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Last Week around the Leagues

by Fran Stuchbury
May 11, 2021 - American Hockey League (AHL)


This past week Portland Thorns FC won the NWSL Challenge Cup Championship, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats selected tight end Jake Burt with the first overall pick in the 2021 Canadian Football League Draft, and the Vancouver Canucks announced they would relocate their American Hockey League franchise to Abbotsford, B.C., next season. Highlights from this week are from the National Women's Soccer League, Major League Soccer, United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One, Canadian Football League, The Spring League, American Hockey League, ECHL, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League; Triple-A East, Women's National Basketball Association, NBA G League, and Major League Rugby

SOCCER

National Women's Soccer League

In the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup Championship, the Portland Thorns defeated NJ/NY Gotham FC on penalty kicks, 6-5, after a 1-1 draw at Providence Park. It would be the first competitive penalty shootout in club history for the Thorns, and the first time a league trophy would be awarded in that manner since the 2016 NWSL Championship.

In the first league trophy decided by penalties since 2016, the Portland Thorns prevailed against the visiting NJ/NY Gotham FC in the 2021 Challenge Cup Championship.

With a game-winning header late in the second half, OL Reign Celia Jiménez Delgado earns the Budweiser Player of the Week award for Challenge Cup Week 3.

With a spectacular goal line clearance, North Carolina Courage Carson Pickett earned Verizon Save of the Week honors.

Major League Soccer

Bicycle Kick Golazo by Real Salt Lake's Rubio Rubín

United Soccer League Championship

The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 2 of the 2021 regular season with San Antonio FC's Santiago Patino taking Player of the Week honors after recording a hat trick in his side's season-opening contest against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

United Soccer League One

USL League One Goal of the Week Winner - Week 4 - Lachlan McClean - Greenville Triumph

USL League One Save of the Week Winner - Week 4 - Austin Aviza - Richmond Kickers

In a big step forward for the future of professional soccer in Spokane, Washington, the Spokane Public School Board voted to approve a new mixed-use downtown stadium development project that paves the way for a USL League One expansion club in the city. The new venue, which will be located on the banks of the Spokane River, and across the street from the Spokane Arena, will be developed, owned and operated by the Spokane Public Facilities District.

FOOTBALL

Canadian Football League

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats selected tight end Jake Burt with the first overall pick in the 2021 Canadian Football League Draft on Tuesday night and signed him to a three-year contract. Burt, 24, signed as an undrafted free agent with the National Football League's New England Patriots on April 26, 2020. He went on to attend training camp with the Patriots before spending the season on their practice roster. The 6-4, 260-pound tight end played 36 games at Boston College over parts of five seasons (2015-19), registering 23 receptions for 307 yards and two touchdowns.

After a season with the New England Patriots, Jake Burt put in his paperwork to become eligible for the 2021 CFL draft, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats selected Burt with the first overall pick. Justin Dunk has the story.

Indoor Football League

The six-time world champion Arizona Rattlers have announced that they will play at full capacity for all of their 2021 home games at Phoenix Suns Arena. The Rattlers are the first IFL team to announce that their home games will be played at 100 percent capacity, as team President and Head Coach Kevin Guy instated numerous Covid-19 health and safety protocols in order to make this possible.

The Spring League

Taking a look at all the angles of Sea Lions WR Tommy Lavine's ridiculous one handed TD grab from Week 1.

Jousters QB Luis Perez is a prolific bowler but he knows the window to play professional football is small. After rising the ranks of football from D-II national champion at Texas A&M Commerce to multiple NFL teams, he's with The Spring League's Jousters of the South Division in Houston to prove he's worth a roster spot at the highest level and not just one in the off-season. Learn a little more about Perez in this feature from FOX Sports.

HOCKEY

American Hockey League

American Hockey League President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Howson announced that the AHL Board of Governors, convening today for its Spring Meeting, has approved the following franchise transactions: - The AHL franchise owned by the Vancouver Canucks will relocate from Utica, N.Y., to Abbotsford, B.C., to play at the Abbotsford Centre beginning with the 2021-22 AHL season. - The AHL franchise owned by the New Jersey Devils will relocate from Binghamton, N.Y., to Utica, N.Y., to play at the Adirondack Bank Center beginning with the 2021-22 AHL season.

Vancouver Canucks to relocate AHL franchise to Abbotsford, B.C.

City of Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri and Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente respond to new Comets AHL deal.

ECHL

ECHL Plays of the Week

ECHL Saves of the Week

North American Hockey League

NAHL Plays of the Week

NAHL Stars of the Week

Western Hockey League

For the fourth time in five seasons, the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club are U.S. Division Champions!

United States Hockey League

After the 2020-21 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Madison Capitols are announcing they are officially returning to play for the 2021-2022 season. The announcement comes ahead of the USHL draft scheduled for May 26 & 27, 2021.

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

QMJHL Plays of the Week

BASEBALL

Triple-A East

The Iowa Cubs pitching staff tossed a combined no-hitter to win the series against Indianapolis, by a final score of 2-0. Shelby Miller (3.0), Tommy Nance (3.0), Brad Wieck (2.0) and Ryan Meisinger (1.0) spun the first combined no-hitter for the Iowa Cubs since September 1, 1997 against Omaha.

Due to recent changes in state guidelines, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are pleased to announce that PNC Field will return to full capacity on June 1. "The change in state guidelines is great news for our fans," stated John Adams, Team President of the RailRiders. "While certain protocols must remain in place, we know things are heading in the right direction and our staff is excited to welcome all of our fans back to PNC Field next month.

Durham Bulls shortstop and top minor league prospect Wander Franco rips an RBI triple for his first Triple-A knock!

High-A East League

With vaccinations across the Southeast increasing and health and safety protocols still in place, the Rome Braves plan to return to normal seating capacity beginning May 18 vs. the Bowling Green Hot Rods. "We are ecstatic to help this community return to a sense of normalcy," said David Cross, Vice President and General Manager of the Rome Braves. "After extensive conversation with the Atlanta Braves and local health officials, we feel that we can safely open our ballpark by following the safety measures in place.

BASKETBALL

Women's National Basketball Association

As part of the 25th anniversary season, the New York Liberty today announced the team's new mascot, Ellie the Elephant. Ellie will debut at Barclays Center during the team's home opener on May 14 as the Liberty enter their inaugural season in Brooklyn.

NBA G League

G League Ignite made history this past season. Now, they tell their story about it in the Overtime web series League Ready.

LACROSSE

Premier Lacrosse League

The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) powered by Ticketmaster announced it will be holding their 2021 Training Camp at Gillette Stadium from May 28 through June 3, 2021 leading up to their Week 1 matchups at Gillette Stadium. "There's not a venue as closely connected to lacrosse, with world-class facilities and amenities like Gillette Stadium and One Patriot Place," says co-founder and CEO, Mike Rabil. "With our opening weekend of games slated for June 4th, our athletes will receive the best care while preparing for the start of the season on location. ‚¬Â

OTHER SPORTS

Major League Rugby

The trailblazing LA Giltinis Rugby team announced a May 15 home game at SoFi Stadium that will be the first-ever chance for fans to experience rugby at the showpiece venue. SoFi Stadium will make its Major League Rugby (MLR) debut with fans on May 15 when the LA Giltinis face the Utah Warriors at 7 p.m. PT. The opportunity to showcase MLR in the state-of-the-art stadium demonstrates the exponential growth and interest in Rugby in Southern California.

Top 5 Tries from the seventh round of Major League Rugby.

Biggest Hits for Week 7

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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American Hockey League Stories from May 11, 2021


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