Aces’ title among top sports stories for 2022

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — In no particular order, here are some of best moments in the world of sports for 2022. We’ve picked 10, so perhaps something’s missing?

World Cup

Lionel Messi led Argentina past defending champion France in a 4-2 penalty shootout for the World Cup championship in Lusail, Qatar, on Sunday. The game ended 3-3 in regulation, and Argentina was better in the penalty kick phase.

The 3-3 draw featured two goals from Messi, 35, and a hat trick by his heir apparent, France forward Kylian Mbappé.

“It’s just crazy that it became a reality this way,” Messi said. “I craved for this so much. I knew God would bring this gift to me. I had the feeling that this (World Cup) was the one.”

The tournament has been held every four years since 1930, with the exceptions of 1942 and 1946 because of World War II.  

Dusty Baker’s Astros win World Series

After 25 years of chasing a World Series as a major league manager, Dusty Baker finally got his ring when the Houston Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies in six games. At 73, Baker is the oldest manager or coach in the four major league sports — baseball, basketball, hockey and football — to win a championship. His 2,093 regular-season victories rank ninth on the all-time list for managers. The eight men who rank ahead of him all have at least one World Series championship as a manager.

Rams beat Bengals to win Super Bowl LVI

Aaron Donald led a defense that got a game-record seven sacks and Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp led the offense as the Los Angeles Rams rallied to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Donald, the cat-quick lineman, had two sacks, including one on the Bengals’ final drive, and teammate Von Miller matched that effort. Kupp, the game’s MVP, had eight receptions for 92 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Stafford, acquired for draft picks from Detroit to be the finishing touch on the Rams’ roster, was 26-for-40 passing for 283 yards and three touchdowns.

Golden State beats Boston in NBA Finals

Steph Curry led the Warriors to victory over the Celtics in a six-game NBA Finals. It was the fourth title for the Warriors in the past eight years. In that same span, Golden State made six Finals appearances under coach Steve Kerr. Curry was Finals MVP for the first time in his career; he has played on each Warriors team that made the Finals since 2015.

Avalanche deny Tampa Bay’s bid for third straight Stanley Cup

The third championship in franchise history for Colorado ended the Lightning’s bid for a third consecutive Stanley Cup. The Avs won in six games, with defenseman Cale Makar being awarded…