Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
February 4, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
This past week the NBA G League's Fort Wayne Mad Ants overcame the largest deficit in league history to defeat the Canton Charge, the National Lacrosse League played its first ever regular season game in Las Vegas with the San Diego Seals defeating the Colorado Mammoth 17-10, and the Canadian Premier League awarded an expansion team to Ottawa for the coming season. Highlights from this week are from the NBA G League, NBL Canada, National Lacrosse League, Western Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, XFL, Canadian Football League and the Texas League
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
The Fort Wayne Mad Ants defeated the Canton Charge, 124-118, at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. The Mad Ants erased a 35-point second-half lead, which set a new NBA G League record for the largest deficit overcome by a team in a victory. Canton (20-11) led Fort Wayne, 79-44, with 10:53 remaining in the third quarter before Fort Wayne began the comeback effort to rewrite the G League history books.
Top Plays of the Week
National Basketball League of Canada
There are a handful of players in league history who are can't miss from the free throw line and this week's Cool Stat fills us in with who they are courtesy of league statistician, Chuck Miller.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
Brodie Merrill with an unbelievable launch from 200 feet out to end the half with a last-second goal for the San Diego Seals.
Top Five Plays of the Week
Premier Lacrosse League
The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) has announced that the league will return to Baltimore, MD for three games during the upcoming 2020 season. Homewood Field will host the PLL on June 20 and 21. The league is returning to Homewood Field after playing to a sell out crowd there during its inaugural season in 2019.
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
Hershey Bears goaltender Vitek Vanecek allowed only two goals over parts of four games to earn Most Valuable Player honors and help the Atlantic Division to victory in the 2020 AHL All-Star Challenge.
American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews announced that the Laval Rocket have been selected to host the 2021 AHL All-Star Classic. The first AHL All-Star Classic in the province of Quebec will be held at Place Bell on January 31 and February 1, 2021.
Western Hockey League
Washington Capitals prospect Eric Florchuk of The Vancouver Giants turns on the jets, cuts through the defense & delivers a win in overtime
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Our Top 10 Plays of the Month of January feature; a perfect passing play, some tremendous solo efforts and, most of all, some UNREAL SAVES!
FOOTBALL
XFL
We are here to END Football Withdrawal Syndrome. XFL on FOX!
Canadian Football League
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announce the club has agreed to terms with Grey Cup winning quarterback Zach Collaros on a two-year contract extension. Collaros, 31, started four games last season for Winnipeg, winning all four and leading the team to a Grey Cup title.
Ottawa REDBLACKS have a new gunslinger in town. They signed quarterback Nick Arbuckle to a two-year contract.
CFL lands in Frankfurt for 2020 German Global Combine
SOCCER
Canadian Premier League
The Canadian Premier League officially welcomes the first CPL expansion team in League history. The Canadian Premier League's 8th team is set to begin playing in April 2020 in Ottawa, Ontario and is owned by Club Atlético de Madrid.
United Soccer League One
Inter Miami CF today unveiled Fort Lauderdale Club de Futbol as the official name for its USL League One team debuting in March 2020. The team will be commonly referred to as Fort Lauderdale CF.
BASEBALL
Texas League
Former MLB infielder Gregorio Petit has been named manager of the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks, their parent club Houston Astros announced. Petit, 35, will embark on his first professional coaching and managerial post. He will be the eighth manager in the 16-year history of the Hooks.
The Los Angeles Dodgers put on a show with their top 3 minor league baseball plays.
Florida State League
The Jupiter Hammerheads have announced Mike Jacobs will be the manager for the upcoming 2020 Florida State League season. The 39-year-old played seven seasons in the Major Leagues for the Mets, Marlins, Royals, and Diamondbacks.
OTHER SPORTS
World TeamTennis
Former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova will return to the Orange County Breakers this July for two World TeamTennis matches. Sharapova, who will be entering her eighth season with the Breakers, is scheduled to play the July 28 and 29 home matches in Newport Beach.
Major League Rugby
Formally known as the Austin Herd and based in Round Rock, TX, Loyals LLC have purchased the Austin Major League Rugby franchise. The team will debut as Austin Gilgronis (the AGs) and relocate to Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, TX, for the 2020 Major League Rugby (MLR) season on February 9 at 7 pm (CST, local time).
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
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Western Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2020
- Gameday Hub: February 5th - Saskatoon Blades
- Raiders' Paddock Named to Vaughn CHL Team of the Week - WHL
- Winterhawks Sign Prospect Litke - Portland Winterhawks
- Team Olczyk vs. Team Patterson at Hockey Challenge 2020 - Seattle Thunderbirds
- February 4 - Canes Chatter - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Rookie Defenceman Patterson About to Conclude Successful Stint with Rebels - Red Deer Rebels
- T-Birds Sign Nico Myatovic - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Royals Announce Details for Inaugural Tech Night - Victoria Royals
- Game Day Hub: February 4 - Portland Winterhawks
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
