Last Week around the Leagues

This past week the National Lacrosse League returned to play after the 2020-21 season was cancelled due to COVID-19, New York City FC and the Portland Timbers advanced to the MLS Cup Final, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats advanced to the 108th CFL Grey Cup, and Pacific FC was crowned Canadian Premier League champions. Highlights from this week are from the National Lacrosse League, Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League, United Soccer League Championship, Canadian ... Full Story

Tampa Bay Lightning Recall Defenseman Fredrik Claesson from Syracuse Crunch

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled defenseman Fredrik Claesson from the Syracuse Crunch, vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois announced today. Additionally, the team has reassigned forward Alex Barre-Boulet to the Crunch. Claesson, 29, has skated in three games with the Lightning this season, posting two shots on goal. The 6-foot-1, 196-pound defenseman has appeared in 164 career NHL games over seven seasons, notching seven goals and 28 points. He's also skated in three games for the Crunch this season, posting one assist and a plus-3 rating. The Stoc... Full Story

Burzan Scored 4 Points in Grizz 4-0 Win

West Valley City, Utah - Luka Burzan scored 2 goals and 2 assists and Trent Miner saved all 27 shots he saw to earn his league leading 3rd shutout of the season as the Utah Grizzlies defeated the Kalamazoo Wings 4-0 on Monday night at Maverik Center. Charle-Edouard D'Astous got Utah on the board 9:13 into the contest on a wrist shot from the high slot. It was his team leading 12th goal of the year. It turned out to be the game winner. Utah led 1-0 after 1. The Grizz outshot the Wings 18 to 9 in the first period and 40 to 27 for the game. Luka Burzan scored on a centering pass from Ben Ta... Full Story

Three-Goal First Period Pushes Griffins Past Monsters

CLEVELAND - The Grand Rapids Griffins' three-goal first period helped defeat the Cleveland Monsters 4-1 on Monday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The victory marked the Griffins fifth road win in the past seven trips. Grand Rapids has now outscored its opponents 8-0 in the last two first periods, as they put up five in the opening frame on Dec. 4 against Rockford. Kyle Criscuolo added his fifth multi-point game in the past seven outings. The center also extended his point streak to seven games (7-7-14), which is a new career high and a season high for any Griffin. Grand Rapids first lit t... Full Story

• Tampa Bay Lightning Recall Defenseman Fredrik Claesson from Syracuse Crunch - Syracuse Crunch (AHL)
• Dragons Organization Excited for Start of 2022 Season on April 8 - Dayton Dragons (High-A Central)
• Eric Jamieson, Caden Zaplitny Join Silvertips Active Roster - Everett Silvertips (WHL)
• Burzan Scored 4 Points in Grizz 4-0 Win - Utah Grizzlies (ECHL)
• Lakers Control Second Half in Victory over Stars - Salt Lake City Stars (G League)
• Rebels Prepared for Busy Week with Two Drafts Scheduled - Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
• Three-Goal First Period Pushes Griffins Past Monsters - Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL)
• Preview: Skyforce at Motor City - Sioux Falls Skyforce (G League)
• Monsters Skid in 4-1 Loss to Griffins - Cleveland Monsters (AHL)
• Calafiore and Carroll Named Honorable Mention for NAHL's East Division's Star of the Week - New Jersey Titans (NAHL)
• All Today's Minor League News
  

• Pacific FC's championship victory, helped by exuberant fans and maybe a special vial of water - CPL Victoria Times Colonist
• Watch Now: Local Hockey: United States Women's National Team, Chippewa Steel thrill packed house in Chippewa Falls - NAHL Chippewa Herald
• Minnesota United starts new development league team called MNUFC2 - MLS NEXT Pro Minneapolis Star Tribune
• Minnesota United starts new development league team called MNUFC2 - MLS Minneapolis Star Tribune
• San Diego Wave reportedly close to acquiring Alex Morgan - NWSL San Diego Union-Tribune
• PHOTOS: Victoria Pacific FC fans celebrate Canadian Premier League final victory - CPL Victoria News
• Henderson Silver Knights arena now 85 percent complete - AHL Las Vegas Review-Journal
• Vancouver Giants sign goaltender Connor Martin - WHL Abbotsford News
• Minicozzi to manage Lexington team; Dirty Birds to announce his replacement Tuesday - AtL Charleston Gazette-Mail
• Spokane Indians named Minor League Baseball Organization of the Year - High-A West Spokane Spokesman-Review
• All Today's Minor League Headlines

• Last Week around the Leagues by Fran Stuchbury
• Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report by Dan Krieger
• Baseball Mexico by Bruce Baskin
• A Brief History of the New Orleans Breakers by Paul Reeths
• A Brief History of the New Jersey Generals by Paul Reeths
• A Brief History of the Michigan Panthers by Paul Reeths

Maine Mariners Teddy Bear Toss

See All Today's Images The following minor league and alternative professional sports teams on OurSports Central have been viewed the most over the last seven days:

1. Akron RubberDucks - Double-A Northeast League (AA Northeast)
2. Capital City Go-Go - NBA G League (G League)
3. Bowie Baysox - Double-A Northeast League (AA Northeast)
4. Washington Spirit - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
5. B.C. Lions - Canadian Football League (CFL)
6. Toledo Mud Hens - Triple-A East League (AAA East)
7. Jersey Shore BlueClaws - High-A East League (High-A East)
8. Pensacola Blue Wahoos - Double-A South League (AA South)
9. Maryland Black Bears - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
10. NJ/NY Gotham FC - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)

The most recent minor league and alternative professional sports teams added to OurSports Central:

• St. Louis City SC NEXT Pro - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
• FC Cincinnati NEXT Pro - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
• New York City FC NEXT Pro - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
• Houston Dynamo 2 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
• Columbus Crew 2 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
• Rapids 2 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
• Vancouver Whitecaps FC NEXT Pro - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
• Chicago Fire FC NEXT Pro - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
• San Jose Earthquakes - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
• Minnesota United FC 2 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)

OurSports Central provides coverage of select alternative and minor league professional sports leagues in addition to the top junior hockey leagues and college wood bat baseball leagues:

BASEBALL
Affiliated Minor League Baseball
AA Central, AA Northeast, AA South, AAA East, AAA West, AzCL, AzFL, GCL, High-A Central, High-A East, High-A West, Low-A East, Low-A Southeast, Low-A West, ML, MLBDL
College Wood Bat Baseball
ApL, Northwoods
Independent Minor League Baseball
AA, AtL, FL, Mavericks, Pecos, PL

BASKETBALL
Men's Minor League Basketball
BIG3, CEBL, G League, NBL Canada
Women's Basketball
WNBA

FOOTBALL
Indoor/Arena Football
CIF, IFL, NAL
Outdoor Football
CFL, USFL, XFL

HOCKEY
Junior Hockey
NAHL, OHL, QMJHL, USHL, WHL
Minor League Hockey
AHL, ECHL, FPHL, SPHL
Women's Hockey
PHF

LACROSSE
Indoor Lacrosse
NLL
Outdoor Lacrosse
PLL

OTHER
Other Sports
MLR
Other Women's
WTT

SOCCER
Indoor Soccer
MASL
Outdoor Soccer
CPL, MLS, MLS NEXT Pro, USL, USL1
Women's Soccer
NWSL, USLSL