Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
September 21, 2021 - Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)
This past week the Chaos won its first Premier Lacrosse League Championship, three NBA G League teams filled head coaching vacancies, and the Indoor Football League's Iowa Barnstormers parted ways with head coach Les Moss. Highlights from this week are from the Premier Lacrosse League, NBA G League, Women's National Basketball Association, Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League, United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One, Canadian Football League, Indoor Football League, North American Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League and American Ultimate Disc League.
LACROSSE
Premier Lacrosse League
The nation's capital played host to a championship coronation at Audi Field, as the Chaos were able to best the Whipsnakes by a 14-9 score to take home the 2021 PLL Championship. Dhane Smith capped off his incredible playoff run with another six-point performance, making it 18 total points across the team's three playoff contests. Chase Fraser (4G), Josh Byrne (2G, 2A), and Chris Cloutier (2G, 2A) also turned in massive days for Chaos. 2021 Jim Brown Most Valuable Player award winner Blaze Riorden came up with another stellar outing when it mattered most for his team, as he turned away 15 shots on the day.
The Chaos completed their Cinderella run to the 2021 Premier Lacrosse League crown, putting together a dominant performance on both sides of the field to dethronie the two-time defending champion Whipsnakes 14-9.
"I say this with unending gratitude and the heaviest of hearts, my time has come. After 23 years of playing this beautiful game, I've decided to retire," said Cannons Lacrosse Club midfielder and PLL Co-Founder, Paul Rabil. Two-time NCAA Champion, two-time World Lacrosse Champion, two-time Major League Lacrosse Champion, National Lacrosse League Champion, three-time Most Valuable Player, Professional Lacrosse's All-Time Scoring Champion, and member of the Cannons Lacrosse Club, Paul Rabil, is ending his career after 14 years of professional competition.
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
The NBA G League announced a new innovative format to its season structure featuring both a 36-game regular season and an expanded Showcase Cup, a 14-game tournament which begins on Friday, Nov. 5 and then concludes at the annual NBA G League Winter Showcase from Dec. 19-22. The 2021-22 regular-season will then commence on Dec. 27 with traditional playoffs and the NBA G League Finals presented by YouTube TV in April 2022. The NBA G League also released its complete game schedule for the full season for 2021-22 play. NBA G League Ignite and Capitanes de la Ciudad de México will compete in the Showcase Cup but will not take part in the 36-game regular season.
2021-22 NBA G League Season Breakdown
This season the NBA G League are adding two new teams; the Capitanes De La Ciudad De Mexico and Birmingham Squadron. Capitanes De La Ciudad De Mexico will be the first-ever team outside the USA. Two teams are also changing their name - the Grand Rapids Drive will go by the Grand Rapids Gold and the Maine Red Claws will be the Maine Celtics. It's going to be a season you'll never forget.
Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced that the Greensboro Swarm has named Jordan Surenkamp head coach. Surenkamp becomes the third head coach in franchise history. Surenkamp has been elevated to lead the Swarm after completing his third season with the Hornets â his second as the Head Video Coordinator. He joined the organization prior to the 2018 season as an Assistant Video Coordinator.
Here's what you can expect from your new Head Coach, Jordan Surenkamp.
The Miami HEAT announced today that Kasib Powell has been promoted to Head Coach of the Sioux Falls Skyforce. With the promotion, Powell becomes the 21st head coach in Sioux Falls' 32-season history and is the sixth-straight coach to be hand-selected by the HEAT following the single affiliation partnership established in 2013. Powell was originally hired by the Miami HEAT and Sioux Falls Skyforce as an assistant coach in 2016, a position he has held for each of the past four seasons while serving under former head coaches Nevada Smith and Eric Glass.
The Austin Spurs announced that the team has named Petar Bozic head coach, making him the eighth head coach in franchise history. Bozic spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach for the Austin Spurs. Before coming to Austin, he served as head coach of Partizan in his home country of Serbia from 2015-16 and assistant coach from 2013-15 following eight years of playing with the club from 2004-12. He helped lead Austin to an NBA G League championship in 2018 and Partizan to a Serbian League championship in 2014.
Women's National Basketball Association
Hoop Hall Class of 2021, enshrinee, Yolanda Griffith gives her speech at the Hall of Fame.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
Columbus Crew Eloy Room. The Curacao international gave the kind of performance late that could live on in club lore for a long time if the Crew mount a successful late playoff surge. Check out the injury and his three saves afterward, including the final one with what was literally the last touch of the game.
National Women's Soccer League
Kansas City NWSL unveiled plans for the team's new $15-million training facility in Riverside, Mo. The training facility, exclusively privately-funded by team owners, will be located just off I-635 and Horizons Parkway and is part of the team's aspiration to set the standard for the future of professional sports.
The complex in Riverside, Mo., will include two grass pitches and more than 17,000 square feet. The layout includes comprehensive team training features such as a world-class locker room, elite weight and cardio rooms, and multiple outdoor and gathering spaces.
Portland Thorns FC Bella Bixby takes home Verizon Save of the Week honors with this amazing save.
United Soccer League Championship
The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 21 of the 2021 regular season with Tampa Bay Rowdies midfielder Yann Ekra voted Player of the Week after recording two goals and two assists in his side's 6-0 victory against the New York Red Bulls II on Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium.
USL Championship Goal of the Week - Jose Francisco Torres - Colorado Springs Switchback FC
United Soccer League One
United Soccer League One Goal of the Week - Azaad Liadi - South Georgia Tormenta FC
FOOTBALL
Canadian Football League
The Ottawa REDBLACKS have signed American quarterback Devlin "Duck" Hodges to a three-year contract, the club announced. The 25-year old Alabama native and Samford University product most recently worked out for the New York Giants. Hodges originally signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2019 following a standout collegiate career. He has played in eight NFL games, six as the starter, all with the Steelers.
ARE YOU KIDDING.?! Kian Schaffer-Baker's first career CFL touchdown is a special one.
Indoor Football League
The Iowa Barnstormers have made the decision to part ways with Head Coach Les Moss, President Jeff Lamberti and General Manager Juli Pettit announced. Les Moss took on the role as Head Coach of the Iowa Barnstormers just before the start of the 2021 training camp. Despite having minimal time to prepare for the season, Moss was able to lead the team into the playoffs. The Barnstormers are grateful for all that Moss did for the organization during this challenging season.
Take a look at The Dollar Loan Center with Vegas Knight Hawks head coach Mike Davis.
BASEBALL
Low-A West League
Jimmy Kingsbury and Kelvin Nunez combined to no-hit the Stockton Ports in the Modesto Nuts' 7-0 win at Banner Island Ballpark. It's the third nine-inning no hitter recorded in Modesto franchise history. It was their first since 2013. And it was the first no hitter in the league since 2019.
Appalachian League
Boyd Sports, LLC has announced that Maya Mathis will be the general manager of the Elizabethton River Riders. Mathis spent the previous season with the River Riders as the assistant general manager. Before the Chattanooga native's entrance into the Boyd Sports family, she worked with Bristol Motor Speedway and East Tennessee State University.
HOCKEY
ECHL
The Tulsa Oilers, proud affiliate of the NHL's Anaheim Ducks and the AHL's San Diego Gulls, will enter the 2021-22 season under new ownership. After eight years under the leadership of Steven Brothers Sports Management, Tulsa Oilers Hockey has been purchased by California-based NL Sports, LLC, owned by Andy Scurto. NL Sports' current holdings include The Premier Hockey Federation (formerly the NWHL), Buffalo Beauts and Minnesota Whitecaps. The announcement was made at a press conference inside the BOK Center, the Oilers home since 2008
North American Hockey League
Some of the most exciting action from the 2021 NAHL Showcase!
The NAHL Stars of the week for September 13-19, 2021
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League announced the Board of Governors' approval for the Transfer of Ownership of the Guelph Storm Hockey Club from current owners Rick Gaetz, Scott Walker, Rick Hoyle and John Heeley to Toronto businessmen Joel Feldberg and Jeffrey Bly. The transfer of ownership is effective immediately.
OHL 20 In 20 Season Preview: Kitchener Rangers - The Kitchener Rangers look for continued success this season with a solid blend of established OHL players and exciting young talent.
OHL 20 In 20 Season Preview: Guelph Storm - GM and head coach George Burnett walks us through the skillsets, compete level and expectations of this year's Guelph Storm.
Western Hockey League
2021-22 Season Preview - Tri-City Americans - The Tri-City Americans point to goaltending and team speed as areas of strength ahead of the 2021-22 WHL season.
2021-22 Season Preview - Lethbridge Hurricanes - The Lethbridge Hurricanes veterans are set to lead the way as they prepare for the 2021-22 WHL season.
OTHER SPORTS
American Ultimate Disc League
The Top 10 plays from the 2021 Canada Cup Championship Game.
The Top 10 plays from the biggest event of the year: 2021 AUDL Championship Weekend.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
Premier Lacrosse League Stories from September 21, 2021
- 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.
