have a bunch of right-handed hitters who should bat seventh in a contender’s lineup, but none who should bat fourth.

Dave Dombrowski must see it. He has eyes.

Yet there he was Tuesday, hours after firing manager Rob Thomson amid a 9-19 start and a majors-worst minus-54 run differential, actually defending the roster that he built and is costing ownership more than $320 million, including luxury tax.

“No, I don’t have any regrets,” Dombrowski said. “If we play this way the rest of the year, I’ll have a lot of regrets at the end of the year. But I think we’re a lot better than this.”

Maybe they will prove to be. But no regrets? None?

Next: The Phillies embark on a doubleheader today. Game 1 will begin at 12:35 p.m., and Game 2 will start at 5:35 p.m.

Today in Vancouver, members from 211 soccer nations will have delegates with big decisions to make and important questions to answer when the 76th FIFA Congress convenes at noon Philly time.

News surrounding topics like exorbitant ticket prices, travel bans, and Iran’s place in all of it will be up for discussion and debate.

With that all transpiring in the background, Inquirer soccer writer Jonathan Tannenwald is on site reporting on the outcome and how it affects the games coming to Philly.

April 30, 1990: While then Mets pitcher David Cone argued a call at first base in a game against the Braves, two Atlanta runners ran in and scored. I’m sure it’s a memory he’d rather forget. Which reminds me that we caught up with Cone a few months back as an analyst for ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. Check this out.

[Phillies president Dave] Dombrowski’s job is to hold folks accountable. He’s holding Thomson accountable, obviously. He’s also holding the hitters and the pitchers and the league-worst defense accountable — a defense that even Dombrowski agrees is below average when it is at its best. But himself? Not so much. — The latest from columnist Marcus Hayes as he examines the state of the Phillies.

We asked: Do you have any advice for Don Mattingly as he takes over as the Phillies interim manager?

Let the starting pitchers go until they get tired. — Bill M.

Don Mattingly needs no advice from me. He played 13 years in MLB amd was an MVP, and MVP runner-up, a six-time All Star, and won nine Gold Gloves. He managed the Dodgers for five years while winning three division titles. He won Manager of the Year with the lowly Marlins in 2020. He joined with only two others who won an MVP, a Gold Glove, and Manager of the Year. Let’s hope he can inspire our guy to return to the top. — Everett S.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jackie Spiegel, Scott Lauber, Gina Mizell, Conor Smith, Jonathan Tannenwald, Marcus Hayes, Lochlahn March, Devin Jackson, Sam Carchidi, and Vaughn Johnson.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Appreciate the time spent with you today, Philly. We’ll be back to get you ready for the weekend tomorrow. — Kerith