Sports
Blue Jackets blast Kraken, extend point streak to 12 games
Mar 21, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins (90) makes a stick save against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images Cole Sillinger had a goal and two assists and Zach Werenski had three helpers as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the visiting Seattle Kraken 5-2 on Saturday.
Mathieu Olivier had a goal and an assist and Danton Heinen, Damon Severson and Kent Johnson also scored for Columbus (37-21-11, 85 points), which won its fourth in a row and extended its point streak to 12 games (8-0-4). Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins made 15 saves.
Kaapo Kakko had a goal and an assist and Vince Dunn also tallied for Seattle (31-29-9, 71 points), which lost its third straight. Joey Daccord stopped 23 of 27 shots.
The Blue Jackets outshot Seattle 13-7 in the first period while taking a 3-1 lead.
Heinen opened the scoring at 2:48 as his wrist shot from between the top of the faceoff circles deflected off Kraken forward Jacob Melanson and over Daccord’s shoulder.
Severson made it 2-0 at 8:58 on a slap shot from the top of the right faceoff circle that found its way inside the far post. Daccord claimed he was obstructed, but the Kraken did not challenge the goal.
Olivier extended the advantage at 15:16 after Sillinger’s pass to the top of the crease from the left wing went off Kraken defenseman Ryan Lindgren’s stick. Olivier located the loose puck, spun and slid it inside the right post.
The Kraken responded on Dunn’s blistering slap shot from the top of the left circle at 16:17 after taking a pass from Kakko in the right-wing corner.
Seattle pulled within a goal on the power play at 8:31 of the second as Kakko beat Merzlikins with a sharp-angled wrister from low on the right wing.
The Blue Jackets responded quickly with a 3-on-2 rush at 9:33. Conor Garland drove the puck to the goal line on the left wing before sending a backhand pass to Johnson for a snap shot from just outside the top right of the crease.
Sillinger clinched the victory with an empty-netter at 17:34 of the third.
Kraken forward Jared McCann, the franchise’s career scoring leader, was a late scratch after suffering a lower-body injury in pregame warmups.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Serena Williams wants to make comeback at Queen's Club
Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian of Los Angeles Golf Club watch their team against Jupiter Links GC during the TGL finals at SoFi Center on March 23, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Serena Williams reportedly is planning a return to professional tennis.
The Telegraph reported Thursday that Williams, 44, plans to request a wild card to play doubles with Victoria Mboko, 19, of Canada in the Queen’s Club Championships next month in London. The tournament, which begins on June 8, serves as a grass-court tune-up for Wimbledon.
Williams had great success on the courts at Wimbledon, where she won seven singles titles. She also teamed with her sister, Venus Williams, for six doubles championships in London.
Serena Williams last played on the WTA Tour in a loss to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the 2022 U.S. Open.
In her time away from tennis, Williams gave birth to her second daughter in August 2023.
She reportedly re-entered the registered testing pool for the International Tennis Integrity Agency in December. She has completed the mandatory six-month period in that pool.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion initially dismissed comeback rumors in December before slightly changing her tune during an appearance on the “Today” show in late January.
“I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now,” Williams said, when asked on the show about a potential comeback. “That’s not a yes or no. I don’t know. I’m just gonna see what happens.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
MAAC rebranded, now The Metro Conference
Iona Men’s Basketball vs Siena in MAAC men’s basketball tournament quarterfinal game in Atlantic City on March 10 7:30 PM
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The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference is shedding part of its name while trying to maintain tradition.
The conference will rebrand as The Metro Conference effective July 1, as an element of strategic planning launched three years ago.
“The goal of this project was to establish a bold and clear identity that eliminated longstanding confusion surrounding the Conference’s name,” said Travis Tellitocci, MAAC commissioner, in a news release. “Throughout this process, we wanted to create a brand that better positions the Conference for the future while still honoring the tradition and foundation that have defined this league for the past 45 years. We are excited about this next chapter and the future of the Metro Conference.”
Confusion existed with the similar-sounding Mid-American Conference — the Cleveland-based MAC. The length of the full name of the conference also “created inconsistencies in how the brand was referenced and frequently led to the conference being referred to incorrectly,” the new Metro Conference said in its release.
The rebranding includes a new red-and-blue logo with a bold type.
The MAAC was founded in 1980 and has 13 member schools, largely based in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut: Canisius, Fairfield, Iona, Marist, Merrimack, Mount St. Mary’s, Niagara, Quinnipiac, Rider, Sacred Heart, Saint Peter’s and Siena.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Arizona F Koa Peat to remain in 2026 NBA Draft
Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) is defended by Michigan Wolverines guard Nimari Burnett (4) and Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images Forward Koa Peat, a projected first-round pick, will remain in the 2026 NBA Draft and will not return to Arizona for his sophomore season, multiple outlets reported.
Peat’s reported decision comes on the heels of an NBA Draft Combine performance in which he admitted that he struggled.
Listed at 6-foot-8, Peat averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists while helping to lead the Wildcats to the Big 12 regular-season and conference titles.
The Arizona native raised his game during the NCAA Tournament, averaging 17.2 points and 7.6 boards in five games as the Wildcats advanced to the Final Four before falling to Michigan.
–Field Level Media
Report: Serena Williams wants to make comeback at Queen's Club
MAAC rebranded, now The Metro Conference
